Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Adenoviral Transduction of Naive CD4 T Cells to Study Treg Differentiation
Published on: August 13, 2013
TGF-beta released by apoptotic T cells contributes to an immunosuppressive milieu
1Cellular Immunology Section, Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. wchen@dir.nidcr.nih.gov
Abstract:
T cell apoptosis is critical to development and homeostasis of the immune system. The most salient feature of apoptosis is the lack of an attendant inflammatory response or tissue damage. Here, we present evidence that apoptotic T cells release TGF-beta, thereby contributing to an immunosuppressive milieu. Apoptotic T cells released not only latent but also bio-active TGF-beta. Nonetheless, TGF-beta transcription was not upregulated, suggesting release of existing rather than synthesis of new TGF-beta. Localized within the intracellular membrane-bound compartment, which includes mitochondria, TGF-beta was redistributed into the cytosol following loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. TGF-beta secreted from apoptotic T cells inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production by activated macrophages to foster immune suppression. These findings broaden the potential mechanisms whereby induction of immune tolerance or deficiency occurs through T cell deletion.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

