Interactions of transforming growth factor-alpha and -beta and luteinizing hormone in the regulation of plasminogen activator activity in avian granulosa cells during follicular development.

Endocrinology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 720-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Lafrance ◽  
L Zhou ◽  
B K Tsang
Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Manchanda ◽  
JM Kim ◽  
BK Tsang

Although transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is known to be an important survival factor for granulosa cells, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved are uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible involvement of prostaglandins in the anti-apoptotic action of TGF-alpha. Hen granulosa cells from healthy prehierarchical follicles (2-6 mm) cultured in serum-free medium underwent spontaneous apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation and nuclear chromatin condensation. TGF-alpha (20 ng ml(-1)) stimulated maximum synthesis of prostaglandins (PGE and PGF) in granulosa cells and completely inhibited serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. The addition of an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX; N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide (NS398) or ibuprofen) or phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2); aristolochic acid, 2-p-amylcinnamoyl amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid (ONO-RS-82) or arachidonyl triflouro methyl ketone (TFMK)), to the culture medium markedly suppressed the TGF-alpha-induced prostaglandin synthesis and significantly increased granulosa cell apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of NS398 and aristolochic acid was completely inhibited by exogenous prostaglandins (PGF(2 alpha), PGE(1), PGE(2)) and arachidonic acid, respectively. However, exogenous prostaglandins failed to inhibit the PLA(2) inhibitor-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation, implying that in addition to prostaglandins, arachidonic acid or leukotrienes may be important in transducing the anti-apoptotic action of TGF-alpha. In the absence of exogenous TGF-alpha, prostaglandins had no significant influence on granulosa cell apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. These findings indicate that prostaglandin synthesis is a necessary, but not sufficient, event in the suppression of granulosa cell apoptosis by TGF-alpha. Whether arachidonic acid or leukotrienes are important in the anti-apoptotic action of TGF-alpha in hen granulosa cells remains to be determined.


2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Tom Appleton ◽  
Shirine Usmani ◽  
John Mort ◽  
Frank Beier

Background: Articular cartilage degeneration is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA). We previously identified increased expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF?) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in articular cartilage from a rat modelof OA (1,2). We subsequently reported that TGF? signalling modified chondrocyte cytoskeletal organization, increased catabolic and decreased anabolic gene expression and suppressed Sox9. Due to other roles in chondrocytes, we hypothesized that the effects ofTGF? on chondrocytes are mediated by Rho/ROCK and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. Methods: Primary cultures of chondrocytes and articularosteochondral explants were treated with pharmacological inhibitors of MEK1/2(U0126), ROCK (Y27632), Rho (C3), p38 MAPK (SB202190) and PI3K (LY294002) to elucidate pathway involvement. Results: Using G-LISA we determined that stimulation of primary chondrocytes with TGF? activates RhoA. Reciprocally, inhibition of RhoA/ROCK but not other signalling pathways prevents modification of the actin cytoskeleton in responseto TGF?. Inhibition of MEK/ERKsignaling rescued suppression of anabolic gene expression by TGF? including SOX9 mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of MEK/ERK, Rho/ROCK, p38 MAPK and PI3K signalling pathways differentially controlled the induction of MMP13 and TNF? gene expression. TGF? also induced expression of CCL2 specifically through MEK/ERK activation. In turn, CCL2 treatment induced the expression of MMP3 and TNF?. Finally, we assessed cartilage degradation by immunohistochemical detection of type II collagen cleavage fragments generated by MMPs. Blockade of RhoA/ROCK and MEK/ERK signalling pathways reduced the generation of type IIcollagen cleavage fragments in response to TGF? stimulation. Conclusions: Rho/ROCK signalling mediates TGF?-induced changes inchondrocyte morphology, while MEK/ERK signalling mediates the suppression ofSox9 and its target genes, and CCL2 expression. CCL2, in turn, induces the expression of MMP3 and TNF?, two potent catabolic factors known to be involved in OA. These pathways may represent strategic targets for interventional approaches to treating cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. References: 1. Appleton CTG et al. Arthritis Rheum 2007;56:1854-68. 2. Appleton CTG et al. Arthritis Rheum 2007; 56:3693-705.


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