Biomedical subjects

R L Medcalf

Publications and source records attributed to R L Medcalf.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Differential binding of cAMP-responsive-element (CRE)-binding protein-1 and activating transcription factor-2 to a CRE-like element in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene promoter correlates with opposite regulation of t-PA by phorbol ester in HT-1080 and HeLa cells.

The human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene (t-PA) is induced by the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), in HeLa cells. Previous studies in transfected HeLa cells identified two cis-acting regulatory elements within the t-PA gene promoter responsible for both constitutive and PMA-inducible expression. One element differs from the consensus cAMP response element (CRE) by a single nucleotide substitution (referred to in this report as t-PACRE) and another which bears similarity to the AP-2 recognition sequence. In HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells, t-PA mRNA levels are expressed at higher constitutive levels and are suppressed by PMA. Nuclear run-on transcription experiments indicate that PMA-mediated suppression of t-PA in these cells is associated with a decrease in t-PA gene template activity. We designed experiments to determine whether nuclear t-PACRE or AP-2-like binding proteins were differentially expressed in HeLa and HT-1080 cells and, accordingly, if these could be correlated with the opposite effect of PMA on t-PA expression. Band shift analyses indicated that the migration profiles of HeLa and HT-1080 nuclear proteins interacting with the AP-2-like site were indistinguishable; however, those produced with the t-PACRE binding site were qualitatively and quantitatively distinct. The distribution of t-PACRE binding proteins in these cells was investigated in a supershift assay using specific antibodies against members of the fos/jun and CRE-binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) families. In HT-1080 cells, CREB-1 was the most prominent t-PACRE-binding activity detected and was greatly increased in cells treated with PMA. In contrast, CREB-1 activity was absent in HeLa cells, but antibodies specific for ATF-2 produced a marked supershifted complex which was unaffected by PMA treatment. Since CREB-1 can repress transcription of other target genes (including c-jun) via association with identical cis-acting CRE-like sequences, we suggest that the mechanism for the transcriptional down-regulation of t-PA by PMA in HT-1080 cells requires CREB-1 binding to the t-PACRE while ATF-2, by associating with the same site, plays a role in PMA-mediated induction of t-PA in HeLa cells.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

PubMed1993

C1-inhibitor-serine proteinase complexes and the biosynthesis of C1-inhibitor by Hep G2 and U 937 cells.

The biosynthesis of the serpin alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is regulated by a feedback mechanism whereby complexes between alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and serine proteinases bind to liver cells and monocytes, a reaction that activates alpha 1-proteinase-inhibitor gene transcription. Such a mechanism may form the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for serpin deficiency states with reduced levels of otherwise normally functioning serpins. This issue was addressed for C1-inhibitor, the missing serpin in hereditary angioedema. C1-inhibitor biosynthesis by Hep G2 hepatoma cells was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, by metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation, and by Northern blotting. C1-inhibitor biosynthesis was stimulated by gamma-interferon (100 U/mL) but not by cell exposure to C1-inhibitor-kallikrein (1 mumol/L), C1-inhibitor-C1s (1 mumol/L), and C1-inhibitor-plasmin complexes (1 mumol/L) or to reactive site-cleaved C1-inhibitor (1 mumol/L). Moreover, radioiodinated C1s-C1-inhibitor complex did not bind to Hep G2 cells. C1-inhibitor-kallikrein complex was also without effect on C1-inhibitor mRNA in U 937 cells. Therefore, the proposed mechanism, by which serpin-enzyme complex or reactive site-cleaved serpin binding to a specific receptor provides a signal for the stimulation of the biosynthesis of that serpin, is not operative for the biosynthesis of C1-inhibitor by Hep G2 or U 937 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Retinoic acid potentiates phorbol ester-mediated induction of urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 in human myeloid leukemic cell lines.

We investigated the interactive regulation of the plasminogen activators (PAs) and their inhibitors (PAIs) by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in the presence and absence of the phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), in four developmentally distinct human myeloid leukemic cell lines. Treatment of HL-60, K562, THP-1, and U937 cells with PMA resulted in an induction of urokinase-type PA (u-PA), the u-PA receptor (u-PAR), and PAI types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2). The addition of RA alone failed to alter gene expression or antigen production of PAI-1, PAI-2, or u-PAR. However, RA potentiated PMA-mediated induction of PAI-2 mRNA in HL-60 and U937 cells and PAI-2 antigen in all four cell lines. The effect of PMA on u-PA mRNA was also potentiated by RA in HL-60 and U937 cells. A similar, but transient, effect was seen on u-PA antigen levels. Run-on transcription analysis confirmed that these effects were due at least in part to changes in gene template activity. Furthermore, RA did not potentiate the effects of PMA on either u-PAR or PAI-1. In fact, in U937 cells, RA inhibited PMA-induced PAI-1 antigen secretion by approximately 60%. It would seem that interactive regulation of these genes allows for greater diversity of control, which may, in turn, be required for localized control of plasminogen-dependent extracellular proteolysis generated by monocytes/macrophage during cell migration and tissue remodeling.

Drug Synergism↗

PubMed1992

Three human elastase-like genes coordinately expressed in the myelomonocyte lineage are organized as a single genetic locus on 19pter.

The human neutrophil and monocyte-derived serine protease homologues neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and azurocidin (AZU) are involved in a variety of immune defense reactions. NE and PR3 assist in the destruction of phagocytosed microorganisms, cleave the important connective-tissue protein elastin, and generate chemotactic activities by forming alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes and elastin peptides. AZU is cytotoxic to certain microorganisms and chemotactic for monocytes. All three proteins are produced and packaged into azurophil granules in large quantities during neutrophil differentiation. We have isolated several cosmid clones each of which contains the functional genes for AZU, PR3, and NE in this order. The PR3 gene is separated by 8 kilobases from the 3' end of the AZU gene and by 3 kilobases from the 5' end of the NE gene. We report a physical map of the gene cluster, its location on chromosome 19pter, and the exon-intron organization of the AZU and PR3 genes. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization studies disprove the previous chromosomal assignment of the human NE gene to 11q14. The five exons of AZU and PR3 are organized like those of NE and other granule-associated serine proteases of hematopoietic cells. NE, PR3, and AZU are coordinately downregulated in the premonocytic cell line U937 during induced terminal differentiation. The cluster-like physical organization of these genes and concerted regulation during hematopoietic differentiation suggests that they are located in a developmentally activated chromatin domain promoting high-level, cell-specific expression in the monocyte-myelocyte lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Cell- and gene-specific interactions between signal transduction pathways revealed by okadaic acid. Studies on the plasminogen activating system.

The potential contribution of serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases in the transcriptional regulation of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor gene expression was explored in human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and U-937 monocyte-like cells using okadaic acid, a potent and specific inhibitor of phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A). In both cell types okadaic acid induced plasminogen activator type 2 (PAI-2) gene transcription and mRNA and potentiated induction mediated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and tumor necrosis factor. Okadaic acid-mediated induction of PAI-2 was inhibited by 8-bromo-cAMP in HT-1080 cells but not in U-937 cells. Okadaic acid had opposite effects on urokinase (u-PA) gene expression in the two cell lines; u-PA mRNA and gene transcription was suppressed in HT-1080 cells but transiently induced in U-937 cells. Tissue-type PA (t-PA) mRNA, although undetectable in U-937 cells, was also suppressed by okadaic acid in HT-1080 cells. This effect was selective, as constitutive and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-mediated expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 mRNA was not modulated by okadaic acid in either cell type. These results indicate that PP1 and PP2A protein phosphatases are involved in signal transduction pathways modulating PAI-2, u-PA, and t-PA, and furthermore, that okadaic acid interaction with the protein kinase C and A pathways are gene- and cell type-specific.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1992

Cell-specific regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and tissue type plasminogen activator release by human kidney mesangial cells.

Human mesangial cells in culture synthesize and secrete plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a known activator of protein kinase C, induces a three to four-fold increase in t-PA and PAI-1 release over a period of 24 h, whereas cell-associated t-PA and PAI-1 levels remain relatively stable. A similar effect is obtained with oleylacetyl glycerol, a more physiologic protein kinase C activator. The effect of PMA is suppressed in the presence of H7, an inhibitor of cellular protein kinases, and by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating a requirement for de novo protein and RNA synthesis, respectively. Northern blot analysis of PMA-treated cells reveals a rapid and transient increase in PAI-1 mRNA reaching a maximum after 4-8 h, whereas increase in t-PA mRNA levels requires 24 h. Activation of protein kinase A by addition of 8-bromocyclic AMP (8-bromo cAMP) has no significant effect on PAI-1 release but inhibits the PMA-mediated increases in PAI-1 antigen and mRNA. Addition of 8-bromo cAMP alone does not affect t-PA release. When added to PMA-stimulated cells, 8-bromo cAMP inhibits t-PA release in a dose-dependent manner, but causes a superinduction of t-PA mRNA. 8-bromo cAMP also induces a decrease in PMA-stimulated intracellular t-PA release. Similar inhibition is observed after stimulation of endogenous adenylate cyclase with prostaglandin E1 or isoproterenol. This indicates that protein kinase A activation may inhibit PMA-stimulated t-PA release via a post-transcriptional effect, e.g. inhibition of protein synthesis or activation of protein degradation. In conclusion, hormones or mediators which activate protein kinase C can stimulate t-PA and PAI-1 synthesis in human mesangial cells. Protein kinase A activation has no effect on the basal release of PAI-1 and t-PA by human mesangial cells, and, in contrast to endothelial cells, it inhibits both PMA-stimulated PAI-1 and t-PA releases. This cell-specific regulation of t-PA and PAI-1 seems to be mediated by differential transcriptional and post transcriptional mechanisms.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1992

Transcriptional antagonism of phorbol ester-mediated induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor types 1 and 2 by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Gene expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) types 1 and 2 is modulated by the protein kinase-C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase-A (PKA) signal transduction pathways. To determine whether the PKC and PKA pathways functionally interact during modulation of PAI gene expression, we assessed changes in gene transcription rates, mRNA, and antigen levels of PAI-1 and PAI-2 in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells treated with the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), alone or in combination with cAMP agonists and analogs. PMA produced a transient increase in PAI-1 and a sustained increase in PAI-2, which was evident at the level of gene transcription and mRNA. Treatment with the cAMP agonist forskolin or the cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP decreased constitutive and PMA-mediated expression of PAI-1 mRNA. PAI-2 mRNA was below detection limits in nontreated and cAMP-treated cells. However, elevated levels of cAMP reduced the stimulatory effect of PMA on PAI-2 mRNA. The antagonism of the PMA effect by cAMP was evident at the level of gene transcription, suggesting that the end point of the functional interplay between the PKC and PKA pathways requires modulation of a nuclear transcription factor(s). Our results suggest that the PKC- and PKA-dependent signaling pathways have counteractive effects on transcriptional expression of the PAI-1 and PAI-2 genes in HT-1080 cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1991

Regulatory elements involved in constitutive and phorbol ester-inducible expression of the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 gene promoter.

Gene transcription rates and mRNA levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) are markedly induced by the tumor promoting agent phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. To identify promoter elements required for basal-, and phorbol ester-inducible expression, deletion mutants of the PAI-1 promoter fused to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene, were transiently expressed in HT1080 cells. Constitutive CAT activity was expressed from constructs containing more than 215 bp of promoter sequence, whereas deletion to position -91 bp abolished CAT gene expression. Treatment of transfected cells with PMA resulted in a three- to ten-fold increase in CAT expression from all constructs except from the construct shortened to position -91. DNAse1 protection analysis of the promoter region between -215 and the transcription initiation site revealed numerous protected regions, including two AP1-like binding sites (AP1a and AP1b) and one CRE-like element. Site-directed mutagenesis of the AP1a site or of the CRE-like site resulted in the loss of basal CAT activity and abolished the PMA effect, whereas mutagenesis of AP1b only partially inhibited basal and PMA-mediated expression. Our results suggest that the PAI-2 promoter contains at least two elements required for basal gene transcription and PMA-mediated induction.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Thrombin increases proliferation and decreases fibrinolytic activity of kidney glomerular epithelial cells.

Human glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) in culture synthesize single-chain, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (SC-uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and possess specific membrane-binding sites for u-PA. Using purified 125I-alpha thrombin, we demonstrate here the presence of two populations of specific binding sites for thrombin on GECs (1.Kd = 4.3 +/- 1.0 x 10(-10) M, 5.4 +/- 1.4 x 10(4) M sites per cell, 2. Kd = 1.6 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) M, 7.9 +/- 1.8 x 10(5) sites per cell). Purified human alpha thrombin promoted the proliferation of GECs and induced a time- and dose-dependent increase of SC-uPA, t-PA, and PAI-1 antigens released by GECs. Thrombin-mediated increase in antigen was paralleled by an increase in the levels of corresponding u-PA and PAI-1 messenger RNA. In contrast, thrombin decreased u-PA activity in conditioned medium. This discrepancy between u-PA antigen and u-PA activity was explained by a limited proteolysis of SC-uPA by thrombin, leading to a two-chain form detected by immunoblotting and that could not be activated by plasmin. Thrombin also decreased the number of u-PA binding sites on GECs (p less than 0.05) without changing receptor affinity. Hirudin inhibited the binding and the cellular effects of thrombin, whereas thrombin inactivated by diisopropylfluorophosphate had no effect, indicating that both membrane binding and catalytic activity of thrombin were required. We conclude that thrombin, through specific membrane receptors, stimulates proliferation of GECs and decreases the fibrinolytic activity of GECs both at the cell surface and in the conditioned medium. These results suggest that thrombin could be involved in the pathogenesis of extracapillary proliferation and persistency of fibrin deposits in crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1991

Regulation of human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene transcription by epidermal growth factor and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) biosynthesis in HeLa cells. Based on nuclear run-on transcription assays, t-PA biosynthesis is modulated by EGF on the level of gene transcription. The effect of EGF is slow, requiring 4-8 h to induce t-PA gene transcription and up to 24 h to induce t-PA mRNA and antigen secretion. An additive response is observed when cells are treated with both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and EGF, suggesting that the two pathways converge and act independently to implement their respective effects. cAMP has previously been shown to potentiate phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-mediated induction of t-PA biosynthesis in HeLa cells and in human endothelial cells. Akin to this observation, cAMP also potentiates the EGF-mediated increase in t-PA mRNA. Maximal levels of t-PA mRNA is seen in the presence of all three agonists. The regulation of t-PA by EGF alone and in the presence of either PMA or cAMP is consistent with a role of t-PA during growth and development, and further indicates a functional interplay between protein kinase C-, tyrosine kinase, - and cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathways during regulation of t-PA gene expression.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1990

A DNA motif related to the cAMP-responsive element and an exon-located activator protein-2 binding site in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene promoter cooperate in basal expression and convey activation by phorbol ester and cAMP.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene expression is regulated by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), by cyclic AMP analogues, and the cAMP agonist, forskolin. Based on nuclear "run-on" transcription assays, t-PA expression is modulated by PMA on the level of transcription. 8-Bromo-cyclic AMP and forskolin do not induce t-PA gene transcription alone but act synergistically with PMA. These effects are confirmed by transient expression assays in HeLa cells employing deletion mutants of the t-PA gene promoter fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Constitutive expression and most of the PMA-mediated induction requires sequences downstream of position -145. DNase I protection ("footprint") analysis of this region reveals two protein-binding sites: one between position -102 and -115, differing from the consensus sequence of the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) by the substitution of an adenine for a guanine in the middle of the core motif (TGACATCA), and another, located in the first exon (between position +60 and +74), displaying homology to the consensus sequence of the activator protein 2- (AP-2) binding site (CCCCACCCCC). Base substitutions in the core of either the CRE-like element or the AP-2 site suppress constitutive CAT expression by over 80%, whereas the relative PMA- and PMA plus cAMP-mediated responses are retained. CAT expression is below the detection limit when both elements are mutagenized together. Hence, the CRE-like element and the exon-located AP-2-binding site have a cooperative impact on basal transcription, but each element can independently convey the effect of activators of the protein kinase C- and A-dependent pathways of signal transduction. The results of band-shift analysis and competition titration experiments demonstrate that the CRE-like element acts as a low affinity binding site for the same proteins which recognize the authentic CRE.

Amanitins↗

PubMed1990

Thrombin regulates components of the fibrinolytic system in human mesangial cells.

Besides its procoagulant activity, thrombin has been shown to stimulate cell proliferation and to regulate the fibrinolytic pathway. We report here the effect of purified human alpha thrombin on the synthesis of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) by cultured human mesangial cells. Thrombin (0 to 2.5 U/ml) increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner the production of t-PA and PAI-1 (2- to 3-fold increase of secreted t-PA and PAI-1 release during a 24 hour incubation). This effect was associated with a twofold increase in DNA synthesis measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Zymographic analysis and reverse fibrin autography showed that thrombin also increased the level of the 110 Kd t-PA-PAI-1 complex, whereas PAI-1 was present as a free 50 Kd form in the culture medium conditioned by unstimulated and thrombin-stimulated cells. Free t-PA was never observed. Both membrane binding and catalytic activity of thrombin were required since the effects of 1 U/ml thrombin were inhibited by addition 2 U/ml hirudin, which inhibits the membrane binding and catalytic activity of thrombin, and since DFP-inactivated thrombin, which has the ability to bind but which has no enzymatic activity, did not induce t-PA or PAI-1. Gamma thrombin, which does not bind to thrombin receptor, did not increase t-PA and PAI-1 releases. The effects of thrombin were probably mediated by protein kinase C activation since H7, an inhibitor of protein kinases, inhibited significantly thrombin effects on t-PA and PAI-1 production, and since addition of an activator of protein kinase A, 8-bromocyclic AMP (100 microM), induced a significant inhibition of the thrombin effect. The effects of thrombin were also suppressed by 1.25 micrograms/ml alpha amanitin, suggesting a requirement of de novo RNA synthesis. Northern blot analysis indicated that thrombin induced an increase in the mRNA levels of t-PA and of PAI-1. We conclude that thrombin increases DNA synthesis in human mesangial cells and enhances the synthesis of both t-PA and PAI-1. The latter is released in a large excess as compared to t-PA. Hence, thrombin may have a role in provoking a localized hypofibrinolytic state and may contribute to the persistence of glomerular fibrin deposits during proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1990

Hormonal regulation of haemostasis and the molecular biology of the fibrinolytic system.

The major components of the fibrinolytic system are responsive to hormones, growth factors and cytokines in a wide variety of primary and neoplastic cell lines. These effectors commonly cause increased biosynthesis of PAI-1 with overall suppression of fibrinolysis. Recent studies have indicated that certain agonists, in particular the inflammatory cytokines, may suppress fibrinolysis in animal models. These findings provide a correlate to the clinical observations which relate an increase in PAI-1 levels with thrombotic risk. On the other hand, induction of t-PA and u-PA biosynthesis by growth factors has been related to tissue remodelling and cell migration associated with angiogenesis and tumour metastasis.

Blood Coagulation↗

PubMed1990

Plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 is a potent natural inhibitor of extracellular matrix degradation by fibrosarcoma and colon carcinoma cells.

We have analyzed the role of plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in the regulation of tumor cell-mediated extracellular matrix degradation. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed PAI-1 associated with microgranular and fibrillar material of the extracellular matrix and demonstrated the presence of PAI-1 as a cell surface-associated antigen. Transforming growth factor beta significantly reduced matrix degradation mediated by HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. This inhibition was correlated with an increase in PAI-1 antigen expression, whereas urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) secretion was unaffected. In this experimental system, PAI-1 regulated extracellular matrix breakdown, as added PAI-1 inhibited matrix solubilization, whereas monoclonal antibodies to PAI-1 increased it. A cell line (LPAI) producing high levels of biologically active PAI-1 was established by transfection of a human PAI-1 cDNA clone into mouse L cells. Coculture experiments demonstrated that LPAI cells prevented matrix degradation by Lu-PA cells (L cells expressing high levels of u-PA) or Co-115 human colon carcinoma cells (expressing tissue-type plasminogen activator). These results indicate that PAI-1 may play a critical role in the regulation of extracellular matrix degradation during tumor cell invasion.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator biosynthesis is induced by the EJ-Ha-ras oncogene in CL26 mouse colon carcinoma cells.

CL26 murine colon carcinoma cells express urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) mRNA and activity after transfection with the activated c-Ha-ras-I (EJ-ras) oncogene cloned from the EJ bladder carcinoma. PA activity and mRNA in control cells transfected with the non-mutated c-Ha-ras-I (CO-ras) gene remained negative. Ras mRNA was detected in EJ-ras- and CO-ras-transfected cells, but not in untransfected or pSV2-neo-transfected cells. These results indicate that u-PA biosynthesis can be modulated by EJ-Ha-ras-dependent pathways of signal transduction.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Mouse L cells expressing human prourokinase-type plasminogen activator: effects on extracellular matrix degradation and invasion.

A cosmid (cos pUK0322) harboring the complete human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) gene and Geneticin resistance as a selectable marker was isolated from a human genomic library and characterized. After transfection of cos pUK0322 into mouse L cells and selection, several plasminogen activator (PA)-expressing clones were obtained and one (LuPA) was chosen for additional study. The PA expressed was identical to human pro-u-PA in enzymatic, electrophoretic, and antigenic properties. The expression of PA was stable over 50 population doublings. The regulation of the transfected gene was studied by treatment of the cells with various hormones and other effectors. Expression of PA activity was inhibited fivefold by dexamethasone and stimulated two- to threefold by agonists of the adenylate cyclase dependent pathway of signal transduction, such as dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cholera and pertussis toxins. The modulation of PA activity was associated with corresponding changes in mRNA steady-state levels. The phenotypic changes associated with pro-u-PA expression were analyzed in vitro by degradation of 3H-labeled extracellular matrix (ECM), invasion of a matrigel basement membrane analogue, and by light and electron microscopy. LuPA cells and reference HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells, in contrast to control Lneo cells transfected with the neomycin resistance gene, degraded the ECM and invaded the matrigel basement membrane. Matrix degradation correlated with the modulation of pro-u-PA gene expression as it was inhibited by dexamethasone and promoted by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Inhibition of PA or plasmin using anti-u-PA IgG or aprotinin prevented ECM degradation and invasion. These results demonstrate that u-PA expression alone is sufficient to confer to a cell an experimental invasive phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and 2 are tumor necrosis factor/cachectin-responsive genes.

Human rTNF/Cachectin was shown to stimulate gene transcription of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PA1)-1 and PAI-2, and simultaneously suppress constitutive gene expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in human fibrosarcoma cells. We propose that a TNF-mediated reprogramming of gene transcription induces, in appropriate target cells, an anti-fibrinolytic state, which may cooperate with the induction of procoagulant activity (tissue factor) to stabilize the fibrin deposits commonly found in inflamed tissue. PAI genes also provide a model system for a study of the molecular pathways underlying TNF-mediated signal transduction.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1988

Glucocorticoid-modulated gene expression of tissue- and urinary-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and 2.

Constitutive gene expression of four components of plasminogen activating enzyme system, urinary and tissue-type plasminogen activator (u-PA and t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and PAI-2 in HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells, was modulated by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex, 10(-7) M). More than 90% of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 antigen was found in conditioned medium, whereas PAI-2 was mainly cell associated. In 48-h culture supernatants (expressed per 10(6) cells) PAI-1 antigen increased from 350 to 3,300 ng and t-PA from 19 to 38 ng. u-PA and PAI-2 in the same samples decreased from 380 to 46 ng and from 3.5 to 1.8 ng, respectively. Northern blot hybridization and nuclear "Run-on" transcription assays demonstrated that the increase of t-PA and PAI-1 and the decrease of u-PA were associated with equivalent changes of gene template activity. Modulation of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 gene expression by Dex was completely blocked by the glucocorticoid antagonist RU 38486, suggesting that all effects were mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis induced a rapid transient increase of t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1 mRNA and a sustained increase of PAI-2 mRNA, but blocked the more long term effects of Dex, suggesting that both constitutive and hormonally regulated maintenance of mRNA steady state levels required protein biosynthesis.

Cycloheximide↗