Spontaneous activation of transforming growth factor-beta gene transcription in broncho-alveolar mononuclear cells of individuals with systemic autoimmune diseases with lung involvement

Abstract

The spontaneous elevation of the transcription of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) gene in broncho-alveolar mononuclear cells (BMC) of individuals with autoimmune diseases with lung involvement, by nuclear run-on transcription assay, is shown in this study. In quantification analysis of TGF-beta gene transcription, we found more than 10 times the enhanced transcription of the TGF-beta gene in BMC of individuals with autoimmune diseases with lung involvement, in comparison to normal healthy subjects or patients with bronchial asthma used as controls. Our observation suggests that TGF-beta, a potent mitogen for fibroblasts, may be produced in BMC during an active immune response in individuals with systemic autoimmune diseases with lung involvement, and may be involved in autoimmune-related pathophysiological changes of cytokine networks in lung involvement such as lung fibrosis.