Pleiotropic effects of transforming growth factor-beta on cells of the immune system.
It is now apparent that the TGF-beta has potent immunoregulatory properties. Although most reports have described the immunosuppressive activities of TGF-beta, recent evidence supports the concept that TGF-beta can have both inhibitory and stimulatory actions. The delivery of sufficient quantities of TGF-beta has proven beneficial in several disease models such as allograft rejection and autoimmunity. Moreover, the increased levels of TGF-beta found in several disease states associated with immunosuppression suggests that inhibitors of TGF-beta may be clinically useful in some diseases. Thus, TGF-beta or antagonists to TGF-beta have exciting potential for use in treating or preventing several diseases (Table 6).
Ruscetti
F
F
Laboratory of Leukocyte Biology, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Maryland 21702-1201.
Varesio
L
L
Ochoa
A
A
Ortaldo
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta