title: Effects of TGF-beta on eosinophil chemotaxis.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which can decrease the effects of interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on eosinophil viability, has been shown to be chemotactic for neutrophils. However, there is little information on its effects on eosinophil chemotaxis. Because TGF-beta has recently been found in increased concentrations in asthmatic sputum, we investigated whether TGF-beta could influence eosinophil migration and eosinophil viability. Purified eosinophils from normal donors were incubated with increasing concentrations of TGF-beta. Chemotaxis was measured with a modified Boyden chamber technique. In addition, eosinophils were incubated for 96 h with either IL-3, IL-5 or GM-CSF (1 ng/ml) together with increasing concentrations of TGF-beta. Eosinophil viability was then determined with propidium jodide and flow cytometry. Eosinophil chemotaxis was significantly increased in the presence of TGF-beta in concentrations between 10(-9) and 10(-4) microg/ml. The optimal concentration of TGF-beta in this assay was between 10(-9) and 10(-8) microg/ml. The chemotactic effect of TGF-beta diminished when higher as well as lower concentrations (between 10[-12] and 10[-3] microg/ml) were employed. In contrast, inhibition of eosinophil survival induced by IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF reached its maximum at concentrations of TGF-beta between 10(-4) and 10(-3) microg/ml. From these data we conclude that TGF-beta in low concentrations can induce eosinophil chemotaxis whereas higher concentrations reduce eosinophil survival mediated by IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, Medical University Clinics, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luttmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matthys
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Virchow
mesh_terms: D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta