Transforming growth factor-β blocks proliferation but not early mitogenic signaling events in T-lymphocytes

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibits the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in response to activation with mitogenic lectin. The influence of TGF-β on elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺, induction of proliferation-associated mRNA species, and total cellular RNA content has been studied. The cells seem to exit G₀ when activated in the presence of TGF-β, but they arrest in mid-G₁ phase.