The TGF-β superfamily in dendritic cell biology

The TGF-b superfamily consists of a large group of pleiotropic cytokines that are involved in the regulation of many developmental, physiological and pathological processes. Dendritic cells are antigenpresenting cells that play a key role in innate and adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells have a complex relationship with the TGF-b cytokine superfamily being both source and targets for many of these cytokines. Some TGF-b family members are expressed by dendritic cells and modulate immune responses, for instance through the induction of T cell polarization. Others play a crucial role in the development and function of the different dendritic cell subsets. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of TGF-bfamily cytokines in dendritic cell biology, focusing on TGF-bas well as on other, less characterized, members of these important immune mediators.