TY - JOUR
T1 - Balancing acts: the role of TGF-β in the mucosal immune system.
AU - Konkel, Joanne E
AU - Chen, WanJun
N1 - Z01 DE000101-04, Intramural NIH HHS, United States
PY - 2011/11
Y1 - 2011/11
N2 - The gastrointestinal mucosal immune system faces unique challenges in dealing not only with fed antigens but also both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. It is tasked with digesting, transporting and using nutritional antigens while protecting the host from pathogenic organisms. As such, mechanisms that mediate effective immunity and immune tolerance are active within the gut environment. To accomplish this, the mucosal immune system has evolved sophisticated mechanisms that safeguard the integrity of the mucosal barrier. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) emerges as a key mediator, balancing the tolerogenic and immunogenic forces at play in the gut. In this review, we discuss the role of TGF-β in the generation and functioning of gut lymphocyte populations. We highlight recent findings, summarize controversies, outline remaining questions and provide our personal perspectives.
AB - The gastrointestinal mucosal immune system faces unique challenges in dealing not only with fed antigens but also both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. It is tasked with digesting, transporting and using nutritional antigens while protecting the host from pathogenic organisms. As such, mechanisms that mediate effective immunity and immune tolerance are active within the gut environment. To accomplish this, the mucosal immune system has evolved sophisticated mechanisms that safeguard the integrity of the mucosal barrier. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) emerges as a key mediator, balancing the tolerogenic and immunogenic forces at play in the gut. In this review, we discuss the role of TGF-β in the generation and functioning of gut lymphocyte populations. We highlight recent findings, summarize controversies, outline remaining questions and provide our personal perspectives.
U2 - 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.07.002
DO - 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.07.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 21890412
SN - 1471-499X
VL - 17
JO - Trends in molecular medicine
JF - Trends in molecular medicine
IS - 11
ER -