Predominant activation of MAP kinases and pro-destructive/pro-inflammatory features by TNF alpha in early-passage synovial fibroblasts via TNF receptor-1: failure of p38 inhibition to suppress matrix metalloproteinase-1 in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relative importance of tumour necrosis factor-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) and TNF-R2 and their signalling pathways for pro-inflammatory and pro-destructive features of early-passage synovial fibroblasts (SFB) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Cells were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha or agonistic anti-TNF-R1/TNF-R2 monoclonal antibodies. Phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK kinases was assessed by western blot; proliferation by bromodesoxyuridine incorporation; interleukin (IL)6, IL8, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 secretion by ELISA; and MMP-3 secretion by western blot. Functional assays were performed with or without inhibition of p38 (SB203580), ERK (U0126) or JNK (SP600125). RESULTS: In RA- and OA-SFB, TNFalpha-induced phosphorylation of p38, ERK or JNK was exclusively mediated by TNF-R1. Reduction of proliferation and induction of IL6, IL8 and MMP-1 were solely mediated by TNF-R1, whereas PGE(2) and MMP-3 secretion was mediated by both TNF-Rs. In general, inhibition of ERK or JNK did not significantly alter the TNFalpha influence on these effector molecules. In contrast, inhibition of p38 reversed TNFalpha effects on proliferation and IL6/PGE(2) secretion (but not on IL8 and MMP-3 secretion). The above effects were comparable in RA- and OA-SFB, except that TNFalpha-induced MMP-1 secretion was reversed by p38 inhibition only in OA-SFB. CONCLUSION: In early-passage RA/OA-SFB, activation of MAPK cascades and pro-inflammatory/pro-destructive features by TNFalpha is predominantly mediated by TNF-R1 and, for proliferation and IL6/PGE(2) secretion, exclusively regulated by p38. Strikingly, RA-SFB are insensitive to p38 inhibition of MMP-1 secretion. This indicates a resistance of RA-SFB to the inhibition of pro-destructive functions and suggests underlying structural/functional alterations of the p38 pathway, which may contribute to the pathogenesis or therapeutic sensitivity of RA, or both.     

Regulation of TLR4-induced IL-6 response in bladder cancer cells by opposing actions of MAPK and PI3K signaling

Purpose  Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was found to be aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer, inducing some genes expression and facilitating tumor progression. Recent data suggest that tumor associated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) correlates with tumor size and grade in bladder cancer. However, the molecule mechanisms of the induction of IL-6 response in bladder cancer cells are not well elucidated. In this study, we manage to find out whether TLR4 signaling is involved in the production of IL-6 by human bladder cancer cells, and the detailed molecule mechanisms by which IL-6 is up-regulated. Methods  We selected human bladder cancer T24 cell line in the present study, and examined its expression of TLR4 and CD14 by using flow cytometry. TLR4 signaling was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL-6 secretion in culture supernatants was tested by using ELISA kit. The expression of p38, ERK, JNK and Akt were determined by western-blot analysis using specific antibodies. Results  Our study demonstrated that CD14 and TLR4 were constitutively expressed in T24 cells and activation of TLR4 signaling by LPS resulted in phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K pathways and up-regulation of IL-6 in dose- and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and PD98059 (inhibitor of ERK) attenuated LPS-induced IL-6 expression, whereas LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K) markedly amplified the LPS-stimulated synthesis of IL-6. Conclusions  Our results demonstrate that activation of TLR4 signaling in bladder cancer cells induces tumor-associated IL-6 expression via activation of p38 and ERK, whereas activation of PI3K/Akt exerts an opposing action. Y. Qian and J. Deng contributed equally to this work.     

Inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases differentially regulate eosinophil-activating cytokine release from human airway smooth muscle

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is a potential source of multiple proinflammatory cytokines during airway inflammation. In the present study, we examined a requirement for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation for interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated GM-CSF, RANTES, and eotaxin release. IL-1beta induced concentration-dependent phosphorylation of p42/p44 extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38 MAP kinase, and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). p42/p44 ERK and p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation peaked at 15 min and remained elevated up to 4 h. SAPK/JNK phosphorylation also peaked at 15 min but fell to baseline within 60 min. SB 203580 selectively inhibited IL-1beta-stimulated activation of p38 MAP kinase; U 0126 was selective against p42/p44 ERK activity. SB 202474, an inactive analog, had no effect on p42/p44 ERK, p38 MAP kinase, or SAPK/JNK activation, or on eotaxin or RANTES release. Eotaxin release was inhibited by SB 203580 and U 0126, whereas RANTES release was prevented by U 0126 only. GM-CSF release was inhibited by U 0126 but enhanced by SB 203580. These data indicate that RANTES release is dependent on p42/p44 ERK activation but occurs independently of p38 MAP kinase activity. Eotaxin release, however, is dependent on both p38 MAP kinase- and p42/p44 ERK-dependent mechanisms. GM-CSF release is p42/p44 ERK dependent and is tonically suppressed by a mechanism that is partially dependent on p38 MAP kinase, though direct inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity due to poor inhibitor selectivity may also contribute.     

Constitutive phosphorylation of the S6 ribosomal protein via mTOR and ERK signaling in the peripheral blasts of acute leukemia patients

OBJECTIVE: The phosphorylation state of the S6 ribosomal protein was measured in the peripheral blasts of 19 newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia. METHODS: We employed a flow cytometry protocol that enabled correlated measurement of pS6, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), and cluster differentiation surface markers. Baseline levels of pS6 in leukemic blasts were compared with those found when the samples were activated using stem cell factor, or exposed to rapamycin, LY294002, or the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor U0126. RESULTS: Results showed a considerable degree of intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in the constitutive levels of pS6. Rapamycin and LY294002 suppressed pS6 in 10 of 11 cases that showed increased basal levels, consistent with phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase/Akt/mTOR signaling being the predominant upstream signaling pathway. However, in 6 of 11 cases pS6 was also suppressed by U0126, indicating that the ERK pathway can significantly input to pS6. CONCLUSIONS: The constitutive activation of pS6 in acute leukemia patients likely reflects alterations in growth factor signaling that can be mediated by the ERK as well as the mTOR pathway, and could potentially have prognostic significance. As well as identifying aberrant signal transduction in leukemia patients, the flow cytometry methodology has potential for the pharmacodynamic monitoring of novel agents that inhibit ERK or PI3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signaling.     

Involvement of p44/p42 MAP kinase in insulin-like growth factor-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like-MC3T3-E1 cells

It has been shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates the activity of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of mature osteoblast phenotype, in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity dose dependently in the range between 1 nM and 0.1 microM. IGF-I induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase but not stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). PD98059 and U0126, specific inhibitors of the upstream kinase that activates p44/p42 MAP kinase, significantly suppressed the IGF-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity. On the contrary, SB203580 and PD169316, specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, failed to affect the activity induced by IGF-I. Specific inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway (LY294002 and wortmannin) also had no significant effect on IGF-I-induced p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase induced by IGF-I was reduced by U0126. These results strongly suggest that p44/p42 MAP kinase among the MAP kinase superfamily plays a role in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.     

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and its association with Gab1 in thrombopoietin-mediated up-regulation of platelet function

OBJECTIVE: Human blood platelets are easily available physiologic target cells for thrombopoietin (TPO). TPO up-regulates platelet aggregation and alpha-granule secretion induced by various agonists. We investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its association with Gab1 in TPO-mediated up-regulation of platelet function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PI3K inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) and a MAP/ERK-kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059) were used to investigate the role of these kinases in TPO-mediated up-regulation of platelet function. To elucidate the molecules associated with PI3K, we performed immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments followed by immunoblotting. In vitro kinase assay also was performed to detect extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase activity. RESULTS: TPO up-regulated platelet alpha-granule secretion and aggregation induced by thrombin, which was dose-dependently inhibited by preincubation with wortmannin or LY294002. Immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments revealed that regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, was rapidly associated with tyrosine-phosphorylated Gab1 via its n- and c-terminal SH2 domains. Pretreatment of platelets with TPO dramatically augmented the thrombin-induced ERK activation, which was almost completely inhibited by LY294002. Furthermore, a MEK inhibitor, PD98059, not completely but significantly inhibited TPO-mediated up-regulation of thrombin-induced alpha-granule secretion. CONCLUSION: TPO induces the association of tyrosine-phosphorylated Gab1 with p85-PI3K. In downstream signaling, ERK is PI3K-dependently activated, which plays a critical role for TPO-mediated up-regulation of platelet function.     

Akt和胞外信号调节激酶通路间的信号交流对内质网应激条件下肝癌细胞周期的调控

目的 研究内质网应激介导的磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/Akt和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MEK)/胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)途径间的信号交流及其对内质网应激条件下肝癌细胞周期的调控作用.方法 采用PI3K抑制剂LY294002、Akt激活型突变载体myr-Akt和MEK抑制剂U0126分别阻断或激活内质网应激介导的Akt和ERK活化,并利用Western blot和流式细胞技术分析内质网应激条件下PI3K/Akt和MEK/ERK途径间的信号交流及其对肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721、Hep3B和HepG2细胞周期的调控作用.数据处理采用Sperman等级相关分析,P＜0.05为差异有统计学意义.结果 阻断PI3K/Akt明显促进内质网应激介导的MEK/ERK活化,而过度激活PI3K/Akt则抑制内质网应激介导的MEK/ERK活化.阻断MEK/ERK对内质网应激介导的PI3K/Akt活化无影响.持续活化的Akt突变载体myr-Akt和MEK抑制剂U0126均明显抑制了内质网应激诱导的压力细胞G0/G1期阻滞.结论 PI3K/Akt和MEK/ERK信号途径在内质网应激肝癌细胞中存在信号交流,该信号交流对细胞周期起重要调控作用.     

Calyculin A stimulates the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA via phosphorylation of Akt in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Intracellular phosphatase activity has been recognized to play a central role in signal transduction. In the present study, we investigated the effects of calyculin A, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, on the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and the possible signaling pathways in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The result of semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that calyculin A increased the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cells. Pre-treatment of LY294002 and Wortmannin, inhibitors of PI3K, inhibited the calyculin A-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Western blot result disclosed that calyculin A increased the phosphorylation status of Akt at Ser473. However, U0126 and SB203580, specific inhibitor of MEK1/2 and p38MAPK, respectively, had no effect on calyculin A-stimulated expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. BAY11-7085 and CAPE, inhibitors of NF-kappaB activity, did not alter the calyculin A-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Indirect immunofluorescent study confirmed that NF-kappaB was not translocated to the nucleus by calyculin A treatment. Our present results suggest that inhibition of phosphatase activity by calyculin A stimulate the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, resulting in the expression TNF-alpha mRNA.     

PI3K-FRAP/mTOR pathway is critical for hepatocyte proliferation whereas MEK/ERK supports both proliferation and survival

Growth factors are known to favor both proliferation and survival of hepatocytes. In this work, we investigated the role of 2 main signaling pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), in these processes. First, evidence was provided that the PI3K cascade as well as the MEK/ERK cascade is a key transduction pathway controlling hepatocyte proliferation, as ascertained by arrest of DNA synthesis in the presence of LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor. Inhibition of FRAP/mTOR by rapamycin also abrogated DNA replication and protein synthesis induced by growth factor. We showed that expression of cyclin D1 at messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels was regulated by this pathway. We highlighted that 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was not activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) but was under an insulin-regulation mechanism through a PI3K-FRAP/mTOR activation that could account for the permissive role of insulin on hepatocyte proliferation. No interference between the MEK/ERK pathway and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was detected, whereas p70S6K phosphorylation induced by EGF was under a U0126-sensitive regulation. Last, we established that the antiapoptotic function of EGF was dependent on MEK, whereas LY294002 and rapamycin had no direct effect on cell survival. Taken together, these data highlight the regulation and the role of 2 pathways that mediate growth-related response by acting onto distinct steps. In conclusion, hepatocyte progression in late G1 phase induced by EGF generates survival signals depending on MEK activation, whereas PI3K and MEK/ERK cascades are both necessary for hepatocyte replication.     

洛伐他汀经PI3K/Akt和ERK1/2信号通路抑制大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡

目的 体外以缺氧无血清条件模拟心肌梗死后的心脏缺血微环境,研究洛伐他汀能否抑制缺氧无血清引起的骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)凋亡并探讨其机制.方法 以Hocchst33342染色荧光显微镜观察法及Annexin V/PI流式细胞术检测洛伐他汀的抗凋亡作用,并进一步采用Westernblot方法 检测洛伐他汀对线粒体凋亡途径的抑制作用以及对磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶(Akt)途径和丝裂原活化的蛋白激酶(MAPK)的激酶(MEK)/细胞内信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK1/2)途径的激活作用.结果 0.01～1 μmol/L浓度范围的洛伐他汀能够有效地抑制缺氧无血清引起的MSC凋亡.洛伐他汀抑制线粒体凋亡途径,洛伐他汀抑制细胞色素C释放,降低天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)活化,从而保护线粒体功能.洛伐他汀的抗凋亡效应以及其抑制细胞色素C释放的作用均可被PI3K抑制剂LY294002和MEK抑制剂U0126阻断.洛伐他汀能够激活PI3K/Akt和MEK/ERK1/2两条细胞存活信号通路,分别导致Akt和GSK-3β及ERK1/2磷酸化.结论 洛伐他汀能够抑制线粒体凋亡途径,并激活PI3K/Akt和MEK/ERK1/2细胞存活通路,最终发挥抗缺氧无血清引起的MSC凋亡.该研究为提高移植干细胞的存活率提供了一种可能有效的干预措施.     

Progestin-inflammatory cytokine interactions affect matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 expression in term decidual cells: implications for treatment of chorioamnionitis-induced preterm delivery

CONTEXT: Chorioamnionitis (CAM)-elicited preterm delivery (PTD) is associated with elevated amniotic fluid levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. We hypothesized that IL-1beta and TNF-alpha may induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 activity to promote PTD by degrading decidual and fetal membranes and cervical extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate: 1) MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in decidual sections from uncomplicated term, idiopathic preterm, and CAM-complicated deliveries, and 2) the separate and interactive effects of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), and a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) on MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in term decidual cells (DCs). INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Decidua were immunostained for MMP-1 and MMP-3. Cultured term DCs were incubated with estradiol (E2) or E2 plus MPA with or without IL-1beta or TNF-alpha with or without SB203580. ELISA and Western blotting assessed secreted MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels, quantitative real-time RT-PCR assessed mRNA levels, and substrate gel zymography was used to determined MMP-1 and MMP-3 proteolytic activity. RESULTS: MMP-1 and MMP-3 immunostaining was more prominent in CAM-complicated decidua vs. control preterm and term decidual specimens (P < 0.05). Compared with basal outputs by DCs incubated with E2, TNF-alpha enhanced MMP-1 and MMP-3 secretion by 14 +/- 3- and 9 +/- 2-fold, respectively, and IL-1beta increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 secretion by 13 +/- 3- and 19 +/- 2-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). Addition of MPA lowered basal MMP-1 and MMP-3 outputs by 70%, whereas the TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-enhanced MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels were blunted by more than 50% (P < 0.05). SB203580 suppressed TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 secretion by severalfold. Western blotting confirmed the ELISA results, and mRNA levels corresponded with MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein levels. MMP-1 and MMP-3 proteolytic activity was confirmed by substrate gel zymography. CONCLUSION: Augmented DC-expressed MMP-1 and MMP-3 in CAM-complicated pregnancies may promote PTD via decidual, fetal membrane, and cervical extracellular matrix degradation. Effects of progestin-p38 MAPK signaling inhibition on cytokine-enhanced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in term DCs suggest alternative mechanisms to prevent CAM-induced PTD.     

PGE1 inhibits the expression of PAI-1 mRNA induced by TNF-alpha in human mesangial cells.

We examined the effect of PGE1 on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human mesangial cells, because PAI-1 is one of major factors for the progression of glomerulosclerosis. The expression of PAI-1 mRNA was increased after stimulation with TNF-alpha, and it was diminished by pre-incubation with PGE1. Next, we examined the effect of PGE1 on the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and Akt. TNF-alpha activated the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, p38 MAPK, SAPK/JNK and Akt in mesangial cells. PGE1 inhibited the TNF-alpha induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK and Akt, but not p44/42 MAPK and p38 MAPK. The TNF-alpha induced expression of PAI-1 mRNA was not affected by PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, nor LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3 K. However, DMAP, an inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, inhibited the expression of PAI-1 mRNA, suggesting that the TNF-alpha induced expression of PAI-1 mRNA is regulated by the SAPK/JNK dependent pathway in human mesangial cells. By the incubation with H8, an inhibitor of PKA, the inhibitory effect of PGE1 on the expression of PAI-1 mRNA was abolished, suggesting that PGE1 inhibited the PAI-1 mRNA expression via the PKA pathway. Our results suggest that the inhibition of PAI-1 synthesis by PGE1 in human mesangial cells may have therapeutic implications for glomerulosclerosis such as occurs in diabetic nephropathy.     

Inflammatory responses induced by interleukin-17 family members in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts

Background We investigated the potential role of interleukin (IL)-17 family members (IL-17A to IL-17F) in the induction of inflammatory responses in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). Methods The expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Northern blotting. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was assessed by immunoblotting. Results IL-17A and IL-17F significantly enhanced IL-6, IL-8, LIF, MMP-1, and MMP-3 secretion. The effects of IL-17A were relatively stronger than those induced by IL-17F. The effects of IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, and IL-17E were modest as compared with those induced by IL-17A and IL-17F. Both IL-17A and IL-17F augmented IL-1β-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, LIF, MMP-1, and MMP-3. A similar augmentation was also observed in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced cytokine and MMP secretion. IL-17A and IL-17F rapidly induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38 MAPKs, and c-Jun-NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) as early as 15 min after stimulation. Inhibitors for ERK (PD98059 and U0216) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) significantly reduced the IL-17F-induced IL-6, IL-8, LIF, MMP-1, and MMP-3 secretion. Conclusions Among IL-17 family members, IL-17A and IL-17F strongly stimulate human colonic SEMFs, inducing inflammatory responses.     

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate is required for insulin-like growth factor 1-mediated survival of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Adipocyte number, a determinant of adipose tissue mass, reflects the balance between the rates of proliferation/differentiation vs. apoptosis of preadipocytes. The percentage of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes undergoing cell death following serum deprivation was reduced by 10 nM insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 (from 50.0 +/- 0.7% for control starved cells to 27.5 +/- 3.1%). TUNEL staining confirmed the apoptotic nature of the cell death. The protective effect of IGF-1 was blocked by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, wortmannin, and LY294002, but was unaffected by rapamycin, PD98059, or SB203580, which inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ERK kinase (MEK1), and p38 MAPK respectively. Exogenous PI(3,4,5)P3 (10 microM), the principal product of IGF-1-stimulated PI3K in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, had a modest survival effect on its own, reducing cell death from 47.9 +/- 3.4% to 35.6 +/- 3.5%. When added to the combination of IGF-1 and LY294002, PI(3,4,5)P3 reversed most of the inhibitory effect of LY294002 on IGF-1-dependent cell survival, protein kinase B/Akt phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activity. Taken together, these results implicate PI(3,4,5)P3 as a necessary signal for the anti-apoptotic action of IGF-1 on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.     

Requirement of mitogen-activated protein kinase for collagenase production by the fibronectin fragment in human articular chondrocytes in culture

Abstract

Fibronectin fragments have been shown to up-regulate matrix metalloproteinase production in chondrocytes. We investigated the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways activated by the COOH-terminal heparin-binding fibronectin fragment (HBFN-f) in collagenase production by human chondrocytes in culture. In articular cartilage explant culture, HBFN-f stimulated type II collagen cleavage by collagenase in association with increased secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-13. In human articular chondrocytes, HBFN-f induced the collagenases with activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and the c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK). PD98059 that inhibits the ERK pathway blocked HBFN-f-stimulated production of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in explant culture. SB203580 at 1?µM, the concentration that inhibits p38 only, partially suppressed HBFN-f-induced collagenase production, whereas at 10?µM, the inhibitor that blocks both p38 and JNK almost completely inhibited collagenase induction. PD98059 and SB203580 individually blocked HBFN-f-increased cleavage of type II collagen in the explant culture, although 10?µM SB203580 strongly inhibited the collagen cleavage compared with 1?µM of the inhibitor. These results indicate that collagenase production leading to type II collagen cleavage in cartilage explants requires ERK, p38, and JNK.     

Critical roles of Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling and inactivation of p38 MAP kinase in the differentiation and survival of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the signaling pathways and their roles in the differentiation of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). METHODS: MoDCs were generated from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) using the standard protocols. Various kinase inhibitors, including SB203580, PD98059, and LY294002 and Wortmannin, or p38 activator were added at the beginning of the cultures. After 7 days of culture, immature MoDCs were harvested and analyzed for their surface expression of relevant molecules and the fraction of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Western blots were used to analyze mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF-kappaB, Raf, mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK), and AKT expression by cultured cells. NF-kappaB was also analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Allogeneic MLR was used to examine the capacity of MoDCs to activate allogeneic T cells. RESULTS: The present study shows that the differentiation of immature MoDCs was accompanied by phosphorylation of AKT, Raf, MEK, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and NF-kappaB activity. Inhibiting PI3K or MEK retarded the differentiation of immature MoDCs and induced apoptosis in 10 to 30% of the cultured cells, while inhibiting both PI3K and MEK resulted in apoptosis in 70% of the cells. Surprisingly, inhibiting p38 enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK and NF-kappaB activity and led to an enhanced upregulation, compared with control cells, of expression of dendritic cell (DC)-related adhesion and costimulatory molecules and antigen presentation capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways play critical roles in the differentiation and survival of immature MoDCs. Moreover, this study also demonstrates that activated p38 is detrimental to the differentiation of immature MoDCs.     

MAPK通路主要激酶抑制剂对亚洲带绦虫感染乳猪肝细胞生长抑制率和凋亡率的影响

目的 了解MAPK特异性抑制剂干预后亚洲带绦虫感染乳猪肝细胞MAPK信号通路相关基因表达、细胞活力和细胞凋亡的变化。方法 采集亚洲带绦虫成虫标本并收集虫卵制作悬液。将乳猪随机分为感染组、三种抑制剂干预组和正常对照组,感染组和抑制剂干预组均以定量虫卵15万个/头灌胃感染,灌胃后将抑制剂干预组乳猪分别腹腔注射U0126、SB203580和SP600125 1 mg/kg,隔天1次,连续7次。感染后第15 d麻醉处死各组乳猪获取肝脏。采用cck-8法和流式细胞仪分别检测肝细胞生长抑制率和肝细胞凋亡率,并用RT-PCR技术检测肝细胞ERK1、p38和JNK1基因mRNA的相对表达量。结果 感染组和U0126、SB203580、SP600125干预组肝细胞生长抑制率分别为(23.1±1.26)%、(12.59±1.2)%、(16.48±0.7)%、(18.3±0.75)%,U0126组与感染组相比(t=9.223,P<0.05)、SB203580组与感染组相比为(t=11.532,P<0.05)、SP600125组与感染组相比(t=6.775,P<0.05),各干预组均较感染组的生长抑制率明显降低。与感染组相比,U0126干预组的肝细胞凋亡率与感染组相比增高 (t=-5.934,P<0.001),SB203580干预组与感染组相比则降低 (t=3.821,P<0.01),SP600125干预组与感染组相比(t=-1.545,P＞0.05)无显著性差异。与感染组相比,U0126干预组(t=3.462,P<0.05)ERK1 mRNA表达量下调;SB203580干预组(t=3.267,P<0.05) p38 mRNA表达量下调;SP600125干预组(t=3.363,P<0.001) JNK1 mRNA的表达量下调。结论 亚洲带绦虫感染乳猪后,MAPK特异性抑制剂可以通过影响乳猪肝细胞MAPK相关基因的mRNA水平减轻肝细胞的生长抑制和凋亡。