Lymphocyte Proliferation Induced by Pertusis Toxin Utilizes a Pathway Parallel to Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Sensitive Growth

摘要

Pertusis toxin (PTX) has been shown to potentiate autoimmunity in experimental autoimmune disease. The exact mechanism of this effect has not been determined; however, the modification of G proteins by ADP-ribosylation has been suggested. Here it is demonstrated that this modification may contribute to autoimmunity by the abrogation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) growth-inhibitory signals. Anti-TGF-β demonstrated the same effect on lymphocytes as high concentrations of PTX in vit