Transforming growth factor-beta: an important cytokine in the mucosal immune response.
Cytokines are important mediators in the intestine regulating both oral tolerance and mucosal inflammation. Central to this immune-regulatory role is the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Oral tolerance and inflammatory responses in the gut are regulated through the balance of the Th1, Th2, and Th3 lymphocyte responses--a balance influenced strongly by TGF-beta. TGF-beta also modulates B-cell responses by increasing the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA) while decreasing the production of IgG, IgM, and IgE. In intestinal epithelial cells, TGF-beta activates signal transduction pathways resulting in the inhibition of proliferation and tumorigenesis. Currently, these signaling pathways are being dissected at the molecular level.
Ohtsuka
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Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK. y.otsuka@mds.qmw.ac.uk
Sanderson
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IR