Effect on the canine Eck fistula liver of intraportal TGF-β alone or with hepatic growth factors

Transforming growth factor-β canceled the hepatocyte proliferation caused by transforming growth factor-α when the two substances were mixed and administered through a disconnected central portal vein branch after creation of an Eck fistula. In contrast, transforming growth factor-β had no antidotal action on the stimulatory effects of insulin or full test doses of insulinlike factor-2, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor or triiodothymanine. A minor antidotal effect on hepatic stimulatory substance activity could be detected, but only with hepatic stimulatory substance was given in doses smaller than those known to cause maximum stimulatory response. These results suggest a highly specific pharmacological and physiological interaction between transforming growth factor-α and transforming growth factor-β in the modulation of liver growth control.