Transforming growth factor beta enhances the expression of CD154 (CD40L) and production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by human T lymphocytes

Activation of lymphocytes in the presence of transforming growth factor bet a (TGF beta) can impair or enhance their functional activity. We have found that TGF beta is important in the generation of lymphocytes, which are cap able of suppressing antibody production. To better understand how this cyto kine affects lymphocyte activity, we looked at the expression of early acti vation events of T cells stimulated in the presence or absence of TGF beta. The results show that TGF beta enhances the expression of CD154 (CD40L), T NFR2 and the production of TNF alpha,. These findings clarify the co-stimul atory effects of TGF beta that enhance T lymphocyte activation. (C) 2001 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.