Objective. To demonstrate expression of transforming growth factor f3 (TGFf3) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by cultured rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial cells and to investigate their role as synovial cell mitogens.Methods. Polypeptide growth factors were detected and identified by immunocytochemical staining and Western blot analysis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts encoding TGFf3 and bFGF were identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The influence of neutralizing growth factor monoclonal antibodies (MAb) on RA synovial cell growth was investigated.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.