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C D Scher

Publications and source records attributed to C D Scher.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Dual control of cell growth by somatomedins and platelet-derived growth factor.

Quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells exposed briefly to a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) become "competent" to replicate their DNA but do not "progress" into S phase unless incubated with growth factors contained in platelet-poor plasma. Plasma from hypophysectomized rats is deficient in progression activity; it does not stimulate PDGF-treated competent cells to synthesize DNA, demonstrating that somatomedin C is required for progression. Various growth factors were tested for progression activity and competence activity by using BALB/c 3T3 tissue culture assays. Multiplication stimulating activity and other members of the somatomedin family of growth factors are (like somatomedin C) potent mediators of progression. Other mitogenic agents, such as fibroblast growth factor, are (like PDGF) potent inducers of competence. Growth factors with potent progression activity have little or no competence activity and vice versa. In contrast, simian virus 40 provides both competence and progression activity. Coordinate control of BALB/c 3T3 cell growth in vitro by competence factors and somatomedins may be a specific example of a common pattern of growth regulation in animal tissues.

Animals↗

Purification of human platelet-derived growth factor.

Human platelets contain a polypeptide growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of connective tissue cells. Purification of this platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was accomplished by heat (100 degrees C) treatment of washed platelets and subsequent ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration in 1 M acetic acid, isoelectric focusing, and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PDGF has an isoelectric point of 9.8 and a molecular weight ranging from 13,000 to 16,000 as judged by gel filtration in 1 M acetic acid or analytical sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. The specific activity of the purified PDGF is 20 million times greater than that found in unfractionated human serum. Purified PDGF stimulates replicative DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in quiescent density-arrested cultures of BALB/c 3T3 cells at concentrations of 1 ng/ml (0.1 nM).

Blood Platelets↗

Platelet alpha granules contain a growth factor for fibroblasts.

Platelets contain a polypeptide growth factor that stimulates the replication of normal connective tissue cells; this platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is released during the clotting process. Human platelets from normal volunteers were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation, and the subcellular organelles were fractionated by ultracentrifugation through a 30%--60% sucrose gradient. Electron microscopy revealed that fraction 7 (density 1.23 g/liter) contained the largest number of alpha granules. The specific activity of platelet fibrinogen, an alpha-granule marker, was also highest in this fraction. The subcellular fractions were assay for the presence of PDGF and for beta-thromboglobulin. PDGF was assayed quantitatively by the stimulation of DNA synthesis in confluent growth-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells, whereas the concentration of beta-thromboglobulin was determined by radioimmunoassay. The highest concentrations of both PDGF and beta-thromboglobulin were found in the alpha-granule fraction. In contrast, beta-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme, was more diffusely distributed and had its highest specific activity in fractions of lower density than those for PDGS, beta-thromboglobulin, or fibrinogen. The data demonstrate that the alpha granules of platelets provide a unique delivery system for PDGF, a polypeptide hormone with growth-promoting activity for connective tissue cells.

Animals↗

Effect of pseudotype on Abelson virus and Kirsten sarcoma virus-induced leukemia.

Nonproducer cells transformed by Kirsten sarcoma virus (KiSV) or Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) were infected with N- or NB-tropic helper viruses to rescue the defective transforming virus. The titer of the transforming viruses was determined on NIH/3T3 fibroblast-like cells and cell-free filtrates of virus stock were inoculated into newborn Fv-1nn mice. Friend, Moloney, and Rauscher group of MuLV (FMR) pseudotypes of KiSV induced an erythroid leukemia efficiently, while an endogenous helper (N35-MuLV) pseudotype of KiSV did not. FMR pseudotypes of A-MuLV induced the Abelson lymphoid leukemia, while the N35-MuLV or a Kirsten leukemia virus (Ki-MuLV) pseudotype did not. Pseudotypes of A-MuLV were used to infect bone marrow cells of Fv-1nn mice in vitro. The FMR pseudotypes transformed bone marrow cells at 40-100-fold higher frequency than the N35-MuLV or Ki-MuLV pseudotypes. Mixing experiments demonstrated that the addition of an effective helper, such as M-MuLV did not enhance lymphoid transformation by ineffective A-MuLV (N35-MuLV). The A-MuLV genome is responsible for hematopoietic cell transformation because a nonproducer clone of lymphoid cells, free of helper virus, was isolated. The data indicates that the pseudotype of A-MuLV determines its ability to transform hematopoietic cells.

Animals↗

An ordered sequence of events is required before BALB/c-3T3 cells become committed to DNA synthesis.

An ordered sequence of events must be completed before cells become committed to synthesize DNA. A platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), present in heated (100 degrees ) extracts of human platelets, induces density-inhibited BALB/c-3T3 cells to become competent to proliferate. Platelet-poor plasma induces these competent cells to leave the competence point, progress through G(0)/G(1), and enter the S phase. Treatment of G(0)-arrested, incompetent cells with plasma, before the addition of PDGF, did not shorten the latent period for DNA synthesis or increase the rate of entry into the S phase. Growth arrest points in the plasma-dependent progression sequence were detected in G(0)/G(1). PDGF-treated competent cells were exposed to an optimal concentration of plasma (5%) for various lengths of time and were then transferred to medium lacking plasma; the subsequent readdition of plasma stimulated the cells to enter the S phase. The lag period until DNA synthesis, in such experiments, was dictated by the length of the initial exposure to plasma. PDGF-treated competent cells that were incubated with plasma for 5 hr during the initial exposure did not leave the competence point; they began DNA synthesis 12 hr after the readdition of plasma. However, a population of cells treated with plasma for 10 hr became arrested at a point 6 hr before DNA synthesis, whereas a population treated with plasma for 12-15 hr became arrested at a point immediately before DNA synthesis. Cells remained arrested at this latter point for as long as 24 hr, and these arrested cells were not committed to DNA synthesis. The addition of plasma induced immediate entry into the S phase with an apparent first-order rate of entry being determined by the plasma concentration. This plasma-dependent commitment (transition) to DNA synthesis was blocked by cycloheximide but not by hydroxyurea. Removal of the hydroxyurea allowed cells to enter the S phase synchronously in the absence of plasma.

Blood Platelets↗

Growth factors derived from human serum, platelets, and pituitary: properties and immunologic cross-reactivity.

A cationic polypeptide growth factor, isolated from human serum and purified to homogeneity, has stimulated the replication of density-inhibited BALB/c 3T3 cells. It has a molecular weight of 1.3 x 10(4) daltons and an isoelectric point of 9.7. Trypsin or chymotrypsin digestion reduces the growth-stimulatory activity by 75%, whereas 2-mercaptoehanol completely abolishes it. The growth factor is heat-stable (100 degrees C X 10 min) and free of insulin-like activity. The highly purified serum growth factor has been labeled with 125I, and an antiserum to the growth factor was produced in the rabbit. A specific, highly sensitive radioimmunoassay has been developed. Factors with growth-stimulating activity have also been detected in human platelets and human pituitary gland extracts. Platelets and pituitary glands have antigenic determinants that are recognized by antibodies to the serum growth factor. The platelet and pituitary gland growth factors are also cationic and heat stable, and are destroyed by 2-mercaptoethanol. Thus the human serum, platelet, and pituitary gland growth factors have similar properties.

Animals↗

Abelson virus-transformed lymphocytes: null cells that modulate H-2.

A-MuLV-transformed lymphoid cells from Balb/c mice had the properties of null lymphocytes. They did not secrete Ig and all but one did not have detectable cell-associated Ig; one line synthesized, but did not secrete, the mu chain of IgM. The cells expressed H-2D and H-2K, but not H-21 histocompatibility antigens or theta-antigen; they had Fc receptors. Most cell lines grew to form donor cell tumors after inoculation into (Balb/c X C57B1/6)F1 mice. The tumor cells have more H-2Dd than cells passaged in vitro. Cell lines carried in vitro progressively lost H-2Dd. A line in which 5-30% of the cells were lysable by anti-H-2Dd was cloned; all eleven clones had H-2Dd (13-69% lysable) demonstrating that H-2 modulates in vitro. A clone with little H-2Dd (10-15% lysable) was tumorigenic even after treatment with anti-H-2Dd sera; at least 50% of the tumor cells were lysed by anti-H-2Dd. Thus A-MuLV-transformed lymphocytes modulate H-2 in vivo to higher levels and in vitro to lower levels.

Animals↗

Induction of DNA synthesis in BALB/c 3T3 cells by serum components: reevaluation of the commitment process.

Serum contains a growth factor derived from platelets and also growth factors derived from platelet-poor plasma. Extracts of heated (100 degrees ) human platelets function synergistically with platelet-poor plasma to induce DNA synthesis in quiescent, density-inhibited BALB/c 3T3 cells. Platelet-poor plasma alone did not induce DNA synthesis. Cells exposed to platelet extracts became competent to enter the cell cycle, but the rate of entry into the S phase depended upon the concentration of platelet-poor plasma. The time required for the induction of this competent state was a function of the concentration of the platelet extract. A 2-hr exposure to 100 mug of the platelet extract at 37 degrees caused the entire cell population to become competent to enter the S phase. At 4 degrees or 25 degrees the cells did not become competent to synthesize DNA. The platelet extract-induced competent state was stable for at least 13 hr after removal of the platelet extract; however, in the absence of platelet-poor plasma, these competent cells did not progress through the cell cycle. The addition of an optimal concentration of platelet-poor plasma (5%) to these competent cells initiated cell cycle traverse with a rapid, first-order entry of cells into the S phase beginning 12 hr after addition of the plasma. The addition of a suboptimal concentration of the plasma (0.25%) did not increase the rate of cell entry into the S phase. Thus, the induction of DNA synthesis in quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells can be resolved into at least two phases, controlled by different serum components: (i) competence, induced by the platelet-derived growth factor; and (ii) progression of competent cells into the cell cycle, mediated by factors in platelet-poor plasma.

Animals↗

Radioimmunoassay of a human serum growth factor for Balb/c-3T3 cells: derivation from platelets.

A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the detection and quantification of a human serum polypeptide that has growth-promoting activity for confluent Balb/c-3T3 cells. Antiserum to this growth factor does not recognize antigens in mouse, guinea pig, or bovine serum but does detect some crossreacting antigen in the serum of the New World monkey Cebus albifrons and more in the serum of the Old World rhesus monkeys Macaca mulatta and M. fascicularis, demonstrating that the antigenic determinants of the growth factor have a degree of species specificity. Serum derived from whole human blood contains approximately 770 pg of the growth factor per mg of protein; serum derived from platelet-poor blood contains about 112 pg of the growth factor per mg of protein. As much as 1 microng of the growth factor per mg of protein has been recovered from human platelets by heating them at 100 degrees for 2 min. Approximately 1-2 ng of the growth factor, in either whole serum or platelets, stimulates 5 to 10 X 10(3) confluent Balb/c-3T3 cells to replicate. The heat treatment of platelets allows the purification and quantitative recovery of the growth factor from blood.

Animals↗

Separation of sarcoma virus-specific and leukemia virus-specific genetic sequences of Moloney sarcoma virus.

We have studied the nucleic acid sequences in nonproducer cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus or Abelson leukemia virus (two types of replication-defective, RNA-containing, viruses isolated by passage of Moloney leukemia virus in BALB/c mice). DNA probes from the Moloney leukemia in virus detect RNA in both Abelson virus-transformed nonproducer cells and Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed nonproducer cells. A sarcoma-specific cDNA, prepared from the Moloney sarcoma virus, has extensive homology to RNA found in heterologous nonproducer cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus, has little homology to RNA in cells producing Moloney leukemia virus, and no detectable homology to RNA in nonproducer cells transformed by the Abelson virus. By analogy to earlier data on avian and mammalian sarcoma viruses, these results suggest that the Moloney sarcoma virus arose by recombination between a portion of the Moloney leukemia virus genome and additional sarcoma-specific information, and indicate that the expression of this information in not essential for Abelson virus-mediated fibroblast transformation.

Cell Line↗

In vitro transformation of lymphoid cells by Abelson murine leukemia virus.

Cell cultures prepared from fetal murine liver were infected by Abelson murine leukemia virus. After about 2 weeks, proliferating cells of lymphoid morphology appeared in some of the cultures. Addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the initial culture medium greatly enhanced the appearance of the lymphoid cells. Immunoglobulin determinants were evident on the cells in some cultures. Continuous passage of the cells in certain cultures was possible and the passaged cells could form tumors after animal inoculation. Because Abelson murine leukemia virus is able to induce in vitro malignant transformation of lymphoid cells, it probably causes leukemia by directly affecting cellular growth control.

Animals↗

Isolation of a cationic polypeptide from human serum that stimulates proliferation of 3T3 cells.

A basic polypeptide that stimulates DNA synthesis and cell division in confluent populations of mouse Balb/c-3T3 cells has been isolated from whole human serum, and has been separated from the heterogenous group of molecules with insulin-like activity. This highly purified basic polypeptide has a molecular weight of 1.3 x 10(4) and an isoelectric point of 9.7. Approximately 10(7) polypeptide molecules in the growth medium allow the replication of one density-inhibited cell.

Animals↗

Recent developments in the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis by 33258 Hoechst fluorescence.

A number of applications of the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis by fluorescence microscopy are illustrated. These include (a) the analysis of sister chromatid exchanges and sister chromatid segregation at mitosis, (b) the location of chromosome regions containing deoxyribonucleic acid with an asymmetric distribution of thymine residues between polynucleotide chains and (c) the detection of late replicating regions in metaphase chromosomes. The suppression of 33258 Hoechst fluorescence by 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporated biosynthetically into interphase nuclei is demonstrated both in fixed cytologic preparations and in unfixed cultured cells. Many of the cytologic observations described might form a basis for future biochemical studies.

Animals↗