Abstract
Purpose: The mechanisms underlying ureteral cell regulation are largely unknown. Previous studies have identified lipid rafts/caveolae as regulators of growth stimulatory signals in ureteral smooth muscle cells (USMCs). In this study we determined whether growth inhibitory signaling by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is also regulated by caveolae in USMC. Materials and Methods: Expression of components of the TGF-β1 signaling axis in USMCs was determined by immunoblot and mRNA analyses. Growth regulatory activity of TGF-β1 was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. In select experiments caveolae were disrupted reversibly by cholesterol depletion and replenishment prior to TGF-β1 treatment. TGF-β1-responsive gene expression was evaluated using the TGF-β1 responsive promoter-reporter construct 3TP-Lux. Results: USMCs expressed TGF-β1, types I and II TGF-β1 receptors, and the effector Smad-2. TGF-β1 potently inhibited DNA synthesis in USMCs (IC50 60 pM). TGF-β1 mediated DNA synthesis inhibition was potentiated following the disruption of caveolae by cholesterol depletion. This effect was reversible with membrane cholesterol restoration. TGF-β1 stimulated gene activity was augmented by caveolae disruption, while caveolae reformation returned promoter activity to baseline levels. Conclusions: TGF-β1 is a potent growth inhibitor of USMCs and its activity can be enhanced by caveolae ablation. These findings suggest a role for TGF-β1 in the growth regulation of normal ureteral cells and implicate caveolar membrane domains in the negative regulation of TGF-β1 signaling. These studies may be relevant to ureteral pathologies that are characterized by smooth muscle dysplasia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2451-2455 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Urology |
Volume | 172 |
Issue number | 6 I |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2004 |
Keywords
- Caveolae
- Membrane microdomains
- Smooth muscle
- Transforming growth factor beta1
- Ureter
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology