Transforming growth factor-beta: an important mediator of immunoregulation.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is synthesized and secreted by a wide variety of cells, including cells of the immune system. Lymphocytes and monocytes possess high affinity TGF-beta receptors and the addition of TGF-beta to in vitro cell cultures results in significant modulation of immune function. TGF-beta inhibits the proliferation of thymocytes, T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. Additionally, it inhibits certain differentiative functions of lymphocytes including a marked inhibition of immunoglobulin production by human B lymphocytes. TGF-beta has dichotomous actions on monocytes. It is a potent chemoattractant for monocytes and induces interleukin 1 mRNA expression while inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and monocyte killing. Evidence is accumulating that TGF-beta regulates immune function in vivo and that overproduction of TGF-beta may be associated with immunosuppression.
Kehrl
J H
JH
Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta