TGFB1 and neoplasm: In the TME, macrophages promote the anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK cells by releasing activating cytokines (such as IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and TNF-α) and inhibit the expression of NK cell activation receptors while promoting the expression of inhibitory receptors by releasing inhibitory cytokines (such as TGF-β) (68, 69).