Role of active and latent transforming growth factor β in bone formation

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Abstract
At first reading the statement “TGFβ stimulates bone formation but inhibits mineralization” may appear to be an oxymoron. However, the bone formation process can take weeks to months to complete, and the unique properties of TGFβ allow this factor to be stored in bone matrix in a latent form, ready to be activated and inactivated at key, pivotal stages in this long process. TGFβ may act to trigger the cascade of events that ultimately leads to new bone formation. However, once this process is initiated, TGFβ must then be inactivated or removed because if present in the later stages of bone formation, mineralization will be inhibited. The unique properties of TGFβ and its role in bone remodeling are the subject of this review.