Brief treatment with transforming growth factor (TGF)-␤1 stimulated the migration of macrophages, whereas long-term exposure decreased their migration. Cell migration stimulated by TGF-␤1 was markedly inhibited by 10 g/mL Tat-C3 exoenzyme. TGF-␤1 increased mRNA and protein levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1␣ in the initial period, and these effects also were inhibited by 10 g/mL Tat IntroductionTransforming growth factor (TGF)-␤ regulates diverse cellular functions, including tissue differentiation, cell proliferation, and cell migration. Monocytes/macrophages, in particular, secrete TGF-␤, which in turn stimulates numerous responses: production of a variety of cytokines, including interleukin-1␣ (IL-1␣) and -␤ (IL-1␤), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); recruitment of monocytes to sites of injury or inflammation; phagocytic activity (by up-regulating the expression of cell-surface Fc␥RIII); and the expression of several integrin receptors on monocytes, including leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1: integrin ␣L␤2), ␣3␤1, and ␣5␤1, thereby increasing their cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. 1 These observation indicate a proinflammatory function for TGF-␤ on monocytes. 2 In contrast to its activating effects on peripheral blood monocytes, TGF-␤ reduces the host response to a variety of inflammatory stimuli and is a potent immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and macrophage deactivating agent. 3 Resting monocytes express high levels of TGF-␤ type 1 and 2 receptors, whereas receptor levels decline as cells mature and are then activated by agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-␥ (IFN-␥). 1 The functional complex of TGF-␤1 receptors at the cell surface is composed of 2 type 2 (T␤RII) and 2 type 1 (T␤RI) transmembrane Ser/Thr kinase receptors. 4 Receptor-activated Smads (Rsmads: Smad1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad5, and Smad 8), which are phosphorylated by type 1 receptors, are released from the receptor complex to form a heterotrimeric complex of 2 R-Smads and a common Smad4 (Co-Smad); the complex then translocates to the nucleus, where it regulates transcription. The structurally distinct Smads, Smad6 and Smad7, act as inhibitory Smads (I-Smads) by competing with R-Smads for receptors. 5 The expression of I-Smads is strongly regulated by extracellular signals, and the induction of Smad6 and Smad7 expression by TGF-␤1 reveals an inhibitory feedback mechanism for ligand-induced signaling. 6 In addition to the R-Smad/Co-Smad activation pathway, TGF-␤ can activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38MAPK pathways, the last 2 of which are activated via TGF-␤-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). 4 Rho GTPases regulate the actin cytoskeleton, cell polarity, gene expression, microtubule dynamics, and vesicular trafficking. 7 Regulation of the nucleotide-bound state of RhoGTPases, alternative cycling between active GTP-and inactive GDP-bound states, is accomplished ...

Rac1 and Rac2 are essential for the control of oxidative burst catalyzed by NADPH oxidase. It was also documented that Rho is associated with the superoxide burst reaction during phagocytosis of serum-(SOZ) and IgG-opsonized zymosan particles (IOZ). In this study, we attempted to reveal the signal pathway components in the superoxide formation regulated by Rho GTPase. Tat PHOX may be subsequently activated, leading to activation of NADPH oxidase to produce superoxide.