In a study that was aimed at investigating the effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on the treatment of local inflammation, we exposed rats (whole body exposure) to pulsed electromagnetic fields. Although our results showed enhanced healing of local inflammation in the exposed animals, the TGF-beta level in this group was higher. Is this finding paradoxical? Does TGF-beta rise always mean immunosuppression?
TGF-b has a dual opposite role in immune system. Regard to which cytokine secrete together with TGF-b, their role in immune system may be different. TGF-b with IL-6 can induce inflammation and trigger inflammatory Th17 cells. On the other hand, TGF-b with IL-10 can promote Treg and immune suppression. Also, this cytokine can create fibrosis in pathological condition such as COPD, Asthma etc.
Regards
Jafar
Hi,
TGF-b increases as part of the tissue healing process that follows any kind of injury and that also involves an inflammatory response. Therefore, it's not surprising that TGF beta increases in your model. I suggest the paper attached for a review on the role of TGF beta in wound healing.
All the best,
Alexandrina
TGF-b has a dual opposite role in immune system. Regard to which cytokine secrete together with TGF-b, their role in immune system may be different. TGF-b with IL-6 can induce inflammation and trigger inflammatory Th17 cells. On the other hand, TGF-b with IL-10 can promote Treg and immune suppression. Also, this cytokine can create fibrosis in pathological condition such as COPD, Asthma etc.
Regards
Jafar
The exact immunologic role of TGF-b as a mediator of immune regulation is still not well defined. For example this summary statement from a 2009 review by Sagaguchi eta l is probably still accurate today: "Although the role of TGF-β is controversial... [current evidence] means that TGF-β is not a direct mediator of suppression." This article "Regulatory T cells: how do they suppress immune responses?" Int. Immunol. (2009) 21 (10): 1105-1111. See full text at: http://intimm.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/10/1105.full
1) Were you measuring TGFb in tissue or plasma. 2) Active or total, 3) did you control for possible changes in platelet number, degranulation and/or accumulation in tissue?
Dear All!
Thank you very much for your valuable comments. Your advice helped me much more than what I expected. I also received some relevant papers which helped me too much.
not always, it depends on microenviroment (cytokines) and compartmentalization
The role of magnetic field therapy in various diseases is relief of pain , anti inflammatory effects & in healing of tissues . The mechanism suggested is the calcium / calmodulin / nitric oxide / growth factor cascade . It is the constitutive nitric oxide ( eNOS ), which plays the anti inflammatory role by suppressing IL-1 Beta & iNOS & also heals tissues by stimulating growth factors such as VEGF leading to angiogenesis & TGF - beta which stimulates bone healing in fractures & cartilage healing in osteoarthritis .
Therefore, the mechanisms of suppression of inflammation are different from healing of tissues. The following article highlights the mechanism.
Berish Strauch et al . Evidence Based Use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Clinical Plastic Surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal,2009, 29(2): 135-143.
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