TGF-β is initially produced in a latent form, known as the Latency Associated Peptide (LAP). Activation of latent TGF-β involves the cleavage of LAP, which can be mediated by various mechanisms including proteolytic cleavage by enzymes like furin, interaction with integrins, or by acidic environments. Once activated, the mature TGF-β binds to its receptors to initiate downstream signaling pathways.