Inhibition of adrenocortical steroidogenesis by alpha 2-macroglobulin is caused by associated transforming growth factor beta

Characterisation of serum-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in primary bone marrow stromal cells

Intracellular Ca2+ signalling is pivotal to cell function and [Ca2+]i oscillations permit precise and prolonged modulation of an array of Ca2+-sensitive processes without the need for extended, global elevations in [Ca2+]i. We have studied [Ca2+]i signalling in primary rat marrow stromal cells exposed to foetal calf serum (FCS) constituents at concentrations up to those required to promote growth and differentiation in culture. Spontaneous [Ca2+]i signalling was not observed, but exposure to 1% FCS induced regular, sustained Ca2+ oscillations in 41 +/- 3% of cells. Incidence of FCS-induced oscillations was dose-dependent, saturating at 0.5%. These oscillations were arrested by disruption of Ca2+ stores with 100 nM-1 microM thapsigargin or discharge of mitochondrial membrane potential and were sensitive to blockade of IP3-receptors by 50 microM 2-amino-ethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and inhibition of phospholipase C with 5 microM U73122. The oscillations decreased in frequency and amplitude following inhibition of Ca2+ influx with EGTA or La3+ but were poorly sensitive to nifedipine (1-10 microM) and Bay K 8644 (300 nM). The factor(s) responsible for inducing [Ca2+]i oscillations are heat stable, insensitive to disulphide bond reduction with 20 mM dithioerythritol and retained by a 30 kDa molecular weight filter. Serum is routinely present in culture medium at 10%-15% [v/v] and marrow stromal cells maintained under culture conditions exhibited sustained oscillations. This is the first demonstration of agonist-induced complex Ca2+ signals in marrow stromal cells. We conclude that Ca2+ oscillations occur constantly in these cells in culture and are potentially important regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Evidence for autocrine or paracrine roles of alpha2-macroglobulin in regulation of estradiol production by granulosa cells and development of dominant follicles

alpha(2)-Macroglobulin (alpha(2)-M) inhibits proteinases and modulates the actions of growth factors and cytokines. Despite the key roles proteinases, growth factors, and cytokines have in folliculogenesis, the role of alpha(2)-M in follicular development is unknown. Our objectives were to: 1) determine whether granulosa cells produce alpha(2)-M and have alpha(2)-M receptors, 2) examine the effect of alpha(2)-M on estradiol production by granulosa cells, 3) establish whether amounts of alpha(2)-M and alpha(2)-M receptors were altered during dominant nonovulatory follicle development, and 4) examine alpha(2)-M's mechanism of action. The results demonstrated that bovine granulosa cells contain 5.2- and 15-kb mRNAs and 720- and 500-kDa proteins that correspond, respectively, to sizes of mRNAs and proteins for alpha(2)-M and the alpha(2)-M receptor. Treatment of granulosa cells with alpha(2)-M resulted in a specific dose-responsive increase in estradiol production. Cell viability, cell number, and the amount of aromatase in granulosa cells were not altered by alpha(2)-M. Treatment of granulosa cells with factors that bind alpha(2)-M or its receptor did not mimic alpha(2)-M action. Although intrafollicular amounts of alpha(2)-M remained unchanged, amounts of alpha(2)-M receptor in granulosa cells were strongly inversely associated with concentrations of estradiol in dominant and subordinate follicles. Based on these results, we concluded that alpha(2)-M may have autocrine or paracrine roles in granulosa cells potentially important for regulation of estradiol production and development of dominant follicles.

Origins of zonation: the adrenocortical model of tissue development and differentiation

1. Although much work has addressed the functional significance of mammalian adrenocortical zonation, less attention has been paid to its developmental origins and the factors that maintain it. Recent concepts of tissue differentiation hold that cells respond to local morphogenic stimuli that are generated in a paracrine manner. 2. In fact, the adrenal cortex represents an ideal mammalian in vivo model for such studies: few others exist. While several components may contribute to the establishment of a developmental polarity in the gland, including products of capsular and neural elements, compelling evidence now suggests that the tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a critical role. 3. We have examined the roles of these and other paracrine morphogens and growth factors and of specific transcription factors in adrenocortical cellular proliferation and development. From data obtained by using in situ hybridization to determine their cellular location, we propose a hierarchy of potential tissue modelling agents. These include morphogens, such as angiotensin II derived from the intra-adrenal RAS, growth factors (e.g. basic fibroblast growth factor), which can be considered to be the paracrine amplifiers of the morphogenic signal, and, finally, transcription factors, such as C-fos, that directly stimulate mitosis and other events of differentiation.

Adrenocortical zonation and the adrenal renin-angiotensin system

The origins of mammalian adrenocortical zonation and the factors that maintain it are poorly understood. We have examined the roles of the tissue renin-angiotensin system and other paracrine morphogens and growth factors, and of specific transcription factors in adrenocortical cellular proliferation and development. From the data obtained, we propose a hierarchy of potential tissue modeling agents. These include morphogens, such as angiotensin II derived from an intraadrenal origin, growth factors, for example insulin-like growth factor-I, which can be considered to be the paracrine amplifiers of the morphogenic signal and finally transcription factors, such as c-fos and c-jun, that directly stimulate mitosis and other events of differentiation. In particular, transcription of representative genes in all three categories is increased in the glomerulosa by a low sodium diet, correlated with its hypertrophy and increased aldosterone synthase. Corticotrophin treatment tends to eliminate these indices of zonal differentiation. The adrenal cortex can also set up electrochemical gradients in response to stimulation. We postulate that the electrochemical gradient informs adrenocortical cells of their position within the gland, and may also facilitate "directed diffusion" of other morphogenic paracrine factors to precise locations of action.

Circulating transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) in Guillain-Barré syndrome: decreased concentrations in the early course and increase with motor function

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the possible implication of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) in the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder that may implicate cytokines in its pathogenesis. TGF-beta1 is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine occasionally shown to be regulated in the course of demyelinating disorders.

METHODS

The study measured circulating proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines from the progressing phase to early recovery in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-beta1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-beta1 were prospectively evaluated in 15 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome every three days for the first 15 days after admission to hospital, and in 15 controls with non-inflammatory neurological diseases.

RESULTS

Concentrations of TGF-beta1 in plasma were decreased in 13115 patients (87 %) at day 1, remained low during progression and the plateau of paralysis (days 1-10), and then progressively increased up to control concentrations during early recovery (days 12-15). Concentrations of plasma TGF-beta1 correlated positively with motor function, the lowest values being e found in the most disabled patients. Concentrations of plasma TGF-beta1 were decreased before any treatment, and during treatment by either plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchange being associated with a more pronounced decrease in TGF-beta1 at day 7. Circulating TNF-alpha concentrations were raised, as previously reported, when other cytokines were either randomly increased (IL-2, IL-6), or undetectable (IL-1, IL-4, IL-7, IL-10).

CONCLUSIONS

Down regulation of TGF-beta1 in the early course of Guillain-Barré syndrome could participate in neural inflammation.

Peptide growth factors and the adrenal cortex

Increasing evidence suggests that the actions of classical stimulants of adrenocortical growth and function, such as ACTH or dietary sodium restriction, may partially be mediated via locally produced regulators. Several peptide growth factors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factors, and transforming growth factor-beta 1, have emerged in recent years as multifunctional molecules that typically play such regulatory roles. Adrenocortical cells are highly responsive to these growth factors, in particular in the regulation of cell growth and differentiated functions, such as steroidogenesis. In addition, growth factor expression in the adrenal cortex has been shown to be regulated by physiological stimulants. The spatial expression, release, and activation of these growth factors may, therefore, locally mediate or amplify the actions of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis and the renin-angiotensin system on adrenocortical proliferation, differentiation, and steroidogenesis.

Activated alpha 2-macroglobulin promotes mitogenesis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells by a mechanism that is independent of growth-factor-carrier activity

Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) proliferation is important in atherosclerosis. We previously demonstrated that methylamine-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) cause a synergistic proliferative response in quiescent rat aortic vSMCs [Stouffer, G. A., La-Marre, J., Gonias, S. L. & Owens, G. K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 18,340-18,344]. The first goal of this study was to determine whether the synergy is due to the ability of alpha 2M-methylamine (alpha 2M-MeNH2) to bind TGF-beta 1 and target the growth factor to vSMCs that express the alpha 2M receptor. Receptor-recognized alpha 2M derivatives without TGF-beta 1-binding activity, including ternary alpha 2M-trypsin, an 18-kDa proteolytic fragment of the alpha 2M subunit, and the corresponding recombinant receptor-binding fragment (rRBF) increased vSMC [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell number in a manner similar to alpha 2M-MeNH2. In combination with TGF-beta 1, each alpha 2M derivative caused a synergistic vSMC proliferative response. vSMCs responded comparably when treated with alpha 2M-MeNH2 and TGF-beta 1 simultaneously or in sequence. Furthermore, alpha 2M-MeNH2-TGF-beta 1 complexes increased [3H]thymidine incorporation no more than alpha 2M-MeNH2 alone. These results indicate that TGF-beta 1 binding to alpha 2M is not responsible for the synergistic mitogenic activity. Additional studies were undertaken to determine whether activated alpha 2M independently induces a signal-transduction response in vSMCs. alpha 2M-MeNH2 and rRBF caused a rapid, transient increase in vSMC inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. This response was pertussis-toxin insensitive. Receptor-associated protein (RAP; 170 nmol/L) inhibited 91-95% of the specific binding of 125I-alpha 2M-MeNH2 and 125I-rRBF to vSMC; however, RAP did not affect the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate response or the mitogenic response. These studies suggest that vSMCs express a receptor, other than low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein, that transduces a signal in response to activated alpha 2M. This receptor may mediate the mitogenic activity of alpha 2M in vSMC culture.

Zonation, paracrine function and aldosterone secretion in the rat adrenal cortex

Using in situ hybridisation we show that, in the rat adrenal, 11 beta-hydroxylase is confined to the inner zones, whereas aldosterone synthase is expressed exclusively in the glomerulosa. Immunoblotting methods identify an 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) in IEF gels of solubilised inner adrenocortical zone membrane preparations. This steroid, which can also be identified by immunocytochemistry, cannot be solvent extracted from the IEF gels unless the gel slices are first treated with trypsin. Preincubation of viable whole glandular tissue with trypsin significantly enhances aldosterone output, and eliminates the trypsin releasable 18-OH-DOC pool in IEF gels. The data suggest that 18-OH-DOC is synthesised and sequestered in inner zone cells, in a novel non-solvent extractable manner, but can be mobilised for utilisation as an aldosterone precursor in the glomerulosa.

Cytokine indices in Alzheimer's temporal cortex: no changes in mature IL-1 beta or IL-1RA but increases in the associated acute phase proteins IL-6, alpha 2-macroglobulin and C-reactive protein

Recent immunocytochemical data have demonstrated increases in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the IL-6-inducible acute phase protein, alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. We investigated the levels of these proteins quantitatively using ELISA procedures and determined if increases in IL-1 beta were compensated for by a parallel increase in the endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). Comparing control vs. Alzheimer's temporal cortex, we examined mature IL-1 beta, IL-1RA, IL-6, alpha 2-M and C-reactive protein (CRP). The specificities of the ELISA procedures were verified by serial dilutions of the samples; by chromatofocusing, and by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. There were no differences in the levels of mature IL-1 beta or IL-1RA in AD and control brains. However, IL-6 levels were detectable in 14 of the 16 Alzheimer samples but only 2 of the 14 control samples. There were also significant increases seen in alpha 2-M and CRP levels in the Alzheimer's group compared to controls. These data support previous studies demonstrating a possible up-regulation of neuroimmune function in Alzheimer's cortex; however, we cannot determine, at this time, if this immune reaction is initiated by IL-1 beta.