Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 is a polypeptide that is assumed to play a fundamental role in the growth of both normal and neoplastic cells. TGF-beta 2 is a closely related polypeptide, originally described as glioblastoma cell-derived T cell suppressor factor (G-TsF) due to its immunosuppressive activity. Expression of the genes for TGF-beta 1 and G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 was examined in tumor cells and was found to be different in several cell lines and tissues that were tested. Whereas two glioblastoma cell lines expressed both TGF-beta 1 and G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 mRNA, one melanoma and neuroblastoma cell lines showed only TGF-beta 1 mRNA which in the case of the neuroblastoma required cycloheximide treatment for its detection. The coordinate expression of the genes for TGF-beta 1 and G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 in glioblastoma was not paralleled by secretion of both polypeptides as only G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 but not TGF-beta 1 was identified in supernatants of glioblastoma cells. These data provide evidence for a post-transcriptional level of regulation for production of the two forms of TGF-beta. As mRNA for G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 was also identified in fresh surgically removed human glioblastoma tissue, G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 may also be secreted within the tumor in vivo. Unlike glioblastoma, human fetal brain tissues or adult brain specimens studied did not express detectable levels of TGF-beta mRNA. Impaired cell-mediated immunity is an established finding in patients with glioblastoma. Secretion of G-TsF/TGF-beta 2 by tumor cells in vivo may contribute to decreased immune surveillance for tumor development, as well as neovascularization of the tumor tissue.