Activation of human platelet-derived latent transforming growth factor-beta 1 by human glioblastoma cells. Comparison with proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a regulator of cell growth and differentiation, is secreted by most cultured cells in latent form (L-TGF-beta). Activation of L-TGF-beta can be achieved by various physico-chemical treatments, including acidification, alkalinization, heating and chaotropic agents. Proposed physiological activators include proteinases and glycosidases, which, however, only lead to limited activation (15-20% of the total TGF-beta activity after acidic activation). In the present study L-TGF-beta 1 partially purified from human platelets was not activated by treatment with neuraminidase or the proteinases plasmin, endoproteinase Arg-C, elastase and chymotrypsin. The mechanism of activation of L-TGF-beta was further assessed by using the human glioblastoma cell line 308, which releases biologically active TGF-beta 2. Factor(s) secreted by 308 glioblastoma cells were found to be able to activate partially purified L-TGF-beta 1 from human platelets. Our finding may prove to constitute a physiologically relevant mechanism for the activation of latent forms of TGF-beta in vivo.