title: Glucocorticoids modulate TGF-beta production.
abstract: TGF-beta is thought to play a central role in pulmonary fibrosis inducing fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix synthesis. In human lung fibroblasts, it is still unclear how various TGB-beta isoforms affect TGF-beta production and whether glucocorticoids, commonly used agents to treat fibrotic lung disease, modulate these processes. To this end, human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) were cultured with various concentrations of glucocorticoids (budesonide, dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) with and without TFG-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3. TGF-beta mRNA was assessed by real time RT-PCR. Smad 2, 3, and 4 and AP-1 complex (c-fos and c-Jun) cellular localization were evaluated by immunostaining. TGF-beta2 and -beta3 stimulated TGF-beta1 production significantly (p < 0.01 relative to control). TGF-beta1 stimulated TGF-beta2 production (p < 0.01 relative to control). TGF-beta3 was undetectable. Glucocorticoids significantly inhibited TGF-beta1 and -beta2 production and reduced expression of the upregulated TGF-beta1 and -beta2 mRNA induced by exogenous TGF-beta1, -beta2 or -beta3 (p < 0.01 for each) but had no effect on Smads. Although c-jun-related nuclear staining was not intensified in TGF-beta-stimulated cells, it was reduced by glucocorticoids. Thus, TGF-beta isoforms may stimulate production of various TGF-beta isoforms in the lung. Glucocorticoids then may block TGF-beta production by modulating mRNA levels and c-Jun.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5125, USA.
authors.forename: Fu-Qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kohyama
authors.forename: C Magnus
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sköld
authors.forename: Yun Kiu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiangde
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Debra J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Romberger
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoner
authors.forename: Stephen I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Rennard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005333:Fetus; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta