title: TGF-beta: how tolerant can it be?
abstract: A balance between an adequate immune response to an antigen or pathogen and tolerance is a prerequisite for normal immune homeostasis and the well-being of the host. In this complex self-regulation, multiple mechanisms have been implicated as contributing to the immune tolerance network, including apoptosis, anergy, and active suppression. Current excitement focuses on active suppression and new regulatory T cell-mediated pathways of immunosuppression that are being unraveled. Central to several of these pathways is transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a potent immunoregulatory cytokine that contributes to the function and generation of regulatory T cells.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Section, Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4352, USA. smwahl@dir.nidcr.nih.gov
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.forename: Wanjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D053450:Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; C556707:Ctla4 protein, mouse; D053450:Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C491405:TNFRSF18 protein, human; C106544:Tnfrsf18 protein, mouse; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta