The effect of TGF-beta 2 on dentin apposition and hardness in transgenic mice

Transforming growth factor beta, TGF-beta, is expressed during tooth formation and can induce pre-odontoblast differentiation and formation of functional odontoblast-like cells in vitro. In addition, exogenous TGF-beta can increase reparative dentin formation, presumably by acting on odontoblasts. In this study, we examined the tooth phenotype of transgenic mice, in which TGF-beta 2 expression is directed by the osteocalcin promoter. Previous studies have shown that these mice have a bone phenotype that resembles that of human osteoporosis, including the existence of spontaneous fractures. Microhardness testing of the enamel and dentin showed no differences in the molars of these transgenic mice as compared with those of their wild-type littermates. Consistent with the increase in bone mineral apposition rate previously reported in these mice, the dentin apposition rate appeared to be increased in the TGF-beta 2-overexpressing mice. Thus, in teeth, as in bone, TGF-beta 2 appears to stimulate the synthesis and deposition of matrix. Further studies are needed to understand the effect of TGF-beta 2 on distinct mineralized tissues (bone, dentin, and cementum) and to determine whether exogenous TGF-beta 2 may be useful for tooth repair.

IL-1H, an interleukin 1-related protein that binds IL-18 receptor/IL-1Rrp

IL-18, or IGIF (interferon-gamma inducing factor), is an IL-1-related, pro-inflammatory cytokine, which plays a pivotal role in systemic and local inflammation. We have identified and characterized IL-1H, a novel IL-1-related molecule. IL-1H appears to be expressed in most tissues with relatively high levels in testis, thymus and uterus. The IL-1H transcripts were stimulated by phorbol ester (PMA) in human cell lines (A431, THP-1 and KG-1) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC) and dendritic cells (NHDC). The protein sequence of IL-1H is mostly related to IL-1ra with a similarity of 36%. A short form of IL-1H was identified, and lacks a 40-amino acid segment in the amino-terminal region of the protein. When expressed in mammalian cells, two secreted polypeptides of IL-1H were identified: an uncleaved and a cleaved form starting with amino acid Val-46. Furthermore, IL-1H binds the IL-18 receptor, but not the IL-1 receptor. These findings suggest that IL-1H may be another ligand for the IL-18 receptor and a new player in the inflammatory and immune responses mediated by the IL-18/IL-18R axis.

Binding protein-3-selective insulin-like growth factor I variants: engineering, biodistributions, and clearance

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a potent anabolic peptide that mediates most of its pleiotropic effects through association with the IGF type I receptor. Biological availability and plasma half-life of IGF-I are modulated by soluble binding proteins (IGFBPs), which sequester free IGF-I into high affinity complexes. Elevated levels of specific IGFBPs have been observed in several pathological conditions, resulting in inhibition of IGF-I activity. Administration of IGF-I variants that are unable to bind to the up-regulated IGFBP species could potentially counteract this effect. We engineered two IGFBP-selective variants that demonstrated 700- and 80,000-fold apparent reductions in affinity for IGFBP-1 while preserving low nanomolar affinity for IGFBP-3, the major carrier of IGF-I in plasma. Both variants displayed wild-type-like potency in cellular receptor kinase assays, stimulated human cartilage matrix synthesis, and retained their ability to associate with the acid-labile subunit in complex with IGFBP-3. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of the IGF-I variants in rats differed from those of wild-type IGF-I as a function of their IGFBP affinities. These IGF-I variants may potentially be useful for treating disease conditions associated with up-regulated IGFBP-1 levels, such as chronic or acute renal and hepatic failure or uncontrolled diabetes. More generally, these results suggest that the complex biology of IGF-I may be clarified through in vivo studies of IGFBP-selective variants.

Inhibition of TGF-beta receptor signaling in osteoblasts leads to decreased bone remodeling and increased trabecular bone mass

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is abundant in bone matrix and has been shown to regulate the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro. To explore the role of endogenous TGF-(beta) in osteoblast function in vivo, we have inhibited osteoblastic responsiveness to TGF-beta in transgenic mice by expressing a cytoplasmically truncated type II TGF-beta receptor from the osteocalcin promoter. These transgenic mice develop an age-dependent increase in trabecular bone mass, which progresses up to the age of 6 months, due to an imbalance between bone formation and resorption during bone remodeling. Since the rate of osteoblastic bone formation was not altered, their increased trabecular bone mass is likely due to decreased bone resorption by osteoclasts. Accordingly, direct evidence of reduced osteoclast activity was found in transgenic mouse skulls, which had less cavitation and fewer mature osteoclasts relative to skulls of wild-type mice. These bone remodeling defects resulted in altered biomechanical properties. The femurs of transgenic mice were tougher, and their vertebral bodies were stiffer and stronger than those of wild-type mice. Lastly, osteocyte density was decreased in transgenic mice, suggesting that TGF-beta signaling in osteoblasts is required for normal osteoblast differentiation in vivo. Our results demonstrate that endogenous TGF-beta acts directly on osteoblasts to regulate bone remodeling, structure and biomechanical properties.

Bone remodelling: a signalling system for osteoclast regulation

Two physiological regulators of osteoclast maturation have recently been identified: the secreted protein osteoprotegerin and the cell-surface ligand to which it binds. These proteins are likely to play an important part in the control of bone resorption, but are also likely to have important roles in other tissues.

Functional evidence for an extracellular calcium receptor mechanism triggering tyrosine kinase activation associated with mouse keratinocyte differentiation

Calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation is associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of a p62 protein which associates with the ras-GTPase activating protein (GAP). We have examined the nature of the calcium signal triggering p62 phosphorylation. EGTA, a specific chelator of calcium, was able to completely block calcium-induced p62 phosphorylation, even after using conditioned medium from calcium-treated keratinocytes. Preventing calcium-induced cell-cell contacts by anti-cadherin antibodies did not inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation. Slight increases in extracellular calcium concentrations (0.15 or 0.30 mM) were already sufficient to induce p62 phosphorylation. Other divalent cations, such as magnesium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt, but not the trivalent cation lanthanum, induced p62 phosphorylation to a similar extent as calcium. There was no close correlation between the ability of the various ions to induce p62 phosphorylation and increase free intracellular calcium. Similarly, treatment of primary keratinocytes with the calcium ionophores A23187 or X537A did not induce p62 phosphorylation, although it increased free intracellular calcium levels. Finally, blockers of potassium uptake, which is induced by calcium, did not inhibit p62 phosphorylation. Thus, in keratinocyte differentiation, calcium is likely to provide the primary signal for p62 tyrosine phosphorylation and may act directly at the cell membrane through a "cationic receptor mechanism" analogous to that described in other cell types.

Bioengineered soluble HLA-B7. Genesis, characterization, and occurrence of dimerization

A soluble, secreted form of HLA-B7 was engineered by replacing the exons encoding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the B7 gene with a CI. The modified gene, gsB7, transfected into J27.2 or C1R cell lines, produced a secreted protein, sB7, serologically recognized as B7. Size fractionation showed one species of sB7 at the approximately 55 kD expected for an sB7 alpha-chain-beta 2m heteroduplex, and another at approximately 120 kD which had the same constituent chains and was a dimer of the 55-kD species. Dimer formation appeared to be related to protein concentration but not to disulfide bridging. The sB7 heavy chain on SDS-PAGE showed a doublet at approximately 39 and approximately 42 kD; enzyme analysis indicated that the two bands differed only by a carboxyl terminal polypeptide. Analysis of gsB7 transfectants' mRNA by Northern blots and PCR revealed message fully spliced or with retained CI, accounting for the 39- and 42-kD bands, respectively, and apparently untranslated message with I3 retained. sB7 was not detectable on the surface of gsB7 transfectants by CTLs, nor did it inhibit those CTLs. Production of the sB7 protein provides a ready, consistent source of soluble class I antigen for further study, including test materials for tolerogenicity studies in animal models.

Soluble form of an HLA-B7 class I antigen specifically suppresses humoral alloimmunization

A soluble HLA-B7 molecule, designated sB7 and generated by genetically engineering the B7 gene to remove the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, was tested as a tolerogen. Supernatants from cultures of C1R cells transfected with the gene for sB7 were harvested and concentrated, as were control supernatants. From days -17 to -1, C57Bl/6 mice were pretreated with a total of 11 intraperitoneal doses of 1.0 microgram each of sB7 or appropriate control supernatant, and then were challenged intraperitoneally on each of days 0, 7, and 14 with 10(6) C1R-B7 cells (expressing surface HLA-B7). Antibody kinetics revealed (1) anti-B7 was not induced after sB7 pretreatment; (2) the anti-B7 response of sB7-pretreated mice was marginal and of apparent low avidity compared with the brisk anti-B7 response of control mice; (3) none of the mice made antibody to a control HLA antigen, A24; (4) all mice made strong antibody responses to the non-B7 surface antigens of C1R; (5) free sB7 did not appear in the blood of the treated mice; and (6) all mice appeared to be generally healthy. These data show soluble B7 antigen is not immunogenic and appears to specifically block humoral immune response to cell membrane-bound HLA-B7 in a nontoxic manner.

Specific changes of Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and a GAP-associated p62 protein during calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation

Induction of tyrosine phosphorylation occurs as an early and specific event in keratinocyte differentiation. A set of tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates which transduce mitogenic signals by tyrosine kinases has previously been identified. We show here that of these substrates, the Ras GTPase-activating protein, GAP, is specifically affected during calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. As early as 10 min after calcium addition to cultured primary mouse keratinocytes, GAP associates with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and translocates to the membrane. In addition, a GAP-associated protein of approximately 62 kDa (p62) becomes rapidly and heavily tyrosine phosphorylated in both membrane and cytosolic fractions. This protein corresponds to the major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein that is induced in differentiating keratinocytes as early as 5 min after calcium addition. p62 phosphorylation was not observed after exposure of these cells to epidermal growth factor, phorbol ester, or transforming growth factor beta. In contrast, PLC gamma and P13K were tyrosine phosphorylated after epidermal growth factor, but not calcium, stimulation. Thus, changes of Ras GAP and an associated p62 protein occur as early and specific events in keratinocyte differentiation and appear to involve a calcium-induced tyrosine kinase.

Induction of transforming growth factor beta 1 resistance by the E1A oncogene requires binding to a specific set of cellular proteins

Transforming growth factors beta (TGF-beta s) are potent inhibitors of epithelial cell growth in culture and might play a similar role in vivo. Several studies have suggested that acquisition of TGF-beta resistance is an important step in epithelial tumor development. Here, we show that resistance to TGF-beta 1 growth inhibition can be induced by transformation of keratinocytes with the E1A, but not the ras, oncogene. Mutational analysis revealed that these effects closely correlate with the ability of E1A proteins to bind to the retinoblastoma gene product (p105) as well as to three other cellular proteins (p60, p107, and p300). Only partial resistance to TGF-beta 1 growth inhibition was elicited by E1A mutants that bind to a subset of proteins, whereas complete resistance was induced by E1A mutants that bind to all four proteins together. Total protection against TGF-beta growth inhibition was also induced by concomitant introduction into cells of an E1A mutant binding to the p60/p105/p107 proteins and one binding to p300. In parallel with these effects, epidermal transglutaminase, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation, was induced by TGF-beta in control but not in E1A-transformed cells. TGF-beta 1 receptor levels were only partially down-modulated by an intact E1A gene and not significantly affected by the various truncated mutants. Thus, the ability of E1A to induce TGF-beta resistance depends on its ability to bind, and presumably inactivate, several cellular proteins that may be involved in transmission of the TGF-beta signal and seem to act downstream from its receptor(s).

Tyrosine phosphorylation is an early and specific event involved in primary keratinocyte differentiation

Very little is known about early molecular events triggering epithelial cell differentiation. We have examined the possible role of tyrosine phosphorylation in this process, as observed in cultures of primary mouse keratinocytes after exposure to calcium or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Immunoblotting with phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies as well as direct phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that induction of tyrosine phosphorylation occurs as a very early and specific event in keratinocyte differentiation. Very little or no induction of tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in a keratinocyte cell line resistant to the differentiating effects of calcium. Treatment of cells with tyrosine kinase inhibitors prevented induction of tyrosine phosphorylation by calcium and TPA and interfered with the differentiative effects of these agents. These results suggest that specific activation of tyrosine kinase(s) may play an important regulatory role in keratinocyte differentiation.