Requirement for transglutaminase in the activation of latent transforming growth factor-beta in bovine endothelial cells

TGF-beta latency: biological significance and mechanisms of activation

Transforming growth factor (TGF-) beta is secreted as a latent complex in which the mature growth factor remains associated with its propeptide. In order to elicit a biological response, the cytokine must be released from the latent complex, a process termed latent TGF-beta activation or TGF-beta formation. Although latent TGF-beta activation is a critical step in the regulation of its activity, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that lead to the production of active TGF-beta. In this article, we present an overview of the data available on this topic, and we propose a tentative model for the mechanism of TGF-beta formation based upon the observations with different cell systems and on recent findings on the structure of the latent TGF-beta complex.

Developmental regulation of tissue transglutaminase during human placentation and expression in neoplastic trophoblast

The expression of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) was studied during the formation of the normal human placenta and in molar pregnancies and choriocarcinoma, in order to correlate its expression with the functional characteristics of the recognized trophoblast cell types. tTG expression was found to be developmentally regulated. Before 6-7 weeks' gestation, only the chorionic villous cytotrophoblast expresses tTG. Thereafter the overlying syncytiotrophoblast becomes positive. tTG expression is gradually downregulated in the intermediate trophoblast cells emerging from the tips of the chorionic villi invading the uterine tissue. In the decidual wall, the intermediate trophoblast does not express tTG, whereas scattered syncytial cells, the placental bed giant cells, express tTG. Villi from complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) show tTG expression in both the cyto- and the syncytiotrophoblast. The intermediate trophoblast cells from CHM show heterogeneous tTG expression, with a majority of negative cells, whereas extravillous syncytia always express tTG. In choriocarcinoma, the tumour cells show heterogeneous tTG expression, with a majority of positive cells. Analysis of tTG protein and mRNA in placental extracts by Western and Northern blotting did not provide evidence for expression of the truncated form of tTG found in some cell types. The regulated expression of tTG in the normal placenta suggests that the enzyme is involved in important trophoblastic functions and may participate in the control of invasion.

Transglutaminase induction by various cell death and apoptosis pathways

Clarification of the molecular details of forms of natural cell death, including apoptosis, has become one of the most challenging issues of contemporary biomedical sciences. One of the effector elements of various cell death pathways is the covalent cross-linking of cellular proteins by transglutaminases. This review will discuss the accumulating data related to the induction and regulation of these enzymes, particularly of tissue type transglutaminase, in the molecular program of cell death. A wide range of signalling pathways can lead to the parallel induction of apoptosis and transglutaminase, providing a handle for better understanding the exact molecular interactions responsible for the mechanism of regulated cell death.

Transglutaminases: purification and activity assays

Transglutaminases (TGases) are a widely distributed family of proteins found in many tissues and body fluids of vertebrates. To date the following types have been distinguished: secretory, tissue, epidermal, keratinocyte, and hemocyte TGase as well as factor XIIIa and erythrocyte hand 4.2 TGases are difficult to isolate, as they tend to form irreversible aggregates under native conditions. In this review, the isolation procedures for the different types of TGases are summarized. The most common chromatographic separation methods used for TGase purification are size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Additionally, other chromatographic methods (hydrophobic-interaction, affinity, adsorption chromatography) and electrophoretic techniques [preparative isoelectric focusing, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and zone electrophoresis] are described. Based on the enzymatic function of TGases (cross-linking of a primary amine and peptide bound glutamine), several established activity assays are described.

Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor coupling with Gh in the failing human heart

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated that Gh, which transfers the signal from the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor to the 69-kD phospholipase C, is the previously identified tissue-type transglutaminase (TGase II). The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor mediates actions of the sympathetic nervous system, including cardiac, arteriolar, and smooth muscle contractions. In human cardiac tissue, the expression of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor is increased under pathophysiological conditions, but changes in the physiological response are small. Therefore, it has been suggested that the other components involved in the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-mediated signaling pathway are probably altered.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Immunological and biochemical studies with nonfailling and failing human heart tissues revealed that the GTP-binding and TGase activities of human heart TGase II (hhG alpha n) are downregulated in both ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathic human heart. In ischemic cardiomyopathy, the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor number increased twofold (27.0 fmol/mg) compared with the nonfailing (12.8 fmol/mg) and the dilated cardiomyopathic (15.6 fmol/mg) heart tissues, but the coupling of hhG alpha h with the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor did not increase. The intrinsic activity of hhG alpha h, was greatly decreased in membrane fractions, whereas the cytosolic TGase activity was not changed. In the dilated cardiomyopathic human heart, these intrinsic enzyme activities of hhG alpha h were also downregulated in the membrane fraction, whereas the amount of hhG alpha h protein was greatly increased (2.8-fold) compared with the nonfailing heart.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor in human heart couples with Gh (TGase II) and indicate that downregulation of hhG alpha h activity is associated with human cardiac failure but that the mechanism differs between ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathies.

Calcitriol and lexicalcitol (KH1060) inhibit the growth of human breast adenocarcinoma cells by enhancing transforming growth factor-beta production

The mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative action of calcitriol (1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3) were investigated using human breast carcinoma epithelial cells (the MCF-7 cell line). Calcitriol and KH1060, a synthetic analog, inhibited cell growth in a time-and dose-dependent way. The substances similarly stimulated total TGF-beta secretion after 24 hours, and Northern blot analyses showed that mRNA levels for TGF-beta 1 were increased, as well. When MCF-7 cells were co-incubated with calcitriol and a neutralizing anti TGF-beta 1, beta 2, beta 3 antibody, growth inhibition was completely abrogated. With KH1060, the antibody could only partly block growth inhibition. This study shows that TGF-beta is involved in the growth response to calcitriol and KH1060 in MCF-7 cells.

TGF-beta receptors are diminished after retinoid exposure in rat liver epithelial cells

When rat liver epithelial cells were exposed to retinoic acid or retinol for 24 hr, the levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptors were reduced in a dose-dependent way. The decrease appeared after 12 hr of incubation with the retinoids and binding levels remained low until 24 hr after the removal of the molecules. Retinoid treatment induced a fourfold enhancement of transglutaminase (TGase) activity in the cell membranes, and cystamine, an inhibitor of TGase, prevented the decrease of the receptors. Neutralization of TGF-beta by a monoclonal antibody did not suppress the decrease of the binding levels, indicating that decreased TGF-beta binding capacity was not due merely to the internalization of ligand-bound receptors promoted by a stimulation of TCF-beta synthesis. Thus, retinoid treatment resulted in an intense disappearance of the functional receptors from the membranes that seemed to be mediated by increased TGase activity. This phenomenon can represent a strong signal attenuation for TGF-beta following retinoid exposure.

Transforming growth factor-beta system and its regulation by members of the steroid-thyroid hormone superfamily

TGF-beta s and their receptors are expressed ubiquitously, and they act as key regulators of many aspects of cell growth, differentiation, and function. Steroid action on target tissues is often associated with increase in TGF-beta isoforms. Regulation of TGF-beta expression and activation is crucial for normal development and growth control. The loss of responsiveness of different tumor cells to the antiproliferative effects of TGF-beta is a common feature in carcinogenesis. Multiple changes are required for the cells to gain complete resistance to TGF-beta growth inhibition (Fynan and Reiss, 1993; Kimchi et al., 1988; Samuel et al., 1992). Although many tumor cells are not growth inhibited by TGF-beta, they respond to TGF-beta treatment by changes in the expression of matrix components and enhanced proteolytic activity (KeskiOja et al., 1988). Agents that induce TGF-beta production in target tissues can have a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic value for the management of epithelial malignancies. Conversely, data supporting a positive role for TGF-beta in established tumor progression are beginning to emerge (Arteaga et al., 1993a,b; Barrett-Lee et al., 1990; Arrick et al., 1992 ; E. A. Thompson et al., 1991). In later stages of tumor development, cell proliferation is often not inhibited by TGF-beta, and tumor cells secrete large amounts of this growth factor (Fynan and Reiss, 1993). In vivo TGF-beta secreted by tumor or stromal cells can influence host responses such as a natural killer cell function and thus indirctly support tumor cell viability (Arteaga et al., 1993b). TGF-beta may also affect tumor growth indirectly by stromal effects and promotion of angiogenesis. TGF-beta may also be involved in the progression of breast tumors from the steroid-sensitive to steroid-insensitive state (King et al., 1989). Understanding of the net effect of TGF-beta in different stages of tumor development is critical for the evaluation of its therapeutic value in cancer treatment.

Negative selection in hepatic tumor promotion in relation to cancer risk assessment

Mechanistic studies with phenobarbital (PB), 2,3,7,8,-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other liver tumor promoters support a general model of promotion involving negative selection where specifically-mutated cells derive a growth advantage in the presence of persistent mitosuppression. Exposure to these liver tumor promoters appears to transiently enhance hepatocyte replication, presumably via transcriptional activation of growth regulatory genes, leading to a homeostatic increase in mitoinhibitory growth factors in the liver to constrain proliferation. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta), a potent mitoinhibitory growth factor for hepatocytes, has been associated with the mitosuppression caused by PB and certain peroxisomal proliferators. Escape from TGF-beta mitosuppression may involve loss or alteration of function of the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II (M6P/IGFII) receptor, which is required for TGF-beta 1 activation, or alterations of the TGF-beta types I, II and III signal transduction receptors. A risk assessment based on a negative selection mechanism could be conducted for tumor promotion endpoints with TCDD and compared with current approaches that implicitly regard TCDD as an initiator. Benchmark dose calculation using centrilobular induction of cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1A2 as a surrogate for periportal growth stimulation would provide a rational starting point for application of conventional safety factor approaches, similar to those used with non-cancer effects. In the future, tissue and plasma concentrations of specific growth factors, e.g. TGF-beta or hepatocyte growth factor, HGF, might be considered as more direct dose surrogates for tumor-promoting effects of xenobiotics. Uncertainty factor adjustments to a TCDD benchmark dose calculation should eventually rely on direct knowledge of regulation of specific growth regulatory genes and their receptors in relevant species and on species differences in TCDD pharmacokinetics, instead of application of default animal-to-human and interindividual uncertainty factors.

Release and activation of platelet latent TGF-beta in blood clots during dissolution with plasmin

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a platelet-derived cytokine involved in both normal wound healing and scarring. We show that human platelets contain two pools of latent TGF-beta 1, which constitute more than 95% of the total TGF-beta assayed in whole platelets. During clotting, one pool, the large latent TGF-beta complex consisting of latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP), the latency-associated peptide (LAP) and the 25-kD mature TGF-beta 1 dimer is released into the serum. A second pool, which contains LAP but not LTBP, is retained in the clot, but can be released by RGD peptide. When the clot is dissolved by plasmin this bound TGF-beta 1 is gradually activated and released. If similar mechanisms operate in vivo, the clot will act as a slow-release capsule of TGF-beta 1 activity during wound healing.

Residues in the synuclein consensus motif of the alpha-synuclein fragment, NAC, participate in transglutaminase-catalysed cross-linking to Alzheimer-disease amyloid beta A4 peptide

The widespread deposition of amyloid plaques is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). A recently described component of amyloid plaques is the 35-residue peptide, non-A beta component of AD amyloid, which is derived from a larger intracellular neuronal constituent, alpha-synuclein. We demonstrate that transglutaminase catalyses the formation of the covalent non-A beta component of AD amyloid polymers in vitro as well as polymers with beta-amyloid peptide, the major constituent of AD plaques. The transglutaminase-reactive amino acid residues in the non-A beta component of AD amyloid were identified as Gln79 and Lys80. Lys80 is localized in a consensus motif Lys-Thr-Lys-Glu-Gly-Val, which is conserved in the synuclein gene family. Thus transglutaminase might be involved in the formation of insoluble amyloid deposits and participate in the modification of other members of the synuclein family.

The effects of retinoid status on TGF beta expression during mouse embryogenesis

In a previous study we investigated the effects of RA excess on TGF beta protein localization in early postimplantation stages of mouse development. Here we extend this investigation by comparing the effects of retinoid deficiency with those of excess, and by comparing the effects of altered retinoid status on TGF beta protein and RNA transcript distribution. In vitamin A-deficient embryos, TGF beta 1 RNA and protein distribution were both unaltered compared with controls; conversely, TGF beta 2 protein levels were reduced while RNA levels remained normal. In RA-treated embryos, the previous study showed that intracellular TGF beta 1 levels were decreased, while those of extracellular TFG beta 1 were initially decreased but subsequently increased; here we found that TGF beta 1 RNA transcript levels were reduced following exposure to RA excess. TGF beta 2 showed a clear disparity between the effects of RA excess on protein and RNA transcript levels: RNA transcript distribution was unchanged or showed a slight increase in RA-treated embryos, whereas the previous results showed greatly reduced protein levels. The new results provide further evidence for interaction between retinoids and TGF beta s during mouse development, and indicate that retinoids are capable of differentially regulating TGF beta isoforms through mechanisms involving different stages in the process of TGF beta synthesis and secretion. The long-term nature of the effects of transient exposure to RA excess suggests that the mechanisms of RA-TGF beta interaction may be indirect.

Transglutaminase-catalyzed matrix cross-linking in differentiating cartilage: identification of osteonectin as a major glutaminyl substrate

The expression of tissue transglutaminase in skeletal tissues is strictly regulated and correlates with chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage calcification in endochondral bone formation and in maturation of tracheal cartilage (Aeschlimann, D., A. Wetterwald, H. Fleisch, and M. Paulsson. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 120:1461-1470). We now demonstrate the transglutaminase reaction product, the gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine cross-link, in the matrix of hypertrophic cartilage using a novel cross-link specific antibody. Incorporation of the synthetic transglutaminase substrate monodansylcadaverine (amine donor) in cultured tracheal explants reveals enzyme activity in the pericellular matrix of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the central, calcifying areas of the horseshoe-shaped cartilages. One predominant glutaminyl substrate (amine acceptor) in the chondrocyte matrix is osteonectin as revealed by incorporation of the dansyl label in culture. Indeed, nonreducible osteonectin-containing complexes of approximately 65, 90, and 175 kD can be extracted from mature tracheal cartilage. In vitro cross-linking of osteonectin by tissue transglutaminase gives similar products of approximately 90 and 175 kD, indicating that the complexes in cartilage represent osteonectin oligomers. The demonstration of extracellular transglutaminase activity in differentiating cartilage, i.e., cross-linking of osteonectin in situ, shows that tissue transglutaminase-catalyzed cross-linking is a physiological mechanism for cartilage matrix stabilization.

Midkine enhances fibrinolytic activity of bovine endothelial cells

A hitherto unknown function of midkine (MK) was found in the regulation of fibrinolytic activity of vascular endothelial cells. Recombinant murine MK enhanced plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After incubation with 10 ng/ml MK for 18 h, PA and plasmin levels increased 6- and 4-fold, respectively. This effect was attributed to a moderate upregulation of urokinase-type PA expression as well as to a significant down-regulation of PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression. BAECs constitutively synthesized and secreted MK and its production was enhanced 2-fold with 1 microM retinoic acid or 10 microM retinol. It was found that MK served as a substrate for tissue transglutaminase. In the culture medium, MK existed as a transglutaminase-mediated complex of 36 kDa. Addition of anti-MK antibody to BAEC cultures resulted in a decrease of basal PA activity and an increase of basal PAI-1 levels and attenuated the ability of retinol to enhance PA activity 50% and potentiated the ability to increase PAI-1 levels 4-fold. Furthermore, MK and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) acted more than additively in enhancing PA levels. We conclude that in BAECs MK is a novel autocrine factor sustaining the fibrinolytic property. MK functions as a mediator of retinoid and cooperates with bFGF to enhance fibrinolytic activity of BAECs.

Transglutaminase C in cerebellar granule neurons: regulation and localization of substrate cross-linking

Covalent cross-linking of cell surface proteins by the calcium-dependent enzyme transglutaminase C may be implicated in cell-cell interactions and growth regulation. We demonstrate the presence of the enzyme in rat cerebellar cortex during postnatal development. Transglutaminase C was induced in cerebellar granule neurons in culture by retinoic acid, dibutyryl- and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP analogues and by cultivation on a biomatrix substratum. Cyclic AMP analogues stimulated transglutaminase activity in protein synthesis-dependent and -independent phases. The enzyme was distributed at focal adhesion sites on the axon. By calcium-dependent covalent incorporation of the primary amine acceptor substrate, 5-(biotinamido)pentylamine, an increase in the Ca(2+)-dependent cross-linking of at least 11 substrate proteins in the presence of retinoic acid and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP was detected. Of these substrates, a subset was labelled on the surface of living granule neurons. A low-molecular-weight substrate, p18, was tentatively identified as the retinoic acid-inducible neurite-promoting factor, midkine. Transglutaminase-mediated amine incorporation, midkine and isopeptide cross-links were co-localized to axonal adhesion sites. The results provide evidence of transglutaminase C-catalysed protein cross-linking activity in cerebellar granule neurons and its possible implication in cell-substratum interactions.

Lipopolysaccharide inhibits activation of latent transforming growth factor-beta in bovine endothelial cells

The activation of latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) by vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is regulated by cellular plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin, transglutaminase (TGase), and latent TGF-beta levels. Because lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to reduce EC surface plasmin levels by increasing the production of the inhibitor of PA, PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), we have tested whether LPS might suppress latent TGF-beta activation in ECs using two different systems, namely, bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) cocultured with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and BAECs treated with retinol. BAECs were either cocultured with SMCs after treatment with 15 ng/ml LPS or were treated with 2 microM retinol and/or 10 ng/ml LPS, and the expression of PA, surface plasmin, TGase, and the amounts of active and latent TGF-beta secreted into the culture medium were measured. The downregulation of surface PA/plasmin levels with LPS was accompanied by a profound decline of both TGase and latent TGF-beta expression as well as the suppression of surface activation of latent TGF-beta. The effect was dependent on the concentration of LPS and on treatment time. The formation of TGF-beta did not occur in cells maintained in LPS-contaminated culture medium.

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibition of mineralization by neonatal rat osteoblasts in monolayer and collagen gel culture

The latent form of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a component of the extracellular matrix of bone. The active form, when locally injected in vivo, stimulates both inflammation and ectopic bone formation. The present study was undertaken to determine if TGF-beta also stimulated mineralization by isolated rat calvarial osteoblasts cultured in collagen gels. Gels were used because they should mimic in vivo conditions better than classical monolayer culture. Compared to cells in monolayers, osteoblasts cultured in collagen gels exhibited slower growth, but higher alkaline phosphatase activity and mineral deposition. Cultured cells also synthesized the osteoblast-specific marker, osteocalcin. The increase in osteocalcin in cell layers was parallel to the increase in mineral deposition. In the presence of TGF-beta, neither cell growth nor alkaline phosphatase activity increased. Instead, a small decrease occurred in both parameters when compared to untreated cultures. Accumulation of collagen, the major component of the extracellular matrix where mineralization occurs, was similar in untreated and TGF-beta 1-treated cultures. However, 8 pM TGF-beta 1 dramatically suppressed mineral deposition in both types of cultures. Despite TGF-beta 1 stimulating a fourfold increase in lactic acid, the consequent increase in culture medium acidity did not account for the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on mineralization. These results demonstrate that collagen gel culture is an improved technique over conventional monolayer culture for demonstrating differentiated osteoblast function and sensitivity to TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 1, at a concentration that has little effect on cell growth, alkaline phosphatase activity, or collagen accumulation, is a potent inhibitor of mineralization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for the involvement of retinoic acid receptor RAR alpha-dependent signaling pathway in the induction of tissue transglutaminase and apoptosis by retinoids

In this study, we show that all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is a potent inducer of tissue transglutaminase (TGase II) and apoptosis in the rat tracheobronchial epithelial cell line SPOC-1. We demonstrate that these cells express the retinoid receptors RAR alpha, RAR gamma, and RXR beta. To identify which of these receptors are involved in regulating these processes, we analyzed the effects of several receptor-selective agonists, an antagonist, and a dominant-negative RAR alpha. We show that the RAR-selective retinoid SRI-6751-84 strongly increased TGase II expression at both the protein and mRNA levels, whereas the RXR-selective retinoid SR11217 had little effect. The RAR alpha-selective retinoid Ro40-6055 was also able to induce TGase II, whereas the RAR gamma-selective retinoid CD437 was inactive. The induction of TGase II by the RAR-selective retinoid was completely inhibited by the RAR alpha-antagonist Ro41-5253. Overexpression of a truncated RAR alpha gene with dominant-negative activity also inhibited the induction of TGase II expression. The increase in TGase II is associated with an induction of apoptosis as revealed by DNA fragmentation and the generation of apoptotic cells. We demonstrate that apoptosis is affected by retinoids in a manner similar to TGase II. Our results suggest that the induction of TGase II expression and apoptosis in SPOC-1 cells are mediated through an RAR alpha-dependent signaling pathway.

RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate inhibits DNA synthesis and enhances the production and secretion of biologically active transforming growth factor-beta by avian retrovirus-transformed lymphoid cells

The RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate form of vitamin E, referred to as vitamin E succinate (VES), inhibits the proliferation of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus-transformed RECC-UTC4-1 (C4-1) lymphoblastoid cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Analyses of conditioned medium (CM) from VES growth-inhibited cells revealed a potent antiproliferative activity. Characterization of the antiproliferative activity as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was established by 1) growth inhibition of TGF-beta-responsive Mv1Lu mink lung and murine CTLL-2 cell lines, 2) a combination of physical characteristics including heat stability, acid stability, and Bio-Gel P-60 column chromatography elution profile, 3) neutralization of the antiproliferative activity by antibodies specific for TGF-beta, and 4) immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled TGF-beta in CM from VES-treated C4-1 cells by use of TGF-beta-specific antibodies. Northern blot analyses of total cellular RNA revealed that VES does not alter the levels of constitutively expressed TGF-beta isoform-specific mRNAs; namely, VES does not alter the levels of the 3.9- and 4.1-kb TGF-beta 2 mRNAs, the 3.0-kb TGF-beta 3 mRNA, or the 2.5-, 2.7-, and 1.7-kb TGF-beta 4 mRNAs. The data show that VES inhibits C4-1 cell proliferation and induces the cells to produce and secrete active forms of TGF-beta, suggesting that one mechanism whereby VES inhibits C4-1 cell proliferation may be via the TGF-beta pathway for cellular growth control.

Effect of endothelial cells and transforming growth factor-beta 1 on cultured vascular smooth muscle cell growth patterns

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) cultured alone exhibit characteristic "hill and valley" macroscopic growth features. We studied smooth muscle cells cocultured with endothelial cells and the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on smooth muscle cells: Bovine smooth muscle cells were plated on 13 microns-thick semipermeable membranes. Smooth muscle cells were cultured either alone (in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Media/2.5% calf serum, four wells/group); with neutralizing anti-transforming growth factor-beta 1 antibody (10 micrograms/ml); with the protease inhibitor aprotinin (prevents plasmin-mediated activation of transforming growth factor-beta 1, 200 mg/ml); or in the presence of confluent bovine endothelial cells cocultured on the opposite side of the membrane before plating smooth muscle cells. After 72 hours in culture smooth muscle cell organizational growth characteristics were examined by light microscopy. Hill and valley formation by smooth muscle cells resulted in areas of the membrane becoming devoid of smooth muscle cells, whereas other areas developed multilayered densely populated smooth muscle cells. Computed planimetry was used to measure this bare surface area to quantitate the extent of hill and valley growth, which was compared between groups by analysis of variance. Smooth muscle cells cultured alone demonstrated prominent hill and valley formation with a bare surface area of 2.64 +/- 0.51 mm2. Smooth muscle cells exposed to transforming growth factor-beta 1 antibody had much less hill and valley formation (bare surface area 0.92 +/- 0.29, p < 0.01), whereas aprotinin virtually prevented hill and valley formation (bare surface area 0.0, p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Latent transforming growth factor-beta 1 associates to fibroblast extracellular matrix via latent TGF-beta binding protein

The role of latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binding protein (LTBP) in the association of TGF-beta 1 to the extracellular matrix of cultured fibroblasts and HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells was studied by immunochemical methods. The matrices were isolated from the cells, and the levels of LTBP and TGF-beta 1 were estimated by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. LTBP, TGF-beta 1, and its propeptide (latency-associated peptide, LAP) were found to associate to the extracellular matrix. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that treatment of the cells with plasmin resulted in a concomitant time and dose dependent release of both LTBP and TGF-beta 1 from the extracellular matrix to the supernatant. Comparison of molecular weights suggested that plasmin treatment resulted in the cleavage of LTBP from the high molecular weight fibroblast form to a form resembling the low molecular weight LTBP found in platelets. Pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that both the free form of LTBP and LTBP complexed to latent TGF-beta were efficiently incorporated in the extracellular matrix, from where both complexes were slowly released to the culture medium. Addition of plasmin to the chase solution resulted, however, in a rapid release of LTBP from the matrix. Fibroblast derived LTBP was found to associate to the matrix of HT-1080 cells in a plasmin sensitive manner as shown by immunoprecipitation analysis. These results suggest that the latent form of TGF-beta 1 associates with the extracellular matrix via LTBP, and that the release of latent TGF-beta 1 from the matrix is a consequence of proteolytic cleavage(s) of LTBP.

Control of transforming growth factor-beta activity: latency vs. activation

Transforming growth factor-beta is a pluripotent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. The growth factor is expressed as a latent complex that must be converted to an active form before interacting with its ubiquitous high affinity receptors. This conversion involves the release of the mature growth factor through disruption of the non-covalent interactions with its pro-peptide or latency associated peptide. The mechanisms for this release in vivo have not been fully characterized but appear to be cell specific and might involve processes such as acidification or proteolysis. Although several factors including transcriptional regulation, receptor modulation and scavenging of the active growth factor have been implicated, the critical step controlling the biological effects of transforming growth factor-beta may be the activation of the latent molecule.