Discovery could help develop new treatment options for organ rejection

Nephrology News and Issues 17/4/2012

http://www.nephrologynews.com/kidney-transplant/article/discovery-could-help-develop-new-treatment-options-for-organ-rejection

Loyola researchers have reported findings about a molecule that helps ramp up the immune system in some cases and suppress it in others.

Researchers studied mouse cells grown ex vivo in laboratory dishes and focused on a molecule called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). TGF-β is known to be a powerful regulator of the immune response -- generally suppressing the strength of the response. In this study, however, the researchers demonstrated that TGF-β can amplify the immune response and result in a more effective targeted response under specific conditions.

 "Understanding the dual role of TGF-β could help in the development of drugs to either activate or suppress the immune system, as needed," said senior author Makio Iwashima, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

The study is published online ahead of print in the Journal of Immunology.