TGF-beta 1 augments expression of the TIS10/prostaglandin synthase-2 gene in intestinal epithelial cells.

Treatment of nontransformed rat intestinal crypt epithelial IEC-6 cells with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) + calcium ionophore (A23187) induces both the synthesis of prostacyclin and the expression of the TIS10/PGS-2 gene, a primary response gene encoding a second form of prostaglandin synthase (PGS). In addition to pharmacological induction by TPA + A23187, TIS10/PGS-2 message is also induced by the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1-beta (IL-1 beta). Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta), a potent cytokine known to modulate a variety of biological responses, does not by itself induce either prostanoid accumulation or TIS10/PGS-2 gene expression. TGF-beta does, however, augment both induced prostacyclin accumulation and the induced synthesis and accumulation of TIS10/PGS-2 protein and message in IEC-6 cells. TGF-beta concentrations in the range of 0.1-1.0 ng/ml (4.0-40 pM) maximally augment accumulation of TIS10/PGS-2 message. In contrast, dexamethasone attenuates prostacyclin production, TIS10/PGS-2 protein accumulation, and TIS10/PGS-2 message induction in IEC-6 cells. These results suggest that steroids and cytokines such as TGF-beta may (i) modulate intestinal epithelial cell growth and differentiation and (ii) influence gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcers and colon cancer by modulating eicosanoid production.