scholarly journals MicroRNA-224 Is Involved in Transforming Growth Factor-β-Mediated Mouse Granulosa Cell Proliferation and Granulosa Cell Function by Targeting Smad4

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guidong Yao ◽  
Mianmian Yin ◽  
Jie Lian ◽  
Hui Tian ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Many members of the TGF-β superfamily are indicated to play important roles in ovarian follicular development, such as affecting granulosa cell function and oocyte maturation. Abnormalities associated with TGF-β1 signaling transduction could result in female infertility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as small noncoding RNAs, were recently found to regulate gene expression at posttranscriptional levels. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in TGF-β-mediated granulosa cell proliferation and granulosa cell function. In this study, the miRNA expression profiling was identified from TGF-β1-treated mouse preantral granulosa cells (GCs), and three miRNAs were found to be significantly up-regulated and 13 miRNAs were down-regulated. Among up-regulated miRNAs, miR-224 was the second most significantly elevated miRNA. This up-regulation was attenuated by treatment of GCs with SB431542 (an inhibitor of TGFβ superfamily type I receptors, thus blocking phosphorylation of the downstream effectors Smad2/3), indicating that miR-224 expression was regulated by TGF-β1/Smads pathway. The ectopic expression of miR-224 can enhance TGF-β1-induced GC proliferation through targeting Smad4. Inhibition of endogenous miR-224 partially suppressed GC proliferation induced by TGF-β1. In addition, both miR-224 and TGF-β1 can promote estradiol release from GC, at least in part, through increasing CYP19A1 mRNA levels. This is the first demonstration that miRNAs can control reproductive functions resulting in promoting TGF-β1-induced GC proliferation and ovarian estrogen release. Such miRNA-mediated effects could be potentially used for regulation of reproductive processes or for treatment of reproductive disorders.

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
I. Kuyznierewicz ◽  
J. K. Findlay ◽  
A. E. Drummond

A group of structurally related proteins, known as the transforming growth factor-β (TGF- β) superfamily, have been implicated in the local regulation of ovarian function. It is unclear what role TGF-β1–3 plays in folliculogenesis during the period after birth in the rat. We investigated whether the TGF-β ligands and their receptors were present during this period of development and the effects of TGF-β1 on granulosa cell function (proliferation, apoptosis, steroidogenesis). Ovaries from rats 4, 8 and 12 days of age were isolated and RNA extracted and reverse transcribed for real-time PCR. The expression of the TGF-β ligands and TGFβRI and TGFβRII were measured. Granulosa cells isolated from DES treated immature rats were treated with FSH (100ng/mL) and TGF-β1 (1 or 10ng/mL) for 2hr, n = 4 replicates. The RNA was extracted and prepared for RT–PCR. The expression of cyclin D2, FKHR, SCC, 3βHSD and StAR were measured. TGFβRI and TGFβRII proteins were localised to postnatal rat ovary by immunohistochemistry. TGF-β1–3, TGFβRI and TGFβRII were present in rat ovaries as early as 4 days after birth. Expression of TGF-β1 mRNA increased 2-fold between day 4 and 12. TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 mRNAs declined between day 4 and 8 and remained low at day 12. The type I and II TGF-β receptors were differentially regulated with TGFβRI expression high at day 4, declining at day 8. In contrast, TGFβRII appeared to be ubiquitously expressed. Cyclin D2 mRNA expression was enhanced in the presence of both TGF-β1 and FSH, whereas FKHR mRNA expression declined. TGF-β1 had no impact on the steroidogenic mRNAs. TGFβRI and TGFβRII proteins were localised to the cytoplasm of oocytes, granulosa cells and theca cells. These studies indicate that TGF-β1 can exert effects on ovarian folliculogenesis as it is established during the postnatal period. Proliferation and apoptosis appear to be targets of TGF-β1 action. Supported by the NHMRC of Australia (Regkeys 241000, 198705, 441101 & 465415)


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Feng Sun ◽  
Xing-Hong Sun ◽  
Shun-Feng Cheng ◽  
Jun-Jie Wang ◽  
Yan-Ni Feng ◽  
...  

The Notch and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling pathways play an important role in granulosa cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between these two signalling pathways are unknown. Herein we demonstrated a functional synergism between Notch and TGF-β signalling in the regulation of preantral granulosa cell (PAGC) proliferation. Activation of TGF-β signalling increased hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 2 gene (Hey2) expression (one of the target genes of the Notch pathway) in PAGCs, and suppression of TGF-β signalling by Smad3 knockdown reduced Hey2 expression. Inhibition of the proliferation of PAGCs by N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butylester (DAPT), an inhibitor of Notch signalling, was rescued by both the addition of ActA and overexpression of Smad3, indicating an interaction between the TGF-β and Notch signalling pathways. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed to identify the point of interaction between the two signalling pathways. CoIP showed direct protein–protein interaction between Smad3 and Notch2 intracellular domain (NICD2), whereas ChIP showed that Smad3 could be recruited to the promoter regions of Notch target genes as a transcription factor. Therefore, the findings of the present study support the idea that nuclear Smad3 protein can integrate with NICD2 to form a complex that acts as a transcription factor to bind specific DNA motifs in Notch target genes, such as Hey1 and Hey2, and thus participates in the transcriptional regulation of Notch target genes, as well as regulation of the proliferation of PAGCs.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lai-Ming Yung ◽  
Samuel D Paskin-Flerlage ◽  
Ivana Nikolic ◽  
Scott Pearsall ◽  
Ravindra Kumar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Excessive Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), based on activation of TGF-β effectors and transcriptional targets in affected lungs and the ability of TGF-β type I receptor (ALK5) inhibitors to improve experimental PAH. However, clinical use of ALK5 inhibitors has been limited by cardiovascular toxicity. Hypothesis: We tested whether or not selective blockade of TGF-β and Growth Differentiation Factor (GDF) ligands using a recombinant TGFβ type II receptor extracellular domain Fc fusion protein (TGFBRII-Fc) could impact experimental PAH. Methods: Male SD rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) and received vehicle or TGFBRII-Fc (15 mg/kg, twice per week, i.p.). C57BL/6 mice were treated with SU-5416 and hypoxia (SUGEN-HX) and received vehicle or TGFBRII-Fc. RNA-Seq was used to profile transcriptional changes in lungs of MCT rats. Circulating levels of GDF-15 were measured in 241 PAH patients and 41 healthy controls. Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were used to examine signaling in vitro . Results: TGFBRII-Fc is a selective ligand trap, inhibiting the ability of GDF-15, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, but not TGF-β2 to activate SMAD2/3 in vitro . In MCT rats, prophylactic treatment with TGFBRII-Fc normalized expression of TGF-β transcriptional target PAI-1, attenuated PAH and vascular remodeling. Delayed administration of TGFBRII-Fc in rats with established PAH at 2.5 weeks led to improved survival, decreased PAH and remodeling at 5 weeks. Similar findings were observed in SUGEN-HX mice. No valvular abnormalities were found with TGFBRII-Fc treatment. RNA-Seq revealed GDF-15 to be the most highly upregulated TGF-β ligand in the lungs of MCT rats, with only modest increases in TGF-β1 and no change in TGF-β2/3 observed, suggesting a dominant role of GDF-15 in the pathophysiology of this model. Plasma levels of GDF-15 were significantly increased in patients with diverse etiologies of WHO Group I PAH. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a selective TGF-β/GDF-15 trap attenuates experimental PAH, remodeling and mortality, without causing valvulopathy. These data highlight the potential role of GDF-15 as a pathogenic molecule and therapeutic target in PAH.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (1) ◽  
pp. H622-H631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Avila ◽  
Irma M. Medina ◽  
Esperanza Jiménez ◽  
Guillermo Elizondo ◽  
Citlalli I. Aguilar

Transforming growth factors-β (TGF-βs) are essential to the structural remodeling seen in cardiac disease and development; however, little is known about potential electrophysiological effects. We hypothesized that chronic exposure (6–48 h) of primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes to the type 1 TGF-β (TGF-β1, 5 ng/ml) may affect voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Thus we investigated T- ( ICaT) and L-type ( ICaL) Ca2+ currents, as well as dihydropyridine-sensitive charge movement using the whole cell patch-clamp technique and quantified CaV1.2 mRNA levels by real-time PCR assay. In ventricular myocytes, TGF-β1 did not exert significant electrophysiological effects. However, in atrial myocytes, TGF-β1 reduced both ICaL and charge movement (55% at 24–48 h) without significantly altering ICaT, cell membrane capacitance, or channel kinetics (voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, as well as the activation and inactivation rates). Reductions of ICaL and charge movement were explained by concomitant effects on the maximal values of L-channels conductance ( Gmax) and charge movement (Qmax). Thus TGF-β1 selectively reduces the number of functional L-channels on the surface of the plasma membrane in atrial but not ventricular myocytes. The TGF-β1-induced ICaL reduction was unaffected by supplementing intracellular recording solutions with okadaic acid (2 μM) or cAMP (100 μM), two compounds that promote L-channel phosphorylation. This suggests that the decreased number of functional L-channels cannot be explained by a possible regulation in the L-channels phosphorylation state. Instead, we found that TGF-β1 decreases the expression levels of atrial CaV1.2 mRNA (70%). Thus TGF-β1 downregulates atrial L-channel expression and may be therefore contributing to the in vivo cardiac electrical remodeling.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (23) ◽  
pp. 2918-2930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. Hayes ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Thomas C. Becker ◽  
Jonathan M. Haldeman ◽  
Samuel B. Stephens ◽  
...  

The homeodomain transcription factor Pdx-1 has important roles in pancreas and islet development as well as in β-cell function and survival. We previously reported that Pdx-1 overexpression stimulates islet cell proliferation, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of Pdx-1 triggers proliferation largely by a non-cell-autonomous mechanism mediated by soluble factors. Consistent with this idea, overexpression of Pdx-1 under the control of a β-cell-specific promoter (rat insulin promoter [RIP]) stimulates proliferation of both α and β cells, and overexpression of Pdx-1 in islets separated by a Transwell membrane from islets lacking Pdx-1 overexpression activates proliferation in the untreated islets. Microarray and gene ontology (GO) analysis identified inhibin beta-B (Inhbb), an activin subunit and member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, as a Pdx-1-responsive gene. Overexpression of Inhbb or addition of activin B stimulates rat islet cell and β-cell proliferation, and the activin receptors RIIA and RIIB are required for the full proliferative effects of Pdx-1 in rat islets. In human islets, Inhbb overexpression stimulates total islet cell proliferation and potentiates Pdx-1-stimulated proliferation of total islet cells and β cells. In sum, this study identifies a mechanism by which Pdx-1 induces a soluble factor that is sufficient to stimulate both rat and human islet cell proliferation.


1996 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Farquharson ◽  
A S Law ◽  
E Seawright ◽  
D W Burt ◽  
C C Whitehead

Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are both important regulators of chondrocyte growth and differentiation. We report here that 1,25(OH)2D3 differentially regulates the expression of the genes for TGF-β1 to -β3 and the secretion of the corresponding proteins in cultured chick chondrocytes. Confluent growth plate chondrocytes were serum-deprived and cultured in varying concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3. Cells were assayed for TGF-β mRNA and conditioned medium was assayed for TGF-β activity and isoform composition. Active TGF-β was only detected in 10−8m 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cultures (8·37 ng active TGF-β/mg protein). There was a significant decrease in total (latent+active) TGF-β activity in conditioned medium of 10−12 m (23·4%; P<0·05) and 10−10 m (20·7%; P<0·05) 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cultures but 10−8 m 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly increased (30·9%; P<0·01) TGF-β activity. The amounts of TGF-β1, -β2 and -β3 isoforms produced were similar in control, 10−10 or 10−12m 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cultures but the conditioned medium of 10−8 m 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cultures contained significantly higher amounts of all three isoforms. Quantification of TGF-β mRNA demonstrated differential control of TGF-β gene expression with TGF-β1 and -β3 mRNA levels reduced by all concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 examined (10−8, 10−10 and 10−12 m) whilst TGF-β2 mRNA concentrations were elevated. Our results indicated that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates chick growth plate chondrocyte TGF-β secretion and mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent and isoform-specific manner. This interaction may be important in the regulation of chondrocyte metabolism and endochondral bone growth. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 149, 277–285


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (5) ◽  
pp. E710-E722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuxin Wang ◽  
Hsun-Ming Chang ◽  
Yuyin Yi ◽  
Yung-Ming Lin ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
...  

There is increasing evidence showing the importance of vitamin D (Vit D) and its nuclear receptor, the Vit D receptor (VDR), in female reproductive health. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and its functional receptors are expressed in human oocytes and granulosa cells that participate in follicular development and ovulation. Recently, Sma- and Mad-related protein 3 (SMAD3; a downstream effector of TGF-β1) has been proposed to mediate crosstalk between the Vit D and TGF-β1 signaling pathways, but this relationship has not been fully explored and has yet to be tested in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. In this study, we showed that TGF-β1 significantly promoted the expression of VDR, and this stimulatory effect occurred through the activin receptor-like kinase 5 type I receptor-mediated SMAD3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in hGL cells. Additionally, we showed that Vit D increased the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrated a synergistic effect of TGF-β1 and Vit D on the expression of COX-2 and synthesis of PGE2, and this effect could be attenuated by silencing the expression of VDR. Our findings indicate that TGF-β1 upregulates the expression of VDR, which promotes Vit D-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 production by activating the SMAD3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in hGL cells.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Cui ◽  
Mengfan Zhang ◽  
Changsen Leng ◽  
Tjasso Blokzijl ◽  
Bernadien H. Jansen ◽  
...  

Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease. So far, there is no safe and effective drug for intestinal fibrosis. Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic compound available for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we explored the anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic properties of pirfenidone on primary human intestinal fibroblasts (p-hIFs). p-hIFs were cultured in the absence and presence of pirfenidone. Cell proliferation was measured by a real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence) and BrdU incorporation. Cell motility was monitored by live cell imaging. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were analyzed by Sytox green, Caspase-3 and Water Soluble Tetrazolium Salt-1 (WST-1) assays. Gene expression of fibrosis markers was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling was analyzed by Western blotting and type I collagen protein expression additionally by immunofluorescence microscopy. Pirfenidone dose-dependently inhibited p-hIF proliferation and motility, without inducing cell death. Pirfenidone suppressed mRNA levels of genes that contribute to extracellular matrix production, as well as basal and TGF-β1-induced collagen I protein production, which was associated with inhibition of the rapamycin-sensitive mTOR/p70S6K pathway in p-hIFs. Thus, pirfenidone inhibits the proliferation of intestinal fibroblasts and suppresses collagen I production through the TGF-β1/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, which might be a novel and safe anti-fibrotic strategy to treat intestinal fibrosis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 820-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Ali ◽  
Fabian Docagne ◽  
Olivier Nicole ◽  
Sylvain Lesné ◽  
Jérôme Toutain ◽  
...  

There has been an increasing interest in recent years in the evaluation of the neuronal and glial responses to ischemic insult. Some cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), that are overexpressed after experimental stroke in rodents are thought to be implicated in the neuronal processes that lead to necrosis. Thus, such cytokines could predict tissue fate after stroke in humans, although data are currently sparse for gyrencephalic species. The current study addressed the expression pattern of TGF-β1 in a nonhuman primate model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Focal permanent ischemia was induced for 1 or 7 days in 6 baboons and the following investigations were undertaken: cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) positron emission tomography studies, magnetic resonance imaging, postmortem histology, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The aim of the current study was to correlate the expression of TGF-β1 to the underlying metabolic and histologic state of the threatened cerebral parenchyma. The authors evidenced increased TGF-β1 mRNA levels (up to 25-fold) in those regions displaying a moderate (20% to 49%) reduction in CMRO2. The current findings suggest that the greatly enhanced expression of TGF-β1 in the penumbral zones that surround tissue destined to infarction may represent a robust index of potentially salvageable brain. The current investigation, in the nonhuman primate, strengthens the authors' hypothesis, derived from rodent models, that TGF-β1 may be involved in the physiopathology of human stroke.


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