Cross-talk between IFN-alpha and TGF-beta1 signaling pathways in preneoplastic rat liver

Growth Factors. 2009 Feb;27(1):1-11. doi: 10.1080/08977190802547357.

Abstract

Interferon-gamma/transforming growth factor-beta (IFN-gamma/TGF-beta) pathways have opposite effects on diverse cellular functions. However, little is known about interactions between IFN-alpha/TGF-beta. In previous studies, we showed that IFN-alpha2b increases TGF-beta(1) production and secretion in hepatocytes from preneoplastic rat livers. Here, the interaction between IFN-alpha/TGF-beta(1) pathways was explored. We observed a positive cross-talk between IFN-alpha and TGF-beta(1) signaling, with activation of both pathways. p300 protein levels in hepatocytes from preneoplastic livers were enough to interact with both activated Stat1 and Smad2/3. Besides, Smad7 was not directly related with TGF-beta(1) and IFN-alpha signals. Interestingly, we reported the novel finding that the autocrine TGF-beta(1) up-regulates TGF-betaRII at protein and mRNA levels. In conclusion, the intracellular signals triggered by IFN-alpha2b and by autocrine TGF-beta(1) are integrated at the nuclear level, where activated Stat1 and Smad2/3 are capable of interact with p300, present in no restrictive cellular amounts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / metabolism*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / physiopathology
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Precancerous Conditions / metabolism*
  • Precancerous Conditions / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Smad2 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Smad2 protein, rat
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Smad3 protein, rat
  • Stat1 protein, rat
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein
  • Ep300 protein, rat