Transforming growth factor‐β: An important mediator of immunoregulation

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Abstract
Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) is synthesized and secreted by a wide variety of cells, including cells of the immune system. Lymphocytes and monocytes possess high affinity TGF‐β receptors and the addition of TGF‐β to in vitro cell cultures results in significant modulation of immune function. TGF‐β inhibits the proliferation of thymocytes, T cells, B cells, adn natural killer cells. Additionally, it inhibits certain differentiative functions of lymphjocytcs including a marked inhibition of immunoglobulin production by human lymphjocytes. TGF‐β has dichotomous actions on monocytes. It is a potent chemoattractant for monocytes and induces interleukin 1 mRNA expression while inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and monocyte killing. Evidence is accumulating that TGF‐β regulates immune function in vivo and the overproduction of TGF‐β may be associated with immunosuppression.