title: Effect of alpha-2-macroglobulin on cytokine-mediated human C-reactive protein production.
abstract: Alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), a serum protease inhibitor that also binds cytokines, neutralized the inhibitory effect exerted by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on IL-6-induced C-reactive protein (CRP) production by the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. alpha 2-M was found to bind noncovalently with TGF-beta to form a complex that, upon acidification, released TGF-beta inhibitory activity as detected by IL-6-induced CRP production. Although alpha 2-M also binds IL-6, it did not alter IL-6-induced CRP production by the hepatoma cells. The interaction between alpha 2-M and TGF-beta may influence the production of acute-phase proteins by liver hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mortensen
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein