PDGF-D expression is down-regulated by TGFβ in fibroblasts

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 3;9(10):e108656. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108656. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a key mediator of fibrogenesis. TGFβ is overexpressed and activated in fibrotic diseases, regulates fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts and induces extracellular matrix deposition. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is also a regulator of fibrogenesis. Some studies showed a link between TGFβ and PDGF in certain fibrotic diseases. TGFβ induces PDGF receptor alpha expression in scleroderma fibroblasts. PDGF-C and -D are the most recently discovered ligands and also play a role in fibrosis. In this study, we report the first link between TGFβ and PDGF-D and -C ligands. In normal fibroblasts, TGFβ down-regulated PDGF-D expression and up-regulated PDGF-C expression at the mRNA and protein levels. This phenomenon is not limited to TGFβ since other growth factors implicated in fibrosis, such as FGF, EGF and PDGF-B, also regulated PDGF-D and PDGF-C expression. Among different kinase inhibitors, only TGFβ receptor inhibitors and the IκB kinase (IKK) inhibitor BMS-345541 blocked the effect of TGFβ. However, activation of the classical NF-κB pathway was not involved. Interestingly, in a model of lung fibrosis induced by either bleomycin or silica, PDGF-D was down-regulated, which correlates with the production of TGFβ and other fibrotic growth factors. In conclusion, the down-regulation of PDGF-D by TGFβ and other growth factors may serve as a negative feedback in the network of cytokines that control fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Foreskin / cytology
  • Foreskin / drug effects
  • Foreskin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lymphokines / genetics
  • Lymphokines / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / genetics
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Smad4 Protein / genetics
  • Smad4 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Lymphokines
  • PDGFD protein, human
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Smad4 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • platelet-derived growth factor C

Grants and funding

This work was supported by: Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche (UCL) co-funded by the Marie-Curie Actions of the European Commission; Fonds pour la recherche Scientifique en Rhumatologie [http://www.frsr.be/]; SCC was supported by a fellowship from the Fonds Maurange managed by the King Baudouin Foundation [http://www.kbs-frb.be/fund.aspx?id=293710&langtype=2060]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.