Activation of latent transforming growth factor-β1, a conserved function for pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoproteins

STUDY QUESTION: Do all 10 human pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoproteins (PSGs) and murine PSG23 activate latent transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)? SUMMARY ANSWER: All human PSGs and murine PSG23 activated latent TGF-beta 1. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Two of the 10 members of the PSG1 family, PSG1 and PSG9, were previously shown to activate the soluble small latent complex of TGF-beta 1, a cytokine with potent immune suppressive functions. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Recombinant PSGs were generated and tested for their ability to activate the small latent complex of TGF-beta 1 in a cell-free ELISA-based assay and in a bioassay. In addition, we tested the ability of PSG1 and PSG4 to activate latent TGF-beta bound to the extracellular matrix (ECM) or on the membranes of the Jurkat human T-cell line. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Recombinant PSGs were generated by transient transfection and purified with a His-Trap column followed by gel filtration chromatography. The purified PSGs were compared to vehicle (PBS) used as control for their ability to activate the small latent complex of TGF-beta 1. The concentration of active TGF-beta was measured in an ELISA using the TGF-beta receptor II as capture and a bioassay using transformed mink epithelial cells that express luciferase in response to active TGF-beta. The specificity of the signal was confirmed using a TGF-beta receptor inhibitor. We also measured the binding kinetics of some human PSGs for the latent-associated peptide (LAP) of TGF-beta using surface plasmon resonance and determined whether PSG1 and PSG4 could activate the large latent complex of TGF-beta 1 bound to the ECM and latent TGF-beta 1 bound to the cell membrane. All experiments were performed in triplicate wells and repeated three times. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: All human PSGs activated the small latent complex of TGF-beta 1 (P < 0.05 vs. control) and showed similar affinities (KD) for LAP. Despite the lack of sequence conservation with its human counterparts, the ability to activate latent TGF-beta 1 was shared by a member of the murine PSG family. We found that PSG1 and PSG4 activated the latent TGF-beta stored in the ECM (P < 0.01) but did not activate latent TGF-beta 1 bound to glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) on the surface of Jurkat T cells. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The affinity of the interaction of LAP and PSGs was calculated using recombinant proteins, which may differ from the native proteins in their post-translational modifications. We also utilized a truncated form of murine PSG23 rather than the full-length protein. For the studies testing the ability of PSGs to activate membrane-bound TGF-beta 1, we utilized the T-cell line Jurkat and Jurkat cells expressing GARP rather than primary T regulatory cells. All the studies were performed in vitro. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Here, we show that all human PSGs activate TGF-beta 1 and that this function is conserved in at least one member of the rodent PSG family. In vivo PSGs could potentially increase the availability of active TGF-beta 1 from the soluble and matrix-bound latent forms of the cytokine contributing to the establishment of a tolerogenic environment during pregnancy. LARGE-SCALE DATA: None.