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Transforming growth factor-β: Recent advances on its role in immune tolerance

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Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 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-β in vivo. TGF-β controls T-cell activation and differentiation, and is involved in the suppressive function and generation of regulatory T cells. Recently, TGF-β has also been shown to directly inhibit NK cell activity. These studies demonstrate that TGF-β 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-β in immune-mediated diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

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  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Immunobiology, 300 Cedar Street, 06520, New Haven, CT, USA

    Richard A. Flavell PhD, FRS

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  1. Martin A. Kriegel MD
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  2. Ming O. Li PhD
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  3. Shomyseh Sanjabi PhD
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  4. Yisong Y. Wan PhD
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  5. Richard A. Flavell PhD, FRS
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Correspondence to Richard A. Flavell PhD, FRS.

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Kriegel, M.A., Li, M.O., Sanjabi, S. et al. Transforming growth factor-β: Recent advances on its role in immune tolerance. Curr Rheumatol Rep 8, 138–144 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-006-0054-y

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