Expression of TGF-β3 in isolated fibroblasts from foreskin

Background:

The multifunctional transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a glycoprotein that exists in three isoforms. TGF-β3 expression increases in fetal wound healing and reduces fibronectin and collagen I and III deposition, and also improves the architecture of the neodermis which is a combination of blood vessels and connective tissue during wound healing. Fibroblasts are key cells in the wound healing process. TGF-β3 plays a critical role in scar-free wound healing and fibroblast actions in the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to express the TGF-β3 gene (tgf-b3) in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF’s).

Methods:

We obtained HFF’s from a newborn and a primary fibroblast culture was prepared. The cells were transfected with TGF-β3-pCMV6-XL5 plasmid DNA by both lipofection and electroporation. Expression of TGF-β3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

The highest TGF-β3 expression (8.3-fold greater than control) was obtained by lipofection after 72 hours using 3 µl of transfection reagent. Expression was 1.4-fold greater than control by electroporation.

Conclusions:

In this study, we successfully increased TGF-β3 expression in primary fibroblast cells. In the future, grafting these transfected fibroblasts onto wounds can help the healing process without scarring.Key Words: Fibroblasts, Gene expression, TGF-β3     

Latent TGF-β-binding proteins

The LTBPs (or latent transforming growth factor β binding proteins) are important components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that interact with fibrillin microfibrils and have a number of different roles in microfibril biology. There are four LTBPs isoforms in the human genome (LTBP-1, − 2, − 3, and − 4), all of which appear to associate with fibrillin and the biology of each isoform is reviewed here.The LTBPs were first identified as forming latent complexes with TGFβ by covalently binding the TGFβ propeptide (LAP) via disulfide bonds in the endoplasmic reticulum. LAP in turn is cleaved from the mature TGFβ precursor in the trans-golgi network but LAP and TGFβ remain strongly bound through non-covalent interactions. LAP, TGFβ, and LTBP together form the large latent complex (LLC). LTBPs were originally thought to primarily play a role in maintaining TGFβ latency and targeting the latent growth factor to the extracellular matrix (ECM), but it has also been shown that LTBP-1 participates in TGFβ activation by integrins and may also regulate activation by proteases and other factors. LTBP-3 appears to have a role in skeletal formation including tooth development. As well as having important functions in TGFβ regulation, TGFβ-independent activities have recently been identified for LTBP-2 and LTBP-4 in stabilizing microfibril bundles and regulating elastic fiber assembly.     

Rationalization of poor solubility of TGF-β3 using MD simulation

Despite sequence and structural similarity, TGF-β3 has low solubility among other isoforms of TGF-β. We used nanosecond of molecular dynamic simulations (MD) with explicit solvent, alone and in presence of urea, to investigate the intermediates resulting from the unfolding process of TGF-β3 and TGF-β1. MD simulations of the full-length proteins show a very early loss of α-helix in TGF-β3 compared to the one in the TGF-β1. MD simulation of a small fragment consisting of H3 α-helix of TGF-β3 shows conversion of this segment to β-sheet. Relative instability of H3 α-helix in TGF-β3 and its propensity to form β-sheet may explain the poor solubility of TGF-β3 compared to TGF-β1. The other reasons for poor solubility of TGF-β3 may be the hydrophobic patches on its surface and low charge over the entire range of pH.     

TGF-β1调控GATA3促进骨关节炎中软骨细胞钙化

[目的]探究TGF-β1与GATA3对骨关节炎中软骨细胞钙化的影响。[方法]收集外伤及骨关节炎患者的膝关节软骨组织并分离软骨原代细胞,将软骨细胞分为正常组和研究组。用SB-431542或K-7174干扰软骨细胞中TGF-β1/GATA3的表达。用钙化诱导培养基使软骨细胞发生钙化。通过蛋白免疫印迹实验和实时荧光定量PCR实验分析软骨细胞中TGF-β1/GATA3的表达。通过茜素红染色统计细胞钙化水平。[结果]与正常组软骨细胞比较,OA组患者软骨细胞TGF-β1和GATA3的表达水平和钙化水平显著增加(1.01±0.02 vs 2.98±0.03;0.91±0.05 vs 2.33±0.11;P<0.05);与PBS组比较,K-7174组软骨细胞的ALP和COLX的表达水平(2.18±0.05 vs 0.91±0.06;2.83±0.03 vs 0.46±0.01)以及钙化细胞数量显著降低(0.63±0.03 vs 0.25±0.01;P<0.05);与PBS组比较,SB-431542组软骨细胞的ALP和COLX的表达水平(1.01±0.02 vs 0.46±0.05;1.05...     

Glutathione redox regulates TGF-β-induced fibrogenic effects through Smad3 activation

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in the fibrogenic action involved in the induction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), extracellular matrix and fibroblast transformation. Smad3 mediates TGF-β signaling related to the fibrotic response. In human lung fibroblasts or bronchial smooth muscle cells, we demonstrated that an increase in the intracellular glutathione level suppressed TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Smad3, while inhibiting TGF-β1-induced expressions of CTGF, collagen type1, fibronectin and transformation into myofibroblasts, which are characterized by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin. These data indicate that the intracellular glutathione redox status regulates TGF-β-induced fibrogenic effects through Smad3 activation.     

TGF-β3在动物面神经损伤后修复中的应用研究

目的:探讨外源性转化生长因子β₃（Transforrning growth factorβ₃,TGF-β₃）对动物面神经愈合的作用。方法:采用新西兰大白兔面神经损伤模型,将50 ng/μg TGF-β₃注射到神经切断嵌入的硅胶管明胶海绵内,16只成年兔随机分为1周组及3月组。两组内右侧面神经上颊支为实验组,左侧为对照组;通过GFAP（胶原纤维酸性蛋白）及Nestin（巢蛋白）等免疫组织化学染色方法进行愈合评估。结果:给予TGF-β₃的1周组Nestin及GFAP,3月组Nestin及GFAP及1周组与3月组Nestin及GFAP与对照组之间都统计学有差异。结论:在外源性TGF-β₃作用可促进内源性TGF-β₃产生或共同通过Smad通路引起神经损伤后修复标志物Nestin及GFAP的表达增加,这表明TGF-β₃在面神经的损伤后修复起促进愈合作用。     

TGF-β3在动物面神经损伤后修复中的应用研究

目的：探讨外源性转化生长因子β3（Transforming growth factorβ3,TGF—β3）对动物面神经愈合的作用。方法：采用新西兰大白兔面神经损伤模型,将50ng/μgTGF—β3注射到神经切断嵌入的硅胶管明胶海绵内,16只成年兔随机分为1周组及3月组。两组内右侧面神经上颊支为实验组,左侧为对照组;通过GFAP（胶原纤维酸性蛋白）及Nestin（巢蛋白）等免疫组织化学染色方法进行愈合评估。结果：给予TGF—β3的1周组Nestin及GFAP,3月组Nestin及GFAP及1周组与3月组Nestin及GFAP与对照组之间都统计学有差异。结论：在外源性TGF—β3作用可促进内源性TGF—β3产生或共同通过Smad通路引起神经损伤后修复标志物Nestin及GFAP的表达增加,这表明TGF-β3在面神经的损伤后修复起促进愈合作用。     

Crosstalk between TGF-β1 and CXCR3 signaling during urethral fibrosis

Urethral fibrosis is an important pathological feature of urethral stricture. TGF-β1 and CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) signaling have been reported as the critical pathways involved in the pathology of fibrosis. Here, we collected the urine samples from the patients with recurring urethral stricture, recurring stricture treated by cystostomy, and age- and gender-matched healthy people. ELISA detection revealed that TGF-β1 level was significantly up-regulated for the urethral stricture patients. By contrast, flow cytometry, real-time PCR detection, and immunofluoresecent staining showed that urethral stricture resulted in decreased expression of CXCR3. TGF-β1 treatment could increase cell proliferation and migration ability of urethra fibroblasts, whereas IP-10/CXCR3 signaling showed the opposite effect. Further, we found a crosstalk between TGF-β1 and CXCR3 signaling in the regulation of urethral fibrosis. Thus, pharmacological intervention of TGF-β1 or CXCR3 signaling has a potential as the therapeutic target for the prevention of urethral fibrosis.     

TGF-β2 increases cell-cell communication in chondrocytes via p-Smad3 signalling

Connexin 43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a crucial role in the pathology and physiology of joint tissues. Transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2), one of the potent regulatory factors in chondrocytes, plays a key role in the regulation of cell cycle and development of joint diseases. However, it is still unknown how TGF-β2 mediates GJIC in chondrocytes. The aim of this study was to explore the potential mechanism by which TGF-β2 regulates GJIC in chondrocytes. CCK-8 assays and scratch assays were performed to define the role of TGF-β2 on cell proliferation and migration. The scrape loading/dye transfer assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to verify the effect of TGF-β2 on GJIC between chondrocytes. qPCR was performed to analyse the expression of genes in the gap junction protein family in chondrocytes. The expression of the Cx43 protein and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) was evaluated by western blot assay. Immunofluorescence staining was used to explore p-Smad3 signalling pathway activation and Cx43 distribution. From these experiments, we found that the Cx43 protein was the most highly expressed member of the gap junction protein family in chondrocytes. We also found that TGF-β2 facilitated cell-to-cell communication in chondrocytes by upregulating Cx43 expression in chondrocytes. Finally, we found that TGF-β2 activated Smad3 signalling and promoted the nuclear aggregation of p-Smad3. Inhibition experiments by SIS3 also confirmed that TGF-β2-mediated GJIC through p-Smad3 signalling. For the first time, this study confirmed that TGF-β2 could regulate the formation of Cx43-mediated GJIC in chondrocytes via the canonical p-Smad3 signalling pathway.     

The expression of TGF-β3 for epithelial-mesenchyme transdifferentiated MEE in palatogenesis

The fate of the palatal medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells undergoes programming cell death, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) coincident with the process of palatal fusion and disappearance of MEE. Mesenchymal cells in the palate have both cranial neural crest (CNC) and non-CNC origins. The objectives of this study were to identify the populations of palatal mesenchymal cells using β-galactosidase (β-gal) and DiI cell lineage markers, and to determine whether MEE-derived cells continued to express transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) and transforming growth factor-β type III receptor (TβR-III), which were specific for MEE. A model has been developed using Wnt1 tissue specific expression of Cre-recombinase to activate β-gal solely in the CNC. The expressions of TGF-β3 and TβR-III in MEE were temporally correlated with critical events in palatogenesis. Three cell populations could be distinguished in the palatal mesenchymal CNC-derived, non-CNC derived and MEE-derived. After fusion, β-gal (−) and DiI (+) mesenchymal cells continued to express TGF-β3, however TβR-III was expressed only in the epithelial MEE, as well as keratin expression. In addition, we performed laser capture microdissection to identify mRNA expression of isolated DiI (+) MEE cells. Both epithelial and transdifferentiated MEE have expressed TGF-β3, however, TβR-III was only expressed in epithelium. Extracellular matrix, especially MMP13 has been expressed coincident with fused stage which can be strongly associated with TGF-β3. These results demonstrate that combining a heritable marker and a cell lineage dye can distinguish different populations of mesenchymal cells in the developing palate. Furthermore, TGF-β3 and MMP13 could be strongly associated with EMT in palatogenesis.     

β3 Integrin Promotes TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-Mediated Induction of Metastatic Phenotype of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Enhancing TGF-β1 Signaling

In addition to being an important mediator of migration and invasion of tumor cells, β3 integrin can also enhance TGF-β1 signaling. However, it is not known whether β3 might influence the induction of metastatic phenotype of tumor cells, especially non-metastatic tumor cells which express low level of β3. Here we report that H₂O₂ and HOCl, the reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils, could cooperate with TGF-β1 to induce metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl, but not TGF-β1 or H₂O₂/HOCl, induced β3 expression by triggering the enhanced activation of p38 MAPK. Intriguingly, β3 in turn promoted TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl-mediated induction of metastatic phenotype of HCC cells by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling. β3 promoted TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl-induced expression of itself via positive feed-back effect on p38 MAPK activation, and also promoted TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl-induced expression of α3 and SNAI2 by enhancing the activation of ERK pathway, thus resulting in higher invasive capacity of HCC cells. By enhancing MAPK activation, β3 enabled TGF-β1 to augment the promoting effect of H₂O₂/HOCl on anoikis-resistance of HCC cells. TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl-induced metastatic phenotype was sufficient for HCC cells to extravasate from circulation and form metastatic foci in an experimental metastasis model in nude mice. Inhibiting the function of β3 could suppress or abrogate the promoting effects of TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl on invasive capacity, anoikis-resistance, and extravasation of HCC cells. These results suggest that β3 could function as a modulator to promote TGF-β1/H₂O₂/HOCl-mediated induction of metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic tumor cells, and that targeting β3 might be a potential approach in preventing the induction of metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic tumor cells.     

TGF-β1受体1和2在TGF-β1调节细胞增殖中的作用

转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)是一种多功能细胞因子,在细胞增殖、分化、伤口愈合和肿瘤生成转移等过程中均发挥重要调控作用。TGF-β1对细胞增殖的调节可因细胞类型、刺激剂量不同而不同,但其差异调节的机制还不清楚。现普遍认为,TGF-β1在TGFBR2/TGFBR1二聚体参与下通过经典的Smad信号通路抑制增殖,而通过非Smad信号通路促进细胞周期,但是机体是如何调控这种不同增殖调节作用转化的还不明确。TGFBR1和TGFBR2在细胞中的分布和比例变化可能是TGF-β1差异性调控细胞增殖作用的一个重要机制。     

IFITM3/STAT3 axis promotes glioma cells invasion and is modulated by TGF-β

Molecular Biology Reports - Glioma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. We have previously provided evidence that IFITM3 promoted glioma cells migration. However, the mechanism of how IFITM3...     

TGF-β在前列腺癌骨转移中的研究进展

进展期前列腺癌多会发生骨转移,导致患者骨质破坏甚至死亡。前列腺癌发生骨转移的机制目前尚未研究清楚。既往多认为是因为前列腺癌细胞表面携带者容易在骨环境中生长的表型。但是目前多认为是肿瘤细胞与骨骼微环境之间的相互作用导致的结果。它们之间是通过细胞因子来传递信息。在众多因子中,TGF-β对前列腺癌骨转移灶中的各种细胞都起着重要作用。研究表明在体外实验中TGF-β的作用极易受到细胞生长环境的影响,表现出不同的功能。这提示着TGF-β信号通路和其他信号通路之间存在非常强的交互作用。本文的重点在于对TGF-β在前列腺癌骨转移中的作用研究进展进行综述,阐述TGF-β对转移灶中不同细胞的作用,为今后肿瘤的治疗研究寻找一个好的方向。     

TGF-β1, TGF-β3, and PGE<Subscript>2</Subscript> regulate contraction of human patellar tendon fibroblasts

To understand the role of tendon fibroblast contraction in tendon healing, we investigated the contraction of human patellar tendon fibroblasts (HPTFs) and its regulation by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), TGF-beta3, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). HPTFs were found to wrinkle the underlying thin silicone membranes, demonstrating that these tendon fibroblasts are contractile. Using fibroblast populated collagen gels (FPCGs), exogenous addition of TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta3 was found to increase fibroblast contraction compared to non-treated fibroblasts in serum-free medium, whereas PGE(2) was found to decrease the tendon fibroblast contraction. Moreover, the tendon fibroblasts in collagen gels treated with TGF-beta1 contracted to a greater degree than those treated with TGF-beta3. Since the extent of fibroblast contraction is related to scar tissue formation, this differential effect of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 on HPTF contraction supports the previous finding that TGF-beta1 induces scar tissue formation, whereas TGF-beta3 reduces its formation. Further, the reduced tendon fibroblast contraction by PGE(2) suggests that excessive presence of this inflammatory mediator in the wound site might retard tendon healing. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that regulation of human tendon fibroblast contraction may reduce scar tissue formation and therefore improve the mechanical properties of healing tendons.     

Dynamics of TGF-β/Smad signaling

The physiological responses to TGF-β stimulation are diverse and vary amongst different cell types and environmental conditions. Even though the principal molecular components of the canonical and the non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathways have been largely identified, the mechanism that underlies the well-established context dependent physiological responses remains a mystery. Understanding how the components of TGF-β signaling function as a system and how this system functions in the context of the global cellular regulatory network requires a more quantitative and systematic approach. Here, we review the recent progress in understanding TGF-β biology using integration of mathematical modeling and quantitative experimental analysis. These studies reveal many interesting dynamics of TGF-β signaling and how cells quantitatively decode variable doses of TGF-β stimulation.