Effects of transforming growth factor β_1 on proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood in vitro

Objective To explore the effects of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1) on the proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes in vitro. Methods Effect of TGF-β1 on the proliferation of T lymphocytes was detected by MTT,the effect on the activation of T lymphocytes and the number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometry (FCM),and the effect on the secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in T lymphocytes was detected by ELISA. Results TGF-β1 could inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes,and this effect was reinforced with the increase of time and concentration. After being treated with different concentrations of TGF-β1 for 72 h,the activation of T lymphocytes were inhibited,the expression of CD69 was decreased (P 0.01),the number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes was increased (P 0.01),and the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 were inhibited (P 0.01),and all the effects mentioned above were in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion TGF-β1 can inhibit the proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes,increase the level of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes,and can inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2.