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At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Increased glycosaminoglycans production in sclerosing basal cell carcinoma-derived fibroblasts and stimulation of normal skin fibroblast glycosaminoglycans production by a cytokine-derived from sclerosing basal cell carcinoma.

Sclerosing basal cell carcinoma (S-BCC) is characterized by an abundant stroma. There is evidence that some tumor cells secrete cytokines that are mitogenic for stromal fibroblasts (FBs). From this study we report increased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production by cultures of S-BCC FBs in comparison to cultures of nodular BCC (N-BCC) FBs and normal skin FBs. GAG production was measured by cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation of incorporated [3H]-glucosamine. The sclerosing BCC FBs demonstrated a significant increase in production of GAG over control FBs (P <.001) and over N-BCC FBs (P<.001). Values reported as a mean percentage +/- SEM for GAG production by S-BCC over control normal skin FBs are 359+/-28 and over N-BCC FBs are 266+/-27. In additional experiments, cell extract dilutions from S-BCC tumor, normal dermis, and normal epidermis were incubated with cultures of normal skin FBs. S-BCC-conditioned media was also incubated with normal FBs and GAG production was measured. For both S-BCC extracts and conditioned media, a dose response curve was established showing increased GAG production by normal FBs in relation to increasing the concentration of S-BCC extract or conditioned media. When S-BCC extract was added to normal FBs there was increased GAG production in comparison to normal FBs incubated with dermal or epidermal extracts (P<.001) for both. Two growth factors, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), already known to be mitogenic for FBs, were incubated with N-BCC and normal FBs in an effort to elucidate the potential cytokine(s) released by S-BCC, causing increased GAG production by surrounding FBs. Neither of these cytokines proved to be effective in promoting a significant increase in GAG production. Our findings support the hypothesis that BCCs release factors that alter stromal FB production of GAG.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Isolation of brain fibroblast growth factor by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography: identity with pituitary fibroblast growth factor.

Brain and pituitary fibroblast growth factors (FGF) have been purified to apparent homogeneity from crude tissue extracts by a three-step procedure, including salt precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Brain and pituitary FGF have similar amino acid compositions and are indistinguishable with respect to molecular weight (16,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), retention behavior in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and recognition by antibodies directed against the amino-terminal sequence of pituitary FGF. Brain FGF preparations purified by heparin-Sepharose contain, in addition to the major FGF molecular species, at least two additional forms of the growth factor, which appear to be very similar by all the above criteria, except for retention in high-performance liquid chromatography.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Gene expression of fibroblast growth factors in human gliomas and meningiomas: demonstration of cellular source of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA and peptide in tumor tissues.

The growth autonomy of human tumor cells is considered due to the endogenous production of growth factors. Transcriptional expression of candidates for autocrine stimulatory factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), acidic FGF, and transforming growth factor type beta were determined in human brain tumors. Basic FGF was expressed abundantly in 17 of 18 gliomas, 20 of 22 meninglomas, and 0 of 5 metastatic brain tumors. The level of mRNA expression of acidic FGF in gliomas was significant. In contrast, transforming growth factor type beta 1 was expressed in all the samples investigated. The mRNA for basic FGF and its peptide were localized in tumor cells in vivo by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, showing that basic FGF is actually produced in tumor cells. Our results suggest that tumor-derived basic FGF is involved in the progression of gliomas and meningiomas in vivo, whereas acidic FGF is expressed in a tumor origin-specific manner, suggesting that acidic FGF works in tandem with basic FGF in glioma tumorigenesis.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2003

Fibroblast growth factor-2-induced signaling through lipid raft-associated fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2).

The plasma membrane is not homogeneous but contains specific subcompartments characterized by their unique lipid and protein composition. Based on their enrichment in various signaling molecules, these membrane microdomains are recognized to be sites of localized signal transduction for a number of extracellular stimuli. We have previously shown that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) induced a specific signaling response within a lipid raft membrane microdomain in human neuroblastoma cells characterized by the tyrosine phosphorylation of a p80 phosphoprotein. Herein, we show that this protein is the signaling adaptor FRS2 and that it is localized exclusively to lipid rafts in vitro and in vivo. We have examined how the tyrosine phosphorylation and serine-threonine phosphorylation of FRS2 within lipid rafts affect the response of cells to FGF2 signaling. Our data suggest that activation of protein kinase C, Src family kinases, and MEK1/2 are involved in regulating serine-threonine phosphorylation of FRS2, which can indirectly affect FRS2 phosphotyrosine levels. We also show that Grb2 is recruited to lipid rafts during signaling events and that activation of MEK1/2 by different mechanisms within lipid rafts may lead to different cellular responses. This work suggests that compartmentalized signaling within lipid rafts may provide a level of specificity for growth factor signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1990

Mechanics of fibroblast locomotion: quantitative analysis of forces and motions at the leading lamellas of fibroblasts.

Shapes, motions, and forces developed in lamellipodia and ruffles at the leading edges of primary chick embryo heart fibroblasts were characterized by differential interference contrast microscopy and digital video enhancement techniques. The initial extension of the cell edge to form a thin, planar lamellipodium parallel to the substrate surface was analyzed in two dimensions with temporal and spatial resolution of 3 s and 0.2 micron, respectively. An extension begins and ends with brief, rapid acceleration and deceleration separated by a long period of nearly constant velocity in the range of 4-7 microns/min. Extensions and retractions were initiated randomly over time. As demonstrated by optical sectioning microscopy, the extended lamellipodia formed ruffles by sharply bending upward at hinge points 2-4 microns behind their tips. Surprisingly, ruffles continued to grow in length at the same average rate after bending upward. They maintained a straight shape in vertical cross section, suggesting the ruffles were mechanically stiff. The forces required to bend ruffles of these cells and of BC3H1 cells were measured by pushing a thin quartz fishpole probe against the tip of a ruffle 7-10 microns from its base either toward or away from the center of the cell. Force was determined by measuring the bending of the probe monitored by video microscopy. Typically the probe forced the ruffle to swing rigidly in an arc about an apparent hinge at is base, and ruffles rapidly, and almost completely, recovered their shape when the probe was removed. Hence, ruffles appeared to be relatively stiff and to resist bending with forces more elastic than viscous, unlike the cell body. Ruffles on both types of cells resisted bending with forces of 15-30 mudyn/microns of displacement at their tips when pushed toward or away from the cell center. The significance of the observations for mechanisms of cell locomotion is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Oncogenic K-Ras and basic fibroblast growth factor prevent Fas-mediated apoptosis in fibroblasts through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

By an expression cloning method using Fas-transgenic Balb3T3 cells, we tried to obtain inhibitory genes against Fas-mediated apoptosis and identified proto-oncogene c-K-ras. Transient expression of K-Ras mutants revealed that oncogenic mutant K-Ras (RasV12) strongly inhibited, whereas dominant-inhibitory mutant K-Ras (RasN17) enhanced, Fas-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting Fas-triggered activation of caspases without affecting an expression level of Fas. Among the target molecules of Ras, including Raf (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase [MAPKKK]), phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI-3) kinase, and Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RalGDS), only the constitutively active form of Raf (Raf-CAAX) could inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis. In addition, the constitutively active form of MAPKK (SDSE-MAPKK) suppressed Fas-mediated apoptosis, and MKP-1, a phosphatase specific for classical MAPK, canceled the protective activity of oncogenic K-Ras (K-RasV12), Raf-CAAX, and SDSE-MAPKK. Furthermore, physiological activation of Ras by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) protected Fas-transgenic Balb3T3 cells from Fas-mediated apoptosis. bFGF protection was also dependent on the activation of the MAPK pathway through Ras. All the results indicate that the activation of MAPK through Ras inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis in Balb3T3 cells, which may play a role in oncogenesis.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1973

An enzymatic function associated with transformation of fibroblasts by oncogenic viruses. I. Chick embryo fibroblast cultures transformed by avian RNA tumor viruses.

Chick embryo fibroblast cultures develop fibrinolytic activity after transformation by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). This fibrinolytic activity is not present in normal cultures, and it does not appear after infection with either nontransforming strains of avian leukosis viruses or cytocidal RNA and DNA viruses. In cultures infected with a temperature sensitive mutant of RSV the onset of fibrinolysis appears after exposure to permissive temperatures and precedes by a short interval the appearance of morphological evidence of transformation. See PDF for Structure The rate of fibrinolysis in transformed cultures depends on the nature of the serum that is present in the growth medium: some sera (e.g., monkey or chicken serum) promote high enzymatic activity, while others (calf, fetal bovine) do not. Some sera contain inhibitors of the fibrinolysin. Based on the effect of a small number of known inhibitors, at least one step of the fibrinolytic process shows specificity resembling that of trypsin. The sera of sarcoma-bearing chickens contain an inhibitor of the fibrinolysin, whereas normal chicken sera do not. For general discussion, conclusions, and summary see the accompanying paper, part II, (J. Exp. Med. 137:112).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Nitric oxide mediates apoptosis induction selectively in transformed fibroblasts compared to nontransformed fibroblasts.

Nitric oxide (NO) mediates apoptosis induction in fibroblasts with constitutive src or induced ras oncogene expression, whereas nontransformed parental cells and revertants are not affected. This direct link between the transformed phenotype and sensitivity to NO-mediated apoptosis induction seems to be based on the recently described extracellular superoxide anion generation by transformed cells, as NO-mediated apoptosis induction in transformed cells is inhibited by extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD), by SOD mimetics and by apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Furthermore, nonresponsive nontransformed cells can be rendered sensitive for NO-mediated apoptosis induction when they are supplemented with xanthine oxidase/xanthine as an extracellular source for superoxide anions. As superoxide anions and NO readily interact in a diffusion-controlled reaction to generate peroxynitrite, peroxynitrite seems to be the responsible apoptosis inducer in NO-mediated apoptosis induction. In line with this conclusion, NO-mediated apoptosis induction in superoxide anion-generating transformed cells is inhibited by the peroxynitrite scavengers ebselen and FeTPPS. Moreover, direct application of peroxynitrite induces apoptosis both in transformed and nontransformed cells, indicating that peroxynitrite is no selective apoptosis inducer per se, but that selective apoptosis induction in transformed cells by NO is achieved through selective peroxynitrite generation. The interaction of NO with target cell derived superoxide anions represents a novel concept for selective apoptosis induction in transformed cells. This mechanism may be the basis for selective apoptosis induction by natural antitumor systems (like macrophages, natural killer cells, granulocytes) that utilize NO for antitumor action. Apoptosis induction mediated by NO involves mitochondrial depolarization and is blocked by Bcl-2 overexpression.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of high-molecular-mass forms of basic fibroblast growth factor produced by hepatocellular carcinoma cells: possible involvement of basic fibroblast growth factor in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Growth factor(s) with a strong mitogenic effect on BALB/c3T3 cells was purified from an extract of C-Li21 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma line, by a combination of heparin-affinity chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two major peaks of mitogenic activity were obtained by reversed-phase HPLC. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the two peaks revealed that one was composed of three proteins with relative molecular masses of 27, 24 and 23 kilodaltons (kD), whereas the other was a single 19-kD protein. Immunoblot analysis showed that all four of these molecules were immunoreactive species of human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). N-Terminal sequence analysis of these molecules revealed that most of them were N-terminally blocked. However, small proportions of the 23- and 19-kD molecules were not blocked, and their respective N-terminal sequences were found to correspond to Gly-40-Gly-27 and Pro29-Phe40 of human bFGF deduced from the cDNA sequence of a human hepatoma cell line, SK-HEP-1. Expression of bFGF in hepatocellular carcinomas was then investigated by RNA blot analysis. All of the examined hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressed bFGF, and the degree of expression was higher in surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas than in the corresponding adjacent non-cancerous liver tissue. Transcripts of bFGF were not detected in normal liver. These results suggest that C-Li21 cells produce four molecular forms of bFGF, and that bFGF may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Moreover, it appears that bFGF is a potent mitogen toward primary-cultured hepatocytes, and that high-molecular-mass forms of bFGF produced by C-Li21 cells have stronger mitogenic effects on hepatocytes and are more stable under acidic conditions than the low-molecular-mass form, composed of 146 amino acids.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1990

Participation of CD11a-c/CD18 and RGD-recognizing adhesion molecules in the binding of LGL to fibroblasts. Evidence for the role of CD11a in the fibroblast-mediated inactivation of NK cells.

We have previously shown that large granular lymphocytes (LGL) are inactivated by contact with natural killer (NK) resistant monolayer target cells. In this work we have analysed which adhesion molecules are involved in the binding of LGL to such targets, as exemplified by fibroblasts, and in the subsequent inhibition of their NK activity. The results indicate that antibodies against CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1, ICAM-1), CD11a (leucocyte function antigen 1, LFA-1, alpha chain), and CD18 (common beta chain of the beta 2-integrin family) significantly (by 50%) reduce the binding of LGL onto inhibitory target cells. The matrix protein-based synthetic peptide RGD and anti-CD29 (the common beta chain of the beta 2-integrin family) antibodies also diminish the binding (by 35%). The effects of the antiadhesion molecule antibodies and the peptide are additive, the combination of both leading to an almost complete block of adhesion. It may be hypothesized that some of the binding-relevant adhesion molecules of the RGD-binding domain on LGL (CD29) may be involved in the delivery of the inactivating signal to the effector cell. Indeed, incubation of LGL with anti-CD11a antibodies, but neither with antibodies against other binding-relevant epitopes nor with RGD, significantly reduced their NK activity. The mechanism of the inactivation was similar to that induced by intact NK-resistant target cells. On the basis of the present results we suggest that the CD11a molecule is involved in the down-regulation of the NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2006

Localization of fibroblast growth factor I (acid fibroblast growth factor) and its mRNA in the bovine mammary gland during mammogenesis, lactation and involution.

Growth factors are involved in development and function of the mammary gland. The aim of this study was the localization of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) and its mRNA in the bovine mammary gland during different developmental and functional stages. Mammary tissue was obtained from German Brown Swiss cows (n = 23) during defined stages of mammogenesis (before and during pregnancy), lactogenesis, peak lactation and involution. The distribution of FGF-1 mRNA was studied using non-radioactive in situ hybridization, the corresponding FGF-protein was analysed using immunohistochemistry [avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC)-method]. A moderate to distinct staining for FGF-mRNA was found in the epithelium of ducts and developing alveoli during mammogenesis. Post-partum at the same cellular locations, a considerable amount of FGF-1 mRNA, was seen that decreased during lactation. Also during early involution clear staining for FGF-mRNA could still be observed. Immunoreactive FGF-1 was found in considerable concentration in the epithelium of the mammary gland in heifers. The staining intensity generally decreased somewhat during mammogenesis and lactation, but could be always clearly demonstrated in the secretory epithelial cells of alveoli and glandular ducts. Also during the first day after the end of milking, the epithelium displayed a moderate to distinct epithelial immunostaining. Notably, After 4 weeks of involution, in many alveoli a shedding of the FGF-1 positive luminal cell layer was found. In our localization studies, no strict correlation between FGF-1 mRNA and its corresponding protein was found. The various reasons for this finding are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Different patterns of induction of fibroblast growth factor-2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNAs during kindling epileptogenesis, and development of a herpes simplex vector for fibroblast growth factor-2 gene transfer in vivo.

PURPOSE: To investigate the gene expression patterns of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the kindling model, and to construct a replication-defective herpes simplex virus vector to induce expression of FGF-2 in vivo. METHODS: RNase protection assay and herpes simplex virus vector (TH FGF-2) deleted in the immediate-early genes ICP4, ICP22, and ICP27, with FGF-2 inserted in tk under the control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter. RESULTS: A single kindling stimulation did not modify BDNF gene expression, whereas it increased FGF-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the hippocampus, the cortex, and the hypothalamus. BDNF and FGF-2 gene expression were not altered in kindled animals left unstimulated for 1 week. In contrast, kindled seizures produced a great increase in hippocampal and cortical BDNF mRNA levels, but FGF-2 mRNA was increased only in the ipsilateral cortex. Infection of Vero cells with TH FGF-2 resulted in a long-lasting increase in FGF-2 levels. Protein extracts of infected cells induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells, indicating that the newly synthesized FGF-2 was biologically active. Robust transient transgene expression was observed in the rat hippocampus after inoculation with TH FGF-2 in the absence of significant toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF and FGF-2 are recruited at different stages of kindling and, accordingly, may play different roles in the adaptive changes taking place during epileptogenesis. TH FGF-2 is suitable for studies of FGF-2 involvement in kindling epileptogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Mitogenic effects of fibroblast growth factors in cultured fibroblasts. Interaction with the G-protein-mediated signaling pathways.

We have shown that FGF (basic or acidic) is mitogenic for quiescent hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39 line). It is active alone but is much more efficient in synergistic combinations with G-protein-activating agents. When used alone, FGF appears to exert its mitogenic effects without involving any of the major G-protein-mediated signaling pathways. It causes no significant hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, it does not alter the activity of adenylate cyclase, and its mitogenicity is insensitive to pertussis toxin. It therefore seems likely that all pleiotropic actions of FGF are primarily mediated by the intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase of its receptors. However, FGF, acting through its receptor tyrosine kinase, and thrombin, acting through G-protein-coupled receptors, induce a common set of early responses detected within seconds or minutes at the level of membranes, cytoplasm, and nuclei. Typical examples of early responses are activation of Na/H antiporter and Na/K/Cl cotransporter, phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, and increased transcription of early-immediate genes (c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc). Not only various classes of growth factors acting via distinct transducing mechanisms activate common targets, but also their synergistic effects on reinitiation of DNA synthesis is reflected on the early responses. How does the coordination of these signaling events take place? A partial answer to this question is illustrated in Figure 6 in which "switch kinases" play the role of integrators of multiple extracellular signals. Raf and, perhaps more convincingly, MAP kinases that are activated by dual phosphorylation on tyrosine and threonine residues are potential good candidates for this integration. This hypothetical scheme could therefore explain, in part, the coordination and the synergy commonly observed in the mitogenic response. The synergy could be generated at the level of MAP kinases simply by dual activating phosphorylations. With the recent cloning of MAP kinases, these questions will be more easily addressed. Another important gap that will have to be filled in future studies is the identification of all the members of the kinase cascade. When used in synergistic combinations with G-protein-activating agents, FGF does exert in contrast some effects on the G-protein-mediated pathways. It potentiates the G-protein-mediated activations of both PIP2-PLC and adenylate cyclase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗
PubMed1989

Relative repair of adenovirus damaged by sunlamp, UV and gamma-irradiation in Cockayne syndrome fibroblasts is different from that in xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts.

The DNA repair capacities of three unrelated Cockayne syndrome (CS) fibroblast strains were compared to that of three unrelated xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) strains for three different DNA damaging agents using a sensitive host cell reactivation (HCR) technique. Adenovirus type 2 (Ad 2) was treated with either UV light, gamma-rays or sunlamp-irradiation and subsequently assayed for its ability to form viral structural antigens (Vag) in the CS and XP strains using immunofluorescent straining. D37 values for the survival of Ad 2 Vag synthesis in the CS and XP strains, expressed as a percentage of those obtained in normal strains, were used as a measure of DNA repair capacity. Percent HCR values in the XP strains XP25RO, XP2BE and XP5BE respectively were lowest for UV (6, 14 and 6%), intermediate for sunlamp-irradiation (18, 32 and 10%) and highest for gamma-irradiation (65, 61 and 60%), whereas for the CS strains CS1BE, CS3BE and CS278CTO respectively, percent HCR values were lowest for UV (26, 30 and 34%), intermediate for gamma-irradiation (61, 64 and 69%) and near normal for sunlamp-irradiation (82, 73 and 89%). These results suggest that the 'spectrum of lesions' which is defectively repaired in CS is not the same as that which is defectively repaired in XP.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of diploid fibroblast and rabbit kidney tissue cultures and a diploid fibroblast microtiter plate system for the isolation of herpes simplex virus.

We evaluated the relative sensitivities of two cell systems (rabbit kidney [RK] and human diploid fibroblast [DF; human embryonic tonsil]) in standard tube cultures versus DF cells in a 48-well microtiter plate system for the detection of both symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. At least one system isolated HSV in 111 of 809 specimens (13.7%). HSV was isolated in RK tube cultures from 110 specimens (99%), in DF tube cultures from 91 specimens (82%), and in DF microtiter plates from 95 specimens (86%). The frequency of HSV isolation varied with the anatomic site and the presence or absence of a herpetic lesion. The sensitivities of the three culture systems remained similar whether the specimens were obtained from lesions or whether the specimens were taken to determine if asymptomatic excretion of HSV was present. While RK tube cultures were more sensitive than DF tube cultures, the DF microtiter plate system was as sensitive as DF tube cultures and its use is supported as a cheaper and less labor-intensive method for the detection of HSV.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Intravitreal injection of fibroblasts: the pathological effects on the ocular tissues of the rabbit following an intravitreal injection of autologous skin fibroblasts.

The intravitreal injection of autologous cultured fibroblasts has been used by many groups to study proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Ninety-five New Zealand white rabbits were used to study the pathological effects on the ocular tissues following such an injection over various time periods up to six months. The ocular tissues were studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and autoradiography. The cells which contributed to the inflammatory response (initially neutrophils, then later macrophages and lymphocytes) were found to gain entry into the vitreous via the pars plana, pars plicata, and the vessels associated with the optic nerve head. In the experimental eyes the detached retinae had a reduced ability to incorporate 3H proline. Both epiretinal and subretinal membranes were found on the retinal surfaces. The majority of the glial cells within the membranes were identified as Müller cells. The retinal pigment epithelium beneath the detached retinae incorporated 3H thymidine and detached into the subretinal space. Clear evidence was obtained of both epithelial cell migration through the retina and involvement within epiretinal membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

High and low molecular weight fibroblast growth factor-2 increase proliferation of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes but have differential effects on binucleation and nuclear morphology. Evidence for both paracrine and intracrine actions of fibroblast growth factor-2.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) plays a vital role in the growth and differentiation of cardiac myocytes. It exists in high and low molecular weight forms because of the use of alternative initiation codons in the same mRNA. Higher levels of high molecular weight forms (molecular mass of 22 and 21.5 kD) are present in the rat heart during the neonatal stage, whereas the low molecular weight form (molecular mass of 18 kD) is predominant in the adult heart, suggesting different roles in development. Rat FGF-2 cDNAs that can preferentially express high or low molecular weight forms were introduced into neonatal rat ventricular myocyte cultures. Significant and comparable increases in overall cardiac myocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation were seen with 22/21.5- and 18-kD FGF-2 expression. A significantly higher mitotic index was seen in the vicinity of cardiac myocytes overexpressing high or low molecular weight forms of FGF-2 compared with nonoverexpressing cells. This increase was inhibited in the presence of neutralizing antibodies to FGF-2, pointing to a proximity-dependent paracrine effect of 22/21.5- and 18-kD FGF-2 on mitosis. By contrast, overexpression of high but not low molecular weight FGF-2 was associated with a significant increase in binucleation (approximately 36% of cardiac myocytes overexpressing 22/21.5-kD FGF-2 were binucleated compared with 9% of cardiac myocytes overexpressing 18-kD FGF-2), which was not affected by neutralizing antibodies to FGF-2. These results suggest that 22/21.5-kD FGF-2 and 18-kD FGF-2 have similar paracrine effects on proliferation but that 22-21.5-kD FGF-2 exerts a distinct intracrine effect on binucleation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fibroblast biology. Development and differentiation of synovial fibroblasts in arthritis.

Synovial fibroblasts occur as two phenotypes--intimal and subintimal. The specialised intimal phenotype includes expression of uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase (UDPGD), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and complement decay-accelerating factor (DAF). These gene products contribute to specialised functions relating to tissue movement and leucocyte traffic.

Animals↗