Smad3 potentiates transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced apoptosis and expression of the BH3-only protein Bim in WEHI 231 B lymphocytes

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a potent growth inhibitor and inducer of apoptosis in B lymphocytes and is essential for immune regulation and maintenance of self-tolerance. Here we show that exogenous overexpression of Smad3 potentiates TGFβ-induced apoptosis and expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim in WEHI 231 B lymphocytes. Overexpression of dominant-negative forms of Smad3 abrogate these TGFβ-induced responses. We also demonstrate that TGFβ induces Bim protein expression concomitant with its induction of apoptosis in the mouse progenitor B lymphocyte cell line, Ba/F3. Enhanced expression of Bim protein induced by TGFβ is associated with an increased association of Bim with Bcl-2 and a concomitant loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, we find that the anti-apoptotic effect of the prosurvival cytokine CD40 results in the abrogation of TGFβ-mediated Bim induction. Our data provide the first evidence of Bim expression levels that are increased by the addition of a pro-apoptotic cytokine, TGFβ, and also suggest that the TGFβ-specific transcription factor Smad3 plays a role in mediating Bim expression levels and apoptosis.