Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.21.73 (urokinase-type plasminogen activator)
 10,685 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We examined the localization of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in first-trimester and term human decidua and chorionic villi and explored the role of this factor on the proliferation and differentiation of cultured trophoblast cells. Two antibodies, 1D11.16.8, a mouse monoclonal neutralizing antibody capable of recognizing both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 and CL-B1/29, a rabbit polyclonal antibody capable of recognizing TGF-beta 2, were used to immunolocalize TGF-beta in fixed, paraffin-embedded, or fixed, frozen sections of placenta and decidua, providing similar results. Intense labeling was observed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the first-trimester decidua and cytoplasm of term decidual cells. Syncytiotrophoblast cell cytoplasm as well as the ECM in the core of the chorionic villi of both first-trimester and term placentas exhibited a moderate degree of labeling. Strong cytoplasmic labeling was observed in the cytotrophoblastic shell of the term placenta. To examine the role of TGF-beta on trophoblast proliferation and differentiation, early passage cultures of first-trimester and primary cultures of term trophoblast cells were established and characterized on the basis of numerous immunocytochemical and functional markers. These cells expressed cytokeratin, placental alkaline phosphatase, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and pregnancy-specific beta glycoprotein, but not factor VIII or 63D3; they also produced hCG and collagenase type IV. Exposure of first-trimester trophoblast cultures to TGF-beta 1 significantly inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. An antiproliferative effect was also noted in the presence of TGF-beta 2. These effects were abrogated in the presence of the neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibody (1D11.16.8) in a concentration-dependent manner. In a 3-day culture, exogenous TGF-beta 1 stimulated formation of multinucleated cells by the first trimester as well as term trophoblast cells. Addition of neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibody to first-trimester trophoblast cells stimulated proliferation beyond control levels in a 24-h culture and reduced formation of multinucleated cells in a 3-day culture, indicating the presence of endogenous TGF-beta activity. These results indicate that TGF-beta produced at the human fetal-maternal interface plays a major regulatory role in the proliferation and differentiation of the trophoblast.
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PMID:Localization of transforming growth factor-beta at the human fetal-maternal interface: role in trophoblast growth and differentiation. 137 70

Transforming growth beta (TGF-beta) has been proposed to have a role in bone remodeling by affecting the differentiation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and by inhibiting the production of proteinases, such as plasminogen activators (PAs). Studies on PAs have largely been based on data from nonhuman and fetal cell lines, however. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TGF-beta on the PA activity of normal human osteoblast-like cells and to compare this with its action on the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63. The action of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) was also assessed because it has been shown to increase PA activity in other connective tissue cell types. Normal osteoblast-like cells had low to undetectable basal urokinase (uPA) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, which was significantly stimulated by TGF-beta 1. This action was shown to be dependent on transcription and new protein synthesis. TGF-beta 2 had a similar action. IL-1 beta did not stimulate PA activity. In contrast, the MG-63 cell line had high basal tPA and uPA activities. TGF-beta 1 decreased basal PA activity, the effect being most marked for uPA activity. IL-1 beta stimulated uPA and tPA activity. TGF-beta 1 inhibited IL-1 beta-stimulated uPA activity, but the effect on tPA was more variable. This study has shown that TGF-beta has opposite effects on the PA activity of the two osteoblast-like cell types studied. Care must therefore be used before extrapolating data from one cell type to another.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:The effect of transforming growth factor beta on the plasminogen activator activity of normal human osteoblast-like cells and a human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63. 148 22

We have compared the cell-specific expression and regulation of the receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PAR) by transforming growth factor beta type 1 (TGF-beta 1) in 10 human cell lines derived from both normal and neoplastic tissues. The basal expression of u-PAR mRNA as well as its response to TGF-beta 1 varied strongly between different cell lines; however, five out of the 10 cell lines responded to TGF-beta 1 by an increase in the u-PAR mRNA level. Among these, A549 cells were selected for a detailed elucidation of the molecular mechanism involved in TGF-beta 1 regulation of u-PAR mRNA expression. TGF-beta 1 caused an early increase in u-PAR mRNA level, with a maximal 15-fold enhancement after 24 h of treatment. This was paralleled by an increase in u-PAR protein as detected by crosslinking studies with radiolabeled ligand, and also resulted in an increase in cell surface plasmin generation. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide also increased the level of u-PAR mRNA in a time-dependent fashion and when both cycloheximide and TGF-beta 1 were used, an additive effect was seen. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated only a moderate (3-fold) increase in the u-PAR gene transcription rate after exposure of the cells to TGF-beta 1 for 3 h compared with a 12-fold increase in the mRNA level. TGF-beta 1 also caused an increase of both u-PA and PAI-1 antigens, while there was no detectable effect on t-PA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Urokinase-receptor biosynthesis, mRNA level and gene transcription are increased by transforming growth factor beta 1 in human A549 lung carcinoma cells. 165 20

Tightly controlled proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix by invading microvascular endothelial cells is believed to be a necessary component of the angiogenic process. We have previously demonstrated the induction of plasminogen activators (PAs) in bovine microvascular endothelial (BME) cells by three agents that induce angiogenesis in vitro: basic FGF (bFGF), PMA, and sodium orthovanadate. Surprisingly, we find that these agents also induce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and mRNA in BME cells. We also find that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), which in vitro modulates a number of endothelial cell functions relevant to angiogenesis, also increases both PAI-1 and urokinase-type PA (u-PA) mRNA. Thus, production of both proteases and protease inhibitors is increased by angiogenic agents and TGF-beta 1. However, the kinetics and amplitude of PAI-1 and u-PA mRNA induction by these agents are strikingly different. We have used the ratio of u-PA:PAI-1 mRNA levels as an indicator of proteolytic balance. This ratio is tilted towards enhanced proteolysis in response to bFGF, towards antiproteolysis in response to TGF-beta 1, and is similar to that in untreated cultures when the two agents are added simultaneously. Using an in vitro angiogenesis assay in three-dimensional fibrin gels, we find that TGF-beta 1 inhibits the bFGF-induced formation of tube-like structures, resulting in the formation of solid endothelial cell cords within the superficial parts of the gel. These results suggest that a net positive proteolytic balance is required for capillary lumen formation. A novel perspective is provided on the relationship between extracellular matrix invasion, lumen formation, and net proteolytic balance, thereby reflecting the interplay between angiogenesis-modulating cytokines such as bFGF and TGF-beta 1.
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PMID:Transforming growth factor-beta 1 modulates basic fibroblast growth factor-induced proteolytic and angiogenic properties of endothelial cells in vitro. 169 69

A transcriptional silencer has been identified in the 5' regulatory region of the human urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) gene. This region is able to block transcription from the human u-PA as well as the rabbit beta-globin promoters in a cell type specific and orientation independent way. The silencer is enhancer dependent and is active in two cell lines (HeLa and CV-1) which produce little if any uPA, but not in the high uPA producer PC3. Silencing activity and enhancer dependence can be separated: the silencing activity has been localized to the DNA fragment -660 to -536, while the enhancer dependence is located in the -536 to -308 fragment. The DNA sequence of the silencer region contains an element that closely resembles the TGF-beta responsive negative element TIE.
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PMID:A cell-type specific and enhancer-dependent silencer in the regulation of the expression of the human urokinase plasminogen activator gene. 171 Mar 52

We have studied the development of the collateral circulation in the heart in response to gradual and progressive coronary artery occlusion. When the coronary stenosis becomes critical, tissue ischemia occurs, which we believe leads to the production (and probably to release from storage sites) of tissue hormones (mitogens) that lead to mitosis of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. We have identified from hearts several known mitogens (aFGF, bFGF), non-mitogenic angiogenic factors (TGF-beta), a new anti-mitogen, and a new myocyte-derived growth factor (structures of the last two not yet elucidated). An important principle in the development of collaterals is the remodeling of pre-existing small vessels into the much larger vascular structure. To accommodate new cells old structures have to be removed by controlled proteolysis (tPA, uPA, elastase).
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PMID:Angiogenesis in the adult heart. 171 53

The molecular characterization of a number of loci that control developmental processes in invertebrates has revealed that a subset of these genes encode products that are homologous to vertebrate growth factors. Genetic analyses of the autonomy of action and molecular analysis of the patterns of expression of these genes have demonstrated that products of some of these loci (e.g., the EGF homologs, Notch, Delta, lin-12, and glp-1) appear to act in a cell-autonomous manner, while the products of other such loci (e.g., the TGF-beta homolog decapentaplegic and the murine int-1 homolog wingless) act in a nonautonomous manner. Studies of a number of invertebrate EGF homologs, including Notch, Delta, lin-12, and glp-1, for which we are beginning to achieve some reasonable understanding, reveal three common themes. First, each of these loci had been implicated in the determination of cell fates. The products of these loci appear to act at the level of single cells (i.e., they are required for the local choice between alternative determined states). The action of each of these loci within the context of determinative processes is clearly pleiotropic; mutations in each of these genes are correlated with multiple developmental defects. Second, the preponderance of evidence indicates that products of each of these loci function in a cell-autonomous manner during development. This shared character implies that these loci do not encode precursors of EGF-like molecules that act, in turn, as diffusible effectors in determinative decisions. It appears, rather, that these molecules function in association with the membranes of the cells in which they are produced and may constitute components of a class of receptors required for sensing diverse cues that specify particular cell fates during development. Third, we propose that EGF-like sequences found within each of these products function as protein-protein contact motifs that are essential for intermolecular interactions that involve membrane-bound molecules and are central to determinative decisions during development. Assignment of such a function to these sequences is consistent with recent findings indicating that EGF-homologous sequences found in urokinase (Apella et al., 1987) and blood coagulation factor IX (Rees et al., 1988) constitute sites that are required for binding to appropriate interacting proteins and are distinct from the respective "active" sites of each molecule. Within the context of this proposal, products of the EGF-homologous invertebrate genes noted above would participate in the transfer of information required for the specification of cell fate from the extracellular compartment to the cell interior.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Homologs of vertebrate growth factors in Drosophila melanogaster and other invertebrates. 211 63

Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells respond to signals initiated by the binding of transforming growth factor-beta type 1 (TGF-beta 1) to its surface receptors by activating pathways that result in terminal squamous differentiation. By use of both normal and SV40 T-antigen-immortalized cells, it was found that treatment with TGF-beta 1 transiently increases mRNA levels for urokinase (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) approximately 5- and 50-fold, respectively, within 4 h. In NHBE cells, PAI-1 protein is increased by TGF-beta 1 in both extracellular matrix and medium. The net effect of TGF-beta 1 on plasminogen activator activity in the medium was a 50% reduction as measured by a caseinolytic assay. A T-antigen-immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line that does not undergo squamous differentiation in response to TGF-beta 1 but binds this growth factor did not respond to TGF-beta 1 by modulation of either uPA or PAI-1 expression. Comparison of human bronchial epithelial, pleural mesothelial, and lung fibroblastic cell strains indicated that the epithelial cells have a constitutively higher ratio of uPA to PAI-1 mRNA expression. These data suggest that modulation of pericellular proteolysis in bronchial epithelial cells in response to TGF-beta 1 represents a significant biological change in their pericellular environment. The induction of uPA and PAI-1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells may be related to the ability of the cell to undergo squamous differentiation in response to TGF-beta 1. These observations identify specific changes in gene expression that may serve as markers for the differentiation process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:TGF-beta 1 modulation of urokinase and PAI-1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells. 222 Oct 87

Bioimmunoassays for tissue and urokinase-type plasminogen activators (t-pA and u-pA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for t-pA were performed on biopsies from the edge and base of 15 venous ulcers. TGF-beta 1, bFGF and PDGF were assessed by ELISA in the edge and base of 19 further venous ulcers and 7 biopsies of normal skin. The presence of all three growth factors and u-pA was confirmed immunohistochemically. T-pA was detected using the ELISA and the bioimmunoassay, but was quantified in 3/15 ulcer bases and 4/15 ulcer edges using the bioimmunoassay only. U-pA was measured in all ulcer samples except one. TGF-beta 1 was measured in 13/19 ulcer bases and 9/19 edges, while free TGF-beta 1 was measured in only 2/19 bases and 4/19 edges. Venous ulcer bases contain significantly greater quantities of u-pA, TGF-beta 1, and bFGF than ulcer edges. TGF-beta 1 was never detected in normal skin. There is significantly less bFGF in normal skin than in venous ulcer bases, but not edges (p = 0.013, p = 0.31 respectively, Mann Whitney U-test). There was a good correlation between ulcer edge TGF-beta 1 and time to healing in ten ulcers that healed within six months from the date of biopsy (r = -0.56, p = 0.065, Spearman Rank Correlation). There was a significantly greater amount of ulcer edge bFGF in the ulcers that healed within six months than those that remained unhealed (p = 0.036, Mann-Whitney U-test).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Growth factors, tissue and urokinase-type plasminogen activators in venous ulcers. 757 62

Receptors for urokinase (uPA) and plasminogen provide a mechanism to direct the cellular activation of plasminogen. The regulation of these receptors is important for several macrophage functions. In these studies, the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on uPA, uPA receptor, and plasminogen receptor expression by human THP-1 macrophage was examined. TGF-beta 1 induction of uPA expression by THP-1 cells was differentiation dependent. Suspension and adherent cultures expressed similar constitutive levels of uPA. Exposure of adherent cells to TGF-beta 1 led to a dose- and time-dependent increase in uPA activity which was paralleled by an increase in uPA antigen and uPA mRNA. In contrast, uPA expression by suspension cultures was unresponsive to TGF-beta 1. The differential response exhibited by suspension and adherent THP-1 cells may reflect differences in their expression of TGF-beta 1 receptors, since when assayed by crosslinking techniques, suspension cells primarily expressed a 65 kDa receptor; whereas, the adherent cells expressed 65 and 100 kDa receptors. TGF-beta 1-induced alterations in uPA receptor expression by adherent THP-1 cells were examined by quantitating membrane-bound uPA activity. Membrane-bound uPA activity increased three-fold when cells were incubated with TGF-beta 1. The increase in membrane-uPA activity expressed by TGF-beta 1-treated cells was not due to increased uPA receptor occupancy since incubation of either control or TGF-beta 1 primed cells with exogenous uPA did not lead to an increase in membrane-bound uPA activity. Furthermore, immunoreactive uPA receptor was increased in TGF-beta 1-treated cells. Following incubation with plasminogen, membrane-bound plasmin activity increased three-fold in TGF-beta 1-treated cells. However, no change in immunoreactive membrane-bound plasmin(ogen) was observed. In addition, binding of 125I-Lys-plasminogen to THP-1 cells was not affected by TGF-beta 1 treatment. We conclude that TGF-beta 1 stimulates membrane-bound plasmin activity, without affecting plasminogen receptor expression, through the up-regulation of uPA and the uPA receptor expression.
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PMID:THP-1 macrophage membrane-bound plasmin activity is up-regulated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 via increased expression of urokinase and the urokinase receptor. 762 80


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