p38 MAPK in regulating cellular responses to ultraviolet radiation

Cellular and sub-cellular responses to UVA in relation to carcinogenesis

PURPOSE

UVA radiation (315-400 nm) contributes to skin aging and carcinogenesis. The aim of this review is to consider the mechanisms that underlie UVA-induced cellular damage, how this damage may be prevented or repaired and the signal transduction processes that are elicited in response to it.

RESULTS

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is well-established as the causative factor in skin cancer. Until recently, most work on the mechanisms that underlie skin carcinogenesis focused on shorter wavelength UVB radiation (280-315 nm), however in recent years there has been increased interest in the contribution made by UVA. UVA is able to cause a range of damage to cellular biomolecules including lipid peroxidation, oxidized protein and DNA damage, such as 8-oxoguanine and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Such damage is strongly implicated in both cell death and malignant transformation and cells have a number of mechanisms in place to mitigate the effects of UVA exposure, including antioxidants, DNA repair, and stress signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The past decade has seen a surge of interest in the biological effects of UVA exposure as its significance to the process of photo-carcinogenesis has become increasingly evident. However, unpicking the unique complexity of the cellular response to UVA, which is only now becoming apparent, will be a major challenge for the field of photobiology in the 21st century.

Modulation of the immune system by ouabain

Ouabain, a known inhibitor of the Na,K-ATPase, has been shown to regulate a number of lymphocyte functions in vitro and in vivo. Lymphocyte proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine production, and monocyte function are all affected by ouabain. The ouabain-binding site occurs at the alpha subunit of the enzyme. The alpha subunit plays a critical role in the transport process, and four different alpha-subunit isoforms have been described with different sensitivities to ouabain. Analysis by RT-PCR indicates that alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 isoforms are all present in murine lymphoid cells obtained from thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen. In these cells ouabain exerts an effect at concentrations that do not induce plasma membrane depolarization, suggesting a mechanism independent of the classical inhibition of the pump. In other systems, the Na,K-ATPase acts as a signal transducer in addition to being an ion pump, and ouabain is capable of inducing the activation of various signal transduction cascades. Neither resting nor concanavalin A (Con A)-activated thymocytes had their levels of phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (P-ERK) modified by ouabain. However, ouabain decreased p38 phosphorylation induced by Con A in these cells. The pathway induced by ouabain in lymphoid cells is still unclear but might vary with the type and state of activation of the cell.

Macrophage deficiency of p38alpha MAPK promotes apoptosis and plaque necrosis in advanced atherosclerotic lesions in mice

ER stress occurs in macrophage-rich areas of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and contributes to macrophage apoptosis and subsequent plaque necrosis. Therefore, signaling pathways that alter ER stress-induced apoptosis may affect advanced atherosclerosis. Here we placed Apoe-/- mice deficient in macrophage p38alpha MAPK on a Western diet and found that they had a marked increase in macrophage apoptosis and plaque necrosis. The macrophage p38alpha-deficient lesions also exhibited a significant reduction in collagen content and a marked thinning of the fibrous cap, which suggests that plaque progression was advanced in these mice. Consistent with our in vivo data, we found that ER stress-induced apoptosis in cultured primary mouse macrophages was markedly accelerated under conditions of p38 inhibition. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of p38 suppressed activation of Akt in cultured macrophages and in atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, inhibition of Akt enhanced ER stress-induced macrophage apoptosis, and expression of a constitutively active myristoylated Akt blocked the enhancement of ER stress-induced apoptosis that occurred with p38 inhibition in cultured cells. Our results demonstrate that p38alpha MAPK may play a critical role in suppressing ER stress-induced macrophage apoptosis in vitro and advanced lesional macrophage apoptosis in vivo.

The protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin induces macrophage apoptosis in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Because macrophages play a major role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization, selective removal of macrophages represents a promising approach to stabilize plaques. We showed recently that the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, in contrast to puromycin, selectively depleted macrophages in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques without affecting smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The mechanism of action of these two translation inhibitors is dissimilar and could account for the differential effects on SMC viability. It is not known whether selective depletion of macrophages is confined to cycloheximide or whether it can also be achieved with translation inhibitors that have a similar mechanism of action. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of anisomycin, a translation inhibitor with a mechanism of action similar to cycloheximide, on macrophage and SMC viability. In vitro, anisomycin induced apoptosis of macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas SMCs were only affected at higher concentrations. In vivo, anisomycin selectively decreased the macrophage content of rabbit atherosclerotic plaques through apoptosis. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB202190 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole] prevented anisomycin-induced macrophage death, without affecting SMC viability. SB202190 decreased anisomycin-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, did not alter c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, and increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation. The latter effect was abolished by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor U0126 [1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophynyltio)butadiene ethanolate], although the prevention of anisomycin-induced macrophage death by SB202190 remained unchanged. The JNK phosphorylation inhibitor SP600125 did not affect anisomycin-induced macrophage or SMC death. In conclusion, anisomycin selectively decreased the macrophage content in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques, indicating that this effect is not confined to cycloheximide. p38 MAPK, but not ERK1/2 or JNK, plays a major role in anisomycin-induced macrophage death.

Gadd45 modulation of intrinsic and extrinsic stress responses in myeloid cells

Gadd45 proteins modulate signaling in response to physiological and environmental stressors. Expression of gadd45 genes is rapidly induced by different stressors, including differentiation-inducing cytokines and genotoxic stress. Induction of gadd45 genes at the onset of myeloid differentiation suggested that Gadd45 protein(s) play a role in hematopoiesis, yet no apparent abnormalities were observed in either the bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood compartments of mice deficient for either gadd45a or gadd45b. However, under conditions of hematological stress, including acute stimulation with cytokines, myelo-ablation and inflammation, both gadd45a-deficient and gadd45b-deficient mice exhibited deficiencies. This is discussed within the context of what is known about Gadd45 proteins in stress signaling, hematopoietic development and the innate immune response. Furthermore, myeloid enriched BM cells from gadd45a and gadd45b deficient mice were observed to be more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation (UVC), VP-16 and daunorubicin (DNR) induced apoptosis compared to wild-type (WT) cells, displaying defective G2/M arrest following exposure to UVC and VP-16, but not to DNR. Novel mechanisms that mediate the pro-survival functions of Gadd45 in hematopoietic cells following UV irradiation were demonstrated, involving activation of the Gadd45a-p38-NF-kappaB survival pathway and Gadd45b mediated inhibition of the stress response MKK4-JNK apoptotic pathway. The ramifications regarding the pathogenesis of different leukemias and the response of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells to chemo- and radiation-therapy, as well as other challenges to the hematopoietic compartment, are discussed.

Cellular effects of long wavelength UV light (UVA) in mammalian cells

UVA should receive significant consideration as a human health risk as it is a large proportion of the solar spectrum that reaches the earth's surface and because of its ability to penetrate human skin. It is only relatively recently that this has been recognized and this previously under-researched part of the UV spectrum is becoming increasingly well characterized at doses that are quite low in relation to those experienced by humans. Absorption of UVA in a cell leads to the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can damage major biomolecules including DNA and membrane lipids. Various types of damage induced in these molecules lead to significant biological effects including cytotoxicity, mutations and alterations in cell signalling pathways. Longer-term effects such as persistent genomic instability and bystander effects have also been observed following UVA treatment of mammalian cells and, as with ionizing radiation, this changes some of the fundamental thinking around tissue effects of irradiation. Antioxidants have been assessed extensively for their ability to protect against the biological effects of UVA and a number have been shown to be successful at least in-vitro, for example vitamin E and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Other potential targets for protection are suggested through the increased understanding of some of the signalling mechanisms activated following treatment, for example the inhibition of NADPH oxidase is seen to reduce a bystander effect. The search for appropriate and successful photoprotective agents remains an important area of research.

AMP-activated protein kinase contributes to UV- and H2O2-induced apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes

AMP-activated protein kinase or AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved sensor of cellular energy status, activated by a variety of cellular stresses that deplete ATP. However, the possible involvement of AMPK in UV- and H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stresses that lead to skin aging or skin cancer has not been fully studied. We demonstrated for the first time that UV and H(2)O(2) induce AMPK activation (Thr(172) phosphorylation) in cultured human skin keratinocytes. UV and H(2)O(2) also phosphorylate LKB1, an upstream signal of AMPK, in an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent manner. Using compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK and AMPK-specific small interfering RNA knockdown as well as AMPK activator, we found that AMPK serves as a positive regulator for p38 and p53 (Ser(15)) phosphorylation induced by UV radiation and H(2)O(2) treatment. We also observed that AMPK serves as a negative feedback signal against UV-induced mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) activation in a TSC2-dependent manner. Inhibiting mTOR and positively regulating p53 and p38 might contribute to the pro-apoptotic effect of AMPK on UV- or H(2)O(2)-treated cells. Furthermore, activation of AMPK also phosphorylates acetyl-CoA carboxylase or ACC, the pivotal enzyme of fatty acid synthesis, and PFK2, the key protein of glycolysis in UV-radiated cells. Collectively, we conclude that AMPK contributes to UV- and H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via multiple mechanisms in human skin keratinocytes and AMPK plays important roles in UV-induced signal transduction ultimately leading to skin photoaging and even skin cancer.

Infliximab inhibits DNA repair in ultraviolet B-irradiated premalignant keratinocytes

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) approaches are increasingly used in the therapy of autoimmune diseases. One of the safety concerns is the potential enhancement of skin carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate if the TNFalpha neutralizing antibody, infliximab, directly affects the cell cycle and DNA repair in premalignant human keratinocytes after ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation. We found that infliximab-treated cells exhibited an enhanced G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis after 10-20 mJ/cm(2) UVB. In spite of this, the level of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in infliximab-treated cells was significantly increased at both 24 and 48 h after irradiation with 10 mJ/cm(2) UVB. As we have recently shown that protein kinase B/Akt is involved in the TNFalpha signalling pathway and promotes cell survival and skin carcinogenesis, we measured activatory phosphorylations of Akt (Ser-473 and Thr-308) and the signalling via related pathways Erk 1/2, p38 and p70-S6K. Infliximab inhibited Akt and its downstream targets p70-S6K and Erk 1/2, and stimulated p38 both in sham-irradiated and UVB-irradiated cells. In conclusion, despite the fact that infliximab blocks Akt and stimulates the G2/M checkpoint and apoptosis in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, the repair of CPD is impaired. It is conceivable that anti-TNFalpha treatments may contribute to the accumulation of mutagenic lesions in the epidermis and enhance the early stages of skin carcinogenesis.

Decreased ceramide transport protein (CERT) function alters sphingomyelin production following UVB irradiation

Increased cellular ceramide accounts in part for UVB irradiation-induced apoptosis in cultured human keratinocytes with concurrent increased glucosylceramide but not sphingomyelin generation in these cells. Given that conversion of ceramide to non-apoptotic metabolites such as sphingomyelin and glucosylceramide protects cells from ceramide-induced apoptosis, we hypothesized that failed up-regulation of sphingomyelin generation contributes to ceramide accumulation following UVB irradiation. Because both sphingomyelin synthase and glucosylceramide synthase activities were significantly decreased in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, we investigated whether alteration(s) in the function of ceramide transport protein (or CERT) required for sphingomyelin synthesis occur(s) in UVB-irradiated cells. Fluorescently labeled N-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)-d-erythro-sphingosine (C(5)-DMB-ceramide) relocation to the Golgi was diminished after irradiation, consistent with decreased CERT function, whereas the CERT inhibitor N-(3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylpropyl)dodecanamide (1R,3R isomer) (HPA-12) produced an equivalent effect. UVB irradiation also induced the rapid formation of a stable CERT homotrimer complex in keratinocytes as determined by Western immunoblot and mass spectrometry analyses, a finding replicated in HeLa, HEK293T, and HaCaT cells and in murine epidermis. Ceramide binding activity was decreased in recombinant CERT proteins containing the UVB-induced homotrimer. The middle region domain of the CERT protein was required for the homotrimer formation, whereas neither the pleckstrin homology (Golgi-binding) nor the START (ceramide-binding) domains were involved. Finally like UVB-treated keratinocytes, HPA-12 blockade of CERT function increased keratinocyte apoptosis, decreased sphingomyelin synthesis, and led to accumulation of ceramide. Thus, UVB-induced CERT homotrimer formation accounts, at least in part, for apoptosis and failed up-regulation of sphingomyelin synthesis following UVB irradiation, revealing that inactive CERT can attenuate a key metabolic protective mechanism against ceramide-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes.

A sensitive flow cytometry-based nucleotide excision repair assay unexpectedly reveals that mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling does not regulate the removal of UV-induced DNA damage in human cells

In response to diverse genotoxic stimuli (e.g. UV and cisplatin), the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38alpha/beta become rapidly phosphorylated and in turn activate multiple downstream effectors that modulate apoptosis and/or growth arrest. Furthermore, previous lines of evidence have strongly suggested that ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 participate in global-genomic nucleotide excision repair, a critical antineoplastic pathway that removes helix-distorting DNA adducts induced by a variety of mutagenic agents, including UV. To rigorously evaluate the potential role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in global-genomic nucleotide excision repair, various human cell strains (primary skin fibroblasts, primary lung fibroblasts, and HCT116 colon carcinoma cells) were treated with highly specific chemical inhibitors, which, following UV exposure, (i) abrogated the capacities of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, or p38alpha/beta to phosphorylate specific downstream effectors and (ii) characteristically modulated cellular proliferation, clonogenic survival, and/or apoptosis. A highly sensitive flow cytometry-based nucleotide excision repair assay recently optimized and validated in our laboratory was then employed to directly demonstrate that the kinetics of UV DNA photoadduct repair are highly similar in mock-treated versus mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor-treated cells. These data on primary and tumor cells treated with pharmacological inhibitors were fully corroborated by repair studies using (i) short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of ERK1/2 or JNK1/2 in human U2OS osteosarcoma cells and (ii) expression of a dominant negative p38alpha mutant in human primary lung fibroblasts. Our results provide solid evidence for the first time, in disaccord with a burgeoning perception, that mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling does not influence the efficiency of human global-genomic nucleotide excision repair.