The Transforming Growth Factors (TGFs) are multifunctional peptides that regulate growth and differentiation in a variety of cells. Recent data suggests that individual TGF- beta isoforms (TGF- beta 1, - beta 2 and - beta 3) have overlapping, yet distinct biological actions and target cell specificities, both in developing and adult tissues. TGF- beta 3 is a new isoform that is presumed to play an important role in wound repair and scarring. TGF- beta 3 is also thought to be involved in osteoblast prolife ion, chemotaxis, and collagen synthesis. Recombinant TGF- beta 3 is a non-glycosylated, disulfide-linked homodimer, containing two 112 amino acid chains, with a total molecular weight of 25.5 kDa.