title: Modulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 effects by cytokines.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of human recombinant transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on the proliferation of normal cell and cancer cell lines and to evaluate the mechanism of TGF-beta-induced immunosuppression. Murine H238 fibrosarcoma and human UC-11 glioblastoma cells showed no proliferative change in the presence of TGF-beta, whereas the growth of human LS174T colon adenocarcinoma cells was significantly enhanced at the lower concentrations of TGF-beta. In contrast, Mono/Mac-6, a human monocyte cell line, human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cells, and BALB/c mouse spleen cells were significantly suppressed by 2.5 to 250 ng/ml of TGF-beta. In order to investigate the mode of action, TGF-beta and other cytokines were added 0, 1, and 2 days after initiation of the culture. Mono/Mac-6 cells showed that 2 days are needed for TGF-beta-induced suppression. Simultaneous addition of TGF-beta and tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha; 600 units/ml) to Mono/Mac-6 cells resulted in nearly complete suppression by day 3. IL-2, and to a lesser extent IL-4, was able to counteract the suppressive effects of TGF-beta on mitogen-stimulated spleen cells. However, our results indicate that IL-2 is not as effective in restoring responsiveness once T cell activation is well underway. IL-1 and interferon-gamma had no effects on TGF-beta-mediated immunosuppression. Since TGF-beta depressed normal cell growth and since IL-2 could effectively counteract the suppression, we assayed for IL-2 production. When normal spleen cells were treated with 2.5 ng of TGF-beta/ml, a 3.4-fold decrease in IL-2 production was observed. This is a potential mechanism for TGF-beta-mediated immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California 92350.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Uhm
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kettering
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gridley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta