title: TGF-beta as a T cell regulator in colitis and colon cancer.
abstract: TGF-beta is a pleiotropic cytokine with powerful immunosuppressive functions. Mice deficient for TGF-beta1 show a dramatic phenotype with severe multiorgan inflammation and die shortly after birth. Recent investigations have highlighted the role of TGF-beta in suppression of T cell mediated autoimmune inflammation and anti-tumor immunity. In addition to its direct anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, TGF-beta has been implicated as central regulator of regulatory T cells. TGF-beta not only mediates the suppression of effector T cells by Tregs, recent evidence also reveals a role for TGF-beta along with TCR stimulation in the peripheral induction of regulatory T cells from naïve CD4+CD25- cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, I. Department of Medicine, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 63, 55131 Mainz, Germany. chbecker@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Massimo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fantini
authors.forename: Markus F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Neurath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta