Abstract
The TGF-β1(-/-) 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-β1(-/-) mice. Heart, lung, liver, and salivary gland from TGF-β1(-/-) 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-β1(-/-) mice and not in wild-type littermates. This suggests that the CD154 pathway is activated in these tissues. This shows that TGF-β1 regulates CD154 expression leading to spontaneous IL-12 production and autoimmunity.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 69-73 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Inflammation |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- CD154
- Interleukin (IL-12)
- Tissue inflammation
- Transforming growth factor (TGF-β1)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology