<p>This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</p> <p>Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a major
promoter of diabetic nephropathy. While TGF-β1 is
the most abundaft renal isoform, types 2 and 3 are
present as well and have identical <italic>in vitro</italic> effects.
Whole kidney extracts were studied 2 weeks after
induction of streptozocin diabetes and in control
rats. Mean glomerular area was 25% greater in the
diabetic animals. TGF-β1 showed a 2-fold increase
in message with a 3-fold increase in protein. TGF-β2
mRNA increased approximately 6% while its
protein doubled. TGF-β-message increased by 25%,
producing a 35% increase in its protein. TGF-β-
inducible gene H3 mRNA was increased 35% in the
diabetic animals, consistent with increased activity
of this growth factor. All isoforms of TGF-β are
increased in the diabetic rat kidney. Future studies
need to address the specific role that each isoform
plays in diabetic nephropathy as well as the impact
of therapies on each isoform.</p>
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Int J Exp Diabetes Res. 2001; 2(1):55-62