The role of TGF-beta signaling in dendritic cell tolerance

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a pleiotropic cytokine present in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms that functions in numerous physiological and pathological processes. TGF-beta impacts all the cells of the immune system, and of the three known TGF-beta isoforms, TGF-beta 1 is the predominant isoform expressed in immune cells. TGF-beta 1 is known to play a pivotal role in the function of all immune cells especially in the regulation of T cell development and in the induction of immunological tolerance in dendritic cells (DCs). Based on the importance of DCs in regulation of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, in this review we explore the regulatory functions of TGF-beta required for establishment and maintenance of DC-mediated immune tolerance.