Transforming growth factor-β stimulates nerve growth factor production in osteoarthritic synovium

Nerve growth factor (NGF) contributes to pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) stimulates NGF expression in chondrocytes from KOA patients. However, the correlation between synovial TGF-β and NGF levels has not been sufficiently studied in human KOA patients. Further, the mechanism governing NGF regulation by TGF-β in synovial cells is unclear.