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Interferon-gamma receptors on human gestational choriocarcinoma cell lines: quantitative and functional studies
V Fulop1, M A Steller, R S Berkowitz
1Fearing Research Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Objectives:
This study was performed to further define the effects of interferon-gamma on choriocarcinoma cell lines and to determine whether variations in response among cell lines are attributable to quantitative differences in interferon-gamma receptors.
Study Design:
Interferon-gamma receptors were quantified on BeWo, JEG-3 and Jar choriocarcinoma cell lines by a radiolabeled interferon-gamma ligand binding assay. The response of these cell lines to interferon-gamma was measured in two functional assays: a cell proliferation assay and a cell lysis assay after exposure to interferon-gamma with and without actinomycin-D.
Results:
The number of interferon-gamma receptors on BeWo, Jar, and JEG-3 cells did not differ significantly (650, 560, and 420 interferon-gamma receptors per cell, respectively). Proliferation of all three choriocarcinoma cell lines was significantly inhibited to a similar extent by interferon-gamma. After treatment with interferon-gamma actinomycin-D, each choriocarcinoma cell line exhibited dose-dependent cell lysis; lysis of Jar was significantly less than that of either BeWo or JEG-3.
Conclusion:
These data further document variations in the response of choriocarcinoma cell lines to interferon-gamma and indicate that these differences are not the result of interferon-gamma receptor number but of postreceptor mechanisms.
Insights
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) affects choriocarcinoma cell proliferation and lysis. Variations in IFN-γ response are due to postreceptor mechanisms, not receptor number.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine with diverse biological effects, including anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities.
- Choriocarcinoma is a malignant tumor of placental cells, and understanding its response to therapeutic agents is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IFN-γ on choriocarcinoma cell lines.
- To determine if variations in IFN-γ response correlate with the number of IFN-γ receptors on these cells.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of IFN-γ receptors on BeWo, JEG-3, and Jar choriocarcinoma cell lines using a radiolabeled ligand binding assay.
- Assessment of cell proliferation and cell lysis in response to IFN-γ, with and without actinomycin-D.
Main Results:
- IFN-γ receptor numbers were similar across BeWo, Jar, and JEG-3 cell lines.
- IFN-γ significantly inhibited proliferation of all tested cell lines to a comparable extent.
- While all cell lines showed dose-dependent lysis with IFN-γ and actinomycin-D, Jar cells exhibited significantly less lysis than BeWo or JEG-3 cells.
Conclusions:
- Variations in choriocarcinoma cell line responses to IFN-γ are documented.
- These response differences are attributed to postreceptor signaling pathways, not differences in IFN-γ receptor expression levels.