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L R Lund

Publications and source records attributed to L R Lund.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Okadaic acid strongly increases gene transcription, mRNA and protein level for the urokinase receptor in human A549 cells.

The specific phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, increases the level of mRNA for the receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PAR) in 8 out of 13 human cell lines. The strongest increase (90-fold) was observed in A549 lung carcinoma cells, in which it was partly traced back to an increased transcription of the u-PAR gene. There was a parallel but less pronounced increase in the u-PAR protein level. These findings indicate that u-PAR gene transcription is regulated by one or more factors that are constitutively phosphorylated and are dephosphorylated by okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatases. A lack of additivity of u-PAR induction by okadaic acid and by the protein kinase C activator, PMA, in the A549 cells suggests that the regulatory factors affected by okadaic acid are phosphorylated by protein kinase C.

Blotting, Northern↗

Transforming growth factor beta 1-responsive element: closely associated binding sites for USF and CCAAT-binding transcription factor-nuclear factor I in the type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is the name of a group of closely related polypeptides characterized by a multiplicity of effects, including regulation of extracellular proteolysis and turnover of the extracellular matrix. Its cellular mechanism of action is largely unknown. TGF-beta 1 is a strong and fast inducer of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene transcription. We have identified a TGF-beta 1-responsive element in the 5'-flanking region of the human type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene and shown that it is functional both in its natural context and when fused to a heterologous nonresponsive promoter. Footprinting and gel retardation experiments showed that two different nuclear factors, present in extracts from both TGF-beta 1-treated and nontreated cells, bind to adjacent sequences contained in the responsive unit. A palindromic sequence binds a trans-acting factor(s) of the CCAAT-binding transcription factor-nuclear factor I family. A partially overlapping dyad symmetry interacts with a second protein that much evidence indicates to be USF. USF is a transactivator belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. Mutations which abolish the binding of either CCAAT-binding transcription factor-nuclear factor I or USF result in reduction of transcriptional activation upon exposure to TGF-beta 1, thus showing that both elements of the unit are necessary for the TGF-beta 1 response. We discuss the possible relationship of these findings to the complexity of the TGF-beta action.

Animals↗

Urokinase receptor mRNA level and gene transcription are strongly and rapidly increased by phorbol myristate acetate in human monocyte-like U937 cells.

We have studied the effect of the tumor promotor phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on the level of mRNA for the receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PAR) in the human monocyte-like cell line U937. PMA causes an early increase in the u-PAR mRNA level which reaches a maximal 50-fold enhancement after 24 h of treatment. Half-maximal stimulation occurs at approximately 5 nM PMA. The effect is observed only with phorbol esters that also act as tumor promotors. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) also increases the level of u-PAR mRNA. Nuclear run-on experiments show a time-dependent increase in the u-PAR gene transcription rate after exposure of the cells to PMA. The PMA-induced increase in u-PAR mRNA is paralleled by a time-dependent increase in u-PAR protein as detected by cross-linking studies with radiolabeled ligand. We conclude that PMA stimulates transcription of the u-PAR gene in U937 cells, and this is responsible at least in part for the accumulation of the u-PAR mRNA and for the subsequent increase in urokinase-binding capacity.

Blotting, Northern↗

A tetranectin-related protein is produced and deposited in extracellular matrix by human embryonal fibroblasts.

Tetranectin is a tetrameric human plasma protein that binds to plasminogen kringle 4. Its amino acid sequence is homologous with the C-terminal parts of asialoglycoprotein receptors and proteoglycan core proteins. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the human embryonal fibroblast cell line WI-38 produce a tetranectin-related molecule, which might, by several criteria, be similar to tetranectin from plasma. These criteria include immunoblotting analysis of conditioned cell medium revealing a protein band with Mr 17,000, indistinguishable from the Mr of plasma tetranectin. A preparation obtained by purification of conditioned medium by affinity chromatography on an anti-(plasma tetranectin) IgG column also contained the Mr 17,000 protein. This protein (partly purified from the conditioned medium) was shown by crossed immunoelectrophoresis to bind to heparin, CaCl2 and plasminogen kringle 4, as previously described for tetranectin in plasma. Importantly, this tetranectin-related protein is not only present in conditioned culture medium, but the Mr 17,000 protein reacting with anti-(plasma tetranectin) IgG was also present in the extracellular material, remaining after removal of WI-38 cells from the culture dishes, as demonstrated by immunoblotting analysis and immunocytochemical staining. We conclude that WI-38 cells produce a tetranectin-related protein and secrete it into the extracellular matrix.

Blood Proteins↗

Recombinant human interleukin-1 inhibits plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) production by human articular cartilage and chondrocytes.

Human articular cartilage and chondrocyte monolayers in culture constitutively produced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein and mRNA, as assessed by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Northern blotting analysis, respectively. Recombinant human interleukin-1 (IL-1) invoked a dose-dependent inhibition of PAI-1 production in both cartilage and chondrocyte cultures. The inhibitory effect of IL-1 was observed between 2-8h after addition of the cytokine, while the optimal dose was between 10-100U/ml IL-1 alpha (57-570pM IL-1 alpha). Results obtained by Northern analysis of chondrocyte total RNA reflected those found for the PAI-1 antigen, namely, that nontreated chondrocytes showed PAI-1 mRNA which was reduced by IL-1 treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report where IL-1 has been found to inhibit PAI-1 expression. Since IL-1 has been shown before to cause human cartilage destruction and a correlated change in plasminogen activator activity, it could be that a concomitant reduction in PAI-1 levels by IL-1 may be significant in the control of these changes in cartilage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Urokinase-receptor biosynthesis, mRNA level and gene transcription are increased by transforming growth factor beta 1 in human A549 lung carcinoma cells.

We have compared the cell-specific expression and regulation of the receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PAR) by transforming growth factor beta type 1 (TGF-beta 1) in 10 human cell lines derived from both normal and neoplastic tissues. The basal expression of u-PAR mRNA as well as its response to TGF-beta 1 varied strongly between different cell lines; however, five out of the 10 cell lines responded to TGF-beta 1 by an increase in the u-PAR mRNA level. Among these, A549 cells were selected for a detailed elucidation of the molecular mechanism involved in TGF-beta 1 regulation of u-PAR mRNA expression. TGF-beta 1 caused an early increase in u-PAR mRNA level, with a maximal 15-fold enhancement after 24 h of treatment. This was paralleled by an increase in u-PAR protein as detected by crosslinking studies with radiolabeled ligand, and also resulted in an increase in cell surface plasmin generation. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide also increased the level of u-PAR mRNA in a time-dependent fashion and when both cycloheximide and TGF-beta 1 were used, an additive effect was seen. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated only a moderate (3-fold) increase in the u-PAR gene transcription rate after exposure of the cells to TGF-beta 1 for 3 h compared with a 12-fold increase in the mRNA level. TGF-beta 1 also caused an increase of both u-PA and PAI-1 antigens, while there was no detectable effect on t-PA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blotting, Northern↗

Metastatic behavior of human melanoma cell lines in nude mice correlates with urokinase-type plasminogen activator, its type-1 inhibitor, and urokinase-mediated matrix degradation.

Five out of six human melanoma cell lines tested were able to degrade in vitro a smooth muscle cell extracellular matrix in a plasmin-dependent way. In three of these five cell lines, this process was mediated by tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and in the other two cell lines by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA). All melanoma cell lines produced t-PA mRNA and protein, whereas only the two cell lines showing u-PA-mediated matrix degradation produced u-PA mRNA and protein. These latter cell lines also produced plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and type-2 (PAI-2) mRNA and protein. u-PA receptor (u-PA-R) mRNA and binding of radiolabeled u-PA was found in all melanoma cell lines. The metastatic capacity of these cell lines was studied in nude mice. All cell lines were able to develop primary tumors at the subcutaneous inoculation site. The production of plasminogen activators, their inhibitors and urokinase receptor by subcutaneous tumors corresponded with the production by the parental cell lines in vitro. The two u-PA and PAI-1 producing cell lines showed the highest frequency to form spontaneous lung metastases after subcutaneous inoculation, whereas five of the six cell lines formed lung colonies after intravenous inoculation. In conclusion, u-PA mediated matrix degradation in vitro and production of u-PA and PAI-1 by human melanoma cell lines correlated with their ability to form spontaneous lung metastasis in nude mice. No correlation was found with the ability to form lung colonies after intravenous injection. These findings suggest a role for u-PA and PAI-1 in a relatively early stage of melanoma metastasis.

Animals↗

Differential expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its type-1 inhibitor during healing of mouse skin wounds.

The expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its type-1 inhibitor (PAI-1) was examined in vivo in mouse wounds by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. u-PA mRNA was present in both basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in the regenerative epithelial outgrowths at the edge of the wounds. In the same area, PAI-1 mRNA was only present in the basal keratinocytes. u-PA protein was detected in keratinocytes in several layers of the epithelial outgrowth, whereas PAI-1 protein was confined to the basal keratinocytes and to the area of the basal membrane. The two proteins and their mRNA were not detected in normal epidermis or in normal-looking epidermis adjacent to the wounds. Fibroblast-like cells and fairly large stellate cells (possibly macrophages) in the granulation tissue underneath the wound contained both the two proteins and their mRNA. The large stellate cells, showing a strong hybridization signal for PAI-1 mRNA, were especially abundant at the border between the necrotic wound and the newly formed granulation tissue. The specificity of these results was supported by the use of two different non-overlapping antisense probes, sense mRNA probes, antibody preparations preabsorbed with purified proteins, and Northern analysis of tissue extracts. The localized and regulated expression of u-PA and PAI-1 seen in this study may reflect that plasminogen activation plays a role in the migration of keratinocytes and connective tissue cells during reepithelialization and tissue remodeling in wound healing.

Animals↗

Localization of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in stromal cells in adenocarcinomas of the colon in humans.

Human colon adenocarcinomas and adjacent normal colon tissues were stained immunohistochemically with three different monoclonal antibodies and one preparation of polyclonal antibodies against each of the two plasminogen activators, uPA (urokinase type) and tPA (tissue type). The staining patterns seen with the respective sets of antibodies were identical. In all of 10 cases, staining for uPA in the normal colon tissue was confined to scattered fibroblastlike cells in the lamina propria. Other cells, including epithelial and endothelial cells, were uPA negative. All the tumor infiltrates contained many more uPA-positive cells than the normal tissues, but the staining was confined to fibroblastlike cells and endothelial cells in the tumor stroma, while no staining of the malignant epithelial cells was detected. Analysis for uPA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in four cases showed an average uPA content of 0.15 ng uPA/mg protein in the normal colon tissues and 1.6 ng uPA/mg protein in the tumors. Tissue-type plasminogen activator immunoreactivity was confined to endothelial cells in both the normal colon tissue and in the colon carcinomas. These findings may indicate that colon cancer cells recruit stromal cells to produce uPA involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix during invasive growth.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Urokinase- and tissue-type plasminogen activators are suppressed by cortisol in the involuting prostate of castrated rats.

The effects of cortisol on the inhibition of cell-death processes and suppression of plasminogen-activator (PA) activity during involution of the rat ventral prostate gland were investigated to determine the principal type of PA activated by castration and inhibited by this hormone and whether the mechanism responsible for decreased PA activity involved reductions in enzyme synthesis or increased activity of a PA inhibitor. By using the technique of fibrin-agarose zymography, three bands of PA activity were detected at 4 and 7 days after castration: a major band with a molecular mass of approx. 30 kDa and two minor bands of 48 kDa and 64 kDa. Both the 30 kDa and 48 kDa activities were inhibited with anti-[urokinase-type PA (u-PA)] IgG. The 64 kDa activity was inhibited by anti-[tissue-type PA (t-PA)] IgG. In addition to retarding prostatic involution, daily administration of cortisol to the castrated animals suppressed all three bands of PA activity. A comparison of the pattern of total PA activity and of e.l.i.s.a. estimates of u-PA concentration during the castration-induced rise and after cortisol inhibition indicated a near perfect correlation between the two parameters. Northern-blot analysis using prostatic polyadenylated RNA revealed that the level of u-PA mRNA was highest at 4 and 7 days after castration and that cortisol treatment repressed u-PA mRNA to a level similar to that in non-castrated controls. Neither Northern hybridizations nor reverse zymography detected RNA transcripts or activity corresponding to the PA inhibitor PAI-1 in any of the prostate samples. Western-blot analysis revealed that, although the amount of arginine esterase A, another prostatic proteinase, also increased after castration, the rise in concentration of this protein was not blocked by glucocorticoid administration. Together our findings indicate the following: (1) the predominant form of PA activity induced in the prostate after castration and inhibited by cortisol is a 30 kDa form of u-PA. Although less prominent, t-PA and a 48 kDa form of u-PA follow a similar pattern of induction and inhibition; (2) changes in u-PA activity in response to castration and cortisol treatment are due to alterations in the level of u-PA mRNA and protein rather than in the activity of PAI-1; (3) not all castration-induced proteinases in the prostate are inhibited by cortisol.

Animals↗

Cloning and expression of the receptor for human urokinase plasminogen activator, a central molecule in cell surface, plasmin dependent proteolysis.

The surface receptor for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPAR) has been recognized in recent years as a key molecule in regulating plasminogen mediated extracellular proteolysis. Surface plasminogen activation controls the connections between cells, basement membrane and extracellular matrix, and therefore the capacity of cells to migrate and invade neighboring tissues. We have isolated a 1.4 kb cDNA clone coding for the entire human uPAR. An oligonucleotide synthesized on the basis of the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein was used to screen a cDNA library made from SV40 transformed human fibroblasts [Okayama and Berg (1983) Mol. Cell Biol., 3, 280-289]. The cDNA encodes a protein of 313 amino acids, preceded by a 21 residue signal peptide. A hydrophobicity plot suggests the presence of a membrane spanning domain close to the C-terminus. The cDNA hybridizes to a 1.4 kb mRNA from human cells, a size very close to that of the cloned cDNA. Expression of the uPAR cDNA in mouse cells confirms that the clone is complete and expresses a functional uPA binding protein, located on the cell surface and with properties similar to the human uPAR. Caseinolytic plaque assay, immunofluorescence analysis, direct binding studies and cross-linking experiments show that the transfected mouse LB6 cells specifically bind human uPA, which in turn activates plasminogen. The Mr of the mature human receptor expressed in mouse cells is approximately 55,000, in accordance with the naturally occurring, highly glycosylated human uPAR. The Mr calculated on the basis of the cDNA sequence, approximately 35,000, agrees well with that of the deglycosylated receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 in Lewis lung carcinoma.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1) was identified in extracts of Lewis lung carcinoma, and its immunohistochemical localization was studied together with that of urokinase-type (u-PA) and tissue-type (t-PA) plasminogen activators. All primary tumors (n = 11) contained heterogeneously distributed immunoreactivity against each of the three components. Most often, areas that contained u-PA immunoreactivity also contained PAI-1 immunoreactivity. However, several areas showed a strong u-PA immunoreactivity, but no or low PAI-1 immunoreactivity. The latter staining pattern was only found in peripheral areas, and usually in areas with histological signs of tissue destruction. Lung metastases always contained u-PA immunoreactivity, while PAI-1 immunoreactivity was found in most, but not all, metastases. t-PA immunoreactivity was found in a few scattered tumor cells, in primary carcinomas as well as metastases. Controls that included absorption with highly purified antigen preparations and immunoblotting, indicated that all the immunoreactivity represented genuine PAI-1, u-PA and t-PA, respectively. The results are consistent with an assumption that the plasminogen activation system, and particularly u-PA and PAI-1, plays a role in regulation of breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins during invasive growth in this carcinoma.

Animals↗

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator is increased in the involuting ventral prostate of castrated rats.

We have investigated the content of plasminogen activators in the rat ventral prostate during castration. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and zymography demonstrated two major Mr-forms of plasminogen activators that were found to be strongly increased by castration; inclusion of quenching antibodies in the zymography and immunoblotting analysis identified these as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its Mr 30,000 degradation product, respectively. A third, less abundant form, which was identified as tissue-type plasminogen activator, was also increased by castration. The induction of the plasminogen activators was prevented by treating the rats with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The increase in u-PA antigen was quantitated by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The increases in u-PA activity and antigen were traced back to a corresponding increase in u-PA messenger RNA (mRNA). By immunohistochemical methods, the u-PA was found to be present in scattered single cells at the surface of the epithelium facing the lumen of the glandular ducts. Such cells were present in control as well as in castrated rats, but their number increased after castration. In addition, after castration, u-PA immunoreactivity appeared in cells throughout the epithelium. These results suggest a role for plasminogen activation in castration-induced involution of the rat ventral prostate, and a role in the normal turnover of the rat ventral prostate epithelium.

Animals↗

Urokinase binds to a plasminogen activator inhibitor type-2-like molecule in placental microvillous membranes.

Placental microvillous membranes exhibited saturable binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator with plateau achieved by 30 min at 4 degrees C and 10 min at 37 degrees C. The binding was essentially irreversible. The capacity was about 8 pmol urokinase per mg membrane protein. Half-maximal displacement of 125I-labelled urokinase was achieved with about 1.0 nM unlabelled urokinase when using 75 micrograms membrane protein/ml. 125I-labelled urokinase did not bind when treated with diisopropylfluorophosphate to block the catalytic activity. Single-chain urokinase (prourokinase), devoid of catalytic activity, did not bind. Catalytically active tissue-type plasminogen activator did compete with 125I-labelled urokinase for binding although less efficiently than urokinase. Binding activity remained in the 100,000 x g pellet after treatment of the membranes with 3 M KCl, alkaline stripping at pH 12 or extraction by the detergent Triton X-100. The binding was essentially blocked by antibodies against plasminogen activator inhibitor-type-2 (PAI-2). Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of solubilized membranes with bound 125I-labelled urokinase showed that the urokinase-PAI-2 complexes largely migrated in fractions corresponding to a very large Mr although no clearly defined peaks were observed. It is suggested that PAI-2 occurs in a form anchored to syncytiotrophoblast microvilli, possibly to the cytoskeleton.

Chorionic Villi↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates mRNA for urokinase-type plasminogen activator and type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor in human neoplastic cell lines.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was found to induce type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen in the human fibrosarcoma cell line HT-1080, and PAI-1 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) antigens in the human carcinoma cell line T-CAR1; tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen was not affected or slightly decreased. The effects in HT-1080 and T-CAR1 cells were preceded by increases in the cellular levels of the corresponding mRNAs. Cycloheximide caused an increase of PAI-1 mRNA in T-CAR1 cells, but not in HT-1080 cells; during this increase the relative abundance of the two PAI-1 mRNA species, of 2.3 kb and 3.4 kb, respectively, changed strongly in favor of the longer transcript. We conclude that TNF-alpha may affect proteolytic activity in the microenvironment of cells in malignant tumors by affecting gene expression of u-PA and PAI-1.

Cycloheximide↗