Myometrial cells undergo fibrotic transformation under the influence of transforming growth factor beta-3.

Objective: To examine the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta3 on immortalized myometrial and leiomyoma cell lines cloned from primary cell cultures of surgical specimens, and to determine whether such treatment alters myometrial cell extracellular matrix (ECM) expression.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: University hospital.