Role of MAPK/ERK1/2 in the glucose deprivation-induced death in immunostimulated astroglia

Recently we have reported that glucose deprivation induces the potentiated death and loss of ATP in immunostimulated astroglia via the production of NO and eventually peroxynitrite. This study examined the role of the ERK1/2 signaling pathways in the glucose deprivation-induced death of immunostimulated astroglia. Immunostimulation with LPS+IFN-gamma induced the sustained activation of ERK1/2 for up to 48 h. Glucose deprivation caused the loss of ATP and consequently cell death in immunostimulated astroglia, which was significantly blocked by the treatment with the ERK kinase (MEK1) inhibitor, PD98059 (10-40 microM), to inhibit the ERK1/2 pathways. The systems for generating NO (iNOS) or superoxide (NADPH oxidase) were regulated by the ERK1/2 signaling pathways because the addition of PD98059 reduced the level of both. Interestingly, glucose deprivation caused an approximately two-fold increase in the level of peroxynitrite formation in immunostimulated astroglia, which was significantly reduced by the PD98059 treatment. This demonstrates that the ERK1/2 signaling pathways play an important role in glucose deprivation-induced death in immunostimulated astroglia by regulating the generation of NO, superoxide and their reaction product, peroxynitrite.     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation delays hyperoxia-induced epithelial cell death in conditions of Akt downregulation

Hyperoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen = 95%) induces death of lung epithelial cells. The duration of cell survival in the setting of hyperoxia depends on hyperoxia-induced activation of intracellular survival pathways. Two survival pathways with known effects on lung epithelial cells are the propidium iodide 3-kinase/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways. We investigated the effect of hyperoxia on activity of both the Akt and ERK pathways in the A549 lung epithelial cell line. Hyperoxia-exposed cells show progressive loss of Akt activation and total Akt protein. Hyperoxia decreases Akt mRNA, consistent with the loss of total Akt. In addition, hyperoxia induces ERK activation. Inhibition of ERK with the MAP kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor, U0126, shortens the survival time of cells in hyperoxia, suggesting that increased ERK activity partially compensates for the hyperoxia-induced Akt downregulation. Our findings show, for the first time, that hyperoxia has divergent effects on two survival pathways (Akt and ERK), and that ERK activity compensates for the loss of the Akt survival effects, delaying the death of hyperoxia-exposed lung epithelial cells.     

Fibroblast growth factor-10 prevents asbestos-induced alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis by a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent mechanism

Asbestos induces alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) DNA damage and apoptosis by the mitochondria-regulated death pathway and oxidative stress. Fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10), an alveolar epithelial type II cell mitogen that is required for the lung development, prevents H(2)O(2)-induced AEC DNA damage by a mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent mechanism. In this study, we show that FGF-10 attenuates asbestos-induced AEC DNA strand break formation and apoptosis. MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, U0126 or PD98059, each blocked the protective effect of FGF-10 against asbestos-induced DNA damage and apoptosis, whereas a p38-MAPK inhibitor had a negligible effect, suggesting a crucial role for MEK/ERK activation in mediating the protective effects of FGF-10. Further, we show that FGF-10 attenuates asbestos-induced change in AEC mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase 9 activation, both of which are blocked by U0126. We conclude that FGF-10 decreases asbestos-induced AEC DNA damage and apoptosis in part by mechanisms involving MEK/ERK-dependent signaling that affects the mitochondria-regulated death pathway.     

FMLP-induced formation of F-actin in HL60 cells is dependent on PI3-K but not on intracellular Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, PKC,ERK or p38 MAPK

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To further understand the mechanisms of signal transduction pathways for the formation of F-actin (polymerization of actin) and the activation of NADPH oxidase in phagocytic cells, the effects of various inhibitors on them were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differentiated HL60 cells were studied to examine their N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated formation of F-actin and activation of NADPH oxidase following treatment with various inhibitors. These included a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (GF 109203X), a phosphatidylinositide 3 kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor (wortmannin), an extracellular response kinase (ERK) inhibitor (PD 98059), a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor (SB 203580) and an intracellular Ca2+ -chelator (BAPTA-AM). RESULTS: The treatment with wortmannin suppressed the formation of F-actin, with less suppression of the activation of NADPH oxidase. BAPTA-AM and GF 109203X did not attenuate the formation of F-actin but completely inhibited the activation of NADPH oxidase. PD 98059 and SB 203580 partially inhibited the activation of NADPH oxidase without influence on the formation of F-actin. Furthermore, wortmannin but not BAPTA-AM and GF 109203X inhibited the fMLP-induced activation of Akt, which is known to regulate NADPH oxidase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the formation of F-actin is dependent on PI3-K and independent of PKC, ERK and p38 MAPK as well as the increase in intracellular Ca2+, whereas the activation of NADPH oxidase is partly dependent on ERK, p38 MAPK, Akt regulated by PI3-K, and strongly dependent on the activation of PKC and the increase in intracellular Ca2+.     

Stretch-induced activation of AMP kinase in the lung requires dystroglycan

Lung cells are exposed to cyclic stretch during normal respiration and during positive pressure mechanical ventilation administered to support gas exchange. Dystroglycan is a ubiquitously expressed matrix receptor that is required for normal basement membrane formation during embryogenesis and for maintaining the function of skeletal muscle myocytes and neurons where it links cells to matrix. We previously reported that equibiaxial stretch of primary alveolar epithelial cells activated the MAP kinase pathway ERK1/2 through a mechanism that required an interaction between dystroglycan and matrix. We determined whether this mechanism of mechanotransduction activates other signaling cascades in lung epithelium. Exposure of rat epithelial alveolar type II cells (AEC) to cyclic mechanical stretch resulted in activation of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This response was not affected by pretreatment of AEC with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 but was inhibited by knockdown in dystroglycan expression. Moreover, production of reactive oxygen species was enhanced in mechanically stimulated AEC in which dystroglycan was knocked down. This enhancement was reversed by treatment of AEC with an AMPK activator. Activation of AMPK was also observed in lung homogenates from mice after 15 minutes of noninjurious mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, knockdown of dystroglycan in the lungs of mice using an adenovirus encoding a dystroglycan shRNA prevented the stretch-induced activation of AMPK. These results suggest that exposure to cyclic stretch activates the metabolic sensing pathway AMPK in the lung epithelium and supports a novel role for dystroglycan in this mechanotransduction.     

胰岛素通过活性氧的产生促进VEGF表达及血管平滑肌细胞迁移和增殖

 目的:探讨活性氧（reactive oxygen species, ROS）在胰岛素促进的血管平滑肌细胞迁移和增殖中的作用及分子机制。方法:采用原代培养的大鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞,应用DCF-DA荧光探针检测细胞内ROS的生成;应用实时定量PCR、Western blotting和ELISA法检测mRNA和蛋白的表达;应用转染报告基因的方法检测基因的转录活性;划痕法测定细胞迁移;CCK-8法测定细胞增殖。结果:胰岛素处理后血管平滑肌细胞内ROS产生明显增加。过氧化氢酶和NADPH氧化酶抑制剂二亚苯基碘鎓（DPI）明显抑制胰岛素促进的ROS生成及p-Akt、p-p70S6K1和p-ERK1/2蛋白的表达。过氧化氢酶和DPI明显降低胰岛素促进的血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF）的mRNA和蛋白表达及转录激活。抑制ROS产生明显抑制胰岛素刺激的血管平滑肌细胞迁移和增殖。结论: 胰岛素通过NADPH氧化酶途径促进血管平滑肌细胞ROS产生。ROS介导了胰岛素促进的Akt/p70S6K1和ERK信号通路的激活、VEGF表达及血管平滑肌细胞的迁移和增殖。     

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates heme oxygenase-1 gene expression by hypoxia in vascular cells

Hypoxia induces the stress protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which participates in cellular adaptation. The molecular pathways that regulate ho-1 gene expression under hypoxia may involve mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and reactive oxygen. Hypoxia (8 h) increased HO-1 mRNA in rat pulmonary aortic endothelial cells (PAEC), and also activated both extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 and p38 MAPK pathways. The role of these kinases in hypoxia-induced ho-1 gene expression was examined using chemical inhibitors of these pathways. Surprisingly, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, and PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1), strongly enhanced hypoxia-induced HO-1 mRNA expression in PAEC. UO126, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, enhanced HO-1 expression in PAEC under normoxia, but not hypoxia. Diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, also induced the expression of HO-1 in PAEC under both normoxia and hypoxia. Similar results were observed in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, hypoxia induced activator protein (AP-1) DNA-binding activity in PAEC. Pretreatment with SB203580 and PD98059 enhanced AP-1 binding activity under hypoxia in PAEC; UO126 stimulated AP-1 binding under normoxia, whereas diphenylene iodonium stimulated AP-1 binding under normoxia and hypoxia. These results suggest a relationship between MAPK and hypoxic regulation of ho-1 in vascular cells, involving AP-1.     

Diphenyleneiodonium Inhibits Apoptotic Cell Death of Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with Helicobacter pylori in a Korean Isolate

NADPH oxidase produces a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric epithelial cells. Even though ROS mediate apoptotic cell death, direct involvement of NADPH oxidase on H. pylori-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Besides, H. pylori isolates show a high degree of genetic variability. The predominant genotype of H. pylori in Korea has been reported as cagA⁺, vacA s1b, m2, iceA genotype. Present study aims to investigate whether NADPH oxidase-generated ROS mediate apoptosis in human gastric epithelial AGS cells infected with H. pylori in a Korean isolate. AGS cells were pretreated with or without an NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and cultured in the presence of H. pylori at a bacterium/cell ratio of 300:1. Cell viability, hydrogen peroxide level, DNA fragmentation, and protein levels of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax were determined. Results showed that H. pylori inhibited cell viability with the density of H. pylori added to the cells. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase by DPI suppressed H. pylori-induced cell death, increased hydrogen peroxide, DNA fragmentation, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and p53 induction in AGS cells dose-dependently. The results suggest that targeting NADPH oxidase may prevent the development of gastric inflammation associated with H. pylori infection by suppressing abnormal apoptotic cell death of gastric epithelial cells.     

Low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) induced cell death in PC12 cells through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) but not via extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)

Nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive gaseous molecule, has been previously reported to induce apoptosis-like cell death even at a low concentration in PC12 cells. In this study, we examined NO-induced activation of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, i.e., p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK). Following the exposure of PC12 cells to an NO donor, (+)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexenamide (NOR3; 100 muM), the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK increased time dependently from 2 to 6 h, but that of both ERK1/2 and JNK did not. Treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 partially blocked the NOR3-induced cell death. Neither PD98059, U0126 (inhibitors of ERK1/2) nor SP600125 (a specific inhibitor of JNK) treatments had any significant effect on the NOR3-induced cell death. These findings suggest that the activation of a p38 MAPK pathway, but not that of ERK1/2 or JNK, plays an essential role in the apoptosis-like cell death induced by low concentrations of NO.     

Role of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase cascade in human neutrophil killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and in migration

Killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans by neutrophils involves adherence of the microorganisms, phagocytosis, and a collaborative action of oxygen reactive species and components of the granules. While a number of intracellular signalling pathways have been proposed to regulate neutrophil responses, the extent to which each pathway contributes to the killing of S. aureus and C. albicans has not been clearly defined. We have therefore examined the effect of blocking one such pathway, the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) cascade, using the specific inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase, PD98059, on the ability of human neutrophils to kill S. aureus and C. albicans. Our data demonstrate the presence of ERK2 and a 43-kDa form of ERK but not ERK1 in human neutrophils. Upon stimulation with formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (fMLP), the activities of both ERK2 and the 43-kDa form were stimulated. Despite abrogating the activity of both ERK forms, PD98059 only slightly reduced the ability of neutrophils to kill S. aureus or C. albicans. This is consistent with our finding that PD98059 had no effect on neutrophil adherence or degranulation, although pretreatment of neutrophils with PD98059 inhibited fMLP-stimulated superoxide production by 50%, suggesting that a change in superoxide production per se is not strictly correlated with microbicidal activity. However, fMLP-stimulated chemokinesis was markedly inhibited, while random migration and fMLP-stimulated chemotaxis were partially inhibited, by PD98059. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that the ERK cascade plays only a minor role in the microbicidal activity of neutrophils and that the ERK cascade is involved primarily in regulating neutrophil migration in response to fMLP.     

Mechanoregulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

The authors have previously shown that arterial wall strain mediates the development of vessel wall inflammation in experimental hypertension. The current studies explore the mechanoregulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent pro-inflammatory chemokine, by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and oxidative stress. Rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells were subjected to cyclic strain on a uniform biaxial strain device. Strain rapidly activated both ERK1/2(MAPK) and p38(MAPK), with peak activation at 5 min. Strain induced a twofold increase in MCP-1 mRNA, which was attenuated by PD 98059, a specific ERK1/2(MAPK) inhibitor, and SB 203580, a specific p38(MAPK) inhibitor. Cyclic strain also increased production of superoxide anion via an NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanism. To assess the potential role of reactive oxygen species in MAPK activation, cells were stretched in the presence of N-acetylcysteine, which had no effect on p38(MAPK) activation, but significantly inhibited ERK1/2(MAPK) activation and MCP-1 expression. In conclusion, redox-sensitive activation of ERK1/2(MAPK) and redox-insensitive activation of p38(MAPK) regulate straininduced MCP-1 expression in RASM cells. These findings define a role for MAPK signal transduction in establishing a pro-inflammatory state in the arterial wall, and thus implicate a potential molecular link between arterial wall strain and atherosclerosis.     

ERK1/2信号传导通路介导碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导人晶状体上皮细胞中环氧合酶2的表达

背景：碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在各种白内障形成中都起着重要的作用,可促进晶状体上皮细胞的增殖并化生为纤维细胞,但其信号通路尚不清楚。 目的：探讨ERK1/2信号转导通路在碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导的人晶状体上皮细胞环氧合酶2表达中的作用。 方法：使用10 μg/L的碱性成纤维细胞生长因子干预培养的人晶状体上皮细胞0,1,3,6,12,24 h,RT-PCR检测刺激不同时间人晶状体上皮细胞环氧合酶2 mRNA的表达,Western blot检测细胞中环氧合酶2及磷酸化ERK1/2的表达。在阻断实验中应用特异性ERK1/2的阻断剂PD98059 阻断ERK信号转导通路1 h,再用10 μg/L碱性成纤维细胞生长因子刺激细胞6 h,Western blot检测细胞中环氧合酶2的表达。 结果与结论：碱性成纤维细胞生长因子刺激后的人晶状体上皮细胞中环氧合酶2 mRNA及其蛋白的表达显著增加(P < 0.01),同时碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导人晶状体上皮细胞磷酸化ERK1/2活性增强,表达水平随作用时间而增加,30 min时达到最高峰(P < 0.01),6 h后恢复至基线水平;PD98059可抑制人晶状体上皮细胞环氧合酶2的表达 (P < 0.01)。说明ERK1/2信号转导通路参与了碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导的人晶状体上皮细胞中环氧合酶2的表达,在后发性白内障的形成过程中起着重要作用。     

MADPH氧化酶抑制剂对晚期氧化蛋白产物诱导内皮细胞高通透性的影响及机制

目的:探讨NADPH氧化酶(Nox)抑制剂对晚期氧化蛋白产物(AOPP)刺激下血管内皮的保护作用。方法:体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞进行实验,人血清白蛋白(HSA)作为阴性对照,用不同浓度(50、100和200mg/L)AOPP-HSA共同孵育8 h后,利用5-氯甲基二乙酸荧光素标记人急性单核细胞白血病细胞株THP-1的细胞渗出数量反映内皮细胞的通透性,研究不同浓度AOPP-HSA对单层细胞通透性的影响。此外,另将细胞分为HSA组、AOPP-HSA组和AOPP-HSA+二联苯碘(DPI)组,进而探讨AOPP-HSA对Nox活化水平的影响以及DPI对内皮细胞骨架重构和细胞通透性改变的作用。结果:AOPP-HSA可使血管内皮细胞通透性明显增加(P0.05)。AOPP-HSA可导致Nox磷酸化水平上升,并呈剂量依赖性。Nox抑制剂DPI预处理组可抑制AOPP-HSA刺激下Nox磷酸化水平的上升,从而抑制血管内皮细胞通透性增加及细胞骨架重构。结论:AOPP-HSA可通过激活Nox导致血管内皮细胞通透性受损,Nox抑制剂DPI可以降低其通透性及细胞骨架重构,起到一定的保护作用。     

氧化低密度脂蛋白通过CD36介导的氧化应激诱导巨噬细胞自噬

目的:研究氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)对巨噬细胞自噬的诱导作用,并探讨可能的分子机制。方法:体外培养RAW264.7巨噬细胞,给予抗CD36单克隆抗体(2 mg/L)、二亚苯基碘鎓(diphenyleneiodonium,DPI;5μmol/L)、3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-methyladenine,3-MA;3 mmol/L)或雷帕霉素(1μmol/L)预处理1 h,再加入ox-LDL(100 mg/L)继续培养12 h。采用MTT法检测细胞活力,采用相应试剂盒测定培养液乳酸脱氢酶(lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)、细胞内烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate,NADPH)氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性以及活性氧簇(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)水平,以评价细胞膜完整性和氧化应激反应。采用免疫印迹技术检测自噬标志分子beclin-1和微管相关蛋白1轻链3-II(microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II,LC3-II)表达变化。结果:ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞自噬反应,表现为beclin-1和LC3-II上调;与自噬抑制剂3-MA相似,抗CD36单抗可显著抑制ox-LDL所诱导的LC3-II和beclin-1表达。抗CD36单抗明显抑制ox-LDL所诱导的氧化应激,包括抑制NADPH氧化酶活性和ROS、MDA水平以及升高SOD活性,其作用与NADPH氧化酶抑制剂DPI相似。另外,DPI显著抑制ox-LDL所诱导的beclin-1和LC3-II表达,且ox-LDL所诱导的细胞活力降低和LDH漏出可被3-MA促进并可被自噬诱导剂雷帕霉素拮抗。结论:ox-LDL可诱导巨噬细胞自噬,其机制可能与CD36介导ox-LDL摄取进而触发的氧化应激有关,且一定程度的自噬可减轻ox-LDL所诱导的巨噬细胞损伤。     

TGF-beta-induced p38 activation is mediated by Rac1-regulated generation of reactive oxygen species in cultured human keratinocytes

p38 has been shown to be involved in TGF-beta-induced gene expression, but the upstream of the signaling pathway leading to the activation of p38 is left undefined. We investigated the pathway in cultured human keratinocytes (HaCat cells). Western blot analysis revealed that TGF-beta induced the activation of p38 within 1 h post TGF-beta treatment. H2O2 also strongly induced p38 activation in a time dependent manner. We also observed that TGF-beta-induced p38 activation was inhibited by PDTC, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, a known antioxidant, and DPI, diphenylene iodonium chloride, one of the known NADPH oxidase inhibitors. In contrast, TGF-beta-induced Smad2 phosphorylation was not affected. To test whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in TGF-beta-induced p38 activation, we examined the generation of ROS and activation of NADPH oxidase. FACS analysis showed that TGF-beta induced generation of ROS in time-dependent manner. DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, inhibited TGF-beta-induced ROS production. Lucigenin-based NADPH oxidase assay indicated that TGF-beta-induced NADPH oxidase activity started as early as 5 min following treatment and peaked at about 15 min with induction of about 2-folds. The activity remained elevated up to 1 h. Immunofluorescence microscopy study showed that Rac1, one of the subunits of NADPH oxidase, translocated from cytoplasm to the membrane within 5 min. Pretreatment with DPI dramatically reduced TGF-beta-induced NADPH oxidase activity. Collectively, our data suggest that TGF-beta-induced p38 activation is mediated by Rac1-regulated generation of reactive oxygen species in cultured human keratinocytes.     

Effect of inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 pathway on apoptosis and bcl-2 expression in Helicobacter pylori-infected AGS cells

Helicobacter pylori induces activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). However, its effect on H. pylori-induced apoptosis has not been evaluated. Thus, we examined whether H. pylori-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK activation affects gastric epithelial cell apoptosis and bcl-2 family gene expression, especially in relation to the cagA status of an H. pylori strain. In flow cytometric and oligonucleosome-bound DNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses, infection with cagA(+) H. pylori strains induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis in AGS cells more prominently than infection with cagA mutants. Activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs was also more prominent in cagA(+) strains. Pretreatment with a MEK inhibitor (PD98059) inhibited ERK1/2 activation and increased H. pylori-induced apoptosis significantly. This increased apoptosis was accompanied by decreased antiapoptotic bcl-2 mRNA expression among bcl-2-related genes (bcl-2, bax, bak, mcl-1, and bcl-X(L/S)), and the effect was also more prominent in the cagA(+) strains. However, the alteration of bcl-2 gene expression was not accompanied by protein level changes. Inhibition of p38 using specific inhibitor SB203580 decreased H. pylori-induced apoptosis but resulted in little alteration of bcl-2-related gene expression. In conclusion, H. pylori-induced ERK1/2 activation, especially by the cagA(+) H. pylori strain, may play a protective role against gastric epithelial cell apoptosis partially through maintenance of bcl-2 gene expression.     

Histamine H1 receptor-stimulated interleukin 8 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production by bronchial epithelial cells requires extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling via protein kinase C

BACKGROUND: Histamine stimulates the release of several cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, from bronchial epithelial cells. However, the functional individual histamine receptor subtype and intracellular signaling in bronchial epithelial cells are poorly defined. METHODS: Using human primary epithelial cells and the NCI-H292 cell line, we examined the expression of histamine receptor subtypes and histamine-induced second messenger. We also evaluated the involvements of mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) and epidermal growth factor receptor in cytokine expression caused by histamine. RESULTS: Histamine H1 receptor (H1R) was the only subtype expressed in both types of cells. Histamine elevated intracellular calcium ion without affecting cAMP levels. Histamine induced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Histamine also phosphorylated PKC and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate. Ro-31-8220, a PKC inhibitor, and PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein/ERK kinase inhibitor, suppressed the histamine-induced ERK activation and the production of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-8. On the contrary, histamine had no effect on the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor, and its specific inhibitor AG1478 failed to inhibit the histamine-induced ERK activation. Olopatadine, an H1 antagonist, completely blocked the histamine-related responses, whereas H2 and H3 antagonists did not. Histamine also augmented the IL-8 production caused by IL-4 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The H1R-PKC-ERK pathway may play crucial roles in eliciting cytokine production from bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by histamine, leading to airway inflammation.     

Growth factor-dependent activation of the MAPK pathway in human pancreatic cancer: MEK/ERK and p38 MAP kinase interaction in uPA synthesis

Increased expression of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor (c-met) and urokinase type plasminogen (uPA) correlated with the development and metastasis of cancers. To investigate the role of HGF/c-met signaling on metastasis in cancer cells stimulated with HGF, we examined the effects of a specific MEK1 inhibitor (PD98059) and a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (SB203580) on HGF-induced uPA expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines, L3.6PL and IMIM-PC2. Pretreatment of PD98059 decreased HGF-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular receptor kinase (ERK), uPA secretion and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, SB203580 pretreatment increased HGF-stimulated ERK phosphorylation, uPA secretion and expression of MMPs. SB203580 also reversed the inhibition of HGF-mediated ERK activation and uPA secretion in the PD98059-pretreated cells. These results suggest that ERK activation by HGF might play important roles in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer and the p38 MAPK pathway also involved in the HGF-mediated uPA secretion and metastasis by regulation of ERK pathway. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.