OBJECTIVETo explore the possible effect of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF -beta(1)) on the development of renal fibrosis in human mesengial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry method, sirius red staining polarization microscopy and the computer imaging analysis system were used to detect the expression of TGF-beta(1), the distribution of collagen I, collagen III and collagen IV.

RESULTIn MsPGN with renal fibrosis, collagen IV was increased markedly,and collagen I and collagen III appeared in the expanded mesengial matrix abnormally. Collagen III and collagen IV were increased markedly in tubulointerstitium. TGF-beta(1) expression was positively correlated with the expression of collagen I, collagen III and collagen IV in tubulointerstitium (r=0.82 0.92,P<0.01), and negatively correlated with I/III, I/IV and III/IV (r=-0.83,-0.92, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONAbnormal increase of TGF-beta(1) may be one of the important factors associated with glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis through the increment and abnormal distribution of collagen I, collagen III and collagen IV.

Collagen ; analysis ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of activin A (ACT A) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) during mandibular lengthening and elucidate the difference between the role of ACT A and TGF-beta 1 during mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSkeletally mature white new zealand rabbits were established right mandibular distraction osteogenesis model. The regenerating tissue of animals' lengthened mandibes were harvested at different time points to have immunohistochemistric research of ACT A, TGF-beta 1 protein and analysis ACT A, TGF-beta 1 mRNA by using RT-PCR semiquantitative mean.

RESULTSAT the end of latency period day, positive stain of ACT A were found in the osteoblasts while positive stain of TGF-beta 1 was found in mesenchymal cells. At the end of distraction phase, fibrosis tissue had no stain of ACT A, but had strong stain of TGF-beta 1. At the period of fixation days of 20 days, both cytoplasm of osteoblasts and extracellular matrix in primary mineralization front were strongly stained of ACT A. The osteoblasts, osteoid and osteocytes in peripheral new bone zone were moderately stained of ACT A. TGF-beta 1 had strongly positive stained in fibrosis zone and weekly positive stained in primary mineralization front and peripheral new bone zone. There were also broad activin A stains in cytoplasm of osteoblasts, osteoid and cytoplasm of ACT A, TGF-beta 1 in osteocytes after distraction for 30 days. Activin A mRNA began to express at the end of latency period. Expression for activin A mRNA increased gradually along with the beginning of distraction and at the peak in distraction of 10 days and 20 days, while TGF beta 1 mRNA increased at the peak at the end of latency period.

CONCLUSIONACT A and TGF beta 1 have different role during rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

Activins ; analysis ; physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibin-beta Subunits ; analysis ; physiology ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Rabbits ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Animals ; Humans ; Leptin ; genetics ; physiology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; analysis ; physiology ; Receptors, Leptin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in kidney tissues of children with primary focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) and the possible role of the two growth factors in the development of FSGS.

METHODSKidney specimens were obtained from 33 children with primary FSGS and 7 children with isolated haematuria but without FSGS (control group). Of the 33 children with primary FSGS, 6 children had no renal tubule interstitial pathological damage (Experimental I group) and 27 children had renal tubule interstitial pathological damage (Experimental II group). Expression of TGF-beta and HGF in kidney tissues was ascertained by the immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSTGF-beta and HGF were expressed in the three groups, but there were significant differences among the three groups. The expression of TGF-beta and HGF in the two experiment groups increased significantly compared with that in the control group. The Experimental II group had increased TGF-beta expression but a significantly decreased HGF expression compared with the Experimental I group. The index of tubule interstitial pathological changes was positively correlated with the TGF-beta expression (r=0.763, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with the HGF expression (r=-0.461, P<0.05) in the Experimental II group. There was a negative correlation between TGF-beta and HGF expression in children with primary FSGS (r=-0.425, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of TGF-beta and HGF in kidney tissues is increased in children with primary FSGS. TGF-beta might be a fibrogenic factor and HGF might be an anti-fibrotic factor in the kidney in primary FSGS.

Child ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; chemistry ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the effects of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on biological characteristics of rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro.

METHODSThe osteoblasts isolated from a Sprague-Dawley rat and cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of bFGF (5-50 ng/ml) respectively. At 24 hours after treatment, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen was measured with immunocytochemistry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined and the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) was detected to observe the effects of bFGF on growth and differentiation of osteoblasts.

RESULTSbFGF (5-50 ng/ml) could obviously promote the growth of osteoblasts. The intracellular expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA increased significantly, but the intracellular ALP content decreased.

CONCLUSIONSbFGF can obviously stimulate the proliferation of osteoblasts and promote the synthesis of TGF-beta(1), but cannot promote the differentiation of osteoblasts.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lipopolysacharide (LPS) in different concentrations on the biological features and growth factor secretion power of U937 cell line.

METHODSIn vitro cultured U937 cells were stimulated by 0 (as control), 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0 and 100 micro g/ml LPS respectively for 24 hours. Thereafter, the cell proliferation ability was determined by MTT method. The cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The changes in the contents of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGFbeta(1)) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of the supernatant of the cell culture were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTSApoptosis and TGFbeta(1) secretion could be induced by LPS in dose of 0.1 to 100 micro g/ml when compared with that without LPS challenge (P < 0.05 - 0.01). In detail, LPS in lower dose (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 micro g/ml) could promote the proliferation of U937 (P < 0.05 - 0.01) but exerted no effect on VEGF secretion. In contrary, LPS in high dose (50 and 100 micro g/ml) could promote VEGF secretion (P < 0.01) but exerted no effects on the proliferation of U937 cells.

CONCLUSIONU937 cells could be activated to increase the secretion of TGFbeta(1) by LPS in optimal dose of 0.1 - 10.0 micro g/ml, but the secretion of VEGF could only be promoted by LPS in higher concentration.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; secretion ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; U937 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; secretion

OBJECTIVESTo observe the expression of betaig-h3 in normal cornea and keratoconus and to elucidate the role of extracellular matrix in keratoconus.

METHODSIn situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of betaig-h3 in the cornea. The cDNA library was screened with human betaig-h3 cDNA probe to locate betaig-h3 mRNA in cells.

RESULTSExpression of betaig-h3 was found mainly in the stroma of the normal cornea and keratoconus, but decrease depending on the degree of keratopathy. In some serious cases, no expression signal was detected. The strongest expression was seen at the border of the normal region and keratoconus.

CONCLUSIONSbetaig-h3, the structural component of the extracellular matrix, can affect cell adhensiveness in the development of corneal fibrous interstitial organization. During the development of keratoconus, decreasing levels of betaig-h3 cause the diminution of corneal steadiness, which is related to formation of keratoconus.

Cornea ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Wound Healing

Asthma ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; physiology ; Neutrophil Activation ; Neutrophils ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the injury process of the skin due to expansion.

METHODSNew Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: rapid expansion and slow expansion as well as two control groups. The changes of skin TGF-beta 1 were observed immediately after expansion and at 1, 12, 24 weeks after expansion. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization technique were applied.

RESULTSTGF-beta 1 increased in the skin immediately after expansion. In groups of rapid expansion, TGF-beta 1 increased faster and then decreased also faster than slow expansion groups. The results from immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were almost same.

CONCLUSIONExpansion resulted in skin injury. Rapid expansion injured the skin more seriously than slow expansion. TGF-beta 1 may be the main regulating factor to repairing process.

Animals ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Tissue Expansion ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and its signaling transduction molecule Smad 2 and their significance in the development of glomerulosclerosis.

METHODSUsing in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to detect Smad 2 mRNA expression and TGF-beta1, collagen IV, fibronectin expression in renal biopsies from 61 cases with a spectrum of glomerulonephritis including IgA nephropathy (40 cases), membranous glomerulonephritis (10 cases) and sclerosing glomerulonephritis (11 cases), compared with 11 cases of glomerular mild lesion with image analysis system.

RESULTSWith the exception of Smad 2 mRNA expression in mild type IgA nephropathy, all other types of diseased glomeruli showed increased expression of both TGF-beta1 and Smad 2 mRNA when compared with the 11 cases of mild glomerular lesions. The expressions of glomerular TGF-beta1 and Smad 2 mRNA positively correlated with collagen IV and fibronectin deposition in the glomeruli.

CONCLUSIONSTGF-beta1 and Smad 2 may be involved in the excessive deposition of glomerular extracellular matrix and play an important role in the development of glomerulosclerosis.

Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; Glomerulonephritis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Glomerulus ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Smad2 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1