scholarly journals Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Regulating Fetal-Maternal Immune Tolerance in Normal and Pathological Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongyong Yang ◽  
Fangfang Dai ◽  
Mengqin Yuan ◽  
Yajing Zheng ◽  
Shiyi Liu ◽  
...  

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is composed of three isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 is a cytokine with multiple biological functions that has been studied extensively. It plays an important role in regulating the differentiation of immune cells and maintaining immune cell functions and immune homeostasis. Pregnancy is a carefully regulated process. Controlled invasion of trophoblasts, precise coordination of immune cells and cytokines, and crosstalk between trophoblasts and immune cells play vital roles in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. In this systematic review, we summarize the role of TGF-β1 in regulating fetal-maternal immune tolerance in healthy and pathological pregnancies. During healthy pregnancy, TGF-β1 induces the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs), maintains the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, mediates the balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and regulates the function of NK cells, thus participating in maintaining fetal-maternal immune tolerance. In addition, some studies have shown that TGF-β1 is dysregulated in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion or preeclampsia. TGF-β1 may play a role in the occurrence and development of these diseases and may be a potential target for the treatment of these diseases.

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lai-Ming Yung ◽  
Samuel D Paskin-Flerlage ◽  
Ivana Nikolic ◽  
Scott Pearsall ◽  
Ravindra Kumar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Excessive Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), based on activation of TGF-β effectors and transcriptional targets in affected lungs and the ability of TGF-β type I receptor (ALK5) inhibitors to improve experimental PAH. However, clinical use of ALK5 inhibitors has been limited by cardiovascular toxicity. Hypothesis: We tested whether or not selective blockade of TGF-β and Growth Differentiation Factor (GDF) ligands using a recombinant TGFβ type II receptor extracellular domain Fc fusion protein (TGFBRII-Fc) could impact experimental PAH. Methods: Male SD rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) and received vehicle or TGFBRII-Fc (15 mg/kg, twice per week, i.p.). C57BL/6 mice were treated with SU-5416 and hypoxia (SUGEN-HX) and received vehicle or TGFBRII-Fc. RNA-Seq was used to profile transcriptional changes in lungs of MCT rats. Circulating levels of GDF-15 were measured in 241 PAH patients and 41 healthy controls. Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were used to examine signaling in vitro . Results: TGFBRII-Fc is a selective ligand trap, inhibiting the ability of GDF-15, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, but not TGF-β2 to activate SMAD2/3 in vitro . In MCT rats, prophylactic treatment with TGFBRII-Fc normalized expression of TGF-β transcriptional target PAI-1, attenuated PAH and vascular remodeling. Delayed administration of TGFBRII-Fc in rats with established PAH at 2.5 weeks led to improved survival, decreased PAH and remodeling at 5 weeks. Similar findings were observed in SUGEN-HX mice. No valvular abnormalities were found with TGFBRII-Fc treatment. RNA-Seq revealed GDF-15 to be the most highly upregulated TGF-β ligand in the lungs of MCT rats, with only modest increases in TGF-β1 and no change in TGF-β2/3 observed, suggesting a dominant role of GDF-15 in the pathophysiology of this model. Plasma levels of GDF-15 were significantly increased in patients with diverse etiologies of WHO Group I PAH. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a selective TGF-β/GDF-15 trap attenuates experimental PAH, remodeling and mortality, without causing valvulopathy. These data highlight the potential role of GDF-15 as a pathogenic molecule and therapeutic target in PAH.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Darmochwal-Kolarz ◽  
Magdalena Michalak ◽  
Bogdan Kolarz ◽  
Monika Przegalinska-Kalamucka ◽  
Agnieszka Bojarska-Junak ◽  
...  

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-23 (IL-23), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in pregnancy complicated by placental insufficiency and in normal pregnancy. Material and Methods. The study comprised 34 patients with pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with preeclampsia (PE), as well as 35 healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β in sera from maternal peripheral blood were determined by an immunoenzymatic assay. Results. There were higher concentrations of IL-17 in the study group when compared to the controls. In the group of patients with placental insufficiency, the levels of IL-17 positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (R=0.42, p<0.01). The study obtained comparable concentrations of IL-23 in both studied groups. The concentrations of TGF-β were significantly lower in pregnancy complicated by the insufficiency of placenta when compared to the controls. Conclusions. It seems possible that the increased concentrations of IL-17 and the deficiency of TGF-β in pregnancy complicated by FGR and PE can be responsible for the activation of inflammatory response observed in PE cases.


2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hahn ◽  
Emmanuel Akporiaye

Human tumours have evolved intricate mechanisms to evade the immune system, either by avoiding recognition or by inhibiting and eliminating immune cells. [...]


2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (11) ◽  
pp. 1499-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid Gorelik ◽  
Stephanie Constant ◽  
Richard A. Flavell

Regulation by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays an important role in immune homeostasis. TGF-β inhibits T cell functions by blocking both proliferation and differentiation. Here we show that TGF-β blocks Th1 differentiation by inhibiting the expression of T-bet, the apparent masterregulator of T helper (Th)1 differentiation. Restoration of T-bet expression through retroviral transduction of T-bet into developing Th1 cells abrogated the inhibitory effect of TGF-β. In addition, we show that, contrary to prior suggestions, downregulation of interleukin 12 receptor β2 chain is not key to the TGF-β–mediated effect. Furthermore, we show that the direct inhibitory effect of TGF-β on T cells is responsible, at least in part, for the inability of BALB/c mice to mount a Leishmania-specific Th1 response and to clear Leishmanial infection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan M Giles ◽  
Timothy T Underwood ◽  
Karim A Benhadji ◽  
Diana K S Nelson ◽  
Lisa M Grobeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)–signaling pathway has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for many disease states including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of the pleiotropic effects of this pathway, patient selection and monitoring may be important. TGF-β1 is the most prevalent isoform, and an assay to measure plasma levels of TGF-β1 would provide a rational biomarker to assist with patient selection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analytically validate a colorimetric ELISA for the quantification of TGF-β1 in human plasma. Methods A colorimetric sandwich ELISA for TGF-β1 was analytically validated per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols by assessment of precision, linearity, interfering substances, and stability. A reference range for plasma TGF-β1 was established for apparently healthy individuals and potential applicability was demonstrated in HCC patients. Results Precision was assessed for samples ranging from 633 to 10822 pg/mL, with total variance ranging from 28.4% to 7.2%. The assay was linear across the entire measuring range, and no interference of common blood components or similar molecules was observed. For apparently healthy individuals, the average TGF-β1 level was 1985 ± 1488 pg/mL compared to 4243 ± 2003 pg/mL for HCC patients. Additionally, the TGF-β1 level in plasma samples was demonstrated to be stable across all conditions tested, including multiple freeze–thaw cycles. Conclusions The ELISA described in this report is suitable for the quantification of TGF-β1 in human plasma and for investigational use in an approved clinical study.


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