transforming-growth-factor-beta and Leukemia--Myelomonocytic--Acute

We have previously shown that the growth factor FLT3 ligand (FL) is mitogenic for human primary and continuously cultured myeloid leukemia cells. Despite widespread expression of the receptor FLT3 among the leukemia cell lines from certain cell lineages, only two growth factor-dependent myeloid leukemia cell lines showed a significant proliferative response to FL. In the present study, we examined the proliferative effects of FL on a comprehensive set of growth factor-dependent leukemia cell lines. A significant enhancement of cell growth by FL was seen in 10/12 myelomonocytic cell lines, while all cell lines with predominantly megakaryocytic and/or erythroid characteristics did not respond positively, despite the expression of the receptor. The cytokines interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF) could independently enhance the FL-stimulated proliferation in a synergistic fashion. Transforming growth factor-(beta)1 (TGF-(beta)1), in a dose-dependent fashion, partially inhibited the FL-promoted proliferation, but basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), on its own augmenting the response to FL, significantly abrogated the inhibitory effects of TGF-(beta)1. TGF-(beta)1 down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of the FLT3 receptor. Taken together these data suggest that the effects of FL on the growth of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells can be positively and negatively modulated by other cytokines.

Topics: Blotting, Northern; Cell Division; Cytokines; Drug Synergism; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Humans; Interleukin-3; Leukemia; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Membrane Proteins; Stem Cell Factor; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Stimulation of monoblastic U937 cells with transforming growth factor beta 1 and 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 (TGF-beta 1/D3) upregulates urokinase receptor (uPAR) and confers urokinase-dependent adhesiveness to the cells for serum- or vitronectin-coated surfaces. Recent studies show that uPAR itself is a high-affinity adhesion receptor for vitronectin and that urokinase (uPA) is an activator of this adhesive function. In the course of exploring possible G-protein involvement in this adhesion it was observed that TGF-beta 1/D3-primed U937 cells became adhesive to vitronectin in an uPAR-dependent manner when exposed to pertussis toxin (PTX). The adherent response is concentration- and time-dependent, and was not due to the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of the toxin because the purified B-subunit of PTX was equally effective. Although promoting adhesion to serum- or vitronectin-coated surfaces, PTX blocked spontaneous cell adhesion to fibrinogen, an endogenous ligand for the Mac-1 receptor (CD11b/CD18). Flow cytometry study showed that expression of the alpha-subunit of Mac-1 (CD11b) on primed cells was increased by nearly threefold. Monoclonal antibody to CD11b abolished the PTX-induced cell adhesion and the binding of the primed cells to PTX-coated plates. Activation of Mac-1 receptor by its endogenous ligand fibrinogen induced cell adherent response similar to PTX. PTX, but not uPA, triggered a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i in primed U937 cells, and PTX-induced adhesion was significantly attenuated by 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxy-methyl ester (BAPTA/AM), a selective membrane-permeant [Ca2+]i chelator. PTX-induced cell adhesion was also prevented by antibodies to uPAR and by conditioned medium containing soluble uPAR. Together these data indicate that PTX B-subunit may bind to Mac-1 integrin, which leads to a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i and subsequent activation of uPAR for adherence to vitronectin, suggesting a functional link between Mac-1 and activation of uPAR important to cellular trafficking and host defence in response to Bordetella pertussis infection.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Calcium; Cell Adhesion; Humans; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Macrophage-1 Antigen; Pertussis Toxin; Plasminogen Activators; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Vitronectin

Myeloid cells are important reservoirs of HIV-1 infection. In response to pathogenic agents, macrophages secrete inflammatory cytokines that can modulate viral replication and contribute to AIDS pathogenesis. Because HIV replication is dependent on cellular activation, immunosuppressive cytokines that deactivate macrophages and T cells may be important modulators of an antiviral effect. We tested the anti-HIV potential of the immunosuppressive cytokine-transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) alone and in combination with AZT in a new monomyeloblastic model of HIV-1 infection. The PLB-985 cell model was infected with HIV IIIB strain, and the course of HIV-1 infection and replication was monitored by reverse transcriptase assay, p24 immunofluorescence, and northern blot analysis of HIV-1-specific mRNA. TGF-beta 1 as a single agent had no effect on the multiplication of HIV-IIIB in de novo-infected PLB 985 monomyeloblastic cells. However, cotreatment with TGF-beta 1 and AZT synergistically slowed virus multiplication within the first week following infection, as determined by reverse transcriptase measurement, p24 antigen detection, and northern blot analysis of viral RNA. The synergistic actions of TGF-beta 1 and AZT were also observed in PLB 985 cells infected with an AZT-resistant strain of HIV-1 (HIV 1393). Synergism between nucleoside analogs and cytokines may be an important therapeutic approach to HIV-1 infection. Elucidation of the role of cytokines in controlling the degree of HIV multiplication may have an impact on both clinical treatments and understanding the progression to AIDS.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antiviral Agents; Cell Line; Drug Therapy, Combination; HIV-1; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Zidovudine

Murine myelomonocytic leukemia M1 cells have been used to examine the effects of type-beta 1 transforming growth factor (TGF-beta 1) on cellular proliferation and differentiation in monocyte-macrophage lineage. TGF-beta 1 inhibited immature M1 cell growth due to a general slowdown of the cell cycle, without arrest at any specific point. Ten nanograms per milliliter TGF-beta 1 completely suppressed phagocytic activity and adhesion to the dish surface and partially inhibited the expression of Fc receptors and vimentin during the differentiation of M1 cells induced by IL-6. IL-6-induced declines in the expression of c-myc mRNA and in the accumulation of G0/G1 cells were also partially blocked by TGF-beta 1. When treated concurrently with IL-6 and TGF-beta 1, approximately 50% of M1 cells were morphologically converted to promonocyte or monocyte-like cells, which did not exhibit the characteristics of mature macrophages. Although pretreatment with TGF-beta 1 also inhibited the IL-6-induced phagocytic activity, this inhibition was reversible. Once TGF-beta 1 was removed from the culture medium after 72 h of incubation with IL-6, the kinetics of differentiation induced by IL-6 were faster in pretreated cells than in nonpretreated cells. TGF-beta 1 appears to inhibit the IL-6 induced conversion of M1 cells at the intermediate stage of monocytic differentiation.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Northern; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cytokines; Interleukin-6; Leukemia, Experimental; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Macrophages; Mice; Monocytes; Phagocytosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Receptors, Fc; RNA, Messenger; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vimentin