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Effect of black and green tea polyphenols on c-jun phosphorylation and H(2)O(2) production in transformed and non-transformed human bronchial cell lines: possible mechanisms of cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.

The biological activities of theaflavin (TF), theaflavin gallate (TFG) and theaflavin digallate (TFdiG) from black tea and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) from green tea were investigated using SV40-immortalized (33BES) and Ha-ras gene transformed (21BES) human bronchial epithelial cell lines. Growth inhibition and cell viability were measured by trypan blue dye exclusion assay following 24 h treatment with the tea polyphenols. TFdiG, EGC and EGCG displayed comparable inhibitory effects on the growth of 21BES cells, with estimated IC(50) values of 22-24 microM. TFG exhibited a lower inhibitory activity (IC(50) 37 microM) and TF was even less effective (IC(50) 47 microM) in this cell line. A similar effect was also observed in 33BES cells. These results suggest that the gallate structure of theaflavins is important for growth inhibition. Exposure of 21BES cells to 25 microM TFdiG, EGC and EGCG for 24 h led to induction of cell apoptosis/death as determined by the Annexin V apoptosis assay. With TFdiG treatment cell death occurred early, and quickly peaked at 8-12 h. Morphological observations showed that TFdiG-treated cells appeared irregular in shape, with cytoplasmic granules, suggesting a cytotoxic effect. On the other hand, EGC and EGCG showed a lag phase before a rapid increase in apoptosis between 16 and 24 h, without any marked morphological changes, which was similar to that induced by H(2)O(2). TFdiG, EGC and EGCG induced similar amounts of H(2)O(2) formation in 21BES cells. Exogenously added catalase significantly prevented EGC- and EGCG-induced cell apoptosis, but did not prevent TFdiG-induced cell death, suggesting that H(2)O(2) is involved in the apoptosis induced by EGCG and EGC, but not in TFdiG-induced cell death. EGCG and TFdiG were shown to decrease c-jun protein phosphorylation in 21BES cells. Such inhibition is expected to result in lowered AP-1 activity, which may contribute to the growth inhibitory activity of tea polyphenols.

Antioxidants↗

Immunohistochemical localization of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, and transforming growth factor beta1 in human corneas with neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To analyze presence and distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)alpha, and TGFbeta1 in human corneas with neovascularization due to different corneal diseases. METHODS: Indirect immunohistochemistry for VEGF, TGFalpha, and TGFbeta1, was performed on paraffin-embedded corneas obtained by keratoplasty. Corneas from each of the four main groups of histopathologic diagnoses associated with corneal neovascularization were analyzed (scarring after keratitis, graft rejection/insufficiency, acute necrotizing keratitis, scarring after mechanical/chemical injury). Subclassification of inflammatory infiltrates was done using immunohistochemistry for CD3 (T-lymphocytes) and CD68 (macrophages). RESULTS: The analyzed angiogenic factors were detectable in corneas from all four histopathologic groups in a similar distribution; capillary endothelial cells, stromal and intravascular inflammatory cells (T-lymphocytes, macrophages), and basal corneal epithelial cells stained positive for the tested angiogenic factors. CONCLUSION: The angiogenic factors VEGF, TGFalpha, and TGFbeta1 are detectable in human corneas with neovascularization. Their distribution is quite uniform in different corneal diseases, resulting in corneal angiogenesis. An antiangiogenic therapy inhibiting corneal neovascularization by antagonizing angiogenic factors would have to counteract several angiogenic factors.

Antigens, CD↗

DNA-liposome versus adenoviral mediated gene transfer of transforming growth factor beta1 in vascularized cardiac allografts: differential sensitivity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to transforming growth factor beta1.

We have developed a model of transforming growth factor (TGF)beta1 gene transfer into mouse vascularized cardiac allografts to study the use of gene transfer as an immunosuppressive therapy in transplantation. Donor hearts were perfused with either DNA-liposome complexes or adenoviral vectors that encode the active form of human TGFbeta1. DNA-liposome mediated transfection prolonged allograft survival in approximately two-thirds of transplant recipients, while adenoviral delivery of TGFbeta1 was not protective. Protective TGFbeta1 gene transfer was associated with reduced Th1 responses and an inhibition of the alloantibody isotype switch. The protective effects of TGFbeta1 gene transfer were overridden by exogenous interleukin-12 administration. Interestingly, alloreactive CD4+ and CD8+ cells exhibited distinct sensitivities to TGFbeta1 gene transfer: CD4+ Th1 function was abrogated by this modality, although CD8+ Th1 function was not. Transient depletion of recipient CD8+ cells markedly prolonged the survival of grafts transfected with either DNA-liposome complexes or adenoviral vectors. Transgene expression persisted for at least 60 days, and Th1 responses were not detectable until CD8+ T cells repopulated the periphery. However, long-term transfected allografts appeared to exhibit exacerbated fibrosis and neointimal development. These manifestations of chronic rejection were absent in long-term transfected isografts, suggesting that long-term expression of active TGFbeta1 alone is not sufficient to induce fibrosis of the grafts. Collectively, these data illustrate the utility of immunosuppressive gene therapy as a treatment for transplantation when combined with additional conditioning regimens. Further, they illustrate that alloreactive CD4+ and CD8+ cells may be differentially influenced by cytokine manipulation strategies.

Adenoviridae↗

TGF beta-like regulation of matrix metalloproteinases by anti-transforming growth factor-beta, and anti-transforming growth factor-beta 1 antibodies in dermal fibroblasts: Implications for wound healing.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) stimulates collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and inhibits MMP-1 expression in dermal fibroblasts. Anti-TGF-beta antibodies have been proposed in the prevention of wound scars. The goal of this research was to investigate the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -2 expression at the protein, mRNA, and transcriptional levels using an anti-TGF-beta antibody to TGF-beta 1, 2, 3, and 5 (all isoforms), and specifically by an anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody. Both antibodies, though at doses lower than the recommended neutralization dose, stimulated the expression of TGF-beta, and exhibited TGF-beta-like regulation of the matrix metalloproteinases. The antibodies inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein, mRNA, and promoter activity. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were up-regulated to a greater extent than the matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA level by both antibodies. These effects of anti-TGF-beta and anti-TGF-beta 1 antibodies on matrix metalloproteinase regulation were mimicked by exogenous TGF-beta 1 but not rabbit or chicken IgG. We infer that the anti-TGF-beta1 isoform that forms part of the composition of the anti-TGF-beta antibody to all isoforms may be responsible for the feedback stimulation of TGF-beta and the resultant alterations in the expression of the matrix metalloproteinases by the anti-TGF-beta antibodies.

Antibodies↗

High-potentiality preliminary selection criteria and transformation time-dependent factors analysis for establishing Epstein-Barr virus transformed human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Infection of freshly isolated and cryopreserved lymphocytes with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) leads to the establishment of human B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Techniques for optimal infection of the lymphocytes are vital for the establishment of a human biobank. The present study found that more than half (58-86%) of such established LCLs had transport times of less than 48 h, cell densities exceeding 10(6) cells/ml and cell viabilities greater than 90%. After EBV infection, 3306 freshly isolated lymphocytes required 30.0 +/- 0.1 days to become LCLs. Conversely, 1210 cryopreserved lymphocytes required 36.2 +/- 0.4 days. Cell density and viability of the culture affected transformation time in freshly isolated lymphocytes. On the other hand, blood transport time, cryopreservation time and initial cell viability were major factors in cryopreserved specimens. These results contribute to general information concerning the establishment of a human biobank for EBV infected cells.

Animals↗

Heart and liver defects and reduced transforming growth factor beta2 sensitivity in transforming growth factor beta type III receptor-deficient embryos.

The type III transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) receptor (TbetaRIII) binds both TGFbeta and inhibin with high affinity and modulates the association of these ligands with their signaling receptors. However, the significance of TbetaRIII signaling in vivo is not known. In this study, we have sought to determine the role of TbetaRIII during development. We identified the predominant expression sites of TbetaRIII mRNA as liver and heart during midgestation and have disrupted the murine TbetaRIII gene by homologous recombination. Beginning at embryonic day 13.5, mice with mutations in TbetaRIII developed lethal proliferative defects in heart and apoptosis in liver, indicating that TbetaRIII is required during murine somatic development. To assess the effects of the absence of TbetaRIII on the function of its ligands, primary fibroblasts were generated from TbetaRIII-null and wild-type embryos. Our results indicate that TbetaRIII deficiency differentially affects the activities of TGFbeta ligands. Notably, TbetaRIII-null cells exhibited significantly reduced sensitivity to TGFbeta2 in terms of growth inhibition, reporter gene activation, and Smad2 nuclear localization, effects not observed with other ligands. These data indicate that TbetaRIII is an important modulator of TGFbeta2 function in embryonic fibroblasts and that reduced sensitivity to TGFbeta2 may underlie aspects of the TbetaRIII mutant phenotype.

Animals↗

The effects of topical transforming growth factor-beta2 and anti-transforming growth factor-beta2,3 on scarring in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-b2 (TGF-b2) has been implicated in the inflammatory response and subsequent scarring during wound healing. OBJECTIVE: The experiment was designed to study the effects of a topical application of TGF-b2 and mouse monoclonal anti-TGF-b2,3 neutralizing antibody (anti TGF-b2,3) on the development of fibrosis during healing. METHODS: Sixteen full-thickness excision wounds were made in the paravertebral and thoracic area of four domestic pigs. On day 0, three wounds each were treated with: a) 5 mg of TGF-b2, b) 5 mg of 2% methylcellulose (mc), or c) 1.2 mg of anti-TGF-b2,3. As a vehicle for treatment of each wound methylcellulose 2% was used. Four wounds served as the untreated air-exposed control. Wounds were biopsied and the tissue sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin on days 7, 14, and 45. Three blinded observers evaluated the wound specimens. RESULTS: Using computer-aided point count stereology on days 7, 14, and 45, we found a statistically significant increase (p <.05) in the number of nucleated cells in the TGF-b2-treated wounds as compared to the other control wounds. Wounds treated with anti-TGF-b2,3 had significantly (p <.05) fewer nucleated cells on days 7,14, and 45. Microscopically, the TGF-b2-treated wounds had a larger scar area as compared to anti-TGF-b2,3 and controls. CONCLUSION: Treating wounds with an antibody directed against TGF-b2 might be a useful clinical approach to reduce fibrosis.

Administration, Topical↗

Effect of IgA aggregates on transforming growth factor-beta1 production in human mesangial cells and the intraglomerular expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates renal fibrosis in various renal diseases including IgA nephropathy. METHODS: We examined whether immunoglobulin A (IgA) stimulated TGF-beta1 synthesis in human mesangial cells (MCs), and whether this effect was mediated through the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. We measured the intraglomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA expression by using competitive RT-PCR, and this was compared with various parameters in IgA nephropathy patients. RESULTS: The IgA aggregate increased the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in MCs, while this expression was not affected by the culture media or IgG aggregate. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calphostin C did not influence the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression that was increased by the IgA aggregate. Intraglomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with creatinine clearance (r = -0.764, p = 0.027), daily proteinuria (r = 0.781, p = 0.022), serum creatinine (r = 0.884, p = 0.004), and tubulointerstitial changes (r = 0.809, p = 0.015). Glomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was associated with an increased tendency for glomerulosclerosis (r = 0.646, p = 0.084). After 4 years, patients with a high expression of intraglomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA showed a tendency for an decrease of their renal function. CONCLUSION: The IgA aggregate increased TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in MCs, and this was independent of the PKC pathway. The evaluation of intraglomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA expression could be useful in predicting the progression of IgA nephropathy.

Cells, Cultured↗

Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta during early human fetal prostate development.

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of peptide growth factors and androgens in the developing human prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining of prostate tissue sections from human fetuses 9.5, 11.5, 13, 16.5, 18 and 20 weeks in gestation. RESULTS: The temporal and spatial expression of these growth factors was related to the gestational androgen surge. Before the androgen surge (9.5 to 11.5 weeks) transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 but not TGF-beta2 were present in the mesenchyme. The epithelium exhibited no detectable staining for any of the growth factors. During the androgen peak (13 to 16.5 weeks) TGF-beta1 decreased and TGF-beta2 increased in the mesenchyme, and TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 increased in the epithelium. With declining androgen levels TGF-alpha, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 remained unchanged but TGF-beta1 increased in the mesenchyme with no change in the tested peptide growth factor levels in the epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that androgens regulate the differential expression of TGF-alpha and TGF-beta, and support a role for peptide growth factors as the direct mediators of androgen action on the mesenchymal and epithelial interactions responsible for prostate development.

Humans↗

Blocking transforming growth factor-beta receptor signaling down-regulates transforming growth factor-beta1 autoproduction in keloid fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To study transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) autoproduction in keloid fibroblasts and the regulation effect of blocking TGF-beta intracellular signaling on rhTGF-beta1 autoproduction. METHODS: Keloid fibroblasts cultured in vitro were treated with either rhTGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) or recombinant adenovirus containing a truncated type II TGF-beta receptor gene (50 pfu/cell). Their effects of regulating gene expression of TGF-beta1 and its receptor I and II were observed with Northern blot. RESULTS: rhTGF-beta1 up-regulated the gene expression of TGF-beta1 and receptor I, but not receptor II. Over-expression of the truncated receptor II down-regulated the gene expression of TGF-beta1 and its receptor I, but not receptor II. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta1 autoproduction was observed in keloid fibroblasts. Over-expression of the truncated TGFbeta receptor II decreased TGF-beta1 autoproduction via blocking TGF-beta receptor signaling.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Loss of c-myc repression coincides with ovarian cancer resistance to transforming growth factor beta growth arrest independent of transforming growth factor beta/Smad signaling.

Many epithelial carcinomas, including ovarian, are refractory to the antiproliferative effects of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta. In some cancers, TGF-beta resistance has been linked to TGF-beta receptor II (TbetaR-II) and Smad4 mutations; however, in ovarian cancer, the mechanism of resistance remains unclear. Primary ovarian epithelial cell cultures were used as a model system to determine the mechanisms of TGF-beta resistance. To simulate in vivo responses to TGF-beta, primary cultures derived from normal human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) and from ovarian carcinomas (CSOC) were grown on collagen I gel, the predominant matrix molecule in the ovarian tumor milieu. When treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-beta for 72 h, HOSE (n = 11) proliferation was inhibited by 20 +/- 21% on average. In contrast, CSOC (n = 10) proliferation was stimulated 5 +/- 10% in response to TGF-beta (a statistically significant difference in response when compared with HOSE; P = 0.001). To dissect the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway we used a quantitative RNase protection assay (RPA) for measuring mRNA levels of TGF-beta pathway components in 20 HOSE and 20 CSOC cultures. Basal mRNA levels of TGF-beta receptors I and II, downstream signaling components Smad2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and the transcriptional corepressors Ski and SnoN did not show a statistically significant difference between HOSE and CSOC, and cannot explain their differential susceptibility to TGF-beta-induced cell cycle arrest. To assess functional differences of the TGF-beta pathway in TGF-beta-sensitive HOSE and TGF-beta-resistant CSOC, we measured Smad2/4 and 3/4 complex induction after TGF-beta treatment. HOSE and CSOC showed equivalent Smad2/4 and 3/4 complex induction after TGF-beta exposure for 0, 0.5, 2, and 4 h. It has been proposed that SnoN and Ski are corepressors of the TGF-beta/Smad pathway and undergo TGF-beta-induced degradation followed by reinduction of SnoN mRNA. However, our data show equivalent SnoN degradation in HOSE and CSOC, and equivalent SnoN mRNA induction after TGF-beta treatment. Surprising, TGF-beta-induced Ski degradation was not observed in HOSE or CSOC, suggesting that Ski may not function as a TGF-beta/Smad corepressor in ovarian epithelial cells. These data implied that the TGF-beta/Smad pathway remains functional in CSOC, although CSOC cells are resistant to antimitogenic TGF-beta effects. CSOC resistance to TGF-beta coincided with the loss of c-myc down-regulation. These data suggest that TGF-beta/Smad signaling is blocked downstream of Smad complex formation or that an alternate signaling pathway other than TGF-beta/Smad may transmit TGF-beta-induced cell cycle arrest in the ovarian epithelium.

Cell Division↗

Evidence for transforming growth factor-beta expression in human leptomeningeal cells and transforming growth factor-beta-like activity in human cerebrospinal fluid.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the factors regulating growth and maintenance of human leptomeningeal cells. The influence of cerebrospinal fluid on these functions is also unknown. Possible mediators include the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) family, three closely related peptides that regulate proliferation and numerous other physiologic processes in most mesenchymal cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of both mRNA and protein for TGF beta isoforms TGF beta 1, TGF beta 2, and TGF beta 3 as well as TGF beta-competing activity were evaluated in primary human leptomeningeal cultures by Northern blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and a radioreceptor assay, respectively. TGF beta 1, TGF beta 2, and TGF beta 3 immunoreactivity was also evaluated in brain sections containing leptomeninges from which these cell cultures were established. An additional study analyzed human cerebrospinal fluid for TGF beta-like activity. RESULTS: Transcripts for TGF beta 1, TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 3 were detected in RNA from each of the eight leptomeningeal cultures. Significant TGF beta 1 immunoreactivity was detected in leptomeningeal tissue from five of eight cases. TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 3 immunostaining was seen in eight and seven of the cases, respectively. Similarly, cells cultured from these meninges exhibited variable TGF beta 1 and extensive TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 3 immunoreactivity. Radioreceptor assays of conditioned media from four cultures demonstrated significant latent TGF beta-like activity. TGF beta radioreceptor competing activity was also detected by radioreceptor assay in normal blood-free cerebrospinal fluid from 32 patients without neurological disease. In addition, pooled cerebrospinal fluid (from six additional patients) exhibited dose dependent TGF beta-like activity in the radioreceptor assay, stimulation of AKR-2B cell growth in soft agar and inhibition of growth in CCL-64 cell assays suggesting that cerebrospinal fluid contains TG beta-like activity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the human leptomeninges synthesize TGF beta 1, TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 3 and secrete latent TGF beta s at least in vitro. Human cerebrospinal fluid may also contain TGF beta isoforms. Collectively, these observations raise the possibility that members of the TGF beta family contribute to biologic processes of the leptomeninges.

Agar↗

Type I transforming growth factor-beta receptors on neutrophils mediate chemotaxis to transforming growth factor-beta.

Participation of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the inflammatory response is mediated, in part, by soluble factors such as chemotactic peptides and cytokines. Although the cytokine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), has been shown to recruit monocytes and promote the inflammatory process, its effects on neutrophils are unknown. In this investigation, [125I]TGF-beta 1 affinity binding studies were employed to show that neutrophils express TGF-beta receptors (350 +/- 20 receptors/cell), which exhibit high affinity for the ligand (dissociation constant, 50 pM). Affinity cross-linking studies identified the receptors to be primarily of the type I class. In contrast to the receptors on monocytes, neutrophil TGF-beta receptors were not down-regulated by exposure to specific inflammatory mediators. Additional studies examined whether exposure of neutrophils to TGF-beta could enhance specific functions, as occurs with monocytes. TGF-beta was shown to cause directed migration of neutrophils at femtomolar concentrations, thus it is the most potent neutrophil chemotactic factor yet identified. Neutrophil production of reactive oxygen intermediates was not stimulated by TGF-beta, nor did TGF-beta enhance or depress subsequent PMA- or FMLP-stimulated superoxide production. However, the stable expression of neutrophil TGF-beta receptors, and the capacity of this cytokine to stimulate neutrophil chemotaxis, suggest that the pro-inflammatory effects of TGF-beta are mediated by neutrophils in addition to monocytes.

Adult↗

Regulation of transglutaminase type II by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in normal and transformed human epidermal keratinocytes.

This study examines the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on the expression of Type I and II transglutaminase in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK cells). Treatment of undifferentiated NHEK cells with 100 pM TGF-beta 1 caused a 10- to 15-fold increase in the activity of a soluble transglutaminase. Based on its cellular distribution and immunoreactivity this transglutaminase was identified as Type II (tissue) transglutaminase. TGF-beta 1 did not enhance the levels of the membrane-bound Type I (epidermal) transglutaminase activity which is induced during squamous cell differentiation and did not increase Type II transglutaminase activity in differentiated NHEK cells. Several SV40 large T antigen-immortalized NHEK cell lines also exhibited a dramatic increase in transglutaminase Type II activity after TGF-beta 1 treatment; however, TGF-beta 1 did not induce any significant change in transglutaminase activity in the carcinoma-derived cell lines SCC-13, SCC-15, and SQCC/Y1. Half-maximal stimulation of transglutaminase Type II activity in NHEK cells occurred at a dose of 15 pM TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 2 was about equally effective. This enhancement in transglutaminase activity was related to an increase in the amount of transglutaminase Type II protein as indicated by immunoblot analysis. Northern blot analyses using a specific cDNA probe for Type II transglutaminase showed that exposure of NHEK cells to TGF-beta 1 caused a marked increase in the mRNA levels of this enzyme which could be observed as early as 4 h after the addition of TGF-beta 1. Maximal induction of transglutaminase Type II mRNA occurred between 18 and 24 h. The increase in Type II transglutaminase mRNA levels was blocked by the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting that this increase in mRNA by TGF-beta 1 is dependent on protein synthesis.

Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗

Monoclonal antibodies recognizing transforming growth factor-beta. Bioactivity neutralization and transforming growth factor beta 2 affinity purification.

Four mAb able to recognize transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta)2 were obtained. One of these mAb, 1D11.16, was able to neutralize the biological activity of both TGF-beta 1 and beta 2 in vitro. This was demonstrated in an Il-1, PHA-dependent thymocyte mitogenic assay that is inhibitable by TGF-beta in a dose-dependent manner. All four mAb recognized the dimeric form of TGF-beta 2 in Western blots. The mAb were also found to immunoprecipitate [125I]-TGF-beta 2. mAb 3C7.14 coupled to Sepharose could efficiently immunoaffinity purify TGF-beta 2 from a complex mixture of proteins. Affinity constants were determined for the four mAb and they ranged from 3.4 x 10(8) to 1.6 x 10(7) L/mol.

Animals↗

[Genetic transformation of somatic cells. III. An analysis of the status of the plasmid nucleotide sequences in the extrachromosomal DNA of transformant clone cells and the rescue of extrachromosomal molecules of the plasmid DNA].

Extrachromosomal DNAs from TK+ transformant clones of A238 Chinese hamster cells isolated after the treatment with plasmid pST826 containing thymidine kinase gene (TK-gene) of Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) and 1.8 kb insert of human satellite III DNA (HSIII) were studied by hybridization technique. In two TK+-clones (2T301 and 2T16) large quantities of rearranged plasmid DNA molecules were found. Electron microscopy show in clone 2T301 the presence of circular DNAs with average length being 4.64 +/- 0.27 kb. These molecules were rescued by retransformation into E. coli and analysed by restriction mapping and hybridization. All of them contain deletions spanning the entire TK gene of HSV1 and pBR325 sequences situated just downstream from the ORI of replication. The origin of extra-replicating circular DNA in 2T301 clone is discussed.

Animals↗

Transforming growth factor beta isoform-specific differences in interactions with type I and II transforming growth factor beta receptors.

Here we describe human colon carcinoma cell clones, isolated from a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-responsive parental cell line, which display differential sensitivities to TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 isoforms. In a monolayer proliferation assay, some clones were sensitive to both isoforms (IC50 = 0.1-0.6 ng/ml; S1S2) while others were resistant to both isoforms (IC50 > 5 ng/ml; R1R2). Still other clones (R1S2) were sensitive to TGF-beta 2 (IC50 = 0.1-0.2 ng/ml), but were resistant to TGF-beta 1 (IC50 > or = 5 ng/ml). In S1S2 cells, both TGF-beta isoforms resulted in a repression of c-myc mRNA expression, a concentration-dependent increase in fibronectin levels, and an enhanced production of the colon cell differentiation marker carcinoembryonic antigen. In contrast, R1R2 cells did not display these responses, or did so only to a limited extent. In R1S2 cells, TGF-beta 2 elicited these responses, yet TGF-beta 1 was essentially without effect. Receptor cross-linking experiments indicated that TGF-beta resistance in this model system was not generally associated with a complete lack of expression of either type I or II receptors. Moreover, the R1S2 type clones were heterogeneous, although the majority of them displayed binding to type I receptors by TGF-beta 2 but not by TGF-beta 1. These data suggest that either the TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 isoforms differ with respect to their ability to interact with the type I and II classes of receptors, or the TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 isoforms can interact with distinct receptor proteins of the type I and II classes in this model system.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Autocrine transforming growth factor-alpha is associated with progression of transformed properties in human colon cancer cells.

The GEO colon carcinoma cell line is weakly tumorigenic in athymic mice and shows differentiated properties both in tissue culture and in xenografts. Proliferating monolayer cultures of GEO cells which normally require exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) for optimal growth displayed a marked inhibition in growth upon addition of antibodies that block binding to the EGF receptor or neutralize TGF-alpha. These results indicated that GEO cells utilize TGF-alpha in a weak autocrine loop. The availability of a weakly malignant model system in which TGF-alpha had demonstrable, but low level autocrine activity, permitted the investigation of the role of TGF-alpha in tumorigenesis by generating a stronger autocrine loop through the overexpression of the polypeptide. GEO cells were electroporated with an expression vector containing the human TGF-alpha cDNA, and stable clones were isolated that constitutively expressed the TGF-alpha cDNA in a strong autocrine loop. However, the growth rate of the parental cells in EGF-supplemented medium was the same as that of transfected cells with or without growth factor-supplemented medium. Thus, any biological changes generated by the overexpression of TGF-alpha were due to the autocrine nature of the growth mechanism rather than due to any decrease in doubling time leading to a faster growth rate. Transfected GEO cells showed an increase in anchorage-independent growth and formed tumors more readily in athymic nude mice indicating that TGF-alpha plays a role in progression of transformed properties.

Animals↗