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Biomedical subjects

J Saklatvala

Publications and source records attributed to J Saklatvala.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Intracellular signalling mechanisms of interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor: possible targets for therapy.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) are primary inflammatory cytokines. They have highly similar diverse biological actions and act as local and systemic hormones to cause many features of inflammation. Results of studies in animals and humans indicate that blocking their production or action will have marked anti-inflammatory effects. They combine with distinct receptors at the cell surface and rapidly activate intracellular protein kinase cascades. The protein kinases then phosphorylate a variety of cellular protein substrates, including transcription factors, to produce the biological response. In cell culture IL-1 and TNF have the potential to activate all three MAP (Mitogen-Activated Protein) kinase cascades, as well as other less well characterized enzymes. The mechanism(s) by which the cytokine receptors activate the kinases is unknown. There is some evidence that IL-1 and TNF activate sphingomyelinase in the cell membrane to generate ceramide, which may have a signalling function.

Cell Communication↗

Small joint synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: should it be assessed separately?

In the assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) small joint synovitis is traditionally included only as a component of active, tender or swollen joint counts. By contrast, in the assessment of disease damage in RA, the X-ray score of hands and feet represents one of the most common parameters used and is regarded as a major indicator of outcome. Data presented in this study lead us to hypothesize that the small joints require separate assessment in any study of disease activity or outcome in RA: (i) there is clear evidence that small joint synovitis often occurs in the absence of an abnormal acute phase response (ESR or C-reactive protein) and (ii) measured synovitis is an individual (PIP) joint has been shown to be reliable and to be related to subsequent X-ray changes in the same joint. Our findings show that, in a study of a treatment of RA, it is quite possible for disease activity measures to appear controlled while inflammation continues in the small joints causing radiological damage. This radiological damage is reflected as an adverse outcome. Hence the paradox of improving disease activity but not outcome. We argue that small joint inflammation and damage should be recognized as one aspect of the RA disease process offering unique information and as such should be assessed independently.

Adult↗

Specific activation of beta-casein kinase by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor.

Increases (5-fold) in the rate of phosphorylation of beta-casein were observed in extracts of human gingival fibroblasts that had been stimulated by interleukin 1 (IL-1) or tumour necrosis factor (TNF). The induced kinase was cytosolic and had little activity on alpha-casein. Its chromatographic behaviour on anion-exchange and gel-filtration columns was similar to that of beta-casein kinase, an enzyme detected originally in MRC-5 cells stimulated by IL-1 and TNF. Phosphopeptide maps of beta-casein confirmed that the kinase activated in gingival fibroblasts had the same substrate specificity as beta-casein kinase. In gingival fibroblasts, beta-casein kinase activity was maximum after 15 min of stimulation by IL-1 or TNF, and remained activated for several hours. Activations of small heat-shock protein (hsp27) kinase and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were also maximum 15 min after stimulation, but decreased to background levels within the next 30 min. Study of the effects of 21 agents other than IL-1 or TNF showed that none activated beta-casein kinase, whereas several activated MAP kinase or hsp27 kinase. beta-Casein kinase was also detected in extracts of bovine articular chondrocytes and human endothelial cells stimulated by IL-1 or TNF. Semi-purified preparations of fibroblast beta-casein kinase were not inactivated by phosphatases in vitro. Our results suggest that it may be involved in responses specific to IL-1 and TNF in a wide range of cell types and that its activation probably involves mechanisms other than its phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Interleukin 1 alpha activates two forms of p54 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase in rabbit liver.

We have identified in rabbits two hepatic forms of T669 peptide kinases that are very strongly activated after systemic injection with the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1). The T669 peptide contains a major phosphorylation site of the epidermal growth factor receptor, threonine 699 and is a substrate for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. The kinases were purified to homogeneity and corresponded to 50- and 55-kD proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amino acid sequencing of 12 tryptic peptides of both kinases identified them as p54 MAP kinase alpha. This kinase belongs to the novel family of stress-activated protein kinases. This is the first evidence of IL-1 activating a specific protein kinase in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphorylated HSP27 associates with the activation-dependent cytoskeleton in human platelets.

The three prominently phosphorylated 29-kD proteins in thrombin-activated human platelets are forms of the mammalian 27-kD heat-shock protein (HSP27). Though the function of HSP27 is not yet known, its phosphorylation is highly correlated with platelet secretion, and recent evidence in nonhematopoietic cells suggests that HSP27 regulates cortical actin filament assembly. Therefore, the subcellular location and phosphorylation state of HSP27 in resting and thrombin-activated platelets was studied. Platelets were fractionated by established Triton X-100 lysis methods followed by differential centrifugation to obtain the 14,000g fraction (low-speed cytoskeleton), 100,000g fraction (membrane skeleton), and the 100,000g supernatant fraction containing soluble cytosolic proteins. In resting platelets, HSP27 was present principally in the 100,000g supernatant fraction. Platelet activation with thrombin led to translocation of the majority of HSP27 to the low-speed cytoskeleton. This association was reversible by DNase, supporting the idea that HSP27 is a specific component of the actin cytoskeleton. Immunofluorescence studies similarly showed HSP27 is cytoplasmic in resting platelets but colocalizes with actin in fully spread, glass-activated platelets. Immunoprecipitation studies showed a small amount of constitutively phosphorylated HSP27 in resting platelets, but phosphorylation of the majority of HSP27 after thrombin activation. After activation, virtually all phosphorylated HSP27 was found in the low-speed cytoskeletal fraction, and each of the three phosphorylated forms of HSP27 were present by two-dimensional autoradiography. Furthermore, in time-course studies, the phosphorylation of HSP27 occurred just before localization of HSP27 to the low-speed pellet. These results show that, after platelet activation, HSP27 is first phosphorylated and then translocated from the cytoplasm to the assembling cytoskeleton, and suggest that HSP27 phosphorylation may be important to the binding of HSP27 to cytoskeletal components and the cytoskeletal rearrangements characteristic of platelet activation.

Actins↗

Interleukin-1 activates a novel protein kinase cascade that results in the phosphorylation of Hsp27.

An IL-1-stimulated protein kinase cascade resulting in phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein hsp27 has been identified in KB cells. It is distinct from the p42 MAP kinase cascade. An upstream activator kinase phosphorylated a 40 kDa kinase (p40) upon threonine and tyrosine residues, which in turn phosphorylated a 50 kDa kinase (p50) upon threonine (and some serine) residues. p50 phosphorylated hsp27 upon serine. p40 and p50 were purified to near homogeneity. All three components were inactivated by protein phosphatase 2A, and p40 was inactivated by protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. The substrate specificity of p40 differed from that of p42 and p54 MAP kinases. The upstream activator was not a MAP kinase kinase. p50 resembled MAPKAPK-2 and may be identical.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interleukin-1 activates a novel protein kinase that phosphorylates the epidermal-growth-factor receptor peptide T669.

We have isolated from KB cells stimulated with interleukin-1 (IL-1) a protein kinase that phosphorylates a peptide (T669) based on the sequence around T669 of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. The enzyme, which had an apparent molecular mass of 45 kDa on gel-filtration chromatography, was purified 170,000-fold from cytosolic extracts by sequential chromatography on Mono Q, Mono S, phenyl-Sepharose, Superose 12, ATP-Sepharose and Mono Q. The enzyme activity co-chromatographed at the last step with a 45 kDa protein band that stained for phosphotyrosine. This peak fraction also contained some actin and a 60 kDa protein that stained weakly for phosphotyrosine. The T669 peptide is a substrate for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Amounts of IL-1-induced T669 kinase and activated recombinant p42 MAP kinase having equal activity on T669 peptide were compared on commonly used MAP kinase substrates. T669 kinase was two or three orders of magnitude less active on myelin basic protein or microtubule-associated protein-2 than was MAP kinase. The IL-1-induced T669 kinase did not react with antiserum to p42/p44 MAP kinase. It was inactivated by treatment with protein phosphatase 2A or protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase 1B, so it may be regulated by dual phosphorylation in similar fashion to MAP kinase. The dephosphorylated enzyme was not re-activated by MAP kinase kinase. This novel enzyme could lie on a kinase cascade induced by IL-1. It may be responsible for phosphorylating T669 of the EGF receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of two different forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase induced in polymorphonuclear leukocytes following stimulation by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Incubation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with chemoattractants, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) activated both mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Activation by chemoattractants was rapid and transient, being maximal by 1 min and decreasing by 10 min. The order of efficacy was formyl-met-leu-phe > C5a > > LTB4 > interleukin 8 > platelet-activating factor. In contrast, activation by GM-CSF or PMA was slow and sustained being maximal at 5 min and with little decrease by 30 min. Sustained MAPK activation required continuous activation of the MAPKK. The MAPKK induced by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, GM-CSF, or PMA was resolved into two forms by anion exchange chromatography (Mono Q). Both corresponded to a 45-kDa MAPKK antigen by Western blotting and were inactivated by serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A. Rechromatography of both forms after dephosphorylation resulted in the antigen's eluting slightly earlier on the Mono Q gradient than when in the active state. However, the two peaks remained separate, suggesting that they are not merely different phosphoforms of the same enzyme. The MAPK cascade is a signaling pathway common to many polymorphonuclear leukocyte stimulants, which may be activated transiently or in a sustained manner.

Blotting, Western↗

Prediction of radiographic damage in hands and feet in rheumatoid arthritis by clinical evaluation.

Radiography of hands and feet is a standard measure of outcome in rheumatoid arthritis. We hypothesised that this radiological information can be reproduced by clinical evaluation. A rheumatologist examined 78 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and tried to predict the radiological Larsen score, for the proximal interphalangeal (PIP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), wrist, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Spearman correlation between clinical Larsen and X-ray Larsen was 0.79 for hands and 0.66 for feet. There was no significant difference in scores for PIP, MCP, wrists, or ankles, but MTP joints were underscored by clinical Larsen relative to X-ray Larsen (median of 20 vs 22 respectively, p = 0.04). Categorical data for index finger MCP joints showed significant proportional agreement of 37% (Kappa 0.24, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the Larsen X-ray score can be predicted by clinical examination with surprising accuracy in the small hand joints but less so in the feet. Although the favourable agreement shown in this study does not make X-rays redundant, we suggest that clinical examination of the hands should be further refined and standardised as a measure of outcome.

Adult↗

Measurement and prediction of radiological progression in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare radiological scoring systems in early RA, and then to determine if the rate of radiological progression in the first year of disease (RRP01) predicts the subsequent rate of progression up to 8 years (RRP1-8). METHODS: Hand and feet radiographs were performed at 0, 1, 2 and 8 years in 65 patients presenting with nonerosive RA and symptoms for less than 3 years. All films were scored by Sharp's method; Sharp, Larsen and carpometacarpal (CMC) ratio methods were compared in 23 patients. RESULTS: Significant change in score was detected over the first year using Sharp (median of 15.5 vs 7.5, p < 0.00002) and Larsen (30.5 vs 22.5, p < 0.0002), but not CMC ratio (1.13 vs 1.14, p = 0.07). Sharp had greater range and sensitivity of change, and had better inter and intraobserver reproducibility. RRP01 showed a skewed distribution (median 0.7 units/month; range -0.3 to +6.1). Spearman correlation between RRP01 and RRP1-8 was r = 0.57, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Both Sharp and Larsen indices are sensitive to change in the first year of RA, but Sharp has advantages of greater sensitivity and reproducibility: CMC ratio is not useful. Radiological progression rate in the first year correlates only moderately with subsequent rate of progression up to 8 years. This suggests that radiological progression is nonuniform and that different patterns of progression over time may exist.

Adult↗

Interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor activate the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase in cultured cells.

Interleukin 1 (IL1) activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase in human gingival and foreskin fibroblasts and KB cells. Maximal activity was found in cytosolic extracts made after stimulating cells for 15 min. On anion-exchange chromatography two differently charged forms of MAP kinase kinase were identified, both phosphorylated a kinase-defective mutant MAP kinase, and activated recombinant wild type MAP kinase to phosphorylate MBP. Both were inhibited by an antiserum to recombinant MAP kinase kinase and the less acidic form was identified on Western blotting as an antigen of approximately 43 kDa. Indistinguishable forms were very much more strongly induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). TNF had a similar effect to that of IL1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The chemotactic factor N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine activates microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP) kinase and a MAP kinase kinase in polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Incubation of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) with either the chemotactic factor N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) activates a kinase with phosphorylating activity towards a known microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP) kinase substrate, the epidermal growth factor receptor peptide (T669). Activation of this enzyme by FMLP was maximal at 1 min, decreasing by 10 min. Activation by PMA was slightly slower than that by FMLP, but more prolonged (maximal at 5 min, with no significant decrease by 20 min). The enzyme induced by either stimulant bound strongly to phenyl-Sepharose, had a molecular mass of 40 kDa on gel filtration and phosphorylated three MAP kinase substrates, i.e. MAP, myelin basic protein and the T669 peptide. By use of antibodies to MAP kinases and phosphotyrosine, the enzyme was identified as the 42 kDa MAP kinase (also known as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2, ERK2). Stimulation of PMN with FMLP or PMA was also found to induce a kinase kinase which phosphorylated human recombinant MAP kinase on threonine and tyrosine, with concomitant activation. These results suggest that MAP kinase and the kinase kinase are involved in the activation of PMN by chemotactic factors such as FMLP.

Animals↗

Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor stimulate two novel protein kinases that phosphorylate the heat shock protein hsp27 and beta-casein.

We have partially purified and characterized two protein kinases that were strongly activated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in MRC-5 fibroblasts. The kinases were separated by anion exchange chromatography of cytosolic fractions. They phosphorylated in vitro the small heat shock protein (hsp27) or beta-casein and were stimulated 3- and 4.5-fold, respectively, in cells that had been exposed to IL-1 or TNF for 10 min. They were distinct from the mitogen-activated protein kinases, whose activation by IL-1 or TNF has been reported recently. The hsp27 kinase phosphorylated its substrate on serine residues. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 45-kDa by gel filtration. It is probably involved in the increase in hsp27 phosphorylation seen in intact cells. The beta-casein kinase behaved as a 65-kDa protein. It phosphorylated its substrate on serine and threonine residues and had little activity on alpha-casein. The hsp27 and beta-casein kinases were not activated after stimulation of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). In contrast, the MAP kinases were activated to a similar extent (2-3-fold) by the cytokines and by PMA. The hsp27- and beta-casein kinases probably correspond to novel enzymes whose mechanisms of activation may be independent of protein kinase C or MAP kinases.

Caseins↗

Inhibition of cartilage proteoglycan release by a specific inactivator of cathepsin B and an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. Evidence for two converging pathways of chondrocyte-mediated proteoglycan degradation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mechanisms of cartilage matrix destruction by a study of the effects of a specific inactivator of cathepsin B and an inhibitor of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) on cartilage proteoglycan release. METHODS: Cartilage explants were treated with either recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (rHuIL-1 alpha) or retinoic acid in the presence or absence of the inhibitors, and proteoglycan release was quantitated. Tests for nonspecific effects of the inhibitors included reversibility, rates of protein synthesis and glycolysis, and effects on other rHuIL-1 alpha-mediated events. RESULTS: The cathepsin B inactivator inhibited rHuIL-1 alpha-stimulated proteoglycan release at nanomolar concentrations, but failed to significantly inhibit retinoic acid-stimulated proteoglycan release. An inhibitor of MMP was inhibitory to both rHuIL-1 alpha-stimulated release and retinoic acid-stimulated release. CONCLUSION: Cathepsin B is implicated in rHuIL-1 alpha-stimulated loss of cartilage proteoglycan. Its lack of involvement in retinoic acid-stimulated proteoglycan release suggests the existence of at least 2 pathways of cartilage proteoglycan breakdown, which may converge at the activation of a matrix prometalloproteinase.

Aggrecans↗

The inhibition of interleukin 1-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan degradation by cysteine endopeptidase inactivators.

Cysteine endopeptidase inactivators were tested as inhibitors of interleukin 1-stimulated proteoglycan release from bovine nasal septum cartilage explants. Hydrophilic inactivators showed no inhibition at concentrations up to 100 microM. In contrast, lipophilic inactivators gave significant inhibition, which was both reversible and specific. No effects on interleukin 1 signal transduction were detected, but rates of proteoglycan synthesis were apparently increased. Our results suggest that one or more of the lysosomal cathepsins B, L and S mediate cytokine-stimulated proteoglycan degradation, and the turnover of newly synthesized proteoglycan, but that effective inhibitors must pass through membranes.

Animals↗

Lysosomal cysteine endopeptidases mediate interleukin 1-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan degradation.

The peptidyl diazomethane inactivator of cysteine endopeptidases, benzyloxycarbonyl-Tyr-Ala-CHN2, was tested as an inhibitor of interleukin 1 alpha-stimulated release of proteoglycan from bovine nasal septum cartilage explants. Like the previously tested epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor trans-epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido-(3-methyl)butane ethyl ester, it proved to be an effective inhibitor of proteoglycan release from cartilage, with significant inhibition at a concentration of 1 microM. The inhibition did not seem to be due to a general toxic effect. The rates of inactivation of the bovine cysteine endopeptidases by the peptidyl diazomethane, the epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor and its active form were determined. Benzyloxycarbonyl-Tyr-Ala-CHN2 proved to be a rapid inactivator of cathepsins L, S and B, but reacted much more slowly with cathepsin H and calpain. Thus it would appear that the latter two enzymes are not implicated in proteoglycan release in our test system. The peptidyl diazomethane and epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor (above) were also tested for their effects on three other interleukin 1-mediated cellular events, namely epidermal growth factor receptor transmodulation, and interleukin 6 and prostaglandin E2 production. In all cases the inactivators did not interfere with the response to interleukin 1 in human gingival fibroblasts. We conclude that one or more of the lysosomal cysteine endopeptidases cathepsins B, L and S mediate interleukin 1-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan degradation without affecting signal transduction.

Animals↗

Interleukin 1 induces NF-kappa B through its type I but not its type II receptor in lymphocytes.

It is not known whether one or both of the interleukin 1 (IL1) receptors mediates the induction of the DNA-binding protein NF-kappa B. Nuclear extracts of the murine lines EL4.NOB.1 and 70Z/3, which bear the type I (80 kDa) and type II (67 kDa) IL1 receptor, respectively, were analyzed by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. A 265-base pair sequence of the human serum amyloid A gene or a synthetic oligonucleotide each containing the NF-kappa B site were used as the DNA probes. IL1 induction of NF-kappa B was rapid (optimal at 15-30 min) and transient in both cell types. The IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra), which binds strongly to the type I receptor, inhibited the NF-kappa B response in both cell lines. IL1ra did not bind to the type II receptor on 70Z/3 cells as judged by competition for binding with 125I-IL1 alpha. When 125I-IL1ra binding to 70Z/3 cells was measured, a small number (10/cell) of high affinity sites (Kd = 5 x 10(-12) M) were detected. These were likely to have been type I receptor because an antibody to this inhibited the NF-kappa B induction in 70Z/3 cells (as well as EL4). Potential signal transduction mechanisms involving protein kinase C or oxygen radicals were studied. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced NF-kappa B with a similar time course to IL1 in 70Z/3 but only after 4 h in EL4.IL1 was unaffected by a protein kinase C inhibitor (staurosporine). H2O2 did not mimic IL1, and IL1 was not inhibited by an antioxidant. The type I receptor mediates the induction of NF-kappa B in response to IL1 via a signaling mechanism that still remains to be identified.

Animals↗