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Inactivation of p53 results in high rates of homologous recombination.

Using a plasmid substrate which integrates into the genome, we determined that the rate of homologous recombination was suppressed by p53. Human tumor cell lines, mutant or null for p53 had recombination rates 10000-times greater than primary fibroblasts. When isogenic cell pairs from tumor cells or primary fibroblasts were compared, differing only in one genetic change which inactivated p53, the recombination rate increased > 100-fold. Functional inactivation of p53 by dominant mutant p53, by large T antigen of SV40 virus, by E6 protein of human papilloma virus, or by genetic deletion led to the same result. Our results suggest that p53 suppresses spontaneous homologous recombination, and that p53 is not required for recombination to proceed. The mechanism of recombination suppression may be related to the reported association of p53 with Rad 51, but the functional consequences of this association are not yet established. It is suggested that suppression of homologous recombination is the means by which p53 maintains genetic stability.

Blotting, Western↗

The effects of phthalate esters on fibroblasts in primary culture.

The toxicity of butylbenzyl phthalate(BLP), di-n-heptyl phthalate (DNHP) and n-butyl lauryl phthalate (BLP) to fibroblasts from newborn rat cerebellum in primary culture was significant at concentrations of 7.0, 2.7, and 5.0 x 10(-4) M, respectively. The toxicity of di-methoxyethyl phthalate(DMEP), butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate(BPBG), di-n-octyl phthalate(DNOP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) was not significant. Phthalic acid and potassium hydrogen phthalate (K-phthalate) were the least toxic to fibroblasts. Comparison of the toxicity to fibroblasts of five phthalate esters of normal series showed that dimethyl phthalate(DMP) < diethyl phthalate(DEP) < di-n-butyl phthalate(DNBP) > DNHP > DNOP.

Animals↗

Preliminary studies of primary ostrich fibroblasts for the isolation of ratite viruses.

An ostrich egg at 21 days of development was used to propagate primary embryo cell cultures. Primary cultures of skeletal muscle cells (for fibroblasts) were prepared by routine typsinization techniques. The ostrich embryo fibroblasts were tested for their ability to propagate stock avian viruses of infectious bronchitis virus, paramyxiovirus-1 (PMV-1), PMV-2, PMV-3, infectious bursal disease virus, quail bronchitis virus, avian reovirus, turkey coronavirus, and two ostrich-originating specimens (one of which was a possible coronavirus identified by electron microscopy). Cytopathic effects were seen by light microscopy in cell cultures inoculated with PMV-1, turkey coronavirus, and the two ostrich specimens. Hemaglutinating titers of 4 or more were determined for PMV-1, turkey coronavrius, and the two ostrich specimens after inoculation onto monolayers of ostrich embryo fibroblasts. Hemagglutination-inhibition tests confirmed the identification of PMV-1 when homologous antisera were used as the specific inhibitor. Bovine coronavirus antisera inhibited the hemagglutination of one of the cultured ostrich specimens.

Animals↗

DNA mismatch repair protein Msh6 is required for optimal levels of ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis in primary mouse fibroblasts.

Recent data support a role for DNA mismatch repair in the cellular response to some forms of exogenous DNA damage beyond that of DNA repair; cells with defective DNA mismatch repair have partial or complete failure to undergo apoptosis and/or G2M arrest following specific types of damage. We propose that the DNA mismatch repair Msh2/Msh6 heterodimer, responsible for the detection of DNA damage, promotes apoptosis in normal cells, thus protecting mammals from ultraviolet-induced malignant transformation. Using primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from Msh6+/+ and Msh6-/- mice, we compare the response of DNA-mismatch repair-proficient and -deficient cells to ultraviolet B radiation. In the wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts, ultraviolet-B-induced increases in Msh6 protein levels were not dependent on p53. Msh6-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts were significantly less sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of ultraviolet B radiation. Further comparison of the Msh6+/+ and Msh6-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed that Msh6-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts undergo significantly less apoptosis following ultraviolet B irradiation, thus indicating that ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis is partially Msh6 dependent. These data support a role for Msh6 in protective cellular responses of primary cells to ultraviolet-B-induced mutagenesis and, hence, the prevention of skin cancer.

Animals↗

Cell death, BAX activation, and HMGB1 release during infection with Chlamydia.

Infection by a number of Chlamydia species leads to resistance of the host cell to apoptosis, followed by induction of host-cell death. In a population of infected cells that displays protection against staurosporine-induced apoptosis among the adherent cells, we find that cells that had been recovered from the supernatant share characteristics of both apoptosis and necrosis, as assayed by the propidium iodide (PI)-annexin V double-labeling technique. Cell death was observed in both an epithelial cell line and primary fibroblasts, although the primary cells had a higher propensity to die through apoptosis than the immortalized cell line. Staurosporine-mediated activation of the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family member, BAX, was inhibited in the epithelial cell line infected for 32 h with the lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV/L2) but not the murine pneumonitis (MoPn) strain of C. trachomatis, but inhibition of staurosporine-mediated BAX activation disappeared after 48 h of infection with the LGV/L2 strain. Conversely, infection with MoPn (C. muridarum) but not LGV/L2 led to BAX activation after 72 h, as previously reported for shorter (48 h) infection with the guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) serovar of C. psittaci (C. caviae). These results suggest that the ability to inhibit staurosporine-mediated BAX activation or to activate BAX due to the infection itself may vary as a function of the chlamydial strain. Interestingly, both the epithelial cells and the fibroblasts also released high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) during infection, although much less HMGB1 was released from fibroblasts, consistent with the higher level of apoptosis observed in the primary cells. HMGB1 is released preferentially by necrotic or permeabilized viable cells, but not apoptotic cells. In the extracellular space, HMGB1 promotes inflammation through interaction with specific cell-surface receptors. Higher levels of HMGB1 were also measured in the genital-tract secretions of mice infected vaginally with C. trachomatis, compared to uninfected controls. These results suggest that cells infected with Chlamydia release intracellular factors that may contribute to the inflammatory response observed in vivo.

Animals↗

Evidence of adipocyte differentiation in human orbital fibroblasts in primary culture.

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO), in which orbital tissues are infiltrated with activated T lymphocytes and hyaluronan, can manifest an overabundance of adipose tissue in the human orbit. Little is known about adipogenesis in this anatomic region. We have investigated whether orbital fibroblasts in culture possess the capacity to undergo adipocytic differentiation. Orbital tissue from patients with or without GO was placed in primary culture, and proliferating fibroblasts were sub-passaged. Confluent fibroblasts were subjected to a differentiation protocol, involving a serum-free defined medium supplemented with insulin, triiodothyronine, carbaprostacyclin, thyrotropin, dexamethasone, and isobutylmethylxanthine. Control cells were maintained in serum-free medium supplemented only with insulin. After approximately 14 days, light microscopy revealed characteristic morphologic changes of adipocyte differentiation, including cell rounding and lipid droplet accumulation. Oil Red O staining could be demonstrated in those cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cells undergoing adipogenesis contain multiple, discrete lipid droplets. The overall percentage of fibroblasts undergoing differentiation was somewhat variable, but no more than 5-10%. The adipocytes arise in close proximity to each other, and often at the periphery of the culture surface. In contrast, dermal fibroblasts and perimysial fibroblasts from extraocular muscle fail to differentiate. We conclude that a subpopulation of orbital fibroblasts is capable of adipocyte differentiation. These in vitro observations may represent the in vivo process that contributes to excess orbital adipose tissue volume in GO.

Adipocytes↗

Partial characterization, progressive development and correlations of some neoplastic characters in 20-methylcholanthrene-induced transformed murine embryonal fibroblasts.

Non-trypsinized primary fibroblast cells from 20-day-old Swiss mouse embryo was transformed by 20-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and was designated as CNCI-PM-20. The progressive development of some transformation related characters such as morphological alterations, reduced population doubling time, increased saturation density, reduced serum requirement, increased plating efficiency, loss of density dependent growth inhibition, anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenicity in mice clearly demonstrated the multistep process of carcinogenesis as well as the neoplastic nature of the cell line. Furthermore, the association of reduced requirement of serum and loss of density-dependent growth inhibition with tumorigenicity were also observed. Finally, anchorage-independent growth, greater malignant nature of transformed foci and increased number of giant cells may be required for tumorigenicity of this cell line.

Animals↗

Chemically-induced in vitro malignant transformation of human esophagus fibroblasts.

Neoplastic transformation of primary fibroblast culture derived from esophagus tissue of a 52-year old male esophageal cancer patient was induced by chemical carcinogen (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, MNNG) treatment. The transformed cells showed the biological and morphological properties characteristic of malignant cells, such as loss of contact inhibition, unlimited growth in vitro, aneuploidy, agglutinability by concanavalin A, formation of microvilli on the cell surface, growth on solid agar medium and tumor (fibrosarcoma) formation after heterotransplantation into immunosuppressed newborn mice.

Aneuploidy↗

RUNX1 transformation of primary embryonic fibroblasts is revealed in the absence of p53.

The mammalian Runx gene family (Runx1-3) are transcription factors that play essential, lineage-specific roles in development. A growing body of evidence implicates these genes as mutational targets in cancer where, in different contexts, individual family members have been reported to act as tumour suppressors, dominant oncogenes or mediators of metastasis. We are exploring these paradoxical observations by ectopic expression of RUNX genes in primary murine embryonic fibroblasts where, in common with a number of other dominant oncogenes, RUNX1 induces senescence-like growth arrest in the presence of an intact p19(ARF)-p53 pathway. We now report that, in MEFs lacking functional p53, RUNX1 has apparently pro-oncogenic effects on cell growth that include cytoskeletal reorganization, reduced contact inhibition at confluence and accelerated tumour expansion in vivo. On the other hand, RUNX1 conferred no obvious growth advantage at low cell density and actually delayed entry of primary MEFs into S phase. We also found that ectopic RUNX1 interferes with the morphological and growth responses of p53-null MEFs to TGFbeta indicating that these effects are mediated by overlapping pathways. These observations help to elucidate the context-dependent consequences of loss and gain of Runx activity.

3T3 Cells↗

Lung fibroblast clones from normal and fibrotic subjects differ in hyaluronan and decorin production and rate of proliferation.

Development of fibrosis involves an increase in the deposition of connective tissue components including collagens, fibronectin and proteoglycans. One hypothesis to account for matrix deposition in fibrosis is that fibroblast with differing matrix producing capacity are involved in the fibrotic process. To test this hypothesis, primary fibroblast cultures and clones derived from these primary lines were established from the lung tissue of control patients and patients with pulmonary fibrosis. The primary lines and derived clones were studied in relation to their capacity to proliferate and to produce proteoglycans and hyaluronan. Primary fibroblast cultures and clones from normal subjects and patients with lung fibrosis differed considerably, with up to 13-fold difference, in both hyaluronan and proteoglycan production. The major proteoglycan produced was decorin in both controls and cultures from fibrotic patients, while cultures from patients with lung fibrosis had a higher expression of mRNA for both collagen and decorin. Clones derived from a primary line from a fibrotic patient secreted 3-fold greater amounts of decorin than those from a control subject. Furthermore, a negative correlation between proliferation and synthesis of decorin was noted. We suggest that different fibroblast clones accumulate in the lung, and that specific cell populations of high decorin producing fibroblasts may exist which are crucial in the pathogenesis of fibrosis.

Cell Proliferation↗

Astaxanthin diminishes gap junctional intercellular communication in primary human fibroblasts.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid found in plants and algae; it provides the color of marine seafood such as salmon, lobster, or shrimp. Carotenoids are antioxidants and exhibit other biological functions, including effects on gap junctional communication important for homeostasis, growth control, and development of cells. Cancer cells have an impaired gap junctional intercellular communication. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin on gap junctional intercellular communication in vitro. Primary human skin fibroblasts were exposed to carotenoids from 0.001 to 10 micromol/L, and gap junctional communication was measured with a dye transfer assay. After incubation with canthaxanthin for 24 and 72 h, intercellular communication increased, whereas it was strongly diminished by astaxanthin at levels > 0.1 micromol/L. Inhibition was reversed when astaxanthin was withdrawn. Western blot analysis showed that after exposure to canthaxanthin, the amount of the gap junction protein connexin43 was increased. Incubation with astaxanthin led to a change in the phosphorylation pattern of connexin43, shifting from higher to lower phosphorylation states. We suggest that astaxanthin affects channel function by changing the phosphorylation pattern of connexin43.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Primary mouse fibroblasts deficient for c-Fos, p53 or for both proteins are hypersensitive to UV light and alkylating agent-induced chromosomal breakage and apoptosis.

The important regulatory proteins, c-Fos and p53 are induced by exposure of cells to a variety of DNA damaging agents. To investigate their role in cellular defense against genotoxic compounds, we comparatively analysed chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis induced by ultraviolet (UV-C) light and the potent alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in primary diploid mouse fibroblasts knockout for either c-Fos or p53, or double knockout for both genes. We show that c-Fos and p53 deficient fibroblasts are more sensitive than the corresponding wild-type cells as to the induction of chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis. Double knockout fibroblasts lacking both c-Fos and p53 are viable and were even more sensitive, showing additivity of the chromosomal breakage effects observed in the single knockouts. Regarding the endpoint apoptosis, double knockout fibroblasts displayed a sensitivity similar to c-Fos and p53 deficient cells. The data indicate that (a) both c-Fos and p53 are involved in cellular protection against the clastogenic effect of genotoxic agents, (b) p53 is not required for induction of apoptosis by UV light and MMS, but rather prevents fibroblasts from undergoing apoptotic cell death upon DNA damage, and (c) c-Fos and p53 seem to act independently in determining genotoxic resistance, which is hypothesized to be achieved by impaired DNA repair or differential cell cycle check point control.

Alkylating Agents↗

Autologous fibroblast implantation. Feasibility and potential problems in gene replacement therapy.

Autologous implants of genetically modified fibroblasts may be an ideal approach to gene replacement therapy. However, primary fibroblasts have limited life span and their use for gene therapy is questionable. We have developed a rat model to evaluate the feasibility of this approach. Primary fibroblasts initiated from rat skin biopsies were transfected with plasmid DNA. The transkaryotic fibroblasts were implanted into the original rat donors. A plasmid-encoded gene product, human growth hormone, was detected in the donor rats' circulation but less than 1% of the expected amount was recovered. Implantation at intraperitoneal, intramuscular or subcutaneous sites were effective in delivering the novel gene product. Fluctuating levels of human growth hormone were detected for over 6 months but their determination was rendered unreliable due to interference by extremely high titers of antibodies developed against the human growth hormone. In some cases, the antibody titer continued rising for more than 6 months, indicative of the continued presence of the antigen. One of the recipients developed two intra-abdominal fibrosarcomas that were shown to be derived from the implanted cells. In conclusion, this model demonstrates that autologous fibroblast implantation is a feasible approach to delivering novel gene products lasting for several months. Strong and prolonged immuno-reaction against the gene product will occur if the recipient's immune system is naive to the replacement product, as would occur in patients with CRM- mutations. The potential for neoplastic development from the implanted fibroblasts should prompt further evaluation of the long-term safety in gene replacement therapy.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular anomaly, impaired actin bundling and resistance to Src-induced transformation in mice lacking p130Cas.

p130Cas (Cas), the protein encoded by the Crkas gene (also known as Cas), is an adaptor molecule with a unique structure that contains a Src homology (SH)-3 domain followed by multiple YXXP motifs and a proline-rich region. Cas was originally cloned as a highly tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in cells transformed by v-Src (refs 2,3) or v-Crk (ref. 4) and has subsequently been implicated in a variety of biological processes including cell adhesion, cell migration, growth factor stimulation, cytokine receptor engagement and bacterial infection. To determine its role in vivo, we generated mice lacking Cas. Cas-deficient embryos died in utero showing marked systemic congestion and growth retardation. Histologically, the heart was poorly developed and blood vessels were prominently dilated. Electron microscopic analysis of the heart revealed disorganization of myofibrils and disruption of Z-disks. In addition, actin stress fiber formation was severely impaired in Cas-deficient primary fibroblasts. Moreover, expression of activated Src in Cas-deficient primary fibroblasts did not induce a fully transformed phenotype, possibly owing to insufficient accumulation of actin cytoskeleton in podosomes. These findings have defined Cas function in cardiovascular development, actin filament assembly and Src-induced transformation.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

HSP70 induction by ING proteins sensitizes cells to tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor-mediated apoptosis.

ING proteins affect apoptosis, growth, and DNA repair by transducing stress signals such as DNA damage, binding histones, and subsequently regulating chromatin structure and p53 activity. p53 target genes, including the p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and Bax, an inducer of apoptosis, are regulated by ING proteins. To identify additional targets downstream of p33ING1 and p32ING2, cDNA microarrays were performed on phenotypically normal human primary fibroblasts. The 0.36% of genes affected by ING proteins in primary fibroblasts were distinct from targets seen in established cells and included the HSP70 heat shock gene, whose promoter was specifically induced >10-fold. ING1-induced expression of HSP70 shifted cells from survival to a death pathway in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and p33ING1b protein showed synergy with TNF-alpha in inducing apoptosis, which correlated with reduced NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. These findings are consistent with previous reports that HSP70 promotes TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis by binding I-kappaBeta kinase gamma and impairing NF-kappaB survival signaling. Induction of HSP70 required the amino terminus of ING1b but not the plant homeodomain region that was recently identified as a histone binding domain. Regulation of HSP70 gene expression by the ING tumor suppressors provides a novel link between the INGs and the stress-regulated NF-kappaB survival pathway important in hypoxia and angiogenesis.

Apoptosis↗

Proton-HZE-particle sequential dual-beam exposures increase anchorage-independent growth frequencies in primary human fibroblasts.

The radiation field in deep space contains high levels of high-energy protons and substantially lower levels of high-atomic-number, high-energy (HZE) particles. Calculations indicate that cellular nuclei of human space travelers will be hit during a 3-year Mars mission by approximately 400 protons and approximately 0.4 HZE particles. Thus most cells in astronauts will be hit by a proton(s) before being hit by an HZE particle. To investigate effects of dual ion irradiations on human cells, we irradiated primary human neonatal fibroblasts with protons (1 GeV/nucleon, 20 cGy) followed from 2.5 min to 48 h later by iron or titanium ions (1 GeV/nucleon, 20 cGy) and then measured clonogenic survival and frequency of anchorage-independent growth. This frequency depends on the interval between hydrogen- and iron-ion irradiation, with a critical window between 2.5 min and 1 h producing about three times more anchorage-independent colonies per survivor than expected from simple addition of the two ions separately. The hydrogen-titanium-ion dual-beam irradiation produced similar increases that persisted to approximately 6 h. At longer intervals, anchorage-independent growth frequencies were similar to those expected for additivity. However, irradiation of cells with either an iron or a titanium particle first followed by protons produced only additive levels.

Cell Adhesion↗

Effects of glucocorticosteroids on primary human skin fibroblasts. I. Inhibition of the proliferation of cultured primary human skin and mouse L929 fibroblasts.

Various glucocorticosteroids were added to logarithmically growing cultures of primary human skin fibroblasts and of mouse L929 fibroblasts. These steroids inhibited proliferation of the human fibroblasts at concentrations which fall in a range expected to occur during the topical treatment of skin disorders. In terms of the concentrations required for the inhibition hydrocortisone was least and clobetasol-17-propionate most effective. All other steroids studied (hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone-17-valerate and hydrocortisone-21-acetate) showed medium effectiveness. Fluorination as such may not enhance the inhibitory effect. The inhibition was independent of the source (baby foreskin or adult arm skin) and passage number (7th to 13th or 15th and 16th passage, respectively) of the cells. The possible relationship between the inhibition of cell proliferation by such steroids and their therapeutic effect in psoriasis and their atrophic side effects is discussed. Mouse L929 fibroblasts were affected at 10(3)--10(4)-fold lower steroid concentrations and the range of the effective concentrations was 10(4)--10(5) times as wide as that for the primary human skin fibroblasts. It was concluded that these mouse fibroblasts are a poor model system for the study of in vivo effects of glucocorticosteroids in man.

Administration, Topical↗

Distinction between malignant L cells and normal mouse fibroblasts by rosette formation with sheep red blood cells.

Murine L cell fibroblasts, and derivatives were found to rosette with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Primary fibroblast explants from the parent murine strain, C3H, did not possess this potential. No rosettes were observed with primary fibroblast explants from C57BL and B10Br mice, with a human fetal lung fibroblast, with baby hamster fibroblasts or their polyoma transormed derivative, or with a cell line, 1T-22, derived from BALB/c mice. Hybridization of 1T-22 and L cells, by Sendai virus-mediated cell fusion, suppressed the rosette potential of the L cell parent. The receptor for SRBC on L cells appears to result from the expression of a recessive characteristic.

Animals↗