The role of TGF-beta superfamily during T cell development: new insights.
Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily are soluble factors that regulate a variety of functional responses including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cell cycle, among others, depending not only on the cell type and its differentiation state, but also on the milieu of cytokines present. All three members of this superfamily: TGF-betas, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and Activins, have been shown to be expressed in the thymus suggesting their potential role as regulators of the T lymphocyte differentiation process. Although initial reports described the role of TGF-beta in controlling specific checkpoints during thymocyte development, recent data has provided new evidence on the role of BMPs and Activins in this process. This review provides new insights on the function of members of the TGF-beta superfamily at different stages of thymocyte development.
Licona-Limón
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P
Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar s/n, México DF-04510, Mexico.
Soldevila
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G
D028341:Activins / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology*
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins