Involvement of polyamines in epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-α and -β1 action on culture of L6 and fetal bovine myoblasts

• 1.1. α-Difluoromethylornithine, an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase significantly abolished stimulation of protein synthesis evoked by EGF, TGF-α or -β 1 in L6 and fetal bovine myoblasts.
• 2.2. The participation of polyamines in early events evoked by growth factors was shown by a significant stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase and Sdenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity as well as increased concentration of spermidine and spermine in L6 cells exposed to TGF-α and EGF.
• 3.3. TGF-β 1 at a high concentration (1 ng/ml) increased protein synthesis in L6 myoblasts but inhibited it in fetal bovine myoblasts. Metabolic effects of TGF-β 1 in L6 cells was associated with an enhancement of decarboxylase activities, however there were no significant changes in cellular polyamine concentrations. Presented data suggest that polyamines are involved in the signal transduction pathway of EGF, TGF-α, and -β 1 in L6 and fetal bovine myoblasts.

     

Cardiac effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and related C terminal peptide fragment: increased inotropy or contribution to heart failure?

The contrasting pattern of cardiac inotropy induced by human peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) has not been satisfactorily explained. It is not clear whether ET-1 is primarily responsible for increased myocardial ET-1 expression and release with resultant inotropic effects, or for the induction of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. There are at least two subtypes of endothelin receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) and the inotropic effects of ET-1 differ depending on the receptor involved. Along with some other groups, we reported significant subtype-ET(B) endothelin receptor down-regulation in human cardiac cells preincubated with endothelin agonists (Drímal et al. 1999, 2000). The present study was therefore designed to clarify the subtype-selective mechanisms underlying the inotropic response to ET-1 and to its ET(B)-selective fragment (8-21)ET-1 in the isolated rat heart. The hearts were subjected to (1-21)ET-1 and to (8-21)ET-1, or to 30 min of stop-flow ischemia followed by 40 min of reperfusion, both before and after selective blockade of endothelin receptors.The present study revealed that both peptides, ET-1 and its (8-21)ET-1 fragment, significantly reduced coronary blood flow in nmolar and higher concentrations. The concomitant negative inotropy and chronotropy were marked after ET-1, while the infusion of the ET-1(8-21) fragment produced a slight but significant positive inotropic effect. Among the four endothelin antagonists tested in continuous infusion only the non-selective PD145065 and ET(B1/B2) selective BQ788 (in molar concentrations) slightly reduced the early contractile dysfunction of the heart induced by ischemia, whereas ET(A)-selective PD155080 partially protected the rat heart on reperfusion.     

3D-QSAR and docking studies on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor 1 antagonists

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is part of a family of cytokines which regulate various signaling pathways such as cell development, growth, and tissue injury. Although several studies have been published describing the synthesis of small compounds which inhibit the receptor of TGF-β, especially the subtype 1 receptor (TGBR1) kinase, no 3D-quantitiative structure–activity relationship study has been published. Here we describe the development of a comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) model which yielded a partial least squares statistical cross validated r² of >0.3. CoMFA maps agree with docking studies and pharmacophore analysis that hydrogen bonding is important for binding to ALK-5. These studies could enable the medicinal chemist to develop novel inhibitors which can be used in glaucoma filtration surgery.     

Roles of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in epithelial cell lines

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays crucial roles in embryonic development, wound healing, tissue repair, and cancer progression. Results of this study show how transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) down-regulates expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) during EMT-like changes. Treatment with TGF-β1 resulted in a decrease in E-cadherin expression and GnT-III expression, as well as its product, the bisected N-glycans, which was confirmed by erythro-agglutinating phytohemagglutinin lectin blot and HPLC analysis in human MCF-10A and mouse GE11 cells. In contrast with GnT-III, the expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V was slightly enhanced by TGF-β1 treatment. Changes in the N-glycan patterns on α3β1 integrin, one of the target proteins for GnT-III, were also confirmed by lectin blot analysis. To understand the roles of GnT-III expression in EMT-like changes, the MCF-10A cell was stably transfected with GnT-III. It is of particular interest that overexpression of GnT-III influenced EMT-like changes induced by TGF-β1, which was confirmed by cell morphological changes of phase contrast, immunochemical staining patterns of E-cadherin, and actin. In addition, GnT-III modified E-cadherin, which served to prolong E-cadherin turnover on the cell surface examined by biotinylation and pulse-chase experiments. GnT-III expression consistently inhibited β-catenin translocation from cell-cell contact into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, the transwell assay showed that GnT-III expression suppressed TGF-β1-induced cell motility. Taken together, these observations are the first to clearly demonstrate that GnT-III affects cell properties, which in turn influence EMT-like changes, and to explain a molecular mechanism for the inhibitory effects of GnT-III on cancer metastasis.     

Effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) on ATP citrate lyase in isolated hepatocytes

Summary Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-) activates ATP citrate lyase in freshly isolated rat liver hepatocytes in a time dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of the enzyme occurred with less than thirty minutes of incubation of the cells with TGF-. The half maximal effect on the enzyme determined in hepatocytes incubated with TGF- for 10 min at 37°C was elicited by TGF- concentrations in the 10^–11 – 10^–12 M range. The potential role of TGF- stimulation of ATP citrate lyase activity in new membrane synthesis is discussed.     

Characterization of a human hepatoma cell line with acquired resistance to growth inhibition by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)

Summary A new cell line (Hep 3B-TR), which is resistant to growth-inhibition by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) up to 10 ng/ml (400 pM), was isolated from parental Hep 3B human hepatoma cells, which are sensitive to growth-inhibition by TGF-β1. In the presence of TGF-β1 (1 to 10 ng/ml), the growth of the parental cell line (Hep 3B-TS) was inhibited by more than 95%. Under the same conditions, the growth rate of the resistant clone (Hep 3B-TR) however, was identical in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 and was almost the same as that of the Hep 3B-TS cells in the absence of TGF-β1. Affinity crosslinking with 5 pM ¹²⁵I-labeled TGF-β1 showed that the TGF-β1 receptors type I (TGF-βRI) and type II (TGF-βRII) were not present on the cell surface of the Hep 3B-TR cells, whereas they were present on the sensitive HEP 3B-TS cells. Hep 3B-TS cells had detectable TGF-βRII mRNA, which was not found in Hep 3B-TR cells. RNA analysis showed different effects on the expression of TGF-β1, c-fos, c-myc, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) genes in the two cell lines in response to TGF-β1 protein. Addition of TGF-β1 (1 ng/ml) strongly increased the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in Hep 3B-TS cells, but not in Hep 3B-TR cells. In Hep 3B-TS cells, c-fos mRNA was not detected either in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 protein. However, abundant c-fos mRNA was detected in Hep 3B-TR cells, which was not altered by TGF-β1 protein. TGF-β1 protein inhibited the expression of c-myc and PDI mRNAs in Hep 3B-TS cells, whereas although the c-myc and PDI mRNAs were much more abundant in Hep 3B-TR cells, their expression was not affected by TGF-β1 protein. These results suggest that the mechanisms of escape from growth-inhibition by TGF-β1 in Hep 3B-TR hepatoma cells probably involve loss of binding by TGF-β1 to its cell surface receptors.     

Developmental sensitivity of the bovine corpus luteum to prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and endothelin-1 (ET-1): is ET-1 a mediator of the luteolytic actions of PGF2alpha or a tonic inhibitor of progesterone secretion?

We examined the responsiveness of large luteal cells (LLC), small luteal cells (SLC), and endothelial cells of the Day 4 and Day 10 bovine corpus luteum (CL) to prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha and endothelin (ET)-1. Using a single-cell approach, we tested the ability of each agonist to increase the cytoplasmic concentration of calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) as function of luteal development. All tested concentrations of agonists significantly (P = 0.05) increased [Ca2+]i in all cell populations isolated from Day 4 and Day 10 CL. Day 10 steroidogenic cells were more responsive than Day 4 cells to PGF2alpha and ET-1. Response amplitudes and number of responding cells were affected significantly by agonist concentration, luteal development, and cell type. Response amplitudes were greater in LLC than in SLC; responses of maximal amplitude were elicited with lower agonist concentrations in Day 10 cells than in Day 4 cells. Furthermore, on Day 10, as the concentration of PGF2alpha increased, larger percentages of SLC responded. Endothelial cells responded maximally, regardless of agonist concentration and luteal development. In experiment 2, we tested the developmental responsiveness of total dispersed and steroidogenic-enriched cells to the inhibitory actions of PGF2alpha and ET-1 on basal and LH-stimulated progesterone accumulation. The potency of PGF2alpha steroidogenic-enriched cells on Day 4 was lower than on Day 10; in contrast, the potency of ET-1 was not different. Therefore, ET-1 was a tonic inhibitor of progesterone accumulation rather than a mediator of PGF2alpha action. The lower efficacy of PGF2alpha in the early CL more likely is related to signal transduction differences associated with its receptor at these two developmental stages than to the inability of PGF2alpha to up-regulate ET-1.     

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) deficiency confers resistance to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced suppressor effects in hepatocytes

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a dual role in hepatocytes, mediating both tumor suppressor and promoter effects. The suppressor effects of the cytokine can be negatively regulated by activation of survival signals, mostly dependent on tyrosine kinase activity. The aim of our work was to study the role of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) on the cellular responses to TGF-β, using for this purpose immortalized neonatal hepatocytes isolated from both PTP1B(+/+) and PTP1B(-/-) mice. We have found that PTP1B deficiency conferred resistance to TGF-β suppressor effects, such as apoptosis and growth inhibition, correlating with lower Smad2/Smad3 activation. Both responses were recovered in the presence of the general tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. PTP1B(-/-) cells showed elevated NF-κB activation in response to TGF-β. Knockdown of the NF-κB p65 subunit increased cell response in terms of Smads phosphorylation and apoptosis. Interestingly, these effects were accompanied by inhibition of Smad7 up-regulation. In addition, lack of PTP1B promoted an altered NADPH oxidase (NOX) expression pattern in response to TGF-β, strongly increasing the NOX1/NOX4 ratio, which was reverted by genistein and p65 knockdown. Importantly, NOX1 knockdown inhibited nuclear translocation of p65, promoted Smad phosphorylation, and decreased Smad7 levels. In summary, our results suggest that PTP1B deficiency confers resistance to TGF-β through Smad inhibition, an effect that is mediated by NOX1-dependent NF-κB activation, which in turn, increases the level of the Smad inhibitor Smad7 and participates in a positive feedback loop on NOX1 up-regulation.     

Effects of transforming growth factor β1 and basic fibroblast growth factor on lipoprotein lipase activity in primary cultures of chicken (Gallus domesticus) adipocyte precursors

• 1.1. The effect of TGF-β and bFGF on lipoprotein lipase activity in chicken adipocyte precursors was investigated.
• 2.2. Lipoprotein lipase activity was reduced by up to 80% by incubation with TGF-β whereas bFGF had no effect.
• 3.3. Contrary to that found with the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line it was not necessary for TGF-β to be present prior to the start of differentiation in order to be effective.
• 4.4. Incubation of adipocyte precursors with actinomycin D abolished the effect of TGF-β suggesting that synthesis of a protein effector is required.
• 5.5. These results indicate differences in responsiveness to TGF-β and bFGF between primary chicken adipocyte precursors and some preadipocyte cell lines.

     

CD24 regulates cell proliferation and transforming growth factor β-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition through modulation of integrin β1 stability

To determine the role of CD24 in breast cancer cells, we knocked down CD24 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by retroviral delivery of shRNA. MCF-7 cells with knocked down CD24 (MCF-7 hCD24 shRNA) exhibited decreased cell proliferation and cell adhesion as compared to control MCF-7 mCD24 shRNA cells. Decreased proliferation of MCF-7 hCD24 shRNA cells resulted from the inhibition of cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. The specific inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling by CD24 ablation might be responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation. Phosphorylation of Src/FAK and TGF-β1-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition was also down-regulated in MCF-7 hCD24 shRNA cells. Reduced Src/FAK activity was caused by a decrease in integrin β1 bound with CD24 and subsequent destabilization of integrin β1. Our results suggest that down-regulation of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling via Src/FAK may be dependent on integrin β1 function and that this mechanism is largely responsible for the CD24 ablation-induced decreases in cell proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.     

In vitro secretion of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α): A comparison of the A431 cell line with three human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma lines

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-) is a single chain polypeptide which exists in a variety of forms differing in molecular weight. These forms are variously present in normal and neoplastic cells. Of particular interest are TGF-'s well-known mitogenic properties. The transition from a normal to a neoplastic cellular state results from signalling defects that may depend upon,iter alia, abonormal levels of expression and secretion of TGF-. It is known that the secretion of TGF- may be enhanced appreciably by agents such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), serum factors and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Here, we compare the efficacy of these three agents in the elevation of TGF- secretion in the well studied A431 cell line with their previously undocumented efficacy in certain interesting, but little known, human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines.     

Glycoproteomic analysis of two mouse mammary cell lines during transforming growth factor (TGF)-β induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Background  

TGF-β acts as an antiproliferative factor in normal epithelial cells and at early stages of oncogenesis. However, later in tumor development TGF-β can become tumor promoting through mechanisms including the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that is thought to contribute to tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. To identify EMT-related breast cancer therapeutic targets and biomarkers, we have used two proteomic approaches to find proteins that change in abundance upon the induction of EMT by TGF-β in two mouse mammary epithelial cell lines, NMuMG and BRI-JM01.     

The deubiquitinase CYLD targets Smad7 protein to regulate transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling and the development of regulatory T cells

CYLD is a lysine 63-deubiquitinating enzyme that inhibits NF-κB and JNK signaling. Here, we show that CYLD knock-out mice have markedly increased numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral lymphoid organs but not in the thymus. In vitro stimulation of CYLD-deficient naive T cells with anti-CD3/28 in the presence of TGF-β led to a marked increase in the number of Foxp3-expressing T cells when compared with stimulated naive control CD4(+) cells. Under endogenous conditions, CYLD formed a complex with Smad7 that facilitated CYLD deubiquitination of Smad7 at lysine 360 and 374 residues. Moreover, this site-specific ubiquitination of Smad7 was required for activation of TAK1 and p38 kinases. Finally, knockdown of Smad7 or inhibition of p38 activity in primary T cells impaired Treg differentiation. Together, our results show that CYLD regulates TGF-β signaling function in T cells and the development of Tregs through deubiquitination of Smad7.     

Oral glucosamine increases expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in rat cartilage and kidney: implications for human efficacy and toxicity

Glucosamine is used for alleviating pain in osteoarthritis. Clinical trials have reported that glucosamine has equivocal efficacy. Glucosamine is also used in cell cultures to stimulate hexosamine flux and protein O-glycosylation, but at many-fold greater concentrations than those in human plasma following oral dosing. Lean Zucker rats were dosed orally for 6 weeks with glucosamine hydrochloride at doses (0–600 mg/kg/day) that produced peak serum concentrations of <1–35 μM, spanning the human exposure range. Relative expression of both TGFβ1 and CTGF mRNA were significantly increased up to 2.3-fold in liver, kidney and articular cartilage when evaluated 4 h after final dose. Apparent threshold serum glucosamine (C_max) concentration required to increase TGFβ1 expression in cartilage was 10–20 μM. These increases were associated with significant increases in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine concentrations suggesting increased hexosamine flux. Both TGFβ1 and CTGF are mediators of chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage repair. Study demonstrates that oral glucosamine doses that produce clinically relevant serum glucosamine concentrations can induce tissue TGFβ1 and CTGF expression in vivo and provides a mechanistic rationale for reported beneficial effects of glucosamine therapy. Induction of renal TGFβ1 and CTGF mRNA suggests that potential sclerotic side-effects may occur following consumption of potent glucosamine preparations.     

Enalapril decreases cardiac mass and fetal gene expression without affecting the expression of endothelin-1, transforming growth factor β-1, or cardiotrophin-1 in the healthy normotensive rat

Angiotensin II can induce cardiac hypertrophy by stimulating the release of growth factors. ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II levels and cardiac hypertrophy, but their effects on the healthy heart are largely unexplored. We hypothesized that ACE inhibition decreases left ventricular mass in normotensive animals and that this is associated with altered expression of cardiac fetal genes, growth factors, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Wistar rats (n = 7 per group) were orally administered with enalapril twice daily for a total daily dose of 5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) (ENAP5) or 15 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) (ENAP15) or vehicle. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Left ventricular expression of cardiac myosin heavy chain-α (MYH6) and -β (MYH7), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1), cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), and renal renin were examined by real-time PCR, and eNOS using Western blot. Blood pressure was decreased only in ENAP15 animals (p < 0.05 vs. Control), whereas left ventricular mass decreased after both doses of enalapril (p < 0.05 vs. Control). MYH7 and ANP were reduced in ENAP15, while no changes in ET-1, TGFβ-1, CT-1, and MYH6 mRNA or eNOS protein were observed. Renal renin dose-dependently increased after enalapril treatment. Enalapril significantly decreased left ventricular mass even after 1 week treatment in the normotensive rat. This was associated with a decreased expression of the fetal genes MYH7 and ANP, but not expression of ET-1, CT-1, or TGFβ-1.