Modulation of cultured chicken growth plate chondrocytes by transforming growth factor-beta 1 and basic fibroblast growth factor.

Expression of several cellular and matrix proteins which increase significantly during the maturation of growth plate cartilage has been shown to be affected by various endocrine and autocrine factors. In the studies reported here, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were administered to primary cultures of avian growth plate chondrocytes at pre- or post-confluent stages to study the interplay that occurs between these factors in modulating chondrocytic phenotype. Added continuously to pre-confluent chondrocytes, TGF-beta 1 stimulated the cells to produce abundant extracellular matrix and multilayered cell growth; cell morphology was altered to a more spherical configuration. These effects were generally mimicked by bFGF, but cell shape was not affected. Administered together with TGF-beta 1, bFGF caused additive stimulation of protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was markedly, but transiently enhanced. During this pre-confluent stage, TGF-beta 1 also increased fibronectin secretion into the culture medium. Added to post-confluent cells, TGF-beta 1 alone caused a dosage-dependent suppression of AP activity, but bFGF alone did not. Under these conditions, TGF-beta 1 and bFGF had little effect on general protein synthesis, but TGF-beta 1 alone caused large, dosage-dependent increases in synthesis of fibronectin, and to some extent type II and X collagens. Given together with bFGF, TGF-beta 1 synergistically increased secretion of fibronectin. These findings reveal that regulation of phenotypic expression in maturing growth plate chondrocytes involves complex interactions between growth factors that are determined by timing, level, continuity, and length of exposure.     

Enhanced Invasive and Metastatic Potential Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Might be Correlated with Glutathione-S-transferase-π, Cofilin and Heat Shock Protein 27 in SGC-7901 Gastric Cancer Cells

In our previous study, we found that the transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1 enhanced the metastatic and invasive potential of gastric cancer cells. Proteomics was employed in this study to further illustrate the underlying molecular mechanisms. After two-dimensional electrophoresis, image analysis, spot identification, protein identification and database analysis, three proteins, namely, glutathione-S-transferase-π （GST-π）, cofilin and heat shock protein 27 （HSP27）, were found to be up-regulated in TGF-β1 treated SGC-7901 cells. The findings were further confirmed by Western blot analysis. These results suggested that GST-π, cofilin and HSP27 might participate in enhanced invasive potential induced by TGF-β1.     

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and fibronectin on SPARC expression in cultures of human periodontal ligament cells

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) increases synthesis of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), as well as fibronectin (FN) and type I collagen. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of SPARC expression. We examined the effect of FN on SPARC expression by TGF-beta(1) in cultures of human periodontal ligament cells (HPL cells). TGF-beta(1) increased the SPARC and SPARC mRNA levels in HPL cells. Extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by HPL cells in the presence of TGF-beta(1) also increased the SPARC levels. Contents of FN and type I collagen in the ECM were increased by TGF-beta(1). HPL cells cultured on FN-coated plates secreted more SPARC than those on non-coated plates. However, type I collagen had little effect on SPARC levels. The addition of anti-alpha5 antibody to the cultures abolished the increase in SPARC mRNA expression by TGF-beta(1). This study demonstrated that FN may be partly involved in the increase in SPARC expression by TGF-beta(1) in HPL cells.     

Regulation of extracellular matrix proteins by transforming growth factor beta1 in cultured pulmonary endothelial cells

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1), which is present in lung tissue, has been suggested to play a role in modulating vascular cell function in vivo. The action of TGF-beta1 in vivo, especially at the local site of application to connective tissue, is anabolic and leads to pulmonary fibrosis and angiogenesis, strongly indicating that TGF-beta may have practical applications in repair of tissue injury caused by burns, trauma, or surgery. In the present study, we have used cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (BPAE) cells as a model system. Expression of various proteins, including SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteines), type IV procollagen and fibronectin (FN) was examined by radiolabeling the cells with [3H]proline, immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies, and Northern blot analyses by using specific cDNA probes. Cultured cells were labeled with [3H]proline for 24 h in either the absence or in the presence of TGF-beta1 (0-20 ng/ml). Incorporation of radioactivity was observed in a concentration-dependent manner, maximal at 5 ng/ml. Northern blot hybridization demonstrated that TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) treatment of BPAE cells caused an increase in steady-state levels     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) regulates ATDC5 chondrogenic differentiation and fibronectin isoform expression

Regulated splicing of fibronectin (FN) occurs during the mesenchymal to chondrocyte transition and ultimately results in the relative enrichment of an extra domain B (EDB) exon-containing FN isoform with the suggestion that FN isoforms may play a functional role in chondrogenesis. Promotion of chondrogenesis can also be achieved by treatment with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which also regulates FN isoform expression. We have examined the effects of TGF-beta treatment on the assumption of the chondrogenic phenotype in the teratoma-derived cell line ATDC5 and tested whether these effects on chondrogenesis are paralleled by appropriate changes in FN isoform expression. ATDC5 cells were maintained in a pre-chondrogenic state and, in this state, treated with 10 ng/ml TGF-beta. The cells started to elaborate a matrix rich in sulfated proteoglycans, such that within the first 12 days of culture, TGF-beta1 treatment appeared to slightly accelerate early acquisition of an Alcian blue-stained matrix, and caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in collagen type I expression; changes in collagen type II expression were variable. At later times, cells treated with TGF-beta became indistinguishable from those of the controls. Interestingly, TGF-beta treatment caused a significant dose- and time-dependent decrease in the proportion of FN containing the extra domain A (EDA) and the EDB exons. These data suggest that TGF-beta induces the early stages of chondrogenic maturation in this pre-chondrogenic line and that TGF-beta treatment increases expression of FN isoforms that lack the EDA and EDB exons.     

Expression of Smad2 and Smad4, transforming growth factor-beta signal transducers in rat endometrium during the estrous cycle, pre-, and peri-implantation

SMADs are intracellular signaling molecules that transmit signals elicited by members of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. To decipher the mechanism of TGF-β signaling during the estrous cycle and implantation, we performed in situ hybridization to investigate the expression patterns of mRNAs for Smad2 and Smad4 in rat endometrium during the estrous cycle and on Days 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 of pregnancy. Intense epithelial expression of Smad2 mRNA at diestrus and proestrus was reduced at estrus and metaestrus, while Smad4 maintained its constitutive expression during the estrous cycle. During pre-implantation, both Smads were accumulated in the luminal epithelium and the glandular epithelium. Contrary to the dramatic Smad4 expression, Smad2 was highly down-regulated on Day 2.5 and was increased on Day 3.5. During peri-implantation, both Smads were expressed in the luminal epithelium, subepithelial stroma, and the primary decidual zone. Smad4 was down-modulated on Day 5.5. These results suggest that (a) both Smads are involved in the tissue remodeling of cycling and pregnant rat uteri; (b) TGF-β signaling functions mainly in the epithelium during pre-implantation and Smad2 is involved in the endometrial switch from the neutral phase to the receptive phase; (c) TGF-β signaling is down-regulated at the time when trophoblast invasion begins and both Smads are involved in the formation of the primary decidual zone.     

Klotho inhibits transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) signaling and suppresses renal fibrosis and cancer metastasis in mice

Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by infiltration and proliferation of mesenchymal cells in interstitial space. A substantial portion of these cells is derived from residing non-epithelial and/or epithelial cells that have acquired the ability to migrate and proliferate. The mesenchymal transition is also observed in cancer cells to confer the ability to metastasize. Here, we show that renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction and metastasis of human cancer xenografts are suppressed by administration of secreted Klotho protein to mice. Klotho is a single-pass transmembrane protein expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells. The extracellular domain of Klotho is secreted by ectodomain shedding. Secreted Klotho protein directly binds to the type-II TGF-β receptor and inhibits TGF-β1 binding to cell surface receptors, thereby inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling. Klotho suppresses TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) responses in cultured cells, including decreased epithelial marker expression, increased mesenchymal marker expression, and/or increased cell migration. In addition to TGF-β1 signaling, secreted Klotho has been shown to inhibit Wnt and IGF-1 signaling that can promote EMT. These results have raised the possibility that secreted Klotho may function as an endogenous anti-EMT factor by inhibiting multiple growth factor signaling pathways simultaneously.     

Parathyroid hormone stimulation and PKA signaling of latent transforming growth factor-beta binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) mRNA expression in osteoblastic cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis by acting on osteoblasts. Recently, the gene expression profile changes in the rat PTH (1-34, 10(-8)M)-treated rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell line, UMR 106-01, using DNA microarray analysis showed that mRNA for LTBP-1, a latent transforming growth factor (TGF-beta)-binding protein is stimulated by PTH. Latent TGF-beta binding proteins (LTBPs) are required for the proper folding and secretion of TGF-beta, thus modifying the activity of TGF-beta, which is a local factor necessary for bone remodeling. We show here by real time RT-PCR that PTH-stimulated LTBP-1 mRNA expression in rat and mouse preosteoblastic cells. PTH also stimulated LTBP-1 mRNA expression in all stages of rat primary osteoblastic cells but extended expression was found in differentiating osteoblasts. PTH also stimulated TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in rat primary osteoblastic cells, indicating a link between systemic and local factors for intracellular signaling in osteoblasts. An additive effect on LTBP-1 mRNA expression was found when UMR 106-01 cells were treated with PTH and TGF-beta1 together. We further examined the signaling pathways responsible for PTH-stimulated LTBP-1 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in UMR 106-01 cells. The PTH stimulation of LTBP-1 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was dependent on the PKA and the MAPK (MEK and p38 MAPK) pathways, respectively in these cells, suggesting that PTH mediates its effects on osteoblasts by several intracellular signaling pathways. Overall, we demonstrate here that PTH stimulates LTBP-1 mRNA expression in osteoblastic cells and this is PKA-dependent. This event may be important for PTH action via TGF-beta in bone remodeling.     

Synergistic effects of pravastatin and pioglitazone in renal tubular epithelial cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta1

Recent studies suggest that treatment with PPAR-gamma agonists and statins have beneficial effects on renal disease. However, the combined effects of PPAR-gamma agonists and statins in human renal epithelial cells are unknown. Our present study revealed that there were synergistic effects of pravastatin and pioglitazone in the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibronectin (FN), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and collagen 1 in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1). The beneficial effects of combined therapy against renal tubular epithelial cell injury are attributed, at least in part, to the inhibition of transdifferentiation, extracellular matrix deposition and cytokine production.     

Mitochondrial and microsomal derived reactive oxygen species mediate apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 in immortalized rat hepatocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a multifunctional cytokine that is over expressed during liver hepatocytes injury and regeneration. SV40-transformed CWSV-1 rat hepatocytes that are p53-defective undergo apoptosis in response to choline deficiency (CD) or TGFbeta1, which mediates CD-apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential mediators of apoptosis. We have shown that apoptosis induced by TGFbeta1 is accompanied by ROS generation and the ROS-trapping agent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. While persistent induction of ROS contributes to this form of apoptosis, the source of ROS generated downstream of TGFbeta1 is not clear. The mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum both harbor potent electron transfer chains that might be the source of ROS essential for completion of TGFbeta1-apoptosis. Here we show that CWSV-1 cells treated with cyclosporine A, which prevents opening of mitochondrial membrane pores required for ROS generation, inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. A similar effect was obtained by treating these cells with rotenone, an inhibitor of complex 1 of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. However, we demonstrate that TGFbeta1 induces cytochrome P450 1A1 and that metyrapone, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A1, inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. Therefore, our studies indicate that concurrent with promoting generation of ROS from mitochondria, TGFbeta1 also promotes generation of ROS from the cytochrome P450 electron transfer chain. Since inhibition of either of these two sources of ROS interferes with apoptosis, it is reasonable to conclude that the combined involvement of both pathways is essential for completion of TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis.     

Genetic polymorphisms and plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta(1) in Chinese patients with tuberculosis in Hong Kong

Susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) may be affected by host genetic factors. Elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β₁) were found in plasma of patients with active TB compared with those of healthy contacts. To investigate the association of TGF-β₁ gene polymorphisms (C-509T and T869C) and plasma levels with the risk of TB in Hong Kong Chinese adults, a case-control study was carried out on 174 active TB patients and 174 healthy controls matched for age, gender and smoking. Blood samples from 180 blood donors served as another control group. Genotyping was carried out on genomic DNA using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Plasma TGF-β₁ was measured by commercially available ELISA kit. We found no differences in the distribution of genotypes or alleles of TGF-β₁ gene polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C between patients and either group of healthy controls. Patients with TB had elevated plasma TGF-β₁ levels compared with healthy controls irrespective of their genotypes (p < 0.001). In conclusion, TGF-β₁ gene polymorphism at C-509T and T869C is not associated with TB susceptibility in Hong Kong Chinese adults, but elevated plasma TGF-β₁ levels suggests that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.     

The role and mechanism of transforming growth factor beta 3 in human myocardial infarction‐induced myocardial fibrosis

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) plays a crucial role in tissue fibrosis. A number of studies have shown that TGFβ3 significantly attenuated tissue fibrosis. However, the mechanism involved in this effect is poorly understood. In this study we found that the expression level of TGFβ3 was higher in human myocardial infarction (MI) tissues than in normal tissues, and interestingly, it increased with the development of fibrosis post‐myocardial infarction (post‐MI). In vitro, human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to mimic the ischaemic myocardium microenvironment and used to investigate the anti‐fibrotic mechanism of TGFβ3. Then, fibrosis‐related proteins were detected by Western blot. It was revealed that TGFβ3 up‐regulation attenuated the proliferation, migration of human CFs and the expression of collagens, which are the main contributors to fibrosis, promoted the phenotype shift and the cross‐linking of collagens. Importantly, the expression of collagens was higher in the si‐smad7 groups than in the control groups, while silencing smad7 increased the phosphorylation level of the TGFβ/smad signalling pathway. Collectively, these results indicated that TGFβ3 inhibited fibrosis via the TGFβ/smad signalling pathway, possibly attributable to the regulation of smad7, and that TGFβ3 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis post‐MI.     

Glycoproteome profiling of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signaling: nonglycosylated cell death-inducing DFF-like effector A inhibits TGFbeta1-dependent apoptosis

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is a potent regulator of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. TGFbeta binds to specific serine/threonine kinase receptors, which leads to activation of Smad-dependent and Smad-independent signaling pathways. O-Glycosylation is a dynamic PTM which has been observed in many regulatory proteins, but has not been studied in the context of TGFbeta signaling. To explore the effect of TGFbeta1 on protein O-glycosylation in human breast epithelial cells, we performed analyses of proteins which were affinity purified with Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA). HPA lectin allowed enrichment of proteins containing GalNAc and GlcNAc linked to serine and threonine residues. Using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS, we identified 21 HPA-precipitated proteins, which were affected by treatment of cells with TGFbeta1. Among these proteins, regulators of cell survival, apoptosis, trafficking, and RNA processing were identified. We found that TGFbeta1 inhibited the appearance of cell death-inducing DFF-like effector A (CIDE-A) in 2-D gels with HPA-precipitated proteins. CIDE-A is a cell death activator which promotes DNA fragmentation. We observed that TGFbeta1 did not affect expression of CIDE-A, but inhibited its glycosylation. We found that deglycosylation of CIDE-A correlated with enhanced nuclear export of the protein, and that high level of nonglycosylated CIDE-A inhibited TGFbeta1-dependent cell death. Thus, inhibition of the glycosylation of CIDE-A may be a mechanism to protect cells from apoptosis.     

Motogenic and biosynthetic response of adult skin fibroblasts to TGF-beta isoforms (-1, -2 and -3) determined by 'tissue response unit': role of cell density and substratum

We have recently demonstrated that the three principal mammalian isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) exert distinct effects upon: (1) the migration of confluent adult fibroblasts into 3D gels of native type I collagen fibres (i.e. TGF-beta-1 and -2 had no apparent motogenic activity, whilst TGF-beta-3 induced a dose-dependent stimulation of cell migration); and (2) the synthesis of hyaluronan (HA) by these cells is also affected by the TGF-beta isoforms in a manner which parallels their effect on cell migration. The objective of the present study is to elucidate the manner in which this differential activity of the TGF-beta-1, -2 and -3 may be modulated by experimental parameters. Data presented in this communication indicate that cytokine bioactivity is determined by a combination of cell density and the nature of the macromolecular substratum. Thus, we now report that all three TGF-beta isoforms inhibit the migration of subconfluent cells in the collagen gel assay. Our data confirm that the migration of confluent cells is stimulated by TGF-beta-3 and further indicate that this motogenic activity is completely abrogated by either TGF-beta-1 or -2 when these are co-incubated with TGF-beta-3. In contrast to these results obtained using a native type I collagen substratum, all three isoforms stimulated adult fibroblast migration in the transmembrane assay (in which cells are adherent to a 2-D porous polycarbonate substratum). The precise effect of TGF-beta isoforms on HA synthesis was also affected by cell density and the nature of the substratum in a manner which paralleled their diverse effects on cell migration (i.e. stimulation, inhibition or no effect). Streptomyces hyaluronidase completely neutralized the TGF-beta-3-induced stimulation of confluent fibroblast migration, thus suggesting a mechanistic link between the cytokine-induced cell migration and HA synthesis under these conditions. Taken together, these data indicate that: (1) the bioactivity of TGF-beta-1, -2 and -3 are determined by cell density, the macromolecular substratum and the presence of other cytokines; and (2) it is therefore necessary to define cytokine bioactivity within the context of a larger 'tissue response unit' which more fully defines the activity state of the target cell and its microenvironment.     

Existence of autocrine loop between interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-beta1 in activated rat pancreatic stellate cells

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine assumed to participate in pancreatic fibrosis by activating pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Autocrine TGF-beta1 is to central in PSC functional regulation. In this study, we examined IL-6 secretion from culture-activated rat PSCs and its regulatory mechanism. Activated PSCs express and secrete IL-6. When anti-TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibody was added in the culture medium, IL-6 secretion from activated PSCs was inhibited, whereas exogenous TGF-beta1 added in the culture medium enhanced IL-6 expression and secretion by PSCs in a dose dependent manner. Infection of PSCs with an adenovirus expressing dominant-negative Smad2/3 attenuated basal and TGF-beta1-stimulated IL-6 expression and secretion of PSCs. We also demonstrated the reciprocal effect of PSCs-secreted IL-6 on autocrine TGF-beta1. Anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody inhibited TGF-beta1 secretion from PSCs. Preincubation of cells with 10 nM PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent pathway inhibitor, attenuated IL-6-enhanced TGF-beta1 expression and secretion of PSCs. In addition, IL-6 activated ERK in PSCs. These data indicate the existence of autocrine loop between IL-6 and TGF-beta1 through ERK- and Smad2/3-dependent pathways in activated PSCs.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> immunophilins ROF1 (AtFKBP62) and ROF2 (AtFKBP65) exhibit tissue specificity,are heat-stress induced,and bind HSP90

The plant co-chaperones FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerases that function in protein folding, signal transduction and chaperone activity. We report the characterization of the Arabidopsis large FKBPs ROF1 (AtFKBP62) and ROF2 (AtFKBP65) expression and protein accumulation patterns. Transgenic plants expressing ROF1 promoter fused to GUS reporter gene reveal that ROF1 expression is organ specific. High expression was observed in the vascular elements of roots, in hydathodes and trichomes of leaves and in stigma, sepals, and anthers. The tissue specificity and temporal expression of ROF1 and ROF2 show that they are developmentally regulated. Although ROF1 and ROF2 share 85% identity, their expression in response to heat stress is differentially regulated. Both genes are induced in plants exposed to 37 °C, but only ROF2 is a bonafide heat-stress protein, undetected when plants are grown at 22 °C. ROF1/ROF2 proteins accumulate at 37 °C, remain stable for at least 4 h upon recovery at 22 °C, whereas, their mRNA level is reduced after 1 h at 22 °C. By protein interaction assays, it was demonstrated, that ROF1 is a novel partner of HSP90. The five amino acids identified as essential for recognition and interaction between the mammalian chaperones and HSP90 are conserved in the plant ROF1-HSP90. We suggest that ROF/HSP90 complexes assemble in vivo. We propose that specific complexes formation between an HSP90 and ROF isoforms depends on their spatial and temporal expression. Such complexes might be regulated by environmental conditions such as heat stress or internal cues such as different hormones. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.