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ILKAP regulates ILK signaling and inhibits anchorage-independent growth.

ILKAP is a protein phosphatase 2C that selectively associates with integrin linked kinase, ILK, to modulate cell adhesion and growth factor signaling. We investigated the role of endogenous cellular ILKAP in antagonizing ILK signaling of two key targets, PKB and GSK3beta. Silencing of endogenous ILKAP by short interfering RNA (siRNA) stimulated GSK3beta phosphorylation at S9, with no effect on PKB S473 phosphorylation. In LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells, transient or stable expression of ILKAP suppressed ILK immune complex kinase activity, demonstrating an interaction between ILKAP and ILK. Consistent with the silencing data, ILKAP inhibition of ILK selectively inhibited S9 phosphorylation of GSK3beta without affecting S473 phosphorylation of PKB. The ILKAP-mediated inhibition of S9 phosphorylation was rescued by overexpression of ILK, but not by a dominant-negative ILK mutant. The expression level of cyclin D1, a target of ILK-GSK3beta signaling, was inversely correlated with ILKAP protein levels, suggesting that antagonism of ILK modulates cell cycle progression. ILKAP expression increased the proportion of LNCaP cells in G1, relative to vector control cells, and siRNA suppression of ILKAP increased entry of cells into the S phase, consistent with ILK antagonism. Anchorage-independent growth of LNCaP cells was inhibited by ILKAP, suggesting a critical role in the suppression of cellular transformation. Taken together, our results indicate that endogenous ILKAP activity inhibits the ILK-GSK3beta signaling axis, and suggest that ILKAP activity plays an important role in inhibiting oncogenic transformation.Oncogene (2004) 23, 3454-3461. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1207473 Published online 1 March 2004

Cell Cycle↗

Adrenocortical hormones and interleukin patterns in leprosy.

The functional status of adrenocortical hormones and their relationship to the pattern of inflammatory cytokines in the lepromatous and tuberculoid poles of leprosy were investigated. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plasma levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were significantly higher in LL/BL (lepromatous) leprosy patients than in control subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-alpha plasma levels and ESR and CRP concentrations. IL-1beta was positively correlated with ESR but not with CRP. Both baseline and stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol plasma levels were not different between patients and control subjects. In contrast, adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) plasma levels were significantly lower in leprosy patients than in sex-matched control subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between DHEA-S and IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP concentrations. This finding may be of pathogenetic significance in this disease and in other inflammatory states.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Receptor specificity of growth factor-stimulated synthesis of 3-phosphorylated inositol lipids in Swiss 3T3 cells.

We have investigated synthesis of 3-phosphorylated inositol lipids in growth factor-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells. Those growth factors tested which act via tyrosine kinase-containing receptors (platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin growth factor I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)) caused the rapid synthesis of [32P]PtdIns(3,4)P2 and [32P]PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 (PtdIns is phosphatidylinositol) in [32P]P(i)-prelabeled cells and the appearance of an inositol lipid 3-OH kinase in antiphosphotyrosine immunoprecipates. In contrast, those growth factors tested which act via G-protein-coupled receptors (bombesin, vasopressin, prostaglandin E1) were unable to stimulate either of the above responses. Furthermore, while PDGF was able to increase the formation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in streptolysin-permeabilized cells, guanosine 5'-3-(thio)triphosphate and guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate were not. These results suggest that Swiss 3T3 cells possess the machinery for tyrosine kinase but not G-protein-mediated activation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 3-OH kinase; a situation which is the inverse to that recently described for human neutrophils. The tyrosine kinase-containing receptors differed markedly in their relative abilities to elevate the levels of [32P] PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 (ranked in the order PDGF greater than or equal to IGF-I greater than EGF greater than bFGF), [32P]Ptd-OH (PDGF greater than EGF greater than bFGF; undetectable for IGF-I), and [32P]PtdIns4P (EGF greater than bFGF greater than PDGF; undetectable for IGF-I) in [32P]P(i)-prelabeled cells. These differences are epitomized by IGF-I, which was the joint most powerful stimulus for [32P] PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 formation, but was unable to stimulate a measurable accumulation of [32P]Ptd-OH (and hence, by deduction, was unable to stimulate phospholipase C). These results indicate that there is a differential ability among the tyrosine kinase-containing receptors present in a single cell to recruit phospholipase C and PtdIns(4,5)P2 3-OH kinase into their signalling complexes and further emphasizes the notion that the rapid synthesis of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 may be a signalling event.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Effects of TNF alpha on verocytotoxin cytotoxicity in purified human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells.

In the pathogenesis of the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), endothelial damage of glomeruli and arterioles of the kidney appears to play a central role. Previous studies have shown that verocytotoxin-1 (VT-1) cytotoxicity on human vein endothelial cells require additional stimuli, in particular the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). In this study the effects of VT on human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells (GMVEC) were examined. A reproducible method was developed for the isolation and purification of large numbers of highly purified GMVEC. The obtained GMVEC were over 99% pure; their endothelial origin was demonstrated by the expression of the endothelial antigens von Willebrand factor, EN-4, PECAM-1 and V,E-cadherin. Upon stimulation with TNF alpha the cells expressed the endothelial-specific adhesion molecule E-selectin. A limited number of fenestral structures was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), suggesting glomerular origin of the endothelial cells. Cytotoxicity of VT-1 to GMVEC was evaluated by determination of the number of viable adherent cells and by assay of overall protein synthesis after exposure to varying concentrations of VT-1. In non-stimulated GMVEC, cytotoxicity of VT-1 was inversely related to the degree and duration of confluence, subconfluent cells being the most sensitive. In highly confluent GMVEC, VT cytotoxicity required pre-exposure of the cells to the inflammatory mediator TNF alpha, which induced an increase in the number of VT receptors on GMVEC. Thin layer chromatography of extracted glycolipids from the GMVEC showed binding of VT-1 to globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), known to be the functional receptor for VT. There were no major differences in protein synthesis inhibition with equal concentrations VT-1 and VT-2. In conclusion, in this study we provide a reproducible method to isolate, purify and culture well characterized human GMVEC on a routine basis. In vitro studies with these GMVEC demonstrate that VT cytotoxicity depends on the degree of confluence and the additional preexposure to the inflammatory mediator TNF alpha. These observations provide further insight into the complex events that may occur in glomeruli in the pathogenesis of HUS.

Bacterial Toxins↗

An intron facilitates activation of the calspermin gene by the testis-specific transcription factor CREM tau.

Calspermin is a high affinity Ca2+/calmodulin binding protein that is found only in postmeiotic male germ cells. Our previous studies have shown that the calspermin transcript is produced by utilization of a testis-specific promoter located within an intron of the calmodulin kinase IV gene. This promoter contains two cAMP response element-like motifs that bind the testis-specific transcription factor CREM tau. This interaction is required for transcriptional activation. Here we describe a novel regulatory element, the 111-base pair first intron of the calspermin gene, which is also required for enhancement of transcription by CREM tau via the cAMP response element motifs. Deletion or inversion of this intron results in loss of CREM tau-mediated stimulation of transcription. However, CREM tau stimulates calspermin promoter activity when the intron is moved upstream of the promoter but only when inserted in the proper orientation. Footprint, linker scanning, and deletion analyses were used to identify regulatory elements in the intron. We suggest that the intron functions as an orientation-dependent but position-independent regulatory element to activate the calspermin promoter by facilitating the stimulatory effect of CREM tau on transcription.

3T3 Cells↗

Interleukin-8/CXCL8 forms an autocrine loop in fetal intestinal mucosa.

IL-8/CXC ligand (CXCL) 8 is ingested in high concentrations by the human fetus/neonate with amniotic fluid and human milk, and is also produced constitutively by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). We have shown that recombinant human IL-8/CXCL8 (rhIL-8/CXCL8) protects cultured IEC against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and cycloheximide-induced cytotoxicity. In view of its constitutive production, we hypothesized that IL-8/CXCL8 might play an autocrine role in fetal enterocyte maintenance. In this study, we measured IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA concentrations in fetal intestine (11-22 wk gestation), sought the presence of the protein by immunohistochemistry in fetal stomach and intestine (9-24 wk), measured IL-8/CXCL8 in neonatal gastric secretions, and studied constitutive and stimulated IL-8/CXCL8 expression in cultured IEC. We found that IL-8/CXCL8 is consistently transcribed and expressed in fetal intestinal tissue, in a developmentally regulated inverse relationship with gestational maturation. The cognate receptors for IL-8/CXCL8 are also expressed abundantly in the fetal intestine, and, therefore, we sought to determine whether the expressed IL-8/CXCL8 would complete an autocrine loop. Neutralization of IL-8/CXCL8 resulted in increased cell death in cultured IEC in the presence of TNF-alpha. This effect is specifically mediated through the CXCR2 receptors. We speculate that IL-8/CXCL8 secretion during cytotoxic stress reflects a cellular self-defense mechanism.

Autocrine Communication↗

erbB-2 expression in estrogen-receptor-positive breast-tumor cells is regulated by growth-modulatory reagents.

It has previously been shown that, in the estrogen-receptor-positive breast-tumor cell lines T47D and ZR75.1, the erbB-2 protein and mRNA content are controlled negatively and positively by, respectively, estrogens and anti-estrogens. Since estrogens have a positive effect on cell proliferation, while anti-estrogens inhibit cell growth, the results suggested that there may be an inverse correlation between growth and erbB-2 expression. We have now examined this matter further. The effect of various growth-modulatory agents including estrogen (E2), progesterone (Pg), retinoic acid (RA), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin (Ins), prolactin (Prl), 12-O-tetradecanolyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and dibutyryl-3':5'-cyclic-AMP (cAMP) on c-erbB-2 promoter activity, RNA and protein expression have been examined. The growth stimulators E2 and EGF both reduced the level of erbB-2 protein. However, while E2 clearly repressed erbB-2 transcription, in the case of EGF, neither mRNA nor transcription were decreased. Of the agents which inhibit the growth of T47D and ZR75.1 cells--Pg, Prl, cAMP, RA and TPA--only Pg and cAMP caused an increase in the erbB-2 protein level. Pg and cAMP positively influenced c-erbB-2 promoter activity and RNA amount. TPA and RA also increased promoter activity but neither erbB-2 mRNA nor protein level was enhanced. The erbB-2 protein expression in cultures of T47D and ZR75.1 cells at different densities was also analyzed. Both the level of erbB-2 protein and c-erbB-2 promoter activity rose markedly in confluent cultures, suggesting a transcriptional mechanism of control. In conclusion, the data suggest that the effects of various agents on erbB-2 expression are complex and cannot be explained simply as reflecting the growth state of the cells.

Base Sequence↗

Differential effect of insulin and epidermal growth factor on the mRNA translocation system and transport of specific poly(A+) mRNA and poly(A-) mRNA in isolated nuclei.

The efficiency of efflux of rapidly labeled poly(A)-containing mRNA from isolated rat liver nuclei was found to be modulated by insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a biphasic but opposite way. At physiological concentrations (10 pM insulin and 1 pM EGF), maximal stimulation of the transport rate by insulin (to 137%) and maximal inhibition by EGF (to 69%) were obtained; at higher concentrations (greater than 100 pM and greater than 10 pM, respectively), the amount of poly(A)-containing mRNA released into the postnuclear supernatant was nearly identical with the level found in untreated nuclei (= 100%). Using mRNA entrapped into closed nuclear envelope (NE) vesicles as a model system, it was found that the modulation of nuclear efflux of mRNA by the two growth factors occurs at the level of translocation through the nuclear pore. The NE nucleoside-triphosphatase (NTPase) activity, which is thought to mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport of at least some mRNAs, responded to insulin and EGF in the same manner as the mRNA transport rate. The increase in NTPase activity caused by insulin and the decrease in NTPase activity caused by EGF were found to be due to changes of the maximal catalytic rate; the Michaelis constant of the enzyme remained almost constant. Investigating the effect of the two growth factors on transport of specific mRNAs, poly(A)-containing actin mRNA was found to display the same alteration in efflux rate as rapidly labeled, total poly(A)-containing mRNA. In contrast, efflux of histone H4 mRNA, which lacks a 3'-poly(A) sequence, decreased in response to insulin and reached minimum levels at the same concentration at which maximum levels of actin mRNA transport rate were obtained. Studying the mechanism of action of insulin and EGF on NE mRNA translocation system, insulin was found to cause an enhancement of NE-associated phosphoprotein phosphatase activity, resulting in a dephosphorylation of the NE poly(A) binding site (= mRNA carrier) and, hence, in a decrease in its affinity to poly(A) [the poly(A) binding affinity of the poly(A)-recognizing mRNA carrier within the envelope is increased after phosphorylation]. EGF, on the other hand, stimulated the protein kinase, which phosphorylates the carrier, and, hence increased the NE poly(A) binding affinity. Because the stage of phosphorylation of the mRNA carrier (which is coupled with the NTPase within the intact NE structure) is inversely correlated with the activity of the NTPase, an enhancement of poly(A)-containing mRNA transport rate by insulin and an inhibition by EGF are observed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cell migration activated by platelet-derived growth factor receptor is blocked by an inverse agonist of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1.

We have previously identified a novel complex between the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)beta receptor and the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1). The complex permits the utilization of active G-protein subunits (made available by constitutively active S1P1 receptor) by the PDGFbeta receptor kinase to transmit signals to p42/p44 MAPK in response to PDGF. Therefore, an inverse agonist of the S1P1 receptor is predicted to reduce signal transduction from PDGFbeta receptor tyrosine kinase by blocking the constitutive activity of the G-protein coupled receptor. SB649146 is a novel inverse agonist of the S1P1 receptor. First, SB649146 displaced the S1P1 receptor agonist dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate from membranes expressing the recombinant S1P1 receptor. Second, SB649146 reduced basal recombinant S1P1 receptor-induced GTPgammaS binding and S1P-induced GTPgammaS binding in membranes. Third, SB649146 blocked the S1P-induced activation of p42/p44 MAPK in airway smooth muscle cells, a response that is mediated by the S1P1 receptor. We now report that inverse agonism of the S1P1 receptor with SB649146 reduced the endocytosis of the PDGFbeta receptor-S1P1 receptor complex and the stimulation of p42/p44 MAPK and cell migration in response to PDGF. These findings are the first to report that a GPCR inverse-agonist reduces growth factor-induced receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, fundamentally broadening their mechanism of action. The data obtained with SB649146 also suggest that the constitutively active endogenous S1P1 receptor enhances PDGF-induced cell migration.

Animals↗

Inhibition of human osteoblast marker gene expression by retinoids is mediated in part by insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6.

All-trans -retinoic acid (atRA) inhibits osteoblast marker gene expression and markedly increases expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) in human osteoblasts. The possibility that IGFBP-6 inhibits the osteoblast phenotype and also mediates the inhibitory effect of atRA on osteoblast marker gene expression was explored using an antisense approach. Stable human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cells were prepared that expressed antisense IGFBP-6 RNA under basal and atRA-stimulated conditions. The functional expression of IGFBP-6 antisense RNA was confirmed by measuring IGFBP-6 mRNA by Northern analysis or by measuring IGFBP-6 protein in the conditioned media (CM) by radioimmunoassay. Antisense clones produced less mRNA and had less IGFBP-6 protein in the CM than controls. IGFBP-6 protein levels in the CM were inversely correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, whereas IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 protein levels were not. We reasoned that atRA would have little or no effect on ALP activity in IGFBP-6 antisense clones if atRA mediated its inhibitory effects by recruiting IGFBP-6. In the majority of IGFBP-6 antisense clones with the lowest IGFBP-6 mRNA and CM protein levels and only modest changes in other IGF system components, atRA did not significantly decrease ALP activity. These findings provide evidence that atRA recruits IGFBP-6 to inhibit the human osteoblast phenotype.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Follistatin suppresses FSHbeta but increases LHbeta expression in the goldfish - evidence for an activin-mediated autocrine/paracrine system in fish pituitary.

Our previous study demonstrated that recombinant goldfish activin B stimulated goldfish FSHbeta but inhibited LHbeta expression. Similar to activin B, activin A also exhibited the inverse effects on the expression of the two gonadotropins. The novel dual effects of activins on FSH and LH in the goldfish raise an interesting question as to where the activin comes from in vivo. In the present study, we first demonstrated the expression of activin, its receptors and binding protein follistatin in the goldfish pituitary, leading to a suggestion that an autocrine/paracrine regulatory system involving activin is operative in fish pituitary. To investigate the functionality of the pituitary-derived activin system in the regulation of gonadotropin biosynthesis, we further examined the effects of follistatin, an activin-binding protein, on goldfish FSHbeta and LHbeta expression. Follistatin not only reversed the effects of exogenous activin on FSHbeta and LHbeta expression but also had inverse effects on the basal expression of the genes; and its effects were opposite to those of activin. This suggests that the endogenous activin plays roles in controlling the expression of both FSHbeta and LHbeta genes. It is conceivable that any factors that influence the intrapituitary activin system in vivo will likely affect the biosynthesis of the two gonadotropins in the goldfish.

Activins↗

Biomaterial surface-dependent neutrophil mobility.

Compromised neutrophil function in the presence of an implanted biomaterial may represent an important mechanism that allows for the development of implant-associated infections. Here, human neutrophil mobility has been investigated on a polyurethane (ChronoFlex AR), a hydrophobic surface consisting of an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) self-assembled monolayer, and a glass reference material. Neutrophil mobility was quantified, based on cell movement speed and persistence time obtained from time-lapse optical microscopy, while neutrophil cytoskeletal structures and morphology were visualized using confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Our results show that material surface properties affect neutrophil-surface interactions, as reflected by morphological changes, and the mobility of neutrophils stimulated by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). In the absence of adsorbed plasma proteins, the mobility of stimulated neutrophils increased with increasing material hydrophobicity from glass, to polyurethane, to OTS. The opposite trend was observed in the presence of adsorbed plasma proteins, such that neutrophil mobility increased with decreasing material hydrophobicity. Analysis of the results showed that the mobility of fMLP-stimulated neutrophils cells was inversely related to the extent of cell spreading on the materials.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in estrogen receptor-positive and negative human breast cancer cell lines.

Expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor by human breast cancer tissues has an inverse relationship with expression of the estrogen receptor and may be associated with a poor clinical response. We have studied the regulation of EGF receptor expression in a series of human breast cancer cell lines with varying degrees of estrogen responsiveness. Three estrogen receptor-positive lines, MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and T47D, were found to have less than 70,000 EGF binding sites per cell by radioreceptor assay and were growth stimulated in vitro by EGF. Four estrogen receptor-negative lines, MDA-MB-231, Hs578T, EVSA-T, and BT-20, contained greater than 70,000 EGF binding sites per cell and showed no in vitro growth stimulation by EGF. In all cell lines EGF receptor number was correlated with the amount of EGF receptor protein and RNA. Differences in EGF receptor expression between the cell types was not due to amplification of the EGF receptor gene. Rather, variations in EGF receptor expression between lines were due, at least in part, to differences in the rate of EGF gene transcription as determined by nuclear run-off studies. Our data confirm the previously described inverse relationship between expression of EGF and estrogen receptors. We show here that the absence of estrogen receptor expression in human breast cancer cell lines is associated with higher levels of functional EGF receptor protein and mRNA.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Concurrent production of interleukin-2, interleukin-10, and gamma interferon in the regional lymph nodes of mice with influenza pneumonia.

Cytokine production has been assessed at the single-cell level (ELISPOT assay) for freshly isolated mediastinal lymph node cells from C57BL/6 mice with primary, nonfatal influenza pneumonia. The mediastinal lymph node populations were also secondarily stimulated in vitro, and culture supernatants were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both approaches showed minimal evidence of protein secretion for interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and tumor necrosis factor, while IL-2, IL-10, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were prominent throughout the response. The numbers of IL-2- and IFN-gamma-producing cells were maximal at 7 days after infection, while the total counts for cells secreting IL-10 were fairly constant from day 3 to 7. The cultures that were stimulated with virus in vitro showed in inverse relationship between IL-10 and IFN-gamma production, with IL-10 peaking on day 3 and IFN-gamma peaking on day 7. Lymphocytes secreting IL-2, IL-10, and/or IFN-gamma were present in CD4+ and CD8+ populations separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, although the CD8+ T cells produced less cytokine and were at a relatively lower frequency. Addition of recombinant IL-10 to the virus-stimulated cultures decreased the amount of IFN-gamma that could be detected, while incorporation of a monoclonal antibody to IL-10 had the opposite effect. A neutralization experiment also indicated that IL-2 was the principal mediator of lymphocyte proliferation. These experiments thus show that the developing T-cell response in the regional lymph nodes of mice with influenza cannot be rigidly categorized on the basis of a TH1 or TH2 phenotype and suggest possible regulatory mechanisms.

Animals↗

A single up-stream element confers responsiveness to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the rat osteocalcin gene.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) is one of several autocrine/paracrine factors known to exert potent inhibitory effects on bone. We have shown that TNF alpha inhibition of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]-stimulated synthesis of the bone-specific protein osteocalcin (OC) occurs by decreasing steady state levels of OC mRNA, suggesting a pretranslational mechanism. In many genes, TNF alpha action is mediated by the transcription factor NF kappa B. Analysis of OC 5'-flanking DNA revealed a sequence structurally homologous to the previously described NF kappa B-binding site and, thus, a potential TNF alpha response element. Deletion analysis was performed to identify the sequences mediating the response to TNF alpha in osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells by transient transfection with reporter constructs containing rat OC 5'-flanking DNA [chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT)] that retained or deleted homologous NF kappa B sites or a previously defined 1,25-(OH)2D3 response element (VDRE). Transfection with all reporter constructs resulted in low basal CAT activity, measured 72 h after transfection. 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated CAT activity 2.8- to 4.5-fold in cells transfected with constructs that included the VDRE. TNF alpha inhibited 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated, but not basal, CAT activity. Deletion analysis localized the effect of TNF alpha to a sequence between -522 and -306 relative to the OC transcription start site, an area that included the VDRE but deleted a homologous NF kappa B element. Transfection of cells with a heterologous reporter containing one copy of the OC VDRE inserted in correct orientation or two copies in inverse orientation was sufficient to confer a response to TNF alpha. Gel mobility shift analysis of DNA-nuclear protein interaction revealed that 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated an increase in binding of nuclear proteins to an OC 32P-VDRE probe. Preincubation of nuclear extract with specific monoclonal antibodies confirmed that the proteins binding the VDRE included the vitamin D receptor and retinoid-X receptor. TNF alpha treatment of cells inhibited the 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated increase in nuclear protein binding to the VDRE. These results suggest 1) the VDRE is sufficient to confer a response to the inhibitory effect of TNF alpha on 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated rat OC gene transcription; 2) the action of TNF alpha does not require homologous NF kappa B response elements; and 3) the mechanism of TNF alpha inhibition of 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated OC gene expression includes modulation of binding of the vitamin D receptor/retinoid-X receptor heterodimer to the VDRE.

Animals↗

Regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis in cultured ovine thyroid follicles.

Primary cultures of sheep thyroid follicles were used to study the regulatory control mechanisms of thyroid hormone production. When maintained under serum-free conditions in vitro these follicles exhibit hormone-dependent iodide transport, iodine organification, and physiological de novo thyroid hormone formation. In previous studies we have also shown that thyroid follicles condition their culture media with insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF-binding proteins which are of potential autocrine or paracrine significance in thyroid hormonogenesis. TSH (100 microU/ml) alone modestly stimulated iodine uptake and organification, which was further potentiated by pharmacological or physiological concentrations of insulin and by physiological concentrations of IGF-I or IGF-II. A combination of TSH and cortisol (10 nM) optimally stimulated iodine uptake and organification without additive or synergistic effects among combinations of cortisol with insulin or IGFs. Insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, or cortisol alone were without effect on iodine uptake and organification. The effect of TSH was mimicked by forskolin or (Bu)2cAMP, and the synergistic effect of cortisol with TSH was duplicated in incubations of dexamethasone with TSH. In long term studies of the same experimental conditions, with 10(-6) M NaI added to the culture medium, an increase in radioimmunoassayable T4 and T3 in conditioned cell culture media and cell layer extracts was confirmed for all conditions, with the exception of physiological concentrations of insulin. IGF-I and IGF-II were equipotent in their stimulation of thyroid hormonogenesis in the presence of TSH. The effect of high concentrations of insulin may be explained by a combined action through insulin and type I IGF receptors. We have previously reported that the stimulation of iodine uptake and organification (de novo thyroid hormone formation here) by TSH and cortisol is inversely correlated with their inhibition of IGF-binding proteins released by the cells while IGF release is unchanged. Overall, these data suggest that the regulation of thyroid hormonogenesis involves the endocrine hormones TSH and cortisol, acting in synergy with locally produced IGFs.

Analysis of Variance↗

Evaluation of insulin-like growth factor-1 and parathyroid hormone on growth characteristics of MG-63 cells.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Parathyroid hormones (PTH) are major endocrine secretions that contribute to bone formation. The purpose of this experiment was to examine MG-63 bone like cells after treatment with PTH and IGF-1 in low (1 ug), medium (5 ug), and high (50 ug) dosage levels. MG-63 cells were plated onto a 24 well tissue culture plate at a density of 1 x 1--5 cells per well. The experiment was designed to evaluate cell counts, cell damage (MDA), protein levels, calcium levels, alkaline phosphatase levels, and cellular morphology after 24, 48, and 72 hours post incubation with IGF-1 and PTH. Both hormones stimulated cellular mitotic division as evidenced by morphology and cell numbers. There was an inverse relationship between dose and cell number with the lower dose of IGF-1 and PTH causing the most increase. In both hormones, the exposure to the highest dose induced the largest MDA level increase. However, in the protein levels, few changes in protein levels were found with IGF-1, but PTH showed an increase of protein levels over the time periods. Morphological evaluation showed prominent nucleoli and cellular division throughout both treatments, however the cells with IGF-1 became extremely elongated and the cells with PTH became rather plump. The information gathered suggests that IGF-1 and PTH have an anabolic effect on MG-63 and the effect is dose dependent with both treatments with the lower dose being more effective.

Cell Differentiation↗

Effects of polyamines on cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of amino acid transport in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The effects of natural polyamines on cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of amino acid transport in isolated rat hepatocytes were analyzed. Despite the fact that polyamines could directly compete with alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) for uptake, preincubation of hepatocytes with polyamines did not significantly alter basal AIB transport. The stimulatory effect of glucagon or cyclic AMP analogs was differently affected by polyamines, since it was reduced in the presence of spermine and, inversely, potentiated by spermidine, putrescine, and cadaverine. Dose-dependence analysis showed that half maximal and maximal effects occurred with 2-3 and 6-10 mM external concentrations, respectively. None of the polyamine effects could be ascribed to transstimulation or transinhibition of amino acid uptake. The inhibitory effect exerted by spermine correlated its capacity to inhibit [3H]-leucine incorporation into proteins partially. The potentiating effect of the other polyamines did not result from stabilization of newly synthesized carrier proteins. Instead, the increase in Vmax of the high affinity transport component suggested that more carriers became available, presumably because polyamines facilitated their synthesis by interacting directly with one or several steps controlled by cyclic AMP. Polyamines appear to represent a new class of factors capable of modulating the cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of amino acid transport, in hepatocytes.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗