The dual role of transforming growth factor beta in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in numerous pathological processes. TGF-β functions in the immune system are to perform the regulation of lymphocyte differentiation, survival and destruction. In autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system, like multiple sclerosis (MS) and the animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), depending on the context, TGF-β has paradoxically pro- and anti inflammatory effects, explaining the difficulties in creating therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-β. This review presents the progresses that have been made on the understanding of TGF-β in the pathogenesis of both EAE and MS.