TGF-beta 1 differentially regulates IL-2 expression and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in CD3 epsilon mAb- and CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes and thymocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) is a critical bifunctional regulator of inflammatory responses. Evidence strongly suggests that these regulatory consequences are, at least in part, a result of profound pleiotropic effects on T lymphocyte effector function. The mechanisms underlying the contradictory biological effects of TGF-beta(1) remain ambiguous. The objective of the present studies was to test the hypothesis that the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) and the TGF-beta receptor regulate the effect of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Toward this end, we have quantified the concentration- and time-dependent effect of TGF-beta(1) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) protein secretion as an index of T lymphocyte activation and 3H]-thymidine incorporation as an index of cell proliferation in primary splenocytes and thymocytes. Our results suggest that TGF-beta(1) stimulates IL-2 production at low concentrations (0.1-1 pg/ml) and conversely inhibits IL-2 production at high concentrations (1-10 ng/ml) in CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody (mAb)+/-CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes. Additionally, concentrations of TGF-beta(1) that stimulate IL-2 production in CD3epsilon mAb+CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes concominantly inhibit splenocyte proliferation under similar conditions. Furthermore, we provide evidence suggesting that the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocytes are dependent upon the temporal relationship between activation of the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. A time-dependent loss of a stimulatory effect and a concomitant gain of an inhibitory response by TGF-beta(1) on IL-2 production in response to CD3epsilon and CD28 mAbs is observed when TGF-beta(1) is added following T lymphocyte activation. In summary, these data unequivocally demonstrate that the orchestration of paradoxical effects of TGF-beta(1) on T-lymphocyte function is dependent upon the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of signaling through the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. Future mechanistic studies addressing the putative role that these factors play in modulating the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activity will undoubtedly provide valuable insight towards the pharmacological intervention of inflammatory responses.