Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) inhibits growth of a human ovarian carcinoma cell line (OVCCR1) and is expressed in human ovarian tumors

The effects of EGF and TGF‐β1 on the proliferation of 2 ovarian carcinoma cell lines (IGROV1 and OVCCR1) were evaluated. The cell lines were adapted to grow in a restricted serum (0.5%) medium. EGF was required for proliferation of both ovarian cell lines. Low doses of TGF‐β1 inhibited clonogenic capacity and attenuated the EGF‐mediated stimulation of DNA synthesis in OVCCR1 cells. TGF‐β1 inhibited OVCCR1 cell proliferation by blocking the cell cycle at the G1/S transition. TGF‐β1 did not affect either clonal or monolayer growth of IGROV1 cells. Both cell lines express type‐I and type‐III TGF‐β1 receptors, suggesting that the unresponsiveness of IGROV1 cells to TGF‐β1 occurs at a post‐receptor level. TGF‐β1 mRNA was detected in OVCCR1 cells and in 8 out of 11 of the ovarian tumor specimens examined. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.