Transforming growth factor beta-treated normal fibroblasts eliminate transformed fibroblasts by induction of apoptosis.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) induces normal fibroblasts to perform an inhibitory effect directed against transformed cells (P. Höfler, I. Wehrle, and G. Bauer, Int. J. Cancer, 54: 125-130, 1993). Coculture of normal fibroblasts with transformed cells, either resistant to G 418 or expressing Mx antigen detectable by specific immunofluorescence, allowed discrimination between three theoretical mechanisms of inhibition: irreversible inhibition of proliferation; reversion to the nontransformed phenotype; or elimination of transformed cells. Our data demonstrate that normal fibroblasts treated with TGF-beta are able to eliminate transformed cells by induction of apoptosis. Sensitivity against TGF-beta-induced elimination seems to be a general feature of in vitro-transformed cell lines. TGF-beta-induced elimination of transformed fibroblasts by their untransformed counterparts is proposed as a potential potent control point in carcinogenesis, which may lead to the suppression of transformed cells.
Jürgensmeier
J M
JM
Abteilung Virologie, Universität Freiburg, Germany.
Schmitt
C P
CP
Viesel
E
E
Höfler
P
P
Bauer
G
G
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000941:Antigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D002843:Chromatin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta