[Review on transforming growth factor beta and repair of tissue injury].
OBJECTIVE
To review the progress of the relation between transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and repair of tissue injury.


METHODS
The recent articles about TGF-beta and tissue reconstruction were extensively reviewed. The gene identification, production, activation of TGF-beta and its role in the repair course of tissue injury were investigated.


RESULTS
TGF-beta belongs to a family of multifunctional polypeptides, its gene structure is highly conservative. Many animal models about TGF-beta and tissue injury have been established. The research mainly focuses on the classification, distribution of TGF-beta receptors and their signal pathway.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta plays an important roles in the regulation of repair of tissue injury.
Liu
K
K
Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China 200011.
Qian
Y L
YL
Fan
Z H
ZH
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta