Premium
Review of the activation of TGF‐β in immunity
Author(s) -
Taylor Andrew W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0708415
Subject(s) - biology , transforming growth factor beta , tgf beta signaling pathway , microbiology and biotechnology , immunity , immune system , beta (programming language) , receptor , signal transduction , transforming growth factor , immunology , genetics , computer science , programming language
The evolutionarily conserved TGF‐β proteins are distributed ubiquitously throughout the body and have a role in almost every biological process. In immunity, TGF‐β has an important role in modulating immunity. Much is understood about the process of TGF‐β production as a latent molecule and of the consequences and the intercellular signaling of active TGF‐β binding to its receptors; however, there is little discussed between the production and activation of TGF‐β. This review focuses on what is understood about the biochemical and physiological processes of TGF‐β activation and identifies the gaps in understanding immune cell activation of TGF‐β. A mechanistic understanding of the process activating TGF‐β can lead to regulating multiple biological systems by enhancing or inhibiting TGF‐β activation.