Transforming growth factor-beta fails to inhibit allograft rejection or virus-induced autoimmune diabetes in transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice whose pancreata express transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) directed by an insulin promoter (Ins-TGF-beta mice) were used to assess the effect of local TGF-beta1 on allograft rejection and on autoimmune diabetes occurring as a cross-reaction to viral antigens. Pancreatic TGF-beta1 did not delay allograft rejection, nor did it inhibit autoimmune diabetes after lymphocytic choriomeningitis infection of double transgenic mice (LCMV/TGF-beta1 mice). These results suggest that local TGF-beta1 does not serve as an immunosuppressive agent for allograft rejection or virus-mediated autoimmune diabetes.