In the present study, we show that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) strongly inhibits fibroblast growth factor-induced proliferation and motility of bovine endothelial cells in tissue culture. TGF-beta also prevents the phorbol ester-induced invasion of capillary endothelial cells into collagen matrices--i.e., blocks angiogenesis in vitro. TGF-beta promotes the incorporation of fibronectin into the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells and stimulates the secretion of other proteins--mainly of 55- and 180-kDa components. We show furthermore that endothelial cells express TGF-beta receptors similar in size to those of other tissue culture cell lines: a 280-kDa complex is present in subconfluent cells, and 85- and 72-kDa protein bands are seen in confluent cells. The various effects of TGF-beta on endothelial cells suggest that these cells are an important target of TGF-beta during wound healing and angiogenesis.