Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Schliess

Publications and source records attributed to F Schliess.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and IL-6 release in response to lipopolysaccharides in Kupffer cells is modulated by anisoosmolarity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The influence of anisoosmolarity on the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 and on interleukin-6 release was studied in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat liver macrophages. METHODS: Experiments were performed with rat liver macrophages. Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases was determined by kinase shift assay and immune complex kinase assay. Interleukin-6 mRNA was measured by Northern blot analysis and interleukin-6 production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 was enhanced in hypoosmotic media (205 mosm/l) and diminished by hyperosmotic (405 mosm/l) exposure when compared to normoosmotic (305 mosm/l) conditions. These effects were paralleled by changes in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated interleukin-6 mRNA expression, when determined after 4 h and interleukin-6 release after 18 h. The mitogen-activated protein kinase-kinase inhibitor PD 098059 abolished phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 in response to lipopolysaccharide, irrespective of the medium osmolarity, and diminished lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 mRNA expression and interleukin-6 production under normo- and hypoosmotic conditions by about 50%; it also resulted under hyperosmotic conditions in an about 80% inhibition. SB 203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 largely abolished interleukin-6 mRNA expression and interleukin-6 production, irrespective of medium osmolarity, whereas phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases was not affected. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate a modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 production by ambient osmolarity and an involvement of both p38 and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 in the stimulation of interleukin-6 production by lipopolysaccharide.

Animals↗

Osmotic regulation of MAP-kinase activities and gene expression in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells.

The effects of hypo- and hyper-osmotic shock on endogenous MAP-kinase activities and MKP-1 and c-jun mRNA levels were studied in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. In presence of vanadate hypo-osmolarity stimulated a rapid and sustained activation of MAP-kinases (Erk-2, JNK-2 and p38). In the absence of vanadate a hypo-osmotic MAP-kinase response was not detectable. Hyper-osmolarity stimulated a delayed and transient MAP-kinase activation and vanadate was not required for its detection. Vanadate, however, amplified the hyper-osmotic MAP-kinase stimulation. c-jun and MKP-1 mRNA levels were maximal after 0.5-1 h of hypo-osmotic exposure and returned towards basal levels within 2 h, whereas the hyper-osmotic induction of c-jun and MKP-1 mRNA was delayed. Vanadate was not required for the aniso-osmotic effects on MKP-1 and c-jun mRNA levels. Whereas the hyper-osmolarity-induced c-jun mRNA accumulation returned towards basal levels within 8 h, MKP-1 mRNA was still highly expressed at this time point. The role of MAP-kinases for the induction of aniso-osmolarity-induced gene expression and the potential importance of MKP-1 for termination of aniso-osmotic MAP-kinase activation are discussed.

Animals↗

Compatible organic osmolytes and osmotic modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthetase in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages.

The influence of osmolarity and compatible organic osmolytes on the phosphorylation of the MAP-kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 and on the expression of taurine transporter (TAUT) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was studied in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Hypoosmolarity (205 mosmol/l) but not hyperosmolarity (405 mosmol/l) or challenge of the cells with betaine or taurine increased phosphorylation of Erk-1 and Erk-2. Hypoosmotic Erk-phosphorylation was blocked by the MEK-inhibitor PD098059 but was resistant to depletion of extracellular calcium and to inhibition of PLC, PKC, erbstatin-sensitive tyrosine kinases and elevation of intracellular cAMP. Hyperosmolarity stimulated Na+-dependent taurine uptake and led to an increase of TAUT mRNA levels, whereas hypoosmotic exposure diminished both and induced a rapid efflux of the osmolyte from taurine-preloaded cells. The hyperosmotic elevation of TAUT mRNA levels was antagonized upon addition of taurine but not of betaine or myo-inositol. Hyperosmolarity increased the LPS-induced iNOS expression at the mRNA and the protein level. This was suppressed by betaine but not by taurine or myo-inositol. The osmotic regulation of taurine transport and iNOS expression appeared independent of the MEK-Erk pathway and the p38MAPK.

Animals↗

Osmosignalling in C6 glioma cells.

The influence of aniso-osmolarity on the activity of the MAP kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 was studied in C6 glioma cells. Hypo-osmotic treatment (205 mosmol/l) led to an increased activity of Erk-1 and Erk-2 within 3 min, which became maximal at 10 min and returned to basal level within 120 min. In contrast, Erk activity was reduced under hyper-osmotic conditions (405 mosmol/l), compared to the normo-osmotic control (305 mosmol/l). Erk activation was accompanied by a mobility shift of Raf-1. Hypo-osmotic exposure increased the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Absence of extracellular Ca2+ largely abolished the [Ca2+]i response to hypo-osmolarity, whereas Erk activation following hypo-osmotic stimulation remained unaffected, suggesting a Ca2+ independence of the osmosignalling pathway to the MAP kinases. Both the Ca2+ response as well as the Erk activation following hypo-osmotic exposure were maintained in the presence of the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Application of 8-CPT cAMP, forskolin/isobutylmethylxanthine or isoproterenol blocked Erk activation following hypo-osmotic treatment of the cells, suggesting a role of the Ras/Raf pathway upstream from Erk-1 and Erk-2. Protein kinase C (PKC) is unlikely to play a role in the hypo-osmolarity- induced signalling towards MAP kinases, as revealed by inhibition of PKC with Go6850. Inhibition of pertussis- or cholera toxin-sensitive G-proteins as well as inhibition of tyrosine kinases with genistein and of PI3 kinase by wortmannin had no effect on the Erk response to hypo-osmolarity. It is concluded that osmosignalling in C6 glioma cells differs upstream of the MAP kinases from that observed in primary rat astrocytes, H4IIE rat hepatoma cells and isolated rat hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Liver cell hydration.

Liver cells possess potent mechanisms to maintain their volume, i.e., their hydration state. These volume-regulatory mechanisms, however, are apparently not designed to maintain absolute cell volume constancy; they rather act as dampeners to prevent excessive cell volume deviations, which would otherwise result from cumulative substrate uptake or anisotonic stress. Furthermore, these volume-regulatory mechanisms can even be activated in the resting state by hormones and other stimuli, and by that means cell volume changes are effected secondarily. Thus, liver cell hydration can change within minutes under the influence of aniso-osmolarity, hormones, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Such short-term modulation of cell volume within a narrow range acts as an independent and potent signal which modifies hepatocellular metabolism and gene expression. Accordingly, cell volume homeostasis involves the integration of events that allow cell hydration to play a physiologic role as a regulator of cell function.

Animals↗

Mitogen-activated protein kinases mediate the stimulation of bile acid secretion by tauroursodeoxycholate in rat liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA) is widely used in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease. The purpose of this study was to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effect. METHODS: TUDCA-induced signaling towards bile acid excretion was studied in 24-hour-cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused rat liver. RESULTS: In rat hepatocytes, TUDCA (> 100 mumol/L) led within 10 minutes to an activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)-1 and Erk-2. Erk activation by TUDCA was insensitive to inhibition of protein kinase C, tyrosine kinases, and G-protein function. TUDCA-induced Erk activation, however, was abolished in the presence of PD098059, a MAP-kinase kinase (MAP-kinase/Erk-kinase [MEK]) inhibitor and after elevation of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Thus, TUDCA signaling towards MAP kinases is different from hypo-osmotic MAP-kinase activation, which is sensitive to inhibitors of tyrosine kinases and G-protein function. Addition of dibutyryl-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate or PD098059 also abolished the stimulatory effect of TUDCA (20 mumol/L) on taurocholate excretion in perfused rat liver, whereas tyrosine kinase inhibition was ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: TUDCA signaling towards bile acid secretion is mediated by an Raf/MEK-dependent activation of MAP kinases. Although both TUDCA and hypo-osmotic hepatocyte swelling lead to MAP-kinase activation and a stimulation of bile acid secretion, different upstream signaling events are involved.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Cell volume changes modulate cholecystokinin- and carbachol-stimulated amylase release in isolated rat pancreatic acini.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Changes in cell volume have been recently identified as modulators of cell function and gene expression. This study evaluated the regulation of exocrine secretion by pancreatic acini on the basis of changes in cell hydration. METHODS: Acini were exposed to hypotonicity or hypertonicity. The effects of corresponding changes in cell volume on various cell functions were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypertonicity and hypotonicity caused a stepwise cell shrinkage and swelling, respectively. Cell shrinkage decreased and cell swelling increased amylase secretion stimulated by cholecystokinin (CCK) and carbachol but not by secretin. Changes in cell volume did not alter basal or CCK-stimulated calcium concentrations or CCK-stimulated inositol triphosphate generation. The regulation of secretion by cell volume is not mediated via changes in CCK receptor binding or protein kinase C. The increase of amylase release caused by hypotonicity was completely inhibited by cytochalasin B, colchicine, and genistein. Hypotonicity as well as CCK caused activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in cell volume regulate exocrine secretion of pancreatic acini. The effects were found only for secretagogues that act via the calcium/inositol-trisphosphate pathway. However, the mechanisms involved are located at luminal parts of the signal-transduction cascade and involve the cytoskeleton, protein phosphorylation, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Characterization of the hypo-osmolarity-induced Ca2+ response in cultured rat astrocytes.

The influence of astrocyte swelling on the cytosolic free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was studied at the single cell level. Sudden exposure of normo-osmotically (305 mosmol/l) cultured astrocytes to hypo-osmotic medium induced a biphasic increase in cytosolic calcium with an initial peak followed by a sustained plateau. The response was osmolarity dependent and was maximal at 205 mosmol/l with respect to [Ca2+]i and the percentage of responding cells. Other modes of astrocyte swelling [gradual adjustment of hypo-osmolarity, normo-osmotic exposure of hyper-osmotic (405 mosmol/l) maintained cells] produced a much weaker [Ca2+]i response. Change from 405 to 205 mosmol/l, however, resulted in the entire peak and an increased plateau. Experiments with Ca(2+)-free medium and after pretreatment with BAPTA-AM, thapsigargin, phorbol myristate acetate, or nimodipine revealed that the peak mainly resulted from depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, whereas the plateau was probably due to capacitative Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ influx independent of store depletion including a nimodipin-sensitive component. Prior depletion of ryanodine-, bradykinin- or ATP-sensitive stores revealed that the initial hypo-osmolarity-induced Ca(2+)-release was from a Ca2+ pool also affected by ATP and bradykinin, but not by ryanodine. The recent finding, that the hypo-osmolarity-induced [Ca2+]i response was completely maintained if phospholipase C-mediated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was blocked, suggests that hypo-osmolarity may exert an inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate-independent access to these stores.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Calcium-dependent activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2 after hypo-osmotic astrocyte swelling.

The influence of hypo-osmotic cell swelling on the activity of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 (where Erk stands for extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) was studied in cultured rat astrocytes. Hypo-osmotic treatment led within 10 min to an increased activity of Erk-1 and Erk-2, which became maximal at 20 min and returned to the basal level within 60 min. Moreover, exposure to hypo-osmotic conditions induced a biphasic increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i): a rapid peak-like increase was followed by a sustained plateau. The absence of extracellular Ca2+ completely abolished Erk activation as well as the plateau of the [Ca2+]i response after hypo-osmotic stimulation. Application of wortmannin and agents to elevate intracellular cAMP levels also completely blocked Erk activation but were without effect on the biphasic [Ca2+]i response to hypo-osmotic treatment of the cells, suggesting a role of PtdIns 3-kinase and the Ras/Raf pathway downstream of the calcium signal. Protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinases are unlikely to play a role in the hypo-osmolarity-induced signalling towards MAP kinases, as revealed by the blockage of PKC and CaM kinases. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases, pertussis-toxin- or cholera-toxin-sensitive G-proteins and phospholipase C had no effect on the [Ca2+]i response; the Erk response to hypo-osmolarity was also largely unaltered. This is different from the swelling-induced MAP kinase activation in hepatocytes, which was shown to occur via a calcium-independent but G-protein- and tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism. Thus osmo-signalling towards MAP kinases might exhibit cell-type-specific features.

Androstadienes↗

Regulation of taurocholate excretion by a hypo-osmolarity-activated signal transduction pathway in rat liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hypo-osmotic cell swelling increases the capacity of taurocholate excretion into bile in the perfused rat liver. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms linking cell swelling to bile acid secretion. METHODS: The influence of hypo-osmotic cell swelling on intracellular signal transduction and bile acid secretion was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes and the perfused rat liver. RESULTS: In rat livers perfused with hypo-osmotic buffer (225 mOsm/L), the maximum velocity of taurocholate excretion into bile is increased by 135% within 10-20 minutes. To unravel signaling events mediating this effect, the activities of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (Erk)-1 and Erk-2, were measured after hypo-osmotic treatment in cultured rat hepatocytes. A rapid parallel activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2 was observed within 1 minute, which became maximal after 10 minutes and returned to the basal level within 60 minutes. The hypo-osmolarity-induced Erk activation and the increase in bile flow after hypo-osmotic liver perfusion were completely abolished by inhibitors of signal transduction at the level of G proteins and tyrosine kinases but remained unaffected by the inhibition of the protein kinase C. CONCLUSIONS: A G protein-and tyrosine kinase-dependent but protein kinase C-independent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases is involved in the regulation of taurocholate excretion by liver cell hydration changes.

Animals↗

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 by cell swelling in H4IIE hepatoma cells.

Hepatic metabolism and gene expression are among the factors controlled by the cellular hydration state, which changes within minutes in response to aniso-osmotic environments, cumulative substrate uptake, oxidative stress and under the influence of hormones such as insulin. The signalling events coupling cell-volume changes to altered cell function were studied in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. Hypo-osmotic cell swelling resulted within 1 min in a tyrosine kinase-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2, which was independent of protein kinase C and cytosolic calcium. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was followed by an increased phosphorylation of c-Jun, which may explain our recently reported finding of an about 5-fold increase in c-jun mRNA level in response to cell swelling. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis or cholera toxin abolished the swelling-induced activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2, suggesting the involvement of G-proteins. Thus, a signal-transduction pathway resembling growth factor signalling is activated already by osmotic water shifts across the plasma membrane, thereby providing a new perspective for adaption of cell function to alterations of the environment.

Animals↗

Cell volume and hepatocellular function.

The hepatocellular hydration state, i.e. liver cell volume, is a dynamic parameter, which changes within minutes in response to alterations in the environmental or hormonal milieu. These changes in cell hydration act as a signal which modifies metabolism and gene expression due to complex alterations in protein phosphorylation. The role of cellular hydration as an important determinant of liver cell function and gene expression may shed a new light not only on liver physiology but also on liver pathophysiology.

Animals↗

Evolution of the myelin integral membrane proteins of the central nervous system.

The predominant integral membrane protein of the CNS myelin of amphibia, reptiles, birds and mammals is proteolipid protein (PLP) and P0, the main glycoprotein in PNS myelin. Alternative splicing of the transcripts of the single genes of PLP and myelin basic protein (MBP) is the underlying mechanism by which the isoforms of the two main proteins of the myelin membrane arise. DM20 is an isoform of PLP in mammalian, avian and reptilian myelin. It does not occur in the CNS myelin of amphibia. DM20 lacks an extended hydrophilic sequence exposed on the extracytoplasmic surface of the lipid bilayer as a result of the usage of a cryptic donor splice site within exon III. We report about comparative studies on PLP and its DM20 isoform on the protein and DNA level of frog, chicken, rat CNS and the P0-related IP proteins of the CNS of trout. Chemical cleavage at tryptophan residues with N-chlorosuccinimide yields identical patterns of PLP peptides which refers to a high conservation between amphibia, birds and mammals and is totally different from the cleavage pattern of hydrophobic myelin proteins IP-1 and IP-2 of trout CNS and that of P0 of rat PNS. The N-terminal 19 amino-acid residues of IP-1 of trout CNS- and P0 of frog PNS myelin were sequenced and proved to be homologous on one hand with the P0 analogue of CNS of the shark, a cartilage fish, and on the other hand with P0 protein of PNS of birds and mammals. The complete amino-acid sequence of chicken CNS PLP was derived from its cDNA. Coding and noncoding segments of the PLP gene of frog were sequenced: there is a high degree of conservation between amphibian and mammalian PLP within the hydrophobic domains. Numerous mutations were found within the part of exon III encoding the hydrophilic domain. Base exchanges within the putative splice site in exon III explain the absence of DM20 in the protein pattern of amphibia CNS myelin. This result is being discussed in view of the membrane organization and the function of PLP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The hepatocyte integrin system and cell volume sensing.

Alterations of cell volume induced by either aniso-osmotic environments or under the influence of hormones, concentrative amino acid uptake and oxidative stress were recognized as an independent signal contributing to the regulation of metabolism and gene expression. The regulation of cell function by hydration changes requires structures, which register fluctuations of cell hydration (osmosensing) and thereby activate intracellular signalling pathways towards effector sites (osmosignalling). Meanwhile, it is well established that osmosensing and signalling integrate into the overall context of hormone- and nutrient-induced signal transduction. Recent evidence suggests integrins to play a major role in osmosensing and signalling due to hepatocyte swelling. This review focuses on the role of integrins in sensing of hepatocyte swelling as triggered by hypo-osmolarity, glutamine and insulin and the relevance of integrin-dependent osmosignalling for inhibition of autophagic proteolysis, stimulation of canalicular bile acid excretion and regulatory volume decrease.

Animals↗

Cell hydration and mTOR-dependent signalling.

Insulin- and amino acid-induced signalling by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) involves hyperphosphorylation of the p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70S6-kinase) and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 4E-BP1 and contributes to regulation of protein metabolism. This review considers the impact of cell hydration on mTOR-dependent signalling. Although hypoosmotic hepatocyte swelling in some instances activates p70S6-kinase, the hypoosmolarity-induced proteolysis inhibition in perfused rat liver is insensitive to mTOR inhibition by rapamycin. Likewise, swelling-dependent proteolysis inhibition by insulin and swelling-independent proteolysis inhibition by leucine, a potent activator of p70S6-kinase and 4E-BP1 hyperphosphorylation, in perfused rat liver is insensitive to rapamycin, indicating that at least rapamycin-sensitive mTOR signalling is not involved. Hyperosmotic dehydration in different cell types produces inactivation of signalling components around mTOR, thereby attenuating insulin-induced glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, and lipogenesis in adipocytes, and MAP-kinase phosphatase MKP-1 expression in hepatoma cells. Direct inactivation of mTOR, stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase, and the destabilization of individual proteins may impair mTOR signalling under dehydrating conditions. Further investigation of the crosstalk between the mTOR pathway(s) and hyperosmotic signalling will improve our understanding about the contribution of cell hydration changes in health and disease and will provide further rationale for fluid therapy of insulin-resistant states.

Adipocytes↗