Abstract
TGF-beta is a pleiotropic cytokine with powerful immunosuppressive functions. Mice deficient for TGF-beta1 show a dramatic phenotype with severe multiorgan inflammation and die shortly after birth. Recent investigations have highlighted the role of TGF-beta in suppression of T cell mediated autoimmune inflammation and anti-tumor immunity. In addition to its direct anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, TGF-beta has been implicated as central regulator of regulatory T cells. TGF-beta not only mediates the suppression of effector T cells by Tregs, recent evidence also reveals a role for TGF-beta along with TCR stimulation in the peripheral induction of regulatory T cells from naïve CD4+CD25- cells.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Differentiation / immunology
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Colitis / immunology*
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Colitis / metabolism
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Colitis / pathology*
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Colonic Neoplasms / immunology*
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Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
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Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Humans
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Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
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Inflammation Mediators / physiology*
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Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
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Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
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Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology*
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / deficiency
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology*
Substances
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Inflammation Mediators
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Transforming Growth Factor beta