title: TGF-beta and tumors--an ill-fated alliance.
abstract: Mechanisms of host defense can form an unwitting alliance with tumor cells to promote tumor progression, invasion, and dissemination to distant sites. By secreting TGF-beta, an immunoregulatory molecule designated for both promoting inflammation and dampening immune responses, the tumor tricks the host into supporting its expansion and survival. TGF-beta not only recruits leukocytes to secrete chemokines, growth factors, cytokines, and proteases in support of a tumor-friendly niche but also in a context-specific manner, incapacitates the emergent immune response. As a profound immunosuppressant, TGF-beta, both directly and through the generation of regulatory T cells, blunts immune surveillance, favoring tumor escape. Collectively, the ability of the tumor to hijack these host defense pathways can tip the balance in favor of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4352, United States.
authors.forename: Niki M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Moutsopoulos
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wahl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D019139:Tumor Escape
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta