Interleukin-1 induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation in T cells.

Interleukin (IL)-1 alpha activates multiple signal transmission pathways in the T helper type 2 cell line, D10A, and these pathways are linked to two separate IL-1 receptors (IL-1R). In the present report we show that IL-1 induces the activation of tyrosine kinase in these cells, leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of a subset of proteins of 38, 75, 97 and 115 kDa. This type of phosphorylation is prevented by a monoclonal antibody directed against the 80-kDa IL-1R and by tyrphostins which are specific inhibitors of tyrosine kinases. In addition, this inhibitor blocks IL-1-and IL-2-induced proliferation in D10A cells as well as the c-myc and c-myb proto-oncogene mRNA expression in response to IL-1. Interestingly, the inhibitor of cAMP-dependent kinase, H-8, only blocks IL-1-induced c-myb, but not c-myc mRNA expression. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the activation of a tyrosine kinase(s) is an early and major event that happens after IL-1/IL-1R interaction, leading to an increase in intracellular cAMP which results in c-myb and IL-5 mRNA expression. Independent of cAMP, by tyrosine phosphorylation of specific substrates IL-1 also induces c-myc and IL-6 mRNA expression and cellular proliferation.     

Effect of naloxone on the induction of immediately early genes following oxygen- and glucose-deprivation in PC12 cells

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion involves inflammatory process and naloxone is able to reduce infarct volume and has been used as a therapeutic agent for brain injury. Hypoxia induces the immediate early genes (IEGs) rapidly and transiently that may initiate a cascade of cellular responses that are necessary for survival and normal function. However, the protective effect of naloxone on ischemic/hypoxic neuronal cells was only partly studied. Thus, the effects of naloxone on oxygen- and glucose-deprivation (OGD) and OGD followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R) on the expression of IEGs were examined in PC12 cells. The result showed that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released in the media was reduced by naloxone. The temporal response of IEG mRNA encoding c-fos, c-jun, nur77, and zif268 was induced with different degree of intensity following hypoxia, whereas the level of GAPDH mRNA was relatively constant. However, these signals of c-fos, c-jun, and nur77 by hypoxia were reduced significantly by naloxone. Treatment with OGD also activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The induction of c-fos, c-jun, nur77, and zif268 by hypoxia was inhibited by naloxone (0.1 microM) and MAPK inhibitors (10 microM of U0126, D98059, SB203580). However, naloxone increased the expression of ERK1/2 by OGD concomitantly diminished the LDH release. Thus, the present studies demonstrated that OGD induced IEGs including c-fos, c-jun, nur77, and zif268 and MAPK signaling pathways were regulated differently by naloxone.     

Interleukin-7 regulates c-myc expression in murine T cells and thymocytes: a role for tyrosine kinase(s) and calcium mobilization

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) was originally identified as a pre-B cell growth factor whose proliferating activity has been extended to numerous target cells including T lymphocytes. We investigated c-myc mRNA expression, an oncogene associated with proliferation, in the murine T cell line D10 G4.1 and freshly isolated thymocytes since both target cells proliferate in response to IL-7. We find that blockade of the tyrosine kinase pathway by genistein, a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits both IL-7-dependent D10 G4.1 cell proliferation and c-myc mRNA expression which appears to involve de novo mRNA synthesis and to be under the control of short-lived protein repressor(s). We have also examined possible signal transduction pathways which might regulate c-myc mRNA expression in the murine T cell line. IL-7 biological activity is not affected by stimulation of the protein kinase C pathway by phorbol esters. Thus, IL-7 regulates c-myc mRNA expression in a protein kinase C-independent manner and these data are strengthened by protein kinase C depletion which does not modify IL-7 c-myc mRNA responsiveness. In contrast and independent of protein kinase C activation, intracellular calcium mobilization by means of ionomycin reduces IL-7 induction of c-myc mRNA expression and may represent a physiological mechanism whereby IL-7 bioactivity is regulated. The activity of IL-7 on c-myc mRNA expression has been extended to freshly isolated thymocytes and we find a synergistic effect of IL-7 with concanavalin A. Taken together our results illuminate the molecular mechanism of IL-7 c-myc induction in the T lineage by ascribing a role for tyrosine kinase and increase in intracellular calcium in both IL-7 induced gene induction and cell proliferation.     

Multiple signaling pathways mediate anti-Ig and IL-4-induced early response gene expression in human tonsillar B cells

We have analyzed the relationship between the signaling pathways coupled to surface immunoglobulin and interleukin (IL)-4 receptors in human B cells from the patterns of expression of a panel of phorbol ester-inducible early response genes (ERG) activated by anti-IgM and IL-4 stimulation in vitro. Anti-IgM stimulation led to the induction of all eleven ERG tested. Two of these, the proto-oncogene, c-fos and an anonymous ERG 1R20 were insensitive to protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition with the drug, staurosporine and retained inducibility after down-regulation of PKC activity by purging with phorbol ester. These observations are consistent with previous data showing anti-IgM signaling through both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways, c-fos and 1R20 were also the only ERG inducible in response to IL-4 stimulation and whilst ionomycin induced only c-fos, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate stimulation led to induction of both c-fos and 1R20. These observations lend support to a role for the adenylate cyclase pathway being important for coupling of IL-4-generated signals to B cells responses. None of the anti-IgM-responsive ERG was further induced when B cells were co-stimulated with a combination of anti-IgM and IL-4, suggesting that the signaling cascades from these two agents are integrated downstream of third messenger pathways to synergistically promote B cell proliferation.     

Roles of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,NF-kappaB,and protein kinase C in proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression by human peripheral blood leukocytes,monocytes, and neutrophils in response to Anaplasma phagocytophila

Anaplasma phagocytophila, an obligately intracellular bacterium of granulocytes, causes human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Within 2 h after addition of A. phagocytophila, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-6 mRNAs are induced in human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) or monocytes in vitro. However, neutrophils generate only IL-1beta mRNA. In the present study, signaling pathways for induction of these three cytokines were examined. TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expression by PBLs was inhibited with SB 203580 (a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] inhibitor), MG-132 (a proteasome inhibitor), and SN-50 (an NF-kappaB inhibitor). Activation of p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB mRNAs in monocytes was detectable within 15 to 30 min after addition of A. phagocytophila. Expression of these two cytokine mRNAs in PBLs and monocytes was also dependent on protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA), and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). IL-1beta mRNA expression by neutrophils was not dependent on p38 MAPK, and p38 MAPK was not activated in neutrophils incubated with A. phagocytophila. IL-1beta mRNA induction by PBLs, monocytes, and neutrophils was dependent on PKC and PKA. Neutrophil expression of IL-1beta mRNA was dependent on transglutaminase, phospholipase C, and PTK, all of which are also required for internalization of A. phagocytophila. However, monocyte expression of IL-1beta mRNA was less dependent on these enzymes. These results suggest that A. phagocytophila transduces different signals between its host neutrophils and monocytes for proinflammatory cytokine generation.     

genistein对人卵巢癌细胞系SKOV3及其裸鼠移植瘤中表皮生长因子受体介导的信号转导通路的影响

目的　通过 genistein对人卵巢癌细胞系SKOV3 及其裸鼠移植瘤中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)介导的肿瘤信号转导系统的影响 ,探讨其抑制增殖作用的机制。方法　应用免疫细胞化学链霉素抗生物素蛋白过氧化物酶 (SP)法检测c erbB 2蛋白的表达 ;Western印迹检测细胞c jun和c fos蛋白的表达 ;逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)检测c erbB 2 ,c raf 1,c jun和c fosmRNA的表达。结果　 2 0 μmol/Lgenistein处理组c erbB 2、c raf 1及其下游基因c jun、c fosmRNA表达减弱。2 0 μmol/Lgenistein处理SKOV3 细胞 4 8h后 ,c erbB 2蛋白表达减弱 ,平均吸光度 (A)值减低 ,为0 4 2± 0 0 2 (P <0 0 5 )。Western印迹检测结果表明 :2 0 μmol/Lgenistein处理SKOV3 细胞 12～ 72h后 ,c jun、c fos蛋白表达水平逐渐减弱。结论　genistein下调SKOV3 中EGFR介导的肿瘤信号转导通路中两个关键基因c erbB 2和c raf 1之mRNA及蛋白及其下游核转录因子c jun和c fos的mRNA及蛋白的表达水平 ,提示genistein干预EGFR介导的肿瘤信号转导系统中主要信号分子的表达可能是其抑制卵巢癌增殖的分子基础。     

Interleukin 10 Induced C-FOS Expression in Human B Cells by Activation of Divergent Protein Kinases

IL-10 is a potent mediator of human B cell growth and plasma cell formation However, signal transduction of IL-10 in B cells is poorly understood. In this study the effect of IL-10 on the expression of the protooncogene c-fos was investigated, because Fos plays a potential role in the regulation of B cell proliferation and differentiation. B cells were purified from buffy coat preparations of healthy blood donors by positive selection using an anti CD20 monoclonal antibody and a MiniMACS separation unit. B cells were prestimulated with SAC for 48 hrs Then, cells were incubated with medium or IL-10 (100 ng/ml) for 10 to 120 min. RNA was extracted by phenol/chloroform and c-fos expression was analyzed by PCR assisted mRNA assay. A significant 2–4 fold increase of c-fos expression was observed within 30 min of stimulation with IL-10 (p < 0,01). After 2 hrs c-fos expression declined to basal levels The effect of IL-10 was dose-dependent with a maximum stimulation using 100 ng/ml of IL-10. The IL-10 effect on c-fos expression was not blocked by polymyxin B. Using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (10μM) a complete inhibition of IL-10 induced c-fos expression was observed In addition, H-7 (10μM), a specific inhibitor of serine/threonin kinases, significantly blocked IL-10 mediated c-fos expression (p < 0,05). In conclusion, these data show that IL-10 induces c-fos expression in human B-cells by activation of tyrosine and serine/threonin kinases. Since this is the first report on IL-10 induced signal transduction, these data may help to identify the intracellular mechanisms by which IL-10 stimulates human B-cells.     

Expression of c-fos, c-jun and jun B in peripheral blood lymphocytes from young and elderly adults.

The expression of c-fos, c-jun and jun B proto-oncogenes was studied in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from young and aged humans. Specific mRNAs for c-fos and c-jun were detectable within 30 min after cell activation and reached maximal levels within 2 h. Both c-fos and jun B mRNAs decreased to pre-activation levels within 6 h, while c-jun mRNA remained elevated. In PHA-activated PBL, no age-related differences were observed in c-fos or jun B mRNA expression. However, c-jun mRNA levels decreased significantly (1.73 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.09 arbitrary units, P < 0.01, young vs. old) in PBL from elderly individuals activated with PHA. Because previous work has demonstrated that T cells from elderly individuals may display normal proliferative responses when activated via the anti-CD2 pathway, c-jun and jun B mRNA expression was also studied in anti-CD2-activated purified T cells. No age-related differences were found in the expression of either of these two proto-oncogenes by anti-CD2 activated T cells. These results suggest that the decreased IL-2 production and proliferative response displayed by PHA-activated PBL from elderly adults may be related to age-related changes in c-jun mRNA expression and in the ratio of c-fos to c-jun mRNA.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor activates ERK and induces c-fos in human embryonic stem cell line MizhES1

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can be maintained in a proliferative undifferentiated state in vitro by growing them on feeder layers of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells along with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2). To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the requirement of bFGF in human ES cells, we investigated expression of FGF receptors and intracellular signaling events in response to bFGF in human ES cell line MizhES1. On the basis of the results of RT-PCR, clear expression of FGF receptors FGFR1, FGR2, and FGFR3 was noticed. Because MAPK, PI3K, and PKC pathways are well-known pathways triggered by bFGF in other cells, these pathways were investigated after stimulation with bFGF. bFGF did not induce activation of PI3K or PKC, but induced activation of ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase). To monitor the consequences of ERK activation, we examined expression of the immediate early gene c-fos, one downstream target of the MEK1/ERK pathway. mRNA and protein levels of the c-fos gene were increased by bFGF. Induction of c-Fos was dependent on MEKl. Therefore, it is likely that bFGF contributes to maintenance of human ES cells, at least in part, through the MEK1/ERK pathway.     

Molecular basis of the synergistic production of IL-1 receptor antagonist by human neutrophils stimulated with IL-4 and IL-10

In this study, we report that the release of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) from IL-4-stimulated neutrophils is markedly enhanced in the presence of IL-10. We also show that up-regulation of IL-1ra release by IL-10 in IL-4-stimulated neutrophils takes place through IL-1ra mRNA stabilization and enhancement of IL-1ra de novo synthesis. Furthermore, we report that the ability of IL-10 to up-regulate IL-1ra mRNA expression in IL-4-treated neutrophils requires 5-6 h and it is preceded by the acquisition of the capacity to activate Stat3 tyrosine phosphorylation. This latter response to IL-10 was strictly dependent on the levels of expression of IL-10R1, which were in fact significantly increased by IL-4 in cultured neutrophils via a signaling pathway sensitive to the serine/threonine kinase inhibitor H-7. Collectively, our data emphasize the central role of IL-10R1 expression in regulating cell responsiveness to IL-10. In addition, the fact that IL-10 strongly up-regulates IL-1ra production in IL-4-activated neutrophils uncovers a novel mechanism whereby IL-10 and IL-4 cooperate to negatively modulate the inflammatory responses.     

HLA class II molecule-mediated signal transduction mechanism responsible for the expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α genes induced by a staphylococcal superantigen

Superantigens including staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) bind to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and interact with T cells bearing particular vβ chains. SEB was shown to induce the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α genes in human peripheral blood monocytes bearing HLA class II molecules. Monoclonal antibodies directed against HLA-DR and -DQ abolished the SEB-induced expression of both the EL-1β and TNF-α genes, suggesting that the HLA class II molecules mediated the gene expression. Therefore, we investigated the signal transduction mechanism responsible for the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α genes induced by binding of SEB to the HLA class II molecules. Three protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, genistein, herbimycin A., and tyrphostin, each of which has a different mechanism of action, strongly inhibited the expression of the monokine mRNA induced by SEB. Analyses of PTK activity revealed that SEB induced a rapid increase of membrane-associated PTK activity and this was blocked by tyrphostin. Furthermore, H-7 inhibited the expression of the monokine mRNA induced by SEB, suggesting the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the signaling pathway. The involvement of PKC was confirmed by the observations that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a direct activator of PKC, induced the expression of the monokine mRNA and that SEB evoked the activation of membrane-associated PKC. Both activation of PKC and expression of the monokine mRNA induced by SEB appeared to be inhibited by tyrphostin, but those induced by PMA were not. Taken together, these findings indicate that both PTK and PKC play essential roles in HLA class II molecule-mediated signal transduction elicited by SEB and that PTK activation may precede PKC activation in the signaling pathway.     

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK-2 in phytohaemagglutin in blasts by recombinant interleukin-2: contrasting features with CD3 activation.

We investigated activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, also known as microtubule associated protein-2 kinase (MAP-2K), by recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced peripheral blood lymphoblasts (PBL). MAP-kinase activation has been implicated in growth of lymphocytes and other cell types. Enzyme activity was purified from cell lysates by ion-exchange chromatography and activity measured by the ability to phosphorylate the substrates MAP-2 and myelin basic protein peptide (APRTPGGRR) in vitro. Recombinant IL-2 stimulated a variable (two-to 10-fold) and evanescent MAP-2K response which was dose dependent over the range 0-50 U/ml. In contrast to MAP-kinase activation by the CD3 receptor, activation by the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) proceeded independently from protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular-free Ca2+. MAP-kinase activation by CD3 involves an activation cascade which depends on Ca2+ influx and PKC activation. These events culminate in tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinase. Recombinant IL-2 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins, including a 40,000 MW substrate which co-electrophoresed with ERK-2 on SDS-PAGE. The ERK-2 gene encodes a 41,000 MW MAP-2K and is subject to regulation by a variety of mitogens and growth factors in lymphocytes and non-lymphoid cells. MAP-kinase activation by rIL-2 was abrogated when PHA blasts were pretreated with the tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) inhibitor, methyl-2,5-dihydroxy-cinnamate. Although the TPK, p56lck, has been implicated in the activation of MAP kinase and the function of IL-2R, we found no mobility shift from a 56,000 to a 60,000 MW position as seen during PKC activation. Together these data suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation is critical to IL-2-mediated signal transduction and that MAP kinase is one of the cellular intermediates involved in this pathway.     

Erk信号途径在B104 CM诱导神经干细胞向少突胶质细胞前体分化中的作用

目的探讨细胞外信号调节激酶(Erk)信号途径及下游转录因子cf-os、cj-un等在神经母细胞瘤B104细胞系来源的条件培养基(B104 CM)诱导神经干细胞(NSCs)向少突胶质细胞前体(OPCs)分化中的作用。方法从形态学上观察Erk1/2特异性抑制剂U0126阻断对B104 CM诱导NSCs向OPCs分化的影响;分别以Western blotting和RT-PCR法检测对照组、B104 CM诱导组和U0126预孵组NSCs中Erk的磷酸化和转录因子cf-os、cj-un、c-myc的表达情况。结果U0126预孵可阻断B104 CM诱导的NSCs向OPCs分化;B104 CM可引起NSCs中Erk1/2迅速磷酸化和cf-os、cj-unmRNA表达上调,该作用可被U0126阻断。结论B104 CM通过活化Erk信号途径及其随后上调转录因子cf-os、cj-un的表达诱导NSCs向OPCs分化。     

T-cell receptor downregulation by ceramide-induced caspase activation and cleavage of the zeta chain

Regulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) cell surface expression levels is probably an important mechanism by which T-cell responsiveness is controlled. Previously, two distinct pathways for TCR downregulation have been described. One is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC) and the leucine-based receptor-sorting motif (L-based motif) of the CD3 gamma chain but independent of tyrosine kinases, whereas the other is dependent on the tyrosine kinase activation but independent of the PKC and the CD3 gamma L-based motif. In this study, we describe a new pathway for TCR downregulation distinct from both the PKC/CD3 gamma L-based motif-dependent and the tyrosine kinase-dependent pathways. This pathway is dependent on ceramide-induced activation of caspases and correlate with caspase-mediated cleavage of the zeta chain. Thus, a 10--15% downregulation of the TCR was induced following the treatment of the T cells with ceramide for 4 h. A close correlation between TCR downregulation, caspase activation, and cleavage of the zeta chain was found. Furthermore, the caspase inhibitors abolished the cleavage of the zeta chain and TCR downregulation in parallel with the inhibition of the caspase activity.     

Hypoxia activates jun-N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, and p38 kinase in pulmonary arteries

Chronic alveolar hypoxia is the major cause of pulmonary hypertension. The cellular mechanisms involved in hypoxia- induced pulmonary arterial remodeling are still poorly understood. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a key enzyme in the signaling pathway leading to cellular growth and proliferation. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the roles that MAPKs, specifically Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 kinase, play in the hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling. Rats were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (10% O(2)) for 1, 3, 7, or 14 d. Hypoxia caused significant remodeling in the pulmonary artery characterized by thickening of pulmonary arterial wall and increases in tissue mass and total RNA. JNK, ERK, and p38 kinase tyrosine phosphorylations and their activities were significantly increased by hypoxia. JNK activation peaked at Day 1 and ERK/p38 kinase activation peaked after 7 d of hypoxia. The results from immunohistochemistry show that hypoxia increased phospho-MAPK staining in both large and small intrapulmonary arteries. Hypoxia also upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (mRNA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor mRNA levels in pulmonary artery with a time course correlated to the activation of ERK and p38 kinase. The gene expressions of c-jun, c-fos, and egr-1, known as downstream effectors of MAPK, were also investigated. Hypoxia upregulated egr-1 mRNA but downregulated c-jun and c-fos mRNAs. These data suggest that hypoxia-induced activation of JNK is an early response to hypoxic stress and that activation of ERK and p38 kinase appears to be associated with hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling.     

HLA class-II-mediated homotypic aggregation: involvement of a protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C.

Homotypic aggregation of B-lymphocytes, B-cell lines and class-II-positive T cells via HLA class II molecules was examined. Signaling via DR antigens induced rapid aggregation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, maximum and stable aggregation was induced within 20 minutes. On the contrary, rapid signaling via DP or DQ required prestimulation with either PMA or anti-sIg. Aggregation was temperature and energy dependent. [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] concentrations and an intact cytoskeleton were required while neither mRNA or protein synthesis were required. Furthermore, FACS analysis revealed that aggregation was not directly correlated with cell surface expression of HLA class II molecules. Our results demonstrate that aggregation was mediated through a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent pathway that preceded activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and failure to generate either the PTK signal or the PKC signal prevented aggregation. The contribution of a tyrosine kinase was further demonstrated by the total inhibition of aggregation following treatment with an anti-CD45 mAb.