Detection of c-sis transcripts and synthesis of PDGF-like proteins by human osteosarcoma cells

Cultured primate aortic smooth muscle cells express both the PDGF-A and PDGF-B genes but do not secrete mitogenic activity or dimeric platelet-derived growth factor protein

Proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the arterial intima of man and experimental animals is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vascular SMC proliferation in vitro is stimulated by a number of agents, including the potent protein mitogen, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Recent studies on rat arterial SMC indicate that these cells may, under certain circumstances, synthesize PDGF protein mitogens, suggesting that the regulation of SMC proliferation in vivo may have an autocrine or paracrine component. In this study we demonstrate that cultured nonhuman primate (baboon) aortic SMC transcribe both the PDGF-A and PDGF-B genes but do not secrete detectable mitogenic activity characteristic of native PDGF. The absence of this activity was not due to the presence in the cell conditioned medium of factors inhibitory for PDGF-mediated mitogenic activity. Metabolic labeling of the cells and immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies to human PDGF did not detect a dimeric (30 kDa) PDGF protein in either the intracellular or extracellular compartments, but instead identified PDGF-related proteins of molecular weight 12 kDa and 100 kDa. These data suggest the presence in vascular SMC of a mechanism regulating the translation of PDGF mRNA that may play an important role in the control of SMC proliferation in vivo.

Expression and stability of c-sis mRNA in human glioblastoma cells

The production of platelet-derived growth factor like (PDGF-like) material by glioblastomas may be involved in the conversion of normal cells to tumor cells. In an investigation of this problem, we have examined some of the properties of the platelet-derived growth factor B-chain mRNA (c-sis mRNA) by a sensitive and quantitative RNA-RNA solution hybridization method. In 5 out of 8 human glioblastoma cell lines, c-sis mRNA was present, and in the line with the highest level, there were approximately 4-10 molecules per cell. The half-lives of the c-sis mRNA in two glioblastoma cell lines were 2.6 and 3.4 h, while in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) and bladder carcinoma (T24) cells they were 1.6 and 2.5 h, respectively. Inhibiting protein synthesis produced no significant alteration of the c-sis mRNA half-lives in the glioblastoma or HUVE cells. The A-U-rich sequence at the 3' end of the c-sis mRNA therefore does not appear to affect the mRNA stability in the presence of cycloheximide as it does in other transcripts. The similarity of the c-sis mRNA half-lives in normal and tumor cells suggests that regulation of stability of c-sis mRNA is not a major factor in tumorigenesis in the glioblastoma cell lines examined.

DNA synthesis in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells is independent of PDGF binding to functional cell surface receptors

Previous studies have shown that suramin reveals specific PDGF binding sites on U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells. Studies presented here indicate that U-2 OS cells pretreated with suramin internalize and degrade 125I-PDGF and respond to PDGF by increased tyrosine kinase activity and amino acid transport. However, DNA synthesis in these cells is not reduced by incubation with the PDGF blocking agent suramin and is not stimulated by exogenous PDGF. These data indicate that U-2 OS cells possess functional PDGF receptors but that high levels of DNA synthesis in these cells is unrelated to the binding of secreted PDGF to these cell surface receptors. Thus, it is unlikely that the PDGF mitogen produced by U-2 OS cells stimulates proliferation through an autocrine mechanism involving secretion and subsequent binding to PDGF receptors.

Structural characterization of the human platelet-derived growth factor A-chain cDNA and gene: alternative exon usage predicts two different precursor proteins

The human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain locus was characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis, and the nucleotide sequence of its exons was determined. Seven exons were identified, spanning approximately 22 kilobase pairs of genomic DNA. Alternative exon usage, identified by cDNA cloning, occurs in a human glioblastoma cell line and may give rise to two types of A-chain precursors with different C termini. The exon-intron arrangement was similar to that of the PDGF B-chain/sis locus and seemed to divide the precursor proteins into functional domains. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA showed that a single PDGF A-chain gene was present in the human genome.

Tumor necrosis factor stimulates proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells and accumulation of c-myc messenger RNA

The objective of this study was to establish whether human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can significantly stimulate the proliferation of some tumor cells. Treatment with TNF had little or no effect on the growth of human tumor cells and murine NIH/3T3 cells cultured in medium with high serum concentration. Two tumor lines, SK-MEL-109 melanoma and HOS osteosarcoma cells, were adapted to grow in medium supplemented with 0.5% serum. The growth of these SK-MEL-109 cells was inhibited by TNF, but that of the HOS cells was greatly stimulated by TNF in a dose-dependent way. Treatment with 10 ng/ml of TNF resulted in a two-fold increase in the rate of cell division. This effect of TNF was also shown by measuring DNA and protein synthesis. The continuous presence of TNF was not required for its mitogenic activity on HOS cells cultured with 0.5% serum, since treatment for only one day with TNF resulted in prolonged growth stimulation. The failure of TNF to promote division of cells cultured in medium with 10% serum may possibly be explained by the presence of saturating amounts of growth factors in serum. Interferons abolished the mitogenic activity of TNF on HOS cells. Furthermore, TNF did not show synergism with insulin or epidermal growth factor in stimulating growth of these cells. The level of c-myc mRNA was increased five-fold after 30 minutes of treatment with TNF. This shows that TNF is a growth factor for HOS cells and that it induces accumulation of c-myc mRNA.

Structural characterization of the human platelet-derived growth factor A-chain cDNA and gene: alternative exon usage predicts two different precursor proteins

The human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain locus was characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis, and the nucleotide sequence of its exons was determined. Seven exons were identified, spanning approximately 22 kilobase pairs of genomic DNA. Alternative exon usage, identified by cDNA cloning, occurs in a human glioblastoma cell line and may give rise to two types of A-chain precursors with different C termini. The exon-intron arrangement was similar to that of the PDGF B-chain/sis locus and seemed to divide the precursor proteins into functional domains. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA showed that a single PDGF A-chain gene was present in the human genome.

Antitumor activity of SRI 62-834, a cyclic ether analog of ET-18-OCH3

SRI 62-834, an analog of the antitumor agent ET-18-OCH3 in which the oxygen atom at carbon atom 2 has been incorporated into a five-membered heterocycle, has been prepared and evaluated as an antitumor agent. The compound exhibited good cytotoxicity in vitro against a variety of tumor cell lines and was as effective as ET-18-OCH3 given orally in the mouse Meth A sarcoma model. SRI 62-834 was shown to be an inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), possibly at the receptor level, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) at the receptor level.

The partial dependency of human prostatic growth factor on steroid hormones in stimulating thymidine incorporation into DNA

Growth factors stimulating DNA synthesis in mouse 3T3, human DU145, and LNCaP were partially purified from human benign hyperplastic and cancerous prostates. These factors have a high affinity for heparin sepharose and are eluted from the heparin-sepharose column, at 1.2 to 1.9 M NaCl. In normal prostates, the high affinity human prostatic growth factor occurred only in extremely small amounts. The high affinity growth factors stimulate DNA synthesis in 3T3, DU145, and LNCaP. Stimulation was significantly enhanced by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 17 beta-estradiol in the androgen sensitive LNCaP cell line. SDS-PAGE and isoelectrofocusing confirmed that the partially purified factors had a molecular weight of 18 kDa and acidic isoelectric points of pH 3.6 and 4.7.

Sequences of the 5' portion of the human c-sis gene: characterization of the transcriptional promoter and regulation of expression of the protein product by 5' untranslated mRNA sequences

The c-sis gene encodes the B polypeptide chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and is expressed in a number of normal and pathological conditions. In order to study the control of synthesis of the human c-sis product, we have initiated a study of two regions of this genetic locus which regulate transcription and translation. A clone of the 5' portion of the gene was obtained which included 1361 nucleotides upstream of the RNA initiation site. Transcriptional promoter activity of this region was demonstrated in normal and transformed cells using a plasmid with the sequences upstream of the c-sis RNA initiation site fused to an indicator gene, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. Experiments were also performed to identify other possible regulatory regions of the c-sis gene. These data demonstrated that a portion of the c-sis first exon encoding the 5' untranslated region of the c-sis mRNA inhibited synthesis of the PDGF B product in vitro. These results define regions of the c-sis gene whose activity may be important in the regulation of transcription and translation under normal conditions and in the pathogenesis several human diseases.

PDGF induces c-myc mRNA expression in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells but does not stimulate cell replication

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) modulated growth response of the MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell line, which neither expresses c-sis mRNA nor secretes a PDGF analogue, was characterized. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the MG-63 cells have 23,000 receptors per cell with a Kd of 5 X 10(-11) M. The receptor became phosphorylated, in a PDGF concentration-dependent manner, when 32P-orthophosphate-labeled cells were treated with PDGF for 3 h at 4 degrees C. The phosphorylated receptor was identified by autoradiography and gel electrophoresis after isolation of the 32P-labeled receptor using a solid-phase monoclonal antibody directed against phosphotyrosine. Binding of the receptor to the antibody was inhibited by 5 mM phenyl phosphate, further suggesting that PDGF stimulated tyrosine-specific receptor autophosphorylation. In addition, treatment of MG-63 cells with PDGF for 3 h at 37 degrees C induced a 7.5-fold increase in c-myc mRNA accumulation as analyzed on Northern gels. However, MG-63 cells grew equally well in either serum-(which contains PDGF) or plasma-(which does not) supplemented medium. Furthermore, PDGF did not stimulate DNA synthesis in growth arrested MG-63 cells, nor did it potentiate DNA synthesis modulated by somatomedin C. Thus MG-63 cells are a naturally occurring cell variant in which PDGF stimulates c-myc expression but does not modulate mitogenesis.

Protooncogene abnormalities in colon cancers and adenomatous polyps

To determine the frequency and clinical significance of oncogene abnormalities in colon cancer, deoxyribonucleic acids from 45 colon carcinomas and 15 benign adenomas were hybridized with 14 different protooncogene probes. Abnormalities of oncogenes were found in 22% of cancers at the time of resection. Amplification of c-myc or c-erbB-2 and allelic deletion of c-ras-Ha or c-myb were the most frequent abnormalities. The presence of altered oncogenes did not correlate with Dukes' stage, tumor progression, or patient survival after resection. One adenoma had an allelic deletion of the c-myb oncogene which was not seen in either the normal colon or an adjacent carcinoma. These data indicate that the spectrum of altered protooncogenes in colon carcinoma is similar to that of other adenocarcinomas, and that unstable oncogenes can be found before overt malignancy develops.

Expression of multiple growth factors in a human lung cancer cell line

U-1810, a human large-cell lung cancer line, was found to express a PDGF-like growth factor. 35S-cysteine labelling and immunoprecipitation revealed the synthesis and secretion of a 31-kDa PDGF-like protein. Serum-free conditioned medium contained PDGF-receptor-competing and mitogenic activity when tested on human fibroblasts. Whereas the receptor-competing activity was fully neutralized by anti-PDGF antibodies, the mitogenic activity was only partially affected. We therefore probed U-1810 mRNA with a panel of growth-factor DNA clones. We found expression of the genes for PDGF A- and B-chains, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta and IGF-II but not EGF or IGF-I. U-1810 cells lacked specific binding sites for PDGF but showed specific binding of EGF and expressed EGF-receptor transcripts. Thus, U-1810 is an example of a human tumor cell line that expresses multiple growth factor genes; in the intact tumor the corresponding growth factors may operate in autocrine stimulation of the tumor cells as well as in paracrine growth reactions (i.e. stroma recruitment).

Platelet-derived growth factor. Phorbol ester induces the expression of the B-chain but not of the A-chain in HEL cells

It was shown previously [(1984) EMBO J. 3, 453-459] that after treatment of the human erythroleukemia cell line HEL with phorbol ester and dimethyl sulfoxide there was a marked increase in the amounts of megakaryocytic markers, especially of platelet alpha-granule proteins and platelet glycoproteins. In order to investigate this differentiation process further we have studied the expression of the mRNA encoding PDGF-A and PDGF-B (c-sis). Upon addition of the phorbol ester to the culture medium the expression of the c-sis transcript was enhanced about 7-fold over a period of 4 days. With dimethyl sulfoxide there was no significant stimulation of the expression. Addition of cycloheximide to HEL cells treated for a short period with phorbol ester superinduced the expression of the c-sis gene. The HEL cells did not express the A-chain mRNA even in the presence of phorbol ester or dimethyl sulfoxide. This leads us to propose that synthesis of the PDGF-A chain and PDGF-B chain is differentially regulated in the megakaryocytic-like HEL cell line.

Expression and methylation of the Blym gene in human tumor cell lines

We have examined Blym expression in 11 human tumor cell lines. Increased Blym expression was observed in one of three osteosarcoma cell lines relative to nontransformed human foreskin fibroblasts. In addition, enhanced Blym expression was observed in a melanoma cell line and in 2 of 6 squamous carcinoma cell lines relative to nontransformed, low passage human epithelial cells. We found no evidence of gene amplification or rearrangements of Blym sequences in any of the cell lines we have examined. We further analyzed the state of methylation of the Blym gene in several of the tumor cell lines by Msp I/Hpa 11 restriction endonuclease digestion. All cell lines examined had similar Msp I digestion patterns. However, the different tumor cell lines had different Hpa 11 digestion patterns. Therefore, our results indicate that the Blym gene is differentially expressed and methylated in human tumor cell lines.

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone homologous to the v-sis oncogene from human endothelial cells

A clone containing the 3' end of the mRNA for the human c-sis gene (homologous to the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor) was isolated from a cDNA library derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and then sequenced. The analysis of possible translation products in all three reading frames indicated that the A chain of platelet-derived growth factor was not coded for within the 3' end of the c-sis mRNA. The 3' end of the mRNA for c-sis is contained in or adjacent to exon 6.

Rat skeletal myoblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells express the gene for the A chain but not the gene for the B chain (c-sis) of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and produce a PDGF-like protein

It is shown here that the myogenic cell line L6J1, primary skeletal myoblasts, and primary adult arterial smooth muscle cells express the gene for the A chain but not the gene for the B chain (c-sis) of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). It is further demonstrated that conditioned media from L6J1 cultures contain material that (i) competes with 125I-labeled PDGF for binding to human fibroblasts, (ii) is specifically precipitated by antibodies against PDGF, and (iii) has a relative molecular mass comparable to that of PDGF and, after reduction, its constituent subunit chains. The secretion of PDGF-receptor-competing activity was at a maximum in exponentially growing cultures but remained at a high level also after the cells had become confluent, stopped dividing, and fused to form multinucleate myotubes. Similarly, it was previously demonstrated that adult rat arterial smooth muscle cells in primary culture produce a mitogenic protein with immunological and structural properties similar to PDGF. In accordance with these findings, it was recently shown that secretion of PDGF-like mitogens by a number of human tumor cell lines correlates with expression of the gene for the A chain rather than the B chain of PDGF. The results suggest that production of homodimers of PDGF A chains may stimulate proliferation of skeletal myoblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner. This could fulfill important functions during myogenesis in the embryo as well as in tissue repair and atherogenesis in the adult.

Induction of c-sis gene expression and synthesis of platelet-derived growth factor in human myeloid leukemia cells during monocytic differentiation

Phorbol esters induce the differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells HL-60 and U-937 along the monocytic-macrophage lineage. This process has been associated with the induction of several cellular protooncogenes, including the c-fos and c-fms genes. We now report that phorbol ester-induced differentiation of the HL-60 and U-937 cells results in the induction of the expression of the c-sis platelet-derived growth factor 2 (PDGF-2) protooncogene. sis mRNA transcripts were not detectable in the uninduced cells but were detectable within 12 hr of phorbol ester induction. Concomitantly, the induced cells were shown to synthesize and secrete biologically active PDGF-like proteins, identified in the conditioned medium of the phorbol ester-treated cells by direct immunoprecipitation with PDGF antiserum. Addition of cycloheximide to phorbol ester-treated HL-60 cells superinduced sis mRNA transcripts. c-sis gene transcripts were also detected in freshly isolated human monocytes but not in human granulocytes or in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate along the granulocytic lineage. Activation of the c-sis/PDGF-2 gene in human hematopoietic cells during monocytic differentiation may serve in the mediation of physiologic functions of the differentiated cells by means of the secretion of potent PDGF-like mitogen.

Platelet-derived growth factor as a mediator of normal and neoplastic cell proliferation

Human platelet-derived growth factor is the major mitogen in serum for connective-tissue-derived cells in culture. The factor is 30,000 mol. wt protein composed of two disulphide-linked polypeptide chains, named A and B. The B-chain is virtually identical to part of the transforming protein of simian sarcoma virus (SSV), implying that SSV-transformation is mediated by a PDGF-like growth factor. This notion is supported by the finding that specific as well as nonspecific inhibitors of PDGF-action (PDGF antibodies and suramin, respectively) are efficient inhibitors of SSV-transformation and revert the transformed phenotype of SSV-transformed cells. Expression of the genes encoding the PDGF subunits and production of PDGF-like growth factors is a common feature of human sarcoma cell lines, suggesting a role of PDGF in the pathogenesis of sarcomas, although direct support in favor of this notion is lacking. An involvement of PDGF in autocrine and paracrine stimulation of normal cell growth is suggested by the finding that responsive (arterial smooth muscle cells and placental cytotrophoblasts) as well as nonresponsive (endothelial cells and macrophages) cells produce PDGF-like growth factors. In conclusion, PDGF-like growth factors may be widely implicated in normal as well as neoplastic growth processes.

Human leukemia cells synthesize and secrete proteins related to platelet-derived growth factor

Human leukemia cells in culture (HL-60) synthesize and secrete proteins that are recognized by antiserum to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The molecular mass of the intracellular proteins immunoprecipitated by PDGF antiserum ranged from 34 kDa to 240 kDa. PDGF-related proteins were also identified in the conditioned medium of the cells. Several of these immunoprecipitated proteins were glycosylated. A single protein of 46 kDa was immunoprecipitated from the cell-free translation products of mRNA obtained from the leukemia cells. Antiserum to the C but not to the N terminus of the predicted amino acid sequence of the transforming protein p28sis/PDGF-2 also immunoprecipitated proteins secreted by the HL-60 cells. These findings provide a direct demonstration for the synthesis and secretion of PDGF-like proteins by leukemia cells in culture. These proteins do not appear to be coded by the known c-sis/PDGF-2 locus since no sis mRNA was detectable in the HL-60 cells.

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone homologous to the v-sis oncogene from human endothelial cells

A clone containing the 3' end of the mRNA for the human c-sis gene (homologous to the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor) was isolated from a cDNA library derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and then sequenced. The analysis of possible translation products in all three reading frames indicated that the A chain of platelet-derived growth factor was not coded for within the 3' end of the c-sis mRNA. The 3' end of the mRNA for c-sis is contained in or adjacent to exon 6.

Transformation of diploid human fibroblasts by DNA transfection with the v-sis oncogene

The simian sarcoma virus (SSV) oncogene (v-sis) has a high degree of homology to the cellular gene coding for the B peptide of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent fibroblast mitogen. The cellular homolog of v-sis is activated in some mesenchymal human tumors and cell lines derived from them. To determine the phenotype produced by v-sis in diploid human fibroblasts, we constructed plasmids containing the SSV provirus and drug-resistance markers and transfected them into early-passage human cells. Fibroblasts that had integrated the plasmid were selected for drug resistance and shown to contain and express the v-sis oncogene by DNA and RNA hybridization. The v-sis-expressing cells grew to higher saturation densities than control cells transfected with the vector plasmid alone and formed large, well defined foci. This allowed selection of transfectants directly for focus formation. The v-sis transformed cells continued to grow well in the absence of serum, whereas age-matched, vector-transfected control cells ceased replicating under these conditions so that the final difference in density between the two populations was tenfold. Incorporation of thymidine in serum-free medium by the v-sis-transformed cells was independent of exogenous PDGF. In contrast, PDGF increased thymidine incorporation in such medium by the control cells to the level found in the v-sis-transformed cells with or without added PDGF. These results suggest that expression of the v-sis oncogene in diploid human fibroblasts causes sufficient endogenous synthesis of the B chain of PDGF to allow transformants to grow to abnormally high cell densities. When individual v-sis-transformed cells were grown on a background of normal cells, this higher cell density at confluence could be visualized as a focus.

Expression of protooncogenes in murine osteosarcomas

The expression of 7 protooncogenes (c-sis, c-abl, c-mos, c-bas, c-Ki-ras, c-fos, c-myc) was examined in transplants and established cell lines from spontaneous and radiation-induced murine osteosarcomas. The transplant tumors were compared with different tissues, particularly skeletal tissue (sternum), and the osteosarcoma cell lines with fibroblast lines from the same mouse strains. C-sis was expressed above the level of controls in 2 osteosarcomas (TV, Os5). Three osteosarcomas showed over-expression of c-abl (TVK, DOS, Os5), c-bas (DOS, Os5 and V893) and c-fos (TVK, DOS, Os5), and 4 osteosarcomas showed over-expression of c-Ki-ras (TVK, DOS, Os5, Os16) and c-myc (TVK, DOS, TV, Os5). C-mos expression was not observed under the conditions used. One cell line (Os5) showed an altered transcript (1 kb transcript of c-fos). Apart from the relatively frequent increase in expression of the c-myc and c-ras-family, there was no indication that any particular protooncogene or combination of protooncogenes was associated with murine osteosarcomas.

Identification of processing events in the synthesis of platelet-derived growth factor-like proteins by human osteosarcoma cells

The human osteosarcoma-derived cell line U-2 OS expresses c-sis mRNA and synthesizes platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like proteins. Pulse-chase experiments indicate that proteins of 23 kDa and 180 kDa are synthesized first. The 23-kDa protein undergoes dimerization and proteolysis, giving rise to the 30-kDa dimeric protein secreted by the cells. The 180-kDa protein is proteolytically cleaved in a complex series of steps that give rise to several intracellular species. It is also the likely precursor of high molecular mass PDGF-like or PDGF-associated proteins secreted by these cells. The processing and secretion of the 180-kDa protein is slower than that of the 23-kDa protein. Subcellular fractionation and studies with the antibiotic monensin indicate that the processing events occur in the Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum compartment of U-2 OS cells.

Modified low density lipoproteins suppress production of a platelet-derived growth factor-like protein by cultured endothelial cells

Cultured endothelial cells (EC) produce a platelet-derived growth factor-like protein (PDGF-c) that stimulates the growth of cultured cells of mesenchymal origin. We have examined the effect of native plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and chemically modified LDL on production of PDGF-c by EC. Acetyl-LDL, but not native LDL, suppressed the production of PDGF-c by bovine aortic EC. Half-maximal inhibition was observed at a concentration of 25-75 micrograms of cholesterol per ml, and maximal inhibition (0-25% of control) at 150 micrograms of cholesterol per ml. EC treated with acetyl-LDL showed no morphological damage, there was no change in cell number, and the effect on production of PDGF-c was substantially reversed upon removal of the acetyl-LDL. The observed inhibition of PDGF-c production was specific, since total cellular and secreted protein synthesis were unaffected by acetyl-LDL. Acetyl-LDL suppressed PDGF-c production in both bovine aortic and human umbilical vein EC, but not in rat heart EC. This cell specificity correlated with the presence of scavenger receptors as measured by degradation of 125I-labeled acetyl-LDL and uptake of fluorescently labeled acetyl-LDL. Dimethylpropanediamine-LDL, a cationic modified lipoprotein, also inhibited PDGF-c production. The inhibition by both types of modified LDL was accompanied by significant intracellular cholesterol accumulation, suggesting a role for EC lipid composition in the regulation of production of PDGF-c.

Transformation-related growth factors and their receptors

Cellular transformation may be accomplished in vitro and in vivo through the concerted action of growth factors and oncogenes. This association has demonstrated that malignant growth results from aberrations in growth factor-signal transduction pathways that normally operate to control proliferation. Activation of genes that code for growth factors and/or their receptors provides tumor cells with potential mechanisms to maintain their proliferative state. Tumor cells have been shown to produce endogenous substances that augment their growth (autocrine stimulation), as well as responding to exogenous substances (paracrine stimulation). With solid tumor cells these responses have been shown to involve aberrant expression of growth factor and/or receptor genes. The study of the interrelationship of these various growth regulatory molecules is important not only in the identification of gene products essential to cellular proliferation, but also in providing clues as to what forces are driving tumor cell growth.

Spontaneous expression of the c-sis gene and release of a platelet-derived growth factorlike molecule by human alveolar macrophages

Alveolar macrophages from normal individuals and patients with interstitial lung diseases spontaneously expressed a 4.2-kilobase mRNA complementary to the c-sis gene, a proto-oncogene coding for one of the chains of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Concomitantly, these cells released a mediator with the properties of PDGF, including: chemotactic factor for smooth muscle cells whose activity was resistant to heat and acid, but sensitive to reduction; mitogenic (competence) activity for fibroblasts; ability to compete with PDGF for its receptor; and precipitated by an anti-PDGF antibody. While blood monocytes did not contain c-sis mRNA transcripts, monocytes matured in vitro expressed c-sis, consistent with the concept that expression of c-sis occurs during the differentiation of monocytes into alveolar macrophages. Together with the known actions of PDGF, these observations suggest that the c-sis proto-oncogene and its PDGF product are part of the armamentarium available to the alveolar macrophages for normal lung defense and participation in lung inflammation.

cDNA sequence and chromosomal localization of human platelet-derived growth factor A-chain and its expression in tumour cell lines

The amino-acid sequence of the precursor of the human tumour cell line-derived platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain has been deduced from complementary DNA clones and the gene localized to chromosome 7. The protein shows extensive homology to the PDGF B-chain precursor. Expression of the PDGF A-chain gene is independent of that of the PDGF B-chain in a number of human tumour cell lines, and secretion of a PDGF-like growth factor of relative molecular mass 31,000 correlates with expression of A- but not B-chain messenger RNA.

Induction of c-sis mRNA and activity similar to platelet-derived growth factor by transforming growth factor beta: a proposed model for indirect mitogenesis involving autocrine activity

Treatment of quiescent cultures of mouse embryo-derived AKR-2B cells with transforming growth factor beta resulted in an early induction of c-sis mRNA. The increase in c-sis mRNA was followed by a corresponding increase in protein similar to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the culture medium. In addition, PDGF-regulated genes (c-fos and c-myc) were stimulated by transforming growth factor beta with delayed kinetics relative to that seen in other cell systems with direct PDGF stimulation. A model is proposed in which the monolayer mitogenicity of transforming growth factor beta is mediated by the induction of c-sis and PDGF and the subsequent autocrine stimulation of c-fos, c-myc, and other PDGF-inducible genes.

The human osteosarcoma cell line U-2 OS expresses a 3.8 kilobase mRNA which codes for the sequence of the PDGF-B chain

A cDNA clone of about 2500 base pairs was prepared from the human osteosarcoma cell line U-2 OS by hybridizing with a v-sis probe. Sequence analysis showed that this cDNA contains the coding region for the PDGF-B chain. It is discussed that the mitogen secreted by these osteosarcoma cells contains the PDGF-B chain and is probably a homodimer of two B-chains.

A human osteosarcoma cell line secretes a growth factor structurally related to a homodimer of PDGF A-chains

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), as purified from fresh human platelets, is a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 30,000 composed of two disulphide-linked subunit chains of similar size, named A and B (ref. 1). The dimer structure of PDGRF seems to be important for its biological effects, as reduction irreversibly inactivates the factor; it is not known, however, whether PDGF exists as a heterodimer or as a mixture of homodimers. Amino-acid sequence analysis has revealed that the A- and B-chains of human PDGF are related to each other, and that the B-chain is almost identical to part of the v-sis gene product of simian sarcoma virus (SSV). There is experimental evidence that a PDGF-like protein is indeed operational in SSV-induced transformation and the biologically active v-sis product is probably structurally similar to a putative dimer of PDGF B-chains. PDGF-like growth factors and/or a 4.2-kilobase (kb) c-sis transcript are present in several transformed mammalian cell lines and in certain nontransformed cells; cloned c-sis complementary DNA from human T cells transformed with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) or from human endothelial cells contains the coding sequence for a putative PDGF B-chain precursor, but apparently lacks PDGF A-chain sequences. We have previously partially purified and characterized a PDGF-like growth factor from U-2 OS cells (osteosarcoma-derived growth factor, ODGF) and shown that this factor has structural, functional and immunological characteristics in common with PDGF. We describe here a procedure for the preparation of homogeneous ODGF, and provide evidence that this factor, which binds to the PDGF receptor, has a structure similar to a homodimer of PDGF A-chains.

Paracrine action of transforming growth factors

Polypeptide growth factors form a class of regulatory molecules which exert their effects by binding to specific receptors present on the cell surface. Most of the time the exact role of these factors in the healthy body is unknown. Some, like PDGF and TGF beta, seem to be involved in wound healing. Others, like EGF, promote epithelial cell growth and differentiation. The site of synthesis of most polypeptide growth factors is unknown. Their target can be identified by detecting the cells which present the specific receptors at their surface. It is though that polypeptide growth factors have a paracrine mode of action. Many different cancerous cells produce polypeptide growth factors and the appropriate receptors. Thus, they are able to stimulate their own growth in an autocrine fashion. Recently, some polypeptide growth factors and receptor genes or cDNAs have been molecularly cloned. Growth factor genes and messengers are much more complex than would be expected from the size of the polypeptide. Some cDNAs have been introduced into bacterial expression vectors and large amounts of the factors have been produced by bacteria. New tools, such as molecular probes and specific antibodies, are thus now available to investigate the production of the growth factors and their receptors. The same tools will facilitate the identification and understanding of the molecular mechanism whereby cancerous cells produce the growth factors and the appropriate receptors simultaneously. The importance of growth factors and receptors in cancer is stressed by the finding that three oncogenes are in fact the genes coding for one growth factor and two receptors. Finally, the molecular probes and the specific antibodies raised against these molecules can be used to identify precisely the growth factor(s) and receptor(s) produced abnormally in cancers. Antibodies that inhibit specifically the interaction of this very growth factor with its receptor could then be developed, thus allowing human tumour cell growth to be controlled.

Activated human monocytes express the c-sis proto-oncogene and release a mediator showing PDGF-like activity

Current ideas about the mechanism of wound healing and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis and hepatic fibrosis suggest a central role for the mononuclear phagocyte in attracting and/or stimulating the proliferation of mesenchymal cells. We demonstrate here that activated human blood monocytes, but not resting monocytes, release a mediator that attracts smooth muscle cells and cooperates with other mediators to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. This mediator is very similar to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF): its chromatographic properties and chemical stability are similar to those of PDGF, it competes with 125I-PDGF for binding to fibroblasts and it immunoprecipitates with anti-PDGF antibodies. In parallel, stimulated monocytes, but not resting monocytes, express the c-sis proto-oncogene, a gene coding for one of the PDGF chains, consistent with the concept that expression of the c-sis proto-oncogene may be involved in the ability of mononuclear phagocytes to modulate the accumulation of mesenchymal cells.

Cultured endothelial cells do not respond to a platelet-derived growth-factor-like protein in an autocrine manner

Cultured endothelial cells produce a growth factor similar or identical to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Endothelial cells are able to proliferate in plasma-supplemented medium, while most nontransformed cells require serum-supplemented medium. Since PDGF is a major serum mitogen, we have tested the possibility that endothelial cells interact with and respond to the autologously produced PDGF-like (PDGF-c) protein. We have found that bovine aortic and rat heart endothelial cells express little or no cell surface PDGF receptors as determined by binding of pure 125I-PDGF. Treating these cells under acidic conditions, which release receptor-bound PDGF in control cells without affecting receptor function, did not reveal a population of cryptic receptors. In addition, when rat heart endothelial cells were grown in the presence of an antibody to PDGF, proliferation was unimpaired, though no detectable free PDGF was present in the medium. An equivalent amount of antibody completely blocked the mitogenic response of human fibroblasts that had been preincubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C with an equivalent dose of PDGF. Thus, endothelial cells do not respond mitogenically in a manner that would be expected from the interaction of autologously produced PDGF with its cell surface receptor. Endothelial cells were detergent-solubilized and immobilized on nitrocellulose in an attempt to detect the presence of intracellular PDGF receptors. Specific binding of 125I-PDGF to adsorbed, solubilized bovine aortic or rat heart endothelial cells was undetectable, though significant binding to adsorbed, solubilized fibroblasts, used as a positive control, was observed. We conclude that endothelial cells do not have detectable intracellular PDGF receptors.

Nucleotide sequence of transforming human c-sis cDNA clones with homology to platelet-derived growth factor

Three c-sis cDNA clones were obtained from polyadenylated RNA of a human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type I transformed cell line. Two clones, designated pSM-1 and pSM-2, have cDNA inserts of 2498 and 2509 base pairs (bp), respectively, excluding the sizes of the guanylate tails, and the polyadenylate tracts. These clones are shorter than the estimated size of the c-sis mRNA of 4200 bp. Both of these clones can transform NIH 3T3 cells. The third clone, designated pSM-3 has a cDNA insert of 1421 bp and lacks transforming activity. The sequence of clone pSM-1 reveals a single long open reading frame (nucleotides 118-840) encoding chain A of platelet-derived growth factor, and two segments with homology to v-sis (nucleotides 182-871 and 1021-1325). Sequence homology is noted in the 3' untranslated region to the corresponding regions of the beta 1 interferon (IFN), human and murine beta-nerve growth factor (NGF), human interleukin 2 (IL2) genes, and tubulin pseudogenes. However, no typical AATAAA polyadenylation signal is present. An alternating (dCdA)n X (dGdT)n sequence is present in the 3' flanking cellular sequences similar to those in the corresponding position of the human proenkephalin gene, in the first intron of the gamma-IFN gene, and the second intron of the beta-NGF gene.

Demonstration of receptors for a PDGF-like mitogen on human osteosarcoma cells

U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells synthesize, process and secrete a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like mitogen. Incubation of these cells with 1 mM suramin unmasks PDGF receptor sites which are normally occupied or down regulated by the secreted endogenous PDGF-like mitogen. Partially purified preparations of metabolically labelled U-2 OS conditioned medium binds to U-2 OS cells and binding is inhibited by excess PDGF. These findings suggest that U-2 OS cells are capable of autocrine stimulation.

Synthesis and secretion of proteins resembling platelet-derived growth factor by human glioblastoma and fibrosarcoma cells in culture

Immunoprecipitation of proteins extracted from metabolically labeled human glioblastoma and fibrosarcoma cells with antiserum to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) showed that these cells express and secrete proteins that are recognized specifically by the antiserum. The molecular masses of immunoprecipitated proteins in the lysates of the malignant cells ranged from 16 kDa to 140 kDa. Both cell lines secreted a 31-kDa polypeptide with structural, immunological, and biological properties similar to those of human PDGF. These cell lines were shown to synthesize a 4.4-kb mRNA that contained sequences from all the six currently identified exons of the human c-sis gene. These data suggest that the PDGF-like proteins in the two mesenchyme-derived transformed cells are encoded at least in part by the c-sis locus.