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PubMed1985

Cell culture of embryonic chick duodenal cells: preparation of epithelial-fibroblast bilayers and homotypic cultures of fibroblasts and epithelial cells.

A method for the primary cell culture of trypsin-dissociated embryonic chick duodenum is described. Both heterotypic (epithelial cells and fibroblasts together) and homotypic (highly enriched cultures of epithelial cells or fibroblasts alone) cell cultures were established. Dispersed duodenal epithelial cells and fibroblasts grown in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) spontaneously aggregated and proliferated as a bilayer of cells with the epithelial cells growing on top of the fibroblasts. Changing the serum supplement to 6% chicken serum (CS) and 4% FBS when the fibroblast monolayer reached confluence resulted in epithelial cell proliferation. Homotypic cultures of epithelial cells and fibroblasts were prepared and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Fibroblasts, isolated by differential adhesion and grown in 10% FBS, did not demonstrate measurable alkaline phosphatase activity. Homotypic epithelial cell cultures, isolated by floating them off the fibroblasts with collagenase, and maintained on collagen in 6% CS/4% FBS, demonstrated higher alkaline phosphatase-specific activity (16.1 +/- 2.3 U/mg protein) compared with epithelial-fibroblast bilayer cell cultures (12.1 +/- 1.3 U/mg protein).

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1996

Venous ulcer fibroblasts compared with normal fibroblasts show differences in collagen but not fibronectin production under both normal and hypoxic conditions.

Previous immunocytochemical analysis showed that the base of venous ulcers was deficient in fibronectin compared with surrounding "normal" dermis. Here, we investigate whether impaired synthetic ability of ulcer fibroblasts could underlie this observation. Ulcer fibroblasts, established in culture from biopsies of the edge of chronic venous leg ulcers, were compared with normal fibroblasts grown from biopsies of site-and age-matched normal skin for their ability to synthesize matrix molecules. Collagen and fibronectin synthesis were measured following metabolic labeling, as collagenase susceptible counts and counts with gelatin affinity, respectively. More collagen was produced by normal fibroblasts than ulcer fibroblasts, both when the cells were cultured on plastic and in collagen gels. In fibronectin synthesis, however, there was no major difference between the two cell types on either substratum. The hypoxic environment to which ulcer fibroblasts are exposed may have caused the intrinsic differences in collagen synthesis by the two fibroblast types. When we tested the effect of culturing cells under hypoxic conditions, both cell types produced less collagen, especially normal fibroblasts grown in a collagen gel, but there was no effect of hypoxia on fibronectin synthesis. We conclude that venous ulcer edge-derived fibroblasts have an impaired ability to synthesize collagen in vitro, but synthesize fibronectin normally. Therefore, the low level of fibronectin found in venous ulcers is not likely to be due to the inability of ulcer cells to produce it or to the response to hypoxic conditions but may be due to the degradation of synthesized fibronectin by proteases present in these ulcers.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2005

Conditioned medium from keloid keratinocyte/keloid fibroblast coculture induces contraction of fibroblast-populated collagen lattices.

BACKGROUND: Keloid scars represent a pathological response to cutaneous injury. Overproliferation of fibroblasts and overproduction of collagen characterize these abnormal scars. The pathology of these scars remains poorly understood. The role of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in keloid pathogenesis and scar contracture has recently been explored. OBJECTIVES: To test our hypothesis that epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play a major role in modulating keloid scar contracture. METHODS: A coculture model was employed wherein keloid and normal keratinocytes were cocultured with keloid or normal fibroblasts, and the conditioned media from day 5 cocultures were collected to study the effect of the paracrine secretions on contraction of an in vitro fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) model. RESULTS: Keloid keratinocyte/keloid fibroblast coculture conditioned media brought about increased contraction of the collagen lattice compared with non-cocultured conditioned media. When keloid fibroblasts populated the collagen lattice, significantly increased lattice contraction was induced compared with lattices populated by normal fibroblasts. The addition of antitransforming growth factor (TGF)-beta neutralizing antibody to the conditioned media produced an attenuation of the contraction of the FPCLs. When keloid and normal fibroblasts were cultured on chamber slides and treated with conditioned media from coculture and non-coculture series, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (a marker for fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts) in fibroblasts exposed to conditioned media from coculture. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are likely to play a major role in scar contracture and scar pathogenesis, and underscore the role of TGF-beta1 as a key player in keloid pathogenesis.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

Constitutive expression of a 92-kD gelatinase (type V collagenase) by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and its induction in normal human fibroblasts by inflammatory cytokines.

Synovial fibroblasts freshly isolated from the rheumatoid joint are characterized by their marked connective tissue degradative ability. This phenotype includes the ability to secrete large amounts of the matrix-degrading metalloproteinases, collagenase, and stromelysin. We have found that another aspect of this phenotype is the constitutive expression at both protein and mRNA levels of a 92-kD gelatinolytic metalloproteinase, which is not secreted by normal dermal or lung fibroblasts and is immunologically cross-reactive with a type V collagenase expressed by activated macrophages and neutrophils. Expression of this 92-kD metalloproteinase confers upon the fibroblasts the capacity to degrade collagenase- and stromelysin-resistant interstitial elements, such as collagen types IV, V and XI. In contrast to the 92-kD metalloproteinase, a 68-kD gelatinase (type IV collagenase) was expressed by all fibroblast types studied, indicating that its regulation is distinct from that of the 92-kD gelatinase. To identify what cytokines may be important in the induction of the rheumatoid synovial phenotype, including expression of the 92-kD gelatinase, we exposed normal dermal fibroblasts to a number of cytokines including many known or considered likely to be present in rheumatoid synovial fluid and tissue. Although IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lymphotoxin, platelet-derived growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor were capable of stimulating fibroblasts to secrete collagenase, only tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lymphotoxin, and IL-1 beta were able to induce expression of the 92-kD gelatinase, demonstrating discordant regulation of the two metalloproteinases. Expression of the 68-kD gelatinase was independent of that of the 92-kD gelatinase, as demonstrated at the protein and mRNA levels. Late passage rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts, which no longer constitutively expressed the 92-kD gelatinase, displayed an accentuated response to IL-1 beta when compared to normal dermal fibroblasts. Thus, in addition to IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or lymphotoxin may contribute to the expression of a specific rheumatoid synovial phenotype in vivo that is associated with progressive matrix destruction.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1992

Cytokine regulation of human lung fibroblast hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) production. Evidence for cytokine-regulated hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) degradation and human lung fibroblast-derived hyaluronidase.

We characterized the mechanisms by which recombinant (r) tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IFN-gamma, and IL-1, alone and in combination, regulate human lung fibroblast hyaluronic acid (HA) production. Each cytokine stimulated fibroblast HA production. The combination of rTNF and rIFN-gamma resulted in a synergistic increase in the production of high molecular weight HA. This was due to a synergistic increase in hyaluronate synthetase activity and a simultaneous decrease in HA degradation. In contrast, when rTNF and rIL-1 were combined, an additive increase in low molecular weight HA was noted. This was due to a synergistic increase in hyaluronate synthetase activity and a simultaneous increase in HA degradation. Human lung fibroblasts contained a hyaluronidase that, at pH 3.7, depolymerized high molecular weight HA to 10-40 kD end products of digestion. However, hyaluronidase activity did not correlate with fibroblast HA degradation. Instead, HA degradation correlated with fibroblast-HA binding, which was increased by rIL-1 plus rTNF and decreased by rIFN-gamma plus rTNF. Recombinant IL-1 and rTNF weakly stimulated and rIL-1 and rTNF in combination further augmented the levels of CD44 mRNA in lung fibroblasts. In contrast, rIFN-gamma did not significantly alter the levels of CD44 mRNA in unstimulated or rTNF stimulated cells. These studies demonstrate that rIL-1, rTNF, and rIFN-gamma have complex effects on biosynthesis and degradation which alter the quantity and molecular weight of the HA produced by lung fibroblasts. They also show that fibroblast HA degradation is mediated by a previously unrecognized lysosomal-type hyaluronidase whose function may be regulated by altering fibroblast-HA binding. Lastly, they suggest that the CD44 HA receptor may be involved in this process.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Human orbital fibroblasts in culture express ganglioside profiles distinct from those in dermal fibroblasts.

Orbital fibroblasts appear phenotypically distinct from those derived from dermis and other extraorbital anatomical sites. In this study, we examined the profile of gangliosides expressed by orbital and dermal fibroblasts. Gangliosides have a wide range of functions including modulation of transmembrane signal transduction. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a differential expression of gangliosides by orbital and nonorbital fibroblasts could constitute an important determinant of the immunological properties peculiar to the orbit. Moreover, these differences could provide a molecular basis for the site-specific involvement of the orbit in Graves' ophthalmopathy. Total lipids were extracted from confluent cultures of six different orbital and six dermal fibroblast strains, and purified gangliosides were subjected to two-dimensional thin layer chromatographic analysis. Orbital and dermal fibroblasts contained qualitatively similar ganglioside contents, with two major peaks, one migrating in the mono- and the other in the disialoganglioside regions of the chromatogram. In orbital fibroblasts, the densities of these two peaks were nearly equal, whereas in dermal fibroblasts, the monosialoganglioside peak was 5- to 6-fold greater. Minor ganglioside peaks were resolved and were equally abundant in orbital and dermal fibroblasts. Ganglioside profiles were invariant with respect to treatment of fibroblasts with interferon-gamma. These differences in expression of the two major ganglioside species may be relevant to the peculiarities associated with normal and pathological events in orbital connective tissue.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2004

Comparing the contractile properties of human fibroblasts in leg ulcers with normal fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: The tissue contraction phenomenon associated with wound healing is of prime importance for wound closure. Contractile properties of human fibroblasts from chronic venous leg ulcers were compared with those of normal fibroblasts using in vitro models. METHOD: Biopsies were taken from the uninvolved skin of the thigh, the epithelialised ulcer edge and the non-epithelialised ulcer centre in four patients (average age: 78 years). Fibroblasts were obtained by an explant technique and expanded in vitro in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 10% foetal calf serum and used for the assays at their fourth passage. Intracellular alpha-smooth muscle actin expression (alphaSM-actin) was studied by immunofluorescence labelling of cells cultured in monolayer. Contractile properties were evaluated using three-dimensional collagen lattices. RESULTS: Fibroblasts from the ulcer centre were the richest cells in actin filaments. Both populations of venous ulcer fibroblasts contracted more rapidly and to a greater extent than normal fibroblasts. The peak contractile forces developed by fibroblasts from the ulcer centre and the ulcer edge were 30% and 18% greater than normal fibroblasts respectively. CONCLUSION: Some functions of fibroblasts, in particular the generation of contractile forces and the formation of cytoplasmic actin filaments, seem not to be affected in chronic venous ulcers. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This study was supported by the Fondation Coloplast pour la Qualite de la Vie of France.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed2002

Effects of TGF-beta and TGF-beta-neutralizing antibody on normal skin fibroblasts and scar-derived fibroblasts.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is known as an important cytokine for scar formation in wound healing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of TGF-beta and its neutralizing antibody on normal skin fibroblasts and scar-derived fibroblasts in culture. Endogenous TGF-beta levels were similar in all fibroblasts. Cell proliferation increased when TGF-beta 1 or beta 2 was added to the cultures, and the increase was higher and started at a lower level in the scar-derived fibroblasts (p < 0.05). The increase of fibroblasts was suppressed by the addition of TGF-beta-neutralizing antibody to the cultures, and the suppression rate was higher in the scar-derived cells (p < 0.05). Percentages of the cells in the growth phases of cell cycle decreased in the normal skin fibroblasts (p < 0.05) when TGF-beta-neutralizing antibody was added. Our findings showed that scar-derived fibroblasts and normal skin fibroblasts have a different sensitivity to TGF-beta. Further study is needed on the effect of the neutralizing antibody to the cell counts and cell cycle of scar-derived fibroblasts.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1996

Eosinophil-fibroblast interactions. Granule major basic protein interacts with IL-1 and transforming growth factor-beta in the stimulation of lung fibroblast IL-6-type cytokine production.

To test the hypothesis that eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) is an important regulator of fibroblast effector function, we characterized the effects of MBP on human lung fibroblast production of the IL-6-type cytokines, IL-6, IL-11, and leukemia inhibitory factor. Unstimulated fibroblasts did not produce substantial quantities of these cytokines, while IL-1 and TGF-beta(1) stimulated these cytokines in a potent fashion. MBP at doses < or = 44 micrograms/ml did not stimulate IL-6-type cytokine production. It did, however, interact in a synergistic, dose- and time-dependent fashion with rIL-1-alpha and TGF-beta(1) to further increase IL-6-type cytokine elaboration. These MBP-induced increases in cytokine production were associated with proportionate alterations in mRNA accumulation. In contrast, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin did not regulate fibroblast cytokine production, and MBP did not augment fibroblast granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, or type I collagen production, or fibroblast proliferation in this culture system. The effects of MBP could not be attributed to cell cytotoxicity or contaminants in the MBP preparations. They were, however, at least partially charge mediated, since heparin abolished the effects of MBP on IL-1-stimulated cells, and the surrogate cationic molecule poly-L-arginine mimicked the stimulatory effects of MBP on fibroblast IL-6-type cytokine elaboration. These studies demonstrate that MBP interacts in a synergistic fashion with rIL-1-alpha or TGF-beta(1) to further augment fibroblast IL-6-type cytokine production. They also demonstrate that this stimulation is pretranslationally mediated and due, in part, to the cationic nature of the MBP molecule. MBP regulation of fibroblast cytokine production may play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic disorders of the airway or other organs.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor by fibroblast, macrophages and mast cells in hypertrophic scar.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogenic and chemotactic factor for endothelial cells and fibroblasts. To investigate the pathological role of bFGF in hypertrophic scar, we performed an immunohistochemical study on bFGF and bFGF receptor (bFGF-R) in hypertrophic scar (HS) including keloid, in comparison with normal scar (non-HS) and normal skin. To identify bFGF and bFGF-R positive cells, double immunostaining with antibody to mast cell (MC, tryptase) or tissue macrophage (CD68) was carried out. The expression of bFGF and bFGF-R in cultured fibroblasts from scars was also examined. In HS, many positive cells for bFGF or bFGF-R were observed between collagen bundles in addition to the positive area in normal skin. Although most of the positive cells for bFGF or bFGF-R were fibroblasts, the positive rates of bFGF in macrophages was also increased (p < 0.005). The positive rate of bFGF in MCs and the positive rates of bFGF-R in macrophages and MCs were not changed. No obvious difference was observed between non-HS and normal skin in the expression of bFGF and bFGF-R. Cultured fibroblasts from HS showed a strong nuclear staining of bFGF, but not from non-HS and normal skin. bFGF-R was equally expressed with a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern by fibroblasts from all sources. bFGF may play an important role in the pathological fibrotic process of HS in which fibroblasts are persistently activated. Cellular source of the abnormal bFGF in HS may be both fibroblasts themselves and macrophages.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hypoxia regulates basal and induced DNA synthesis and collagen type I production in human cardiac fibroblasts: effects of transforming growth factor-beta1, thyroid hormone, angiotensin II and basic fibroblast growth factor.

Analysis of post-infarct ventricular remodeling consistently shows the accumulation of collagen in failing heart. The goal of this study was to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of this event. We determined the effect of hypoxia, caused as the result of ischemia, on biological responses including cell viability, basal and growth factor-stimulated proliferative capacity and collagen type I production in cardiac fibroblasts obtained from adult human heart. The cell viability, as examined by light microscopy and analysis of DNA, did not change by hypoxia (2% oxygen). Basal level of protein synthesis, as determined by measuring the incorporation of 3H-leucine, decreased (30%, P<0.05) under hypoxia. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1)- and thyroid hormone (T3)-induced increases in protein synthesis did not change under hypoxia. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-stimulated protein synthesis enhanced significantly under hypoxia. Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treatment, which did not induce significant changes in protein synthesis under ambient conditions, led to moderate but significant increase under hypoxia. Basal level of DNA synthesis, as determined by measuring the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA, decreased (32%, P<0.05) under hypoxia. The TGF-beta1-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis which was observed under ambient conditions was reversed [61% (P<0.005) increase under hypoxia]. Under ambient conditions, T3, Ang II and bFGF stimulated DNA synthesis and their effects were enhanced under hypoxia. Northern analysis showed a 46% (P<0.05) increase in the level of pro alpha1(l) collagen mRNA under hypoxia. The TGF-beta1-induced increase in the level of pro alpha1(l) collagen mRNA, under ambient conditions, was not observed under hypoxia. On the other hand, the T3-induced decrease in pro alpha1(l) collagen mRNA was reversed under hypoxia. Ang II- and bFGF-treatment of human cardiac fibroblasts did not cause detectable changes in the level of pro alpha1(l) collagen mRNA under ambient conditions or hypoxia. At the protein level, the amount of immunoreactive collagen type I, as determined by immunoslot blot analysis, was increased (33%, P<0.05) under hypoxia. Treatment of human cardiac fibroblasts with TGF-beta1 and T3 under ambient conditions led to diminished level of collagen type I. Under hypoxia, however, effect of both factors was reversed. The level of immunoreactive collagen type I in Ang II- and bFGF-treated cells, which was comparable to that in untreated cells under ambient conditions, remained unchanged under hypoxia. Together, these results provide evidence that hypoxia regulates growth, proliferative capacity and collagen type I production in human cardiac fibroblasts, and that although hypoxia alone may not be a stimulus for human cardiac fibroblast proliferation, it enhances growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in those cells. Furthermore, hypoxia by increasing the basal levels of collagen type I and by reversing the TGF-beta1- and T3-induced inhibition of collagen type I gene expression in human cardiac fibroblasts can enhance overall collagen type I production. Combinatorial effects of hypoxia on proliferation and collagen type I production in cardiac fibroblasts contribute to the post-infarct remodeling of the collagen matrix in failing human heart.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study on effect of fibroblast growth factor on transformation of fibroblasts to regenerated mesothelial cells.

To elucidate the effect of fibroblast growth factor on the phenotypical conversion of fibroblasts to mesothelial cells, both immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations were carried out on cultured spheroids that were composed of fibroblasts obtained from the parietal pleura of rats with and without addition of antifibroblast growth factor receptor antibody. In the present study, antifibroblast growth factor receptor antibody was employed to block the effect of the autocrine component of fibroblast growth factor in the culture medium. Phenotypical conversion from fibroblast to mesothelial cells was clearly blocked in the experimental group, to which culture medium had been added with antifibroblast growth factor receptor antibody, whereas the control group, cultured without addition of antifibroblast growth factor receptor antibody, showed phenotypical conversion of fibroblasts that was confirmed by the development of macula adherens, microvilli, and positive expression of cytokeratin. These results indicate the possibility that fibroblast growth factor plays a key role in the process of phenotypic conversion of fibroblasts to regenerated mesothelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Venous ulcer fibroblasts respond to basic fibroblast growth factor at the cell cycle protein level.

Fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers demonstrate phenotypic characteristics of cellular senescence including slow growth, altered morphology, upregulation of fibronectin, and increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. In senescent cells, arrest of cell replication is related to overexpression of p21 and underexpression of phosphorylated tumor-suppressor protein retinoblastoma (ppRb). The regulatory mechanisms for cell proliferation in venous ulcer fibroblasts are unknown. In this study, venous ulcer fibroblasts are examined for cell cycle protein expression and modulation by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Fibroblasts were isolated from the venous ulcer of the distal lower extremity (fb-D) of patients with chronic venous insufficiency. A control biopsy was obtained from the proximal ipsilateral thigh (fb-P). Paired cultures were plated at 100,000 cells/plate and the cells synchronized. After 24 hr, one culture set was treated with bFGF (20 ng/mL) and the other was kept in culture medium only (untreated). All cultures, treated and untreated, were lysed following 24 hr of incubation, and the lysate was used to perform immunoblot analysis for p21, ppRb, and cyclin D1. Immunoblot samples were standardized to protein content. In all patients analyzed (n = 4), at basal levels (untreated) fb-D demonstrated significant overexpression of p21 versus fb-P (p = 0.016). Treatment with bFGF resulted in significant downregulation of p21 levels for fb-D (p = 0.008) and fb-P (p = 0.037) compared to untreated fibroblasts. ppRb was underexpressed in fb-D versus fb-P (p = 0.069). Treatment with bFGF increased ppRb significantly in fb-D (p = 0.030) and in fb-P (p = 0.027) compared to untreated fibroblasts. No differences were observed in cyclin D1 with respect to basal levels in fb-P versus fb-D or in treated versus untreated groups. Venous ulcer fibroblasts show phenotypic similarity to senescent cells, with overexpression of p21 as well as down regulation of phosphorylated pRb. The aberrations seen in the cell cycle proteins in fb-D are similar to those seen in senescent cells; however, bFGF can modulate important cell cycle regulatory proteins, promoting a proliferative environment in fb-D that is not possible in a senescent cell. The role of bFGF may be useful in the clinical treatment of venous ulcer pathology.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

TGF beta-like regulation of matrix metalloproteinases by anti-transforming growth factor-beta, and anti-transforming growth factor-beta 1 antibodies in dermal fibroblasts: Implications for wound healing.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) stimulates collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and inhibits MMP-1 expression in dermal fibroblasts. Anti-TGF-beta antibodies have been proposed in the prevention of wound scars. The goal of this research was to investigate the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -2 expression at the protein, mRNA, and transcriptional levels using an anti-TGF-beta antibody to TGF-beta 1, 2, 3, and 5 (all isoforms), and specifically by an anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody. Both antibodies, though at doses lower than the recommended neutralization dose, stimulated the expression of TGF-beta, and exhibited TGF-beta-like regulation of the matrix metalloproteinases. The antibodies inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein, mRNA, and promoter activity. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were up-regulated to a greater extent than the matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA level by both antibodies. These effects of anti-TGF-beta and anti-TGF-beta 1 antibodies on matrix metalloproteinase regulation were mimicked by exogenous TGF-beta 1 but not rabbit or chicken IgG. We infer that the anti-TGF-beta1 isoform that forms part of the composition of the anti-TGF-beta antibody to all isoforms may be responsible for the feedback stimulation of TGF-beta and the resultant alterations in the expression of the matrix metalloproteinases by the anti-TGF-beta antibodies.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1991

Fibroblast proliferation factors in pulmonary granuloma induced by Trichosporon cutaneum in rabbits: presence of a lymphocyte-derived fibroblast proliferation factor and its functional specificity.

The fibroblast proliferation activity (FPA) in pulmonary granulomatous lesions in rabbits which were exposed once (primary response) or twice (secondary response) to Trichosporon cutaneum was examined using R9ab, a rabbit fibroblast cell line cell, and fibroblasts from the lesions of the primary and secondary responses. The FPA in lung extracts and cell-free culture supernatants of bronchoalveolar lavage cells from the secondary response was more evident than that from the primary response. FPA from the primary response were recovered at about 60, 18, and 4.5 kD and those from secondary response at about 60, 26, 18, and 4.5 kD on Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. Among the FPA, the activity with a molecular weight of 26 kD and a pI of 7.0 was derived from lymphocytes, whereas the other activities were derived from macrophages. The macrophage-derived fibroblast proliferation factors (FPF) enhanced proliferation of fibroblasts from the lesions of both primary and secondary responses, while the lymphocyte-derived FPF enhanced only proliferation from the secondary response. It was further found that lymphocyte-derived FPF could chemotactically attract fibroblasts from the secondary but not the primary response, indicating functional specificity of lymphocyte-derived FPF on fibroblasts in the secondary response. The present results suggest that this lymphokine with fibroblast proliferation and chemotactic activity plays an important role in the granuloma formation in the secondary response to T. cutaneum.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The role of calcineurin in the lung fibroblasts proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by basic fibroblast growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of calcineurin (CaN) in the lung fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). METHODS: We used Western blot and immunohistochemical methods for investigating the content and distribution of calcineurin in the lung tissue. Calcineurin activity in different tissues was measured using (32)P-labelled substrate. In the primary culture of lung fibroblasts, (3)H-thymidine ((3)H-TdR) and (3)H-proline incorporation methods were used to study the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of calcineurin, on the lung fibroblast DNA and collagen synthesis stimulated by bFGF. RESULTS: We found that calcineurin was expressed in lung tissue and has phosphatase activity (7.1 +/- 2.0 pmol Pi/mg pr/min). CsA (10(-8) - 10(-6) mol/L) inhibited lung fibroblast (3)H-TdR incorporation induced by bFGF in a dose-dependent manner, with the inhibitory rates by 20%, 46% and 66% (P < 0.01). CsA (10(-7) - 10(-6) mol/L) inhibited (3)H-proline incorporation in lung fibroblasts stimulated by bFGF, with the inhibitory rates by 21% and 37% (P < 0.01). In a culture medium, CsA (10(-8) - 10(-6) mol/L) inhibited (3)H-proline secretion induced by bFGF in a dose-dependent manner, with the inhibitory rates by 19%, 29% (P < 0.05) and 56% (P < 0.01). CsA (10(-7) mol/L) could inhibit calcineurin activity by 44% in lung fibroblasts (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Calcineurin is expressed in lung tissue and has phosphatase activity. It is involved in the bFGF stimulated lung fibroblast DNA and collagen synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Gene-expression and release of macrophage-colony stimulating factor in quiescent and proliferating fibroblasts. Effects of serum, fibroblast growth-promoting factors, and IL-1.

Macrophage (M)-CSF induces the proliferation and differentiation of macrophage-precursor cells, and is an important factor in the survival and activation of mature mononuclear phagocytes. Several effector cell populations such as mononuclear phagocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, have been reported to produce M-CSF at high levels. We investigated the gene-expression and release of M-CSF in fibroblasts. Quiescent, growth-arrested, fibroblasts showed little expression of M-CSF as demonstrated by Northern blot analysis, and little production of M-CSF as measured in the murine bone marrow bioassay. Initiation of proliferation of fibroblasts by fetal bovine serum was followed by an increase in M-CSF transcription and release of the protein. Similarly, single factors (platelet-derived growth factor) or combinations of factors (epidermal growth factor (EGF) + insulin, platelet-derived growth factor + EGF + insulin, or fibroblast growth factor + EGF + insulin) that induced proliferation of the fibroblasts, also induced increased expression of M-CSF. As soon as 1 h after the addition of fetal bovine serum, M-CSF expression was increased, and reached a plateau at 2 to 8 h after induction. IL-1 increased M-CSF expression both in quiescent and proliferating fibroblasts, and induced the expression and release of granulocyte-, and granulocyte/macrophage-CSF. These results show that expression of M-CSF in fibroblasts is not constitutively at a high level, but undergoes regulation depending on the cellular proliferative state and on further activation by acute response proteins such as IL-1.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Fibroblast dependency during early thymocyte development maps to the CD25+ CD44+ stage and involves interactions with fibroblast matrix molecules.

We have investigated the role of specific components of the thymic stroma during development of CD4-8-T cell precursors by separating and reaggregating precursor subsets with individual or combinations of stromal cells. We show that while the development of CD25+ 44+ precursors is dependent upon a combination of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ thymic epithelial cells and fibroblasts, their direct descendants, CD25+ 44- precursors, develop to the CD4+ 8+ stage in the presence of MHC class II+ thymic epithelial cells alone. Thus, CD25+ 44+ precursors are the last developmental stage to be dependent upon fibroblast support. In addition, while metabolically inactive, 1-ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (ECDI)-treated fibroblasts retain the ability to promote T cell development, prior treatment with hyaluronidase abrogates this effect, suggesting that fibroblast-associated extracellular matrix components are the key elements involved. In support of this, we show that fibroblasts are located in cortical regions of the thymus where T cell precursors are known to reside, and that these fibroblasts are associated with an extensive extracellular matrix not found on thymic epithelial cells. Finally, antibodies to alpha 4 integrin and CD44 interfere with the efficiency with which CD4+ 8+ cells are generated from CD25+ 44+ precursors in reaggregate cultures and also reduce the binding of the latter to 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting these molecules play a role in bringing T cell precursors into contact with fibroblast-associated extracellular matrix.

3T3 Cells↗