The1D11.16.8monoclonalantibodyreactswithmouse,human,rat,monkey,hamster,canineandbovineTGF-β(transforminggrowthfactorbeta)isoforms1,2and3.TGF-βisamultifunctionalcytokinethatregulatestheproliferationofepithelialcells,endothelialcells,fibroblasts,neurons,lymphoidcellsincludingTlymphocytesandNKcells,andotherhematopoieticcelltypes.TGF-βalsoregulatestheactivitiesofactivatedmacrophagesandthedevelopmentofregulatoryTcells.Additionally,TGF-βplaysrolesinimmunefunction,tissueremodelingandwoundrepair.TGF-βexistsasfivehighlysimilarisoforms(TGF-β1-5)withhomologiesof70-80%.TGF-β1issynthesizedbytheenzymaticcleavageofalongprecursorTGF-β1polypeptideencodedbytheTGFB1genewhichyieldsthematureproteinandtheLatencyAssociatedPeptide(LAP).TheLAPandmatureTGF-β1non-covalentlyassociateduringsecretion.TGF-βisubiquitouslyexpressedbymanycelltypesincludingmacrophagesandplateletswhichexpresshighlevelsofTGF-β.TGF-βsignalinghasbeenshowntoplaysrolesincancer,autoimmunediseases,asthma,heartdisease,anddiabetes.ItsimportanceisillustratedbyTGF-βknockoutmicewhichshowdefectsinhematopoiesisandendothelialdifferentiation,anddieofoverwhelminginflammation.The1D11.16.8monoclonalantibodyisaneutralizingantibody.