Interferon-alpha inhibits murine macrophage transforming growth factor-beta mRNA expression

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-), a multifunctional polypeptide is produced by a wide variety of cells and regulates a broad array of physiological and pathological functions. TGF- appears to play a central role in pulmonary fibrosis and may contribute to tumor-associated immunosuppression. Alveolar macrophages are a rich source of TGF- and are intimately involved in lung inflammation. We therefore chose to study TGF- regulation in murine alveolar macrophages as well as an immortalized peritoneal macrophage cell line (IC-21). Murine macrophages were incubated with cytokines to evaluate their role in regulating TGF- mRNA expression. We conclude that IFN- downregulates TGF- mRNA expression in murine macrophages.This work was supported by the Tobacco-related Disease Research Program (#1KT110), the University of California Cancer Research Coordinating Committee, the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation and Veterans Administration Merit Review Research Funds. Min Huang was supported by a Jaye Haddad/Concern Foundation Tumor Immunology fellowship.