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K A Roebuck

Publications and source records attributed to K A Roebuck.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Oxidant stress regulation of IL-8 and ICAM-1 gene expression: differential activation and binding of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB (Review).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated either extracellularly or intracellularly through ligand-receptor interactions, can function as signal transduction molecules to activate the chemotactic cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the cell surface adhesion protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54). Together, IL-8 and ICAM-1 orchestrate the transendothelial migration of neutrophils to sites of inflammation and injury. Recent results demonstrate that oxidant stress generated directly by exogenous H2O2 differentially induce IL-8 and ICAM-1 transcription in epithelial and endothelial cells. H2O2 induces IL-8 but not ICAM-1 in the A549 type-II-like epithelial cell line, whereas in a microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) as well as in primary endothelial cells, H2O2 induces ICAM-1 but not IL-8, which is spontaneously expressed. In contrast, the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFalpha, whose activity is dependent on the generation of intracellular ROS, induces IL-8 and ICAM-1 in both cell types. The differential induction of IL-8 and ICAM-1 by H2O2 and TNFalpha suggest that the two inflammatory stimuli target distinct redox responsive signaling pathways to activate cell type-specific gene expression. In this regard, we found that the cell type-specific pattern of IL-8 and ICAM-1 gene expression was associated with the differential activation and promoter binding of the redox regulated transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB. In this review, our current understanding of the redox regulation of the IL-8 and ICAM-1 genes is summarized, and the differential roles AP-1 and NF-kappaB play in their cell type-specific expression, with particular emphasis on the differential effects induced by TNFalpha and H2O2 is discussed.

Animals↗

Regulation of HIV-1 transcription.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a highly pathogenic lentivirus that requires transcription of its provirus genome for completion of the viral life cycle and the production of progeny virions. Since the first genetic analysis of HIV-1 in 1985, much has been learned about the transcriptional regulation of the HIV-1 genome in infected cells. It has been demonstrated that HIV-1 transcription depends on a varied and complex interaction of host cell transcription factors with the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. The regulatory elements within the LTR interact with constitutive and inducible transcription factors to direct the assembly of a stable transcription complex that stimulates multiple rounds of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). However, the majority of these transcripts terminate prematurely in the absence of the virally encoded trans-activator protein Tat, which stimulates HIV-1 transcription elongation by interacting with a stem-loop RNA element (TAR) formed at the extreme 5' end of all viral transcripts. The Tat-TAR interaction recruits a cellular kinase into the initiation-elongation complex that alters the elongation properties of RNAPII during its transit through TAR. This review summarizes our current knowledge and understanding of the regulation of HIV-1 transcription in infected cells and highlights the important contributions human lentivirus gene regulation has made to our general understanding of the transcription process.

Base Sequence↗

H2O2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induce differential binding of the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB to the interleukin-8 promoter in endothelial and epithelial cells.

We previously demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and H2O2 differentially regulate interleukin-8 (IL-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) gene expression in endothelial and epithelial cells. H2O2 induced IL-8 expression in the A549 and BEAS-2B epithelial cell lines, but not in the human microvessel endothelial cell line, HMEC-1 or human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In contrast, H2O2 induced ICAM-1 only in endothelial cells. Unlike H2O2, the proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha induced IL-8 and ICAM-1 in both cell types. In this study, we examine the role of the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the differential expression of IL-8. DNA binding studies using nuclear protein extracts from HMEC-1 and A549 cells stimulated with H2O2 or TNFalpha demonstrated differential activation and promoter binding of AP-1 and NF-kappaB. H2O2 activated AP-1 but not NF-kappaB in A549, whereas TNFalpha activated AP-1 as well as NF-kappaB. In HMEC-1, TNFalpha activated NF-kappaB but not AP-1, while H2O2 did not activate either transcription factor. The differential activation of the factors was also reflected in their differential binding to the IL-8 promoter. Moreover, the H2O2 concentration dependent increase in epithelial IL-8 mRNA expression directly corresponded to the H2O2 concentration dependent binding of AP-1 to the IL-8 promoter. Supershift analysis revealed H2O2 as well as TNFalpha induced AP-1 complexes containing c-Fos and JunD. TNFalpha induced NF-kappaB complexes containing Rel A (p65). Immunohistochemical staining of HMEC-1 and A549 cells revealed TNFalpha stimulated nuclear localization of Rel A, whereas no translocation of Rel A was detected in either cell type stimulated by H2O2. These data indicate that the cell type-specific induction of IL-8 gene expression by H2O2 and TNFalpha in HMEC-1 and A549 cells can be explained by the differential binding of AP-1 and NF-kappaB to the IL-8 promoter.

Base Sequence↗

Interleukin-10 enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha activation of HIV-1 transcription in latently infected T cells.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is elevated in HIV-1-infected individuals and has been implicated in disease progression. We previously reported that IL-10 cooperates with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to activate HIV-1 expression synergistically in acutely infected monocyte-derived macrophages and the chronically infected U1 promonocytic cell line. To determine whether IL-10 also cooperates with TNF-alpha to activate latent HIV-I expression in lymphocytes, we examined the effects of IL-10 on proviral expression in the chronically infected T-cell line, ACH-2. Although IL-10 inhibited HIV-1 expression acting alone, in combination with suboptimal concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-10 increased HIV-1 steady-state mRNA expression and p24 core antigen production in ACH-2 cells. Interestingly, IL-10 concentrations that synergistically induced virus also maximally stimulated endogenous TNF-alpha expression, suggesting that cell-derived TNF-alpha may contribute to cytokine synergy. Transfection studies in ACH-2 cells indicated that IL-10 combined with TNF-alpha to activate the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). IL-10 also cooperated with TNF-alpha to activate HIV-1 LTR in 1G5 cells, a Jurkat T-cell line stably transfected with an LTR-dependent luciferase reporter gene. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a potent transcriptional inhibitor of the viral LTR, abrogated the cytokine responses in both U1 and ACH-2 cells, suggesting a common TNF-alpha-mediated transcriptional mechanism in these cell types despite their different modes of provirus latency. Taken collectively, these data suggest that IL-10 enhances suboptimal TNF-alpha activation of HIV-1 transcription in chronically infected T-cells at least in part through induction of endogenous TNF-alpha expression.

Cell Line↗

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and protein kinase C-beta pathways synergistically interact to activate HIV-1 transcription in latently infected cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage.

The HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) responds to a variety of cellular signal transduction pathways. We demonstrate that the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways synergize to increase HIV-1 LTR-mediated transcription and viral replication in a latently infected promonocytic cell line (U1). The LTR-mediated synergy induced by cholera toxin (Ctx), a potent activator of the cAMP-dependent PKA pathway, and the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was abrogated by a PKC-beta-specific inhibitor (LY333531). In contrast, the LTR-mediated synergy induced by Ctx and TNF alpha was not affected by LY333531. The synergy induced by Ctx and TNF alpha was also abrogated by mutation of the cAMP-responsive downstream sequence elements (DSE) in the 5' untranslated leader region, whereas the DSE mutations did not affect the synergy induced by Ctx and PMA. These distinctions indicate that Ctx cooperates differently with TNF alpha and PMA to activate the HIV-1 LTR. Ctx and PMA synergistically activated AP-1- and NF-kappa B-dependent transcription, even though no cooperative binding of AP-1 or NF-kappa B was observed in gel shift assays. An extensive mutational analysis of the HIV-1 LTR that included the NF-kappa B and AP-1 binding sites revealed no distinct cis-acting element or region within the HIV-1 LTR that was required for the transcriptional synergy. Ctx and PMA also synergistically interact to activate the HTLV-1 LTR. These results indicate that the transcriptional synergy elicited by Ctx and PMA targets multiple functional elements and promoters, requires a cooperative interaction between the PKA and PKC-beta pathways, and differs mechanistically from the transcriptional synergy induced by Ctx and TNF alpha.

Cell Line↗

Induction of HIV-1 replication by type 1-like cytokines, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-15: effect on viral transcriptional activation, cellular proliferation, and endogenous cytokine production.

Cytokine dysregulation is evident in HIV-1 infection and it may play an important role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. Administration of T helper cytokines potentially may restore the functional abnormalities to the HIV-1 immune response. Type 1-like cytokines, IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15, are candidates for immune-based therapy for HIV. Given their potential therapeutic use, we determined the effects of IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15 on HIV-1 replication in both primary blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the T-cell line, Kit 225-K6. We demonstrate that both IL-2 and IL-12 induce a similar level of HIV-1 replication (9- and 11-fold, respectively) in mitogen-stimulated PBMC. The effect of IL-2 plateaued by day 6, while that of IL-12 continued to increase HIV-1 expression. IL-15 induced a 2.5-fold increase in HIV-1 expression that remained at the same level through day 6. In Kit 225-K6, an IL-2-dependent T cell line, IL-12 and IL-15 enhanced HIV-1 replication by 5- and 3.5-fold over IL-2-treated cultures, respectively. IL-2-, IL-12-, and IL-15-mediated induction of HIV was independent of direct HIV-1 LTR activation, since none of the cytokines induced LTR activity from transfected reporter gene constructs. The cytokine-mediated induction of HIV-1 expression was also independent of cellular proliferation. In PBMC, the IL-12-mediated effect was partially mediated by endogenous cytokine production of IL-1beta and IL-7, whereas in Kit 225-K6, TNFalpha, INFgamma, IL-1beta, and IL-7 did not contribute significantly to the IL-12-mediated effect. IL-15 effect on HIV-1 in PBMC was independent of endogenous cytokine production. However, in Kit 225-K6, neutralizing antibodies to IL-7 had a significant effect on HIV-1 expression. These data suggest that IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15 increase HIV-1 replication predominantly through a posttranscriptional mechanism that may be enhanced by endogenous cytokine production.

Antibodies, Viral↗

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-inducing factor from the female genital tract activates HIV-1 gene expression through the kappaB enhancer.

Virus-enhancing factors present in the female genital tract may influence the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Previously, the presence of a heat-stable soluble factor in the cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) fluid of both HIV-infected and -uninfected women that induces HIV-1 expression in T cells and monocytes was reported. Now this CVL factor was shown to increase HIV-1 gene expression through the activation of the kappaB enhancer in the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). DNA binding studies, together with functional studies using mutant LTR reporter constructs, indicate the requirement for an NF-kappaB-dependent pathway in the CVL-mediated activation of HIV-1 expression. CVL samples that activated HIV-1 expression also stimulated AP-1-dependent transcription. These data demonstrate that an HIV-inducing factor, distinct from heat-labile cytokines, present in the female genital mucosa can activate AP-1 and NF-kappaB and increase HIV-1 gene expression through the kappaB enhancer, possibly contributing to HIV-1 transmission.

Adult↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 transcription: role of the 5'-untranslated leader region (review).

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transcription is dependent on the interaction of host-cell transcription factors with cis-regulatory DNA elements within the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Much attention has focused on the series of sequence elements upstream of the transcriptional initiation site in the U3 region of the LTR including the Sp1 and NF-kappaB binding sites. Recent studies, however, demonstrate that the transcribed 5'-untranslated leader region (5'-UTR) also contains important transcriptional elements. These regulatory elements situated downstream of transcription interact with constitutive and inducible transcription factors, mediate transmission of cellular activation signals, and are important for efficient HIV-1 transcription and replication. The 5'-UTR contains binding sites for the transcription factors AP-1, NF-kappaB, NF-AT, IRF, and Sp1. Mutations in these binding sites can interfere with the viral response to cell activation signals, decrease LTR transcription, and inhibit viral replication. The 5'-UTR also interacts with a specific nucleosome that is rapidly displaced during transcriptional activation of the latent provirus. We propose that the inducible transcription factor binding sites in the 5'-UTR comprise a downstream enhancer domain that can function independent of, or in concert with, the LTR promoter to rapidly increase latent proviral transcription in response to cell activation signals. In this review, we describe the host-cell transcription factors that interact with the 5'-UTR and discuss their role in the transcriptional regulation of HIV-1 gene expression.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Differential regulation of interleukin-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by H2O2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in endothelial and epithelial cells.

The reactive oxygen intermediate H2O2 can function as a signaling molecule to activate gene expression. In this study, we demonstrate that oxidant stress induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or H2O2 differentially regulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in endothelial and epithelial cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that TNFalpha induced both ICAM-1 and IL-8 expression in either the A549 lung epithelial cell line or the human microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). In contrast, H2O2 selectively induced only ICAM-1 in HMEC-1 and only IL-8 in A549. This cell type-specific pattern of IL-8 expression was also observed in several other endothelial and epithelial cells. TNFalpha induced greater IL-8 gene expression as compared with H2O2, but the kinetics of induction were similar. The induction of epithelial IL-8 message was accompanied by a corresponding increase in functional IL-8 protein secretion as determined by a neutrophil motility assay. The increased neutrophil motility stimulated by conditioned media from H2O2- or TNFalpha-exposed A549 cells was completely inhibited by an anti-IL-8 antibody. TNFalpha and H2O2 also induced a differential pattern of CC chemokine expression in A549. While TNFalpha induced both RANTES and MCP-1, H2O2 induced only MCP-1. These data suggest that epithelial cells under oxidant stress contribute to the inflammatory cytokine network by selective production of IL-8, MCP-1, and RANTES, which may critically influence the site-specific recruitment of leukocyte subsets.

Animals↗

TNFalpha cooperates with the protein kinase A pathway to synergistically increase HIV-1 LTR transcription via downstream TRE-like cAMP response elements.

Activating protein-1 (AP-1) binding TPA responsive elements (TRE) are located downstream of the transcription initiation site in the U5 region of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). These downstream sequence elements, termed DSE, can bind both AP-1 and CREB/ATF transcription factors. Recently, we demonstrated that the DSE are also cAMP-responsive elements (CRE), since they mediated activation signals elicited by cholera toxin (Ctx), a potent activator of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signal transduction pathway. In the present study, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 DSE can mediate the transcriptional synergy elicited by the combination of Ctx and TNFalpha. Ctx combined with TNFalpha or IL-1beta to produce a synergistic increase in p24 antigen production in U1 promonocytic cells. Transfection studies of LTR reporter constructs indicated that mutation of the DSE sites abrogated the LTR-mediated synergy induced by Ctx and TNFalpha, whereas the synergy induced by Ctx and IL-1beta was unaffected, suggesting TNFalpha and IL-1beta cooperate differently with the cAMP/PKA activation pathway to induce HIV-1 expression in U1 cells. Because the DSE are also TRE sites, we assessed the effect of the agonist combinations on AP-1-dependent transcription. TNFalpha as well as IL-1beta cooperated with Ctx to produce a synergistic activation of AP-1-mediated transcription. These data indicate that the TRE-like cAMP-responsive DSE sites within the 5'-untranslated leader can mediate the transcriptional cooperativity between TNFalpha and the cAMP/PKA pathway. Since the DSE and TRE sites cannot bind CREB/ATF homodimers, we propose a mechanism in which the HIV-1 DSE bind heterodimers composed of both AP-1 and CREB/ATF proteins.

Cell Line↗

U5 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat contains TRE-like cAMP-responsive elements that bind both AP-1 and CREB/ATF proteins.

Activating protein-1 (AP-1) binding phorbol ester responsive elements (TRE) are located downstream of the transcription initiation site in the U5 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR). These downstream sequence elements, termed DSE, can bind cFos and junD and transmit protein kinase C (PKC) activation signals to the LTR. Further studies suggested the DSE might also bind AP-1-related proteins of the CREB/ATF family. Since enhanced HIV-1 expression is associated with activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, we determined whether binding of CREB/ATF proteins to the DSE mediate cAMP/PKA activation of the HIV-1 LTR. In the present study. DSE binding complexes in nuclear protein extracta from colonic epithelial cells are shown to contain ATF-1, ATF-2, and CREB and transfection of either an ATF-2 or PKA expressing plasmid transactivated the DSE. Cholera toxin (Ctx), a potent activator of the cAMP/PKA pathway. Increased HIV-1 virus production from a latently infected promonocytic cell line, U1. Ctx increased LTR promoter activity and increased the CREB content of DSE binding complexes. Transfection of U1 cells with a series of mutant LTR reporter constructs demonstrated that the Ctx response was in large part mediated by the DSE. The Ctx response was also mediated by a heterologous promoter containing multiple TRE sites. Nuclear protein extracts from a T-cell line infected by HIV-1 contained higher levels of CREB/ATF proteins and manifested increased CREB/ATF binding activity. Collectively, these results indicate the DSE are TRE-like cAMP responsive elements that bind both AP-1 and CREB/ATF permitting induction of the HIV-1 LTR by both PKC and PKA activation signals.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

Interleukin-10 inhibits interferon-gamma-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene transcription in human monocytes.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent monocyte regulatory cytokine that inhibits gene expression of proinflammatory mediators. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which IL-10 downregulates expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the cell surface of normal human monocytes activated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). IL-10 inhibition of IFN-gamma-induced ICAM-1 expression was apparent as early as 3 hours and was blocked by an anti-IL-10 antibody but not by an isotype-matched control antibody. Northern blot analysis showed that IL-10 reduced the accumulation of ICAM-1 mRNA in IFN-gamma-stimulated monocytes. IL-10 inhibition of ICAM-1 steady-state mRNA was detected at 3 hours and remained at 24 hours. Nuclear run-on transcription assays showed that IL-10 inhibited the rate of IFN-gamma-induced transcription of the ICAM-1 gene, and mRNA stability studies showed that IL-10 did not alter the half-life of IFN-gamma-induced ICAM-1 message. Thus, IL-10 inhibits IFN-gamma-induced ICAM-1 expression in monocytes primarily at the level of gene transcription. Activation of IFN-gamma-responsive genes requires tyrosine phosphorylation of the transcriptional factor STAT-1alpha (signal transducer and activator of transcription-1alpha). However, IL-10 did not affect IFN-gamma-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-1alpha or alter STAT-1alpha binding to the IFN-gamma response element (IRE) in the ICAM-1 promoter. Instead, IL-10 prevented IFN-gamma-induced binding activity at the NF-kappaB site of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-responsive NF-kappaB/C-EBP composite element in the ICAM-1 promoter. These data indicate that IL-10 inhibits IFN-gamma-induced transcription of the ICAM-1 gene by a regulatory mechanism that may involve NF-kappaB.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inhibition of cytokine-driven human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by protease inhibitor.

Protease inhibitors block virus maturation and prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in vitro. HIV-1-positive persons produce higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines that up-regulate HIV-1 replication. For the protease inhibitor to be effective in vivo, it must be able to suppress cytokine-induced HIV-1 replication. The in vitro efficacy of protease inhibitor to block tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1alpha, and IL-1beta induction of HIV-1 was investigated. While 100 U/mL of the respective cytokines induced a 208- to 22-fold increase in HIV-1 p24 production, addition of protease inhibitor completely inhibited this virus induction. The kinetics indicated a sustained HIV-1 inhibition despite high levels of endogenous TNF-alpha induction. Dilution of protease inhibitor led to increased HIV-1 replication. These results show that while protease inhibitor can prevent cytokine induction of HIV-1 replication, a continual effective dose is required for the inhibition to be sustained.

Cytokines↗

HIV-1 Tat protein can transactivate a heterologous TATAA element independent of viral promoter sequences and the trans-activation response element.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat acts as a DNA sequence-specific transcription factor and activates transcription from a heterologous TATAA element in the absence of the trans-activation response (TAR) element and other sequences in the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). DESIGN: Activating protein-1 (AP-1) and Tat-induced transcription were assessed using Jun and hybrid Tat/Jun-expression plasmids and reporter gene constructs which contained AP-1 binding sites upstream of the rat prolactin TATAA element or an HIV-1 LTR construct in which AP-1 binding sites replaced the TAR element. METHODS: Tat-induced transcription was determined following transient transfection of colon epithelial cell lines with reporter gene constructs and Tat/Jun-expression plasmids in which Tat was fused to the DNA binding domain of Jun. Activation of prolactin (PL) and LTR reporter genes was assessed by luciferase (LUC) or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in cellular extracts. RESULTS: Cotransfection of cells with Tat/Jun and the AP-1 PL LUC or LTR AP-1 CAT reporter plasmid resulted in a marked increase in reporter gene activity which was comparable with that induced by transfection of cells with several different AP-1 expression plasmids (e.g., JunD, JunB, c-Fos), or that elicited by stimulation of the cells transfected with LTR AP-1 CAT plasmids with phorbol ester or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Tat-induced transcription was DNA-mediated since both a Jun DNA binding domain fused to Tat as well as AP-1 binding sites within the promoter were required for the induction of CAT expression. CONCLUSIONS: Tat-activated transcriptor can occur strictly through a heterologous TATAA element independent of TAR and Sp1 binding sites or other HIV-1 LTR sequences. Tat appears to increase transcription initiated through the TATAA element by mechanisms similar to that of DNA sequence-specific transcription factors.

Animals↗

A potent activator of HIV-1 replication is present in the genital tract of a subset of HIV-1-infected and uninfected women.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To determine whether the female genital tract contains factors that affect HIV-1 replication. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from HIV-1-seropositive and seronegative women and added to cell cultures. METHODS: HIV p24 production was used to measure the effects of CVL on replication of HIVMN in a T-cell line, of a primary isolate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or on HIV expression by the latently-infected monocytic U1 cell line. The effects of CVL on the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) were determined in 1G5 T cells by measuring luciferase activity. RESULTS: Increased replication of HIVMN and a primary isolate were observed in T cells cultured with CVL samples from three out of 38 HIV-infected women, one out of four uninfected high-risk women, and none of 12 low-risk women. The CVL factor increased replication by enhancing virus expression via activation of the HIV LTR. The HIV-inducing activity was highly stable to heat but was sensitive to proteases, indicating that the activity was distinct from heat-labile cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that a factor which can stimulate HIV-1 replication is present at biologically active levels in the reproductive tract of women. This factor could potentially affect sexual or vertical transmission of HIV-1 by altering genital tract virus load or virus expression.

Cells, Cultured↗

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3/fork head homolog 11 is expressed in proliferating epithelial and mesenchymal cells of embryonic and adult tissues.

The hepatocyte nuclear factor 3alpha (HNF-3alpha) and 3beta proteins have homology in the winged helix/fork head DNA binding domain and regulate cell-specific transcription in hepatocytes and in respiratory and intestinal epithelia. In this study, we describe two novel isoforms of the winged helix transcription factor family, HNF-3/fork head homolog 11A (HFH-11A) and HFH-11B, isolated from the human colon carcinoma HT-29 cell line. We show that these isoforms arise via differential splicing and are expressed in a number of epithelial cell lines derived from tumors (HT-29, Caco-2, HepG2, HeLa, A549, and H441). We demonstrate that differentiation of Caco-2 cells toward the enterocyte lineage results in decreased HFH-11 expression and reciprocal increases in HNF-3alpha and HNF-3beta mRNA levels. In situ hybridization of 16 day postcoitus mouse embryos demonstrates that HFH-11 expression is found in the mesenchymal and epithelial cells of the liver, lung, intestine, renal cortex, and urinary tract. Although HFH-11 exhibits a wide cellular expression pattern in the embryo, its adult expression pattern is restricted to epithelial cells of Lieberkühn's crypts of the intestine, the spermatocytes and spermatids of the testis, and the thymus and colon. HFH-11 expression is absent in adult hepatocytes, but its expression is reactivated in proliferating hepatocytes at 4, 24, and 48 h after partial hepatectomy. Consistent with these findings, we demonstrate that HFH-11 mRNA levels are stimulated by intratracheal administration of keratinocyte growth factor in adult lung and its expression in an adult endothelial cell line is reactivated in response to oxidative stress. These experiments show that the HFH-11 transcription factor is expressed in embryonic mesenchymal and epithelial cells and its expression is reactivated in these adult cell types by proliferative signals or oxidative stress.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

IL-10 cooperates with TNF-alpha to activate HIV-1 from latently and acutely infected cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage.

IL-10 is elevated in HIV-1-infected individuals and has been implicated in disease progression. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-10 on the activation of HIV-1 from infected monocytes and macrophages. Although IL-10 alone did not induce HIV-1 replication, in the presence of TNF-alpha, IL-10 markedly enhanced virion production from a chronically infected promonocytic cell line (U1) and in acutely infected monocyte-derived macrophages. Neutralizing mAbs to IL-10 and TNF-alpha indicated that both cytokines were essential for the induction and were required to generate a synergistic increase in virus expression. The effects of the two cytokines were distinguishable functionally since pretreatment with TNF-alpha attenuated the cytokine cooperativity, while pretreatment with IL-10 potentiated their cooperativity, suggesting that IL-10 and TNF-alpha play different roles in the activation of virus. Northern blot analysis as well as Ab blocking and cytokine secretion studies indicated that the induction of either endogenous TNF-alpha or IL-10 was not involved in the cooperativity, nor was an up-regulation of TNF-alpha receptors. In combination with TNF-alpha, IL-10 stimulated activating protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B binding activities and cooperated to increase HIV-1 steady-state mRNA levels and enhance long terminal repeat-directed transcription through activation of the NF-kappa B binding sites, suggesting the IL-10 effect occurs at least in part at the transcriptional level. These results indicate that IL-10, in addition to down-regulating the cellular immune response to HIV-1, may also play a role in TNF-alpha-mediated activation of HIV-1 replication in the monocyte/macrophage lineage.

Base Sequence↗