Transforming growth factor beta in the treatment of autoimmune disease

摘要

Most hepatologists look at TGF-beta as a detrimental factor, the main culprit in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Tumour biologists see it more positively as a growth inhibitor and regulator of apoptosis. In the eyes of most immunologists, TGF-beta is the key regulator of immune homeostasis, and may thus offer an attractive approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases. TGF-beta is indeed a pluripotent cytokine and, even within one particular field of interest, it has multiple effects that may appear contradictory at the first glance. However, when looking at TGF-beta from the way evolution has probably been looking at it, TGF-beta is primarily a factor of wound healing. In order to induce rapid wound healing, inflammatory responses need to be contained, proliferation tightly regulated, and scar formation may be advantageous over tissue remodelling, as it is faster, less complex and therefore less error prone.