Adipose tissue extract shows potential for wound healing: in vitro proliferation and migration of cell types contributing to wound healing in the presence of adipose tissue preparation and platelet rich plasma

Growth factors are the key elements in wound healing signaling for cell migration, differentiation and proliferation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), one of the most studied sources of growth factors, has demonstrated to promote wound healing in vitro and in vivo. Adipose tissue is an alternative source of growth factors. Through a simple lipoaspirate method, adipose derived growth factor-rich preparation (adipose tissue extract; ATE) can be obtained. The authors set out to compare the effects of these two growth factor sources in cell proliferation and migration (scratch) assays of keratinocyte, fibroblast, endothelial and adipose derived stem cells. Growth factors involved in wound healing were measured: keratinocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, interleukin 6, platelet-derived growth factor beta, tumor necrosis factor alfa, transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor. PRP showed higher growth factor concentrations, except for keratinocyte growth factor, that was present in adipose tissue in greater quantities. This was reflected in vitro, where ATE significantly induced proliferation of keratinocytes at day 6 (p < 0.001), compared to plasma and control. Similarly, ATE-treated fibroblast and adipose stem cell cultures showed accelerated migration in scratch assays. Moreover, both sources showed accelerated keratinocyte migration. Adipose tissue preparation has an inductive effect in wound healing by proliferation and migration of cells involved in wound closure. Adipose tissue preparation appears to offer the distinct advantage of containing the adequate quantities of growth factors that induce cell activation, proliferation and migration, particularly in the early phase of wound healing.     

Knockdown of DIXDC1 Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Human Glioma Cells

DIX domain containing 1 (DIXDC1), the human homolog of coiled-coil-DIX1 (Ccd1), is a positive regulator of Wnt signaling pathway. Recently, it was found to act as a candidate oncogene in colon cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and gastric cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of DIXDC1 expression in human glioma and its biological function in glioma cells. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that DIXDC1 was overexpressed in glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. The expression level of DIXDC1 was evidently linked to glioma pathological grade and Ki-67 expression. Kaplan–Meier curve showed that high expression of DIXDC1 may lead to poor outcome of glioma patients. Serum starvation and refeeding assay indicated that the expression of DIXDC1 was associated with cell cycle. To determine whether DIXDC1 could regulate the proliferation and migration of glioma cells, we transfected glioma cells with interfering RNA-targeting DIXDC1; investigated cell proliferation with Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, flow cytometry assays, and colony formation analyses; and investigated cell migration with wound healing assays and transwell assays. According to our data, knockdown of DIXDC1 significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of glioma cells. These data implied that DIXDC1 might participate in the development of glioma, suggesting that DIXDC1 can become a potential therapeutic strategy for glioma.     

The effect of gamma-tocopherol on proliferation, integrin expression, adhesion, and migration of human glioma cells

The effect of vitamin E on proliferation, integrin expression, adhesion, and migration in human glioma cells has been studied. gamma-tocopherol at 50 microM concentration exerted more inhibitory effect than alpha-tocopherol at the same concentration on glioma cell proliferation. Integrin alpha5 and beta1 protein levels were increased upon both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol treatments. In parallel, an increase in the alpha5beta1 heterodimer cell surface expression was observed. The tocopherols inhibited glioma cell-binding to fibronectin where gamma-tocopherol treatment induced glioma cell migration. Taken together, the data reported here are consistent with the notion that the inhibition of glioma cell proliferation induced by tocopherols may be mediated, at least in part, by an increase in integrin alpha5 and beta1 expression. Cell adhesion is also negatively affected by tocopherols, despite a small increase in the surface appearance of the alpha5beta1 heterodimer. Cell migration is stimulated by gamma-tocopherol. It is concluded that alpha5 and beta1 integrin expression and surface appearance are not sufficient to explain all the observations and that other integrins or in general other factors may be associated with these events.     

Lithium chloride decreases proliferation and migration of C6 glioma cells harboring isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 mutant via GSK-3β

The gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is somatically mutated predominantly in secondary glioblastoma multiforme. Mutations of IDH1 and IDH2 lead to simultaneous loss and gain of activities in the production of α-ketoglutarate and 2-hydroxyglutarate, respectively. Lithium chloride was recently proved efficient in inhibiting glioma cell migration. The mechanism of lithium chloride on C6 glioma cells harboring IDH2 mutation has not been studied. Here, we found lithium chloride induced inhibitive effects on cell proliferation of both C6 glioma cells with and without IDH2 mutation, although IDH2 mutation increased the stability of HIF-1α. GSK-3β could be phosphorylated at Ser9 and its activity was inhibited when C6 glioma cells were treated by lithium chloride. The degree of phosphorylation in IDH2^R172G treatment group was lower than that as compared to the control and IDH2 treatment groups. At the same time, the accumulation of β-catenin in C6 cell nucleus was decreased. Moreover, although the β-catenin and HIF-1α increased the secretion of metalloproteinase-2,-9 in C6 glioma cells harboring IDH2 mutation, the migration potential of lithium chloride-treated C6 glioma cells harboring the IDH2 and its mutant was uniform. These results indicated lithium chloride could decrease the proliferation and migration potential of C6 glioma cells harboring IDH2 mutation.     

BST-2参与HCMV感染诱导的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移

为探讨BST-2蛋白是否参与人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)感染导致的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移,以HCMV AD169株感染U251细胞,通过细胞划痕愈合实验检测HCMV感染对U251迁移的影响;通过Western-blot方法检测HCMV感染对BST-2蛋白表达的影响;通过CCK-8、细胞划痕愈合和transwell方法检测HCMV感染后下调BST-2对U251细胞增殖和迁移能力的影响。结果显示,HCMV感染可促进U251细胞迁移并高表达BST-2,沉默BST-2后可抑制由HCMV感染诱导的细胞增殖和迁移。结果证实HCMV感染可促进胶质瘤细胞U251增殖迁移,BST-2参与了HCMV感染导致的恶性胶质瘤细胞增殖和迁移。     

Scratch wound closure of C2C12 mouse myoblasts is enhanced by human platelet lysate

The effect of a platelet lysate (PL) on muscle wound healing, based on in vitro scratch wound of C2C12 mouse myoblasts, has been investigated. Cell viability assays show that PL induced an increase in cell proliferation at concentrations of 1-20%, but was slightly cytotoxic at 100%. PL promoted wound closure after scratch wounding of cell monolayers. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 and the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, decreased the PL effect, whereas the ERK inhibitor, PD98059, did not. Transwell migration of cells was also increased by PL, and although SB203580 abrogated this effect, wortmannin reduced it, whereas PD98059 was ineffective. Western blot analyses of scratch wounded cells showed activation of AKT and p38, while in the presence of PL there was a faster and sustained activation of AKT and p38 (up to 6 h), and a transient activation of ERK1/2. Taken together, the data show that PL promotes C2C12 wound healing by enhancing cell proliferation and motility.     

DMH1 Increases Glucose Metabolism through Activating Akt in L6 Rat Skeletal Muscle Cells

DMH1(4-[6-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl] quinoline) is a compound C analogue with the structural modifications at the 3- and 6-positions in pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine backbone. Compound C was reported to inhibit both AMPK and Akt. Our preliminary work found that DMH1 activated Akt. Since Akt was involved in glucose metabolism, we aimed to identify the effects of DMH1 on glucose metabolism in L6 rat muscle cells and the potential mechanism. Results showed that DMH1 increased lactic acid release and glucose consumption in L6 rat muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner. DMH1 activated Akt in L6 cells. Akt inhibitor inhibited DMH1-induced Akt activation and DMH1-induced increases of glucose uptake and consumption. DMH1 had no cytotoxicity in L6 cells, but inhibited mitochondrial function and reduced ATP production. DMH1 showed no effect on AMPK, but in the presence of Akt inhibitor, DMH1 significantly activated AMPK. Compound C inhibited DMH1-induced Akt activation in L6 cells. Compound C inhibited DMH1-induced increase of glucose uptake, consumption and lactic acid release in L6 cells. DMH1 inhibited PP2A activity, and PP2A activator forskolin reversed DMH1-induced Akt activation. We concluded that DMH1 increased glucose metabolism through activating Akt and DMH1 activated Akt through inhibiting PP2A activity in L6 rat muscle cells. In view of the analogue structure of DMH1 and compound C and the contrasting effects of DMH1 and compound C on Akt, the present study provides a novel leading chemical structure targeting Akt with potential use for regulating glucose metabolism.     

Inhibition of Glioma Cell Lysosome Exocytosis Inhibits Glioma Invasion

Cancer cells invade by secreting enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix and these are sequestered in lysosomal vesicles. In this study, the effects of the selective lysosome lysing drug GPN and the lysosome exocytosis inhibitor vacuolin-1 on lysosome exocytosis were studied to determine their effect on glioma cell migration and invasion. Both GPN and vacuolin-1 evidently inhibited migration and invasion in transwell experiments and scratch experiments. There are more lysosomes located on the cell membrane of glioma cells than of astrocytes. GPN decreased the lysosome number on the cell membrane. We found that rab27A was expressed in glioma cells, and colocalized with cathepsin D in lysosome. RNAi-Rab27A inhibited lysosome cathepsin D exocytosis and glioma cell invasion in an in vitro assay. Inhibition of cathepsin D inhibited glioma cell migration. The data suggest that the inhibition of lysosome exocytosis from glioma cells plays an important modulatory role in their migration and invasion.     

LRRC4 inhibits glioblastoma cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by downregulating pleiotropic cytokine expression and responses

Leucine-rich repeat C4 (LRRC4) has been shown to inhibit glioma cell proliferation, however, little is known about the mechanism(s) underlying the action of LRRC4. Here, we show that two glioblstoma U251 cell clones stably expressing LRRC4 were established. LRRC4 expression significantly inhibited the expression of some cytokines and their receptors determined by microarray and Western blot assays, and dramatically reduced cytokine-induced AP-1, NF-kB, and CyclinD1 activation in glioma cells. Furthermore, LRRC4 expression in glioma cells significantly downregulated spontaneous and cytokine-induced expression of K-RAS and phosphorylation of c-Raf, ERK, AKT, NF-kBp65, p70S6K, and PKC, suggesting that LRRC4 inhibited receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways. Moreover, treatment with bFGF, IGF1, or IGF2 stimulated LRRC4(-/-), but not the LRRC4(+), glioma cell proliferation, indicating that LRRC4 mitigated cytokine-stimulated proliferation in glioma cells. In addition, treatment of LRRC4(-/-) glioma cells with EGF, IGF2, or PDGF promoted long distance mobilization, but induced little migration in LRRC4(+) glioma cells, suggesting that LRRC4 retarded cytokine-promoted glioma cell migration in vitro. Finally, human vessel endothelial cells (ECV304) treated with VEGF grew, aligned and formed hollow tube-like structures in vitro. In contrast, LRRC4(+) ECV304 treated with VEGF failed to form vessel-tube structures. Collectively, LRRC4 expression inhibited the expression of some growth factors, cytokines and their receptors, and the capacity of glioma cells responding to cytokine stimulation, leading to inhibition of glioma cell proliferation. Conceivably, induction of LRRC4 expression may provide new intervention for human glioma in the clinic.     

Antitumor activity of methyl gallate by inhibition of focal adhesion formation and Akt phosphorylation in glioma cells

Background

Methyl gallate (MG) possesses a wide range of biological properties that include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial activities. However, its anti-tumor activity has not been extensively examined in cancer cells. Thus, we examined the effect of MG in both glutamate-induced rat C6 and human U373 glioma cell proliferation and migration.

Methods

MG was isolated from the stem bark of Acer barbinerve. Cell viability and migration were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scratch wound-healing assay, respectively. Focal adhesion formation was detected with immunofluorescence.

Results

Treatment of C6 and U373 glioma cells with MG significantly reduced cell viability, migration, and Akt phosphorylation level. Glutamate stimulation markedly increased the level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, cells treated with MG displayed decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by MG or MEK1/2 inhibitor significantly inhibited paxillin phosphorylation at Ser⁸³ and focal adhesion turn-over produced inefficient glioma cell migration. In addition, activation of Akt and ERK1/2 upon glutamate stimulation was independently regulated by Ca^2 + and protein kinase C activity, respectively, via the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazolepropionate acid glutamate receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor.

General significance

Our results clearly indicate that MG has a strong anti-tumor effect through the down-regulation of the Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Thus, methyl gallate is a potent anti-tumor and novel therapeutic agent for glioma.     

Beta adrenergic receptor repopulation of C6 glioma cells after irreversible blockade and down regulation

C6 glioma cells possess beta adrenergic receptors coupled with adenylate cyclase which can be irreversibly blocked by bromoacetylaminomethylpindolol (Br-AAM-pindolol), a beta adrenergic antagonist. With 1 microM Br-AAM-pindolol, more than 80% of beta adrenergic receptors, labeled by (3H)-dihydroalprenolol [3H)-DHA), were blocked. After this blockade, new beta adrenergic receptors were synthesized only during cell division. However, at cell confluency when the cell number was constant, turnover of beta adrenergic receptors was barely detectable. Cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml) inhibited cell growth as well as reappearance of beta adrenergic receptors. A 90% loss of beta adrenergic receptors in C6 glioma cells was obtained after down-regulation for 15 h with 10 microM isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic agonist. After removal of the agonist, recovery of beta-adrenergic-sensitive adenylate cyclase was complete within 2 to 3 days, whereas beta adrenergic receptors reached 90% of control value within 6 days. The half-life of the receptor recovery was 2 to 3 days. Pretreatment of C6 glioma cells by Br-AAM-pindolol and subsequent cell exposure to isoproterenol indicated that down regulation and recovery of unblocked beta adrenergic receptors did occur; however isoproterenol did not accelerate the biosynthesis of beta adrenergic receptors. The recovery of both biological response and beta adrenergic receptor occupancy was restored both in the presence or absence of cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml), a concentration which blocked 90% of protein synthesis. Our results suggest that reappearance of beta adrenergic receptors in C6 glioma cells, following isoproterenol-induced down regulation, was not due to synthesis of new receptors but to recycling of the beta adrenergic receptors.     

{beta}1,4-Galactosyltransferase activity in B cells detected using a simple ELISA-based assay

Lymphocytic ß1,4-galactosyltransferase (ß1,4-GalTase,EC 2.4.1.38 [EC] ) activity was measured in B cells using a neoglycoprotein,N-acetylglucosamine-phenylisothlocyanate-bovine serum albumin(GlcNAc-pITC-BSA), as an acceptor substrate in a novel enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method. This assay provedto be much simpler to use than the lengthy and expensive radiochemicalassays commonly used, and has the additional advantage thatit specifically detects the enzyme mediating transfer via theGalß1,4GlcNAc linkage. A F(ab')₂ antibody againstGalTase was able to specifically inhibit the reaction. Greatersensitivity for ß1,4-GalTase activity was obtainedusing GlcNAc-pITC-BSA as an acceptor substrate rather than ovalbumin.Low levels of ß-galactosidase activity were detectablein lymphocyte cell lysates at acidic pH, although such activitywas not detectable at the neutral pH used in the ß1,4-GalTaseactivity assay. Using this assay with the GlcNAc-pITC-BSA acceptor,similar ß1,4-GalTase activities were observed in CD19⁺B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to thoseseen in normal control individuals. ELISA ß1,4-galactosyltransferase lymphocyte neoglycoprotein radiochemical     

Laminin isoforms and their integrin receptors in glioma cell migration and invasiveness: Evidence for a role of alpha5-laminin(s) and alpha3beta1 integrin

Glioma cell infiltration of brain tissue often occurs along the basement membrane (BM) of blood vessels. In the present study we have investigated the role of laminins, major structural components of BMs and strong promoters of cell migration. Immunohistochemical studies of glioma tumor tissue demonstrated expression of alpha2-, alpha3-, alpha4- and alpha5-, but not alpha1-, laminins by the tumor vasculature. In functional assays, alpha3 (Lm-332/laminin-5)- and alpha5 (Lm-511/laminin-10)-laminins strongly promoted migration of all glioma cell lines tested. alpha1-Laminin (Lm-111/laminin-1) displayed lower activity, whereas alpha2 (Lm-211/laminin-2)- and alpha4 (Lm-411/laminin-8)-laminins were practically inactive. Global integrin phenotyping identified alpha3beta1 as the most abundant integrin in all the glioma cell lines, and this laminin-binding integrin exclusively or largely mediate the cell migration. Moreover, pretreatment of U251 glioma cells with blocking antibodies to alpha3beta1 integrin followed by intracerebral injection into nude mice inhibited invasion of the tumor cells into the brain tissue. The cell lines secreted Lm-211, Lm-411 and Lm-511, at different ratios. The results indicate that glioma cells secrete alpha2-, alpha4- and alpha5-laminins and that alpha3- and alpha5-laminins, found in brain vasculature, selectively promote glioma cell migration. They identify alpha3beta1 as the predominant integrin and laminin receptor in glioma cells, and as a brain invasion-mediating integrin.     

MircoRNA‐1275 promotes proliferation,invasion and migration of glioma cells via SERPINE1

This study was designed to explore the relationship between miR‐1275 and SERPINE1 and its effects on glioma cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in glioma tissues were screened out by bioinformatic analysis. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was used to validate the targeted relationship between miR‐1275 and SERPINE1. qRT‐PCR was used to detect the expression of miR‐1275 and SERPINE1 in glioma tissues. The expressions of SERPINE1 and p53 pathway‐related proteins in glioma cells were detected by western blot. Glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were respectively detected by CCK‐8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and transwell assay. Tumour xenograft model was developed to study the influence of miR‐1275 and SERPINE1 on glioma growth in vivo. The results of microarray analysis, qRT‐PCR and western blot showed that miR‐1275 was low‐expressed while SERPINE1 was high‐expressed in glioma. Dual‐luciferase assay showed that miR‐1275 could bind to SERPINE1. Overexpression of miR‐1275 could promote the p53 pathway‐related proteins’ expression. Highly expressed miR‐1275 could repress the migration, proliferation and invasion of glioma cells while highly expressed SERPINE1 had inverse effects. Tumour xenograft showed that up‐regulated miR‐1275 or down‐regulated SERPINE1 could repress glioma growth in vivo. Up‐regulation of miR‐1275 activated p53 signalling pathway via regulating SERPINE1 and therefore suppressed glioma cell proliferation, invasion and migration, whereas promoted cell apoptosis.     

Crucial role of vinexin for keratinocyte migration in vitro and epidermal wound healing in vivo

In the process of tissue injury and repair, epithelial cells rapidly migrate and form epithelial sheets. Vinexin is a cytoplasmic molecule of the integrin-containing cell adhesion complex localized at focal contacts in vitro. Here, we investigated the roles of vinexin in keratinocyte migration in vitro and wound healing in vivo. Vinexin knockdown using siRNA delayed migration of both HaCaT human keratinocytes and A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells in scratch assay but did not affect cell proliferation. Induction of cell migration by scratching the confluent monolayer culture of these cells activated both EGFR and ERK, and their inhibitors AG1478 and U0126 substantially suppressed scratch-induced keratinocyte migration. Vinexin knockdown in these cells inhibited the scratch-induced activation of EGFR, but not that of ERK, suggesting that vinexin promotes cell migration via activation of EGFR. We further generated vinexin (−/−) mice and isolated their keratinocytes. They similarly showed slow migration in scratch assay. Furthermore, vinexin (−/−) mice exhibited a delay in cutaneous wound healing in both the back skin and tail without affecting the proliferation of keratinocytes. Together, these results strongly suggest a crucial role of vinexin in keratinocyte migration in vitro and cutaneous wound healing in vivo.     

Combination Treatment with Resveratrol and Sulforaphane Induces Apoptosis in Human U251 Glioma Cells

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound highly enriched in grapes, peanuts, red wine, and a variety of food sources. Sulforaphane belongs to the family of isothiocyanates and is highly enriched in cruciferous vegetables. Our previous study showed that resveratrol, when used at high concentrations, inhibited cell proliferation, caused the cell cycle arrest and induced apoptotic cell death in glioma cells. In the current study, we tested the effect of combination treatment with resveratrol and sulforaphane, when both were used at low concentrations, on cell proliferation, migration and death in human U251 glioma cells. Our study shows that combination treatment with resveratrol and sulforaphane inhibits cell proliferation and migration, reduces cell viability, induces lactate dehydrogenase release, decreases pro-survival Akt phosphorylation and increases caspase-3 activation. The use of combination of bioactive food components, such as resveratrol and sulforaphane, may be a viable approach for the treatment of glioma.     

重楼皂苷Ⅶ抑制肺癌H460细胞增殖和迁移能力研究

为研究重楼皂苷Ⅶ(polyphyllin Ⅶ)抑制人肺癌H460细胞增殖、迁移能力和诱导凋亡的作用和机制.本实验采用MTT法检测重楼皂苷Ⅶ处理后H460细胞生长抑制率,Hoechst 33258染色观察细胞形态,细胞集落形成实验考察细胞的增殖能力,划痕实验和Transwell小室实验研究H460细胞迁移和侵袭能力的改变...     

5-Formyl-2'-deoxyuridine: cytostatic and antiviral properties and possible modes of action.

5-Formyl-2'-deoxyuridine (fdUrd) was prepared by a new method starting from thymidine and investigated for its influence both on proliferation of cultured mammalian cells and virus replication in vitro. The compound was found to have strong cytostatic and antiviral properties: 50% inhibition of proliferation of BHK 21/C13 cells or Ehrlich ascites tumour cells (EAT) was obtained at 4 - 10(-6) and 6 - 10(-6) M, respectively, while the treatment of pseudorabies virus with the same concentration resulted in about 1.5 log reduction of virus yield. A concentration of 1 - 10(-4) M inhibited cell proliferation by 80 to 100% while the virus yield was reduced by more than 3 orders of magnitude. All inhibitions can be prevented by thymidine.--DNA synthesis of EAT cells in vitro, as estimated by incorporation of [32P]-phosphate or low concentrations of [3H]-thymidine, was inhibited. Further biochemical experiments have provided indirect evidence that the compound is phosphorylated by thymidine and thymidylate phosphorylating enzymes. An inhibition of cell free DNA synthesis was found to be depending on a given period of preincubation with the compound (supposed to be needed for the formation of fdUrd 5'-triphosphate). This suggests that the 5'-triphosphate of fdUrd is an inhibitor of DNA polymerases and--by analogy with experiments with 5-formyluridine-5'-triphosphate and RNA polymerases [14]--may be used as an affinity label for this group of enzymes. It is concluded that the described cytostatic and antiviral effects of fdUrd are due to an intracellular "lethal" synthesis of the relevant phosphates which inhibit thymidylate synthetase (as had been found earlier to occur with the chemically prepared nucleotide in cell free extracts [1, 2]) and DNA synthesizing enzymes.     

Transforming Growth Factor β1-Regulated Cell Proliferation and Expression of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule in B104 Neuroblastoma Cells

The expression and activity of factors influencing early neuronal development are altered by ethanol. Such factors include growth factors, for example, platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (for cell proliferation), and cell adhesion molecules (for neuronal migration). One agent, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), may affect both events. We tested the hypothesis that ethanol alters myriad TGFbeta1-mediated activities [i.e., cell proliferation and neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) expression] using B104 neuroblastoma cells. TGFbeta1 inhibited the proliferation of B104 cells as evidenced by decreases in cell number and [3H]thymidine ([3H]dT) incorporation. TGFbeta1 induced sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), which are part of the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Treatment with PD98059 (a MAPK kinase blocker) abolished TGFbeta1-regulated inhibition of [3H]dT incorporation. TGFbeta1-mediated growth inhibition was potentiated by ethanol exposure. Ethanol also produced prolonged activation of ERK, an effect that was partially eliminated by treatment with PD98059. On the other hand, TGFbeta1 up-regulated N-CAM expression, and this up-regulation was not affected by treatment with PD98059. Ethanol inhibited the TGFbeta1-induced up-regulation of N-CAM expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, TGFbeta1 affects ERK-dependent cell proliferation and ERK-independent N-CAM expression in B104 cells. Both activities are sensitive to ethanol and may underlie the ethanol-induced alterations in the proliferation and migration of CNS neurons.