Tumour promoter induces proliferation of 3T6 cells in serum-free medium, as do polypeptide growth factors

The potent tumour promoter agent 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces multiple rounds of 3T6 cell replication in completely serum-free medium. The maximal effect is elicited at 100 ng/ml, is further enhanced by adding insulin, and is comparable to that of the polypeptide's epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, and fibroblast-derived growth factor. The results support the proposition that TPA acts as a mitogen via mechanisms akin to those used by polypeptide growth factors.     

Regulation of cell proliferation by epidermal growth factor

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a 6045 dalton polypeptide which stimulates the proliferation of various cell types in vitro and in vivo. EGF binds to diffusely distributed membrane receptors which rapidly cluster primarily on coated pits areas on the plasma membrane. Subsequently, the EGF-receptor complexes are endocytosed and degraded by lysosomal enzymes. The lateral diffusion coefficient (D) of EGF-receptor complexes on cultured cells increases gradually from D = 2.8 X 10(-10) cm2/sec at 5 degrees C to 8.5 X 10(-10) cm2/sec at 37 degrees C. In the same range of temperature the rotational correlation times change from 25 to 50 microseconds to approximately 350 microseconds. Hence, at 4 degrees C, the occupied EGF receptors translate and rotate rapidly in the plane of the membrane. At 37 degrees C, EGF receptors form microclusters composed of 10 to 50 molecules. Moreover, it is concluded that both at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C lateral diffusion of the occupied receptors is not the rate determining step for either receptor clustering or internalization. EGF receptor is a 150,000 to 170,000 dalton glycoprotein. The receptor is in close proximity to an EGF-sensitive, cAMP-independent, tyrosine-specific protein kinase which also phosphorylates the receptor molecules itself. The EGF sensitive kinase is similar to the kinase activity which is associated with certain RNA tumor viruses. The fact that the non-mitogenic cyanogen-bromide cleaved EGF is as potent as native EGF in stimulating phosphorylation suggests that EGF-induced, protein phosphorylation is a necessary but insufficient signal for the induction of DNA synthesis by EGF. EGF receptor serves also as the binding site for Transforming Growth Factors (TGF) which compete with EGF and induce anchorage-independent growth of normal cells in soft agar. Tumor promoters such as phorbol ester effect the binding of EGF to its membrane receptors and its ability to stimulate DNA synthesis. EGF itself has also some tumor promoting activity. Hence, the membrane receptor for EGF seems to participate in the regulation of normal and neoplastic growth. Monoclonal antibodies against EGF receptor (IgM) induce various early and delayed effects of EGF, while their monovalent Fab' fragments are devoid of biological activity. These observations support the notions that EGF receptor rather than EGF itself is the active moiety and that the role of the hormone is to perturb the receptor in the appropriate way, probably by inducing the microaggregation of EGF receptors.     

The seminiferous growth factor induces proliferation of TM4 cells in serum-free medium

The seminiferous growth factor (SGF) of the mammalian testes induces DNA synthesis and cell proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 cells (Bellvé and Feig, 1984; Rec Prog Hormone Res 40:531-567). In this study, SGF was purified 80,000- to 100,000-fold from calf testes and used to examine the growth of TM4 cells in a chemically defined medium. Cells were seeded sparsely in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles/Ham's F12 medium (1:1;v:v) (DME/F12 degrees), containing epidermal growth factor (EGF; 1 ng/ml), insulin (1; 10 micrograms/ml), and transferrin (Tr; 5 micrograms/ml) (DME/F12). After 24 h, the medium was replaced with DME/F12 degrees supplemented with SGF, EGF, 1, or Tr, in two-, three- or four-way combinations. Cell numbers were quantified after another 48 h of culture. EGF, I, and Tr, alone or in two-way combinations, were not mitogenic for TM4 cells. By contrast, SGF (1 U) alone, or with any two of these factors, stimulated TM4 cell proliferation to commensurate levels, and to twofold greater numbers than occurred with the combination of EGF, I, and Tr. Synergisms or inhibitions were not measurable. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, acidic fibroblast growth factor, or basic fibroblast growth factor was weakly or not mitogenic for TM4 cells. The effect of SGF on cell proliferation was inhibited by 1 microM - 1 nM retinoic acid, but not by retinol or retinyl acetate. SGF was mitogenic for bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells, an effect that was potentiated by 10 micrograms heparin/ml. Thus, SGF can induce proliferation of TM4 cells and capillary endothelial cells. The former provides a sensitive, and selective, serum-free, bioassay system for SGF activity.     

Mouse epidermal keratinocytes. Clonal proliferation and response to hormones and growth factors in serum-free medium

A serum-free medium (LEP-1) has been developed for mouse epidermal keratinocytes. LEP-1 consists of "Ca2+-free" Eagle's MEM with non-essential amino acids and seven added supplements (transferrin, 5 micrograms/ml; epidermal growth factor (EGF), 5 ng/ml; hydrocortisone, 0.5 microM; insulin, 5 micrograms/ml; phosphoethanolamine and ethanolamine, each 50 microM; bovine pituitary extract, 180 micrograms of protein/ml). Although serum-free the culture system was dependent for growth on bovine pituitary extract as the only still undefined supplement. LEP-1 supports sustained multiplication of mouse keratinocytes for 25 or more population doublings. A clonal growth assay was developed to investigate the action of growth factors, hormones and other supplements on keratinocytes. Cells grown in LEP-1 (calcium concentration was 0.03 mM) maintained a high proliferative rate and presented the typical morphology of basal epidermal cells. When the calcium concentration of the medium was raised to 1.0 mM, the cells were triggered to differentiate terminally. The epithelial nature of the cells was demonstrated both by electron microscopy and by immunostaining with anti-keratin antibody. The maturation stage of the keratinocytes was defined by several morphological features during the proliferative phase and in terminally differentiating cultures. This serum-free system supported a useful number of cell divisions while keratinocytes retained the capacity to undergo terminal differentiation when given the appropriate stimulus. It provides, therefore, provides a useful model for investigations on growth, differentiation and malignant transformation of epidermal cells in culture.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates the sustained proliferation of mouse epidermal melanoblasts in a serum-free medium in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and keratinocytes.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulated the sustained proliferation of mouse epidermal melanoblasts derived from epidermal cell suspensions in a serum-free medium supplemented with dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP). The melanoblasts could be subcultured in the serum-free medium supplemented with the two factors in the presence of keratinocytes, but not in the absence of keratinocytes. In these conditions, some melanoblasts proliferated without differentiating for more than 20 days including a subculture. This is the first report of a successful culture of melanoblasts from mammalian skin. This culture system is expected to clarify further markers for melanoblasts and requirements for their proliferation and differentiation.     

Multiplication of Swiss 3T3 cells in a serum-free medium

Gently trypsinized Swiss 3T3 cells inoculated into medium MCDB 402 attach readily to polylysine-coated surfaces and remain viable for several days in the absence of exogenously added protein. Short-term multiplication under defined conditions can be obtained by supplementing the MCDB 402 with fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin (INS), and dexamethasone (DEX). Addition of bovine plasma fibronectin further improves attachment and viability. This system does not require initial plating in serum or the addition of poorly defined extracts for cellular attachment or for multiplication. In the complete system minus FGF, cells plated at a low density attach to the culture surface and become quiescent. The addition of FGF or PDGF 48–72 h after plating stimulates a high level of DNA synthesis during the following 24 h. EGF also stimulates DNA synthesis in these cells, but to a lesser extent. Insulin and dexamethasone are not needed for the initial DNA synthesis response to FGF, but are needed for continuing multiplication over a period of several days. This system provides a means for studying the effects of specific mitogens on Swiss 3T3 cells in the absence of undefined supplements, and without complications due to density-dependent inhibition.     

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 increases epidermal growth factor receptors and transforming growth factor beta-like activity in a bone-derived cell line

To investigate possible mechanisms through which 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) affects cell proliferation and differentiation, we have studied the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the binding and mitogenic activity of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in RCJ 1.20 cells, an established, non-tumorigenic cell line derived from 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria. 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused a dose- and time-dependent 2- to 3-fold increase in the number of receptors for EGF. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolites of vitamin D3 were ineffective in eliciting changes in EGF binding. Saturation and Scatchard analyses indicated that an increase in available unoccupied high affinity EGF binding sites was responsible for the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced EGF binding. In addition, 1,25-(OH)2D3 enhanced EGF-dependent growth of RCJ 1.20 cells in soft agar. The potentiation of EGF effects on RCJ 1.20 cell growth by 1,25-(OH)2D3 may be related to the 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulation of EGF binding. However, the induction of anchorage-independent growth by 1,25-(OH)2D3 appears to be due to the stimulation of transforming growth factor beta-like activity. These results provide a possible explanation for the mechanism whereby the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on cell proliferation and bone metabolism may be mediated.     

Adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells in a serum-free culture system depends on epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I, corticosterone, and cyclic AMP.

A culture system for 3T3-L1 preadipocytes based on a serum-free chemically defined medium containing fetuin, transferrin, and pantothenate is described. In this system, adipose conversion depends on the following conditions. 1) In the presence of high insulin concentrations (1 microM), addition of corticosterone together with 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX) for not more than the first 4 days after confluence to the culture medium induces maximal adipose conversion within 12-14 days. MIX may be replaced by forskolin or permeable analogues of cAMP, indicating that its effect is due to elevated cellular cAMP levels. 2) At low insulin concentrations (1 nM), adipose conversion is reduced. Growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor I together with epidermal growth factor have to be present as a medium supplement together with corticosterone and MIX to get maximal adipose conversion. 3) The induction of adipose conversion by corticosterone and MIX in the presence of either high insulin concentrations or insulin-like growth factor I together with epidermal growth factor is accompanied by post-confluent mitoses. Inhibitors of DNA replication markedly reduce adipose conversion. Fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, although acting as potent mitogens on 3T3-L1 cells, do not support adipose conversion induced by corticosterone and MIX.     

Growth characterizations of a human monocytic leukemia cell line in a serum-free medium

A clone, AH-01S, derived from a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, grew rapidly in a serum-free medium containing insulin, transferrin, ethanolamine, and sodium selenite. In batch culture using the serum-free medium, the AH-01S cells proliferated at a specific growth rate (μ) of 0.30 to 0.50 (1/day) from a cell concentration of 1 × 10⁴ cells/ml to 1.6 × 10⁶ cells/ml, an increase of 160 times. A higher cell concentration of 0.45 × 10⁷ cells/ml (cell volume ratio was 0.5%) was obtained in spinner flask culture using the serum-free medium. A mean specific growth rate 0.50 (1/day) was also observed in a culture in a fully instrumented cell culture fermentor. However, μ decreased drastically after the cell concentration reached 1.5 × 10⁶ cells/ml. Analyses of medium composition during cultivation revealed that under lower cell concentration, l-glutamine was the main carbon source while glucose was converted to lactate almost stoichiometrically, and that the production of lactate from glucose decreased at higher cell concentrations. To obtain cultures of 1 × 10⁹ cells, 1,200 to 1,300 mg of a carbon source (glucose) and 400 to 500 of amino acids were consumed during high cell concentration cultivation of the AH-01S cells in the serum-free medium.     

A novel polypeptide from Cervus nippon Temminck proliferation of epidermal cells and NIH3T3 cell line

A novel polypeptide, velvet antler polypeptide (VAPPs), having a stimulary effect on proliferation of some cell was isolated from the velvet antler of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck). This polypeptide consists of a single chain of 32 amino-acid residues VLSAT DKTNV LAAWG KVGGN APAFG AEALE RM. VAPPs showed marked stimulary effect on rat epidermal cells and NIH3T3 cell line (dose range from 10-40 mg x L(-1) and 5-80 mg x L(-1), respectively).     

Regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in a morphological variant isolated from an epidermal growth factor receptor-deficient small cell lung carcinoma cell line

Most cell lines derived from small cell lung carcinoma grow in an anchorage-independent manner; they neither possess epidermal growth factor binding activity nor express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA. A variant AD320, which grew in an anchorage-dependent manner with altered morphology, was isolated from the small cell lung carcinoma cell line Lu134 by treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. The analysis, using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, revealed that the methylation pattern was altered only in the structural region of the EGFR gene; EGFR mRNA and epidermal growth factor binding activity could be detected in the variant. In addition, drastic changes in gene expression including a decrease of creatine kinase B mRNA and an increase of c-myc mRNA were observed. The EGFR in the variant appeared to be an active part of the transmembrane signaling machinery since c-fos and c-jun mRNA accumulated after epidermal growth factor treatment, followed by EGFR and c-myc mRNA accumulation. A potent tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, also induced EGFR mRNA. Thus, the inducible regulatory mechanism for the EGFR gene was activated in the variant even though the EGFR gene was constitutively expressed.     

Binding, internalization, and degradation of epidermal growth factor by balb 3T3 and BP3T3 cells: relationship to cell density and the stimulation of cell proliferation.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the growth of both benzo[a]pyrene-transformed Balb 3T3 cells (BP3T3) and untransformed Balb 3T3 cells. We describe here the binding, internalization, and degradation of [125I]-EGF by BP3T3 cells and 3T3 cells. Binding of [125I]-EGF reaches a maximum after 45 to 90 minutes incubation at 37 degrees C. In both BP3T3 and 3T3 cells the extent of EGF binding required to stimulate DNA synthesis is density dependent; sparse cultures require a 15-30% occupancy to elicit a maximal response whereas dense cultures require a 70-85% occupancy. At physiological concentrations the total binding of [125I]-EGF to 3T3 cells is higher than to BP3T3 cells, and this difference increases at higher cell densities. The rate of degradation of [125I]-EGF is directly proportional to the total [125I]-EGF binding in each cell type. This supports the hypothesis that one cause of the diminished serum requirement of BP3T3 cells is a reduced rate of utilization of serum growth factors.     

Modulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by brain-derived growth factor in Swiss mouse 3T3 cells

Incubation of Swiss mouse 3T3 cells at 37 degrees C with bovine brain-derived growth factor (BDGF) decrease the cell surface 125I-EGF binding activity of these cells by 70-80%. This down-modulation of the EGF receptor by BDGF was time, temperature, and dose dependent. Scatchard plot analysis indicated that BDGF binding led to a selective decrease in the number of high-affinity EGF receptors. The BDGF-induced down-modulation of the EGF receptor was completely blocked by protamine, a potent inhibitor of receptor binding and mitogenic activities of BDGF. BDGF down-modulated the EGF receptor in phorbol myristic acetate (PMA)-pretreated cells, as well as in control cells. Furthermore, PMA-pretreated cells responded mitogenically to BDGF, whereas PMA itself failed to stimulate the mitogenic response of PMA-pretreated cells. This BDGF-induced down-modulation of the EGF receptor in PMA-desensitized cells suggests that BDGF down-regulates the EGF receptor by a mechanism distinct from that of PMA. Incubation of cells with compounds which are known to inhibit pinocytosis blocked the down-modulation induced either by BDGF or by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) but had no effect on the PMA-induced down-modulation. Incubation of cells with inhibitors of receptor recycling enhanced the BDGF-induced down-modulation of the EGF receptor. These results suggest that BDGF and PDGF induce down-modulation of the EGF receptor by increasing the internalization of cell surface high-affinity receptors and that the internalization process may not be required for down-modulation induced by PMA.     

Human skeletal growth factor stimulates collagen synthesis and inhibits proliferation in a clonal osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1)

Human skeletal growth factor (hSGF), an 11-kD polypeptide purified from human bone, has been proposed to be a local regulator of bone formation. To investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms in an in vitro model system, we examined the effects of hSGF on proliferation and collagen synthesis in cells of the clonal osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. This line was isolated from newborn mouse calvarial cells and retains many characteristics of mature osteoblasts (Sudo, H., et al., (1984) J. Cell Biol. 96:191). A 14-hr treatment with hSGF increased noncollagenous protein synthesis to 215% of unstimulated controls and increased collagen synthesis to 630% of controls as determined by [3H]proline incorporation and high-pressure liquid chromatographic separation of [3H]proline and [3H]hydroxyproline in acid hydrolysates of trichloroacetic acid-insoluble protein. HSGF did not increase cell number over a 48-hr period and caused a reversible inhibition of DNA synthesis. Half-maximal hSGF concentration for stimulation of [3H]proline incorporation and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation was 100 ng/ml. HSGF also inhibited DNA synthesis in cells stimulated by serum. In contrast, hSGF stimulated both collagen synthesis and DNA synthesis in primary cultures of chick embryo bone cells, which may be developmentally less mature than MC3T3-E1 cells. The results suggest that hSGF directly stimulated mature osteoblast matrix synthetic activity and that hSGF has differential effects on proliferation of osteoblast progenitor cells and mature osteoblasts.     

Secretion of polypeptides related to epidermal growth factor and insulinlike growth factor I by a human teratocarcinoma cell line

Summary To identify polypeptide growth factors for human teratocarcinoma cells, we studied the malignant ovarian teratoma-derived cell line, PA-1, that grew autonomously in serum-free medium. Medium conditioned by undifferentiated PA-1 cells strongly stimulated proliferation of the mouse mammary tumor cell line, GR 2H6, which is responsive to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I). After ammonium sulfate precipitation, PA-1 conditioned medium was analyzed by anion exchange chromatography and bioassay of elution fractions on GR 2H6 cells that were grown in medium deficient in either EGF or insulin. The results demonstrated that PA-1 CM contained factors that can substitute for EGF and IGF-I in stimulating growth of GR 2H6 cells. Western blots of peak mitogenic fractions revealed low molecular weight polypeptides that were immunoreactive with either anti-EGF or anti-IGF-I antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of PA-1 cells with monoclonal antibodies localized receptors for each growth factor, and binding of human EGF and IGF-I to these cells was quantified by radioreceptor assays. Secretion of factors closely related to EGF and IGF-I by PA-1 cells under serum-free conditions may provide a novel model system to study molecular mechanisms of autocrine growth stimulation in teratocarcinomas.     

Ligand-activated T cell growth factor-induced proliferation: absorption of T cell growth factor by activated T cells.

The fate in culture of the T cell growth factor (TCGF), which is required for continued growth of human cultured T cells (CTC) in vitro, was studied. TCGF activity was stable for 7 days at 37 degrees C. However, it was no longer detectable after incubation with actively growing CTC at 37 degrees C for 3 days. This loss of TCGF activity also occurred quite rapidly and was detectable within 1 hr of incubation of 0.3 ml supernatant with 2 to 5 x 10(7) CTC at 23 degrees C. 2 x 10(8) mononuclear peripheral blood leukocytes were not effective in removing TCGF activity, and incubation with similar numbers of cells from B and T cell lines had no effect. Three-day-old concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin blasts were very reactive with TCGF, so that 10(7) or 2 x 10(7) cells consistently removed TCGF activity. These experiments suggested specific absorption of TCGF by activated T cells, and led us to develop a model of ligand-activated TCGF-induced proliferation of T cells: Ligands induce production of TCGF by T-producer cells and deliver a first signal to the T-responder cells. This causes a receptor for TCGF to appear on T-responder cells. Only then does TCGF deliver the obligatory second signal that is needed to drive the T-responder cells into proliferation.     

The effects of epidermal growth factor on cell proliferation and prolactin production by GH3 rat pituitary cells

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were studied in rat pituitary tumor cells, GH₃, grown in serum-supplemented and serum-free chemically defined media. EGF (1 nM) increased the cell number to 132% of the control cultured in the defined medium during a 6-day incubation period, while it decreased the cell number to 60% of the control in the serum-supplemented medium. EGF altered the morphology of the cells grown in the defined medium more markedly to an elongated conformation than that of cells grown in the serum-supplemented medium. EGF also stimulated prolactin (PRL) production by culture in the presence or absence of serum. The effects of the cell density of GH₃ on the action of EGF were shown to appear in two ways. The mitogenic influence of EGF was more effective on, and more responsive to, high-density cells, whereas the stimulatory action on PRL production was less effective on high-density cells. However, the inhibitory effects on cellular growth appeared independently of cell densities. The results obtained with ¹²⁵I-EGF binding experiments indicated that the number of binding sites, affinity, and internalization of EGF receptors were similar in either serum-supplemented or serum-free culture. At low cell density, the number of available ¹²⁵I-EGF binding sites per cell was larger than at high cell density. These results suggested that there was no apparent correlation between EGF binding and its differing effects on the growth of GH₃ cultured in the serum-supplemented and the defined medium.     

Effect of 3T3 plasma membranes on cells exposed to epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced DNA synthesis in non-confluent, G₀-arrested Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts is partially blocked by plasma membranes isolated from the EGF receptor deficient NR-6 Swiss 3T3 cell line. This inhibition could be due to either a steric block of the receptor by the membranes, a membrane induced down regulation of the EGF receptor, or a signal generated by membrane binding which is antagonistic towards the mitogenic signal generated by EGF. Binding measurements utilizing ¹²⁵I-labeled EGF demonstrated that membranes do not block either the EGF induced down regulation of the receptor or alter the number of receptors on the surface. These results suggest that the membranes exert their inhibitory effect via generation of a signal which is antagonistic to the EGF induced mitogenic signal, with the result expressed as a reduced mitogenic response.