Regulation of cell surface expression of Fas (CD95) ligand and susceptibility to Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis in activation-induced T cell death involves calcineurin and protein kinase C, respectively

We show that an influenza hemagglutinin-specific CD4+ murine T cell hybridoma (IP-12-7) enters the apoptotic suicide program via the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas-mediated pathway upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. These cells express Fas and FasL mRNA, cell surface Fas and intracellular FasL, but do not enter apoptosis upon Fas ligation prior to TCR stimulation. TCR stimulation additionally results in protein synthesis-dependent cell surface expression of the preformed FasL. Addition of phorbol dibutyrate (PBu2) alone was sufficient to induce susceptibility to Fas ligation induced apoptosis, while addition of both PBu2 and calcium ionophore A23187 were required to induce FasL cell surface expression. Addition of cyclosporin A completely inhibited TCR-mediated death and FasL cell surface up-regulation, but had no effect on apoptosis induced directly by Fas ligation following TCR stimulation. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) (G? 6976 and GF 109203X) completely inhibited TCR-induced susceptibility to Fas ligation, but only partially inhibited TCR-induced cell surface expression of FasL. PKC isoenzymes alpha, beta, delta and zeta were expressed by this cell line and only the alpha and betaI isoforms translocated to the membrane fraction upon TCR stimulation. Our data suggest that in activation-induced T cell apoptosis PKC is involved in pathways that mediate the acquisition of Fas susceptibility, while calcineurin is required for cell surface expression of the preformed FasL.     

Antigen-induced cell death of T effector cells in vitro proceeds via the Fas pathway,requires endogenous interferon-gamma and is independent of perforin and granzymes

Activation of resting T cells usually leads to their proliferation and differentiation into effector cells and a subsequent decline following elimination of the antigen. A situation of excessive antigen density may result in T cell receptor (TCR)-induced deletion of T effector cells, a process termed antigen-induced cell death (AgICD). Previous studies indicate that AgICD of cytotoxic T cells may be induced by either of the two key cytotoxic processes, granule exocytosis, including perforin and granzymes, or the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas pathway. By using in vitro-polyclonally activated or ex vivo-derived virus-induced T cell populations from mice with mutations or targeted gene defects in one or more components of the two key cytolytic pathways we now show that TCR-induced apoptosis is only impaired in the absence of FasL and/or Fas, but not in the absence of perforin and/or granzymes. Furthermore, antibody-blockage of FasL alone is sufficient to inhibit early T cell death. Inhibition of both, FasL and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is required to abrogate late apoptosis by AgICD. The fact that antibodies to IFN-gamma also inhibit AgICD suggests that the perforin plus granzyme-independent and FaSL and/or TNF-alpha facilitated process of AgICD of T effector cells is tightly regulated by endogenous IFN-gamma.     

抗氧化剂和NF-κB对大肠癌细胞IL-8表达的作用及机制

目的：探讨NF-κB在大肠癌细胞IL-8诱导表达中的作用及抗氧化剂对大肠癌细胞IL-8诱导表达的影响及其机制。 方法： IL-8 mRNA表达采用逆转录/聚合酶链反应(RT/PCR)检测，培养上清IL-8蛋白含量用ELISA检测，EMSA法测定细胞核内NF-κB结合活性。 结果： 抗氧化剂可阻断大肠癌细胞培养体系TNF-α诱导的IL-8生成及IL-8 mRNA的表达, TNF-α可诱导大肠癌细胞NF-κB的激活并被抗氧化剂阻断。 结论： TNF-α诱导的大肠癌细胞IL-8基因和蛋白表达依赖于NF-κB的激活；抗氧化剂可通过抑制NF-κB的活化而阻断IL-8基因和蛋白的诱导表达。     

Spironolactone inhibits production of proinflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide via inactivation of nuclear factor-κB

The effect of spironolactone (SPIR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory mediators was examined using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages. SPIR significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α and prostaglandin E2. The inhibition was not mediated by cell death. SPIR reduced the expression of an inducible NO synthase mRNA in response to LPS. SPIR significantly inhibited phosphorylation of p65 nuclear factor (NF)-κB in response to LPS. Furthermore, SPIR inhibited phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) as an upstream molecule of NF-κB in response to LPS. LPS did not induce the production of aldosterone in RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, SPIR is suggested to inhibit LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators via inactivation of IKK/NF-κB in LPS signaling.     

乳杆菌细胞壁成分激活人阴道上皮细胞β-防御素-2表达机制研究

目的 探讨乳杆菌细胞肇成分(Lactobacillus cell wall extract,LCWE)对人阴道上皮细胞β-防御素-2的诱导作用及细胞内信号转导机制.方法 采用实时定量PCR和Western blot方法检测LCWE处理对人阴道上皮细胞(WZV-1)β-防御素-2表达的影响;Western blot方法检测LCWE处理后WZV-1细胞内NF-κB和p38MAPK信号通路活化情况;实时定量PCR和Western blot方法检测NF-κB抑制剂和p38MAPK抑制剂预处理WZV-1细胞对LCWE诱导β-防御素-2表达的影响.结果 LCWE可诱导WZV-1细胞β-防御素-2表达且存在着明显的时间效应和剂量依赖关系,50μg/mlLCWE处理细胞8 h对β-防御素-2的上调幅度最大,刺激0.5 h后可引起细胞内p38MAPK蛋白的磷酸化显著增加,1 h达到顶峰;刺激0.5 h后可引起细胞核内NF-κB含量显著增加(P<0.05),2 h达到顶峰.NF-κB抑制剂PDTC、p38MAPK抑制剂SB20380预处理WZV-1细胞,可明显抑制LCWE诱导WZV-1细胞β-防御素-2的表达.结论 LCWE具有激活NF-κB和p38MAPK信号通路诱导阴道-上皮细胞β-防御素-2的作用.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the molecular and cell signal transduction mechanisms by Lactobacillus cell wall extract(LCWE)inducing human-β-defensin-2(hBD-2)expression in human vaginal epithelial cells.Methods The induction of hBD-2 in human vaginal epithelial cells(WZV-1)by LCWE was observed using real-time PCR and Western blot.After stimulating WZV-1.the activation of NF-κB and p38MAPK signaling pathways were determined by Western blot.The induction of hBD-2 in WZV-1 cells by LCWE was observed with signaling pathways inhibitors of NF-κB and p38MAPK using real-time PCR and Western blot.Results The results showed that LCWE significantly upregulated hBD-2 expression in the time and dose-dependent manner.The maximal stimulatory effect of LCWE on the expression of hBD-2mRNA in WZV-1 cells were observed at the concentration of 50μg/ml after treatment for 8 h.After stimulation by 50μg/ml LCWE,Western blot analysis demonstrated that the phosphorylation of p38MAPK increased at 0.5 h significantly,peaked at 1 h,moreover the concentration of NF-κB in nucleus increased at 0.5 h significantly(P<0.05),peaked at 2 h.Blocking with inhibitor of NF-κB and(or)p38MAPK pathways results in decreased levels of HBD-2 expression.Conclusion These findings suggest that p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways play the important roles in induction of hBD-2 expression by LCWE in human vagihal epithelial cells.     

Close localization of DAP-kinase positive tumour-associated macrophages and apoptotic colorectal cancer cells

The death-associated protein kinase (DAP-kinase) is a cytoskeleton-associated protein crucially involved in the induction of early apoptotic pathways. Aberrant hypermethylation of the DAP-kinase promoter plays a major role in tumorigenesis. We aimed to investigate the inactivation of DAP-kinase and its association with apoptotic cell death in 94 colorectal carcinomas. DAP-kinase promoter hypermethylation and mRNA expression were investigated using methylation-specific PCR and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. The expression of DAP-kinase, Fas, and Fas-ligand (FasL) proteins was studied by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Apoptosis of tumour cells was investigated using the TUNEL assay. DAP-kinase was expressed in tumour cells and tumour-invading macrophages and was closely associated with high numbers of apoptotic tumour cells. DAP-kinase expression co-localized with FasL overexpression in tumour-associated macrophages, and aberrant promoter hypermethylation was verified in more than 50% of carcinomas. There was a tendency for proximal tumours to show DAP-kinase promoter methylation more frequently (p = 0.07). Promoter methylation resulted in a decrease or loss of DAP-kinase protein expression in tumour cells and tumour-associated macrophages. Simultaneously, a decreased apoptotic count and loss of Fas/FasL expression was observed in tumour cells. Our study is the first to demonstrate DAP-kinase expression in invading tumour-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer. The presence of similar expression levels of DAP-kinase in tumour cells and associated macrophages, and their dependence on the promoter methylation status of the tumour cells, suggests cross talk between these cell types during apoptotic cell death.     

A novel homozygous Fas ligand mutation leads to early protein truncation,abrogation of death receptor and reverse signaling and a severe form of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome

We report a novel type of mutation in the death ligand FasL that was associated with a severe phenotype of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in two patients. A frameshift mutation in the intracellular domain led to complete loss of FasL expression. Cell death signaling via its receptor and reverse signaling via its intracellular domain were completely abrogated. In vitro lymphocyte proliferation induced by weak T cell receptor stimulation could be blocked and cell death was induced by engagement of FasL in T cells derived from healthy individuals and a heterozygous carrier, but not in FasL-deficient patient derived cells. Expression of genes implicated in lymphocyte proliferation and activation (CCND1, NFATc1, NF-κB1) was increased in FasL-deficient T cells and could not be downregulated by FasL engagement as in healthy cells. Our data thus suggest, that deficiency in FasL reverse signaling may contribute to the clinical lymphoproliferative phenotype of ALPS.     

冬凌草甲素通过上调miR-204-5p抑制PC-3细胞迁移与侵袭的作用机制研究

目的 探索冬凌草甲素影响PC-3细胞迁移及侵袭的作用及机制,为冬凌草甲素治疗前列腺癌骨转移提供前期体外实验参考。 方法 通过CCK8检测冬凌草甲素对PC-3细胞增殖的影响,Transwell检测冬凌草甲素对PC-3细胞迁移和侵袭的影响,qRT-PCR分析冬凌草甲素溶液处理PC-3细胞后miR-204-5p及NF-κB信号通路表达情况,Western blotting分析冬凌草甲素溶液处理PC-3细胞后NF-κB信号通路蛋白表达情况。 结果 冬凌草甲素溶液以浓度依赖性和时间依赖性方式抑制PC-3细胞的增殖,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）,冬凌草甲素IC50值为10 μmol/L;冬凌草甲素溶液呈浓度依赖性抑制PC-3细胞的迁移和侵袭,差异较对照组有统计学意义（P<0.01）;冬凌草甲素溶液能促进PC-3细胞表达miR-204-5p并阻断NF-κB信号通路下游基因表达;过表达miR-204-5p和冬凌草甲素均能抑制PC-3细胞NF-κB信号通路下游基因表达。 结论 冬凌草甲素能抑制PC-3细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭,其作用机制可能与其能上调miR-204-5p阻断NF-κB信号通路有关。     

NKG2D receptor activation of NF-κB enhances inflammatory cytokine production in murine effector CD8 T cells

To induce strong immune responses, naïve CD8⁺ T cells require stimulation through the TCR and costimulatory receptors. However, the biological effect of activating costimulatory receptors on effector T cells is still unclear. One costimulatory receptor that is likely to be engaged at the target site is NKG2D. This activating receptor is expressed on human and murine CD8⁺ T cells with its ligands expressed on the majority of tumor cells and during some infections. In order to determine how activation of costimulatory receptors alters effector CD8⁺ T cell functions, this study compared the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by two costimulatory receptors, CD28 and NKG2D. Compared to CD28 costimulation, activation of murine effector CD8⁺ T cells through CD3 and NKG2D receptors enhanced activation of NF-κB as shown by increased phosphorylation of IKKα, IκBα, and NF-κB and IκBα degradation. NKG2D costimulation also increased activation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of NF-κB p65/p50 dimers. Activation of the NF-κB pathway also lead to increased gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNα and IFNγ, and decreased gene expression and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and CCL2. Altered NF-κB activation also increased expression of the effector molecules TNFα, lymphotoxins α and β, and Fas ligand, and increased tumor cell killing through FasL. These data show that compared to CD28 costimulation, activation through the NKG2D receptor leads to the differential activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and potentially enhances the anti-tumor and anti-viral functions of effector CD8⁺ T cells.     

Inducible turnover of optineurin regulates T cell activation

Optineurin (Optn) is an adaptor protein with homology to NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), the regulatory subunit of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. Dysregulation of Optn has been linked to neurodegenerative, autoimmune and bone diseases. Optn shares a high degree of homology with NEMO, but is not part of the same high-molecular weight complex containing IKKα and IKKβ. Despite its homology with NEMO and the fact that it has been the subject of extensive study in several cell types, there are no published studies addressing the role of Optn during T cell activation. Here we demonstrate that ectopic expression of Optn down-regulates TCR-induced NF-κB activation and TNF-α production, in a manner dependent on ubiquitin-binding. Conversely, knock-down of Optn enhances NF-κB activation and the production of TNF-α. Consistent with a negative regulatory role for this protein, we observed transient loss of Optn after TCR stimulation in both cell lines and in primary murine T cells. The acute loss of Optn appears to be due to both protein degradation and exocytosis, the latter via activation-induced exosomes. This study therefore provides novel information regarding the role of Optn during TCR activation, suggesting the possible importance of Optn during inflammation and/or autoimmune diseases.     

Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) attenuates signals mediated by the lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) in human cells stimulated by the shared ligand LIGHT

Signals mediated by members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily modulate a network of diverse processes including initiation of inflammatory responses and altering cell fate between pathways favoring survival and death. Although such pathways have been well-described for the TNF-α receptor, less is known about signaling induced by the TNF superfamily member LIGHT and how it is differentially altered by expression of its two receptors LTβR and HVEM in the same cell. We used cell lines with different relative expression of HVEM and LTβR to show that LIGHT-induced signals mediated by these receptors were associated with altered TRAF2 stability and RelA nuclear translocation. Production of the inflammatory chemokine CXCL10 was primarily mediated by LTβR. Higher expression of HVEM was associated with cell survival, while unopposed LTβR signaling favored pathways leading to apoptosis. Importantly, restoring HVEM expression in cells with low endogenous expression recapitulated the phenotype of cells with higher endogenous expression. Together, our data provide evidence that relative expression of HVEM and LTβR modulates canonical NF-κB and pro-apoptotic signals stimulated by LIGHT.