Coupling of proadipocyte growth arrest and differentiation. II. A cell cycle model for the physiological control of cell proliferation

CircMEF2C(2, 3) modulates proliferation and adipogenesis of porcine intramuscular preadipocytes by miR-383/671-3p/MEF2C axis

Circular RNA is a special category of non-coding RNA that has emerged as epigenetic regulator of adipose tissue development. However, the mechanism governing intramuscular adipogenesis of circRNA remains largely uncharted. In this study, circMEF2C(2, 3), looped by MEF2C exons 2 and 3, was identified from the pig MEF2C gene. Expression of circMEF2C(2, 3) is upregulated in early stage of intramuscular adipogenesis and muscular tissue of lean pigs (DLY pig). Subsequently, overexpression or knockdown of circMEF2C(2, 3) reflected that it participates in promoting proliferation and inhibiting adipogenic differentiation in porcine intramuscular preadipocytes and murine C3H10T1/2 cells. Mechanically, circMEF2C(2, 3) competitively combined with miR-383 and miR-671-3p to the 3'-UTR of MEF2C, which maintains MEF2C expression in regulating proliferation and adipogenesis. In summary, circMEF2C(2, 3) is a key regulator in the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of intramuscular adipogenesis, suggesting its potential as a multi-target strategy for adipose development and associated diseases.

Different Statistical Approaches to Characterization of Adipocyte Size in Offspring of Obese Rats: Effects of Maternal or Offspring Exercise Intervention

Adipocyte size (AS) shows asymmetric distribution related to current metabolic state, e.g., adipogenesis or lipolysis. We profiled AS distribution using different statistical approaches in offspring (F1) of control (C) and obese (MO) mothers (F0) with and without F0 or F1 exercise. Offspring from F0 exercise were designated CF0ex and MOF0ex. Exercised F1 of sedentary mothers were designated CF1ex and MOF1ex. F1 retroperitoneal fat cross-sectional AS was measured by median, cumulative distributions, data dispersion and extreme values based on gamma distribution modeling. F1 metabolic parameters: body weight, retroperitoneal fat, adiposity index (AI), serum leptin, triglycerides (TG) and insulin resistance index (IRI) were measured. Male and female F1 AS showed different cumulative distribution between C and MO (p < 0.0001) therefore comparisons were performed among C, CF0ex and CF1ex groups and MO, MOF0ex and MOF1ex groups. MO AI was higher than C (p < 0.05) and male MOF1ex AI lower than MO (p < 0.05). Median AS was higher in male and female MO vs. C (p < 0.05). Male and female MOF0ex and MOF1ex reduced median AS (p < 0.05). Lower AS dispersion was observed in male CF1ex and MOF1ex vs. CF0ex and MOF0ex, respectively. MO reduced small and increased large adipocyte proportions vs. C (p < 0.05); MOF0ex increased small and MOF1ex the proportion of large adipocytes vs. MO (p < 0.05). MOF0ex reduced male IRI and female TG vs. MO (p < 0.05). MOF1ex reduced male and female leptin (p < 0.05); CF1ex reduced male leptin (p < 0.05). Conclusions: several factors, diet, physical activity and gender modify AS distribution. Conventional AS distribution methods normally do not include analyzes of extreme, large and small adipocytes, which characterize different phenotypes. Maternal high fat diet affects F1 AS distribution, which was programmed during development. F0ex and F1ex have gender specific F1 beneficial effects. AS distribution characterization helps explain adipose tissue metabolic changes in different physiological conditions and will aid design of efficacious interventions to prevent and/or recuperate adverse developmental programming outcomes. Finally, precise identification of effects of specific interventions as exercise of F0 and/or F1 are needed to improve outcomes in obese women and their obesity prone offspring.

The Role of Cellular Proliferation in Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mitotic clonal expansion has been suggested as a prerequisite for adipogenesis in murine preadipocytes, but the precise role of cell proliferation during human adipogenesis is unclear. Using adipose tissue-derived human mesenchymal stem cells as an in vitro cell model for adipogenic study, a group of cell cycle regulators, including Cdk1 and CCND1, were found to be downregulated as early as 24 h after adipogenic initiation and consistently, cell proliferation activity was restricted to the first 48 h of adipogenic induction. Cell proliferation was either further inhibited using siRNAs targeting cell cycle genes or enhanced by supplementing exogenous growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), at specific time intervals during adipogenesis. Expression knockdown of Cdk1 at the initiation of adipogenic induction resulted in significantly increased adipocytes, even though total number of cells was significantly reduced compared to siControl-treated cells. bFGF stimulated proliferation throughout adipogenic differentiation, but exerted differential effect on adipogenic outcome at different phases, promoting adipogenesis during mitotic phase (first 48 h), but significantly inhibiting adipogenesis during adipogenic commitment phase (days 3-6). Our results demonstrate that cellular proliferation is counteractive to adipogenic commitment in human adipogenesis. However, cellular proliferation stimulation can be beneficial for adipogenesis during the mitotic phase by increasing the population of cells capable of committing to adipocytes before adipogenic commitment.

Muscle as an osteoinductive niche for local bone formation with the use of a biphasic calcium sulphate/hydroxyapatite biomaterial

Objectives

We have observed clinical cases where bone is formed in the overlaying muscle covering surgically created bone defects treated with a hydroxyapatite/calcium sulphate biomaterial. Our objective was to investigate the osteoinductive potential of the biomaterial and to determine if growth factors secreted from local bone cells induce osteoblastic differentiation of muscle cells.

Materials and Methods

We seeded mouse skeletal muscle cells C2C12 on the hydroxyapatite/calcium sulphate biomaterial and the phenotype of the cells was analysed. To mimic surgical conditions with leakage of extra cellular matrix (ECM) proteins and growth factors, we cultured rat bone cells ROS 17/2.8 in a bioreactor and harvested the secreted proteins. The secretome was added to rat muscle cells L6. The phenotype of the muscle cells after treatment with the media was assessed using immunostaining and light microscopy.

Results

C2C12 cells differentiated into osteoblast-like cells expressing prominent bone markers after seeding on the biomaterial. The conditioned media of the ROS 17/2.8 contained bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2 8.4 ng/mg, standard deviation (sd) 0.8) and BMP-7 (50.6 ng/mg, sd 2.2). In vitro, this secretome induced differentiation of skeletal muscle cells L6 towards an osteogenic lineage.

Conclusion

Extra cellular matrix proteins and growth factors leaking from a bone cavity, along with a ceramic biomaterial, can synergistically enhance the process of ectopic ossification. The overlaying muscle acts as an osteoinductive niche, and provides the required cells for bone formation.

Cite this article: D. B. Raina, A. Gupta, M. M. Petersen, W. Hettwer, M. McNally, M. Tägil, M-H. Zheng, A. Kumar, L. Lidgren. Muscle as an osteoinductive niche for local bone formation with the use of a biphasic calcium sulphate/hydroxyapatite biomaterial. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:500–511. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0133.R1.

Gelatin-Modified Bone Substitute with Bioactive Molecules Enhance Cellular Interactions and Bone Regeneration

In this work, we have synthesized injectable bone cement incorporated with gelatin to enhance cellular interaction. Human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells derived bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP's) and a bisphosphonate (zoledronic acid (0.2 mM)) were also incorporated to cement. In vitro studies conducted using Saos-2 demonstrated enhanced cell proliferation on gelatin (0.2%w/v) cement. The differentiation of C2C12 mouse myoblast cells into bone forming cells showed 6-fold increase in ALP levels on gelatin cement. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bone biomarkers showed osteoinductive potential of gelatin cement. We investigated efficacy for local delivery of these bioactive molecules in enhancing bone substitution qualities of bone cements by implanting in 3.5 mm critical size defect in tibial metaphysis of wistar rats. The rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks and 16 weeks post implantation. X-ray, micro-CT, histology, and histomorphometry analysis were performed to check bone healing. The cement materials slowly resorbed from the defect site leaving HAP creating porous matrix providing surface for bone formation. The materials showed high biocompatibility and initial bridging was observed in all the animals but maximum bone formation was observed in animals implanted with cement incorporated with zoledronic acid followed by cement with BMP's compared to other groups.

Study of in Vitro and in Vivo Bone Formation in Composite Cryogels and the Influence of Electrical Stimulation

This work studies osteoinduction and bone conduction in polyvinyl alcohol-tetraethylorthosilicate-alginate-calcium oxide (PTAC) biocomposite cryogels along with the synergistic effect of electrical stimulation. In vitro osteoinduction of C2C12 myoblast towards osteogenic lineage is demonstrated through alkaline phosphatase assay, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. These results were followed by in vivo implantation studies of PTAC biocomposite cryogel scaffolds in the bone conduction chamber model depicting bone formation after 24 days based on immunohistological staining for osteogenic markers, i.e., collagen type I (Col I), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP). Further, osteogenic differentiation of murine mesenchymal stem cells was studied with and without electrical stimulation. The q-PCR analysis shows that the electrically stimulated cryogels exhibit ~ 6 folds higher collagen type I and ~ 10 folds higher osteopontin mRNA level, in comparison to the unstimulated cryogels. Thus, PTAC biocomposite cryogels present osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties during in vitro and in vivo studies and support osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells under the influence of electrical stimulation.

Cell cycle gene expression networks discovered using systems biology: Significance in carcinogenesis

The early stages of carcinogenesis are linked to defects in the cell cycle. A series of cell cycle checkpoints are involved in this process. The G1/S checkpoint that serves to integrate the control of cell proliferation and differentiation is linked to carcinogenesis and the mitotic spindle checkpoint is associated with the development of chromosomal instability. This paper presents the outcome of systems biology studies designed to evaluate if networks of covariate cell cycle gene transcripts exist in proliferative mammalian tissues including mice, rats, and humans. The GeneNetwork website that contains numerous gene expression datasets from different species, sexes, and tissues represents the foundational resource for these studies (www.genenetwork.org). In addition, WebGestalt, a gene ontology tool, facilitated the identification of expression networks of genes that co-vary with key cell cycle targets, especially Cdc20 and Plk1 (www.bioinfo.vanderbilt.edu/webgestalt). Cell cycle expression networks of such covariate mRNAs exist in multiple proliferative tissues including liver, lung, pituitary, adipose, and lymphoid tissues among others but not in brain or retina that have low proliferative potential. Sixty-three covariate cell cycle gene transcripts (mRNAs) compose the average cell cycle network with P = e(-13) to e(-36) . Cell cycle expression networks show species, sex and tissue variability, and they are enriched in mRNA transcripts associated with mitosis, many of which are associated with chromosomal instability.

Osteocompatibility and osteoinductive potential of supermacroporous polyvinyl alcohol-TEOS-agarose-CaCl2 (PTAgC) biocomposite cryogels

Bone tissue engineering majorly focuses on the development of biomaterials which have the capability to mimic bone as well as the ability to induce bone formation. To this direction, we have prepared supermacroporous polyvinyl alcohol-TEOS-Agarose-CaCl2 (PTAgC) biocomposite cryogels having a uniform porous structure with an interconnected porosity of 77 ± 0.16 % and pore size of 190 ± 0.78 μm, as determined by scanning electron microscopic and micro-computed tomographic analyses. These biocomposite cryogels show an osteocompatible response towards Saos-2 human osteoblasts as analyzed via MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay and cell adhesion behaviour showing a flattened morphology of the cells on the cryogel surface. The property of bioactivity was also observed on the surface of these biomaterials. Further, we also explored the osteoinductive potential of these biocomposite cryogels by the analysis of osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts after seeding onto these biocomposite cryogels. The results indicate that these biocomposite cryogels indeed show an osteoinductive potential as we could observe the presence of respective markers for different stages during osteoblast maturation. During early timepoints, higher alkaline phosphatase production via ALP assay and BCIP/NBT staining was observed in the case of biocomposite cryogel seeded cells suggesting the osteoblastic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Whereas, during later timepoints, formation of calcium-phosphate like crystals was confirmed by von-kossa staining, further indicating towards the onset of mineralization phase during osteoblast maturation. Therefore, these results suggest that PTAgC biocomposite cryogels can form an important part of bone tissue engineered biomaterials due to their osteocompatible behaviour and osteoinductive potential.

Adipogenesis licensing and execution are disparately linked to cell proliferation

Coordination of cell differentiation and proliferation is a key issue in the development process of multi-cellular organisms and stem cells. Here we provide evidence that the establishment of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells requires two processes: the licensing of an adipogenesis gene-expression program within a particular growth-arrest stage, i.e., the contact-inhibition stage, and then the execution of this program in a cell-cycle-independent manner, by which the licensed progenitors are differentiated into adipocytes in the presence of inducing factors. Our results showed that differentiation licensing of 3T3-L1 cells during the contact-inhibition stage involved epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, whereas disturbing these epigenetic modifications by DNA methylation inhibitors or RNAi during the contact-inhibition stage significantly reduced adipogenesis efficiency. More importantly, when these licensed 3T3-L1 cells were re-cultured under non-differentiating conditions or treated only with insulin, this adipogenesis commitment could be maintained from one cell generation to the next, whereby the licensed program could be activated in a cell-cycle-independent manner once these cells were subjected to adipogenesis-inducing conditions. This result suggests that differentiation licensing and differentiation execution can be uncoupled and disparately linked to cell proliferation. Our findings deliver a new concept that cell-fate decision can be subdivided into at least two stages, licensing and execution, which might have different regulatory relationships with cell proliferation. In addition, this new concept may provide a clue for developing new strategies against obesity.

Perspective: embedded molecular switches, anticancer selection, and effects on ontogenetic rates: a hypothesis of developmental constraint on morphogenesis and evolution

The switch between the cell cycle and the progress of differentiation in developmental pathways is prevalent throughout the eukaryotes in all major cell lineages. Disruptions to the molecular signals regulating the switch between proliferative and differentiating states are severe, often resulting in cancer formation (uncontrolled proliferation) or major developmental disorders. Uncontrolled proliferation and developmental disorders are potentially lethal defects in the developing animal. Therefore, natural selection would likely favor a tightly controlled regulatory mechanism to help prevent these fundamental defects. Although selection is usually thought of as a consequence of environmental or ecological influences, in this case the selective force to maintain this molecular switch is internal, manifested as a potentially lethal developmental defect. The morphogenetic consequences of this prevalent, deeply embedded, and tightly controlled mechanistic switch are currently unexplored, however experimental and correlative evidence from several sources suggest that there are important consequences on the control of growth rates and developmental rates in organs and in the whole animal. These observations lead one to consider the possibility of a developmental constraint on ontogenetic rates and morphological evolution maintained by natural selection against cancer and other embryonic lethal defects.

Leptin gene expression in human preadipocytes is switched on by maturation-induced demethylation of distinct CpGs in its proximal promoter

The peptide hormone leptin plays a major role in the regulation of energy intake and expenditure and is predominantly expressed in mature adipocytes but not in preadipocytes. Using bisulfite genomic sequencing, we found that 32 CpGs, distributed within a 317-bp sequence of the proximal leptin promoter, were highly methylated in human preadipocytes (73.4% +/- 9.0%). During maturation toward terminally differentiated adipocytes, this promoter region was extremely demethylated (9.4% +/- 4.4%). CpG methylation-dependent transcriptional activity of the promoter fragment was determined in transfection experiments using a set of 5'-truncated mock-, HhaI-, and SssI-methylated promoter-reporter constructs. Whereas the methylated CpG within the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha recognition site down-regulated reporter expression, methylated CpGs proximal to the TATA motif and/or in a further upstream region abrogated promoter activity completely. These distinct promoter CpG sequences were found unmethylated in leptin-expressing mature adipocytes. As evidenced by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, nuclear protein complexes were specifically formed on methylated oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the dedicated promoter sequences, indicating that methyl-CpG binding proteins participate in transcriptional repression and regulation of the human leptin gene.

Down-regulation of aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein during the early phase of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis

Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) is a 175-kDa protein that is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and contains a signal peptide sequence, a lysine- and proline-rich repeating motif, a discoidin-like domain with 35% identity to discoidin I, and a carboxypeptidase-like domain that is 39% identical with carboxypeptidase E. It is secreted into the extracellular matrix and may play a role in abdominal wall development and dermal wound healing. ACLP is also expressed in adipose tissue, but at lower levels. In this study we demonstrate that ACLP protein and mRNA are severely down-regulated in the early phase of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation induced by insulin, dexamethasone, and isobutylmethylxanthine. Neither dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, nor insulin treatment alone reduced the level of ACLP protein, suggesting that ACLP down-regulation is a differentiation-associated event. ACLP down-regulation coincided with the onset of the postconfluent mitotic clonal expansion phase of adipogenesis. In contrast, subconfluent 3T3-L1 cell proliferation did not alter ACLP expression, suggesting a specific linkage between ACLP and differentiation-induced clonal expansion. Stable overexpression of ACLP had no effect on preadipocyte differentiation assessed by triacylglycerol accumulation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma levels. The role of ACLP and its marked reduction during adipogenesis merit further study.

Novel genes regulated by the insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone during adipocyte differentiation

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a new class of compounds that improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients as well as in rodent models of this disease. These compounds act as ligands for a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), which is highly expressed in adipose tissue and, moreover, has been shown to play an important role in adipocyte differentiation. The strong correlation between the antidiabetic activity of TZDs and their ability to activate PPAR-gamma suggests that PPAR-gamma, through downstream-regulated genes, mediates the effects of TZDs. In this report, we present the isolation and characterization of 81 genes, encoding proteins of known function, differentially expressed during TZD-stimulated differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. By the use of different reverse- Northern blot techniques, the differential expression of 50 of these genes could be verified, and 21 genes were specifically regulated by a potent TZD during the course of adipocyte differentiation, whereas no effect of a PPAR-gamma antagonist could be observed in mature adipocytes. The differential expression of a large fraction of the isolated genes was also shown to occur in white adipose tissue of ob/ob mice treated with rosiglitazone; combined, our results suggest that an important effect of rosiglitazone in adipose tissue is based on activation of PPAR-gamma in preexisting preadipocytes found among the mature adipocytes, resulting in subsequent adipocyte differentiation.

Sodium arsenite inhibits terminal differentiation of murine C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes

Cancer represents an imbalance between cell proliferation and differentiation, two processes that are coordinately and antagonistically regulated. Aberrant cell proliferation is considered to be an important etiological factor in the development of arsenic-induced cancer, suggesting that arsenic also dysregulates differentiation. Based on evidence that arsenic modulates mitogenic events that antagonize the process of differentiation, this study addresses the hypothesis that sodium arsenite inhibits insulin/dexamethasone-induced differentiation of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes; it was further postulated that arsenic-treated cells retain mitogenic responsiveness under differentiating conditions. To test this hypothesis, the differentiation capacity of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes was examined in control cells and cells treated with sodium arsenite. Differentiation was assessed morphologically and quantified by Oil Red-O staining of accumulated lipids. The effect of long-term arsenic exposure on mitogenic competence was quantified by flow cytometry, [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, and cell counting under conditions favorable for adipocyte differentiation. Results indicate that arsenic inhibits morphological differentiation of wild-type C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes. Short-term arsenic exposure inhibits differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, with arsenic concentrations > or = 3 microM producing a significant inhibition of dexamethasone/insulin-induced lipid accumulation. Furthermore, arsenic-treated cells exhibit an accentuated response to mitogenic stimulation under differentiating conditions. These data suggest that arsenic exposure results in the inhibition of cellular programming required for terminal differentiation of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes and that cells acquire mitogenic hyperresponsiveness. The ability of arsenic to dysregulate the balance between proliferation and differentiation is proposed to be one mechanism by which this metalloid causes cancer in humans.

Role of intracellular calcium in human adipocyte differentiation

Intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) modulates adipocyte lipid metabolism and inhibits the early stages of murine adipogenesis. Consequently, we evaluated effects of increasing [Ca(2+)](i) in early and late stages of human adipocyte differentiation. Increasing [Ca(2+)](i) with either thapsigargin or A23187 at 0-1 h of differentiation markedly suppressed differentiation, with a 40-70% decrease in triglyceride accumulation and glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity (P < 0.005). However, a 1-h pulse of either agent at 47-48 h only modestly inhibited differentiation. Sustained, mild stimulation of Ca(2+) influx with either agouti protein or 10 mM KCl-induced depolarization during 0-48 h of differentiation inhibited triglyceride accumulation and GPDH activity by 20-70% (P < 0.05) and markedly suppressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression. These effects were reversed by Ca(2+) channel antagonism. In contrast, Ca(2+) pulses late in differentiation (71-72 h or 48-72 h) markedly increased these markers of differentiation. Thus increasing [Ca(2+)](i) appears to exert a biphasic regulatory role in human adipocyte differentiation, inhibiting the early stages while promoting the late stage of differentiation and lipid filling.

Transcriptional control of adipogenesis

Adipocyte differentiation is coordinatedly regulated by several transcription factors. C/EBP beta, C/EBP delta and ADD-1/SREBP-1 are active early during the differentiation process and induce the expression and/or activity of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma), the pivotal coordinator of the adipocyte differentiation process. Activated PPAR gamma induces exit from the cell cycle and triggers the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, resulting in increased delivery of energy to the cells. C/EBP alpha, whose expression coincides with the later stages of differentiation, cooperates with PPAR gamma in inducing additional target genes and sustains a high level of PPAR gamma in the mature adipocyte as part of a feedforward loop. Altered activity and/or expression of these transcription factors might underlie the pathogenesis of disorders characterized by increased or decreased adipose tissue depots.

Functional differentiation of white and brown adipocytes

Adipose tissue plays an important role in mammalian energy equilibrium not only as a lipid-dissipating, i.e. energy-storing, tissue (white adipose tissue), but also as an energy-dissipating one (brown adipose tissue). Brown adipocytes have the ability of facultative heat production due to a unique mitochondrial protein, the uncoupling protein (UCP). Differentiation of white and (to a lesser extent) brown adipocytes has been studied in different cell culture systems, which has led to the identification of external inducers, second messenger pathways and transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation. Functional differentiation of white adipocytes implies adipose conversion, whereas in brown adipocytes it insinuates additionally the development of a thermogenic function. This review discusses recent advances in the elucidation of the pathways responsible for, and the molecular bases of, adipose conversion on the one hand and development of the thermogenic properties of brown adipocytes on the other.

Induction of AP-1 activity associated with c-Jun and JunB is required for mitogenesis induced by insulin and vanadate in SV40-transformed 3T3T cells

Insulin and vanadate function as complete mitogens for SV40-transformed murine 3T3T (CSV3-1) cells but not for nontransformed 3T3T cells. Mitogenesis induced by insulin and vanadate in CSV3-1 cells is associated with the induction of the expression of protooncogenes c-jun and junB, two major AP-1 transcription factor components. We now report that both insulin and vanadate induce a significant increase in AP-1 DNA binding activity in CSV3-1 cells but not in 3T3T cells. Gel supershift assays and Western blot analysis using specific antibodies demonstrate that the increased AP-1 binding activity induced by insulin and vanadate in CSV3-1 cells is primarily contributed by an increase in the expression of c-Jun and JunB protein levels. Furthermore, treatment of CSV3-1 cells with antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides to c-jun or to junB blocks insulin- and vanadate-induced mitogenesis whereas antisense junD oligomers have no inhibitory effects. These results therefore demonstrate that the induction of AP-1 binding activity associated with c-Jun and JunB is required for insulin- and vandate-induced mitogenesis in SV40-transformed murine 3T3T cells. Additional data presented in this paper show that JunD/AP-1 binding activity, which is thought to play a negative role in regulating cell proliferation, is also slightly induced following insulin and vanadate stimulation in CSV3-1 cells. Nevertheless, the ratio of proliferation promoting c-Jun/AP-1 and JunB/AP-1 binding activities to proliferation inhibiting JunD/AP-1 binding activity is significantly increased following insulin and vanadate stimulation. These results therefore support the concept that modulation of the balance of positive Jun/AP-1 and negative Jun/AP-1 activities is important in regulating cell proliferation.

The proliferation potential protein-related (P2P-R) gene with domains encoding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein association and Rb1 binding shows repressed expression during terminal differentiation

Terminal differentiation is associated with repression in the expression of the proliferation potential proteins (P2P) subset of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) proteins. We report here the cloning and characterization of a 5173-bp P2P-related (P2P-R) cDNA that contains a 4214-bp open reading frame. Probes to this cDNA detect a single 8-kb mRNA in multiple murine tissues and in proliferating 3T3T cells, but not in terminally differentiated 3T3T adipocytes. Evidence that this cDNA can encode peptides with domains for hnRNP association was established by showing that such peptides are recognized by two monoclonal antibodies known to detect core hnRNP proteins, and by showing that the C130 monoclonal antibody, produced against a cDNA-derived fusion protein, also selectively detects native P2P hnRNP proteins. In addition, P2P-R cDNA-derived fusion proteins bind single-stranded nucleic acids, and a P2P-R cDNA-derived antisense oligonucleotide selectively represses P2P expression. Because terminal differentiation is associated with modulation in Rb1 function, we assayed if products of this cDNA might interact with Rb1. Evidence that the P2P-R cDNA encodes a protein domain that binds Rb1 was established using a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein to selectively precipitate Rb1 from cellular extracts. Data also show that this binding is reduced by competition with the adenovirus E1a protein, indicating that binding occurs through the "pocket" domain of Rb1. These results establish that the P2P-R cDNA encodes protein domains involved in both hnRNP association and Rb1 binding and complement recent reports that localize Rb1 to sites of RNA processing in the nucleus.

Preadipocyte recruitment in stromal vascular cultures after depletion of committed preadipocytes by immunocytotoxicity

Glucocorticoids or the glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone (DEX) enhances the differentiation of preadipocytes in the presence of insulin and influences preadipocyte proliferation. The purpose of the present study was to determine if DEX can induce the recruitment of preadipocytes. Using monoclonal antibodies for complement-mediated cytotoxicity, preadipocytes were removed from porcine stromal vascular (S-V) cell cultures. Our experiments demonstrated for the first time that after removal of preadipocytes by cytotoxicity, preadipocytes or fat cells could be induced by DEX or DEX plus insulin but not by insulin alone. However, many more fat cells were induced (258 +/- 15/unit area) when DEX was added with fetal bovine serum (FBS) followed with insulin treatment, compared to DEX with insulin (21.3 +/- 5.1/ unit area) after removal of preadipocytes. Immunocytochemistry with AD-3, a preadipocyte marker, showed that DEX with FBS for 3 days after seeding (i.e., the proliferation phase) produced many more preadipocytes (AD-3 positive, 223 +/- 45/unit area) than FBS alone (10.5 +/- 1.4/unit area). Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays demonstrated that the efficiency of DEX with FBS (i.e., during proliferation) was mitosis dependent. Accordingly, we conclude that: porcine S-V cultures contain preadipocytes at different stages of differentiation; and that DEX induced early preadipocyte differentiation depends on mitosis.

Differentiation, differentiation/gene therapy and cancer

"Differentiation, Differentiation/Gene Therapy and Cancer" is intended to suggest that an understanding of the cell and molecular biology of cell differentiation should advance the development of new cancer therapies. This article, therefore, reviews four general topics and their relationship to each other: (1) the multistep process of cell differentiation in nontransformed and transformed cells, (2) the use of drugs that induce differentiation in vitro as potential clinical differentiation therapy agents for cancer, (3) the evolving emphasis on gene therapy as a new cancer therapy modality, and (4) the concept of differentiation/gene therapy.

Differentiation modulates the balance of positive and negative Jun/AP-1 DNA binding activities to regulate cellular proliferative potential: different effects in nontransformed and transformed cells

Differentiation of 3T3T cells into adipocytes results in the progressive repression of growth factor responsiveness. This is associated with the transcriptional repression of the inducibility of c-jun and junB expression by serum. In contrast, differentiation of SV-40 large T antigen-transformed 3T3T cells (CSV3-1) does not repress growth factor responsiveness nor c-jun or junB inducibility even though CSV3-1 cells can differentiate into adipocytes. To better explain these observations, we have studied compositional changes in AP-1 DNA binding activity attributed to c-Jun, JunB, and JunD during the differentiation process in 3T3T and CSV3-1 cells. The results show that in nontransformed 3T3T cells, differentiation represses AP-1 DNA binding activity via a proportionate downregulation of c-Jun, JunB, and JunD. In contrast, in CSV3-1 cells, AP-1 DNA binding activity increases twofold during differentiation, which is accounted for by an increase in JunD with no change in c-Jun and JunB. If c-Jun and JunB serve as positive regulators and JunD serves as a negative regulator for cell proliferation as suggested by previous studies, the repression of JunD expression in differentiating CSV3-1 cells should be mitogenic because decreasing JunD/AP-1 DNA binding activity would allow c-Jun/AP-1 and JunB/AP-1 DNA binding activities to be dominant. The results confirm this prediction showing that antisense junD oligodeoxyribonucleotides are mitogenic for differentiating CSV3-1 cells whereas antisense c-jun and junB inhibit mitogenesis. These data support the conclusion that differentiation can regulate cellular proliferative potential by modulating the balance of positive and negative Jun/AP-1 DNA binding activities in distinct ways in nontransformed and transformed cells.

An earlier proliferative response of hepatocytes in gamma-glutamyl transferase positive foci to partial hepatectomy

One of the hallmarks of initiated hepatocytes is their resistance to several hepatotoxins. This property forms the basis for their selective growth under conditions which are inhibitory to the non-initiated hepatocytes. Selective growth of initiated hepatocytes also occurs, albeit at a low level, in initiated rat liver without exposure to any known promoting regimen and/or in the absence of any known selective pressure to which initiated hepatocytes can possibly be resistant. This latter phenotypic property of initiated hepatocytes was further characterized by comparing the kinetics of response of hepatocytes in gamma-glutamyl transferase positive foci and in the surrounding liver to 2/3 partial hepatectomy both in the presence and in the absence of a promoting regimen. Male Fischer 344 rats (130-150 g) were initiated with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine and 1 week later they were placed on either a semi-synthetic basal diet or a promoting diet containing 1% orotic acid. Partial hepatectomy was performed 15 weeks after initiation and animals from both groups were killed at 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72 or 96 h after operation. Each animal received a pulse of 3H-labelled thymidine 1 h prior to killing. Autoradiographic studies revealed that hepatocytes in gamma-glutamyl transferase positive foci in the livers of rats fed the basal diet were significantly labelled at 16 h post-partial hepatectomy while surrounding hepatocytes were still virtually quiescent (LI 12.7 +/- 4.7 versus 1.2 +/- 0.5%, respectively). Higher labelling index in foci compared to the surrounding liver was also seen at 20 h post-PH (36.9 +/- 2.6 versus 21.5 +/- 2.4). Similar earlier response of hepatocytes in gamma-glutamyl transferase positive foci was also seen in initiated rats exposed to dietary orotic acid. In addition, orotic acid treatment appears to have imposed a slight delay on the entry of hepatocytes in the surrounding liver into 'S' phase and thereby enhancing the differential of growth response between these two populations.

Adipocyte differentiation selectively represses the serum inducibility of c-jun and junB by reversible transcription-dependent mechanisms

Nonterminally differentiated 3T3 T adipocytes are resistant to growth stimulation by 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum even though they can be induced to proliferate with extremely high serum concentrations. We now report that in adipocytes 10% fetal bovine serum also fails to typically induce c-jun or junB. Rather, after 10% fetal bovine serum treatment, c-jun and junB expression is markedly repressed after a brief initial slight induction. Gel mobility shift studies confirm that AP-1 DNA binding activity is inhibited in adipocytes. Repression in c-jun and junB inducibility in adipocytes results from transcriptional mechanisms, can be reversed by treatment with protein synthesis inhibitors or higher serum concentrations, and does not affect c-fos or c-myc expression. These data suggest that adipocyte differentiation selectively and transcriptionally represses the inducibility of c-jun and junB so as to decrease the cell's ability to proliferate in response to 10% fetal bovine serum.

Role of cell density/cell-cell contact, and growth state in expression of differentiated properties by the LLC-PK1 cell

Populations of the renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1, acquire many properties characteristic of the proximal tubular cell at confluence. At confluence cells both enter a nonproliferative state and develop extensive cell-cell contacts. To determine if one or both factors is responsible for acquisition of the differentiated phenotype, growth arrest was initiated in populations of varying densities by two procedures (serum deprivation and thymidine block) and expression of several differentiated properties (Na-hexose symport activity, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and villin protein) was examined. Induction of growth arrest resulted in expression of all differentiated properties even in subconfluent populations. The level of expression in a population was proportional to cell density at the initiation of growth arrest; higher density was associated with increased expression. Evidence indicated the existence of some minimal density below which cells could not express detectable levels of differentiated properties in response to induction of growth arrest. The procedure used to initiate growth arrest did not affect this behavior, indicating that initiation of cell growth arrest rather than hormone deprivation was the inducing factor. These results indicate that both cell growth state and cell density independently modulate expression of differentiated properties by the LLC-PK1 cell. These results are incorporated into a model in which cells in the absence of "appropriate" cell-cell contact arrest at a differentiation-incompetent cell cycle point. In the presence of appropriate cell-cell contact (as yet undefined) cells arrest at a distinct differentiation-competent cell cycle point and initiate expression of the differentiated phenotype.

Inhibition of distinct steps in the adipocyte differentiation pathway in 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO)

The process of adipocyte differentiation in murine 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells involves three well-defined steps: 1 predifferentiation growth arrest; 2 non-terminal (reversible) differentiation and 3 terminal differentiation associated with the irreversible loss of proliferative potential. To further investigate these processes, the effects of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), an agent that affects differentiation in several other cell systems, was tested. The results show that DMSO modulates two distinct steps of adipocyte differentiation. The first effect is evident when growing 3T3 T cells are cultured in differentiation-inducing medium in the presence of DMSO. Therein the expression of adipocyte phenotype is inhibited because the cells fail to growth-arrest at the predifferentiation growth arrest state. Instead in the presence of DMSO, cells growth-arrest at a biological state that does not support differentiation. The second effect is evident if nonterminally differentiated adipocytes are cultured in terminal differentiation-inducing medium containing DMSO. Therein the terminal step in differentiation is inhibited. These inhibitory effects occur in a dosage-dependent manner; maximum inhibition of differentiation requires 2% DMSO. Therefore, whereas DMSO typically promotes differentiation in other cell systems, DMSO inhibits multiple steps in the process of adipocyte differentiation. These observations support the conclusion that a single pharmacological agent can have markedly different effects on specific cell types. Even more important, the data establish that DMSO can now be used as a tool to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the multistep process of adipocyte differentiation.

Induction of c-jun independent of PKC, pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, and polyamines in quiescent SV40-transformed 3T3 T cells

CSV3 clones of simian virus 40 large T antigen-transformed murine 3T3 T cells can be made quiescent as part of a differentiation process. In these quiescent cells, insulin- and vanadate-induced mitogenesis are both associated with the induction of the c-jun proto-oncogene (Wang and Scott 1991 J. Cell. Physiol. 147, 102-110; Wang et al. 1991 Cell Growth Differ. 2, 645-652). The current studies were therefore designed to compare the early signal transduction pathways employed by insulin and vanadate to regulate c-jun expression. In quiescent CSV3-1 cells, down-regulation of protein kinase C by prolonged exposure to 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate or inhibition of protein kinase C activity by treatment with the protein kinase C antagonist staurosporine is shown not to affect c-jun induction by insulin or vanadate. This suggests that both insulin and vanadate act in a protein kinase C-independent manner. Insulin's effect on c-jun induction does, however, involve a G protein because insulin's effect can be inhibited by pertussis toxin. In contrast, vanadate induction of c-jun is not affected by pertussis toxin. Genistein, a general tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can inhibit the ability of vanadate to induce c-jun but it does not inhibit insulin's effect. Finally, the depletion of polyamines, particularly spermidine, by DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine treatment also prevents c-jun induction by insulin but DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine treatment has no effect on c-jun induction by vanadate. These observations indicate that the c-jun induction by insulin and vanadate in CSV3-1 cells is mediated by different signal transduction mechanisms. Together with our previously published data, these results suggest that c-jun can be induced independent of protein kinase C activation, without involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, independent of induction of c-fos, and without expression of high levels of intracellular polyamines.

Effects of retinol on proliferation, cell adherence and extracellular matrix synthesis in a liver myofibroblast or lipocyte cell line (GRX)

We have studied the effect of retinol on an established murine cell line (GRX), representative of liver connective tissue cells. This cell line has myofibroblast characteristics; under retinol treatment it is induced into the lipocyte (Ito-cell) phenotype. Retinol decreased the proliferation rate in the entire cell population. It increased cell adherence to the substrate, which was correlated with the increased secretion of fibronectin. Collagen secretion was specifically decreased, whilst the total protein secretion remained stable. Heparan sulphate was decreased in the pericellular compartment, but other glycosaminoglycans were not affected by retinol treatment. Modulations of pericellular components induced by retinol may alter the relations among liver mesenchymal cells, and may be related to vitamin-A-induced modifications of the homoeostasis of hepatic connective tissue and hepatic fibrosis.

Repression of SV40 T oncoprotein expression by DMSO

SV40 large T oncoprotein-transformed murine mesenchymal 3T3 T stem cells (CSV3 cells) can be induced to growth arrest and then differentiate into adipocytes. When differentiation occurs, SV40 T oncoprotein expression is repressed (Estervig et al., J Virol 63:2718, 1989). To determine if repression of T oncoprotein expression can also be induced pharmacologically, the effect of a variety of agents that have been reported to effect differentiation in various cell types but not in 3T3 T or CSV3 cells was tested. This rationale suggests that if any of these agents repress T oncoprotein expression in CSV3 cells, then the results would establish that repression of T oncoprotein expression can be mediated by mechanisms independent of overt differentiation. The results show that dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is the only agent tested that represses T oncoprotein expression in CSV3 cells. Repression occurs in a dosage-dependent manner within 24-96 hours after exposure to DMSO. The effect of DMSO on T oncoprotein expression is mediated by posttranslational mechanisms that decrease the stability of the T oncoprotein. DMSO-induced repression of T oncoprotein expression is also associated with reversion of the transformed phenotype in CSV3 cells as demonstrated by the loss of responsiveness to a specific transformation-associated mitogen. These data support the conclusion that the pharmacological repression of T oncoprotein expression represents a form of cancer suppressor activity that can be mediated by a distinct molecular mechanism.

Differentiation of A31T6 proadipocytes to adipocytes: a flow cytometric analysis

A flow cytometric assay has been developed which provides precise, quantitative information on the accumulation of cytoplasmic triglycerides in individual A31T6 proadipocytes as they differentiate into adipocytes. The opportunity to measure multiple optical parameters on a cell-by-cell basis has enabled us to monitor phenotypic aspects of differentiation with a greater level of sensitivity than was previously possible. Using the fluorescent hydrophobic probe, Nile red, we have found that as a cell proceeds along the differentiation pathway, the gold fluorescence signal from the cell increases, reflecting the accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. The value of the ratio of gold to red fluorescence defines a cell as being differentiated or undifferentiated. The greater resolution afforded by this cytometric method over more conventional approaches has allowed us to determine (1) the presence of an undifferentiated population of cells whose existence is not detected by conventional phase microscopy, (2) that insulin is not required to drive differentiation in this system, though the rate of differentiation is increased when the cells are exposed to insulin in combination with dexamethasone, (3) that exposure to a combination of insulin and dexamethasone results in a lower accumulation of lipid in a cell than does exposure to either agent alone, and (4) that A31T6 cells show the same response to differentiation-promoting agents whether applied at the time of plating or at confluence.

Progesterone antagonists: tumor-inhibiting potential and mechanism of action

A new approach for the treatment of breast cancer could be the use of progesterone antagonists. These compounds were originally developed for the inhibition of progesterone-dependent processes and have been shown to be effective in inhibition of nidation and interruption of pregnancy. Although the roles of progesterone and the progesterone receptor in control of cell growth remain unclear, it was found in progesterone receptor positive mammary carcinoma cell lines that the antiprogestin, Mifepristone, had an inhibitory effect on cell growth and a growth-inhibiting action on the DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma of the rat. We have shown that the progesterone antagonists, Onapristone and ZK 112993, which possess a reduced antiglucocorticoid activity compared to Mifepristone, exert a strong tumor-inhibiting effect in a panel of hormone-dependent mammary tumor models. The effects of these compounds were in some systems superior to those of tamoxifen or high dose progestins and comparable to ovariectomy. Although prerequisites for their antiproliferative potency are an affinity to the progesterone receptor as well as a sufficient number of available receptors in the tumors, the strong tumor inhibiting potential of the antiprogestins cannot be explained by a classical anti-hormonal mechanism. Surprisingly, the antitumor activity is evident in spite of elevated serum levels of ovarian and pituitary hormones. It was established by morphometric procedures that treatment with Onapristone triggers differentiation of the mitotically active polygonal tumor epithelial cell towards secretory active glandular structures and acini. All our quantitative light and electron microscopic data indicate that the antitumor action of antiprogestins is accompanied by the initiation of terminal differentiation leading to (apoptotic) cell death. Finally, our flow cytometry studies revealed an accumulation of the tumor cells in the G0G1 phase of the cell cycle, which may result from induction of differentiation since a differentiation-specific G1 arrest has already been proposed for other stem cell systems. It can be concluded from these data that the progesterone receptor antagonists differ in their mode of action from compounds used in established endocrine treatment strategies for mammary carcinoma. The ability of progesterone antagonists like Onapristone to reduce the number of cells in S-phase may offer a significant clinical advantage, since it is established that the S-phase fraction is a highly significant predictor of disease-free survival among axillary node-negative patients with diploid mammary tumors.

TGF-beta blocks early but not late differentiation-specific gene expression and morphologic differentiation of 3T3 T proadipocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibits morphologic differentiation of BALB/c 3T3 T cells as well as other proadipocyte models. Our prior studies suggested that TGF-beta may act only during the early stages of differentiation induction. However, we did not determine whether TGF-beta was differentially effecting expression of any of the various differentiation-specific genes or if it could cause down-regulation of these genes in differentiated cells. Therefore, in the current study we tested the effects of exogenous TGF-beta (0.01-5.0 ng/ml) on morphologic differentiation and on differentiation-dependent gene expression (Northern and slot blot analyses) at various times during differentiation. When induced to differentiate, 3T3 T cells first undergo predifferentiation growth arrest and from this state molecular, biochemical, and morphological differentiation proceeds. Here it was found that when added prior to the onset of differentiation, TGF-beta was a potent inhibitor or morphologic differentiation as well as of the expression of differentiation-specific genes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD). However, once morphologic differentiation began, TGF-beta was ineffective in blocking differentiation. In addition, exposure of fully differentiated cells to TGF-beta for up to 72 hours caused no decrease of differentiation-specific genes and even a 7-day treatment caused no morphologic dedifferentiation. Tumor necrosis factor also had no detectable effect on fully differentiated cells.

Partial characterization of a cellular factor that regulates the double-stranded RNA-dependent eIF-2 alpha kinase in 3T3-F442A fibroblasts

The interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-dependent eIF-2 alpha kinase (dsI) has an established role in mediating part of interferon's antiviral effects. Numerous studies have suggested that dsI also has regulatory functions in cells not infected with virus. Our previous results have indicated that the activation of this kinase may be an important regulatory signal in controlling growth arrest of mouse 3T3-F442A fibroblasts prior to their subsequent differentiation to adipocytes. Here, we report that extracts from 3T3-F442A cells cultured under conditions nonpermissive for differentiation exhibit significantly reduced dsI activity and that this reduction is due, at least in part, to the presence of elevated levels of a novel inhibitor of dsI activation (dRF). This inhibitor is also detected in reduced amounts in extracts from cells cultured under conditions which are permissive for differentiation. We have achieved a 1,000-fold purification of dRF activity, and highly purified dRF preparations were found to be greatly enriched for a 15-kDa protein that was greater than 90% pure. Our results indicate that dRF is not a protein phosphatase or protease but a reversible inhibitor of dsI autophosphorylation. In addition, our results imply that dRF is a physiologic regulator of dsI, since dRF activity correlates with the ability of 3T3-F442A cells to undergo adipose conversion.

Partial characterization of a cellular factor that regulates the double-stranded RNA-dependent eIF-2 alpha kinase in 3T3-F442A fibroblasts

The interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-dependent eIF-2 alpha kinase (dsI) has an established role in mediating part of interferon's antiviral effects. Numerous studies have suggested that dsI also has regulatory functions in cells not infected with virus. Our previous results have indicated that the activation of this kinase may be an important regulatory signal in controlling growth arrest of mouse 3T3-F442A fibroblasts prior to their subsequent differentiation to adipocytes. Here, we report that extracts from 3T3-F442A cells cultured under conditions nonpermissive for differentiation exhibit significantly reduced dsI activity and that this reduction is due, at least in part, to the presence of elevated levels of a novel inhibitor of dsI activation (dRF). This inhibitor is also detected in reduced amounts in extracts from cells cultured under conditions which are permissive for differentiation. We have achieved a 1,000-fold purification of dRF activity, and highly purified dRF preparations were found to be greatly enriched for a 15-kDa protein that was greater than 90% pure. Our results indicate that dRF is not a protein phosphatase or protease but a reversible inhibitor of dsI autophosphorylation. In addition, our results imply that dRF is a physiologic regulator of dsI, since dRF activity correlates with the ability of 3T3-F442A cells to undergo adipose conversion.

Decreases in the relative concentrations of specific hepatocyte plasma membrane proteins during liver regeneration: down-regulation or dilution?

Antibodies were used to quantify seven domain-specific integral proteins of the rat hepatocyte plasma membrane during rat liver regeneration in response to two-thirds hepatectomy. Quantitative immunoblotting revealed that a subset of the plasma membrane proteins exhibited transient 30-70% decreases in relative concentration during the period of hepatocyte proliferation. The list of affected proteins included at least one representative from each of the plasma membrane domains: the apical protein HA 4, the lateral protein HA 321, and the basolateral receptors for epidermal growth factor and asialoglycoproteins. In contrast, the relative concentrations of three other plasma membrane proteins, the basolateral protein CE 9 and the two apical proteins dipeptidylpeptidase IV and aminopeptidase N, remained unchanged throughout liver regeneration. The decreases in the relative concentrations of the plasma membrane proteins were observed even when the synthesis of hepatocyte DNA was blocked by hydroxyurea, suggesting that the signalling for these two delayed consequences of two-thirds hepatectomy occurred along parallel, dependent pathways. Pulse and pulse-chase metabolic radiolabeling studies revealed that the decreases in the concentrations of the PM proteins were accomplished through protein-selective decreases in the rates of synthesis of the high-mannose precursors of the affected proteins, but not through the accelerated degradation of the mature plasma membrane proteins.

Antidiabetic AD4743 enhances adipocyte differentiation of 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells

AD4743 is an antidiabetic agent that, when added to fetal bovine serum (FBS), has been shown to have adipogenic activity for some proadipocyte cell lines once they reach confluence. In the current study, the effects of AD4743 on the growth and adipocytic differentiation of 3T3 T multipotential mesenchymal stem cells have been tested. 3T3 T cells, unlike other cells capable of undergoing adipocyte differentiation, are routinely induced to differentiate at low cell density. This is done using platelet-poor human plasma (HP), a potent inducer of growth arrest and differentiation. AD4743 (0-200 micrograms/ml) was tested in varied concentrations of HP or FBS, at varied cell densities, and at various times during growth and differentiation. AD4743 slowed the growth rate of 3T3 T cells and it induced their differentiation in a dose-dependent manner in medium containing 10% FBS once they reached confluence. The data suggest that the ability of AD4743 to inhibit growth may also be coupled with its ability to enhance differentiation. In addition, AD4743 (1-10 micrograms/ml) in the presence of 25% HP markedly increased the kinetics of adipocyte differentiation, at low (less than 5,000 cells/cm2) or high cell density. Greater than 50% cell differentiation could be achieved in 2 days in low density cultures; 80-95% differentiation could be achieved in just 4 days, compared to 8-12 days in a typical culture. The maximum amount of differentiation in HP was potentiated by AD4743 to a greater degree in poor lots of HP; however, the kinetics were increased in all lots. Adipocytic differentiation was measured both morphologically and by Northern blot analyses of differentiation-specific genes. AD4743 at 1-10 micrograms/ml appeared to be most effective, depending on the cell density and other conditions. The mechanism of action of AD4743 remains to be elucidated, but the enhancement of adipocyte differentiation does not appear to occur via an insulin-dependent pathway.

Inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication and enhanced binding of fibronectin-coated latex beads by stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent 3T3-L1 cells

To clarify the modulation of intercellular communication via gap junctions, associated with the growth induction of quiescent 3T3-L1 cells, we investigated the gap-junctional intercellular communication in growth-stimulated cells that were able to bind fibronectin-coated beads. When quiescent 3T3-L1 cells were incubated with fibronectin-coated beads for the first 2 h after the addition of calf serum, 24.0% of the cells bound and phagocytosed beads. Among the cells with bound beads, the percentage of the cells labeled concurrently with bromodeoxyuridine was 63.7% when examined 13 h after the addition of calf serum. Transient reduction of dye-coupling, measured with Lucifer Yellow CH, was observed only in the cells with bound beads 2 h after addition of calf serum, but it was not observed in the cells without bound beads. When the quiescent cells were incubated with fibronectin-coated beads for 2 h from 4-6 h after the addition of calf serum, the percentage of cells with bound beads increased to 53.1%, but the decrease in dye-coupling among the cells with bound beads was slight. These results suggest that the induction of cell growth causes a transient reduction in gap-junctional intercellular communication in 3T3-L1 cells with bound fibronectin-coated beads.

Modulation of mouse fibroblast adipocyte differentiation by X-rays and TPA

The purpose of this study was to determine whether X-rays and the tumor promoter TPA which, in combination, are more effective at transforming cells in vitro than is either alone, may also be more effective at inhibiting differentiation in combination. Previous studies with 3T3 T proadipocytes have shown that both the tumor promoter 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and a classical initiator, UV light, can inhibit differentiation. We have now extended these studies by examining the effects of X-rays and TPA administered singly and in combination on differentiation of 3T3 T proadipocytes caused by incubation in medium containing 25% human plasma and on 5-azacytidine induced differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 cells. X-rays alone caused a dose-dependent inhibition of differentiation of 3T3 proadipocytes from 1.0 to 9.0 Gy. Low doses of X-rays (1.0 Gy) also inhibited differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 cells treated with 5-azacytidine but high doses (6.0 Gy) actually caused differentiation in the absence of 5-azacytidine treatment. TPA also inhibited differentiation of both 3T3 T and 5-azacytidine-treated C3H/10T1/2 cells at a dose of 0.1 micrograms/ml. At the lower dose of 0.001 micrograms/ml TPA, 3T3 T differentiation was inhibited only 10%, while 2.5 Gy of X-rays inhibited differentiation approximately 20%. Combined treatment of cells with X-rays and TPA caused more than 60% inhibition of differentiation, i.e., approximately twice the inhibition that would be expected if the effects of these two agents were additive. This synergistic effect suggests that in some systems there may be a closer association between the multistage process of neoplastic transformation and the inhibition of processes involved in cell differentiation than previous experiments, performed with initiators or promoters administered separately, have indicated.

Specific expression of proteins and phosphoproteins in 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells at distinct growth arrest and differentiation states

Murine mesenchymal stem cells can be induced to arrest their growth at a series of growth and differentiation states in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These include the predifferentiation arrest state (GD) at which the integrated control of proliferation and differentiation is mediated, the growth factor/serum deficiency arrest state (GS), and the nutrient deficiency arrest state (GN). Cells at states of reversible nonterminal differentiation (GD') and irreversible terminal differentiation (TD) can also be isolated. In this paper we have employed 1- and 2-dimensional (D) gel electrophoresis to evaluate changes in specific proteins that occur during the various growth and differentiation states of 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells. The protein composition of membrane, microsome and cytosol preparations of cells arrested at GD, GS and GN states was determined by 2-D gel electrophoresis. More than 50 distinct polypeptides could be identified for each arrest state in gels analysed by a silver staining procedure or by autoradiography following [35S]-methionine labelling. A second series of studies established that a more limited number of differences could be identified if phosphoproteins were analysed by 1-D gel electrophoresis in cells at the GS, GD, GD' and TD states. These results established that one distinct 37 kD phosphoprotein is present in all growth arrested cells and that two distinct differentiation-associated phosphoproteins with molecular weights of 29 kD and 72 kD are present in cells at the GD' and TD states. Thus, the composition of proteins and phosphoproteins in mesenchymal stem cells serves to characterize different states of growth arrest and differentiation.2+he identification of differential

Three distinct effects of SV40 T-antigen gene transfection on cellular differentiation

SV40 large T-antigen-induced transformation has been reported to block differentiation, but the mechanism(s) of this effect has not been established. The results presented here show that stable transfection of the SV40 T-antigen gene, via the pSV3neo plasmid, has at least three distinct effects on 3T3T adipocyte differentiation. Cells first show a decreased ability to undergo predifferentiation growth arrest, which is a prerequisite for in vitro 3T3T adipocyte differentiation. However, if predifferentiation growth arrest is accomplished by use of stringent differentiation-inducing culture conditions, adipocyte differentiation can occur with high frequency. The pSV3neo-transfected cell clones also show other modifications of the adipocyte differentiation process, including changes in nonterminal (reversible) and terminal (irreversible) steps of adipocyte differentiation. When compared to nontransfected 3T3T cells, the cell clones containing pSV3neo require markedly reduced growth factor concentrations to restimulate proliferation of nonterminally differentiated adipocytes and the terminal step of differentiation is also blocked. These results suggest that integration of the T-antigen gene, through pSV3neo transfection, has multiple effects on the cellular mechanisms of differentiation. It does not block the differentiation process per se; rather it appears to make cells highly sensitive to proliferation signals, thereby making differentiation more difficult.