Advertisement
Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI112950
Find articles by Raghow, R. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
Find articles by Postlethwaite, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
Find articles by Keski-Oja, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
Find articles by Moses, H. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
Find articles by Kang, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
Published April 1, 1987 - More info
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), when injected subcutaneously into newborn mice, induces a rapid fibrotic response, stimulates chemotaxis, and elevates the rates of biosynthesis of collagen and fibronectin by fibroblasts in vitro. We explored the molecular mechanisms of TGF beta-mediated stimulation of collagen and fibronectin synthesis in cultured human foreskin fibroblasts. TGF beta preferentially stimulated the synthesis of fibronectin and type I procollagen chains 3-5-fold as shown by polypeptide analysis. Concomitant elevation in the steady state levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) coding for type I procollagen and fibronectin also occurred but without a net increase in the rate of transcription of either of these genes. The preferential stabilization of mRNAs specifying type I procollagen and fibronectin provides a partial explanation for the mechanisms by which TGF beta enhances the synthesis of type I procollagen and fibronectin in mesenchymal cells.
Images.
Click on an image below to see the page. View PDF of the complete article