| abstract |
The invention provides a method of stimulating TGF-β activity, comprising contacting latent TGF-β with an amount of TSP or an activating peptide from TSP effective to convert latent TGF-β to active TGF-β. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the stimulation of TGF-β activity, comprising contacting latent TGF-β with a ligand specific for TSP effective to bind TSP and prevent activation of TGF-β or an amount of an inhibiting peptide having a sequence that corresponds to a sequence of four consecutive amino acids of TSP, effective to inhibit the conversion of latent TGF-β to active TGF-β. The invention also provides a method of enhancing wound healing, comprising administering to a wound site an amount of TSP or an activating peptide from TSP effective to convert latent TGF-β to active TGF-β, the activation of TGF-β resulting in enhanced wound healing. A method of preventing fibrosis stimulated by TGF-β in pathology is also provided. The method comprises administering to a site of potential fibrosis an amount of a ligand specific for TSP effective to bind TSP and inhibit activation of TGF-β or an inhibiting peptide from TSP effective to inhibit conversion of latent TGF-β to active TGF-β, resulting in reduced fibrosis. The invention also provides a method of blocking TGF-β-mediated inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation comprising contacting endothelial cells with a ligand specific for TSP effective to bind TSP and inhibit activation of TGF-β or an inhibiting peptide from TSP effective to inhibit conversion of latent TGF-β to active TGF-β, resulting in proliferation of endothelial cells. |