Transforming growth factor-beta1, Th1 responses, and autoimmune liver disease.
Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is released during the storage of blood components, particularly platelet concentrates, and transfusion recipients are exposed to high levels of TGF-beta1. Because TGF-beta1 is one of the most potent immunosuppressive cytokines known, understanding the immunobiologic functions of TGF-beta1 may be relevant for understanding the immunobiologic effects of transfusion. Our laboratory studies the biologic effects of TGF-beta1 in the immune system. Mice deficient in TGF-beta1 spontaneously develop autoimmunity, confirming the important role of this cytokinean an immune regulator. A few years ago, my laboratory made the observation that genetic background strongly affects the phenotype of TGF-beta1-/- mice. TGF-beta1-/- mice on the BALB/c background rapidly develop an aggressive T-cell-mediated hepatitis, whereas TGF-beta1-/- mice on the 129/CF-1 background do not. In this review, I summarize findings published or in press from our laboratory on disease pathogenesis in TGF-beta1-/- mice and then discuss some of the exciting (as-yet-unpublished) directions our laboratory is currently taking.
Gorham
James D
JD
Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA. James.Gorham@Dartmouth.edu
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D013045:Species Specificity; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; C508961:Tgfb1 protein, mouse; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1