Rat thecal/interstitial cells express transforming growth factor-beta type 1 and 2, but only type 2 is regulated by gonadotropin in vitro.
We previously demonstrated that granulosa cells from diethylstilbestrol-primed immature rats expressed transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF beta 2), but not TGF beta 1, mRNA and that its expression was regulated by FSH in vitro. The present studies were designed, therefore, to establish whether thecal/interstitial cells (TIC) from diethylstilbestrol-primed immature rats express more than one subtype of TGF beta mRNA and gene product and whether the levels of expression/production in vitro were regulated by LH/hCG. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of total RNA indicated that TIC expressed both TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2 mRNA. In response to hCG (200 ng/ml), TIC expressed TGF beta 2 mRNA levels that were 51% of control levels; TGF beta 1 mRNA levels were not altered. In response to cholera toxin (10(-9) M), TIC expression of TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 1 mRNA levels was 10% and 55% of control values, respectively. Western blot analysis established that both TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2 were secreted in vitro. hCG and cholera toxin reduced secretion of TGF beta bioactivity by 55% and 90%, respectively. In summary, these results indicate: 1) TIC express both TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2 mRNA; 2) TIC expression of TGF beta 2, but not TGF beta 1, mRNA is regulated by hCG in vitro; 3) TIC secrete both TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2, and 4) TIC secretion in vitro of TGF beta activity is gonadotropin regulated.
Mulheron
G W
GW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
Danielpour
D
D
Schomberg
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D015247:Deoxyribonuclease HindIII