Embryonic expression pattern of TGF beta type-1 RNA suggests both paracrine and autocrine mechanisms of action

The tissue distribution of TGF beta form 1 RNA within mouse embryos of 10.5 to 15.5 days gestational age was investigated using in situ hybridization. As predicted from the prevalence of TGF beta-1 protein in adult bone and platelets, the RNA is highly abundant in fetal bone and in fetal liver megakaryocytes. Our data also reveal previously undocumented sites of synthesis for TGF beta-1, namely epithelia overlying those mesenchymal tissues that are known to contain TGF beta protein as detected by immunohistochemical methods (Heine et al. 1987) and in the mesenchymal tissues of certain internal organs. From a combined knowledge of the distribution of the TGF beta polypeptide (Heine et al. 1987) and its mRNA, and a knowledge of the reported biological activities of TGF beta-1, we invoke both paracrine and autocrine mechanisms of action for this growth factor.