Transforming growth factor-beta: recent advances on its role in immune tolerance.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key regulator of immune tolerance. In this paper, we will focus on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which are directly regulated by TGF-beta in vivo. TGF-beta controls T-cell activation and differentiation, and is involved in the suppressive function and generation of regulatory T cells. Recently, TGF-beta has also been shown to directly inhibit NK cell activity. These studies demonstrate that TGF-beta utilizes multiple mechanisms to ensure immune tolerance, which is critical in a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. We will also discuss recent advances on the role of TGF-beta in immune-mediated diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Immunobiology, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Martin A
MA
Kriegel
Ming O
MO
Li
Shomyseh
S
Sanjabi
Yisong Y
YY
Wan
Richard A
RA
Flavell
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta