Caveolin is an inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor signaling

Caveolin is a major structural component of caveolae and has been implicated in the regulation of the function of several caveolae-associated signaling molecules. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors and caveolin were colocalized in the same subcellular fraction after sucrose density gradient fractionation of fibroblasts. Additionally, we found that the PDGF receptors interacted with caveolin in NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. We then examined whether caveolin directly binds to PDGF receptors and inhibits kinase activity using a recombinant PDGF receptor overexpressed in insect cells and peptides derived from the scaffolding domain of caveolin subtypes. We found the peptide from caveolin-1 and -3, but not -2, inhibited the autophosphorylation of PDGF receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, caveolin-1 and -3 peptides directly bound to PDGF receptors. Mutational analysis using a series of truncated caveolin-3 peptides (20-, 17-, 14-, and 11-mer peptides) revealed that at least 17 amino acid residues of the peptide were required to inhibit and directly bind to PDGF receptors. Thus, our findings suggest that PDGF receptors directly interact with caveolin subtypes, leading to the inhibition of kinase activity. Caveolin may be another regulating factor of PDGF-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling.     

Platelet-derived growth factor or basic fibroblast growth factor induce anchorage-independent growth of human fibroblasts

Anchorage-independent growth, i.e., growth in semi-solid medium is considered a marker of cellular transformation of fibroblast cells. Diploid human fibroblasts ordinarily do not exhibit such growth but can grow transiently when medium contains high concentrations of fetal bovine serum. This suggests that some growth factor(s) in serum is responsible for anchorage-independent growth. Much work has been done to characterize the peptide growth factor requirements of various rodent fibroblast cells for anchorage-independent growth; however, the requirements of human fibroblasts are not known. To determine the peptide growth factor requirements of human fibroblasts for anchorage-independent growth, we used medium containing serum that had had its peptide growth factors inactivated. We found that either platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or the basic form of fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induced anchorage-independent growth. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) did not enhance the growth induced by PDGF, or did so only slightly. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) decreased the growth induced by PDGF. EGF combined with TGF-beta induced colony formation in semi-solid medium at concentrations at which neither growth factor by itself was effective, but the combination was much less effective in stimulating anchorage-independent growth than PDGF or bFGF. This work showed that PDGF, or bFGF, or EGF combined with TGF-beta can stimulate anchorage-independent growth of nontransformed human fibroblasts. The results support the idea that cellular transformation may reduce or eliminate the need for exogenous PDGF or bFGF.     

Demonstration of stimulatory effects of platelet-derived growth factor on cultivated rat arterial smooth muscle cells : Differences between cells from young and adult animals

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on DNA synthesis and proliferation in cultures of arterial smooth muscle cells obtained from young and adult rats, respectively, were measured. Addition of 10-20 ng/ml of PDGF to medium MCDB 104 induced DNA synthesis in quiescent cultures of cells from young animals to a similar extent as 10-20% whole blood serum (WBS). PDGF further stimulated proliferation of the cells in medium MCDB 104, although less markedly than 10% WBS. Antibodies against PDGF partially inhibited the growth response after stimulation with serum. This shows that PDGF is a major growth factor in serum for these cells and that PDGF can promote entrance into and passage through S phase and mitosis independent o plasma factors. Cells from adult animals were also found to respond to PDGF, although a higher concentration (25 ng/ml) was required to obtain a maximum effect. These cells, however, responded better than cells from young animals to stimulation with serum. Further, antibodies against PDGF did not inhibit the growth-stimulatory effect of serum to any appreciable extent. Thus, serum contains growth factors other than PDGF that stimulate preferentiaLly the proliferation of smooth muscle cells from adult animals.     

Identification of a peptide antagonist for platelet-derived growth factor.

A series of peptides derived from the primary sequence of the B-chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was analyzed for their ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-PDGF-AA and 125I-PDGF-BB to PDGF alpha-receptors and PDGF beta-receptors, respectively. A 13-amino acid peptide (ANFLVWEIVRKKP), corresponding to amino acids 116-121 and 157-163 in PDGF B-chain, was found to compete with binding to both alpha- and beta-receptors. Modification of this peptide on the tryptophan residue increased its receptor competing activity. The peptide was found to be a receptor antagonist, since it inhibited dimerization and autophosphorylation of PDGF receptors. When analyzed on intact cells, the peptide was found to have, in addition to the specific inhibitory effect at the receptor level, a nonspecific inhibitory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation. Our study has identified two regions in PDGF that are of importance for receptor interaction.     

Apolipoprotein E receptor binding versus heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding in its regulation of smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation

This study showed that synthetic peptides containing either a single copy or tandem repeat of the receptor binding domain sequence of apolipoprotein (apo) E, or a peptide containing its C-terminal heparin binding domain, apoE-(211-243), were all effective inhibitors of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated smooth muscle cell proliferation. In contrast, only the peptide containing a tandem repeating unit of the receptor binding domain sequence of apoE, apoE-(141-155)(2), was capable of inhibiting PDGF-directed smooth muscle cell migration. Peptide containing only a single unit of this sequence, apoE-(141-155), or the apoE-(211-243) peptide were ineffective in inhibiting PDGF-directed smooth muscle cell migration. Additional experiments showed that reductively methylated apoE, which is incapable of receptor binding yet retains its heparin binding capability, was equally effective as apoE in inhibiting PDGF-stimulated smooth muscle cell proliferation. However, reductively methylated apoE was unable to inhibit smooth muscle cell migration toward PDGF. Additionally, the receptor binding domain-specific apoE antibody 1D7 also mitigated the anti-migratory properties of apoE on smooth muscle cells. Finally, pretreatment of cells with heparinase failed to abolish apoE inhibition of smooth muscle cell migration. Taken together, these data documented that apoE inhibition of PDGF-stimulated smooth muscle cell proliferation is mediated by its binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans, while its inhibition of cell migration is mediated through apoE binding to cell surface receptors.     

Tyr-716 in the platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor kinase insert is involved in GRB2 binding and Ras activation.

Ligand stimulation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor leads to activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase and autophosphorylation of the intracellular part of the receptor. The autophosphorylated tyrosine residues mediate interactions with downstream signal transduction molecules and thereby initiate different signalling pathways. A pathway leading to activation of the GTP-binding protein Ras involves the adaptor molecule GRB2. Here we show that Tyr-716, a novel autophosphorylation site in the PDGF beta-receptor kinase insert, mediates direct binding of GRB2 in vitro and in vivo. In a panel of mutant PDGF beta-receptors, in which Tyr-716 and the previously known autophosphorylation sites were individually mutated, only PDGFR beta Y716F failed to bind GRB2. Furthermore, a synthetic phosphorylated peptide containing Tyr-716 bound GRB2, and this peptide specifically interrupted the interaction between GRB2 and the wild-type receptor. In addition, the Y716(P) peptide significantly decreased the amount of GTP bound to Ras in response to PDGF in permeabilized fibroblasts as well as in porcine aortic endothelial cells expressing transfected PDGF beta-receptors. The mutant PDGFR beta Y716F still mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and an increased DNA synthesis in response to PDGF, indicating that multiple signal transduction pathways transduce mitogenic signals from the activated PDGF beta-receptor.     

Characterization of the platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor kinase activity by use of synthetic peptides

Synthetic peptides derived from the sequence surrounding tyrosine-857 in the human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor were used to elucidate the requirement for length and presence of negative and positively charged amino acids in substrates of the PDGF beta-receptor protein tyrosine kinase. The measured Km for the different peptides were all in the range 1-10 mM. A peptide of only five amino acids, lacking acidic amino acid residues, were found to be substrates for the receptor kinase. Ligand binding was found to stimulate the phosphorylation of peptides mainly by lowering the Km both for peptide and for ATP. Only minor changes in the Vmax occurred upon stimulation with PDGF. The reaction mechanism was found to be sequential, i.e. both the peptide and ATP have to bind to the enzyme before any product is released.     

Platelet-derived growth factor requires epidermal growth factor receptor to activate p21-activated kinase family kinases

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFR) transactivates the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (ErbB1) to stimulate the cell migration of fibroblasts through an unknown mechanism (Li, J., Kim, Y. N. & Bertics, P. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 2951-2958). In this paper we provide evidence that the transactivation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) by PDGFR is essential for PDGF to activate p21-activated kinase (PAK) family kinases. Fetal calf serum (10%) transiently stimulates the PAK activity in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The activation of PAK was completely inhibited by either PDGFR-specific inhibitor (AG1295) or EGFR-specific inhibitor (AG1478), suggesting that serum requires either the PDGF- or EGF-dependent pathway or the combination of both to activate PAK. PDGF-induced activation of PAK is completely inhibited by either AG1295 or AG1478, indicating that PDGF requires both PDGFR and EGFR for PAK activation. In support of this notion, a mouse embryo fibroblast cell line derived from the EGFR -/- mouse (from Dr. Erwin Wagner) doesn't activate PAK in response to PDGF. Expression of human EGFR in this cell line restores the ability of the PDGF to induce PAK activation. Our results indicate that PDGF activates PAK through transactivation of ErbB1.     

Inflammatory cytokines promote growth of intestinal smooth muscle cells by induced expression of PDGF‐Rβ

Thickening of the inflamed intestinal wall involves growth of smooth muscle cells (SMC), which contributes to stricture formation. Earlier, the growth factor platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐BB was identified as a key mitogen for SMC from the rat colon (CSMC), and CSMC growth in colitis was associated with both appearance of its receptor, PDGF‐Rβ and modulation of phenotype. Here, we examined the role of inflammatory cytokines in inducing and modulating the growth response to PDGF‐BB. CSMC were enzymatically isolated from Sprague–Dawley rats, and the effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, transforming growth factor (TGF), IL‐17A and IL‐2 on CSMC growth and responsiveness to PDGF‐BB were assessed using proliferation assays, PCR and western blotting. Conditioned medium (CM) was obtained at 48 hrs of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid‐induced colitis. Neither CM alone nor cytokines caused proliferation of early‐passage CSMC. However, CM from inflamed, but not control colon significantly promoted the effect of PDGF‐BB. IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐17A, but not other cytokines, increased the effect of PDGF‐BB because of up‐regulation of mRNA and protein for PDGF‐Rβ without change in receptor phosphorylation. PDGF‐BB was identified in adult rat serum (RS) and RS‐induced CSMC proliferation was inhibited by imatinib, suggesting that blood‐derived PDGF‐BB is a local mitogen in vivo. In freshly isolated CSMC, CM from the inflamed colon as well as IL‐1β and TNF‐α induced the early expression of PDGF‐Rβ, while imatinib blocked subsequent RS‐induced cell proliferation. Thus, pro‐inflammatory cytokines both initiate and maintain a growth response in CSMC via PDGF‐Rβ and serum‐derived PDGF‐BB, and control of PDGF‐Rβ expression may be beneficial in chronic intestinal inflammation.     

Regulation of 2'',5''-oligoadenylate synthetase gene expression by interferons and platelet-derived growth factor.

In murine BALB/c 3T3 cell cultures, either beta interferon or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) enhanced expression of the 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase mRNA and protein. The time course of induction in response to beta interferon was similar to that in response to PDGF. Of several growth factors known to be present in clotted blood serum (i.e., epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, and PDGF), only PDGF enhanced expression of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase. The linkage of an interferon response element-containing segment from the 5'-flanking region of a human or murine 2',-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase gene made a heterologous gene responsive to interferon. The expression of such a gene construct in transfected cells was also induced by PDGF. Induction by PDGF was inhibited by mono- or polyclonal antibodies to murine interferon, which suggested that induction by PDGF requires interferon. Both PDGF and interferon induced nuclear factors that bound to this interferon response element-containing segment in vitro.     

Early phosphorylation events following the treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with bombesin and the mammalian bombesin-related peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide.

Bombesin and the related mammalian peptides, such as gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), are potent mitogens for some fibroblast cell lines. Here we have examined the bombesin- and GRP-mediated changes in the phosphorylation of proteins in Swiss 3T3 cells and compared these to the events observed after platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor promoter treatment. In agreement with previous reports, bombesin, GRP and PDGF, but not EGF, increased the activity of protein kinase C. This was assayed by an inhibition of [125I]EGF binding, stimulation in phosphorylation of pp60c-src on serine 12 and stimulation in phosphorylation of a group of 80 kd proteins. The different phosphorylated forms of the 80 kd proteins were examined by tryptic peptide mapping and shown to contain multiple phosphorylation sites. An investigation of the tyrosine phosphorylation events following mitogen treatment revealed a significant difference between PDGF and the bombesin peptides. PDGF treatment caused a marked increase in total cellular phosphotyrosine levels, and tyrosine phosphorylation both of known substrates and its own receptor. In contrast, bombesin and GRP treatments resulted in only a weak or undetectable increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of total cellular protein or known substrates. In this respect bombesin and GRP were more similar to EGF. The fact that the bombesin peptides do not induce a phosphorylation response identical with either PDGF or EGF suggests that there is not a single common signal pathway which is activated by all these mitogens.     

Transforming growth factor-beta,basic fibroblast growth factor,and platelet-derived growth factor-BB interact to affect proliferation of clonally derived porcine satellite cells

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (1GF-β) stimulated porcine satellite cell proliferation in basal serum-free medium by 25%, but inhibited growth in serumcontaining medium by 58%. The effect of TGF-β on cell proliferation in serumfree medium was examined in combination with the following human recombinant growth factors: platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). TGF-β inhibited PDGF-stimulated proliferation, enhanced FGF-stimulated proliferation, and had no effect on proliferation stimulated by IGF-I. The response of satellite cells to EGF and TGF-β in serum-free medium was not different than TGF-β alone. TGF-β depressed proliferation stimulated by the following combinations of two growth factors: PDGF and IGF-I, PDGF and EGF, PDGF and FGF, and IGF-I and EGF. In combination with IGF-I and FGF, TGF-β did not affect proliferation. TGF-β inhibited proliferation stimulated by the combination of PDGF, EGF, and IGF-I, but had no effect on proliferation stimulated by combinations of three growth factors that included FGF. FGF stimulated proliferation in Minimum Essential Medium containing 10% porcine serum (MEM-10% PS) by 13% above control. When the combination of TGF-β and FGF was added to MEM-10% PS, a 78% increase in proliferation was observed. Polyclonal antihuman PDGF-AB (this form neutralizes PDGF-AA, AB, and BB) reduced proliferation in MEM-10% PS by 44%. The combination of TGF-β and anti-PDGF-AB reduced proliferation by 59%, indicating the effects were not additive. These data indicate that: (1) FGF and TGF-β interact to increase proliferation of clonally derived porcine satellite cells, and (2) the inhibitory effect of TGF-β on proliferation of clonally derived porcine satelite cells can be primarily attributed to a reduction in the mitogenic effects of PDGF. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Interaction of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-associated p85 with epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors.

One of the immediate cellular responses to stimulation by various growth factors is the activation of a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. We recently cloned the 85-kDa subunit of PI 3-kinase (p85) from a lambda gt11 expression library, using the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxy terminus of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as a probe (E. Y. Skolnik, B. Margolis, M. Mohammadi, E. Lowenstein, R. Fischer, A. Drepps, A. Ullrich, and J. Schlessinger, Cell 65:83-90, 1991). In this study, we have examined the association of p85 with EGF and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors and the tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 in 3T3 (HER14) cells in response to EGF and PDGF treatment. Treatment of cells with EGF or PDGF markedly increased the amount of p85 associated with EGF and PDGF receptors. Binding assays with glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins demonstrated that either Src homology region 2 (SH2) domain of p85 is sufficient for binding to EGF and PDGF receptors and that receptor tyrosine autophosphorylation is required for binding. Binding of a GST fusion protein expressing the N-terminal SH2 domain of p85 (GST-N-SH2) to EGF and PDGF receptors was half-maximally inhibited by 2 and 24 mM phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr), respectively, suggesting that the N-SH2 domain interacts more stably with PDGF receptors than with EGF receptors. The amount of receptor-p85 complex detected in HER14 cells treated with EGF or PDGF. Growth factor treatment also increased the amount of p85 found in anti-PDGF-treated HER14 cells, suggesting that the vast majority of p85 in the anti-P-Tyr fraction is receptor associated but not phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. Only upon transient overexpression of p85 and PDGF receptor did p85 become tyrosine phosphorylated. These are consistent with the hypothesis that p85 functions as an adaptor molecule that targets PI 3-kinase to activated growth factor receptors.     

Evidence that platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) action is required for mesoderm patterning in early amphibian (Xenopus laevis) embryogenesis.

Mesoderm induction is one of the major events of early vertebrate embryonic patterning. It appears to be controlled by sequential and combinatorial actions of several kinds of peptide growth factors. These include activin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), among others. In the present study, the function of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in early Xenopus laevis embryogenesis was investigated. In the animal-cap assay, PDGF caused pre-ectodermal tissue to develop a mesoderm specific morphology (elongation) and to express the mesoderm marker genes, MyoD family and alpha-cardiac actin. In addition, two other genes were expressed -related serum response factor SL1 (a dorsal mesodermal marker) and myosin light chain (MLC2-heart marker). A role for PDGF in normal (in vivo) mesoderm induction is implicated because injection of PDGF receptor alpha antisense RNA into 2-cell embryos erased the animal cap's mesoderm marker expression. Those injected embryos also exhibited morphological abnormalities including incomplete gastrulation, failure of neural fold closing, and abnormal somitogenesis.     

A phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase binds to platelet-derived growth factor receptors through a specific receptor sequence containing phosphotyrosine.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates autophosphorylation of the PDGF receptor and association of the receptor with several cytoplasmic molecules, including phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3 kinase). In this study we examined the association of PI3 kinase with immunoprecipitated autophosphorylated PDGF receptor in vitro. The PI3 kinase from cell lysates bound to the wild-type receptor but not to a mutant receptor that had a deletion of the kinase insert region. A protein of an apparent size of 85 kDa bound to the receptor, consistent with previous observations that a protein of this size is associated with PI3 kinase activity. In addition, 110- and 74-kDa proteins bound to the phosphorylated receptor. Dephosphorylated receptors lost the ability to bind PI3 kinase activity as well as the 85-kDa protein. A 20-amino-acid peptide composed of a sequence in the kinase insert region that included one of the autophosphorylation sites of the receptor (tyrosine 719) as well as a nearby tyrosine (Y708) blocked the binding of PI3 kinase to the receptor, but only when the peptide was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. A scrambled version of the peptide did not block PI3 kinase binding to the receptor even when it was phosphorylated on tyrosine. These tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides did not block binding of phospholipase C-gamma or GTPase-activating protein to the receptor. In separate experiments (receptor blots), soluble radiolabeled receptor bound specifically to an 85-kDa protein present in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-fractionated 3T3 cell lysates that were transferred to nitrocellulose paper. The binding was blocked by the same tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides that prevented binding of PI3 kinase activity to immobilized receptors. These findings show that the PDGF receptor binds directly to an 85-kDa protein and to a PI3 kinase activity through specific sequences in the kinase insert region. The association of a 110-kDa protein with the receptor also involve these sequences, suggesting that this protein may be a subunit of the PI3 kinase. Phosphotyrosine is an essential structure required for the interactions of these proteins with the PDGF receptor.     

Proliferation versus migration in platelet-derived growth factor signaling: the key role of endocytosis

It is common knowledge that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a critical regulator of mesenchymal cell migration and proliferation. Nevertheless, these two cellular responses are mutually exclusive. To solve this apparent contradiction, we studied the behavior of NIH3T3 fibroblasts in response to increasing concentrations of PDGF. We found that there is strong cell proliferation induction only with PDGF concentrations >5 ng/ml, whereas the cell migration response arises starting from 1 ng/ml and is negligible at higher PDGF concentrations. According to these phenotypic evidences, our data indicate that cells display a differential activation of the main signaling pathways in response to PDGF as a function of the stimulation dose. At low PDGF concentrations, there is maximal activation of signaling pathways linked to cytoskeleton rearrangement needed for cell motility, whereas high PDGF concentrations activate pathways linked to mitogenesis induction. Our results suggest a mechanism by which cells switch from a migrating to a proliferating phenotype sensing the increasing gradient of PDGF. In addition, we propose that the cell decision to proliferate or migrate relies on different endocytotic routes of the PDGF receptor in response to different PDGF concentrations.     

Specific growth stimulation of cultured smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats by platelet-derived growth factor A-chain homodimer.

Cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC)1 from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) possess specific cell surface receptors for both homodimeric forms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB), in contrast to cells from normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) animals, which express receptors only for the B-chain form of PDGF. Stimulation of quiescent VSMC from SHR with PDGF-AA resulted in activation of S6-kinase and induction of phosphoinositide catabolism, as well as cellular proliferation when cultures were maintained for prolonged periods with daily supplementation of the growth factor. WKY-derived VSMC showed no response to PDGF-AA, which was consistent with their lack of specific receptors for this homodimer. The responsiveness of quiescent cells from SHR and WKY to the B-chain homodimer was similar. The enhanced growth responsiveness of SHR-derived cells to fetal calf serum, as compared with cells from their normotensive counterparts, may be accounted for in part by their expression of receptors for the AA homodimer of PDGF.     

Role of PDGF-A expression in the control of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by transforming growth factor-beta

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional regulatory peptide that can inhibit or promote the proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), depending on cell density (Majack, R. A. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:465-471). In this study, we have examined the mechanisms underlying the growth-promoting effects of TGF-beta in confluent SMC cultures. In mitogenesis assays using confluent cells, TGF-beta was found to potentiate the stimulatory effects of serum, PDGF, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and was shown to act individually as a mitogen for SMC. In gene and protein expression experiments, TGF-beta was found to regulate the expression of PDGF-A and thrombospondin, two potential mediators of SMC proliferative events. The induction of thrombospondin protein and mRNA was density-dependent, delayed relative to its induction by PDGF and, based on cycloheximide experiments, appeared to depend on the de novo synthesis of an intermediary protein (probably PDGF-A). The relationship between PDGF-A expression and TGF-beta-mediated mitogenesis was investigated, and it was determined that a PDGF-like activity (probably PDGF-A) was the biological mediator of the growth-stimulatory effects of TGF-beta on confluent SMC. The effects of purified homodimers of PDGF-A on SMC replication were investigated, and it was determined that PDGF-AA was mitogenic for cultured SMC, particularly when used in combination with other growth factors such as bFGF and PDGF-BB. The data suggest several molecular mechanisms that may account for the ability of TGF-beta to promote the growth of confluent SMC in culture.     

Insulin-like growth factor I is the key growth factor in serum that protects neuroblastoma cells from hyperosmotic-induced apoptosis

Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumor of the peripheral nervous system that remains largely uncurable by conventional methods. Mannitol induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell types and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) protects these cells from hyperosmotic-induced apoptosis by affecting apoptosis-regulatory proteins. In the current study, we investigate factors that enable SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to survive in the presence of an apoptotic stimulus. When SH-SY5Y cells are exposed to high mannitol concentrations, more than 60% of the cells are apoptotic within 48 h. Normal CS prevents hyperosmotic-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, with 0.6% CS protecting 50% of the cells, and 3% CS rescuing more than 70% of the cells from apoptosis. Serum also delays the commitment point for SH-SY5Y cells from 9 h to 35 h. A survey of several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and IGF-I reveals that IGF-I is a component of serum necessary for protection of neuroblastoma cells from death. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization occurs in greater than 40% of the cells after mannitol exposure and caspase-3 activation is increased in high mannitol conditions after 9 h. IGF-I blocks both the mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase-3 activation normally induced by hyperosmotic treatment in neuroblastoma cells. Our results suggest that (1) IGF-I is a key factor in serum necessary for protection from death and (2) IGF-I acts upstream from the mitochondria and the caspases to prevent apoptosis in human neuroblastoma.