12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-Acetate and Fibroblast Growth Factor Increase the 30-kDa Substrate Binding Subunit of Type II Deiodinase in Astrocytes

Abstract: Type II 5′-deiodinase (D-II) catalyzes the intracellular conversion of thyroxine (T₄) to 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T₃) in the brain., The D-II activity in astroglial cell cultures is induced by several pathways including cyclic AMP (cAMP), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). We have examined the effect of TPA and FGFs on the 30-kDa substrate binding subunit of D-II, by affinity labeling with N-bromoacetyl-[¹²⁸I]T₄ in astroglial cells. TPA (0.1 μM), 20 ng/ml acidic FGF (aFGF), and 1 mM 8-bromo cyclic AMP all caused an increase in the 30-kDa protein. cAMP induced the greatest increase (fivefold) followed by TPA (3.2-fold) and FGF (2.8-fold). Glucocorticoids acted synergistically with cAMP and aFGF and promoted the effect of TPA. Affinity labeling was competitively inhibited by bromoacetyl-T₄ > bromoacetyl-T₃ > T₄ > reverse T₃ > iopanoic acid > T₃ > 3,5,3-triiodothyroacetic acid. The effect of TPA (0.1 μM) was maximum at 8 h and then gradually decreased. aFGF (20 ng/ml) plus heparin (17 μg/ml) induced a maximal 30-kDa increase at 8 h, which stayed stable for up to 24 h. The effect of aFGF was concentration dependent. Of the other growth factors studied, only basic FGF and platelet-derived growth factor induced small increases in the 30-kDa protein. Epidermal growth factor had little effect. In vitro labeling of cAMP, TPA, and aFGF-stimulated cell sonicates resulted in an increase in the 30-kDa protein that paralleled the increase in D-II activity. These results correlate well with our previous studies showing that several distinct signaling pathways regulate D-II activity. They suggest that the regulation of D-II in astrocytes by cAMP, TPA, and aFGF involves an accumulation of the 30-kDa substrate binding subunit.     

Brain-derived growth factor is a chemoattractant for fibroblasts and astroglial cells

Bovine brain-derived growth factor (BDGF), a 16-17 kDa protein with biochemical properties resembling brain-derived acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic FGF) and endothelial cell growth factor, was found to have potent chemotactic activity for bovine ligament fibroblasts, human skin fibroblasts and rat astroglial cells, maximal at 100-200 pg/ml. The chemotactic activity was completely blocked by protamine sulfate (5 ug/ml), an inhibitor of receptor-binding and mitogenic activity of BDGF. BDGF did not stimulate migration of human monocytes. These results indicate that the effects of BDGF 'in vivo' might extend to mesenchymal cell recruitment.     

Up-Regulation of Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase mRNA in Reactive Astrocytes Following Traumatic Brain Injury in the Rat

Abstract: Type 2 5'-deiodinase (5'-D2), which converts thyroxine to the more active thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), is believed to be an important source of intracellular T3 in the brain. The activity of this enzyme is increased in hypothyroidism and decreased in hyperthyroidism, and as such, it serves an important role to protect the brain from wide fluctuations in T3 during changes in thyroidal state. Although it has been hypothesized that T3 may facilitate neuronal regeneration after CNS injury, the 5'-D2 response to brain injury is unknown. To assess the 5'-D2 mRNA response to injury, we performed in situ hybridization following traumatic brain injury. In unlesioned animals, 5'-D2 mRNA was undetectable. At 3 days posttrauma, 5'-D2 mRNA was detected in ipsilateral cortex near the contusion. A significant further increase of 5'-D2 mRNA was noted 7 days posttrauma in both hippocampus and cortex. Similar response was also observed on the contralateral side. Colocalization of 5'-D2 mRNA with glial fibrillary acidic protein indicates that reactive astrocytes were the major cellular source for the trauma-induced 5'-D2 expression. These data demonstrate, for the first time, a trauma-induced, astrocytic up-regulation of 5'-D2 mRNA, suggesting a potential role for T3 action in adult brain's response to injury and recovery.     

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate enhances the proliferative response of Balb/c-3T3 cells to hormonal growth factors.

Stimulation of Balb/c-3T3 cell growth by TPA requires factors found in serum. We examined the interaction between TPA and serum growth factors in the stimulation of cell growth. The number of cells synthesizing DNA (incorporating 3H-thymidine) within 24 to 30 hours after the addition of TPA and the growth factors to density-inhibited Balb/c-3T3 cultures in serum-free medium was determined by autoradiography. With no additions or with TPA (30--300 ng/ml) alone, only 3--7% of cells synthesized DNA. However, TPA synergistically promoted DNA synthesis in combination with each of the defined serum growth fractions, platelet derived growth factor and platelet poor plasma. TPA also synergistically promoted DNA synthesis in combination with purified growth factors including fibroblast growth factor, insulin (10(-6)--10(-5)M), and epidermal growth factor. In all conditions, TPA enhancement of DNA synthesis also resulted in an increase in cell number. Because TPA synergistically enhanced the activity of each growth factor tested, it did not act identically to any of the growth factors.     

Retinoic acid and phorbol ester synergistically up-regulate IL-8 expression and specifically modulate protein kinase C-epsilon in human skin fibroblasts.

Phorbol ester (TPA) and retinoic acid (RA) are two potent immunomodulatory agents whose actions are mediated through distinct signal transduction pathways involving protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear RA receptors, respectively. We have investigated the interactions between these two pathways in the regulation of expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in human skin fibroblasts. TPA (as previously reported) and RA both induced IL-8 mRNA and protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner. IL-8 mRNA induction by TPA (10 nM) was maximal (15-fold) within 6 h, and returned to baseline within 24 h of treatment, although maximal induction (10-fold) by RA (1 microM) did not occur until 24 h posttreatment. Induction of IL-8 by TPA was blocked by 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, which inhibits PKC and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA), but not by N-(2-ganidinoethyl)-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide, which preferentially inhibits PKA, consistent with the participation of PKC in the induction of IL-8 by TPA. In contrast, induction of IL-8 by RA was inhibited by both 1-(5-isoquinoline sulfonamide and N-(2-gamidinoethyl)-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide, suggesting the participation of PKA in the induction of IL-8 by RA. However, activation of PKA by addition of cAMP analogues was not sufficient to induce IL-8 expression. Induction of IL-8 by RA also did not appear to be mediated indirectly through induction of IL-1, because addition of IL-1R antagonist did not block IL-8 induction by RA. RA and TPA added in combination synergistically enhanced expression of IL-8 mRNA, measured at 6 (2-fold) and 24 h (10-fold) posttreatment. To investigate the mechanism of this synergy, the effect of TPA and RA on fibroblast PKC activation and PKC isozyme levels were determined. TPA, either alone or together with RA, but not RA alone, stimulated phosphorylation of an endogenous 80-kDa PKC substrate. Dermal fibroblasts expressed three PKC isozymes (alpha, (delta, and (epsilon). TPA, but not RA, down-regulated PKC-alpha, neither TPA or RA affected the level of PKC-delta, and both TPA and RA down-regulated PKC-epsilon. This latter effect was enhanced 2-fold by addition of RA and TPA together. These data suggest that modulation of PKC-epsilon may be a common participant in the regulation of IL-8 expression by TPA and RA.     

Avian hepatic T-3 production by two pathways of 5'-monodeiodination: effects of fasting and patterns during development

Two forms of iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase (5'-D) were studied in liver homogenates from adult and developing quail. The influence of fasting in adults and corticosterone treatment in embryonic quail on 5'-D also were examined. Liver homogenates were assayed for 5'-D activity in the presence of abundant substrate (T4) and cofactor (dithiothreitol; DTT). Generation of T3 during a 15 min incubation at 37 degrees C was assessed by an ethanol-based RIA. In adults, both Type I [the fraction of activity inhibited by propylthiouracil (PTU)] and a putative Type II (the PTU-insensitive fraction) were present in liver homogenates. Type II activity typically comprised about 30% of Total activity. Type I activity first appeared on day 15 of the 16.5 day incubation period, increased 20-fold to peak at hatching, then gradually declined to reach adult levels by 21 days of age. Type II activity was present at all developmental stages and was highest during the perinatal period. Corticosterone treatment in vivo on day 13 of development induced increases in both Type I and Type II activities in liver homogenates 24- and 48-h after treatment. This study demonstrates that in avian liver a putative Type II 5'-D activity (generally considered to be lacking in mammalian liver) is present and may be important in the maintenance of minimal concentrations of tissue T3 during fasting. Both types of 5'-D contribute to the developmental pattern of serum T3 concentrations. Type II comprises a large proportion of total activity during late embryonic life; Type I becomes predominant at the beginning of the perinatal period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Purification and partial characterization of an acidic fibroblast growth factor from bovine pituitary

Isoelectric focusing has allowed us to fractionate pituitary extracts into basic (pI 8-9) and acidic (pI 4-5) fibroblast growth factor. The acidic fibroblast growth factor (a) is stable upon refocusing, (b) migrates as an acidic protein in urea-containing gel electrophoresis; (c) is not cell-specific, being active with fibroblasts, adrenal, and glial cells, and (d) is a heterogeneous protein fraction with active components of different pI values. The component of pI 4.7, purified to or near homogeneity by isoelectric focusing shows a single peak of activity (Mr = 12,000) in gel chromatography and a single protein band of apparent Mr = 15,000 in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Maximal restimulation of DNA synthesis initiation on serum-deprived 3T3 fibroblasts is achieved at 1-2 ng/ml; activity with rat glial cells (C6-3D) is less pronounced than with 3T3 fibroblasts.     

Effect of short-term constant light or constant darkness on the nyctohemeral rhythm of type-II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activity in rat anterior pituitary and pineal

Type-II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activity (5'-D) in both anterior pituitary and pineal was significantly elevated at 2400 h, approximately 0.5- and 20-fold higher than the noon value, respectively. The nocturnal rise in both organs was abolished by 6 h additional light. Short-term constant darkness did not alter 5'-D rhythmicity in either organ. These data suggest that environmental lighting plays an important role in the control of the 5'-D nyctohemeral rhythm in both anterior pituitary and pineal.     

Serotonin effect on deiodinating activity in the rat

Serotonin (5-HT) and thyroid hormones are part of a complex system modulating eating behaviour and energy expenditure. 5-Deiodinase (5-D) converts the relatively inactive thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), and its activity is an indirect measure of T3 production in peripheral tissues, particularly in the brain, intrascapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT), heart, liver, and kidney. We evaluated the effect of 5-HT on 5'-D activity during basal conditions and after short (30 min) cold exposure (thyroid stimulating hormone stimulation test, TST). 5'-D activity was assessed in the liver, heart, brain, kidney, and IBAT. TST increases 5'-D activity in the brain, heart, and IBAT and decreases it in kidney, leaving it unchanged in the liver. 5-HT alone did not modify 5'-D activity in the organs under study but decreased it in the IBAT, heart, and brain when injected before the TST was administered. Our results confirm the important role of 5-HT in thermoregulation, given its peripheral site of action, in modulating heat production controlling intracellular T3 production. These effects are more evident when heat production is upregulated during cold exposure in organs containing type II 5'-D, such as the brain, heart, and IBAT, which are able to modify their function during conditions that alter energy balance. In conclusion, 5-HT may also act peripherally directly on the thyroid and organs containing type II 5'-D, thus controlling energy expenditure through heat production.     

Phorbol ester or epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the concurrent accumulation of mRNA for the EGF receptor and its ligand transforming growth factor-alpha in a breast cancer cell line

We have previously reported that both 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) can stimulate the synthesis rate of EGF receptors. We now show that the MDA468 breast cancer cells express the mRNA for the EGF-like molecule, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and demonstrate that TPA or EGF cause an accumulation of both EGF receptor and TGF-alpha mRNA. The levels of EGF receptor mRNA paralleled our earlier protein data, with peak accumulations of 2-3-fold with 10(-9) M EGF and 3-5-fold with 100 ng/ml TPA seen between 6 and 8 h. A 7-fold accumulation of TGF-alpha mRNA was seen following 4 h of treatment with TPA, and a 2-fold accumulation was seen after 8 h with EGF. These changes in EGF receptor and TGF-alpha mRNAs were observed in the absence of any change in the mRNA level of the alpha-subunit of hexosaminidase A (a lysosomal enzyme), demonstrating some degree of specificity. Detectable quantities of immunoreactive TGF-alpha accumulated in the cell culture medium of MDA468 cell treated with the blocking anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody B1D8 while no immunoreactive TGF-alpha was detected in the medium of cells with unblocked receptors. The concentration of B1D8 used was sufficient to block the binding of exogenously added 125I-EGF to undetectable levels but had only minor effects on cell growth and no effect on the expression of the TGF-alpha and EGF receptor mRNA.     

Induction of the nuclear protein ''cyclin'' in quiescent mouse 3T3 cells stimulated by serum and growth factors. Correlation with DNA synthesis

The effect of serum and growth factors [platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)] on the synthesis of the nuclear protein cyclin and its correlation with DNA synthesis has been studied in quiescent mouse 3T3 cells by means of quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Serum must be present in the medium for at least 8-12 h to induce maximal synthesis of cyclin (6- to 7-fold increase compared with quiescent cells). The stimulation of cyclin synthesis is dose-dependent and correlates directly with DNA synthesis. In addition, partially purified PDGF and FGF also induce cyclin and DNA synthesis in a coordinate way. Both growth factors, like serum, exhibit a similar lag phase to induce maximal cyclin (6- to 7-fold) and DNA synthesis (90% of the cells). Pure PDGF at a concentration as low as 10 ng/ml has the same effect as 10% serum. The coordinate induction of cyclin and DNA synthesis can only be observed with growth factors that induce DNA synthesis. These results strengthen the notion that cyclin is an essential component of the events leading to DNA replication.     

Effects of Transforming Growth Factor β1 on Astroglial Cells in Culture

The effects of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) on DNA synthesis and functional differentiation of astroglial cells cultured in serum-free medium were investigated. TGF beta 1 diminished and delayed the peak of DNA synthesis induced by serum. TGF beta 1-treated cells were larger than control cells. This factor delayed the appearance of process-bearing cells induced by acidic fibroblast growth factor treatment and also affected the astrocyte-specific enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS), whose accumulation is under hydrocortisone (HC) control. TGF beta 1 inhibited the induction of GS activity by HC in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment with TGF beta 1 for 4 h maintained the inhibition of GS activity for approximately 16 h after removal of this factor from culture medium. These results suggest that TGF beta 1 may be an important regulator of astrocyte growth and differentiation.     

Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression

Synthesis and metabolism of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor are extensively regulated to modulate cellular responses to ligand. To study regulation of EGF receptor gene expression, the 5' region of the gene was isolated from a human placental genomic library. A 5' proximal 1.1-kilobase fragment (-1100 to -19 relative to the ATG translation start site) and subfragments of this were subcloned in both forward and reverse orientations into the luciferase expression vector pSVOAL delta 5' and transfected into human cell lines. Luciferase activity was stimulated by treatment of transfected HeLa cells with EGF, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), (Bu)2 cAMP, retinoic acid, and dexamethasone. Deletion analysis indicated full retention of activity after removal of the -1100 to -485 region (-485 to -19 fragment), but a 5-fold reduction in activity on removal of the -485 to -153 region (-153 to -19 fragment). Despite a reduction in basal activity, the proximal 134-basepair fragment retained responses to all inducers. Additivity was observed in response to maximal concentrations of TPA plus retinoic acid and of TPA plus (Bu)2 cAMP; the response to a combination of four inducers exceeded that to the RSV-LTR strong promoter. Differences in stimulated responses were observed in various recipients, with hepatoma HepG2 cells lacking responses to (Bu)2 cAMP and glioblastoma T98G cells lacking responses to EGF and TPA. These results indicate that a 134-basepair DNA fragment closely adjacent to the translation start site contains elements responsible for directing basal and stimulated expression of the EGF receptor gene.     

Regulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by mitogenic growth factors

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis in cultured 3T3 fibroblasts was increased in varying degrees by these mitogenic growth factors: fetal bovine serum, insulin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, epidermal growth factor, vasopressin, fibroblast growth factor and insulin-like growth factors I and II. PC synthesis was increased 2-4-fold by 10% serum, up to 4-fold by growth factors alone, and up to 8-fold by combinations of two or more growth factors. Single growth factors had no effect on the incorporation of [3H]choline into the acid-soluble precursors of PC, while serum or combinations of two or more mitogens could increase the incorporation of [3H]choline into acid-soluble material by up to 2-fold. Serum was shown to increase choline phosphorylation, choline kinase activity and the size of the phosphocholine pool. These data were utilized to calculate the radioactive specific activity of phosphocholine. Serum did not increase phosphocholine specific activity above control values; thus the increased incorporation of labelled choline into PC after serum stimulation resulted from increased PC synthesis and not from a simple change in specific activity of precursor phosphocholine.     

Evidence that rat pineal thyroxine 5'-deiodinase is primarily stimulated by beta- and not alpha-adrenergic agonists and that its adrenergic-stimulated and spontaneous rhythmic nocturnal rise require RNA and protein synthesis

Pineal thyroxine 5'-deiodinase (5'-D) activity rose greater than 10-fold above the basal level 2-3 hr after 1 mg/kg isoproterenol and returned to near the basal level by 6 hr. The same dose of norepinephrine or phenylephrine was without effect, but phenylephrine modestly potentiated isoproterenol-stimulated 5'-D activity. Either actinomycin D or cycloheximide treatment markedly decreased diurnal isoproterenol stimulation and the spontaneous rhythmic nocturnal rise of pineal 5'-D. The data indicate that pineal 5'-D activity is very similar to pineal serotonin N-acetyl transferase in being primarily stimulated by beta-adrenergic agonists and requiring new RNA and protein synthesis for its activation.     

Mitogenic, melanogenic, and cAMP responses of cultured neonatal human melanocytes to commonly used mitogens.

The following studies have been undertaken to compare and correlate the effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), cholera toxin (CT), and isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX) on neonatal human melanocyte (NHM) proliferation, tyrosinase activity, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration. NHM proliferated at a maximal rate in medium containing 8 nM TPA, 200 ng/ml CT, and 10(-4) M IBMX. TPA alone did not result in optimal melanocyte proliferation, and, as previously shown, its mitogenic effect was greatly enhanced by the addition of CT and IBMX individually or concomitantly. Human recombinant (hr) bFGF could replace TPA in the NHM growth medium. Maximal proliferation was achieved using 3 ng/ml hrbFGF, 20 ng/ml CT, and 10(-4) M IBMX. The mitogenic effect of 1.2 ng/ml hrbFGF was potentiated in the concomitant but not individual presence of CT and IBMX. TPA alone in the absence of CT and IBMX caused a dose-dependent stimulation of tyrosinase activity. Maximal tyrosinase activity was obtained in the presence of 0.8 nM TPA, 20 ng/ml CT, and 10(-4) M IBMX. Unlike TPA, hrbFGF alone resulted in inhibition of tyrosinase activity. In the presence of hrbFGF, tyrosinase activity was potentiated by CT and IBMX, but not by CT alone. Neither TPA nor hrbFGF alone could increase intracellular cAMP levels. The effects of CT and IBMX on intracellular cAMP concentration were enhanced to a greater extent by TPA than by hrbFGF. Under our experimental conditions, in the presence of hrbFGF, CT but not IBMX resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cAMP concentration. Further studies on NHM will be aimed at determining the exact role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating proliferation and melanogenesis and the mechanism(s) activated by hrbFGF.     

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) causes a persistent increase in steady-state amounts of type I and type III collagen and fibronectin mRNAs in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

It has been previously shown that transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) is capable of stimulating fibroblast collagen and fibronectin biosynthesis. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms involved in TGF beta stimulation of fibroblast biosynthetic activity. Our results indicate that TGF beta causes a marked enhancement of the production of types I and III collagens and fibronectin by cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts. The rate of collagen production by fibroblasts exposed to TGF beta was 2-3-fold greater than that of control cells. These effects were associated with a 2-3-fold increase in the steady-state amounts of types I and III collagen mRNAs and a 5-8-fold increase in the amounts of fibronectin mRNAs as determined by dot-blot hybridization with specific cloned cDNA probes. In addition, the increased production of collagen and fibronectin and the increased amounts of their corresponding mRNAs remained elevated for at least 72 h after removal of TGF beta. These findings suggest that TGF beta may play a major role in the normal regulation of extracellular matrix production in vivo and may contribute to the development of pathological states of fibrosis.