TGF-beta 1 differentially regulates IL-2 expression and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in CD3 epsilon mAb- and CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes and thymocytes.
Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) is a critical bifunctional regulator of inflammatory responses. Evidence strongly suggests that these regulatory consequences are, at least in part, a result of profound pleiotropic effects on T lymphocyte effector function. The mechanisms underlying the contradictory biological effects of TGF-beta(1) remain ambiguous. The objective of the present studies was to test the hypothesis that the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) and the TGF-beta receptor regulate the effect of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Toward this end, we have quantified the concentration- and time-dependent effect of TGF-beta(1) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) protein secretion as an index of T lymphocyte activation and [3H]-thymidine incorporation as an index of cell proliferation in primary splenocytes and thymocytes. Our results suggest that TGF-beta(1) stimulates IL-2 production at low concentrations (0.1-1 pg/ml) and conversely inhibits IL-2 production at high concentrations (1-10 ng/ml) in CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody (mAb)+/-CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes. Additionally, concentrations of TGF-beta(1) that stimulate IL-2 production in CD3epsilon mAb+CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes concominantly inhibit splenocyte proliferation under similar conditions. Furthermore, we provide evidence suggesting that the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocytes are dependent upon the temporal relationship between activation of the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. A time-dependent loss of a stimulatory effect and a concomitant gain of an inhibitory response by TGF-beta(1) on IL-2 production in response to CD3epsilon and CD28 mAbs is observed when TGF-beta(1) is added following T lymphocyte activation. In summary, these data unequivocally demonstrate that the orchestration of paradoxical effects of TGF-beta(1) on T-lymphocyte function is dependent upon the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of signaling through the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. Future mechanistic studies addressing the putative role that these factors play in modulating the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activity will undoubtedly provide valuable insight towards the pharmacological intervention of inflammatory responses.
McKarns
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SC
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, B330 Life Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA.
Kaminski
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NE
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D014316:Tritium
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; C115335:CD3E protein, human; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014316:Tritium; D013936:Thymidine