[Analysis of the signalling pathway of TNF in normal cells and tumor cells]

The internalization process and intracellular distribution of 125I-labeled TNF, in L-M (murine tumorigenic fibroblasts, highly sensitive to TNF cytotoxicity) cells and in HEL (human embryonic lung cells, non-sensitive to TNF cytotoxicity) cells bearing TNF receptor, were elucidated by pulse-chasing and by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Effect of TNF treatment on the RNA and protein synthesis of target cells was also studied using 3H-UDR and 35S-methionine incorporation. In both L-M and HEL cells, receptor-bound 125I-TNF was rapidly internalized and delivered to lysosomes within 15-30 min, followed by degradation and release into the culture medium. RNA synthesis and protein synthesis were not affected by TNF treatment in HEL cells, but marked stimulation (3.5 times and 4.2 times, respectively) was observed in L-M cells.