A synthetic fragment of rat transforming growth factor alpha with receptor binding and antigenic properties

A fragment of rat transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) comprising the third disulfide loop (residues 34-43) was selected as a potential antigenic and receptor binding region. Immunization of rabbits with a peptide conjugate resulted in antibodies which were specific for both the peptide and rat TGF alpha, but not for the homologous epidermal growth factor (EGF). The synthetic decapeptide exhibited low affinity for EGF receptors on human cells. Affinity was increased 100x to 0.2% of EGF or TGF alpha binding by blocking the peptide ends. The blocked decapeptide had no mitogenic activity but prevented the mitogenic effect of EGF and TGF alpha on fibroblasts. This decapeptide is an antagonist and contains an important receptor binding region of TGF alpha.     

Characterization of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ligand blot analysis.

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in pregnant baboon serum and tissue culture media obtained following explant culture of uteri from pregnant baboons were characterized by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D SDS-PAGE) followed by Western ligand blot analysis using 125I-labeled IGF-I. IGFBP-1 (Mr 30,000; pI 4-4.2), IGFBP-2 (Mr 34,000, pI 5.7-6.2), IGFBP-3 (doublet Mr 42-48,000; pI 6.2-6.8), and IGFBP-4 (Mr 24,000; pI 5.7-6.0) were clearly separated from one another. The authenticity of IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 was verified by immunoprecipitation using polyclonal antibodies followed by ligand blotting. Specificity of 125I-labeled IGF-I binding to IGFBPs was also determined by competitive binding studies using unlabeled IGF-I and -II. This technique allows for the identification of IGFBPs in complex biological fluids on the basis of their characteristic Mr and pI with or without the availability of specific antibodies and can be done rapidly using the mini 2D SDS-PAGE systems.     

Transforming growth factor alpha stimulates prostacyclin production by cultured human vascular endothelial cells more potently than epidermal growth factor

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) induces dose- and time-dependent stimulation of prostacyclin (PGI2) production by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The lowest stimulatory concentration of TGF alpha was 0.1 ng/ml and the maximal response, a 2.7-fold rise, was obtained with 10 ng/ml. The stimulation, which lasted at least 24 h, was blocked by cycloheximide and by indomethacin. TGF alpha induced PGI2 production at 10-100 times lower concentrations than did epidermal growth factor (EGF), although in stimulating endothelial cell growth the two factors were equipotent. This is the first demonstration that TGF alpha enhances PGI2 production by human cells. Moreover, this is the first evidence that it acts as both an agonist (growth) and a superagonist (PGI2 production) of EGF in the same cell type. I suggest that this phenomenon may be involved with the angiogenic activity of TGF alpha.     

Hormonal control of the replication of human fetal fibroblasts: role of somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I

Sparse cultures of fetal and postnatal human fibroblasts were equivalent in their responsiveness to the mitogenic action of somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I (SM-C/IGF-I). At both developmental stages, the addition of SM-C/IGF-I (100 ng/ml) increased cell number at day 3 1.4-fold in serum-free medium and 2-fold in the presence of 0.25% human hypopituitary serum. Furthermore, dose-response curves indicated that there was no difference in the sensitivity of fetal and postnatal fibroblasts to the growth-promoting effects of SM-C/IGF-I, with a half-maximal response occurring at 6 ng/ml SM-C/IGF-I. This biological action of SM-C/IGF-I correlated with SM-C/IGF-I binding to fetal and postnatal fibroblast monolayers. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) also stimulated replication of fetal and postnatal fibroblasts. The mitogenic effects of SM-C/IGF-I, EGF, and PDGF were additive. Dexamethasone, which alone had no effect, was synergistic with SM-C/IGF-I in stimulating replication of postnatal fibroblasts. The combination of SM-C/IGF-I (100 ng/ml), dexamethasone (10(-7) M), EGF (10 ng/ml), and PDGF (5 ng/ml) had the same mitogenic effectiveness as 10% calf serum (CS) in postnatal cells. In marked contrast, there was no mitogenic interaction between SM-C/IGF-I and dexamethasone in fetal fibroblasts. In fetal cells, SM-C/IGF-I + EGF + PDGF +/- dexamethasone could only account for 50% of the activity of 10% CS. Moreover, fetal cells were 50-100% more responsive than postnatal cells to the proliferative effect of serum.     

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.     

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) inhibits TGF alpha expression in bovine anterior pituitary-derived cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1) is a multifunctional regulator of cell growth and differentiation. We report here that TGF beta 1 decreased the proliferation of nontransformed bovine anterior pituitary-derived cells grown in culture. We have previously demonstrated that these cells express both TGF alpha and its receptor [the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor] and that expression can be stimulated by phorbol ester (TPA) and EGF. TGF beta 1 treatment over a 2-day period decreased the proliferation of pituitary cells. This decreased growth rate was accompanied by a decrease in the TGF alpha mRNA level. The effect of TGF beta 1 on TGF alpha mRNA down-regulation was both dose dependent (maximal effect observed at 1.0 ng/ml TGF beta 1) and time dependent (minimum of 2-day treatment with TGF beta 1 was required before a decrease in TGF alpha mRNA was observed). Studies on TGF alpha mRNA stability indicated that TGF beta 1 did not alter the TGF alpha mRNA half-life. Treatment of the TGF beta 1 down-regulated cells with EGF resulted in the stimulation of TGF alpha mRNA levels; thus, the TGF beta 1-treated cells remained responsive to EGF. The decreased proliferation in response to TGF beta 1 could be only partially reversed by simultaneous treatment of the cells with EGF (10(-9)M) and TGF beta 1 (3.0 ng/ml). Qualitatively, the TGF beta 1-induced reduction of TGF alpha mRNA content was independent of cell density. TGF beta 1 treatment of the anterior pituitary-derived cells also reduced the levels of c-myc and EGF receptor mRNA. These results represent the first demonstration of the down-regulation of TGF alpha synthesis by a polypeptide growth factor and suggest that TGF beta 1 may be a physiological regulator of TGF alpha production in vivo.     

Characterization of a neuronal subtype of insulin-like growth factor I receptor

Primary neuronal cultures from fetal rat brain were utilized to investigate the possible role of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in neuronal growth and differentiation. 125I-IGF-I binding to intact cultured neurons was specific and saturable with an apparent Kd of 7.0 +/- 1.2 nM and a Bmax of 1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg protein. Binding of 125I-IGF-I to neurons was inhibited by IGF-I, followed by IGF-II and insulin. 7 S nerve growth factor, but not beta-nerve growth factor, also inhibited 125I-IGF-I binding. A similar binding site was detected on brain membranes. Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I to intact cultured neurons revealed, under reducing conditions, a major binding moiety with an Mr of 115,000 and a minor component at Mr 260,000. The former represents a neuronal type of the IGF-I receptor alpha subunit, whereas the latter probably represents an alpha dimer. The Mr = 115,000 binding component for 125I-IGF-I was also present in membranes prepared from postnatal whole brain. In contrast, the binding moiety in cultured glial cells was of Mr = 135,000, which was identical to the IGF-I receptor alpha subunit of placenta. Thus mature brain, despite its cellular heterogeneity, expresses a structural subtype of IGF-I receptor which appears to be unique to differentiated neurons. Moreover, glial and neuronal cultures secreted a polypeptide which specifically bound IGF-I; the apparent Mr of this binding protein was determined by affinity cross-linking to be approximately 35,000. The presence of neuronal IGF-I receptors and binding proteins suggested that IGF-I may exert neurotrophic effects on developing neurons. This possibility was supported by the observation that IGF-I markedly stimulated neuronal RNA synthesis.     

Transforming growth factor activity of bovine brain-derived growth factor

Bovine brain-derived growth factor (BDGF), whose biochemical properties resemble those of endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and brain-derived acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic FGF), is able to promote colony formation of normal rat kidney fibroblasts (NRK cells) in soft agar. As in the case of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), EGF potentiates the anchorage-independent growth promoting activity of BDGF. In the presence of EGF (5 ng/ml), the optimal concentration of BDGF for stimulation of anchorage-independent of NRK cells is approximately 0.5 ng/ml. At higher concentrations, BDGF becomes inhibitory. The anchorage-independent cell growth promoting activity of BDGF differs from that of TGF beta in acid and reducing agent stability.     

Effects of growth factors on an intestinal epithelial cell line: transforming growth factor beta inhibits proliferation and stimulates differentiation

The effects of epidermal growth factor transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and other growth factors on the proliferation and differentiation of a cell line derived from rat intestinal crypt epithelium (IEC-6) were defined. Incorporation of [3H]-thymidine was stimulated 1.4-2.4 fold by insulin, insulin like growth factor (IGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 2% fetal calf serum (FCS) respectively. Additive stimulation was observed when FCS was supplemented by insulin,IGF-I or PDGF but not EGF. Incorporation of [3H]-thymidine by IEC-6 was strongly inhibited by TGF beta with greater than 80% inhibition of incorporation at concentration approximately equal to 2.0 pM. IEC-6 cells bound 4.1 +/- 0.15 X 10(4) molecules TGF beta/cell and appeared to have only a single class of high affinity receptors (Kd approximately equal to 0.5 pM). TGF beta inhibition was unaffected by the presence of insulin or IGF-I suggesting it inhibits proliferation at a step subsequent to that at which these growth factors stimulate [3H]-thymidine incorporation. TGF beta also reduced the stimulation induced by FCS by 65%. In contrast EGF reduced TGF beta inhibition by 60%. IEC-6 cells demonstrated the appearance of sucrase activity after greater than 18 hours treatment with TGF beta. These findings suggest that TGF beta may inhibit proliferative activity and promote the development of differentiated function in intestinal epithelial cells.     

Therapeutic potential of growth factors and their antagonists.

This article describes studies with four peptides, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), gastrin-releasing peptide/bombesin (GRP), and gastrin. The mitogenic and anti-secretory activities of EGF/TGF alpha appear to be mediated by a single class of high-affinity membrane receptors but may involve different signal transducing mechanisms. Biological activity of EGF resides in the N-terminal 42 amino acid fragment with the C-terminal undecapeptide determining binding affinity. A parenteral depot formulation of an EGF-related peptide or a small molecule agonist of the EGF receptor could have utility in treating various ulcerative disorders of the gut. Although antagonism of EGF (and thus TGF alpha) receptors and/or transducing mechanisms is frequently cited as a potential therapeutic approach to hyperproliferative diseases, blocking the action of TGF alpha, GRP, or gastrin with neutralizing antibodies or receptor antagonists did not influence the growth of a wide range of solid tumors in nude mice. These findings suggest that, unless tumor growth displays absolute dependency on one particular mitogen, antagonism of a specific growth factor is unlikely to have great effect in cancer therapy.     

Anti-sense transforming growth factor alpha oligonucleotides inhibit autocrine stimulated proliferation of a colon carcinoma cell line.

Many carcinoma cells secrete transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). A 23 base anti-sense oligonucleotide that recognizes the TGF alpha mRNA inhibits both DNA synthesis and the proliferation of the colon carcinoma cell line LIM 1215. The effects of the anti-sense TGF alpha oligonucleotide are reversed by epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 20 ng/ml. When the LIM 1215 cells are grown under serum free conditions, the anti-sense TGF alpha oligonucleotides have their greatest effects at high cell density (2 x 10(5) cells/cm2), indicating that the secreted TGF alpha is acting as an exogenous growth stimulus. In addition, at higher cell densities, the kinase activity of the EGF receptor is activated and the receptor is down-modulated. The cell density dependent activation of the EGF receptor is inhibited by the application of the antisense TGF alpha oligonucleotides.     

Impact of peptide growth factors on the culture of small preantral follicles of domestic cats

Small preantral follicles (40 to 90 microm) of domestic cats were cultured in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 5 d. The success of culture was estimated by in vitro incorporation of Brom-desoxyuridine (BrdU) into the oocytes and granulosa cells. Addition of EGF (4, 20, or 100 ng/ml) to the culture medium had no significant effect on the incidence of in vitro DNA synthesis. After supplementation with IGF-I and bFGF, BrdU-incorporation into the follicles and oocytes increased in correspondence to the concentration used, with 20 ng/ml IGF-I and 10 ng/ml bFGF giving the highest effect. In medium containing EGF, the IGF-I-induced increase in BrdU incorporation was suppressed, while the effect of bFGF was not decreased. Simultaneous addition of IGF-I and bFGF did not result in a further increase in DNA synthesis in the oocytes and granulosa cells. We conclude that bFGF mainly induces the proliferation of granulosa cells while IGF-I is involved in cellular activation of oocytes, which is modulated by EGF.     

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on protein synthesis in porcine embryonic discs cultured in vitro

Porcine embryos at Day 13 (Day 0 = first day of oestrus) were collected surgically and embryonic discs were isolated microsurgically. The discs were washed and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium without serum, with either 14C-leucine alone or 14C-leucine plus insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (100 ng/ml) at 37 degrees C for 48 h in 5% CO2 in air. After incubation, discs were morphologically evaluated, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 degrees C. No statistical differences in morphology were observed between embryonic discs cultured in medium with IGF-I and those cultured in medium alone (control). Although more radioactivity was incorporated by embryonic discs in the presence of IGF-I than by those cultured in medium without the growth factor, the difference between the two groups was not significant. From two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, it was observed that IGF-I selectively stimulated the synthesis of four new proteins with Mr of 24,000, 70,000, 77,000 and 95,000, respectively and pI between 5.5 and 6.5. At least 90% of the other proteins in the gels was synthesized in greater amount by embryonic discs cultured in the presence of IGF-I than in the controls. These results show that IGF-I can stimulate protein synthesis in pig embryonic discs cultured in vitro and suggest that this growth factor may play an important role in regulating early development.     

Transforming growth factor-alpha expression is enhanced in human mammary epithelial cells transformed by an activated c-Ha-ras protooncogene but not by the c-neu protooncogene, and overexpression of the transforming growth factor-alpha complementary DNA leads to transformation

MCF-10A cells are a spontaneously immortalized normal human mammary epithelial cell line. MCF-10A cells were transfected with two expression vector plasmids containing either a human point-mutated c-Ha-ras protooncogene or the rat c-neu protooncogene. c-Ha-ras-transfected MCF-10A cells grow as colonies in soft agar, exhibit a 3- to 4-fold increase in their growth rate in serum-free medium, and show a reduced mitogenic response to exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) as compared to MCF-10A cells. c-Ha-ras-transfected MCF-10A cells express a 4- to 8-fold increase in TGF alpha mRNA levels and secrete 4- to 6-fold more TGF alpha protein as compared to MCF-10A cells. Addition of either an anti-TGF alpha neutralizing monoclonal antibody or an anti-EGF receptor blocking monoclonal antibody to the Ha-ras-transformed MCF-10A cells produces a 50 to 80% inhibition of colony formation of these cells in soft agar. c-neu-transfected MCF-10A cells grown in soft agar and exhibit an increase in their growth rate in serum-free medium at a level comparable to that observed in Ha-ras-transformed MCF-10A cells. Addition of an anti-c-erbB-2 monoclonal antibody inhibits the anchorage-independent growth of these cells in soft agar. However, c-neu-transformed MCF-10A cells show no increase in TGF alpha secretion and no change in their responsiveness to exogenous EGF or TGF alpha. A recombinant retroviral vector containing the human TGF alpha gene was also introduced into MCF-10A cells. TGF alpha-infected MCF-10A cells secrete 15- to 20-fold more TGF alpha protein than MCF-10A cells, form colonies in soft agar, exhibit an enhanced growth rate in serum-free medium, and show a decreased mitogenic response to exogenous EGF or TGF alpha at a level equivalent to Ha-ras-transformed MCF-10A cells. Growth of TGF alpha-infected MCF-10A cells in soft agar is completely inhibited by anti-TGF alpha neutralizing or anti-EGF receptor blocking monoclonal antibodies. These results suggest that TGF alpha is an intermediary in the transformation of human mammary epithelial cells by an activated c-Ha-ras gene, but not by the c-neu gene, and demonstrate that overexpression of this growth factor is able to transform immortalized human mammary epithelial cells which also express a sufficient complement of functional EGF receptors.     

Growth factor involvement and oncogene expression in prostatic tumours

The effects of EGF, TGF alpha and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone on the growth of a prostatic epithelial cell line have been evaluated in clonal growth assays. Similar bioassay systems have been used to identify tumour-associated growth promoters derived from a human prostatic carcinoma cell line (PC3). Growth factor activity was associated with proteins of Mr 20-30 kDa. In a separate study, EGF receptor concentration and cellular proto-oncogene expression was assessed in prostatic tumour samples. In prostatic carcinoma samples, strong correlation was observed between EGF receptor concentration and c-myc expression. There were no significant correlations between EGF receptor concentration and tumour grade or androgen receptor content in carcinoma samples. EGF receptor concentration was significantly higher in prostatic carcinoma specimens than in BPH.     

Transforming growth factor-alpha attenuates the acquisition of aromatase activity by cultured rat granulosa cells

The effect of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) on granulosa cell differentiation, as assessed by the acquisition of aromatase activity, was evaluated in vitro by using a primary culture of rat granulosa cells. Harvested from immature, diethylstilbestrol-treated rats, granulosa cells were cultured under serum-free conditions for 72 hr in the presence of saturating concentrations (10(-7)M) of aromatase substrate androstenedione with or without the specific experimental agents. Basal aromatase activity, as assessed by the generation of radioimmunoassayable estrogen was negligible, remaining unaffected by treatment with TGF alpha (10 ng/ml) by itself. Whereas treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) resulted in a substantial increase in the extent of aromatization, concurrent treatment with TGF alpha (10 ng/ml) resulted in significant (P less than 0.05), yet reversible inhibition (78 +/- 5.6%) of FSH action. Significantly, this effect of TGF alpha could not be accounted for by a decrease in cellular viability or plating efficiency nor by a decrease in the number of cells or their DNA content. Although independent of the FSH dose employed, the TGF alpha effect proved dose- and time-dependent, with an apparent median inhibitory dose (EC50) of 0.33 +/- 0.04 ng/ml, and a minimal time requirement of 48 hr. Capable of substantial inhibition of the forskolin-stimulated accumulation of extracellular adenosine 3', 5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and estrogen, TGF alpha had a measurable albeit limited effect on N6, 2-'O-Dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate-supported estrogen production. Relative potency comparison revealed epidermal growth factor (EGF; EC50 = 0.24 +/- 0.03 ng/ml) and TGF alpha to be virtually equipotent as regards the attenuation of FSH-stimulated estrogen biosynthesis. Taken together, our findings indicate that TGF alpha, like EGF, acting at subnanomolar concentrations, is capable of attenuating the FSH-stimulated (but not basal) accumulation of estrogen. This effect of TGF alpha proved time- and dose-dependent, involving virtually complete neutralization of FSH action at site(s) both proximal and distal to cAMP generation. As such, these findings provide yet another example of the remarkable qualitative and quantitative similarities between EGF and TGF alpha, thereby reaffirming the prospect that ligands of the EGF/TGF alpha receptor may play a modulatory role in the course of granulosa cell ontogeny.     

The purification of fully active recombinant transforming growth factor alpha produced in Escherichia coli

Recombinant human transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), which is active as assessed by competition with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for binding to the EGF receptor, has been produced in Escherichia coli and separated from misfolded and inactive forms of recombinant TGF alpha using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The purified recombinant TGF alpha was used to produce a monoclonal antibody that binds to active TGF alpha specifically. The antibody was coupled to Sepharose and used as an independent method for purifying active TGF alpha. The EGF receptor binding activity of antibody affinity purified TGF alpha is comparable to that of high performance liquid chromatography-purified active TGF alpha, and is 0.55 mg of EGF eq/mg of TGF alpha. The disulfide arrangement of the active TGF alpha was determined after digestion with thermolysin, and found to be analogous to the disulfide arrangement previously determined for EGF (Savage, C. R., Hash, J. H., and Cohen, S. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7666-7672).