The enhancement of growth and differentiation of rat adrenal nerve cells by the addition of conditioned medium from human fibroblast cultures

The growth of rat adrenal nerve cells was remarkably enhanced by supplementing the cultured medium from the human fibroblast cell line, Hs 68. Maximum specific growth rate and length of the neurites were observed as 0.076 (1/hr) and 0.026 mm, respectively in 20% supplement of five day old medium. In adding more than 20% of the cultured medium both cell and neurite growth was severely decreased. It was interesting that the cultured medium from Hs 68 cells could play a role in the extension of the neurites rather than in the growth of neurite cells. It was also found that molecules lower than 50,000 daltons in the conditioned medium could improve the growth of neurite bearing cells and the extension of the neurites than larger molecules. The efficacy of the proteins (<50,000 MW) was similar to that of human nerve growth factor and much better than that of basic fibroblast growth factor which was mainly secreted from human fibroblast cells. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on endothelial cells under conditions of simulated microgravity

Fibroblast growth factors interact with appropriate endothelial cell (EC) surface receptors and initiate intracellular signal cascades, which participate in modulating blood vessel growth. EC, upon exposure to basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGFs) undergo profound functional alterations, which depend on their actual sensitivity and involve gene expression and de novo protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of bFGF on signaling pathways of EA.hy926 cells in different environments. EC were cultured under normal gravity (1 g) and simulated microgravity (micro g) using a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat. Microgravity induced early and late apoptosis, extracellular matrix proteins, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and TGF-beta(1) expression. Microgravity reduced eNOS mRNA within 24 h. Moreover, a six- to eightfold higher amount of IL-6 and IL-8 was secreted within 24 h micro g. In addition, microgravity induced a duplication of NF-kappaB p50, while p65 was quadrupled. At 1 g, bFGF application (4 h) reduced ET-1, TGF-beta(1) and eNOS gene expression. After 24 h, bFGF enhanced fibronectin, VEGF, Flk-1, Flt-1, the release of IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-beta(1). Furthermore, bFGF promoted apoptosis, reduced NFkB p50, but enhanced NFkB p65. After 4 h micro g, bFGF decreased TGF-beta(1), eNOS, and ET-1 gene expression. After 24 h micro g, bFGF elevated fibronectin, Flk-1 and Flt-1 protein, and reduced IL-6 and IL-8 compared with vehicle treated micro g cultures. In micro g, bFGF enhanced NF-KappaB p50 by 50%, Bax by 25% and attenuated p65, activation of caspase-3 and annexin V-positive cells. bFGF differently changes intracellular signals in ECs depending whether it is applied under microgravity or normal gravity conditions. In microgravity, bFGF contributes to protect the EC from apoptosis.     

Autocrine activation of EGF receptor promotes oscillation of glutamate-induced calcium increase in astrocytes cultured in rat cerebral cortex

We previously reported that astrocytes cultured for more than 2 days in a defined medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) showed calcium oscillation in response to glutamate, whereas the response pattern was transient in the absence of the exogenous growth factors. In the present study, we found that astrocytes showed glutamate-induced calcium oscillation, even in growth factor-free medium, if the cells had been cultured for more than 5 days. The calcium oscillation promoted by the prolonged culture period was suppressed by an inhibitor of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase, but not by a neutralizing antibody to bFGF, indicating that the accumulation of an autocrine factor that activates the EGF receptor leads to calcium oscillation. Astrocytes in our culture system expressed EGF, transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), bFGF and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF). Exogenous aFGF, which induced astrocyte immediate early gene expression to the same extent as EGF or bFGF, did not affect calcium oscillation. Exogenous EGF and bFGF promoted astrocyte hypertrophic morphology and proliferation, as well as calcium oscillation. In contrast, these properties did not accompany calcium oscillation induced by the prolonged culture period. These results suggest that astrocytes possess the ability to promote their own calcium oscillation, which is independent of hypertrophic changes to reactive astrocytes.     

Arachidonic acid metabolism in growth control of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells

The role of individual eicosanoids of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in the growth control of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells has been studied. Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of [¹⁴C]AA incorporated were actively synthesized in the cultures of tumor cells with full confluence unaccomplished. In such cultures inhibitors of AA metabolism (indomethacin and esculetin) and also a lipoxygenase metabolite of AA, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), significantly suppressed the incorporation of [³H]thymidine and biosynthesis of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂). Other lipoxygenase metabolites of AA (5-HETE and 12-HETE) had no effect on these parameters. The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) had practically no affect on the growth of A549 cells and the PGE₂ production in cultures with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS); however, in the presence of 0.5% FCS this factor significantly increased the number of tumor cells. The growth-stimulating effect of bFGF was completely abolished by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. The data suggest a key role of PGE₂ in the growth control of A549 cells with an active synthesis of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of AA, its importance in realization of the mitogenic effect of bFGF, and specific features of 15-HETE as a down-regulator of the PGE₂-dependent proliferation.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on angiogenin expression and cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF）, which is highly expressed in developing tissues and malignant cells, regulates cell growth, differentiation, and migration. Its expression is essential for the progression and metastasis of HCC. This study aims to investigate the effects of bFGF on the expression of angiogenin, another growth factor, which plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis, and on cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells. The bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA was stably transfected into H7402 cells. Genomic DNA PCR analysis demonstrated that human bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA was inserted into the genome. Furthermore, the expression of bFGF and angiogenin was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot assays. MTT and colony formation assays were employed to determine cell proliferation. Stable bFGF over-expressing and under-expressing transfectants were successfully established. Expression of angiogenin was decreased in the over-expressing bFGF cells （sense transfectants） and was increased in the under-expressing bFGF cells （antisense transfectants）. Cell proliferation increased in the bFGF sense transfectants and decreased in the bFGF antisense transfectants. These results demonstrated that the endogenous bFGF may not only negatively regulate the angiogenin expression but also contribute to the overall cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells. This study may be helpful in finding a potential therapeutic approach to HCC.     

Cultured human foreskin fibroblasts produce a factor that stimulates their growth with properties similar to basic fibroblast growth factor

Summary To determine if fibroblasts could be a source of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in tissue, cells were initiated in culture from newborn human foreskin. Cells were studied in Passages 2 to 8. Fibroblast cell lysates promoted radiolabeled thymidine uptake by cultured quiescent fibroblasts. Seventy-nine percent of the growth-promoting activity of lysates was recovered from heparin-Sepharose. The heparin-binding growth factor reacted on immunoblots with antiserum to human placenta-derived basic FGF and competed with iodinated basic FGF for binding to antiserum to (1-24)bFGF synthetic peptide. To confirm that fibroblasts were the source of the growth factor, cell lysates were prepared from cells incubated with radiolabeled methionine. Heparin affinity purified material was immunoprecipitated with basic FGF antiserum and electrophoresed. Radiolabeled material was detected on gel autoradiographs in the same molecular weight region as authentic iodinated basic FGF. The findings are consistant with the notion that cultured fibroblasts express basic FGF. As these cells also respond to the mitogen, it is possible that the regulation of their growth is under autocrine control. Fibroblasts may be an important source of the growth factor in tissue. Supported in part by grant DK 31063 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor is cardioprotective in ischemia-reperfusion injury

To examine whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) administered to the heart by perfusion can improve cardiac resistance to injury we employed an isolated rat heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury and determined the extent of functional recovery in bFGF-treated and control hearts. Global ischemia was simulated by interruption of flow for 60 min. Recovery of developed force of contraction (DF), recorded after reestablishment of flow for 30 min, reached 63.8±1.5% and 96.5±3.5% of preischemic levels in control and bFGF-treated hearts (10 g/heart), respectively, indicating that bFGF induced significantly improved recovery of mechanical function. Recoveries of the rates of contraction or relaxation were also significantly improved in bFGF-treated hearts. Extent of myocardial injury, assessed by determination of phosphocreatine kinase in the effluent, was reduced as a result of bFGF treatment. As a first step towards understanding the mechanism and direct cellular target(s) of bFGF-induced cardioprotection, we investigated its fate after perfusion. Perfusion of 10 g bFGF/heart resulted in a 4-fold increase in bFGF associated with the heart compared to control levels, as estimated by biochemical fractionation and immunoblotting. Immunofluorescent staining of the bFGF-perfused hearts revealed intense anti-bFGF staining in association with blood vessels as well as the periphery of cardiomyocytes, suggesting that the latter may be a target for direct bFGF action. In conclusion, our findings of bFGF-induced increases in cardiac resistance to, and improved functional recovery from, ischemia-reperfusion injury indicate that bFGF may have clinical applications in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor,albumin, and transferrin purified from rat rhodamine fibrosarcoma tissue are all essential for growth of primary tumor cells from the same tissue in serum-free medium

Summary Primary Rhodamine fibrosarcoma (RdF) cells from rats were shown to grow in serum-free medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), albumin, and transferrin, all of which were purified from RdF tissue. Their growth rate with these supplements was similar to that of cells in medium supplemented with calf serum. bFGF purified from RdF tissue (Rd-bFGF), which was previously designated as DNA synthesis factor, stimulated the growth of primary RdF cells maximally at 30 ng/ml in the presence of the other two proteins. Albumin and transferrin were separated from partially purified tumor growth stimulating activity which was previously shown to stimulate growth of primary RdF cells in serum-free medium. The albumin (RdA) and transferrin (RdT) found in the extract of RdF tissue were not due simply to contamination of the tissue with blood, but to their accumulations in the tissue. The growth stimulatory activities of RdA and RdT on primary RdF cells in serum-free medium were maximal at 30 and 10 μg/ml, respectively. These results suggest that Rd-bFGF, RdA, and RdT, all of which accumulate in the tumor tissue, are essential for growth of RdF cells in the tissue. This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for cancer research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对脑微血管内皮细胞血管新生基因谱和环加氧酶-2表达的影响

本文研究了碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（basic fibroblast growth factor, bFGF）对小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞（microvascular endothelial cell, MVEC）株bEnd．3中血管新生相关基因表达谱的改变,并重点从mRNA、蛋白质和细胞水平检测bFGF对血管新生旁观分子环加氧酶-2（cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2）表达的影响。用特异性小鼠血管新生基因芯片高通量检测bEnd．3细胞基因谱表达的改变,分析促血管新生基因及抑制血管新生的基因表达谱的变化;用RT—PCR、Western blot、免疫细胞化学等方法分别从mRNA、蛋白质和细胞水平检测COX-2表达变化及细胞内的定位。结果发现用10ng／ml的bFGF刺激bEnd．3细胞2h后多种促血管新生基因表达明显上调,如Adamtsl、MMP-9、Ang-1、PDGFB、G—CSF、FGFl6、IGF-1等分别上调3、8、120、5．2、4．5、1．7、2．7倍。与此同时,多种抑制血管新生的基因表达相应下调,如TSP-3、TIMP-2、TGFβ1等表达分别下调3．4、1．5和3．5倍。RT-PCR和Western blot的结果证实,bFGF可以上调COX-2mRNA的表达和蛋白质的合成。免疫组化的结果表明,COX-2主要分布在胞浆。以上结果提示：bFGF具有上调促血管新生基因表达,下调抑制血管新生基因表达的作用,两者协同作用,促进血管新生。同时bFGF还可以明显促进血管新生旁观分子COX-2mRNA的表达和蛋白质的合成。本文讨论了bFGF引起MVEC内COX-2表达上调的意义。     

Signaling by fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)-activating mutations blocks mineralization and induces apoptosis in osteoblasts

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) play a critical role in bone growth and development affecting both chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. During the process of intramembranous ossification, which leads to the formation of the flat bones of the skull, unregulated FGF signaling can produce premature suture closure or craniosynostosis and other craniofacial deformities. Indeed, many human craniosynostosis disorders have been linked to activating mutations in FGF receptors (FGFR) 1 and 2, but the precise effects of FGF on the proliferation, maturation and differentiation of the target osteoblastic cells are still unclear. In this report, we studied the effects of FGF treatment on primary murine calvarial osteoblast, and on OB1, a newly established osteoblastic cell line. We show that FGF signaling has a dual effect on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. FGFs activate the endogenous FGFRs leading to the formation of a Grb2/FRS2/Shp2 complex and activation of MAP kinase. However, immature osteoblasts respond to FGF treatment with increased proliferation, whereas in differentiating cells FGF does not induce DNA synthesis but causes apoptosis. When either primary or OB1 osteoblasts are induced to differentiate, FGF signaling inhibits expression of alkaline phosphatase, and blocks mineralization. To study the effect of craniosynostosis-linked mutations in osteoblasts, we introduced FGFR2 carrying either the C342Y (Crouzon syndrome) or the S252W (Apert syndrome) mutation in OB1 cells. Both mutations inhibited differentiation, while dramatically inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, we could also show that overexpression of FGF2 in transgenic mice leads to increased apoptosis in their calvaria. These data provide the first biochemical analysis of FGF signaling in osteoblasts, and show that FGF can act as a cell death inducer with distinct effects in proliferating and differentiating osteoblasts.     

Heparin-binding (fibroblast) growth factors are potential autocrine regulators of esophageal epithelial cell proliferation

Summary A serum-free culture system supplemented with neural tissue extract for normal and tumor human esophagi was applied to the culture of mouse esophageal epithelium. Similar to mouse mesenchyme and skin epithelium, esophageal epithelial lines (MEE) emerged after serial culture. The cells had an apparent unlimited life span but retained morphology and other characteristics of normal epithelial cells. The cells formed a small cyst consisting of keratined squamous epithelium in syngenic hosts. A screen for growth factors that stimulated growth of the nonmalignant MEE cells in the absence of neural extract revealed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and heparin-binding (fibroblast) growth factors (HBGF) were most effective. An HBGF-like activity was apparent in extracts of rapidly proliferating but not quiescent MEE cells at low or confluent densities. A cloned cell line (MEE/C8) was selected from MEE cell cultures in the absence of neural extract. MEE/C8 cells proliferated independent of either EGF or HBGF at rates equal to MEE cells, cell extracts exhibited HBGF-like activity at all stages of proliferation, and the cells formed large invasive tumors in syngenic hosts. The HBGF-like activity present in extracts of tumorigenic MEE/C8 and proliferating nonmalignant MEE cells had properties similar to HBGF-1 (acidic fibroblast growth factor). These results constitute a cultured mouse esophageal epithelial cell model for study of conversion of immortalized premalignant cells to malignant cells, and suggest that conversion from a state of cell cycle-dependent autocrine expression of one or more members of the HBGF family to a state of constitutive expression correlates with and may contribute to malignancy. The work was supported in part by grants CA37589 and DK35310 to Dr. McKeehan, from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.     

bFGF信号传导及其与肿瘤关系的新进展

碱性成纤维细胞生长凶子(bFGF)是FGF家族的重要成员,具有促细胞增殖、分化、迁移、凋亡等多种功能,并与肿瘤病理存在一定相关性。bFGF生物学作用的多效性,来源十其信号传导途径的复杂性。本文简要介绍近年来bFGF信号传导中bFGF亚型、HSPG、FGFR和其他调控蛋白等研究的新进展,并浅析其与肿瘤生长、血管生成、肿瘤抑制及抑制分子机制等方面的关系。     

Nanoparticle mediated controlled delivery of dual growth factors

Peripheral nerve functional recovery after nerve injury generally requires multiple growth factors by synergistic effect.However,the optical combination of multiple synergistic growth factors for axonal regeneration has been scarcely considered up to now.Meanwhile,the use of growth factors in promoting nerve regeneration was limited by its short biological half-life in vivo,its vulnerability to structure disruption or hydrolyzation,leading to loss of bioactivity.Herein,a novel polymeric nanoparticle delivery system composed of heparin andε-poly-L-lysine(PL)was prepared for control release of nerve growth factor(NGF)and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF).The nanoparticles were synthesized by polyelectrolyte complexation in aqueous solution at room temperature,followed by cross-linking with biological genipin.The obtained nanoparticles had a spherical shape,with a mean diameter of about 246 nm,and high growth factors encapsulation efficiency as well as good stability.NGF and bFGF were encapsulated in the nanoparticles and showed a continuous and slow release behavior in vitro.The bioactivities of the released growth factors were evaluated,and exhibited the synergistic effect.The controlled release of the dual synergistic growth factors would improve the treatment of peripheral nerve injury to mimic the natural cellular microenvironments.     

Immunoreactive fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in a transplantable chondrosarcoma: inhibition of tumor growth by antibodies to FGF

Using a radioimmunoassay for bovine pituitary fibroblast growth factor (FGF), we have established the presence of the immunoreactive mitogen in extracts of a transplantable mouse chondrosarcoma. Both neutral and acidic extracts of the tumor contain an immunoreactive FGF (ir-FGF) that cross-reacts in a parallel and dose-dependent fashion in the radioimmunoassay. The ir-FGF is retained on heparin-Sepharose affinity columns and can be detected in the same molecular weight forms as rat pituitary FGF. Mice (C57/Bl) inoculated with the tumor (10 mg, im) show a decreased rate of tumor growth when passively immunized with the antiserum to FGF. The results establish the presence of FGF in this tumor and implicate its role in the etiology of its development.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor-induced protection from light damage in the mouse retina in vivo

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has proven neuroprotective efficacy in the rodent retina against a diverse array of injurious stimuli. However, there is no consensus to date as to the molecular mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection. The study presented herein demonstrates increased expression of endogenous bFGF in the albino mouse retina in response to acute exposure to sublethal levels of light stress. The increased expression correlates with significant photoreceptor protection from light damage. The neuroprotection is likely to be mediated by bFGF as we demonstrate that a shorter exposure to bright light stress that does not up-regulate bFGF fails to protect photoreceptors from light damage. Furthermore, intravitreal bFGF injection into the retina of mice 3 h prior to light damage affords almost complete photoreceptor protection from light-induced degeneration. In addition, injected bFGF induces the activation of protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signalling which correlate directly with the pathways we find to be activated in response to light stress and up-regulated bFGF. Moreover, we demonstrate that both bright light pre-conditioning and intravitreal bFGF injection result in dramatic increases in levels of inactive glycogen synthase kinase 3β and cyclic AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation indicating a potential mechanism by which bFGF promotes survival of photoreceptors in vivo .     

吸入糖皮质激素对大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用及bFGF表达的影响

目的:研究吸入糖皮质激素对大鼠肺纤维化模型的干预作用及可能的机制。方法:雌性Wistar大鼠40只,体重180～250g,按照随机数字表法将大鼠随机分为4组(n=10):①对照组(C组);②模型组(M组);③布地奈德组(B组);④地塞米松组(D组)。M组、B组、D组给大鼠气管内吸入博莱霉素(5mg/kgbw,8mg)复制肺纤维化模型,C组气管内吸入同等剂量的生理盐水作对照,B组于次日给予雾化吸入等效剂量布地奈德,D组于次日腹腔内注射地塞米松。上述各组均于注药后第1、4周各宰杀5只。通过苏木素-伊红染色观察肺泡炎、Masson胶原染色观察肺纤维化、用免疫组化及酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测bFGF蛋白在大鼠肺组织,血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)的表达。结果:1、4周时M组表现为肺泡炎及肺间质炎症,B组、D组肺泡炎及肺纤维化程度较M组减轻。1、4周时血清、肺组织、BALF中M组的bFGF表达高于C组(P0.01),B、D组低于M组(P0.01)。结论:吸入糖皮质激素可减轻博莱霉素诱导的肺纤维化,其抗纤维化作用的机制与抑制bFGF表达有关。