title: The effects of TGF-βs on immune responses.
abstract: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family is a cytokine family with various biological processes and forms a highly homologous group of three mammalian isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. Most of the attention on TGF-β family in immunology has been mainly focused on TGF-β1 in that TGF-β1 induces anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg), and inflammatory T helper 17 (Th17) cells in combination with interleukin-6. Although little attention has been focused on the immunological roles of TGF-β2 and TGF-β3, the function of TGF-β3 for maintaining immunological homeostasis has recently been identified such as the induction of Th17 cells and direct regulatory effects on humoral immunity. TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 shares similar anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory functions, but exhibits significantly different effects on fibrosis and chondrogenesis. For the clinical application of TGF-βs, the mechanisms by which each TGF-β isoform regulates immunity has to be elucidated. In this review, we provide an overview of the effects, cellular targets, and therapeutic potential of TGF-βs on immune responses and autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo.
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Komai
authors.forename: Tomohisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Keishi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D005355:Fibrosis; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000276:immunology*; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2 / Q000276:immunology*; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3