TGF-beta1 null mutation leads to CD154 upregulated expression in affected tissues

The TGF-beta1(-/-) mouse is a murine model for systemic autoimmune disease. The aim of this study is to elucidate the immunological mechanism that leads to multifocal tissue inflammation and autoantibody production in TGF-beta1(-/-) mice. Heart, lung, liver, and salivary gland from TGF-beta1(-/-) were assessed for CD154 expression by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Compared to wild-type littermates, CD154 expression was elevated in all tissues studied. Furthermore, IL-12 mRNA was expressed in the salivary gland and heart of TGF-beta1(-/-) mice and not in wild-type littermates. This suggests that the CD154 pathway is activated in these tissues. This shows that TGF-beta1 regulates CD154 expression leading to spontaneous IL-12 production and autoimmunity.