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A B Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to A B Roberts.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Characterization of mutated transforming growth factor-beta s which possess unique biological properties.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. On the basis of the crystal structure of TGF-beta 2, we have designed and synthesized two mutant TGF-beta s, TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73). Although both of these molecules inhibited the growth of Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells and LS1034 colorectal cancer cells, which are affected equally by TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) was much less potent than TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) at inhibiting the growth of LS513 colorectal cancer cells which are growth-inhibited by TGF-beta 1 but not TGF-beta 2. Both TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) increased levels of mRNAs for fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor with Mv1Lu cells, whereas only TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and not TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) up-regulated the mRNA level of carcinoembryonic antigen in LS513 cells. The expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA in LS1034 cells was not altered by either wild-type or mutant TGF-beta s. Receptor labeling experiments demonstrated that TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) bound with high affinity to the cell-surface receptors of Mv1Lu, LS1034, and LS513 cells while TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) bound effectively to the receptors of Mv1Lu and LS1034 cells but much less to the receptors on LS513 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Genetic changes in the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type II receptor gene in human gastric cancer cells: correlation with sensitivity to growth inhibition by TGF-beta.

We have found several genetic changes in the TGF-beta-type II receptor gene in human gastric cancer cell lines resistant to the growth inhibitory effect of TGF-beta. Southern blot analysis showed deletion of the type II receptor gene in two of eight cell lines and amplification in another two lines. The single cell line we studied that is sensitive to growth inhibition by TGF-beta showed no structural abnormalities of the type II receptor gene. Some of the gastric cancer cells resistant to the growth inhibitory effect of TGF-beta express either truncated or no detectable TGF-beta type II receptor mRNAs, whereas the one that retains responsiveness to the growth inhibitory effect of TGF-beta expresses a full-size type II receptor mRNA. Immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis showed parallel changes in TGF-beta type II receptor expression. Our results suggest that one of the possible mechanisms of escape from autocrine or paracrine growth control by TGF-beta during carcinogenesis could involve genetic changes in the TGF-beta type II receptor gene itself or altered expression of its mRNA.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Prevention of breast cancer in the rat with 9-cis-retinoic acid as a single agent and in combination with tamoxifen.

We show that 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) is a potent inhibitor of mammary carcinogenesis induced by N-nitroso-N-methylurea in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were first treated with a single dose of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (50 mg/kg body weight) and then fed non-toxic levels of 9cRA (120 or 60 mg/kg of diet). 9cRA was highly effective in reducing tumor incidence, average number of tumors per rat, and average tumor burden, as well as extending tumor latency. The combination of 9cRA with low levels of tamoxifen (TAM; fed at either 1.0 or 0.5 mg/kg of diet) was particularly effective; addition of 9cRA to a TAM regimen doubled the number of animals that were tumor-free at autopsy and significantly diminished tumor number and tumor burden. For suppression of carcinogenesis in vivo, 9cRA was much more potent than all-trans-retinoic acid, both as a single agent or in combination with TAM, although both retinoids had equivalent inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis in cultured human breast cancer cell lines. Both 9cRA and all-trans-retinoic acid induce the expression of the adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, in the SK-BR-3 cell line. We suggest that clinical evaluation of the combination of 9cRA and TAM, either for chemoprevention or for adjuvant therapy, should be considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

One year audit of a referral fetal echocardiography service.

AIM: To perform a one year audit of a referral fetal echocardiography service. METHODS: In 1992, 132 fetuses were referred for two dimensional fetal echocardiography, 40% being less than 24 weeks gestation. Validation of the accuracy of the fetal diagnosis by postnatal clinical or appropriate cardiac investigation was undertaken. RESULTS: Indications for referral were a family history of congenital heart disease (n = 36), maternal indications, (40) suspected congenital heart disease on obstetric scan, (21) noncardiac fetal abnormality (19) and fetal arrhythmia. (16) The fetal echocardiogram was normal in 112, abnormal in 18 and not technically possible in two. The negative prediction of congenital heart disease was 96% accurate with four cases of congenital heart disease not diagnosed in utero. The positive prediction of congenital heart disease was 93% accurate with one false positive of a ventricular septal defect. The overall incidence of congenital heart disease was 17%. Four of 14 fetuses with major congenital heart disease had a chromosomal abnormality and five a coexistent noncardiac abnormality. The outcome of these 14 fetuses was poor, with three stillbirths, one termination of pregnancy, seven neonatal deaths and three only surviving beyond the neonatal period. Eleven of 21 cases referred with suspected congenital heart disease on obstetric scan were abnormal. CONCLUSION: Detailed fetal echocardiography can predict significant congenital heart disease with a high degree of accuracy. Suspected cardiac abnormality on obstetric scans warrants referral for detailed fetal echocardiography, as do those considered at increased risk of congenital heart disease.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1994

Maternal rescue of transforming growth factor-beta 1 null mice.

Maternal sources of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) are shown here to contribute to the normal appearance and perinatal survival of TGF-beta 1 null newborn mice. Labeled TGF-beta 1 crossed the placenta and was recovered intact from various tissues after oral administration to mouse pups. TGF beta-1 protein was also detected in cells recovered from breast milk. In immunohistochemical analyses, TGF-beta 1 null embryos and null newborn pups born to TGF-beta 1 heterozygotes stained positive for TGF-beta 1, whereas those born to a null female were negative and had severe cardiac abnormalities. These results suggest an important role for maternal sources of TGF-beta 1 during development and, more generally, provide evidence for maternal rescue of targeted gene disruption in the fetus.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Nerve growth factor induces transcription of transforming growth factor-beta 1 through a specific promoter element in PC12 cells.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates the differentiation of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells to those resembling sympathetic neurons. We have investigated whether NGF regulates transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta gene expression and protein secretion in PC12 cells. These cells constitutively express TGF-beta 1 mRNA, whereas TGF-beta 2 and -beta 3 mRNAs are expressed at very low levels. TGF-beta 1 gene expression was stimulated greater than 10-fold when PC12 cells were treated with NGF. Sequences between -119 and -98 in the TGF-beta 1 promoter, homologous to an Egr-1 binding site, were shown to be important for both basal and NGF-induced promoter activity. We also found that a factor(s) present in nuclear extracts from PC12 cells interacted with the sequences between -119 and -98 and that expression of this factor was induced by NGF treatment. Moreover, specific binding to TGF-beta 1 promoter fragments between -119 and -98 was seen using the bacterially expressed transcription factor Egr-1. These results indicate that activation of TGF-beta 1 expression is one of the cellular responses of PC12 cells to NGF and suggest that TGF-beta may play a role in the differentiation of sympathetic neurons.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of the chondrocyte phenotype by retinoic acid involves upregulation of metalloprotease genes independent of TGF-beta.

Retinoic acid has been identified as a key morphogen governing pattern formation in the developing cartilaginous skeleton. Retinoids have also been implicated in the premature closure of the cartilage growth plate following vitamin A intoxication or administration of retinoids for dermatologic conditions. Previous studies of the mechanism of action of retinoids in non-chondrogenic cells have concluded that retinoic acid is a negative regulator of AP-1 responsive metalloprotease genes. We show that inhibition of expression of the cartilage phenotype by retinoic acid in epiphyseal chondrocytes is associated with positive regulation of AP-1 responsive metalloprotease genes, as well as induction of gene expression for the two components of the transcription factor AP-1, c-fos and c-jun. Despite the similar effects of TGF-beta 1 on expression of cartilage matrix proteins and metalloproteases in this culture system, no appreciable changes in the expression of TGF-beta isoforms were evident in response to retinoic acid treatment. The present investigation demonstrates that regulation of AP-1 responsive genes by retinoic acid can be either positive or negative, depending on the target cell type, and illuminates new mechanisms by which retinoic acid and other retinoids may exert control during development and growth of the limb.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Enhanced access to rare brain cDNAs by prescreening libraries: 207 new mouse brain ESTs.

To use single-pass cDNA sequencing to characterize low-frequency cDNA clones from a region of the brain that includes the primary site of neurodegeneration in human Parkinson disease, we have developed a prescreening procedure using single brain region first-strand cDNA probes. Selection of cDNA clones giving low hybridization signals allowed the elimination of clones resulting from abundant messages and enrichment for clones corresponding to low-copy messages. Comparative sequencing of standard and prescreened cDNA libraries (191 and 124 clones, respectively) showed that this procedure raised the frequency of novel sequences encountered from 54 to 81%. The increased proportion of novel ESTs justifies the labor of prescreening. Automation of this procedure will accelerate the molecular description of genes expressed in any brain region, or any tissue, and represents a way to maximize access to cDNA sequences for human and mouse genome characterization. In total, the comparative sequencing experiments generated 207 new mouse and 11 new rat brain ESTs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Stationary arterial wave phenomena.

The case of a 38-year-old woman who was struck by an automobile is presented. The workup for lower extremity injuries revealed stationary arterial waves. Recognition of this arteriographic finding may avoid unnecessary confusion or exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Fetal liver length in diabetic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate whether liver size is increased in the fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes and whether there is any relationship between fetal liver size and maternal glycemic control. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty pregnant women with diabetes had ultrasonographic measurement of fetal liver length made at 18, 28, and 36 weeks' gestation. Twenty-four obese, nondiabetic women were studied at 36 weeks as controls. RESULTS: Fetal liver length measurements were significantly greater than normal by 18 weeks' gestation (12% above normal mean values; p < 0.001) and increased further (19%, p < 0.02) by 36 weeks. In the obese controls liver length was increased 9% and was significantly lower than in the diabetic subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal liver size in increased in pregnant women with diabetes and cannot be explained solely by maternal obesity. The major increase in liver size occurs early in pregnancy but appears to be modifiable by glycemic control later in gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs and proteins in the developing chicken embryo.

Specific cDNA probes and antibodies for chicken transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 2 and beta 3 were used to study expression of TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs and proteins in the developing chicken embryo. Expression of the mRNAs for both TGF-beta isoforms was detected by day 1.5 of incubation (Hamburger and Hamilton stage 10) by RNA Northern blot analysis and increased with developmental age. Expression of TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs was detected in every embryonic tissue examined, with the level of expression of both isoforms being high in heart, brain and muscle and low in kidney and liver. Coordinate unidirectional upregulation of expression of TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs occurred in most embryonic tissues with development except the heart, where the steady-state level of expression of TGF-beta 2 mRNA decreased with age, while that of TGF-beta 3 mRNA increased. In situ hybridization analysis detected TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs as early as the definitive primitive streak stage (stage 4). During neurulation (stage 10), TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs were detected in cells of all three germ layers; TGF-beta 3 mRNA was detected in neurectoderm as well. Following neurulation, TGF-beta 3 mRNA was detected in the neural tube, notochord, ectoderm, endoderm, sclerotome and dermomyotome at stage 16; expression of TGF-beta 2 mRNA was not as prominent as TGF-beta 3 mRNA in these structures. By stage 29, both TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs were localized in several tissues including heart, lung, gizzard and feathers. Immunohistochemical staining analysis detected immunoreactive TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 proteins in all three germ layers of stage 4 embryos. Staining for TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 proteins was detected in several cell types and tissues in the early developing embryo frequently in the same locations as TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 mRNAs, with staining for TGF-beta 2 being less intense than TGF-beta 3. However, in some cases, localization of TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 proteins was different from that of the mRNAs, indicating that a complex mechanism of transcription, translation and secretion exits during chicken embryogenesis. These and other results suggest that TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 may play important roles and act through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms in the development of many tissues in the chicken.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Editorial.

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Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Poor transduction efficiency of human hematopoietic progenitor cells by a high-titer amphotropic retrovirus producer cell clone.

The transduction efficiency of human bone marrow CD34+ cells with supernatants from the retrovirus producer cell clone PA317/LGSN 16 was only one-fifth of that with supernatants from GP+ envAm12/LGSN 15, even though both producers had similar infection titers on 3T3 cells. PA317/LGSN 16-conditioned medium inhibited the proliferation of the bone marrow CD34+ cells, and this inhibitory effect was partially blocked by anti-transforming growth factor beta antibodies. These studies suggest that cytokine secretion plays a role in the suppression of retrovirus transduction of human CD34+ cells.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Repression of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene by the Wilms' tumor suppressor WT1 gene product.

The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1) encodes a zinc finger DNA binding protein which functions as a transcriptional repressor. In this study we investigated whether the human transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene might be a target for transcriptional repression mediated by WT1. Using constructs of the TGF-beta 1 promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene, we have demonstrated that the WT1 protein represses expression of the TGF-beta 1 gene through a CGCCCCCGC response element spanning nucleotides -111 to -119 of the TGF-beta 1 promoter. We have also shown in a cotransfection assay that Egr-1, an immediate early growth response gene, activates transcription of the TGF-beta 1 gene through the same response element and that WT1 represses both the basal and Egr-1-induced TGF-beta 1 promoter activity in monkey kidney CV-1 cells. Moreover, WT1 and Egr-1 proteins interact directly with the WT1/Egr-1 response element of the TGF-beta 1 promoter in gel mobility shift assays. These findings provide further definition of transcriptional control of the TGF-beta 1 gene by showing that the WT1 gene product suppresses TGF-beta 1 transcription and that the WT1/Egr-1 consensus element of the human TGF-beta 1 promoter plays a critical role in this repression.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Oversaturation of color may obscure small intraluminal partial occlusions in color Doppler imaging.

Color Doppler imaging has been reported to have a low degree of accuracy in diagnosing nonocclusive deep venous thrombosis. In this modality the color saturation while diagnosing deep vein thrombosis depends on the blood flow velocity and the sensitivity setting of the color image. To determine the effect of color saturation on the detection of thrombi, an in vitro experiment was performed using a closed-loop tube circulation system with a simulated small intraluminal partial occlusion. Heparinized blood was circulated at three different velocities (2, 5.5, and 9 cm/sec) and the vessels were scanned longitudinally and transversely with color Doppler imaging at three color sensitivity settings (low, medium, and high sensitivity). In appropriate color sensitivity settings (i.e., the low, medium, and high sensitivity for the velocity of 9,5.5 and 2 cm/sec, respectively), the color was saturated adequately in the tube lumen so that the partial occlusion was delineated as a color filling defect in the color field. In undersaturated color conditions, the partial occlusion was depicted owing to its echogenicity, but not as a color filling defect. In over-saturated color conditions, such as the high color sensitivity at the high velocity, the partial occlusion was obscured by the excessive amount of color. The over saturation of color may be one of the reasons color Doppler imaging fails to detect deep vein thrombosis, particularly small intraluminal thrombi.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1993

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) controls expression of major histocompatibility genes in the postnatal mouse: aberrant histocompatibility antigen expression in the pathogenesis of the TGF-beta 1 null mouse phenotype.

The phenotype of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) null mouse has been previously described and is characterized by inflammatory infiltrates in multiple organs leading to a wasting syndrome and death as early as 3 weeks after birth. Since this phenotype occurs in the absence of any detectable pathogen, potential autoimmune disease mechanisms were investigated. We examined major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mRNA expression in tissues of the TGF-beta 1 null mouse and found levels of both the class I and class II MHC mRNA elevated compared to normal or TGF-beta 1 heterozygous littermates. This elevated expression was seen prior to any evidence of inflammatory infiltrates, suggesting a causal relationship between increased MHC expression and activation of immune cell populations. Cell surface expression of MHC molecules was detected by immunohistochemistry and correlated well with mRNA levels. Expression of mRNA for interferon gamma and its receptor was unchanged at the ages when increased MHC expression became apparent. Down-regulation of class I MHC expression by TGF-beta 1 was also demonstrated in vitro in fibroblasts isolated from TGF-beta 1 null mice. These findings suggest that one natural function of TGF-beta 1 is to control expression of both MHC classes. Altered regulation of MHC expression may be a critical step leading to the multifocal inflammation and wasting syndrome seen in the TGF-beta 1 null mouse. These results suggest potential applications for TGF-beta in the management of autoimmune disease, allograft rejection, and other problems associated with altered MHC expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

TGF-beta is a bidirectional modulator of cytokine receptor expression on murine bone marrow cells. Differential effects of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 3.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), an immunomodulator, has inhibitory as well as stimulatory effects on bone marrow cells. In this study, we demonstrate that TGF-beta 1 also is a bidirectional modulator of CSF receptor expression on murine bone marrow cells. TGF-beta 1 up-regulated granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF receptor expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with a maximum up-regulation of 64% by 48 h at 20 ng/ml. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 down-modulated IL-3 and CSF-1 receptor expression by 54 and 55%, respectively, by 24 h. TGF-beta 1 did not affect G-CSF receptor expression, in agreement with its inability to affect G-CSF-induced proliferation. The CSF receptor modulation induced by TGF-beta 1 preceded its effects on CSF-stimulated proliferation. The effects of TGF-beta on CSF receptor expression were isoform dependent, thus TGF-beta 3 was a 10-fold more potent inhibitor of both IL-3-induced colony formation and IL-3 receptor expression than TGF-beta 1, whereas TGF-beta 1 was a more potent stimulator of GM-CSF-stimulated colonies and GM-CSF receptor expression than TGF-beta 3. Therefore, the ability of TGF-beta to modulate the CSF receptor density/cell and/or the actual number of progenitors expressing CSF receptors directly correlates with the multifunctional effects of TGF-beta in hematopoiesis.

Animals↗