Transforming growth factor beta -3 crystals as reservoirs for slow release of active TGF- beta 3

Transforming growth factor beta s (TGF- beta s) play critical roles in many diseased states and injury repair processes. Exogenous delivery of TGF- beta may thus have therapeutic applications. Here, crystals of TGF- beta 3 (TGF- beta 3) are being evaluated as protected reservoirs for sustained local release. A sensitive Mv1Lu cell growth inhibition assay established that in vitro, active TGF- beta 3 can be delivered from physically stable crystals. Non-sink release experiments revealed that crystal solubility at pH 7.4 was higher in cell culture medium (2.7 plus or minus 0.1 mu g/ml) than in saline buffers ( similar to 1-1.5 mu g/ml, P