Transforming growth factor type beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) down-regulates interleukin-2 production and up-regulates interleukin-2 receptor expression in a thymoma cell line

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 147; no. 3; p. 460
• Main Authors: D'Angeac, A D, Dornand, J, Emonds-Alt, X, Jullien, P, Garcia-Sanz, J A, Erard, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.1991
• Subjects: Animals; Down-Regulation - drug effects; Gene Expression - genetics; Interleukin-1 - pharmacology; Interleukin-2 - genetics; Interleukin-2 - metabolism; Mice; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - genetics; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Thymoma - metabolism; Thymoma - pathology; Thymoma - ultrastructure; Thymus Neoplasms - metabolism; Thymus Neoplasms - pathology; Thymus Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta - physiology; Up-Regulation - drug effects
• ISSN: 0021-9541
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.1041470312

Transforming growth factor type beta 1 (TGB-beta 1) belongs to a family of polypeptides with regulatory effects on growth and differentiation of a variety of cell types. TGB-beta 1 plays an important role in regulation of immune response by acting as a negative control signal for T cell proliferation through still unknown mechanisms. In this study we have analysed the effects of TGB-beta 1 on EL 4-6.1, a variant of the murine EL 4 thymoma, which can be induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and/or interleukin 1 (IL-1) to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2) and express IL-2 receptors (IL-2R). Using this defined model system, we show that TGB-beta 1 simultaneously down-regulates IL-2 expression and up-regulates the number of both high and low affinity IL-2R. These changes correlate with changes at the mRNA level, suggesting an effect at the pre-translational level. The specificity of both TGF-beta 1 effects was demonstrated using a neutralizing antiserum to TGF-beta 1. Our data also suggest that TGF-beta 1 does not interfere with early activation signals of PMA and/or IL-1. This model might be useful for elucidating the complex role of TGF-beta 1 in the regulation of T cell responses.