Transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) is recognized as a versatile cytokine that plays a vital role in regulation of joint development, homeostasis, and diseases, but its role as a biological mechanism is understood far less than that of its counterpart, TGF-β1. Cartilage as a load-resisting structure in vertebrates however displays a fragile performance when any tissue disturbance occurs, due to its lack of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics. Recent reports have indicated that TGF-β2 is involved in the physiological processes of chondrocytes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis, and the pathological progress of cartilage such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TGF-β2 also shows its potent capacity in the repair of cartilage defects by recruiting autologous mesenchymal stem cells and promoting secretion of other growth factor clusters. In addition, some pioneering studies have already considered it as a potential target in the treatment of OA and RA. This article aims to summarize the current progress of TGF-β2 in cartilage development and diseases, which might provide new cues for remodelling of cartilage defect and intervention of cartilage diseases.

中文翻译：

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TGF-β2 在软骨发育和疾病中的作用。


转化生长因子-β2 (TGF-β2) 被认为是一种多功能细胞因子，在调节关节发育、体内平衡和疾病方面发挥着至关重要的作用，但人们对它作为生物学机制的作用的了解远远少于其对应物 TGF -β1。然而，由于缺乏血管、神经和淋巴管，软骨作为脊椎动物的抗负荷结构，在发生任何组织紊乱时表现出脆弱的性能。近年来研究表明，TGF-β2参与软骨细胞的增殖、分化、迁移、凋亡等生理过程，以及骨关节炎（OA）、类风湿性关节炎（RA）等软骨的病理进展。 TGF-β2 还通过招募自体间充质干细胞和促进其他生长因子簇的分泌来显示其修复软骨缺损的强大能力。此外，一些开创性研究已经将其视为治疗 OA 和 RA 的潜在靶点。本文旨在综述TGF-β2在软骨发育和疾病中的研究进展，为软骨缺损的重塑和软骨疾病的干预提供新的线索。