To gain insight into the extent and kinetics of systemic induction of different TGF-β superfamily cytokines during natural HIV-1 infection, this study sought to measure levels of TGF-β1, activins A and B and BMP-2 in plasma samples from HIV-infected individuals during the acute, subacute and chronic phases of HIV-1 infection. Here, BMP2 is linked to HIV-1 infection.