TGF beta (transforming growth factor beta) is a superfamily of cytokines that participate in a variety of cellular processes including growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. There are 3 classes of receptors for TGF beta cytokines and they are known as type I, II, and III. TGF beta receptor type III (TGF beta-RIII) is a high affinity receptor for TGF beta-I and TGF beta-II and binds other TGF beta ligands with lower affinities. It is a 250-300 kDa protein that can exist as a single pass transmembrane protein or in its soluble/secreted form.
