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The Ewing's sarcoma oncoprotein EWS/FLI induces a p53-dependent growth arrest in primary human fibroblasts.

Ewing's sarcoma is associated with a fusion between the EWS and FLI1 genes, forming an EWS/FLI fusion protein. We developed a system for the identification of cooperative mutations in this tumor through expression of EWS/FLI in primary human fibroblasts. Gene expression profiling demonstrated that this system recapitulates many features of Ewing's sarcoma. EWS/FLI-expressing cells underwent growth arrest, suggesting that growth arrest-abrogating collaborative mutations may be required for tumorigenesis. Expression profiling identified transcriptional upregulation of p53, and the growth arrest was rescued by inhibition of p53. These data support a role for p53 as a tumor suppressor in Ewing's sarcoma and demonstrate the use of transcriptional profiling of model systems in the identification of cooperating mutations in human cancer.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Strategies to enhance transductional efficiency of adenoviral-based gene transfer to primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes as a platform in dermal wounds.

Genetically modified keratinocytes and fibroblasts are suitable for delivery of therapeutic genes capable of modifying the wound healing process. However, efficient gene delivery is a prerequisite for successful gene therapy of wounds. Whereas adenoviral vectors (Ads) exhibit superior levels of in vivo gene transfer, their transductional efficiency to cells resident within wounds may nonetheless be suboptimal, due to deficiency of the primary adenovirus receptor, coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). We explored CAR-independent transduction to fibroblasts and keratinocytes using a panel of CAR-independent fiber-modified Ads to determine enhancement of infectivity. These fiber-modified adenoviral vectors included Ad 3 knob (Ad5/3), canine Ad serotype 2 knob (Ad5CAV-2), RGD (Ad5.RGD), polylysine (Ad5.pK7), or both RGD and polylysine (Ad5.RGD.pK7). To evaluate whether transduction efficiencies of the fiber-modified adenoviral vectors correlated with the expression of their putative receptors on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, we analyzed the mRNA levels of CAR, alpha upsilon integrin, syndecan-1, and glypican-1 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of luciferase and green fluorescent protein transgene expression showed superior transduction efficiency of Ad5.pK7 in keratinocytes and Ad5.RGD.pK7 in fibroblasts. mRNA expression of alpha upsilon integrin, syndecan-1 and glypican-1 was significantly higher in primary fibroblasts than CAR. In keratinocytes, syndecan-1 expression was significantly higher than all the other receptors tested. Significant infectivity enhancement was achieved in keratinocytes and fibroblasts using fiber-modified adenoviral vectors. These strategies to enhance infectivity may help to achieve higher clinical efficacy of wound gene therapy.

Adenoviridae↗

[Fibroblasts from primary and recurrent pterygia and Tenon's capsule in cell culture].

PURPOSE: To evaluate fibroblast proliferation activity of the Tenon capsule from primary and recurrent pterygia. METHODS: A randomized prospective study was performed with 43 surgical samples from 30 primary and 13 recurrent pterygia, and samples of normal Tenon capsule from the same pterygium patients. Proliferation, migration, and confluence rate, and patient age, lesion location and type (fleshy or involutive; primary or recurrent) were evaluated. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 30 cultivated primary pterygia, 21 migrated and proliferated, and 18 (60%) went to confluence. Migration, proliferation and confluence started much later in fibroblasts from normal Tenon than from pterygia lesion. The recurrent pterygia showed migration, proliferation, and confluence starting much earlier than the primary ones. There was no statistically significant difference in the start of migration, proliferation and confluence between fleshy and involuted pterygia, or between pterygias of Grades I-II and III-IV. CONCLUSION: Pterygium fibroblasts are more viable than normal Tenon in cell culture. Migration, proliferation, and confluence differ in primary and recurrent pterygia. Fleshy and involutive pterygia are similar in culture; there is also no difference between pterygia according to lesion size in cell culture.

Adult↗

High intensity ras signaling induces premature senescence by activating p38 pathway in primary human fibroblasts.

Although oncogenic ras plays a pivotal role in neoplastic transformation, it triggers an anti-oncogenic defense mechanism known as premature senescence in normal cells. In this study, we investigated the induction of cellular responses by different expression levels of oncogenic ras in primary human fibroblasts. We found that a moderate, severalfold increase in ras expression promoted cell growth. Further elevation of ras expression initially enhanced proliferation but eventually induced p16INK4A expression and senescence. The induction of these opposing cellular responses by ras signals of different intensity was achieved through differential activation of the MAPK pathways that mediated these responses. Whereas moderate ras activities only stimulated the mitogenic MEK-ERK pathway, high intensity ras signals induced MEK and ERK to higher levels, leading to stimulation of the MKK3/6-p38 pathway, which had been shown previously to act downstream of Ras-MEK to trigger the senescence response. Thus, these studies have revealed a mechanism for the differential effects of ras on cell proliferation. Furthermore, moderate ras activity mediated transformation in cooperation with E6E7 and hTERT, suggesting that a moderate intensity ras signal can provide sufficient oncogenic activities for tumorigenesis. This result also implies that the ability of ras to promote proliferation and oncogenic transformation can be uncoupled with that to induce senescence in cell culture and that the development of tumors with relatively low ras activities may not need to acquire genetic alterations that bypass premature senescence.

Blotting, Southern↗

Phi c31 integrase induces chromosomal aberrations in primary human fibroblasts.

Phi c31 integrase is investigated as a novel tool for nonviral gene therapy as the enzyme can direct site-specific integration into a host chromosome. In order to investigate effects of phi c31 integrase expression in normal human cells, we have generated stably transfected primary human fibroblasts expressing the enzyme. All control cells were cytogenetically normal, but in cells expressing phi c31 integrase, numerous chromosomal abnormalities including various translocations were found, suggesting that the enzyme itself acts as a mutagen.

Attachment Sites, Microbiological↗

Transformation of primary human fibroblast cells with human papillomavirus type 16 DNA and EJ-ras.

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV type 16) has been implicated as an etiological agent in human cervical cancer. This virus contains sequences which, under the proper transcriptional control, can increase the tumorigenicity of established mouse cells and cooperate with EJ-ras in transforming primary baby rat kidney (BRK) cells. These data argue that this virus contains oncogenic sequences. Because this is a human virus, it was important to study the effect on primary human cells of HPV type-16 DNA in both the presence and absence of EJ-ras. We now present data which demonstrate that HPV type-16 DNA, under the transcriptional control of Moloney murine leukemia viral long terminal repeats (MoMuLV-LTR), can extend the life span of primary human fibroblast cells in culture. Co-transfection of the HPV type-16 DNA containing plasmid together with an activated EJ-ras oncogene gives rise to transformed cells which grow faster, are morphologically different from and more aneuploid than cells established with only HPV type-16 DNA. Molecular analysis of these established and partially transformed human cells reveals that they contain and express the transfected DNA. These data argue that primary human cells can be transformed with HPV type-16 and EJ-ras sequences, whereas cells harboring only HPV type 16 DNA are largely normal but have an extended life span.

Animals↗

The mixed leukocyte reaction may promote the growth of human pericorneal fibroblasts in primary culture.

Keratitis of the cornea is believed to be the leading cause of loss of vision due to external eye disease in the United States and in Europe. At present, primary and secondary cell cultures obtained from corneal explants are the most suitable system to study the role of drug-resistant viruses in severe recurrences of infections leading to irreversible corneal scarring. In this work, the growth of human pericorneal fibroblasts in primary and secondary cultures has been obtained by cocultivation with a mixed leukocyte reaction.

Cell Division↗

Proteasome inhibition induces a senescence-like phenotype in primary human fibroblasts cultures.

Senescent human fibroblasts exhibit several genetic and biochemical differences as compared to their young counterparts including abnormalities of the main proteolytic mechanism, namely the proteasome. Specifically, we and others have shown that there is an impaired function of the proteasome, as senescent cells have reduced proteolytic activities and less proteasome content. In a complementary work we have recently shown that inhibition of the proteasome by a specific inhibitor induces a senescence-like phenotype in young WI38 fibroblasts [Chondrogianni et al. (2003) J Biol Chem 278: 28026-28037]. In this study we tested whether the induction of a senescence-like phenotype following treatment with proteasome inhibitors is a common feature of primary human fibroblasts. A comparative biochemical analysis, after employing three different human fibroblasts cell lines (IMR90, MRC5 and WI38 cells), as well as two proteasome inhibitors (epoxomicin and MG132), has shown that proteasome inhibition results in the appearance of a senescence-like phenotype in all cell lines used. Proteasome inhibitors treated cells were irreversibly stopped dividing, exhibited positive staining to beta-galactosidase as well as reduced CT-L and PGPH activities. In summary, these data reveal the fundamental role of the proteasome in the progression of replicative senescence and open new dimensions towards a better understanding of protein degradation.

Cell Division↗

Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on ROS production and cell death caused by HEMA in human primary gingival fibroblasts.

Previous investigations have shown that 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which in turn affects cell survival and cell death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on HEMA-induced toxicity in human primary gingival fibroblasts (HGF). HGF were treated with various concentrations of HEMA (0-12 mm) in the absence and presence of NAC (1, 5, and 10 mm). The 3-(4,5 dimethyiazol-2-1)-2-5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity after HEMA exposure. Viability and cell death were determined by flow cytometry using Annexin V and PI staining. ROS production was detected by the increasing fluorescence of the oxidation-sensitive dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) after HEMA treatment. After a 24h incubation period, HEMA concentrations higher then 10mm caused a decrease of cell viability, mitochondrial activity, and an increase of cell death. HEMA concentrations of 4-12 mm markedly increased ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner. High NAC concentrations (5 and 10 mm) significantly reduced cell death, and restored the mitochondrial activity after a 24 h co-treatment, but 1 mm NAC increased HEMA toxicity (p<0.05). All NAC concentrations significantly reduced ROS levels induced by HEMA after a 2 h exposure (p<0.05), but no such reduction was observed after a 4 h treatment. Furthermore, treatment with 10 mm HEMA and 1 mm NAC for 6h caused an increase in ROS levels compared to 10 mm HEMA alone (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that high NAC concentrations protect HGF against HEMA cytotoxicity by reducing the induced ROS levels.

Acetylcysteine↗

Fibronectin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis by fibrotic pig fibroblasts in primary culture.

Synthesis of fibronectin and glycosamingoglycans (GAGs) was studied in fibroblasts from pigs with post-irradiation subcutaneous fibrosis. Fibrosis was developed in the femoral muscle by local gamma irradiation with a dose of 60 Gy. Normal fibroblasts were obtained from the healthy skin of the same animal. To measure GAG and fibronectin synthesis fibrotic and normal fibroblasts were labeled with 3H-glucosamine, 35S-sulfate and 35S-methionine. Fibrotic fibroblasts synthesized 2.5 times as much fibronectin as normal skin fibroblasts but total protein synthesis did not change. Parallel enhanced secretion of hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate into the cell culture medium were also observed. GAGs from the pericellular layer of trypsin-digested fibrotic fibroblasts exhibited increased 3H incorporation, but reduced 35S-sulfate incorporation. The largest reduction in the latter was observed for heparan sulfate. These results indicate that the fibroblasts from the well developed fibrotic tissue maintain enhanced synthesis of matrix macromolecules in primary cultures. Structural and/or metabolic changes in secreted GAGs, combined with the stimulation of tissue repair by growth factors may be responsible for the excessive deposition of collagen in post-irradiation fibrosis.

Animals↗

Induction of TNF-sensitive cellular phenotype by c-Myc involves p53 and impaired NF-kappaB activation.

Normal fibroblasts are resistant to the cytotoxic action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but are rendered TNF-sensitive upon deregulation of c-Myc. To assess if oncoproteins induce the cytotoxic TNF activity by modulating TNF signaling, we investigated the TNF-elicited signaling responses in fibroblasts containing a conditionally active c-Myc protein. In association with cell death, c-Myc impaired TNF-induced activation of phospholipase A2, JNK protein kinase and cell survival-signaling-associated NF-kappaB transcription factor complex. The TNF-induced death of mouse primary fibroblasts expressing deregulated c-Myc was inhibited by transient overexpression of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB, which increased NF-kappaB activity in the cells. Unlike other TNF-induced signals, TNF-induced accumulation of the wild-type p53 mRNA and protein was not inhibited by c-Myc. TNF, with c-Myc, induced apoptosis in mouse primary fibroblasts but only weakly in p53-deficient primary fibroblasts. The C-terminal domain of p53, which is a transacting dominant inhibitor of wild-type p53, failed to inhibit apoptosis by c-Myc and TNF, suggesting that the cell death was not dependent on the transcription-activating function of p53. Taken together, the present findings show that the cytotoxic activity of TNF towards oncoprotein-expressing cells involves p53 and an impaired signaling for survival in such cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Comparative human cellular radiosensitivity: II. The survival following gamma-irradiation of unstimulated (G0) T-lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte lines, lymphoblastoid cell lines and fibroblasts from normal donors, from ataxia-telangiectasia patients and from ataxia-telangiectasia heterozygotes.

We have measured clonal survival following gamma-irradiation of unstimulated (G0) T-lymphocytes from 35 donors, of 11 T-lymphocyte cell lines, of six lymphoblastoid cell lines, and of nine primary fibroblast strains for which we have G0 T-lymphocyte material from the same donor. Amongst the G0 lymphocytes we have results from nine normal donors, from eight cord bloods, from seven ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients and from nine A-T heterozygotes. Although there is some variation between samples, G0 T-lymphocytes from normal donors appear to be slightly more radioresistant than T-lymphocyte lines, with a more shouldered survival curve. From our limited sample, lymphoblastoid cell lines appear to be slightly more radiosensitive than T-lymphocytes. The overall radiosensitivity of primary fibroblasts appears to be broadly similar to that of G0 T-lymphocytes. In nine instances, five A-Ts and four A-T heterozygotes, both G0 T-lymphocytes and primary fibroblasts from the same donor were tested. In five cases there was closely similar radiosensitivity in the two cell types, but in four cases there was some discrepancy. Further work, especially with normal donors, will be required in order to establish how reliably radiosensitivity in other cell types can be predicted from that of G0 T-lymphocytes. In all cell types the hypersensitivity of A-T cells was confirmed. Furthermore, the marginally greater sensitivity of A-T heterozygotes, when compared as a group with normals, was confirmed with G0 T-lymphocytes. Our results also suggest a slightly increased radiosensitivity in G0 T-lymphocytes from some, but not all, cord blood samples.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

IL-13 receptor alpha 2: a regulator of IL-13 and IL-4 signal transduction in primary human fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: IL-13 and IL-4 share many functional properties as a result of their use of a common receptor complex comprising IL-13 receptor alpha 1 (IL-13Ralpha1) and IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Ralpha). The nonsignaling receptor IL-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Ralpha2) binds IL-13 with high affinity and specificity and is believed to be a decoy receptor for IL-13. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the inhibitory effects of soluble and membrane-bound IL-13Ralpha2 on IL-13- and IL-4-mediated effects. METHODS: Primary human fibroblasts were grown from endobronchial biopsy specimens obtained from volunteers. Upregulation of IL-13Ralpha2 mRNA was measured by means of RT-PCR, and the level of surface expression was measured by means of FACS. RESULTS: We found that a recombinant soluble form of IL-13Ralpha2 blocked the effects of IL-13, but not IL-4, in fibroblasts in vitro. However, we found that the transmembrane form of IL-13Ralpha2 could attenuate both IL-13 and IL-4 responses, even though the response to TNF-alpha was unaffected. Furthermore, we found that IL-13Ralpha2 became associated with IL-4Ralpha in the presence of IL-4. Addition of a blocking antibody to the extracellular domain of IL-13Ralpha2 restored responses of both IL-13 and IL-4. CONCLUSION: The ability of IL-13Ralpha2 to regulate IL-4 was previously unrecognized in primary airway cells. These data reveal a novel role for IL-13Ralpha2 as a negative regulator of both IL-13 and IL-4 signaling in human bronchial fibroblasts. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It appears that IL-13Ralpha2 might be a powerful suppressor of TH2-mediated responses and thus represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma.

Bronchi↗

Differential behaviour of lipid based and polycation based gene transfer systems in transfecting primary human fibroblasts: a potential role of polylysine in nuclear transport.

DNA delivery systems for gene therapy applications have to be able to trigger the uptake of plasmid DNA into the nucleus. We have tested two types of non-viral vector systems, lipofection (cationic lipid-based, using Lipofectamine) and polyfection (cationic polymer-based, using glycerol enhanced transferrinfection), for their ability to transfect confluent, contact inhibited primary human fibroblasts. While both systems worked well with growing fibroblasts, polyfection was superior with confluent cells. A slight reduction in cell associated plasmid DNA was observed with resting cells, but it was similar for both types of complexes. Lipofectamine showed a prevalence for transfecting cycling cells as judged by costaining transfected cells with cell cycle markers. No such bias was observed when glycerol enhanced transferrinfection was used. Microinjection of plasmid DNA/polylysine complexes into the cytoplasm of fibroblasts resulted in a higher percentage of expressing cells than injection of plasmid DNA, offering an explanation for the higher transfection levels obtained with transferrinfection in non-growing cells.

Biological Transport↗

Primary lung fibroblasts from the 129 mouse strain exhibit reduced growth factor responsiveness in vitro.

Lung fibroblasts are activated to proliferate and produce connective tissue during the development of lung fibrosis. The 129 mouse strain does not develop asbestos-induced fibrogenesis, whereas several other inbred strains rapidly respond to inhaled fibers. Thus, in the experiments presented here, we have compared the responses of primary lung fibroblasts isolated from 129 and C57BL/6 mice. The 129 and C57BL/6 mouse lung fibroblasts (MLFs) proliferated similarly in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), but after quiescence, the 129 MLFs grew more slowly in serum and responded less to the BB isoform of platelet-derived growth factor. This is consistent with our finding that the mRNA for the PDGF-a receptor exhibits reduced expression by the 129 MLFs compared to those from C57BL/6 mice. Fibroblasts from the SJL mouse strain, from a C57BL/6-129 hybrid, and from the 3T3 cell line all proliferated more vigorously than MLFs from the 129 mice. In addition, the 129 MLFs exhibited reduced expression of alpha1 procollagen mRNA consequent to treatment with tumor necrosisfactor alpha. Based on these new findings, we suggest that the reduced fibrogenesis in asbestos-exposed 129 mice is due to an intrinsic difference in the ability of the lung fibroblasts to respond to peptide growth factors.

3T3 Cells↗

Growth stimulation of rat primary embryo fibroblasts by the human myc gene.

We have studied the ability of plasmids encoding a normal human myc protein to stimulate growth of primary rat embryo fibroblasts. We measured growth stimulation by the number of G418-resistant colonies obtained after co-transfection with plasmid pSV2neo and by the percentage of these colonies that grew in long-term culture (immortalization). Using a normal human myc gene, we detected a weak growth stimulation at the colony formation stage and a low frequency of immortalization. Replacement of the myc promoter by a heterologous promoter (mouse metallothionein I promoter) and deletion of the first non-coding exon led to a more efficient growth stimulation by both criteria. Thus, disregulation of c-myc is essential for an altered pattern of growth. Using zinc, a metallothionein inducer, we observed a slight increase in the growth rate of some transfectants, which can be measured by thymidine incorporation. However, the relative inefficiency of immortalization we observed suggests that either a high level of myc expression or participation of other genes is required for establishment in culture. Under our experimental conditions, we could not detect a transforming activity for the human myc gene and none of our myc-containing cell lines was tumorigenic in nude mice.

Animals↗

Integration of the NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase/AP-1 pathways at the collagenase-1 promoter: divergence of IL-1 and TNF-dependent signal transduction in rabbit primary synovial fibroblasts.

Collagenase-1 (MMP-1) is a protease that is expressed by stromal cells and that is involved in remodeling of the extracellular matrix. IL-1 and TNF-alpha enhance collagenase secretion by stromal cells, and chronic exposure of cells to these cytokines can contribute to connective tissue disease. In this study, we show that the NF-kappaB pathway is required for activation of collagenase-1 transcription in rabbit primary synovial fibroblasts (RSF). Although both IL-1 and TNF activate NF-kappaB in these cells, only IL-1 induces collagenase-1 transcription. We have reported previously that NF-kappaB and AP-1 cooperate to mediate IL-1-induced MMP-1 transcription. Here, we show that IL-1 is superior to TNF at inducing c-Jun synthesis, phosphorylation and binding activity in RSF. Similarly, IL-1 is more effective at activating the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), including the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), which are required for IL-1-induced MMP-1 transcription. Thus stimulation of the ERK and AP-1 pathways is an essential component of MMP-1 transcriptional activation, which is deficient in TNF-treated cells. These studies demonstrate cooperation between the MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways for IL-1-dependent collagenase-1 transcription, and they define a dichotomy of IL-1- and TNF-elicited signaling that is relevant to cytokine-mediated connective tissue disease.

Animals↗

Transient deactivation of ERK signalling is sufficient for stable entry into G0 in primary avian fibroblasts.

Re-entry into the cell cycle from quiescence requires the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases of the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) family [1,2]. The relationship between ERK and cell-cycle control is, however, complex, as ERK activation can also lead to terminal differentiation [3] or a senescence-like growth arrest [4]. Here, we report that reversible cell-cycle exit induced by serum withdrawal in primary avian fibroblasts is associated with rapid deactivation of ERK, but ERK activity is subsequently regenerated and sustained at high levels in fully quiescent (G0) cells. As in proliferating cells, ERK activation during G0 required the MAPkinase kinase MEK and was partially dependent on cell adhesion. Active, phosphorylated ERK was concentrated in the nucleus in cycling cells, but was largely confined to the cytoplasm during G0. This was unexpected, as activatory phosphorylation mediated by MEK is thought to play an important role in promoting nuclear translocation [5,6]. These results indicate that transient deactivation of ERK signalling can be sufficient for stable cell-cycle exit, and that MEK-mediated phosphorylation is not sufficient for nuclear translocation of active ERK in G0. Cytoplasmic sequestration may prevent active ERK from accessing critical nuclear cell-cycle targets, thus allowing quiescent or post-mitotic cells to retain ERK activity for other physiological functions.

3T3 Cells↗