Spontaneous expression of the c-sis gene and release of a platelet-derived growth factorlike molecule by human alveolar macrophages.

J F Mornex; Y Martinet; K Yamauchi; P B Bitterman; G R Grotendorst; A Chytil-Weir; G R Martin; R G Crystal

doi:10.1172/JCI112574

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Published in Volume 78, Issue 1 on July 1, 1986
J Clin Invest. 1986;78(1):61–66. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI112574.
© 1986 The American Society for Clinical Investigation

Published July 1, 1986 - Version history

Alveolar macrophages from normal individuals and patients with interstitial lung diseases spontaneously expressed a 4.2-kilobase mRNA complementary to the c-sis gene, a proto-oncogene coding for one of the chains of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Concomitantly, these cells released a mediator with the properties of PDGF, including: chemotactic factor for smooth muscle cells whose activity was resistant to heat and acid, but sensitive to reduction; mitogenic (competence) activity for fibroblasts; ability to compete with PDGF for its receptor; and precipitated by an anti-PDGF antibody. While blood monocytes did not contain c-sis mRNA transcripts, monocytes matured in vitro expressed c-sis, consistent with the concept that expression of c-sis occurs during the differentiation of monocytes into alveolar macrophages. Together with the known actions of PDGF, these observations suggest that the c-sis proto-oncogene and its PDGF product are part of the armamentarium available to the alveolar macrophages for normal lung defense and participation in lung inflammation.

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