Expression of the IIIc Variant of FGF Receptor-1 Confers Mitogenic Responsiveness to Heparin and FGF-5 in TAKA-1 Pancreatic Ductal Cells

Summary Background. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) contribute to angiogenesis and mitogenesis by binding to tyrosine kinase receptors termed FGF receptors (FGFRs). FGF-5 is a secreted FGF that is believed to preferentially act via the IIIc splice variant of FGFR-1. Human pancreatic ductal carcinoma cells express FGF-5 and FGFR-1 IIIc, implying a potential for autocrine growth modulation. Aim. In this study we investigated the importance of FGFR-1 IIIc expression for FGF-5 mitogenic signaling in a pancreatic ductal cell line. Methods. A cDNA encoding FGFR-1 IIIc was expressed in the well-differentiated TAKA-1 Syrian hamster pancreatic ductal cell line. Results. TAKA-1 cells secrete FGF-5, but were found not to express FGFR-1 and to be unresponsive to exogenous FGF-5. In contrast, TAKA-1 clones expressing FGFR-1 IIIc were growth stimulated in the presence of FGF-5 and displayed enhanced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in the presence of FGF-5. PD98059, an inhibitor of this pathway, inhibited FGF-5-induced growth in these clones. Conclusion. Our data demonstrate that FGFR-1 IIIc can mediate FGF-5-induced mitogenesis via the MAPK pathway in pancreatic ductal cells, and suggest that expression of FGFR-1 IIIc in conjunction with FGF-5 may contribute to the pathobiology of human pancreatic cancer.     

Growth factor-specific regulation of insulin receptor substrate-1 expression in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells: effects on the insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway

IGFs are potent mitogens that play a crucial role in cell proliferation and/or differentiation and tumorigenesis. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a key protein in the IGF signaling pathway in the estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line. In this study, three growth factors [fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)] were tested for their ability to modulate IRS-1 protein expression and the IGF-I signaling pathway. FGF and, to a lesser extent, EGF were found to increase IRS-1 protein, whereas PDGF had no effect. This indicates that growth factors can specifically modulate IRS-1 protein content. The increases provoked by EGF and FGF were dependent on the MAPK signaling pathway but independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) signaling and required de novo protein synthesis. We noted that the kinetics of MAPK activation was continuous in response to FGF but transient in response to EGF. In addition, transfection of cells with a constitutively active form of MAPK kinase, which results in continuous MAPK activity, increased IRS-1 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that stimulation of IRS-1 expression was therefore stronger when MAPK activity was sustained. Pretreatment of cells with EGF, FGF, or PDGF for 24 h reduced IGF-I-induced tyrosine phosphorylation per molecule of IRS-1. However, IGF-I-induced PI 3-kinase activity was decreased by 24 h of pretreatment with EGF or PDGF but not with FGF. Our results therefore demonstrate that different growth factors are capable of specifically modulating the IGF-I signaling via IRS-1. They further suggest that the FGF-induced increase in IRS-1 counterbalances the inhibition of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation to allow normal stimulation of IGF-I-induced PI 3-kinase activity.     

Down-regulation of the dual-specificity phosphatase MKP-1 suppresses tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis, there is enhanced expression of mitogenic growth factors and their tyrosine kinase receptors, which have the capacity to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In view of the important role of MAPK kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 in the regulation of MAPK activation, the expression and functional role of MKP-1 was analyzed. METHODS: Pancreatic tissues were analyzed by Northern blotting, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Pancreatic cancer cells were transfected with a full-length MKP-1 antisense construct. Growth characteristics and tumorigenicity in vivo and the effects of mitogenic growth factors on cell growth and MAPK activation were determined in transfected and control cells. RESULTS: MKP-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were increased in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (CP) tissues. Moderate to strong MKP-1 immunoreactivity was present in the cancer cells, ductal cells of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and in tubular complexes in CP. Down-regulation of MKP-1 resulted in decreased anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of pancreatic cancer cells, and decreased tumorigenicity in a nude mouse tumor model. MKP-1 down-regulation led to decreased proliferation and sustained MAPK activation in response to mitogens. CONCLUSIONS: Suppression of MKP-1 expression reduces the tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells in vivo, suggesting that MKP-1 contributes to enhanced mitogenic signaling in pancreatic cancer cells.     

BMP signaling mediates stem/progenitor cell-induced retina regeneration

We identified a mechanism whereby retina regeneration in the embryonic chick can be induced by the contribution of stem/progenitor cells. We show that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is sufficient and necessary to induce retina regeneration and that its action can be divided into two phases. By 3 days after postretinectomy (d PR), the BMP pathway directs proliferation and regeneration through the activation of Smad (canonical BMP pathway) and the up-regulation of FGF signaling by the MAPK pathway. By 7d PR, it induces apoptosis by activating p38 (a noncanonical BMP pathway) and down-regulating FGF signaling (by both MAPK and AKT pathways). Apoptosis at this later stage can be prevented, and BMP-induced regeneration can be further induced by inhibition of p38. These results unravel a mechanism for stem/progenitor cell-mediated retina regeneration, where BMP activation establishes a cross-talk with the FGF pathway and selectively activates the canonical and noncanonical BMP pathways. Retina stem/progenitor cells exist in other species, including humans. Thus, our findings provide insights on how retinal stem cells can be activated for possible regenerative therapies.     

抑制脂筏对肝细胞生长因子受体介导的信号跨膜转导作用的影响

目的 探讨脂筏在肝细胞生长因子受体介导的信号跨膜转导中的作用.方法 采用甲基-β-环糊精(MβCD)处理HepG2细胞,以干扰脂筏的形成,然后加入人工重组肝细胞生长因子以活化其受体.采用Western blot技术及计算机扫描定量分析分别检测MβCD处理组和对照组细胞磷脂酶Cγ1(PLCγ1)/二脂酰甘油/蛋白激酶C信号通路、磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/磷脂酰肌醇依赖的蛋白激酶/蛋白激酶B信号通路和有丝分裂原激活的蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路活性的变化.结果 (1)用MβCD处理细胞后,细胞PLCγ1磷酸化程度降低,为对照组的65%(P=0.022);胞浆中PLCγ1含量增加,为对照组的1.75倍(P=0.017);膜结合的PLCγ1减少,为对照组的70%(P=0.037).(2)用MβCD处理细胞后,胞浆中蛋白激酶B含量减少,为对照组的62%(P=0.028),同时膜结合的蛋白激酶B磷酸化程度降低,为对照组的86%(P=0.041).用MβCD处理细胞同时可抑制磷脂酰肌醇依赖的蛋白激酶由胞浆向质膜的转移及活化.(3)MβCD处理对MAPK信号通路,包括细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶/MAPK信号通路、p38/MAPK信号通路和C-Jun N末端蛋白激酶/MAPK信号通路均无显著的影响.结论 抑制脂筏形成可下调肝细胞生长因子/c-Met对PLCγ1/二脂酰甘油/蛋白激酶C信号通路和磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/磷脂酰肌醇依赖的蛋白激酶/蛋白激酶B信号通路的活化.     

PI3K／Akt信号通路在骨髓间充质干细胞增殖及成骨分化调控中的作用

目的：研究PI3K/Akt信号通路抑制剂LY294002对骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）增殖及分化的影响。方法采用贴壁法体外分离人骨髓间充质干细胞（hMSCs）,加入PI3K抑制剂LY294002（1、10μmol/L）,应用MTT法测定细胞增殖,常规成骨诱导分化培养3或7d,采用碱性磷酸酶（ALP）染色观察成骨分化水平,化学比色法测定ALP活性,茜素红染色后观察矿化钙结节数量并定量分析,Westernblot检测磷酸化Akt蛋白表达,应用Realtime-PCR检测各组细胞BMP2、Runx2、OPN及Osterix等成骨分化标记物的基因表达水平。结果从24至72h,LY294002对hMSCs增殖均产生显著抑制,随时间推延,可见抑制增殖效果增强（P＜0.05）。ALP染色和定量测定提示10μmol/L的ALP活性最强,在不同时间显著高于对照组和1μmol/L组（P＜0.05）。成骨诱导培养3和7d,1、10μmol/L组矿化量都显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。10μmol/L组矿化量在成骨诱导7d也显著高于1μmol/L组（P＜0.05）。Westernblot检测结果证实成骨诱导可激活Akt磷酸化蛋白表达,但LY294002可抑制该蛋白磷酸化。成骨诱导分化7d,1、10μmol/L均明显促进BMP2、Runx2、OPN、Osterix4种基因mRNA表达（均P＜0.05）。结论PI3K/Akt信号通路参与hMSCs增殖和分化过程。成骨分化伴随下游Akt蛋白表达。PI3K抑制剂可抑制hMSCs增殖,但同时促进其向成骨分化和矿化。     

Simvastatin antagonizes tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition of bone morphogenetic proteins-2-induced osteoblast differentiation by regulating Smad signaling and Ras/Rho-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Recent studies have shown that the mevalonate pathway plays an important role in skeletal metabolism. Statins stimulate bone morphogenetic proteins-2 (BMP-2) production in osteoblasts, implicating a possible beneficial role for statins in promoting anabolic effects on bone. Here, we investigated the effects of a lipophilic simvastatin on osteoblast differentiation using mouse myoblast C2C12 cells, in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), an inflammatory cytokine that inhibits osteogenesis. The addition of TNF-alpha to C2C12 cells suppressed the BMP-2-induced expression of key osteoblastic markers including Runx2 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Simvastatin had no independent effects on Runx2 and alkaline phosphatase activity; however, it reversed the suppressive effects of TNF-alpha. The ability of simvastatin to reverse TNF-alpha inhibition of BMP-induced Smad1,5,8 phosphorylation and Id-1 promoter activity suggests the involvement of Smad signaling pathway in simvastatin action. In addition, cDNA array analysis revealed that simvastatin increased expression levels of Smads in C2C12 cells exposed to TNF-alpha that also activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), P38, and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Simvastatin potently suppressed TNF-alpha-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK by inhibiting TNF-alpha-induced membrane localization of Ras and RhoA. Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) reversed the simvastatin effects on TNF-alpha-induced activation of Ras/Rho/MAPK pathways. FPP and GGPP also restored the simvastatin effects on TNF-alpha-induced suppression of Runx2 and ALP activity. In addition, simvastatin decreased the expression levels of TNF type-1 and -2 receptor mRNAs. Collectively, simvastatin supports BMP-induced osteoblast differentiation through antagonizing TNF-alpha-to-Ras/Rho/MAPK pathway and augmenting BMP-Smad signaling, suggesting a potential usage of statins to ameliorate inflammatory bone damage.     

白细胞介素10对肝星状细胞激活的调节

目的 探讨白细胞介素10(IL-10)通过血小板衍生生长因子(PDGF)和丝裂原活化激酶(MAPK)信号通路蛋白对肝星状细胞(HSC)激活的影响。 方法 将培养的HSC随机分为4组:1组:对照组;2组:加入1 ng/ml IL-10;3组:加入5 ng/ml IL-10;4组:加入25 ng/ml IL-10。培养2d后,逆转录-聚合酶链反应法检测各组细胞中PDGF mRNA的表达;western blot法检测各组细胞PDGF、MAPK信号通路蛋白细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)和p38以及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达。 结果 1、5、25 ng/ml的IL-10作用后,与对照组相比HSC的ERK、p38以及α-SMA的表达显著降低(F值分别为240.47、21.39、28.86,P值均<0.01),并呈量效依赖关系;5、25 ng/ml的IL-10可以使PDGF表达显著降低(P值均<0.01),并呈量效依赖关系。 结论 IL-10可通过PDGF/MAPK信号通路抑制肝星状细胞激活。     

Smad7 inhibits differentiation and mineralization of mouse osteoblastic cells

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and TGF-β that signal via the receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads) induce bone formation in vivo. The inhibitory Smads (I-Smads), Smad6 and Smad7, negatively regulate TGF-β family ligand signaling by competing with R-Smads for binding to activated type I receptors, and preventing R-Smad activation, Hence, the I-Smads potentially act as suppressors of bone formation although their effects on phenotypic changes in mature osteoblasts are unclear. While Smad7 inhibits both BMP and TGF-β signaling, Smad6 is less effective in inhibiting TGF-β signaling. The present study was performed to examine the role of Smad7 on the phenotype of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. We employed stable Smad7-transfected MC3T3-E1 cells to examine the role of Smad7 in osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization. Stable Smad7 overexpression significantly inhibited the absorbance in the MTT-dye assay and inhibited the levels of PCNA compared with those in empty vector-transfected cells. Smad7 overexpression suppressed the type 1 collagen mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, Smad7 inhibited ALP activity and mineralization of osteoblastic cells. The effects of stable overexpression of Smad6 were similar to those of Smad7 suggesting the changes mediated by either I-Smad occurred by inhibition of BMP rather than TGF-β signaling. In addition, PTH-(1-34) elevated the levels of Smad7 in parental MC3T3-E1 cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Smad7, as well as Smad6, inhibits proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of mouse osteoblastic cells. Therefore, I-Smads are important molecular targets for the negative control of bone formation.     

Bone morphogenetic proteins and their antagonists

Skeletal homeostasis is determined by systemic hormones and local factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are unique because they induce the commitment of mesenchymal cells toward cells of the osteoblastic lineage and also enhance the differentiated function of the osteoblast. BMP activities in bone are mediated through binding to specific cell surface receptors and through interactions with other growth factors. BMPs are required for skeletal development and maintenance of adult bone homeostasis, and play a role in fracture healing. BMPs signal by activating the mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and their actions are tempered by intracellular and extracellular proteins. The BMP antagonists block BMP signal transduction at multiple levels including pseudoreceptor, inhibitory intracellular binding proteins, and factors that induce BMP ubiquitination. A large number of extracellular proteins that bind BMPs and prevent their binding to signaling receptors have emerged. The extracellular antagonists are differentially expressed in cartilage and bone tissue and exhibit BMP antagonistic as well as additional activities. Both intracellular and extracellular antagonists are regulated by BMPs, indicating the existence of local feedback mechanisms to modulate BMP cellular activities. This work was supported by Grant AR21707 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.     

Melatonin regulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: a review

Among the numerous functions of melatonin, the control of survival and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been recently proposed. MSCs are a heterogeneous population of multipotent elements resident in tissues such as bone marrow, muscle, and adipose tissue, which are primarily involved in developmental and regeneration processes, gaining thus increasing interest for tissue repair and restoration therapeutic protocols. Receptor‐dependent and receptor‐independent responses to melatonin are suggested to occur in these cells. These involve antioxidant or redox‐dependent functions of this indolamine as well as secondary effects resulting from autocrine and paracrine responses. Inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, proangiogenic/mitogenic stimuli, and other mediators that influence the differentiation processes may affect the survival and functional integrity of these mesenchymal precursor cells. In this scenario, melatonin seems to regulate signaling pathways that drive commitment and differentiation of MSC into osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, or myogenic lineages. Common pathways suggested to be involved as master regulators of these processes are the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, the MAPKs and the, TGF‐β signaling. In this respect melatonin emerges a novel and potential modulator of MSC lineage commitment and adipogenic differentiation. These and other aspects of the physiological and pharmacological effects of melatonin as regulator of MSC are discussed in this review.     

Extracellular matrix-associated bone morphogenetic proteins are essential for differentiation of murine osteoblastic cells in vitro

Osteoblastic differentiation is an essential part of bone formation that compensates resorbed bone matrix to maintain its structural integrity. Cells in an osteoblast lineage develop differentiated phenotypes during a long-term culture in vitro. However, intrinsic mechanisms whereby these cells differentiate into mature osteoblasts are yet unclear. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) stimulate osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation. We demonstrate that mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E 1 cells constitutively expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for BMP-2 and BMP-4 and accumulated BMPs in collagen-rich extracellular matrices. BMPs associated with the extracellular matrices were involved in the induction of osteoblastic differentiation of nonosteogenic mesenchymal cells as well as cells in the osteoblast lineage. MC3T3-E1 cells constitutively expressed type IA and type II BMP receptors. When a kinase-deficient type IA BMP receptor was stably transfected to MC3T3-E 1 cells to obliterate BMP-2/4 signaling, these cells not only failed to respond to exogenous BMP-2 but lost their capability of differentiation into osteoblasts that form mineralized nodules. These observations strongly suggest that endogenous BMP-2/4 accumulated in extracellular matrices are essential for the osteoblastic differentiation of cells in the osteoblast lineage. Therefore, the regulatory mechanism of BMP-2/4 actions in osteoblastic cells is a principal issue to be elucidated for better understanding of pathogenesis of bone losing diseases such as osteoporosis.