The cytostatic effects of α-interferon may be mediated by transforming growth factor-β

• Published in: Journal of molecular endocrinology Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 131 - 136
• Main Authors: KERR, D. J, PRAGNELL, I. B, SPROUL, A, COWAN, S, MURRAY, T, GEORGE, D, LEAKE, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester BioScientifica 01.03.1989; Portland Press
• Subjects: Antibodies - immunology; Antineoplastic Agents; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Cell Line; Cell physiology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Interferon-gamma - therapeutic use; Iodine Radioisotopes; Molecular and cellular biology; Phenotype; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Responses to growth factors, tumor promotors, other factors; RNA, Messenger - analysis; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factors - immunology; Transforming Growth Factors - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factors - pharmacology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - drug effects; Human; Cell proliferation; Cytostatic; Alpha interferon; Transforming growth factor; Antiestrogen; Cytokine; Cell line; Hormonal transmitter; Tumor; Mammary gland; Growth factor; Hormonal receptor
• ISSN: 0952-5041; 1479-6813
• DOI: 10.1677/jme.0.0020131

ABSTRACT There is some evidence to suggest that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mediates the cytostatic effects of the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen. In this study we have demonstrated that α-interferon has a significant anti-proliferative effect on the oestrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cell line ZR-75. There is decreased phenotypic expression of the oestrogen receptors (to about 30% of control values) and increased TGF-β mRNA. Under the growth conditions used here, ZR-75 cells had approximately 5800 TGF-β binding sites per cell, with an apparent dissociation constant of 70 pm, and we have shown that the anti-proliferative effects of α-interferon can be reduced by 60% by co-treating the cells with a TGF-β polyclonal antibody. The cytostatic effects of α-interferon may therefore be mediated by TGF-β in this human breast cancer cell line.