Differentially regulated production of platelet-derived growth factor and of transforming growth factor beta by a human teratocarcinoma cell line

• Published in: Differentiation (London) Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 203 - 210
• Main Authors: Weima, Sjerp M., van Rooijen, Marga A., Mummery, Christine L., Feijen, Alie, Kruijer, Wiebe, de Laat, Siegfried W., van Zoelen, Everardus J.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier B.V 01.09.1988; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell Differentiation; Cell physiology; Cells, Cultured; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Molecular and cellular biology; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - genetics; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - metabolism; Responses to growth factors, tumor promotors, other factors; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Teratoma; Transforming Growth Factors - genetics; Transforming Growth Factors - metabolism; Tumor Cells, Cultured - cytology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - drug effects; Tumor Cells, Cultured - metabolism; Cell culture; Regulation(control); Transforming growth factor; Biosynthesis; Malignant teratoma; Platelet derived growth factor; Embryonal carcinoma
• ISSN: 0301-4681; 1432-0436
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-0436.1988.tb00214.x

The human teratocarcinoma stem cell line Tera-2 clone 13 is induced by retinoic acid to differentiate in vitro into endodermal or neuroectodermal cell types. In the absence of externally added growth factors, Tera-2 clone 13 cells proliferated at the same rate as in the presence of serum growth factors. Analysis of serum-free medium conditioned by Tera-2 clone 13 cells showed the presence of a polypeptide immunologically and biochemically related to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), but no TGF-α production could be detected. Tera-2 clone 13 cells specifically expressed high levels of the A-chain mRNA, but not the B-chain mRNA of PDGF. During retinoic acid induced differentiation the level of A-chain mRNA became markedly reduced. In contrast the TGF-β mRNA levels increased significantly upon differentiation. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of regulation of growth and differentiation in early embryos as well in (human) teratocarcinomas.