Evaluation of the role of extracellular matrix proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and c-myc expression in the inhibition of the serum-free growth of epithelial cells by TGF-beta 1.

Novel or modified serum-free media were developed for the anchorage-dependent growth of nontransformed murine mammary epithelial cells (MMEC) and Balb/MK murine keratinocytes respectively. Growth rates for both cell lines were similar in serum-containing and serum-free media. The serum-free media were used to evaluate potential mechanisms of epithelial cell growth regulation by type 1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1). The growth of MMEC and Balb/MK cells was reversibly inhibited 40-65% in a time- and dose-dependent fashion by TGF-beta 1 under both serum-containing and serum-free conditions. Constitutive over-expression of a transfected c-myc oncogene in MMEC did not result in loss of sensitivity to growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1. In addition, Balb/MK and MMEC growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1 was not potentiated by polyunsaturated fatty acids or reversed by vitamin E. Exogenous type V collagen was able to mimic the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on the serum-free growth of Balb/MK and MMEC. In contrast, collagen types I and IV, fibronectin and laminin did not inhibit the growth of these cells. The type V collagen used was not contaminated with TGF-beta, and subsaturating, but not saturating concentrations of type V collagen and TGF-beta 1 were additive with respect to Balb/MK and MMEC growth inhibition. These results demonstrate that nontransformed epithelial cell growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1 is mediated by mechanisms distinct from those observed with certain carcinoma and melanoma cells. Our results also suggest the possible involvement of type V collagen in Balb/MK and MMEC growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1.