title: Transforming growth factor alpha expression in normal human blood eosinophils: differential regulation by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated a constitutive expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in normal human blood eosinophils, both at the mRNA and protein level. This may indicate a novel function of the eosinophil, the regulation of which has not been clarified. Therefore human white blood cells (WBC) were treated with potential regulators of eosinophil function. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3) caused a time and dose-dependent 2- to 3-fold increase of TGF-alpha mRNA levels, in relation to incubation in the absence of cytokine; maximal response was attained within 4 h of incubation. In contrast, IL-5 failed to influence the expression of the TGF-alpha gene. In situ analysis of GM-CSF- or IL-3-stimulated cells showed that eosinophils remained the sole cell type expressing TGF-alpha mRNA. However, whereas GM-CSF significantly induced, within 1 h, release of immunoreactive TGF-alpha protein, IL-3 was insufficient in this respect. In conclusion, our findings indicate that expression of TGF-alpha gene and protein in normal blood eosinophils is differently regulated by GM-CSF and IL-3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Briheim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wasteson
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007377:Interleukin-3; D015848:Interleukin-5; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors