Tumor necrosis factor-induced c-myc expression in the absence of mitogenesis is associated with inhibition of adipocyte differentiation.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibits and reverses differentiation of mouse adipogenic TA1 cells. We have found that TNF induces c-myc in a sustained manner in both preadipocytes and adipocytes; in contrast, serum induces c-myc transiently and only in preadipocytes. This TNF-mediated c-myc induction is not coupled with cell proliferation but is correlated with TNF-mediated inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. We prepared an inducible c-myc transformant of TA1 cells by transfection of the mouse c-myc gene under the control of the metallothionein-I promoter. These cells are unable to differentiate to adipocytes in the presence of Zn2+/Cd2+, and in differentiated TA1 cells, Zn2+/Cd2+ causes reduction of adipocyte-specific gene expression as does TNF. Lastly, exposure of TA1 cells to antisense c-myc oligonucleotide partially blocked the TNF-mediated reduction of adipocyte-specific gene expression. Thus, TNF-mediated c-myc expression is distinct in character from that involved in mitogenic responses but appears to play an important role in inhibition and reversal of adipocyte differentiation.