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PubMed2000

Pivotal role of phosphoinositide-3 kinase in regulation of cytotoxicity in natural killer cells.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling element (MAPK-ERK) plays a critical role in natural killer (NK) cell lysis of tumor cells, but its upstream effectors were previously unknown. We show that inhibition of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) in NK cells blocks p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), MAPK kinase (MEK) and ERK activation by target cell ligation, interferes with perforin and granzyme B movement toward target cells and suppresses NK cytotoxicity. Dominant-negative N17Rac1 and PAK1 mimic the suppressive effects of PI3K inhibitors, whereas constitutively active V12Rac1 has the opposite effect. V12Rac1 restores the activity of downstream effectors and lytic function in LY294002- or wortmannin-treated, but not PD98059-treated, NK cells. These results document a specific PI3K-->Rac1-->PAK1-->MEK-->ERK pathway in NK cells that effects lysis.

Cell Line↗

PubMed2006

EGFR-mediated expression of aquaporin-3 is involved in human skin fibroblast migration.

AQP3 (aquaporin-3), known as an integral membrane channel in epidermal keratinocytes, facilitates water and glycerol movement into and out of the skin. Here, we demonstrate that AQP3 is also expressed in cultured human skin fibroblasts, which under normal wound healing processes migrate from surrounding tissues to close the wound. EGF (epidermal growth factor), which induced fibroblast migration, also induced AQP3 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. CuSO4 and NiCl2, previously known as AQP3 water transport inhibitors, as well as two other bivalent heavy metals Mn2+ and Co2+, inhibited EGF-induced cell migration in human skin fibroblasts. AQP3 knockdown by small interfering RNA inhibited EGF-induced AQP3 expression and cell migration. Furthermore, an EGFR (EGF receptor) kinase inhibitor, PD153035, blocked EGF-induced AQP3 expression and cell migration. MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase]/ERK inhibitor U0126 and PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitor LY294002 also inhibited EGF-induced AQP3 expression and cell migration. Collectively, our findings show for the first time that AQP3 is expressed in human skin fibroblasts and that EGF induces AQP3 expression via EGFR, PI3K and ERK signal transduction pathways. We have provided evidence for a novel role of AQP3 in human skin fibroblast cell migration, which occurs during normal wound healing.

Aquaporin 3↗

PubMed2004

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma: kinase-dependent and -independent activities in cardiovascular function and disease.

Cardiac function is controlled by GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) which exert their function by triggering numerous signalling pathways, including the activation of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase). The GPCR-activated PI3Kgamma is weakly expressed in the heart, but the deletion of its expression in mice causes remarkable phenotypes. Indeed, the lack of PI3Kgamma does not modify heart rate and blood pressure, but does increase contractility, particularly in response to stimuli that enhance cardiac contractile force, such as catecholamines. Consistently, treatment of mutant cardiomyocytes with beta-adrenergic agonists causes an abnormal increase in the elevation of cAMP production. On the other hand, PI3Kgamma appears to play a role in mediating the contractile depression exerted by other GPCR agonists, such as PAF (platelet-activating factor), that are released in pathological conditions, such as after an ischaemic insult. The receptor for PAF coupled to G(i) activates PI3Kgamma, which, in turn, is essential to promote Akt phosphorylation, NOSIII (nitric oxide synthase isoform III) activation and the production of nitric oxide, a well characterized cardiodepressing agent. As a whole, PI3Kgamma appears to negatively control cardiac contractility through different signalling mechanisms, thus becoming a possible drug target for the treatment of critical human cardiac pathologies, such as infarction or heart failure.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Androgen receptor and prostate cancer invasion.

Evidence indicates that androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells have a lower malignant potential. We previously demonstrated that expression of androgen receptor (AR) by transfection of the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC3 decreases invasion and adhesion of these cells through modulation of alpha6beta4 expression. Treatment with the androgen further reduced adhesion and invasion of the cells without, however, modifying alpha6beta4. Here we investigated whether the androgen has a direct effect on alpha6beta4-EGF receptor (EGFR) interaction and signalling leading to invasion of these cells. Immunoconfocal microscopy demonstrated that in control cells (PC3-Neo), alpha6beta4 and EGFR colocalize and redistribute in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). In PC3-AR cells colocalization and redistribution between the two molecules was reduced and abolished by pre-treatment with R1881. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of beta4 in response to EGF was reduced in PC3-AR cells compared to PC3-Neo. Immunoconfocal and co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated colocalization at membrane level and co-immunoprecipitation of EGFR and AR, indicating an interaction between the two proteins. PI3K activity, a key signalling pathway for invasion of these cells, was decreased in PC3-AR cells in response to EGF and further reduced by treatment with R1881. EGFR internalization was strongly reduced in PC3-AR compared with PC3-Neo cells and was reduced by treatment with R1881. In conclusion, the expression of AR by transfection in PC3 cells confers a less malignant phenotype by interfering with EGFR--alpha6beta4 interaction and signalling leading to invasion through a mechanism involving an interaction between the classic AR and EGFR.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

BCR/ABL regulates expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 through the phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/AKT pathway.

Deregulation of cell cycle checkpoints is an almost universal abnormality in human cancers and is most often due to loss-of-function mutations of tumor suppressor genes such as Rb, p53, or p16(INK4a). In this study, we demonstrate that BCR/ABL inhibits the expression of a key cell cycle inhibitor, p27(Kip1), by signaling through a pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). p27(Kip1) is a widely expressed inhibitor of cdk2, an essential cell cycle kinase regulating entry into S phase. We demonstrate that the decrease of p27(Kip1) is directly due to BCR/ABL in hematopoietic cells by two different approaches. First, induction of BCR/ABL by a tetracycline-regulated promoter is associated with a reversible down-regulation of p27(Kip1). Second, inhibition of BCR/ABL kinase activity with the Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 rapidly increases p27(Kip1) levels. The PI3K inhibitor LY-294002 blocks the ability of BCR/ABL to induce p27(Kip1) down-regulation and inhibits BCR/ABL-induced entry into S phase. The serine/threonine kinase AKT/protein kinase B is a known downstream target of PI3K. Transient expression of an activated mutant of AKT was found to decrease expression of p27(Kip1), even when PI3K was inhibited by LY-294002. The mechanism of p27(Kip1) regulation is primarily related to protein stability, since inhibition of proteasome activity increased p27(Kip1) levels in BCR/ABL-transformed cells, whereas very little change in p27 transcription was found. Overall, these data are consistent with a model in which BCR/ABL suppresses p27(Kip1) protein levels through PI3K/AKT, leading to accelerated entry into S phase. This activity is likely to explain in part previous studies showing that activation of PI3K was required for optimum transformation of hematopoietic cells by BCR/ABL in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The pro-atherogenic cytokine interleukin-18 induces CXCL16 expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells via MyD88, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, c-Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and activator protein-1 signaling.

We recently demonstrated that the chemokine CXCL16 is expressed in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and induces ASMC adhesion and proliferation (Chandrasekar, B., Bysani, S., and Mummidi, S. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 3188-3196). Here we reort that interleukin (IL)-18 positively regulates CXCL16 transcription in rat ASMC. We characterized the cis-regulatory region of CXCL16 and identified a functional activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding motif. Deletion or mutation of this site attenuated IL-18-mediated CXCL16 promoter activity. Gel shift, supershift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed AP-1-dependent CXCL16 expression. CXCL16 promoter-reporter activity was increased by constitutively active c-Fos and c-Jun and decreased by dominant negative or antisense c-Fos and c-Jun. Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002, Akt inhibitor, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125, antisense JNK and dominant negative MyD88, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-1, IRAK4, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase expression all attenuated IL-18-mediated AP-1 binding and reporter activity, CXCL16 promoter-reporter activity, and CXCL16 expression. Thus IL-18 induced CXCL16 expression via a MyD88 --> IRAK1-IRAK4-TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6) --> c-Src--> PI3K --> Akt --> JNK --> AP-1 pathway. Importantly, IL-18 stimulated ASMC proliferation in a CXCL16-dependent manner. These data provide for the first time a mechanism of IL-18-mediated CXCL16 gene transcription and CXCL16-dependent ASMC proliferation and suggest a role for IL-18-CXCL16 cross-talk in atherogenesis and restenosis following angioplasty.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2025

Comprehensive circRNA expression profile and hub genes screening during human liver development.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the expression of non-coding RNA in the liver during embryonic development provides important insights into liver diseases. Therefore, we investigated circular RNA (circRNA) roles in human liver development, an unexplored research domain. METHODS: Using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, we analysed foetal liver samples across developmental stages (7-20 weeks post-conception). Differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified and subjected to enrichment analysis using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Disease Ontology (DO). Modular analysis was performed using the Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING), followed by construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using Cytoscape software. The key genes were screened using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE). The mRNA levels of hub genes were validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: There were 645 DE circRNAs and 5,145 DE mRNAs between human livers at the three growth stages (HB, EH, and LH). It was found that the activity of circRNAs was boosted remarkably in the hepatoblastic stage. Enrichment analysis found they mainly involved in nervous system regulation of liver function, embryonic organ development and digestive system development. In addition, DE circRNAs were primarily involved in the PI3K-AKT, MAPK and calcium pathways, potentially contributing to adult liver diseases. Notably, only hsa_circ_001471 and novel_circ_017382 were simultaneously identified at all stages and were persistently downregulated. A co-expression regulatory network involving these circRNAs was established. Three hub genes (LGR5, FOXL1 and RSPO3) were identified from the PPI network of 167 genes and may play key roles in human liver development. The RT-qPCR validation results were in agreement with the sequencing data. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide the first insights into the roles and regulatory networks of circRNAs in human liver development, laying the groundwork for further investigations of molecular and signalling networks.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Autotaxin stimulates urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression through phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-nuclear [corrected] factor kappa B signaling cascade in human melanoma cells.

Autotaxin, a lysophospholipase D producing lysophosphatidic acid, augments invasive and metastatic potential of tumor cells. Current investigations have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which autotaxin regulates the expression of a major mediator of tumor invasion and metastasis, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in human A2058 melanoma cells. Autotaxin induced uPA expression in a dose-dependent manner that was inhibited by pharmacological inhibitors for Gi (pertussis toxin), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K, LY294002), Akt inhibitor (AktI), proteosome activity and IkappaB phosphorylation (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate), and by a dominant negative mutant (DN) of Akt. Autotaxin phosphorylated Akt and induced the translocation of nuclear [corrected] factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) to the nucleus that were inhibited by AktI or by overexpressing DN-Akt. Consistently, green fluorescence protein-tagged p65 of NF-kappaB accumulated in the nucleus by autotaxin that was abrogated when the cells were transfected with DN-Akt. Moreover, autotaxin increased the DNA binding ability of NF-kappaB and promoter activity of uPA. Collectively, these data strongly suggest autotaxin induces uPA expression via the Gi-PI3K-Akt-NF-kappaB signaling pathway that might be critical for autotaxin-induced tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2006

An update on molecular genetics of gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common primary mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. Most of them show activating mutations of the genes coding for KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha), two receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). The RTK inhibitor Imatinib (Gleevec, Novartis, Switzerland), induces regression of the tumour. The level of response to treatment, together with other clinicopathological parameters is related to the type and site of the activating mutation, thus suggesting that these tumours should be classified according to the molecular context. This is confirmed also by the phenomenon of the resistance to treatment, which arises because of different mechanisms (second mutation, amplification, activation of other RTKs) and can be fought only by specific RTK inhibitors, that are at present under development. RTK activation involves an homogeneous transduction pathway whose components (MAPK, AKT, PI3K, mTOR and RAS) are possible targets of new molecular treatment. A new paradigm of classification integrating the classic pathological criteria with the molecular changes will permit personalised prognosis and treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Signaling pathways associated with colonic mucosa hyperproliferation in mice overexpressing gastrin precursors.

MTI/G-Gly mice and hGAS mice, overexpressing glycine-extended gastrin (G-Gly) and progastrin, respectively, display colonic mucosa hyperplasia, hyperproliferation, and an increased susceptibility to intestinal neoplasia. Here, we have used these transgenic mice to analyze in vivo the modulation of intracellular signaling pathways that may be responsible for the proliferative effects of gastrin precursors. The expression, activation, and localization of signaling and cell-to-cell adhesion molecules were studied using immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques on colonic tissues derived from MTI/G-Gly, hGAS, or wild-type FVB/N mice. These analyses revealed an up-regulation of Src tyrosine kinase and related signaling pathways [phosphatidyl inositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, Janus-activated kinase (JAK) 2, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, and extracellular-signal regulated kinases (ERK)] in both MTI/G-Gly and hGAS mice compared with the wild-type control animals as well as an overexpression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). In contrast, overexpression of the gastrin precursors did not affect the activation status of STAT1 nor the expression and the distribution of adhesion proteins (focal adhesion kinase, cadherins, and catenins). We report for the first time that the transition from a normal colonic epithelium to a hyperproliferative epithelium in MTI/G-Gly and hGAS mice may be a consequence of the up-regulation of Src, PI3K/Akt, JAK2, STAT3, ERKs, and TGF-alpha. Deregulation of cell adhesion, a late event in tumor progression, does not occur in these transgenic models.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein inhibits thrombin-induced endothelial tissue factor expression through inhibition of RhoA and stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase but not Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Endothelial cells express negligible amounts of tissue factor (TF) that can be induced by thrombin, which is important for acute coronary syndromes. Recent research suggests that endothelial TF expression is positively regulated by RhoA and p38mapk, but negatively by Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is atheroprotective and exerts antiatherothrombotic effect. This study investigated the effect of a reconstituted HDL (rHDL) on endothelial TF expression induced by thrombin and the underlying mechanisms. In cultured human umbilical vein and aortic endothelial cells, thrombin (4 U/mL, 4 hours) increased TF protein level, which was reduced by rHDL (0.1 mg/mL, 43% inhibition, n=3 to 7, P<0.01). Activation of RhoA but not p38mapk by thrombin was prevented by rHDL. rHDL stimulated Akt/eNOS pathway. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin or LY294002 abolished the activation of Akt/eNOS and reversed the inhibitory effect of rHDL on TF expression. Adenoviral expression of the active PI3K mutant (p110) reduced TF expression stimulated by thrombin without inhibiting RhoA activation, whereas expression of the active Akt mutant (m/p) further facilitated TF upregulation by thrombin. Moreover, a dominant-negative Akt mutant (KA) reduced thrombin's effect and did not reverse the rHDL's inhibitory effect on TF expression. Inhibition of eNOS by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 micromol/L) did not affect the rHDL's effect. In conclusion, rHDL inhibits thrombin-induced human endothelial TF expression through inhibition of RhoA and activation of PI3K but not Akt/eNOS. These findings implicate a novel mechanism of antiatherothrombotic effects of HDL.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2005

Signalling crosstalk in FGF2-mediated protection of endothelial cells from HIV-gp120.

BACKGROUND: The blood brain barrier (BBB) is the first line of defence of the central nervous system (CNS) against circulating pathogens, such as HIV. The cytotoxic HIV protein, gp120, damages endothelial cells of the BBB, thereby compromising its integrity, which may lead to migration of HIV-infected cells into the brain. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), produced primarily by astrocytes, promotes endothelial cell fitness and angiogenesis. We hypothesized that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with FGF2 would protect the cells from gp120-mediated toxicity via endothelial cell survival signalling. RESULTS: Exposure of HUVEC to gp120 resulted in dose- and time-dependent cell death; whereas, pre-treatment of endothelial cells with FGF2 protected cells from gp120 angiotoxicity. Treatment of HUVEC with FGF2 resulted in dose- and time-dependent activation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), with moderate effects on phosphoinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB), also known as AKT, but no effects on glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3beta) activity. Using pharmacological approaches, gene transfer and kinase activity assays, we show that FGF2-mediated angioprotection against gp120 toxicity is regulated by crosstalk among the ERK, PI3K-AKT and PKC signalling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that FGF2 may play a significant role in maintaining the integrity of the BBB during the progress of HIV associated cerebral endothelial cell damage.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Regulation of IGF-I mRNA and signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 and -5 (Stat-3 and -5) by GH in C2C12 myoblasts.

GH and IGF-I are critical hormones for the regulation of longitudinal growth and the maintenance of lean body mass in humans. The regulation of IGF-I expression by GH in hepatocytes is well documented; however less is known about the regulation of IGF-I in peripheral tissues such as muscle. We have examined the regulation of IGF-I mRNA by GH and IGF-I in C2C12 myoblasts. GH stimulated the accumulation of IGF-I mRNA dose- and time-dependently. An elevation of IGF-I mRNA was observed with GH doses as low as 0.75 ng/ml and after exposure to GH for as little as 1 h, and the increase required ongoing transcription and translation. GH applied in a pulsatile fashion for 10 min followed by an 8-h interpulse interval increased IGF-I mRNA to a greater extent than continuous exposure. GH stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the GH receptor, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3), and Stat5. Stat5 was resistant to additional phosphorylation if cells were given a GH pulse within 2 h of a previous GH exposure. The refractory period lasted for 4 h, and cells could be maximally stimulated again after 6 h. Stat3 phosphorylation was also enhanced in cells that were allowed to recover from a previous application of GH. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, PP1, and AG-490, and the MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, did not block Stat3 or Stat5 phosphorylation. In contrast, WHI-P154, a Janus kinase-3 inhibitor, dose-dependently prevented Stat3, but not Stat5, phosphorylation. GH-inducible nuclear transport of Stat3 was likewise inhibited by WHI-P154. Most importantly, GH-dependent IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by WHI-P154. In contrast, IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by IGF-I peptide, and the effect of IGF-I was dominant over that of GH. IGF-I mRNA was regulated by both PI3K and MAPK signal transduction pathways, but IGF-I peptide signaled predominantly through a wortmannin-sensitive pathway to down-regulate its own mRNA. Our data suggest that Janus kinases (Jak2 or Jak3) and their downstream targets (Stat3 and Stat5) may play important roles in the expression of IGF-I mRNA and the myoblast response to GH. In addition, C2C12 cells appear to be a good model system to examine GH regulation of Janus kinase/Stat signaling and the regulation of IGF-I mRNA.

Animals↗

PubMed2007

Potent inhibition of serum-stimulated responses in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by 2-chloro-3-(4-hexylphenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone, a newly synthesized 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative.

Atherosclerosis, a disease of the large arteries, is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. The abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arterial walls is an important pathogenetic factor of vascular disorders like atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. In the present study, the possible anti-proliferative effect of a synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative, 2-chloro-3-(4-hexylphenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ304) was investigated on rat aortic VSMCs. NQ304 was shown to potently inhibit 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced the growth of VSMCs. Pre-treatment of VSMCs with NQ304 (1-10 microM) for 24 h resulted in significant cell number decreases, i.e., inhibition percentages were 44.75+/-10.77, 73.85+/-6.38 and 89.77+/-6.52% at NQ304 concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 microM, respectively. NQ304 was also found to significantly inhibit 5% FBS-induced DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, NQ304 elevated p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) mRNA levels and caused G0/G1 phase arrest in cell cycle progression. However, no evidence of NQ304-induced apoptotic or necrotic cell death was obtained, as determined by flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation assays. To investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of NQ304, we examined the effects of NQ304 on c-fos mRNA expression, activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding activity and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt activation. Pre-treatment of VSMCs with NQ304 (1-10 microM) was found to significantly inhibit the 5% FBS-induced phosphorylations of ERK1/2 and Akt, the activation of AP-1 and the expression of c-fos. These data suggest that the anti-proliferative and cell cycle arresting effects of NQ304 on serum-induced VSMCs may be mediated by AP-1 activation downregulation via the suppression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and it may contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis through inhibition of VSMC proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Insulin increases the adrenergic stimulation of 5' deiodinase activity and mRNA expression in rat brown adipocytes; role of MAPK and PI3K.

Type II 5' deiodinase (D2) activity produces triiodothyronine (T3) from thyroxine (T4) and is induced by cold and norepinephrine (NE) in brown adipose tissue. T3 is required for and amplifies the adrenergic stimulation of D2 activity and mRNA in cultured brown adipocytes. D2 is upregulated by insulin and decrease in fasting. We now study the regulation by insulin of the adrenergically induced D2 activity and mRNA in primary cultures of rat brown adipocytes. Insulin alone does not increase D2 activity or mRNA. Insulin-depleted cells show a reduction in the adrenergically induced D2 activity, which is proportional to the length of insulin depletion and is restored after insulin addition. IGFs mimic this effect at higher doses. ERK 1/2 MAPK activity (p44/p42), stimulated by insulin, serum and NE, is an absolute requirement for the adrenergic stimulation of D2 activity and mRNA. PI3K is stimulated by insulin and serum, and NE increases the effect of insulin. The action of insulin on D2 is not due to changes in D2 half-life or in the proteasome-mediated degradation of D2, but it seems to modulate the transcriptional induction mediated by NE. D2 mRNA expression, induced by NE plus T3, is reduced when insulin is withdrawn at early differentiation stages. Insulin or IGF-I promotes increases in D2 mRNA. Insulin is required for the induction of D2 mRNA by T3. In conclusion, MAPK signaling is required for the adrenergic stimulation of D2 activity and mRNA, and insulin stimulates D2 activity via MAPK and PI3K and enhances the adrenergic pathways.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed2004

Regulatory role of C5a on macrophage migration inhibitory factor release from neutrophils.

There is evidence that C5a and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) both play important roles in experimental sepsis. Humans with sepsis also show elevated levels of both mediators in the blood. Regulation of MIF during sepsis is poorly understood. We now demonstrate that neutrophil depletion greatly reduced serum MIF levels in rats and mice during the onset of sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture. In vitro, C5a induced MIF release from rat and mouse neutrophils. In vivo blockade of C5aR or absence of C5aR led to significantly reduced MIF generation during the onset of sepsis. C5a-induced release in vitro of MIF from neutrophils appeared to be due to up-regulation of MIF in cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils via activation of the protein kinase B signaling pathway together with involvement of PI3K. Our data suggest that C5a plays a role in enhancing MIF release from neutrophils in vitro and during sepsis. These findings represent a previously unrecognized function of C5a and neutrophils in the appearance of MIF in sepsis.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

The efficacy of ErbB receptor-targeted anticancer therapeutics is influenced by the availability of epidermal growth factor-related peptides.

The ErbB1 and ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play important roles in the development of numerous types of human cancer and, as such, have been pursued as anticancer targets. To understand the mechanisms contributing to the response of tumor cells to receptor-directed therapeutics, the sensitivity of the ErbB receptor-overexpressing tumor cell lines BT474 and MKN7 to specific inhibitors has been examined. The inhibitors used included monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4D5, which targets ErbB2, and the small molecular weight kinase inhibitors CGP59326 and PKI166, which block the activity of ErbB1 or both ErbB1 and ErbB2, respectively. We had reported previously that although both BT474 and MKN7 cells overexpress ErbB2, only BT474 cells show an antiproliferative response to mAb 4D5 treatment. Here, we show that MKN7 cells, which also overexpress ErbB1, are sensitive to CGP59326, displaying a 60% decrease in their proliferation after treatment with this inhibitor. Most carcinomas express multiple ErbB receptors as well as EGF-related ligands, a situation favoring activation of numerous combinations of ligand-activated receptors. Considering this, the sensitivity of MKN7 and BT474 cells to CGP59326 and mAb 4D5, respectively, was also tested in the presence of exogenous ligands. Treatment of MKN7 cells with CGP59326 in the presence of heregulin (HRG), which activates ErbB2/ErbB3, attenuated the antiproliferative effect of CGP59326 by 50%; MKN7 cells engineered to overexpress ErbB3 were completely rescued from CGP59326 by HRG. Likewise, BT474 cells treated with mAb 4D5 in the presence of epidermal growth factor, betacellulin, and HRG were rescued from its antiproliferative effects by 57, 84, and 90%, respectively. In both MKN7 and BT474 tumor cells, the degree of ligand-induced rescue from the inhibitors correlated with the potency of ErbB receptor activation and stimulation of the PI3K and MAPK intracellular signaling pathways. In comparison with the monospecific agents, treatment with the bispecific ErbB1/ErbB2 kinase inhibitor PKI166 almost completely prevented the EGF-related ligand-induced bypass of the proliferation block in the MKN7 and BT474 cells. These data suggest that the efficacy of anticancer drugs that block a single ErbB receptor may be compromised by the presence of exogenous epidermal growth factor-related ligands, a phenomenon that could be averted by simultaneously blocking multiple ErbB receptors.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2003

Inducible activation of Ras and Raf in adult epidermis.

Ras effects vary with developmental setting, with oncogenic RAS activation implicated in epithelial carcinogenesis. In epidermal cells, previous studies described conflicting Ras impacts on growth and differentiation, with the only in vivo studies relying on constitutive alterations of Ras function throughout development. To study Ras effects in developmentally mature adult epidermis, we expressed a 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT)-regulated Ras fusion in transgenic mice using the keratin 14 promoter. Resulting adult K14-ER:Ras mice displayed 4OHT-inducible activation of Ras as well as elements of Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not RalGDS/Ral or phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt downstream Ras effector pathways. Ras reversibly induced massive cutaneous hyperplasia and suppressed differentiation. Ras-driven hyperproliferation was accompanied by increases in beta1 and beta4 integrin epidermal progenitor markers. Epidermal expression of inducible Raf produced similar changes. These findings indicate that activation of Ras in adult epidermis promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation and that Raf is sufficient to mediate these effects.

Animals↗