Dioxin induces transforming growth factor-alpha in human keratinocytes.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a widespread environmental toxicant, is a tumor promoter that induces hyperplasia in epithelial cells. Exposure of cultured human keratinocytes to TCDD, resulted in a time-dependent dioxin-specific Ah receptor-mediated release of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) into the culture medium. Cultures exposed to TCDD showed a rate of TGF-alpha secretion into the medium of about 30 fmol/ml/day, as well as a 3- to 6-fold increase in TGF-alpha mRNA expression. Increased production of TGF-alpha in human keratinocytes exposed to TCDD demonstrates a modulation of autocrine regulation in those cells. These results suggest that induction of TGF-alpha could be an important part of the mechanism of dioxin-mediated toxicity and tumor promotion.