IMMUNOMODULATORY DIVERSITY OF THE PROTEINS OF THE TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA (TGF-BETA) FAMILY

The examination of immunomodulatory properties of oligopeptides derive d from two exposed loops (containing thymopentin-like and tuftsin-like sequences, respectively) of the proteins belonging to TGF beta family suggests that the particular species of the TGF beta family should di ffer distinctly in their influence on the immune response. According t o our results obtained from three TGF beta species of mammals, TGF bet a 2 should be a strong immunosuppressor, whereas for TGF beta 3 the im munostimulative potency is more probable. TGF beta 1 species would pos sess both immunosuppressive and immunostimulative potency, residing in two different loops of the protein. The results obtained also suggest that chicken TGF beta 4 should be associated with immunostimulative e ffects and xenopus TGF beta 5 with immunosuppressive ones. (C) Munksga ard 1995.