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E A Clark

Publications and source records attributed to E A Clark.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Integrin-mediated signals regulated by members of the rho family of GTPases.

The organization of the actin cytoskeleton can be regulated by soluble factors that trigger signal transduction events involving the Rho family of GTPases. Since adhesive interactions are also capable of organizing the actin-based cytoskeleton, we examined the role of Cdc42-, Rac-, and Rho-dependent signaling pathways in regulating the cytoskeleton during integrin-mediated adhesion and cell spreading using dominant-inhibitory mutants of these GTPases. When Rat1 cells initially adhere to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, punctate focal complexes form at the cell periphery. Concomitant with focal complex formation, we observed some phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src, which occurred independently of Rho family GTPases. However, subsequent phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin occurs in a Rho-dependent manner. Moreover, we found Rho dependence of the assembly of large focal adhesions from which actin stress fibers radiate. Initial adhesion to fibronectin also stimulates membrane ruffling; we show that this ruffling is independent of Rho but is dependent on both Cdc42 and Rac. Furthermore, we observed that Cdc42 controls the integrin-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and of Akt, a kinase whose activity has been demonstrated to be dependent on phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. Since Rac-dependent membrane ruffling can be stimulated by PI 3-kinase, it appears that Cdc42, PI 3-kinase, and Rac lie on a distinct pathway that regulates adhesion-induced membrane ruffling. In contrast to the differential regulation of integrin-mediated signaling by Cdc42, Rac, and Rho, we observed that all three GTPases regulate cell spreading, an event that may indirectly control cellular architecture. Therefore, several separable signaling pathways regulated by different members of the Rho family of GTPases converge to control adhesion-dependent changes in the organization of the cytoskeleton, changes that regulate cell morphology and behavior.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of signaling requirements for apoptosis of human B lymphocytes induced by the B cell receptor and CD95/Fas.

To define how the signaling pathways that mediate the B cell receptor (BCR) death pathway differ from those responsible for CD95/Fas-mediated death, we compared the BCR and Fas death pathways in two human B cell lines, B104 and BJAB. Both BCR- and Fas-induced apoptosis are blocked by the peptide cysteine protease inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (ZVAD (mlz)), demonstrating a common requirement caspase activity. Despite this common characteristic, the ability of actinomycin D and cycloheximide to block BCR-induced apoptosis, but not apoptosis induced by Fas cross-linking, suggests that a major difference between these two pathways is their differential requirements for new gene and protein synthesis. BCR- and Fas-mediated apoptosis are both accompanied by activation of stress-activated protein kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Activation of both stress-activated protein kinase and p38 MAPK was inhibited by ZVAD (mlz), suggesting the involvement of caspases. To determine the role of p38 MAPK activation in BCR- and Fas-induced apoptosis, we employed SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. SB203580 inhibited BCR-induced apoptosis, but not apoptosis induced by cross-linking Fas. Furthermore, both actinomycin D and SB203580 inhibited BCR-induced, but not Fas-induced, activation of caspase. Collectively, these findings establish a role for p38 MAPK in BCR-induced apoptosis both upstream and downstream of caspase activity. The p38 MAPK pathway may function to regulate transcriptional or translational events that are critical for BCR-induced apoptosis.

Annexin A5↗
PubMed1998

Caspase-mediated activation and induction of apoptosis by the mammalian Ste20-like kinase Mst1.

Mst1 is a ubiquitously expressed serine-threonine kinase, homologous to the budding yeast Ste20, whose physiological regulation and cellular function are unknown. In this paper we show that Mst1 is specifically cleaved by a caspase 3-like activity during apoptosis induced by either cross-linking CD95/Fas or by staurosporine treatment. CD95/Fas-induced cleavage of Mst1 was blocked by the cysteine protease inhibitor ZVAD-fmk, the more selective caspase inhibitor DEVD-CHO and by the viral serpin CrmA. Caspase-mediated cleavage of Mst1 removes the C-terminal regulatory domain and correlates with an increase in Mst1 activity in vivo, consistent with caspase-mediated cleavage activating Mst1. Overexpression of either wild-type Mst1 or a truncated mutant induces morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis. Furthermore, exogenously expressed Mst1 is cleaved, indicating that Mst1 can activate caspases that result in its cleavage. Kinase-dead Mst1 did not induce morphological alterations and was not cleaved upon overexpression, indicating that Mst1 must be catalytically active in order to mediate these effects. Mst1 activates MKK6, p38 MAPK, MKK7 and SAPK in co-transfection assays, suggesting that Mst1 may activate these pathways. Our findings suggest the existence of a positive feedback loop involving Mst1, and possibly the SAPK and p38 MAPK pathways, which serves to amplify the apoptotic response.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗
PubMed1998

Polygenic autoimmune traits: Lyn, CD22, and SHP-1 are limiting elements of a biochemical pathway regulating BCR signaling and selection.

A B lymphocyte hyperactivity syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus characterizes mice lacking the src-family kinase Lyn. Lyn is not required to initiate B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling but is an essential inhibitory component. lyn-/- B cells have a delayed but increased calcium flux and exaggerated negative selection responses in the presence of antigen and spontaneous hyperactivity in the absence of antigen. As in invertebrates, genetic effects of loci with only one functional allele can be used to analyze signaling networks in mice, demonstrating that negative regulation of the BCR is a complex quantitative trait in which Lyn, the coreceptor CD22, and the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 are each limiting elements. The biochemical basis of this complex trait involves a pathway requiring Lyn to phosphorylate CD22 and recruit SHP-1 to the CD22/BCR complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Role for CD40-mediated activation of c-Rel and maintenance of c-myc RNA levels in mitigating anti-IgM-induced growth arrest.

CD40 crosslinking on B cells activates NF-kappaB and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathways. Since CD40 crosslinking rescues WEHI 231 B cells from anti-IgM-induced apoptosis, those pathways were likely candidates to be involved. Indeed, both signaling cascades predominated in anti-IgM-treated WEHI 231 cells, treated concurrently with anti-CD40 to rescue them from apoptosis. Crosslinking of CD40 activated the NF-kappaB proteins c-Rel and p50, but had no influence on their cytoplasmic steady state level. However, in contrast to-and even in the presence of-anti-IgM-mediated signals, engagement of CD40 resulted in a prolonged nuclear translocation of c-Rel, thereby allowing the formation of active NF-kappaB complexes. Consistent with this, the upstream regulatory element of the c-myc promoter, known to be regulated by NF-kappaB, was differently regulated after BCR ligation vs BCR plus CD40 crosslinking. The level of c-myc RNA was rapidly downregulated after BCR engagement, but persistent in the presence of CD40 signaling.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Nuclear import of HIV-1 DNA in resting CD4+ T cells requires a cyclosporin A-sensitive pathway.

Using PCR to monitor early (LTR/LTR (long terminal repeat)) and late (LTR/gag) products of reverse transcription and the formation of HIV-1 LTR circles (indicating nuclear import), we explored the relationship between T cell activation signals and early events in the life cycle of HIV-1 infection. The combination of TCR ligation with either CD28 cross-linking or exogenous IL-2 was required for HIV-1 LTR circle formation in resting CD4+ T cells. Ligation of the TCR or CD28 receptors or addition of IL-2 alone did not induce this process. However, cross-linking the TCR, or IL-2 alone, unlike CD28 ligation, could induce the completion of viral reverse transcription. In contrast, the initiation of HIV-1 reverse transcription could occur in resting CD4+ T cells without any stimulation. Cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of T cell activation, completely blocked HIV-1 DNA nuclear import in activated CD4+ T cells. The completion of HIV-1 reverse transcription was blocked by CsA in infected CD4+ T cells activated by TCR ligation and IL-2, but not in cells stimulated by TCR and CD28 ligation. The costimulation of CD3 and CD28 mAbs in the presence of IL-2 could not overcome the CsA inhibitory effect on nuclear import of viral DNA. Therefore, the factor(s) involved in a CsA-sensitive pathway plays a critical role in HIV-1 DNA transport from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. Production and movement of HIV-1 DNA in resting CD4+ T cells require two signals: one signal from the TCR, which normally regulates the G0 to G1 transition, induces completion of viral reverse transcription; the other signal through CD28 or an IL-2R-dependent process is sensitive to CsA treatment and regulates viral DNA entry into the nucleus.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

Role of dendritic and follicular dendritic cells in HIV infection and pathogenesis.

Dendritic cells (DCs) and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play important roles in HIV-mediated pathogenesis. Recent studies have defined new DC subsets and shown that DCs in lymphoid mucosa can both harbor virus and stimulate its spread into CD4(+) T cells. FDCs harbor unspliced HIV mRNA and immune complexed virus, but not actively infectious virus, yet these cells are a key regulated reservoir of virions.

Antigen Presentation↗
PubMed1996

Involvement of stress-activated protein kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in mIgM-induced apoptosis of human B lymphocytes.

Despite intensive efforts, the intracellular signaling pathways that mediate apoptosis remain unclear. The human B lymphoma cell line, B104, possesses characteristics that make it an attractive model for analysis of receptor-mediated apoptosis. Although these cells express both membrane IgM (mIgM) and membrane IgD (mIgD) crosslinking mIgM results in significant apoptosis while crosslinking mIgD does not. Our results show that crosslinking mIgM but not mIgD induced a delayed and sustained activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and p38 MAPK. The calcium ionophore ionomycin, which also induces apoptosis in B104 cells, stimulated a similar SAPK and p38 MAPK response. Cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of apoptosis induced by either mIgM or ionomycin, inhibited activation of both SAPK and p38 MAPK, suggesting that stimulation of these kinases may be required for induction of apoptosis. Collectively, our results indicate that SAPK and p38 MAPK may be downstream targets during mIgM-induced, calcium-mediated, apoptosis in human B lymphocytes.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1996

Functional CD40 ligand expressed by human blood dendritic cells is up-regulated by CD40 ligation.

We examined whether human blood dendritic cells (DCs) express a functional ligand for CD40 (CD40L). Human blood DCs expressed significant amounts of cell surface CD40L identical to that expressed on activated T cells, as detected by mAb to CD40L or a chimeric CD40.Ig fusion protein (CD40.Ig). Stimulation through CD40 up-regulated protein and mRNA CD40L expression in DCs, B cells, and B cell lines. CD40-mediated CD40L expression was inhibited by a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin, in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that the induction of CD40L expression via CD40 requires protein tyrosine kinase activity. CD40L surface expression correlated with constitutive or inducible levels of CD40L-specific mRNA, as determined by reverse transcribed PCR analysis (RT-PCR) using CD40L-homologous primers. Furthermore, CD40L on DCs was functional, since CD40L+ DCs, unlike CD40L- DCs, induced B cell IgG and IgA production, and this induction could be inhibited by blocking CD40L-CD40 interactions with mAb to CD40L. Thus, CD40L on DCs and CD40L induced by crosslinking CD40 may regulate B cell activation and maturation. The importance of DC CD40L expression on B cell function is discussed.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1996

Subcellular localization of CD80 receptors is dependent on an intact cytoplasmic tail and is required for CD28-dependent T cell costimulation.

CD28 provides a major costimulatory signal to T cells when it is cross-linked with mAb, immobilized recombinant ligand (CD80Ig or CD86Ig), or ligand-bearing cells but not when it is bound by specific Fab fragments or monomeric ligand. We wanted to determine how monomeric CD80 could cross-link CD28 since CD80 is expressed as a monomer on the surface of APC. We found that CD80 may interact with the actin-based cytoskeleton. To test whether the interaction of CD80 with the cytochalasin B-sensitive cytoskeleton was necessary for T cell costimulation through CD28, we constructed a tailless form of CD80 and generated stable transfectants of Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cells and Reh B cells expressing either the tailless or wild-type CD80 molecules. Unlike control cells expressing wild-type CD80, the tailless CD80 transfectants expressing equivalent levels of surface CD80 were not able to provide a costimulatory signal for anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation, up-regulation of CD25 (IL-2Ralpha) expression, or the induction of IL-2 secretion. Thus, the cytoplasmic tail of CD80 apparently is required to signal T cells. Confocal microscopic studies revealed that wild-type CD80 and tailless CD80 have different patterns of subcellular distribution in both epithelial and lymphoid cells. Furthermore, T cell contact induces more patching and capping of CD80 in wild-type CD80-expressing cells than in tailless CD80-expressing cells. This suggests that the cytoplasmic region of CD80 functions to localize CD80 in complexes required for effective T cell costimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Ras activation is necessary for integrin-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2 but not for cytoskeletal organization.

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix triggers a cascade of intracellular biochemical signals regulated by the integrin family of receptors. Recent evidence suggests that integrin engagement may activate a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade that may cooperate with more clearly defined mitogenic signaling pathways to regulate cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. Here we report that the adhesion-dependent activation of the MAP kinase Erk2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2) occurs in serum-starved NIH3T3 cells, and that this activation of Erk2 is preceded by the activation of the small GTP-binding protein Ras in fibronectin-adherent cells. Inhibition of Ras signaling by expression of a dominant-inhibitory mutant of Ras (N17Ras) in NIH3T3 cells blocked adhesion-dependent activation of Erk2, although the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was still activated in these cells. Furthermore, activation of this Ras-MAP kinase pathway activated cytosolic phospholipase A2, leading to the release of arachidonic acid metabolites, and N17Ras also inhibited these events. However, N17Ras expression does not inhibit cell adhesion, spreading, or focal contact and stress fiber formation. These results suggest that, while integrin-dependent activation of this MAP kinase pathway is Ras-dependent, the integrin-dependent activation of FAK and several morphological events are Ras-independent. Thus, integrin-mediated signals involved in regulating cell morphology appear to diverge from those regulating MAP kinase activation at a level upstream of Ras activation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

HIV: dendritic cells as embers for the infectious fire.

In people with HIV-1, most of the CD4-expressing T cells that produce virus are short-lived and vulnerable to anti-retroviral agents. But the initial 'fire' of HIV-1 infection may begin in, and be maintained by, cells of the dendritic cell lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

CD45 ligation induces programmed cell death in T and B lymphocytes.

Studies have shown an essential role for the CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase in regulating Ag receptor-derived signals in lymphocytes. Co-ligating CD45 with the Ag receptor, however, can also inhibit receptor signaling, as manifest in T cells by the lack of IL-2 production and proliferation. We report that CD45 ligation alone induces apoptosis in normal T cells, and that death was greatly potentiated by cross-linking CD3. Normal B cells and T and B cell lines were also induced to die with insoluble CD45 mAb. CD45-induced cell death was blocked by inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases, but not by inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis or by cyclosporin A. Morphologically, CD45-mediated apoptosis resembled death induced via CD95 (Fas), as evidenced by nuclear condensation and membrane blebbing, but did not cause DNA fragmentation into oligonucleosomes. Co-ligating CD45 and CD95 either enhanced or inhibited CD45-induced cell death, depending on the degree of CD45 and CD95 cross-linking. Finally, CD45 cross-linking induced its rapid association with the detergent-insoluble cell fraction, suggesting that it becomes linked to the cytoskeleton during CD45-induced apoptosis. These data show a novel role for CD45 in regulating lymphocyte death as well as proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

CD22 associates with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1C, Syk, and phospholipase C-gamma(1) upon B cell activation.

Cross-linking B cell antigen receptor (BCR) elicits early signal transduction events, including activation of protein tyrosine kinases, phosphorylation of receptor components, activation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma), and increases in intracellular free Ca2+. In this article, we report that cross-linking the BCR led to a rapid translocation of cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1C to the particulate fraction, where it became associated with a 140-150-kD tyrosyl-phosphorylated protein. Western blotting analysis identified this 140-150-kD protein to be CD22. The association of PTP-1C with CD22 was mediated by the NH2-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of PTP-1C. Complexes of either CD22/PTP-1C/Syk/PLC-gamma(1) could be isolated from B cells stimulated by BCR engagement or a mixture of hydrogen peroxidase and sodium orthovanadate, respectively. The binding of PLC-gamma(1) and Syk to tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 was mediated by the NH2-terminal SH2 domain of PLC-gamma(1) and the COOH-terminal SH2 domain of Syk, respectively. These observations suggest that tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 may downmodulate the activity of this complex by dephosphorylation of CD22, Syk, and/or PLC-gamma(1). Transient expression of CD22 and a null mutant of PTP-1C (PTP-1CM) in COS cells resulted in an increase in tyrosyl phosphorylation of CD22 and its interaction with PTP-1CM. By contrast, CD22 was not tyrosyl phosphorylated or associated with PTP-1CM in the presence of wild-type PTP-1C. These results suggest that tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 may be a substrate for PTP-1C regulates tyrosyl phosphorylation of CD22.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1996

Sensitivity of histamine H3 receptor agonist-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma[S] binding to pertussis toxin.

The effect of histamine H3 receptor-selective ligands on [35S]guanosine 5'-o-(gamma-thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma[S]) binding has been examined in rat cerebral cortical membranes. R alpha-Methylhistamine and N alpha-methylhistamine produced a concentration-dependent stimulation of [35S]GTP gamma[S] binding which was attenuated in the presence of the selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide. In addition, treatment of brain membranes with pertussis toxin abolished the histamine H3 receptor agonist stimulated binding of [35S]GTP gamma[S]. These results provide the first evidence that histamine H3 receptors couple directly to a Gi/Go protein in mammalian brain.

Animals↗