Pulmonary and systemic vascular tissue collagen, growth factor, and cytokine gene expression in the rabbit

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 400-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaques Belik ◽  
Brad Karpinka ◽  
David A Hart

During development, the vascular wall composition of the pulmonary and systemic capacitance vessels and their intravascular pressure changes. Little is known, however, about the factors controlling vascular collagen gene expression in both circulations during growth and development. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental changes in collagen, major growth factors, and cytokines gene expression, in order to ascertain whether a circulation specific pattern is present in the rabbit. Fetal, neonatal, and adult rabbit extrapulmonary and aortic tissues were obtained and the mRNA levels for collagen I and III, as well as major growth factors and cytokines, were measured by a semi-quantitative RT-PCR technique. Collagen I, but not collagen III, expression was developmentally regulated in pulmonary vascular and aorta tissues. Collagen I expression was greatest during the fetal and neonatal period (P < 0.01) and higher in the aorta as compared with the pulmonary artery at these ages (P < 0.05). Significant developmental changes in growth factor mRNA levels were observed for TGF-beta, IGF-2, and bFGF (P < 0.01). IGF-2 mRNA levels significantly declined in both arteries from neonatal to adult, but bFGF increased only in the pulmonary artery during this transition. With regards to inducible enzymes, COX-2 mRNA levels changed developmentally, whereas iNOS mRNA levels were similar for both vessels at all ages. When comparing the two vessels, COX-2 transcripts were relatively more abundant in the adult pulmonary artery tissue and fetal aorta, with similar levels in the newborn. We conclude that circulation specific developmental regulation of collagen gene expression is present in the rabbit in a pattern that is unrelated to the intravascular pressure. Key words: developmental changes, vascular, collagen, mRNA expression, growth factors.

1994 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Chaidarun ◽  
M C Eggo ◽  
P M Stewart ◽  
M C Sheppard

Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for sheep pituitary cells but the factors controlling the binding and expression of EGF and its receptor (EGFR) in the pituitary are poorly understood. Regulation of EGF binding and EGFR gene expression may determine cellular responsiveness to EGF and could play a role in neoplastic development. Scatchard analysis of 125I-EGF binding in cultured sheep pituitary cells revealed two receptor binding sites (high affinity class of 2·5± 0·5 × 103 receptors/cell with a dissociation affinity constant (Kd) of 3·2± 0·7 × 1010m and low affinity class of 3·3 ±1·0 × 104 receptors/cell with a Kd of 71 ±1·3 × 10−9 m). Exposure of the cultured cells to some target gland hormones of the pituitary (oestrogen, tri-iodothyronine and hydrocortisone), pituitary growth factors (EGF, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-β and a tumour-promoting phorbol ester (TPA) resulted in an increase in the binding affinity of the high affinity receptors while reducing the receptor number and also a reduction of EGFR mRNA levels, shown by Northern blot analysis. In contrast, forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, showed no significant effect on EGF binding and receptor gene expression. We conclude that the EGFR in normal pituitary cells can be modulated by several hormones and other growth factors at both receptor binding and mRNA levels. Transmodulation of EGFR by hormones and growth factors in the pituitary may be one of the regulatory mechanisms controlling the balance of normal pituitary growth and function. Defects in this regulatory system could have a role in the multistep process of pituitary tumourigenesis. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 489–496


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Heinemeier ◽  
J. L. Olesen ◽  
F. Haddad ◽  
P. Schjerling ◽  
K. M. Baldwin ◽  
...  

Tendon tissue and the extracellular matrix of skeletal muscle respond to mechanical loading by increased collagen expression and synthesis. This response is likely a secondary effect of a mechanically induced expression of growth factors, including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). It is not known whether unloading of tendon tissue can reduce the expression of collagen and collagen-inducing growth factors. Furthermore, the coordinated response of tendon and muscle tissue to disuse, followed by reloading, is unclear. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to hindlimb suspension (HS) for 7 or 14 days, followed by 2, 4, 8, or 16 days of reload (RL) ( n = 8 in each group). Age-matched controls were included for day 0, day 14 HS, and day 16 RL ( n = 8). mRNA expression levels for collagen I (COL1A1), collagen III (COL3A1), TGF-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), myostatin, and IGF-I isoforms were measured by real-time RT-PCR in Achilles tendon and soleus muscle. The tendon mass was unchanged, while the muscle mass was reduced by 50% after HS ( P < 0.05) and returned to control levels during RL. Collagen I and III, TGF-β1, and CTGF mRNA levels were unaltered by HS, although collagen III tended to decrease in muscle at day 7 HS. IGF-I isoforms were significantly induced in tendon after 7 days of HS ( P < 0.001), and mechanogrowth factor increased in muscle at day 14 HS ( P < 0.05). Reload increased muscle collagen I and III mRNA (>10-fold) ( P < 0.001) and growth factor expression ( P < 0.05), while the tendon response was limited to a moderate induction of collagen expression (2-fold) ( P < 0.05). Unloading of tendon and muscle tissue did not reduce expression of collagen and collagen-inducing growth factors, indicating that the response to unloading is not opposite that of loading. Furthermore, the tendon response was clearly different and less pronounced than the muscle tissue response.


1993 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Ilvesmäki ◽  
W. F. Blum ◽  
R. Voutilainen

ABSTRACT Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) may be one of the most important local growth factors in human fetal adrenals (HFAs), where its mRNA levels are upregulated by ACTH. We have investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanisms and various polypeptide growth factors participate in the regulation of IGF-II gene expression in cultured HFA cells, and whether HFA cells secrete IGF-II peptide into the culture medium. ACTH enhanced IGF-II mRNA accumulation dose- and time-dependently, maximally four- to sixfold, and this increase was inhibited dose-dependently (0·01-100 μg/l) by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC activator. TPA decreased basal IGF-II mRNA levels by approximately 55%. Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, abolished the inhibitory effects of TPA and induced accumulation of IGF-II mRNA. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, cholera toxin and forskolin increased IGF-II mRNA accumulation as much as ACTH, and TPA inhibited these stimulations in a similar way. ACTH increased the IGF-II peptide concentration in most experiments, but this increase was modest in comparison with IGF-II mRNA changes. TPA, although it decreased IGF-II mRNA levels, tended to increase IGF-II peptide in the medium. Additions of GH, IGF-I and IGF-II to the cell culture medium also increased IGF-II mRNA accumulation. Transforming growth factor-β1 inhibited IGF-II mRNA accumulation to the same extent as TPA. Epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor did not change IGF-II mRNA levels. Our results confirm previous reports that ACTH is an important regulator of IGF-II in human fetal adrenals, and show that IGF-II gene expression is under multifactorial control, which includes the PKC system and polypeptide growth factors. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 137, 533–542


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junsheng Dong ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Jianji Li ◽  
Luying Cui ◽  
Xia Meng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs) undergo regular regeneration after calving. Elevated cortisol concentrations have been reported in postpartum cattle due to various stresses. However, the effects of the physiological level of cortisol on proliferation in BEECs have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cortisol can influence the proliferation properties of BEECs and to clarify the possible underlying mechanism. Methods BEECs were treated with different concentrations of cortisol (5, 15 and 30 ng/mL). The mRNA expression of various growth factors was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), progression of the cell cycle in BEECs was measured using flow cytometric analysis, and the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways was detected with Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results Cortisol treatment resulted in upregulated mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF); however, it had no influence on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1). Cortisol (15 ng/mL) accelerated the cell cycle transition from the G0/G1 to the S phase. Cortisol upregulated the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclinD1 and promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. Conclusions These results demonstrated that cortisol may promote proliferation in BEECs by increasing the expression of some growth factors and activating the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.


2002 ◽  
Vol 190 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuro Kinbara ◽  
Fumiaki Shirasaki ◽  
Shigeru Kawara ◽  
Yutaka Inagaki ◽  
Benoit de Crombrugghe ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 2056-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Zheng ◽  
Long Li ◽  
Guisheng Qi ◽  
Mushuang Hu ◽  
Chao Hu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Previous studies imply that telocytes may have a protective effect on fibrosis in various organs, including the liver, colon, and heart. The effect of telocytes on renal fibrosis remains unknown. Herein, this study was designed to investigate the effect of telocytes on renal fibrosis and the potential mechanisms involved. Methods: In a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis model, telocytes were injected via the tail vein every other day for 10 days. The degree of renal damage and fibrosis was determined using histological assessment. The expression of collagen I, fibronectin, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation was examined by western blot analyses. Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed in vivo to detect the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and various growth factors. Results: Telocytes attenuated renal fibrosis, as evidenced by reduced interstitial collagen accumulation, decreased expression of fibronectin and collagen I, upregulation of E-cadherin, and downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, telocytes decreased serum TGF-β1 levels, suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and increased the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in rat kidney tissue following UUO. Blockage of HGF counteracted the protective effect of telocytes on UUO-treated kidneys. Through the detection of HGF mRNA levels in vitro, we found that telocytes had no effect on HGF expression compared with renal fibroblasts. Conclusion: Telocytes attenuated UUO-induced renal fibrosis in rats, likely through enhancing the expression of HGF in an indirect manner.


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