Increased circulating transforming growth factor beta 1 in a patient with giant hepatic hemangioma: Possible contribution to an impaired immune function

A patient, having a huge hepatic hemangioma, presented with decreases in the number of peripheral lymphocytes and in serum concentrations of gamma-globulin and immunoglobulin (Ig) G;, and a negative purified protein derivatives skin test, indicating that the patient's immunity was impaired. The plasma concentration of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), a potent immunosuppressor, in the patient was markedly elevated (113 ng/mL, normal < 5). After the surgical removal of the tumor, the plasma TGF-beta(1) concentration decreased, and the patient's immunity was restored to normal. Northern blot analysis showed an overexpression of the TGF-beta(1) gene in the hemangioma tissue, while normal control liver tissue expressed undetectable levels of TGF-beta(1) messenger RNA. These results suggest that the elevated levels of TGF-beta(1) in the plasma were derived from the giant hemangioma tissue and may have contributed to the impaired immune function in the patient.