Coordinated Regulation of Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation by Transforming Growth Factor β1 in Cultured Uterine Epithelial Cells

Cell and tissue growth is regulated through a complex interplay of stimulatory and inhibitory signals. We describe two biological actions of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β 1) in primary cultures of rabbit uterine epithelial cells: (i) inhibition of cell proliferation and (ii) a concomitant increase in cells undergoing apoptosis (programmed cell death). It is proposed that proliferation and apoptosis together comprise normal cell growth regulation.