A possible link between resveratrol and TGF-β: Resveratrol induction of TGF-β expression and signaling

Suenaga, Fumiko; Hatsushika, Kyosuke; Takano, Shinichi; Ando, Takashi; Ohnuma, Yuko; Ogawa, Hideoki; Nakao, Atsuhito

doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2008.01.024

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Volume 582, Issue 5 , Pages 586-590, 5 March 2008

A possible link between resveratrol and TGF-β: Resveratrol induction of TGF-β expression and signaling

Edited by Ivan Sadowski

Fumiko Suenaga
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
Kyosuke Hatsushika
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
Shinichi Takano
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
Takashi Ando
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
Yuko Ohnuma
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
Hideoki Ogawa
- Atopy Research Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Atsuhito Nakao
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
- Atopy Research Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan. Fax: +81 55 273 9542.

Received 20 December 2007; received in revised form 8 January 2008; accepted 16 January 2008. published online 31 January 2008.

Abstract

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in the skin of red fruits, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-proliferative characteristics. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that also displays such properties. We therefore hypothesized that there might be a functional link between resveratrol and TGF-β. This study reports that resveratrol increased transcription of the TGF-β2 gene, enhanced the production of TGF-β2 protein, and activated Smad signaling in an autocrine manner in A549 human lung epithelial cell line. Thus, some of the beneficial effects of resveratrol on human health might be mediated, in part, through its effects on TGF-β expression and signaling.

Keywords: Resveratrol, TGF-β, Smad, Lung epithelial cells