Michael B. Sporn

Bio: Michael B. Sporn is an academic researcher from Dartmouth College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Transforming growth factor & Transforming growth factor beta. The author has an hindex of 157, co-authored 559 publications receiving 94605 citations. Previous affiliations of Michael B. Sporn include Cornell University & Reata Pharmaceuticals.

Evidence of endogenous regulatory function of transforming growth factor-β1 in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Abstract: Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). Administration of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to inhibit EAE. In this study, the possible role of endogenous TGF-beta in the regulation of relapsing EAE produced by the transfer of myelin basic protein-specific T cell lines was assessed. Although TGF-beta is not present in the normal CNS, this cytokine was detected by immunohistology in areas of central nervous system inflammation in both acute and chronic disease. The administration of anti-TGF-beta at the disease onset led to a worsening of the clinical course of EAE and more extensive pathological lesions. These findings provide direct evidence for a role of endogenous TGF-beta in the remissions seen in chronic relapsing EAE.

The Synthetic Triterpenoid CDDO-Imidazolide Suppresses STAT Phosphorylation and Induces Apoptosis in Myeloma and Lung Cancer Cells

Abstract: Purpose: Excessive activity of the transcription factors known as signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) contributes to the development and progression of malignancy in many organs. It is, therefore, important to develop new drugs to control the STATs, particularly their phosphorylation state, which is required for their transcriptional activity. Experimental Design: Myeloma and lung cancer cells were treated with the new synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-Imidazolide, and STAT phosphorylation and apoptosis were evaluated by immunoblotting and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Results: We now report that CDDO-Imidazolide, previously shown to be a potent agent for control of inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, rapidly (within 30-60 minutes) and potently (at nanomolar levels) suppresses either constitutive or interleukin-6-induced STAT3 and STAT5 phosphorylation in human myeloma and lung cancer cells. Furthermore, in these cells, CDDO-Imidazolide also up-regulates critical inhibitors of STATs, such as suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 and SH2-containing phosphatase-1 (a tyrosine phosphatase). Moreover, gene array studies reported here show that CDDO-Imidazolide potently regulates the transcription of important genes that are targets of the STATs. Conclusions: Our new data thus show that CDDO-Imidazolide is a potent suppressor of STAT signaling and provide a further mechanistic basis for future clinical use of this agent to control inflammation or cell proliferation.

Characterization of the mouse transforming growth factor-beta 1 promoter and activation by the Ha-ras oncogene.

Abstract: We have cloned and sequenced a mouse genomic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) DNA fragment that includes the 5' untranslated and regulatory regions of the gene. High-sequence homology with the human TGF-beta 1 gene (66% nucleotide identity in 2.7 kb of DNA upstream of the translational start site) suggested evolutionary conservation of transcriptional regulation for TGF-beta 1. The absence of TATA or CAAT box sequences but the presence of several Sp1-binding and AP-2-like sequences in the promoter region was noted, as previously reported for the human gene. Two transcriptional initiation sites separated by 290 bp were identified by S1 nuclease analysis; these corresponded to transcripts with 866 and 576 nucleotides of 5' untranslated leader sequence. S1 analysis of different mouse tissues indicated that the two transcripts were present in the same ratio even though the total level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA transcripts varied between tissues. Promoter activity adjacent to both transcriptional start sites was demonstrated by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes assayed in mouse AKR-2B fibroblast cells. Transcriptional activation of the promoter by the Ha-ras oncogene was also demonstrated. The minimal promoter constructs (113 and 104 bp 5' of the first and second transcriptional start sites, respectively) were sufficient for induction by Ha-ras. These studies characterize the 5' structure and basal promoter activity of the mouse TGF-beta 1 gene as well as the transcriptional activation of TGF-beta 1 by the Ha-ras oncogene.

Regulation of endothelial cell growth, architecture, and matrix synthesis by TGF-beta.

Abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has profound effects on all cell types making up the vasculature, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and adventitial connective tissue. As such, it plays a prominent role not only in the physiologic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis characteristic of embryogenesis and inflammation and repair but also in vascular disorders such as the arterial thickening associated with pulmonary hypertension. The actions of TGF-beta on these vascular cells in vitro and in vivo are extremely complex. In vitro, TGF-beta inhibits both the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in monolayer culture, but it promotes organization of the cells into tubelike structures in three-dimensional culture in collagen gels. TGF-beta also increases synthesis of fibronectin and decreases secretion of proteases by both endothelial cells and fibroblasts; the resultant changes in matrix composition could mediate the effects of TGF-beta on both the growth and phenotype of these cells, and overexpression could contribute to fibrosis. TGF-beta also regulates the synthesis by endothelial cells of platelet-derived growth factor, which can stimulate growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. In vivo, TGF-beta stimulates neovascularization at local sites of injection and also is angiogenic when assayed in the rabbit cornea or on the chick chorioallantoic membrane. However, because angiogenesis involves the participation of many different cell types, effects of TGF-beta on inflammatory cells must also be considered. Thus, the ability of TGF-beta to chemoattractant macrophages and to increase expression by the cells of mRNAs for several growth factors known to act on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts must also be considered.

Transcriptional regulation of the transforming growth factor beta 1 promoter by v-src gene products is mediated through the AP-1 complex.

Abstract: Growth factor-independent 32D-src and 32D-abl cell lines, established by infecting the interleukin-3-dependent myeloid precursor cell line (32D-123) with retroviruses containing the src or abl oncogene, were used to study transcriptional regulation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA. Analysis of different TGF-beta 1 promoter constructs regulated by pp60v-src indicated that sequences responsive to high levels of src induction contain binding sites for AP-1. Both src and serum induced expression of the c-fos and c-jun genes in myeloid cells, resulting in transcriptional activation of the TGF-beta 1 gene. We found that serum treatment increased TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels in 32D-123 cells and that the v-Src protein could replace the serum requirement by stimulating binding to the AP-1 complex of the TGF-beta 1 promoter, thereby mediating the induction of TGF-beta 1 transcription.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: a perspective for the 1990s

Abstract: Atherosclerosis, the principal cause of heart attack, stroke and gangrene of the extremities, is responsible for 50% of all mortality in the USA, Europe and Japan. The lesions result from an excessive, inflammatory-fibroproliferative response to various forms of insult to the endothelium and smooth muscle of the artery wall. A large number of growth factors, cytokines and vasoregulatory molecules participate in this process. Our ability to control the expression of genes encoding these molecules and to target specific cell types provides opportunities to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic agents to induce the regression of the lesions and, possibly, to prevent their formation.

TGF-beta signal transduction.

Abstract: The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family of growth factors control the development and homeostasis of most tissues in metazoan organisms. Work over the past few years has led to the elucidation of a TGF-beta signal transduction network. This network involves receptor serine/threonine kinases at the cell surface and their substrates, the SMAD proteins, which move into the nucleus, where they activate target gene transcription in association with DNA-binding partners. Distinct repertoires of receptors, SMAD proteins, and DNA-binding partners seemingly underlie, in a cell-specific manner, the multifunctional nature of TGF-beta and related factors. Mutations in these pathways are the cause of various forms of human cancer and developmental disorders.