TGFβ signaling plays a critical role in promoting alternative macrophage activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Upon stimulation with different cytokines, macrophages can undergo classical or alternative activation to become M1 or M2 macrophages. Alternatively activated (or M2) macrophages are defined by their expression of specific gene products and play an important role in containing inflammation, removing apoptotic cells and repairing tissue damage. Whereas it is well-established that IL-4 can drive alternative activation, if lack of TGFβ signaling at physiological levels affects M2 polarization has not been addressed.

Results

Vav1-Cre x TβRIIfx/fx mice, lacking TβRII function in hematopoietic cells, exhibited uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation and developed a lethal autoimmune syndrome at young age. This was accompanied by significantly increased numbers of splenic ne

SUBMITTER: Gong D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3406960 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature