Basic science for the clinician 57: transforming growth factor β

As is so often the case, a molecule gets named for its first identified activity or apparent role and then that initial name sticks, even as new and perhaps fundamentally different activities emerge from later studies. It is the special power of evolution that takes a certain activity and then uses it over and over again in pursuit of apparently disparate goals in a maturing or mature organism. In general terms, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is intimately involved in a variety of differentiation and growth inhibition processes, in apoptosis, and in deposition of the extracellular matrix. Initially identified in its role in oncogenesis, TGF-β is now implicated in a number of vascular and rheumatologic disorders, perhaps most notably the scleroderma. TGF-β has been identified as a powerful influence in angiogenesis, wound healing, joint inflammation, tumor growth and metastasis, and, of course, immunoregulation. So "what is in a name?" A rose by any other name would smell as sweet and would still be immunologically active, even if the name is "misleading."