Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 74, 211-216, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Trophoblast-derived transforming growth factor-beta 1 suppresses cytokine-induced, but not gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced, release of human chorionic gonadotropin by normal human trophoblasts

N Matsuzaki, Y Li, K Masuhiro, T Jo, K Shimoya, T Taniguchi, F Saji and O Tanizawa
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.

Using a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta)-sensitive cell line, Mv1Lu (or CCL 64), we demonstrated that trophoblasts predominantly produced a latent form of TGF beta. After converting latent TGF beta to active TGF beta in vitro by acid (pH 2.5), alkali (pH 10.0), or heat (90 C; 10 min) treatment, addition of rabbit anti-TGF beta 1 antiserum resulted in the elimination of TGF beta activity, thus suggesting that trophoblasts produced at least a certain amount of latent TGF beta 1. To investigate the role of TGF beta 1 in placental hormonogenesis, we first studied the effect of recombinant (r) TGF beta 1 on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hCG by trophoblasts. rTGF beta 1 exerted no inhibitory activity on IL-6 and hCG production. The effect of rTGF beta 1 on cytokine-induced IL-6 and hCG release was then examined. While rTGF beta 1 failed to inhibit basal hCG secretion, it did inhibit recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF alpha)- induced IL-6 release as well as rTNF alpha- and rIL-6-induced hCG release in a dose-dependent manner. However, rIL-1 alpha-induced IL-6 and hCG release was remarkably sensitive to rTGF beta 1-mediated suppression. In contrast, GnRH-induced hCG release, the response of which is independent of the IL-6 and IL-6 receptor system in trophoblasts, was completely resistant to rTGF beta 1. Thus, trophoblast-derived TGF beta 1 is an important regulatory molecule of cytokine-dependent, but not cytokine-independent, hCG release, possibly by converting latent TGF beta to active TGF beta at the local site of trophoblasts.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Ogata, K. Shimoya, A. Moriyama, Y. Shiki, Y. Matsumura, K. Yamanaka, T. Nobunaga, Y. Tokugawa, T. Kimura, M. Koyama, et al. Oncostatin M is produced during pregnancy by decidual cells and stimulates the release of HCG Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2000; 6(8): 750 - 757. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Chardonnens, P. Cameo, M.L. Aubert, F.P. Pralong, D. Islami, A. Campana, R.C. Gaillard, and P. Bischof Modulation of human cytotrophoblastic leptin secretion by interleukin-1{alpha} and 17{beta}-oestradiol and its effect on HCG secretion Mol. Hum. Reprod., November 1, 1999; 5(11): 1077 - 1082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Kohsaka,, G. Min,, G. Lukas,, S. Trupin,, E. T. Campbell,, and O. D. Sherwood Identification of Specific Relaxin-Binding Cells in the Human Female Biol Reprod, October 1, 1998; 59(4): 991 - 999. [Abstract] [Full Text]