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Treatment of allergic asthma by targeting janus kinase 3-dependent leukotriene synthesis in mast cells with 4-(3', 5'-dibromo-4'-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (WHI-P97).

4-(3',5'-Dibromo-4'-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (WHI-P97) is a rationally designed potent inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK)-3. Treatment of mast cells with WHI-P97 inhibited the translocation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) from the nucleoplasm to the nuclear membrane and consequently 5-LO-dependent leukotriene (LT) synthesis after IgE receptor/FcepsilonRI crosslinking by >90% at low micromolar concentrations. WHI-P97 did not directly inhibit the enzymatic activity of 5-LO, but prevented its translocation to the nuclear membrane without affecting the requisite calcium signal. WHI-P97 was very well tolerated in mice, with no signs of toxicity at dose levels ranging from 5 microg/kg to 50 mg/kg, and LD(10) was not reached at a 50 mg/kg dose level when administered as a single i. p. or i.v. bolus dose. Therapeutic WHI-P97 concentrations, which inhibit mast cell leukotriene synthesis in vitro, could easily be achieved in vivo after the i.v. or i.p. administration of a single nontoxic 40 mg/kg bolus dose of WHI-P97. Notably, WHI-P97 showed promising biological activity in a mouse model of allergic asthma at nontoxic dose levels. Treatment of ovalbumin-sensitized mice with WHI-P97 prevented the development of airway hyper-responsiveness to methacholine in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, WHI-P97 inhibited the eosinophil recruitment to the airway lumen after the ovalbumin challenge in a dose-dependent fashion. Further development of WHI-P97 may therefore provide the basis for new and effective treatment as well as prevention programs for allergic asthma in clinical settings.

Animals↗

Janus kinase 2 enhances the stability of the mature growth hormone receptor.

The abundance of surface GH receptor (GHR) is an important determinant of cellular GH sensitivity and is regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. In previous studies of GHR-expressing Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-deficient human fibrosarcoma cells (gamma2A-GHR), we demonstrated that stable transfection with JAK2 resulted in increased steady-state levels of mature GHR (endoH-resistant; relative molecular mass, 115-140 kDa) relative to precursor GHR (endoH-sensitive; relative molecular mass, 100 kDa). We now examine further the effects of JAK2 on GHR trafficking by comparing gamma2A-GHR to gamma2A-GHR cells stably reconstituted with JAK2 (C14 cells). In the presence of JAK2, GHR surface expression was increased, as assessed by surface biotinylation, 125I-labeled human GH cell surface binding, and immunofluorescence microscopy assays. Although the absence of JAK2 precluded GH-stimulated signaling, GH-induced GHR disulfide linkage (a proxy for the GH-induced conformational changes in the GHR dimer) proceeded independent of JAK2 expression, indicating that the earliest steps in GH-induced GHR triggering are not prevented by the absence of JAK2. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of JAK2 in C14 cells resulted in a decreased mature to precursor ratio, supporting a primary role for JAK2 either in enhancing GHR biogenesis or dampening mature GHR degradation. To address these potential mechanisms, metabolic pulse-chase labeling experiments and experiments in which the fate of previously synthesized GHR was followed by anti-GHR immunoblotting after cycloheximide treatment (cycloheximide chase experiments) were performed. These indicated that the presence of JAK2 conferred modest enhancement (1.3- to 1.5-fold) in GHR maturation but substantially prolonged the t1/2 of the mature GHR, suggesting a predominant effect on mature GHR stability. Cycloheximide chase experiments with metalloprotease, proteasome, and lysosome inhibitors indicated that the enhanced stability of mature GHR conferred by JAK2 is not related to effects on constitutive receptor metalloproteolysis but rather is a result of reduced constitutive endosomal/lysosomal degradation of the mature GHR. These results are discussed in the context of emerging information on how JAK-family members modulate surface expression of other cytokine receptors.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell proliferation by growth hormone is glucose-dependent: signal transduction via janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) with no crosstalk to insulin receptor substrate-mediated mitogenic signalling.

Mitogenic signal-transduction pathways have not been well defined in pancreatic beta-cells. In the glucose-sensitive rat beta-cell line, INS-1, glucose (6-18 mM) increased INS-1 cell proliferation (>20-fold at 15 mM glucose). Rat growth hormone (rGH) also induced INS-1 cell proliferation, but this was glucose-dependent in the physiologically relevant concentration range (6-18 mM glucose). The combination of rGH (10 nM) and glucose (15 mM) was synergistic, maximally increasing INS-1 cell proliferation by >50-fold. Moreover, glucose-dependent rGH-induced INS-1 cell proliferation was increased further by addition of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1; 10 nM) to >90-fold at 12 mM glucose. Glucose metabolism and phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3'K) activation were necessary for both glucose- and rGH-stimulated INS-1 cell proliferation. Glucose (>3 mM) independently increased tyrosine-phosphorylation-mediated recruitment of growth-factor-bound protein 2 (Grb2)/murine sons of sevenless-1 protein (mSOS) and PI3'K to insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2, as well as SH2-containing protein (Shc) association with Grb2/mSOS and downstream activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and 70 kDa S6 kinase. Glucose-induced IRS- and Shc-mediated signal transduction was enhanced further by the addition of IGF-1, but not rGH. In contrast, rGH was able to activate Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signal transduction at glucose concentrations above 3 mM, but neither glucose independently, nor glucose with added IGF-1, were able to activate the JAK2/STAT5 signalling pathway. Thus rGH-mediated proliferation of beta-cells is directly via the JAK2/STAT5 pathway without engaging the Shc or IRS signal-transduction pathways, although activation of PI3'K may play an important permissive role in the glucose-dependent aspect of rGH-induced beta-cell mitogensis. The additive effect of rGH and IGF-1 on glucose-dependent beta-cell proliferation is therefore reflective of rGH and IGF-1 activating distinctly different mitogenic signalling pathways in beta-cells with minimal crosstalk between them.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Tyrphostin B42 inhibits IL-12-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Janus kinase-2 and prevents experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

IL-12 is a macrophage-derived cytokine that induces proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic activity of T and NK cells. Signaling through its receptor, IL-12 induces these cellular responses by tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Janus kinase-2 (Jak-2), Tyk-2, Stat3, and Stat4. We have used tyrphostin B42 (AG490), a Jak-2 inhibitor, to determine the role of Jak-2 kinase in IL-12 signaling and IL-12-induced T cell functions. Treatment of activated T cells with tyrphostin B42 inhibited the IL-12-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Jak-2 without affecting Tyk-2 kinase. In contrast, treatment with tyrphostin A1 inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of Tyk-2 but not that of Jak-2 kinase. Inhibition of either Jak-2 or Tyk-2 leads to a decrease in the IL-12-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3, but not of Stat4, protein. While inhibition of Jak-2 lead to programmed cell death, the inhibition of Jak-2 or Tyk-2 resulted a decrease in IFN-gamma production. We have further tested the in vivo effects of tyrphostin B42 in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, a Th1 cell-mediated autoimmune disease. In vivo treatment with tyrphostin B42 decreased the proliferation and IFN-gamma production of neural Ag-specific T cells. Treatment of mice with tyrphostin B42 also reduced the incidence and severity of active and passive EAE. These results suggest that tyrphostin B42 prevents EAE by inhibiting IL-12 signaling and IL-12-mediated Th1 differentiation in vivo.

Animals↗

Involvement of the Jak-3 Janus kinase in signalling by interleukins 2 and 4 in lymphoid and myeloid cells.

Many cytokines function through interaction with receptors of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Although lacking catalytic domains, cytokine receptors couple ligand binding to induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Recent studies have shown that one or more of the Janus kinase family members (Jaks) associate with cytokine receptors and are tyrosine phosphorylated and activated following ligand binding. Here we describe a new Jak family kinase, Jak-3, and demonstrate that Jak-3, and to a lesser extent Jak-1, are tyrosine phosphorylated and Jak-3 is activated in the responses to interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 in T cells and myeloid cells. Jak-3 activation requires the serine-rich, membrane-proximal domain of the interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain, but does not require the acidic domain that is required for association and activation of Src family kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inducible nitric oxide synthase can be induced in the absence of active nuclear factor-kappaB in rat mesangial cells: involvement of the Janus kinase 2 signaling pathway.

The contribution of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) signaling to nitric oxide generation is not completely understood. The effect of NF-kappaB release and its inhibition on nitrite production and the involvement of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction were investigated. The following assays were performed. (1) Nitrite produced by rat mesangial cells in primary culture was measured in incubations with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with or without IFN-gamma. Cells were stimulated with TNF-alpha or LPS plus IFN-gamma in the presence of NF-kappaB inhibitors, herbimycin A (HerA), or the more specific JAK2 inhibitor AG490. (2) Immunoblotting was performed against the p65 and p50 subunits of NF-kappaB and iNOS. (3) Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed against NF-kappaB in the presence of NF-kappaB inhibitors or AG490. (4) iNOS promoter activity was measured in the presence of AG490 or JAK2 antisense oligonucleotides. TNF-alpha or LPS alone did not induce nitrite production, but with IFN-gamma these compounds did induce nitrite production. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), N-acetyl-L-cysteine, dexamethasone (Dex), HerA, and AG490 partially inhibited LPS/ IFN-gamma- or TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-induced nitrite production. p65 was inhibited by the three NF-kappaB inhibitors described above, whereas p50 was not. PDTC and Dex completely inhibited the p65/p50 heterodimer, but HerA and AG490 had little effect on p65/p50. AG490 and JAK2 antisense oligonucleotides suppressed iNOS promoter activity. It can be concluded that (1) iNOS can be induced without active NF-kappaB; (2) Dex, acetylsalicylic acid, and PDTC inhibit only p65; and (3) JAK2 is involved in iNOS induction, and the contribution of JAK2 to nitrite production is greater than that of NF-kappaB.

Animals↗

Janus kinase 2 activation by the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR): roles of Tyk2 and PAFR C terminus.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with multiple physiological and pathological actions. The PAF receptor (PAFR) belongs to the G protein-coupled, heptahelical receptor superfamily. Recently, we have shown that PAF signals through the Janus kinase (Jak)/STAT pathway and that Tyk2 plays an essential role in PAF-induced PAFR promoter 1 activation. In the present study we found that PAF stimulated Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylation in the monocytic cell line MonoMac-1 as well as in COS-7 cells transfected with PAFR and Jak2 cDNAs. The use of a G protein-uncoupled PAFR (D289A) mutant indicated that Jak2 activation was G protein independent. Interestingly, following PAF stimulation, Jak2 coimmunoprecipitated with PAFR in the presence of active Tyk2, but not with a kinase-inactive Tyk2 mutant, K930I. Moreover, Tyk2-K930I completely blocked PAF-stimulated Jak2 phosphorylation. Gradual deletion of C-terminal residues of the PAFR resulted in progressively decreased Jak2 activation. Deletion of 12 C-terminal residues in mutant V330Stop diminished Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylation by 17%. Further deletions of 25-37 residues from the PAFR C-tail (C317Stop, M311Stop, and T305Stop) resulted in a 50% decrease in Jak2 phosphorylation compared with the wild-type receptor. Complete removal of the C tail resulted in a mutant (K298Stop) that failed to activate Jak2, suggesting that the receptor C-terminal region contains important domains for Jak2 activation. Finally, the coexpression of a minigene encoding the C terminus of PAFR partially inhibited PAF-induced kinase activation. Taken together, our results indicate that PAF activates Jak2 and that Tyk2 and the C-terminal tail of PAFR are of critical importance for PAF-induced Jak2 activation.

Animals↗

Effects of chronic ethanol on hepatic and renal CYP2C11 in the male rat: interactions with the Janus-kinase 2-signal transducer and activators of transcription proteins 5b pathway.

Chronic alcohol intake in male rats results in: 1) demasculinization of the GH pulse pattern; 2) reduced serum testosterone concentrations; and 3) decreased expression hepatic CYP2C11. Hepatic CYP2C11 expression is regulated by the male pattern of GH through the Janus-kinase/signal transducer and activators of transcription proteins (JAK/STAT) signal transduction pathway in the male rat. Renal CYP2C11 is regulated by testosterone, not GH. The involvement of the JAK/STAT5b signal transduction pathway in renal CYP2C11 signaling has not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that ethanol reduces CYP2C11 levels by interfering with the JAK/STAT5b pathway. Using a total enteral nutrition (TEN) model to feed rats a well-balanced diet, we have studied the effects of chronic ethanol intake (21 d) on hepatic and renal JAK/STAT pathway of adult male rats (8-10/group). We found decreased hepatic and renal expression of CYP2C11 in ethanol-fed rats with concomitant decreases in STAT5b and phospho-STAT5b, decreased in vitro hepatic STAT5b binding to a CYP2C11 promoter element and no effects on hepatic GHR levels. Ethanol caused tissue specific effects in phospho-JAK2 and JAK2, with increased levels in the liver, but decreased JAK2 expression in the kidney. We conclude that ethanol suppression of CYP2C11 expression is clearly associated with reductions in STAT5b levels, but not necessarily in reductions of JAK2 levels. The mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced suppression of STAT5b is yet to be determined, as is the question of whether this is secondary to hormonal effects or a direct ethanol effect.

Alcoholism↗

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated suppression of GH receptor and Janus kinase 2 expression in mice.

Differential mRNA display revealed that a cDNA encoding the major urinary protein 2 (MUP2) that belongs to the lipocalin superfamily was absent in livers of mice treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). The expression of MUP2 is known to be stimulated by growth hormone (GH), through the GH receptor (GHR), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signal transduction pathway. Since MC is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, the effects of MC treatment on the expression of GHR, JAK2 or STAT5 in the livers of wild-type or AhR-null mice were examined. The result indicated that the expression of GHR and JAK2 mRNA was greatly decreased by MC in wild-type mice but not in AhR-null mice. In addition, the binding activity of STAT5 bound to STAT5-binding element was reduced after MC treatment in wild-type mice but not in AhR-null mice. Based on these results, we conclude that the suppression of MUP2 mRNA expression by MC is caused by the AhR-mediated disruption of the GH signaling pathway. Possible mechanism(s) by which exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons causes a decrease in the body weight of mice, which has been referred to as wasting syndrome, will also be discussed.

Animals↗

Cutting edge: two distinct mechanisms lead to impaired T cell homeostasis in Janus kinase 3- and CTLA-4-deficient mice.

Cytokine receptor signaling and costimulatory receptor signaling play distinct roles in T cell activation. Nonetheless, deficiencies in either of these pathways lead to seemingly similar phenotypes of impaired T cell homeostasis. A dramatic expansion of CD4(+) peripheral T cells with an activated phenotype has been observed in both Janus kinase (Jak) 3-deficient and CTLA-4-deficient mice. Despite these similarities, the mechanisms driving T cell expansion may be distinct. To address this possibility, we examined the TCR repertoire of peripheral T cells in Jak3(-/-) and CTLA-4(-/-) mice using complementarity-determining region 3 spectratype analysis. Interestingly, a restricted and highly biased TCR repertoire was observed in the Jak3(-/-) T cells, strongly supporting a role for foreign Ag in the activation and expansion of these cells. In contrast, CTLA-4(-/-) T cells had a diverse and unbiased TCR repertoire, suggestive of a universal, Ag-independent mechanism of activation and expansion. These findings provide insight into the diverse mechanisms controlling T cell homeostasis.

Abatacept↗

Janus kinase 3 inhibitor WHI-P131/JANEX-1 prevents graft-versus-host disease but spares the graft-versus-leukemia function of the bone marrow allografts in a murine bone marrow transplantation model.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with the Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) inhibitor WHI-P131/JANEX-1 on the graft-versus-leukemic (GVL) function of marrow allografts in mice undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after being challenged with an otherwise invariably fatal dose of BCL-1 leukemia cells. GVHD prophylaxis using WHI-P131 markedly improved the survival outcome after BMT. The probability of survival at 30 days after BMT was 11% +/- 6% for vehicle-treated recipients (median survival time, 25 days) versus 63% +/- 12% for recipients treated with WHI-P131 (median survival time, 36 days; P <.0001). Because WHI-P131 is devoid of antileukemic activity against BCL-1 leukemia cells, this marked improvement in survival outcome was due to reduced incidence of GVHD-associated fatalities combined with sustained GVL function of the allografts in the WHI-P131 group. Notably, adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that the spleens of WHI-P131-treated allograft recipients contained less than 0.001% BCL-1 cells. Notably, GVHD prophylaxis with WHI-P131 plus methotrexate resulted in 100% survival of mice receiving allotransplants challenged with an otherwise invariably fatal dose of BCL-1 leukemia. Taken together, our results provide strong experimental evidence that GVHD prophylaxis using WHI-P131 does not impair the GVL function of the allografts and consequently contributes to an improved post-BMT survival outcome of the recipient mice.

Animals↗

Inadequacy of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription signal transduction pathway to mediate episodic growth hormone-dependent regulation of hepatic CYP2C11.

CYP2C11, the most commonly expressed hepatic cytochrome P450 isoform in male rats, is induced by the masculine "episodic" secretory growth hormone profile. A considerable number of reports have indicated that episodic growth hormone effects are mediated by the activation of the Janus kinase 2 (Jak2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)5B signal transduction pathway. We observed that restoration of the normal masculine plasma growth hormone pulse in hypophysectomized male rats did indeed rapidly activate (phosphorylate) Jak2, shortly followed by activation and nuclear translocation of Stat5B. Infusion of a growth hormone pulse with an amplitude that was 10% of the normal height induced a dramatic overexpression of CYP2C11, had little effect activating Jak2, but induced a more rapid and greater accumulation of activated nuclear Stat5B. Restoration of a growth hormone pulse with an amplitude of only 1% of normal had little effect phosphorylating Jak2, activated and translocated to the hepatic nucleus approximately 70% of the normally induced levels of Stat5B, but had no inductive effect on CYP2C11. Last, the hypophysectomized male rat receiving no growth hormone replacement expressed 25 to 35% of normal concentrations of CYP2C11 despite no measurable activation of either Jak2 or Stat5B. These results raise concerns regarding the requisite role of the Jak2/Stat5B pathway in mediating episodic growth hormone regulation of CYP2C11. However, accumulation of activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1 and ERK2 were the only transducers measured in the study not affected by the 1% replacement pulse of growth hormone and were elevated 2- to 3-fold above normal when the pulse was renaturalized to 10% of physiological amplitude, suggesting the possible involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase in episodic growth hormone regulation of CYP2C11.

Animals↗

Janus kinase 2 modulates the lipid-removing but not protein-stabilizing interactions of amphipathic helices with ABCA1.

ABCA1 mediates the transport of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids to HDL apolipoproteins. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) interactions with ABCA1-expressing cells elicit several responses, including removing cellular lipids, stabilizing ABCA1 protein, and activating Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). Here, we used synthetic apolipoprotein-mimetic peptides to characterize the relationship between these responses. Peptides containing one amphipathic helix of L- or D-amino acids (2F, D-2F, or 4F) and a peptide containing two helices (37pA) all promoted ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux, competed for apoA-I binding to ABCA1-expressing cells, blocked covalent cross-linking of apoA-I to ABCA1, and inhibited ABCA1 degradation. 37pA was cross-linked to ABCA1, confirming the direct binding of amphipathic helices to ABCA1. 2F, 4F, 37pA, and D-37pA all stimulated JAK2 autophosphorylation. Inhibition of JAK2 greatly reduced peptide-mediated cholesterol efflux, peptide binding to ABCA1-expressing cells, and peptide cross-linking to ABCA1, indicating that these processes require an active JAK2. In contrast, apoA-I and peptides stabilized ABCA1 protein even in the absence of an active JAK2, implying that this process is independent of JAK2 and lipid efflux-promoting binding of amphipathic helices to ABCA1. These findings show that amphipathic helices coordinate the activity of ABCA1 by several distinct mechanisms that are likely to involve different cell surface binding sites.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

CCL3, acting via the chemokine receptor CCR5, leads to independent activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and Gi proteins.

The interaction of the chemokine receptor, CCR5, expressed in recombinant cells, with different G proteins was investigated and CCR5 was found to interact with Gi, Go and Gq species. Interaction with Gi leads to G protein activation, whereas Gq does not seem to be activated. Additionally, CCR5 activation also leads to phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). Activation of JAK2 is independent of Gi or Gq activation. Gi protein activation was not prevented by inhibition of JAK, showing that heterotrimeric G protein activation and activation of the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway are independent of each other.

Animals↗

Role of janus kinase-2 in insulin-mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of protein phosphatase-2A and its impact on upstream insulin signalling components.

Our recent studies indicate that insulin rapidly inactivates serine/threonine protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation on the catalytic subunit. The exact mechanism of PP-2A inactivation by insulin in vivo is unclear. The Janus kinase (JAK) family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases constitute a novel type of signal-transduction pathway which is activated in response to a wide variety of polypeptide ligands, including insulin. In this study we investigated the potential role of JAK-2 in insulin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and inactivation of PP-2A using the rat skeletal muscle cell line L6. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that PP-2A is associated with JAK-2 in the basal state. Insulin treatment did not alter JAK-2 association with PP-2A, but did increase JAK-2-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the PP-2A catalytic subunit and therefore inhibited PP-2A enzymic activity. Furthermore, PP-2A is associated with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) in the basal state and insulin treatment increases the catalytic activity of PI-3K bound to PP-2A. Pretreatment with AG-490, a specific JAK-2 inhibitor, and SpcAMP, a cAMP agonist, prevented the insulin-mediated increase in (i) JAK-2 kinase activity, (ii) PP-2A tyrosine phosphorylation, (iii) PP-2A inactivation and restored the enzyme activity to control levels, and (iv) PP-2A and JAK-2-associated PI-3K activity. These observations, together with the fact that insulin rapidly activates JAK-2 in L6 cells, and that this is accompanied by an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of PP-2A in JAK-2 immunoprecipitates, suggest that insulin controls the activation status of PP-2A by tyrosine phosphorylation via JAK-2. PP-2A inactivation may result in an amplification of insulin-generated signals at the level of PI-3K.

Adipocytes↗

The chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein 1 triggers Janus kinase 2 activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of the CCR2B receptor.

The chemokines are a growing family of low m.w., 70- to 80-residue proinflammatory cytokines that operate by interacting with G protein-coupled receptors. Chemokines are involved in cell migration and in the activation of specific leukocyte subsets. Using the Mono Mac 1 monocytic cell line, we show that monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) triggers activation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 pathway and CCR2 receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Both Ca2+ mobilization and cell migration are blocked in Mono Mac 1 cells by tyrphostin B42, a specific JAK2 kinase inhibitor. Within seconds of MCP-1 activation, JAK2 phosphorylates CCR2 at the Tyr139 position and promotes JAK2/STAT3 complex association to the receptor. This MCP-1-initiated phosphorylation and association to JAK2 is also observed in CCR2B-transfected HEK293 cells. In contrast, when a CCR2B Tyr139Phe mutant is expressed in HEK293 cells, it is not phosphorylated in tyrosine and triggers neither JAK2/STAT3 activation nor Ca2+ mobilization in response to MCP-1. These results implicate the tyrosine kinase pathway in early chemokine signaling, suggesting a key role for this kinase in later events.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

The Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 putative Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) binding domain does not mediate JAK3 association or activation in B-lymphoma or lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) has an intermediate domain between the two cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domains that are critical for transforming B-lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). The intermediate domain has been implicated in Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) association and activation. We now find that LCLs transformed by EBV recombinants that express Flag-LMP1 with the putative JAK3 binding and activating intermediate domain deleted and LCLs transformed by Flag-LMP1 EBV recombinants have similar levels of phosphotyrosine-activated JAK3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), or STAT5 and similar very low levels of JAK3 associated with LMP1. Further, transient Flag-LMP1 expression in a B-lymphoma cell line transduces signals that upregulate TRAF1 levels but does not alter JAK3 levels or activation state. Although these data indicate that the LMP1 putative JAK3 binding and activating intermediate domain does not mediate JAK3 association or activation in B-lymphocytes, JAK3 association with LMP1 could be significant, particularly in cells in which LMP1, JAK3, or a JAK3-associated protein is expressed at high levels.

B-Lymphocytes↗

The serine protease plasmin triggers expression of MCP-1 and CD40 in human primary monocytes via activation of p38 MAPK and janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathways.

The mechanism of proinflammatory activation of human monocytes by plasmin is unknown. Here we demonstrate that in human primary monocytes, plasmin stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling via phosphorylation of MAPK kinase 3/6 (MKK3/6) and p38 MAPK that triggers subsequent DNA binding of transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). The AP-1 complex contained phosphorylated c-Jun and ATF2, and its DNA binding activity was blocked by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. In addition, plasmin elicits Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling, as detected by phosphorylation of JAK1 tyrosine kinase and STAT1 and STAT3 proteins. Plasmin-induced DNA binding of STAT1 and STAT3 was blocked by SB203580 and AG490, inhibitors of p38 MAPK and JAK, respectively, but not by U0126, an inhibitor of MKK1/2. DNA binding of NF-kappaB remained unaffected by any of these inhibitors. The plasmin-induced signaling led to expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and CD40, which required activation of both p38 MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Additionally, signaling through both p38 MAPK and JAK is involved in the plasmin-mediated monocyte migration, whereas the formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine-induced chemotaxis remained unaffected. Taken together, our data demonstrate a novel function of the serine protease plasmin in a proinflammatory signaling network.

Blotting, Western↗