Stimulation of the chemotactic migration of human fibroblasts by transforming growth factor beta.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent chemoattractant in vitro for human dermal fibroblasts. Intact disulfide and perhaps the dimeric structure of TGF-beta is essential for its ability to stimulate chemotactic migration of fibroblasts, since reduction with 2-ME results in a marked loss of its potency as a chemoattractant. Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) appears to be capable of modulating some effects of TGF-beta, it does not alter the chemotactic response of fibroblasts to TGF-beta. Specific polyvalent rabbit antibodies to homogeneously pure TGF-beta block its chemotactic activity but has no effect on the other chemoattractants tested (platelet-derived growth factor, fibronectin, and denatured type I collagen). Since TGF-beta is secreted by a variety of neoplastic and normal cells including platelets, monocytes/macrophages, and lymphocytes, it may play a critical role in vivo in embryogenesis, host response to tumors, and the repair response that follows damage to tissues by immune and nonimmune reactions.
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000032:analysis; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors
D010455:Peptides; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors