Åke Wasteson

TGF-alpha and ErbB2 production in synovial joint tissue: increased expression in arthritic joints.

Objective: Cell types present in synovial joint tissues and during synovitis are known to produce epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ErbB‐1/HER‐1 and the potent EGFR‐ligand transforming growth factor‐alpha (TGF‐α) in vitro. Concomitant expression of TGF‐α, EGFR, and ErbB2 gives a strong proliferative drive in vitro and in vivo. However, the presence of TGF‐α and members of the EGFR/EGFR‐ligand family has not been thoroughly investigated in joint tissue in vivo. We aimed to determine whether TGF‐α, EGFR, and ErbB2 are present in human synovial joints, especially during rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: TGF‐α protein was immunodetected in knee synovial fluid (SF) collected from 23 RA patients, eight patients with other arthritic conditions, two osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and six post‐traumatic patients (control). TGF‐α mRNA and TGF‐α, ErbB2, EGFR, and CD68 immunoreactivity were detected in knee synovial biopsies (6 RA/2 OA/6 control) using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. TGF‐α mRNA was determined in SF cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and/or the Northern blot technique. Results: TGF‐α protein was found in the synovial membrane (SM) and in the majority of SF samples. TGF‐α levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in SF of RA patients than controls, TGF‐α protein and mRNA were increased and more widespread in SM of RA patients. In addition, white blood cells collected from RA SF expressed TGF‐α mRNA. Immunoreactivity for ErbB2 was found in SM and was more widespread in RA patients than in controls. Conclusion: The presence of TGF‐α in normal SF and SM may indicate a physiological maintenance function. The increased expression of TGF‐α and ErbB2 in RA SF and SM may give rise to an abnormal growth pattern, contributing to inflammatory synovial hyperplasia.

Accumulation of boron in human malignant glioma cells in vitro is cell type dependent

It has been shown that human malignant glioma tumours consist of several subpopulations of tumour cells. Due to heterogeneity and different degrees of vascularisation cell subpopulations possess varying resistance to chemo- or radiation therapy. Therefore, therapy is dependent on the ability to specifically target a tumour cell. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a bimodal method, in radiation therapy, taking advantage of the ability of the stable isotope boron-10 to capture neutrons. It results in disintegration products depositing large amounts of energy within a short length, approximately one cell diameter. Thereby, selective irradiation of a target cell may be accomplished if a sufficient amount of boron has been accumulated and hence the cell-associated boron concentration is of critical importance. The accumulation of boron, boronophenylalanine (BPA), was investigated in two human glioma cell subpopulations and a human fibroblast cell line in vitro. The cells were incubated at low boron concentrations (0–5 μg B/ml). Oil filtration was then used for separation of extracellular and cell-associated boron. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was used for boron determination. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in accumulation ratio (relation between cell-associated and extracellular boron concentration) between human malignant glioma cell lines were found. Human fibroblasts, used to represent normal cells, showed a growth-dependent uptake and a lower accumulation ratio than the glioma cells. Our findings indicate that BPA concentration, incubation time and differences in boron uptake between cell subpopulations should be considered in BNCT.

Interleukin-6 Enhances Transforming Growth Factor-alpha mRNA Expression in Macrophage-Like Human Monocytoid (U-937-1) Cells

We have previously reported that the human monocytoid cell line U-937-1 constitutively expresses transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) and that the steady-state levels of TGF-α mRNA as well as TGF-α protein release increase when U-937-1 cells are differentiated towards monocytes/macrophages. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which has been shown to have growth-stimulatory effects on a number of cell types, has recently been shown to enhance TGF-α expression in keratinocytes. In the present study we investigated whether TGF-α expression in macrophage-like cells could be regulated by IL-6 using U-937-1 cells as a model system of monocyte/macrophage differentiation.U-937-1 cells were differentiated with retinoic acid (RA), vitamin D3 (Vit-D3) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) for 4 days and were then treated with human recombinant IL-6 (1000 IU/ml) for up to 24 hr. Northern blot analysis revealed that cells differentiated with PMA, inducing the phenotype of a secretory macrophage, markedly increased their TGF-α mRNA levels (2.7-fold) when treated with IL-6; the response was maximal at 6 hr and remained high at 12 hr. The expression of the TGF-α gene was accompanied by release of TGF-α protein into the cell culture medium, irrespective of differentiating agent, as demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as by surface expression of pro-TGF-α as determined by indirect immunofluorescent cytometry. However, the superinduction of the TGF-α gene by IL-6 in cells differentiated with PMA was not accompanied by any increase in TGF-α protein release or pro-TGF-α surface expression.We conclude that since IL-6 causes increased steady-state levels of TGF-α mRNA in macrophage-like cells, it may prime these cells for production of this growth factor. Furthermore, we have shown that the IL-6 receptor complex is functional in U-937-1 cells induced to differentiate towards a secretory macrophage by treatment with PMA.

Suramin blocks growth-stimulatory effects of platelet-derived growth factor on malignant fibrous histiocytomas in vitro

The pattern of susceptibility of malignant cells to the cytostatic drug suramin is not fully clarified. Therefore, in the present paper we have assessed the effects of suramin on the growth of eight cell lines derived from human malignant fibrous histiocytomas, by measuring DNA synthesis. The effect of suramin (10-200 microg/ml) on cells either unstimulated, or stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA (10 ng/ml), PDGF-BB (10 ng/ml) or 10% fetal calf serum was studied. Four out of five cell lines unable to thrive without external growth factors showed growth inhibition by suramin. The two cell lines able to grow under serum-free conditions were unaffected by high-dose suramin. The exposure to suramin, at 200 microg/ml, abolished the growth stimulation caused by PDGF-AA and -BB. In contrast, a low dose of suramin (50 microg/ml), with or without PDGF, caused growth-stimulating effects in some cell lines. Our results indicate that high doses of suramin inhibit growth of malignant fibrous histiocytomas in vitro and that suramin exerts its growth-inhibitory effects on cells dependent on external growth factors. Low-dose treatment with suramin, however, may instead promote growth in both serum-dependent and -independent tumor cell lines.

Effects of human platelet-derived growth factor-AB on sarcoma growth in vitro and in vivo

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been proposed to play an important role in the growth of tumors. In order to study the effects of PDGF-AB on tumor growth in vivo, sarcoma-bearing mice were treated with PDGF-AB. The tumors, a malignant fibrous histiocytoma and an osteosarcoma, had functional PDGF receptors in vitro, as demonstrated by stimulation of PDGF-AB using a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. Immunohistochemistry also revealed that both sarcoma xenografts expressed PDGF receptors. The tumor-bearing mice were given human PDGF-AB for 14 days, either continuously by an intraperitoneally placed mini-osmotic pump, or by daily injections. No effects on tumor growth in vivo were observed, as measured by tumor volume, autoradiography or cell cycle distribution. The histological appearance and ploidy of the tumors remained unaltered. The results indicate that, although the tumor cells are stimulated by PDGF-AB in vitro, the in vivo milieu or tumor growth pattern may render the tumors less susceptible to exogenously administered PDGF-AB in vivo.

UVB radiation affects the mobility of epidermal growth factor receptors in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts

Growth factor receptors transmit biological signals for the stimulation of cell growth in vitro and in vivo and their autocrine stimulation may be involved in tumorigenesis. It is therefore, of great value to understand receptor reactions in response to ultraviolet (UV) light which certain normal human cells are invaribly exposed to during their growth cycle. UV irradiation has recently been shown to deplete antioxidant enzymes in human skin. The aims of the present study were a) to compare the lateral mobility of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) in cultured human keratinocytes and human foreskin fibroblasts, b) to investigate effects of ultraviolet B radiation on the mobility of EGF-R in these cells, and c) study the response of EGF-R on addition of antioxidant enzymes. The epidermal growth factor receptors were labeled with rhodaminated EGF, the lateral diffusion was determined and the fraction of mobile EGF-R assessed with the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). We found that human keratinocytes display a higher basal level of EGF-R mobility than human skin fibroblasts, viz. with diffusion coefficients (D ± standard error of the mean, SEM) of 4.2±0.2 × 10−10 cm2/s, and 1.8±0.2 × 10−10 cm2/s, respectively. UVB-irradiated fibroblasts showed an almost four-fold increase in the diffusion coefficient; D was 6.3±0.3 × 10−10 cm2/s. The keratinocytes, however, displayed no significant increase in receptor diffusion after irradiation; D was 5.1±0.8 × 10−10 cm2/s. In both cell types the percentage of EGF-R fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, i.e. the fraction of mobile receptors, was significantly increased after irradiation. In keratinocytes it increased from 69% before irradiation to 78% after irradiation. Analogous figures for fibroblasts were 61% and 73%. The effect of UVB on fibroblast receptors was abolished by prior addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). It is concluded that UVB radiation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes can affect their biophysical properties of EGF-R. The finding that addition of antioxidant enzymes prevented the UVB effect in fibroblasts may indicate the involvement of reactive oxygen metabolites.

Lateral diffusion of PDGF β-receptors in human fibroblasts

When platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) binds to its receptors a number of biochemical reactions are elicited in the cell. Several models have been presented for the effects of ligand-induced receptor conformation and aggregation on signal transduction but little is known about the direct effects on receptor diffusion. This study concerns the lateral mobility of PDGF receptors in fibroblasts. It was assessed with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), using rhodaminated receptor antibodies or Fab-fragments of the antibody as ligands. The aims of the investigation were: (a) to compare the lateral mobility of membrane receptors of human fibroblasts labelled with either antibodies against the PDGF receptor or Fab-fragments of the same antibodies, and (b) to study the effects of serum or PDGF on the mobility of the receptors. Human foreskin fibroblasts (AG 1523) were grown on coverslips either under standard or under serum-free conditions yielding “normal” and “starved” cells, respectively. Two parameters of the diffusion were evaluated; the diffusion coefficient (D) and the mobile fraction (R) of the receptors. We found that normal fibroblasts had a smaller diffusion coefficient and a lower mobile fraction compared to starved cells using antibodies for receptor labelling. The addition of PDGF, just before the measurement, increased the D and R for normal cells, while starved cells, showing higher initial values, displayed slightly reduced values of D and R. After the addition of serum, D increased and R remained low for normal cells, whereas for starved cells both D and R increased to upper limits of 11.0×10−10 cm2s−1 and >90% respectively. In general, the D and R values, both in normal and starved cells, were higher for cells labelled with Fab-fragments than for antibody-labelled cells. The results are discussed in relation to the natural complexity of the receptor, and how PDGF, serum, antibodies and Fab-fragments might interfere with receptor structure, aggregation state and membrane diffusion characteristics.

Uptake of 125I-PDGF-AB to the blood after extravascular administration in mice.

The kinetics of exogenously given 125I-platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) was studied in mice. 125I-PDGF-AB was injected either intraperitoneally, intramuscularly or subcutaneously and the resulting concentrations of 125I-radioactivity monitored in the blood at different times. The serum levels of 125I-radioactivity rose to a maximum 2-4 hours after injection, before decreasing. Precipitation of serum with trichloroacetic acid demonstrated that 50 per cent or more of the 125I remained in macromolecular form. Further, gel chromatography studies showed that the molecular size of the labelled material in serum, three hours after injection, was the same as that of the original 125I-PDGF-AB. In addition, a low-molecular weight fraction was observed, indicating the presence of degradation products. The largest proportion of degraded material was obtained after subcutaneous administration. The absence of partially degraded 125I-labelled fragments, e.g. 125I oligopeptides, indicates complete rather than limited degradation and suggests that the 125I-PDGF-AB had been processed by cellular uptake. It is concluded that extra-vascularly given PDGF-AB in mice is taken up into the blood in intact macromolecular form. This finding suggests that it is possible to administer PDGF extravascularly to obtain a prolonged increase in the concentration of intact PDGF in the blood.

Lateral diffusion of plasma membrane receptors labelled with either platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and fibroblasts.

The aims of the present investigation were (a) to compare the lateral mobility of membrane receptors of human fibroblasts and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) labelled with either platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and (b) to study effects of serum or PDGF on the mobility of these receptor molecules in human fibroblasts. Human foreskin fibroblasts (AG 1523) were grown on coverslips either under standard (10%) or under serum-free conditions yielding “normal” and “starved” cells, respectively. The receptor mobility was studied in response to exposure to PDGF, or serum, in short time or prolonged incubations. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were adhered to microscope slides by clotting drops of blood. They were stained with rhodaminated PDGF or fluoresceinated WGA. The diffusion of labelled receptors was assessed with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). It was found that (a) fibroblasts grown at normal serum concentration had a lower diffusion coefficient (D=3×10−10 cm2 s−1) for the PDGF-receptor and a slightly lower mobile fraction (R=60%) than starved cells (D=5×10−10 cm2s−1 and R=73%), (b) addition of serum to starved cells increased both D and R for the PDGF receptor to 12×10−10 cm2 s−1 and 96%, respectively, (c) a similar pattern was obtained for WGA-labelled glycoconjugates indicating general membrane effects of serum-induced cell stimulation, and (d) in PMNL the PDGF receptor displayed motility characteristics (D=3–4×10−10 cm2 s−1 and R=59%) similar to those in fibroblasts, possibly suggesting equivalent anchorage mechanisms in the membrane.

Both Intra- and Extracellular Ca2+ Participate in the Regulation of the Lateral Diffusion of the PDGF-β2 Receptor

When the receptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are activatedthey aggregate, become tyrosine-phosphorylated and elicit a cascade ofdown-stream signals, including mobilization of Ca2+ from intra- andextracellular stores. Receptor mobility in the plane of the membrane isa prerequisite for receptor aggregation and further signalling. Using humanforeskin fibroblasts (AG 1523) and fluorescence recovery afterphotobleaching (FRAP), we therefore assessed the lateral mobilitycharacteristics of PDGF-β2 receptors by their diffusioncoefficient (D), and fraction of mobile receptors (R). This was done oncells stimulated with either normal human serum (NHS) or PDGF underdifferent Ca2+-conditions.The results suggest that both intra- and extracellular free Ca2+influence the mobility characteristics of the PDGF-β2receptor. Interestingly, the extracellular Ca2+ seems to imposegeneral restrictions on the mobility of receptors, since R increased whenextracellular Ca2+ was quenched with EGTA, whereas intracellularclamping of Ca2+ transients with MABTAM (BAPT/AM) primarily affectedD. When both intra- and extracellular Ca2+ were quenced, D remainedlow and R high, further supporting the proposition that they achievedistinct effects. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation with Erbstatin,partly inhibited the NHS effects and released PDGF-induced receptorimmobilization. Ratio imaging with Fura-2 displayed that both NHS and PDGFinduced changes in intracellular free [Ca2+]. In view of the presentdata it might have important effects on the state of the receptor in themembrane, for instance by regulating its lateral mobility, communicationwith other receptors and signalling functions in the membrane.