Coupling of a signal response domain in I kappa B alpha to multiple pathways for NF-kappa B activation

Anti-inflammatory constituents isolated from clerodendron trichotomum tunberg leaves (CTL) inhibits pro-inflammatory gene expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by suppressing NF-κB activation

Clerodendron trichotomum Tunberg Leaves (CTL) have been used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammation by CTL, we analyzed the regulation of TNF-alpha expression in RAW 264.7 cells, a key step in inflammation. The effect of CTL on the production and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CTL inhibited the production and expression of TNF-alpha in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, activation of NF-kappaB, which controls TNF-alpha expression, was inhibited in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by CTL in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by an electro phoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Furthermore, CTL inhibited activation of NF-kappaB through inhibition IkappaB degradation, as demonstrated by an western blot analysis of IkappaB-alpha. These results suggest that CTL inhibits the expression of the pro-inflammation gene through the inhibition of NF-kappaB dependent pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.

Activation of transcription factor IL-6 (NF-IL-6) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) by lipid ozonation products is crucial to interleukin-8 gene expression in human airway epithelial cells

Ozone (O(3)) is a major component of smog and an inhaled toxicant to the lung. O(3) rapidly reacts with the airway epithelial cell membrane phospholipids to generate lipid ozonation products (LOP). 1-Hydroxy-1-hydroperoxynonane (HHP-C9) is an important LOP, produced from the ozonation of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine. This LOP, at a biologically relevant concentration (100 microM), increases the activity of phospholipase C, nuclear factors-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and interleukin-6 (NF-IL-6) and the expression of the inflammatory gene, interleukin-8 (IL-8) in a cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B). The signaling pathways of ozone and its biologically-active products are as yet undefined. In the present study, we report that the HHP LOP, HHP-C9 (100 microM x 4 h), activated the expression of IL-8 (218 +/- 26% increase over control, n = 4, P < 0.01) through an apparent interaction between the two transcription factors, NF-kappaB and NF-IL-6. Transfection studies using luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that HHP-C9 induced a significant increase in NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity (37 +/- 7% increase over control, n = 6, P < 0.05). Inhibition of NF-kappaB showed a statistically significant but modest decrease in IL-8 release, which suggested a role for another transcription factor, NF-IL-6. Exposure of BEAS-2B cells to HHP-C9 induced a significant increase in the DNA binding activity of NF-IL-6 (45 +/- 11% increase over control, n = 6, P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that NF-IL-6 interacts with NF-kappaB in regulating the expression of IL-8 in cultured human airway epithelial cells exposed to LOP, the biological products of ozone in the lung.

Colon cancer and gene alterations: their immunological implications and suggestions for prognostic indices and improvements in biotherapy

Studies have shown that changes occur in c-Ki-ras, p53, and Bcl2 gene structure and function during the various stages of human colon carcinogenesis. Alterations of these genes are responsible for the establishment of a state of continuous stimulus for cell division and apoptotic inhibition at physiological and pharmacological levels. This paper focuses on the results of our research aimed at investigating how these gene alterations influence tumoral mechanisms on an immunological level and how immunological parameters can be used as prognostic markers for the passage of normal tissue to adenoma and adenoma to carcinoma. Overall, our data suggest that an alteration in the c-Ki-ras gene results in a switch to a suppressive type of immune response, determining an impairment of immune cell activation at both antigen- presenting-cell and T-cell levels. c-Ki-ras gene mutations, p53 deletions, and Bc12 expression, on the other hand, can be used as prognostic markers for the passage of normal tissue to adenoma and adenoma to carcinoma. The p53 oncogene does not appear to impair patients' immunological response further. In conclusion, an evaluation of c-Ki-ras, rather than p53 gene alterations, would seem to be more relevant in colon cancer prevention programs and biotherapy improvement.

Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in vivo impairs establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency

A critical determinant in chronic gammaherpesvirus infections is the ability of these viruses to establish latency in a lymphocyte reservoir. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors represent key players in B-cell biology and are targeted by gammaherpesviruses to promote host cell survival, proliferation, and transformation. However, the role of NF-κB signaling in the establishment of latency in vivo has not been addressed. Here we report the generation and in vivo characterization of a recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) that expresses a constitutively active form of the NF-κB inhibitor, IκBαM. Inhibition of NF-κB signaling upon infection with γHV68-IκBαM did not affect lytic replication in cell culture or in the lung following intranasal inoculation. However, there was a substantial decrease in the frequency of latently infected lymphocytes in the lung (90% reduction) and spleens (97% reduction) 16 d post intranasal inoculation. Importantly, the defect in establishment of latency in lung B cells could not be overcome by increasing the dose of virus 100-fold. The observed decrease in establishment of viral latency correlated with a loss of activated, CD69^hi B cells in both the lungs and spleen at day 16 postinfection, which was not apparent by 6 wk postinfection. Constitutive expression of Bcl-2 in B cells did not rescue the defect in the establishment of latency observed with γHV68-IκBαM, indicating that NF-κB–mediated functions apart from Bcl-2–mediated B-cell survival are critical for the efficient establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency in vivo. In contrast to the results obtained following intranasal inoculation, infection of mice with γHV68-IκBαM by the intraperitoneal route had only a modest impact on splenic latency, suggesting that route of inoculation may alter requirements for establishment of virus latency in B cells. Finally, analyses of the pathogenesis of γHV68-IκBαM provides evidence that NF-κB signaling plays an important role during multiple stages of γHV68 infection in vivo and, as such, represents a key host regulatory pathway that is likely manipulated by the virus to establish latency in B cells.

A central aspect of chronic infection of a host by herpesviruses is the ability of these viruses to establish a quiescent infection (latent infection) in some cell type(s) in which there is only intermittent production of progeny virus (virus reactivation). The establishment of a latent infection in the antibody producing cells of the host immune system (B lymphocytes) is critical for life-long persistence of gammaherpesviruses, as well as the development of virus-associated lymphoproliferative diseases (e.g., B-cell lymphomas). Nuclear factor (NF)-κB transcription factors are a family of cellular proteins that play an important role regulating gene expression in B cells, and it has been shown that gammaherpesviruses have evolved multiple strategies for manipulating NF-κB activity. However, to date there has been no reported examination of the role of NF-κB in the establishment of chronic gammaherpesvirus infection in vivo. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infects rodents and shares genetic and biologic properties with the human gammaherpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus. To selectively block the function of NF-κB in infected cells, we engineered a transgenic virus that expresses a repressor of NF-κB activation (IκBαM). Notably, this recombinant virus was defective in the establishment of latency in B cells in the lungs and spleen following intranasal inoculation. We also observed that the decrease in B-cell infection could not be rescued by forced expression of the cellular Bcl-2 protein, which is normally upregulated by NF-κB and serves to protect B cells from some forms of cell death. Thus, we conclude that NF-κB is an important host factor for the successful establishment of a chronic infection by gammaherpesviruses, and likely requires functions of NF-κB apart from its role in B-cell survival.

Efficient induction of HIV-1 replication in latently infected cells through contact with CD4+ T cells: involvement of NF-kappaB activation

Reservoir cells latently infected with HIV-1 pose one of the major obstacles that hamper ultimate eradication of HIV-1 from infected patients. In this report, we showed that direct contact with MOLT-4 T cells induced HIV-1 replication in J(22)-HL-60 latently infected cells without any additional stimulus. Neutralization experiments revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines, whose production was increased following cell-cell contact, were unlikely to be primarily involved in the induced HIV-1 replication. Cell-cell contact, but not soluble components in the culture supernatant, caused a rapid phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha, which led to elevated NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in J(22)-HL-60 cells. Furthermore, forced expression of a super-repressor form of IkappaBalpha or pretreatment with ritonavir efficiently blocked the activation of NF-kappaB and HIV-1 replication in J(22)-HL-60 cells co-cultured with MOLT-4 T cells. Moreover, either resting or PHA stimulated primary CD4(+) T cells induced HIV-1 replication in J(22)-HL-60 cells in a similar way with that of MOLT-4 cells. These results indicated that direct contact with CD4(+) T cells induced HIV-1 replication in latently infected cells and provide insight into the molecular mechanism of virus release from myeloid progenitor cells latently infected with HIV-1.

Role for IκBα, but not c-Rel, in skeletal muscle atrophy

Skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with a marked and sustained activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. Previous work showed that p50 is one of the NF-κB family members required for this activation and for muscle atrophy. In this work, we tested whether another NF-κB family member, c-Rel, is required for atrophy. Because endogenous inhibitory factor κBα (IκBα) was activated (i.e., decreased) at 3 and 7 days of muscle disuse (i.e., hindlimb unloading), we also tested if IκBα, which binds and retains Rel proteins in the cytosol, is required for atrophy and intermediates of the atrophy process. To do this, we electrotransferred a dominant negative IκBα (IκBαΔN) in soleus muscles, which were either unloaded or weight bearing. IκBαΔN expression abolished the unloading-induced increase in both NF-κB activation and total ubiquitinated protein. IκBαΔN inhibited unloading-induced fiber atrophy by 40%. The expression of certain genes known to be upregulated with atrophy were significantly inhibited by IκBαΔN expression during unloading, including MAFbx/atrogin-1, Nedd4, IEX, 4E-BP1, FOXO3a, and cathepsin L, suggesting these genes may be targets of NF-κB transcription factors. In contrast, c-Rel was not required for atrophy because the unloading-induced markers of atrophy were the same in c-rel−/−and wild-type mice. Thus IκBα degradation is required for the unloading-induced decrease in fiber size, the increase in protein ubiquitination, activation of NF-κB signaling, and the expression of specific atrophy genes, but c-Rel is not. These data represent a significant advance in our understanding of the role of NF-κB/IκB family members in skeletal muscle atrophy, and they provide new candidate NF-κB target genes for further study.

An NF-kappaB and slug regulatory loop active in early vertebrate mesoderm

Background

In both Drosophila and the mouse, the zinc finger transcription factor Snail is required for mesoderm formation; its vertebrate paralog Slug (Snai2) appears to be required for neural crest formation in the chick and the clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Both Slug and Snail act to induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to suppress apoptosis.

Methodology & Principle Findings

Morpholino-based loss of function studies indicate that Slug is required for the normal expression of both mesodermal and neural crest markers in X. laevis. Both phenotypes are rescued by injection of RNA encoding the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL; Bcl-xL's effects are dependent upon IκB kinase-mediated activation of the bipartite transcription factor NF-κB. NF-κB, in turn, directly up-regulates levels of Slug and Snail RNAs. Slug indirectly up-regulates levels of RNAs encoding the NF-κB subunit proteins RelA, Rel2, and Rel3, and directly down-regulates levels of the pro-apopotic Caspase-9 RNA.

Conclusions/Significance

These studies reveal a Slug/Snail–NF-κB regulatory circuit, analogous to that present in the early Drosophila embryo, active during mesodermal formation in Xenopus. This is a regulatory interaction of significance both in development and in the course of inflammatory and metastatic disease.

In vivo binding of NF-kappaB to the IkappaBbeta promoter is insufficient for transcriptional activation

Despite certain structural and biochemical similarities, differences exist in the function of the NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) inhibitory proteins IkappaBalpha (inhibitory kappaBalpha) and IkappaBbeta. The functional disparity arises in part from variance at the level of gene regulation, and in particular from the substantial induction of IkappaBalpha, but not IkappaBbeta, gene expression post-NF-kappaB activation. In the present study, we probe the differential effects of IL (interleukin)-1beta on induction of IkappaBalpha and perform the first characterization of the human IkappaBbeta promoter. A consensus NF-kappaB-binding site, capable of binding NF-kappaB both in vitro and in vivo, is found in the IkappaBbeta gene 5' flanking region. However, the IkappaBbeta promoter was not substantially activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha, that are known to cause strong activation of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, in contrast with IkappaBalpha, NF-kappaB activation did not increase expression of endogenous IkappaBbeta as assessed by analysis of mRNA and protein levels. Unlike kappaB-responsive promoters, IkappaBbeta promoter-bound p65 inefficiently recruits RNA polymerase II, which stalls at the promoter. We present evidence that this stalling is likely due to the absence of transcription factor IIH engagement, a prerequisite for RNA polymerase II phosphorylation and transcriptional initiation. Differences in the conformation of promoter-bound NF-kappaB may underlie the variation in the ability to engage the basal transcriptional apparatus at the IkappaBbeta and kappaB-responsive promoters. This accounts for the differential expression of IkappaB family members in response to NF-kappaB activation and furthers our understanding of the mechanisms involved in transcription factor activity and IkappaBbeta gene regulation.

ERK5 Activates NF-κB in Leukemic T Cells and Is Essential for Their Growth In Vivo

MAPK cascades play a central role in the cellular response to the environment. The pathway involving the MAPK ERK5 mediates growth factor- and stress-induced intracellular signaling that controls proliferation or survival depending upon the cell context. In this study, we show that reducing ERK5 levels with a specific small hairpin RNA 5 (shERK5) reduced cell viability, sensitized cells to death receptor-induced apoptosis, and blocked the palliative effects of phorbol ester in anti-Fas Ab-treated cells. shERK5 decreased nuclear accumulation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and conversely, ectopic activation of ERK5 led to constitutive nuclear localization of p65 and increased its ability to trans activate specific reporter genes. Finally, the T lymphoma cell line EL-4, upon expression of shERK5, proliferated in vitro, but failed to induce s.c. tumors in mice. Our results suggest that ERK5 is essential for survival of leukemic T cells in vivo, and thus represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention in this type of malignancy.

Effect of Akt inhibition on scatter factor-regulated gene expression in DU-145 human prostate cancer cells

The cytokine scatter factor (SF) (hepatocyte growth factor) transduces various biologic actions, including cell motility, invasion, angiogenesis and apoptosis inhibition. The latter is relevant to understanding the role of SF in promoting tumor cell survival in different contexts, for example, detachment from basement membrane, growth in metastatic sites and responses to chemo- and radiotherapy. Previously, we showed that SF protects cells against apoptosis owing to DNA damage, by a mechanism involving phosphoinositol-3-kinase/c-Akt signaling. Here, we used DNA microarray assays to identify c-Akt-regulated genes that might contribute to cell protection. DU-145 human prostate cancer cells were transfected+/-a dominant-negative mutant Akt, treated+/-SF and analysed for gene expression using Affymetrix arrays. These studies identified SF-regulated genes for which induction was c-Akt-dependent vs -independent. Selected microarray findings were confirmed by semiquantitative and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We tested the contribution of four SF-inducible/c-Akt-dependent genes (AMPD3, EPHB2, MX1 and WNT4) to protection against adriamycin (a DNA topoisomerase IIalpha inhibitor) using RNA interference. Knockdown of each gene except EPHB2 caused a small but significant reduction in the SF cell protection. The lack of effect of EPHB2 knockdown may be due to the fact that DU-145 cells contain a single-mutant EPHB2 allele. A combination of three small interfering RNAs blocked most of the protection by SF in both DU-145 and T47D cells. These findings identify novel c-Akt-regulated genes, some of which contribute to SF-mediated cytoprotection.

Effects of IkappaBalpha and its mutants on NF-kappaB and p53 signaling pathways

AIM

To study the effects of IkappaBalpha and its mutants (IkappaBalphaM, IkappaBalpha243N, IkappaBalphaM244C) on NF-kappaB, p53 and their downstream target genes. The relationship of NF-kappaB, p53, and IkappaBalpha was further discussed.

METHODS

pECFP-IkappaBalpha, pECFP-IkappaBalphaM (amino acides 1-317, Ser32, 36A), pECFP-IkappaBalpha243N (amino acides 1-243), pECFP-IkappaBalpha244C (amino acides 244-317), pEYFP-p65 and pp53-DsRed were constructed and transfected to ASTC-alpha-1 cells. Cells were transfected with pECFP-C1 as a control. 30 h after the transfection, location patterns of NF-kappaB, p53 and IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalphaM, IkappaBalpha243N, IkappaBalpha244C) were observed by a laser scanning microscope (LSM510/ConfoCor2, Zeiss). RNA extraction and reverse transcription were performed in cells transfected or co-transfected with different plasmids. Effects of IkappaBalpha and its mutants on the transprition level of NF-kappaB, NF-kappaB downstream target gene TNF-alpha, p53 and p53 downstream target gene Bax were observed by real time QT-PCR. In all experiments beta-actin was reference. Results are expressed as the target/reference ratio of the sample divided by the target/reference ratio of the control. Different transfected cells were incubated with CCK-8 for 2 h in the incubator. Then the absorbance at 450 nm was measured by using a microplate reader.

RESULTS

Cells that were transfected with p53-DsRed revealed a predominant nuclear localization. YFP-p65 mainly existed in the cytoplasm. Cells were transfected with CFP-IkappaBalpha, CFP-IkappaBalphaM, and CFP-IkappaBalpha243N respectively and revealed a predominant cytosolic localization. However, cells transfected of CFP-IkappaBalpha244C revealed a predominant nuclear localization. The mRNA levels of p65, TNF-alpha, p53 and Bax in CFP-IkappaBalpha transfected cells did not change significantly, while in YFP-p65/CFP-IkappaBalpha co-transfected cells, IkappaBalpha decreased the transcription of p65 downstream gene TNF-alpha (2.24+/-0.503) compared with the YFP-p65/CFP-C1 co-transfected cells (5.08+/-0.891) (P<0.05). Phosphorylation defective IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalphaM) decreased the transcription levels of all the four genes compared with the control (P<0.05). The N terminus of IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha243N) increased the transcription of NF-kappaB (1.84+/-0.176) and TNF-alpha (1.51+/-0.203) a little bit. However, the C terminus of IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha244C) increased the transcription of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, p53 and Bax significantly (8.29+/-1.662, 14.16+/-2.121, 10.2+/-0.621, 3.72+/-0.346) (P<0.05). The CCK-8 experiment also showed that IkappaBalpha244C and p53 synergistically mediate apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

IkappaBalpha and its mutants (IkappaBalphaM, IkappaBalpha243N, IkappaBalphaM244C) have different effects on NF-kappaB and p53 signaling pathways, according to their different structures. IkappaBalphaM bounds with NF-kappaB and p53 in cytoplasm steadily, and inhibits both of the two signaling pathways. p53 and IkappaBalpha244C may be co-factor in inducing apoptosis. The C terminal of IkappaBalpha enhanced cell death, which suggests that it may be a pro-apoptotic protein existed in cells.

Transglutaminase 2 Mediates Polymer Formation of I-κBα through C-terminal Glutamine Cluster

Recently we reported that transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) activates nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) independently of I-kappaB kinase (IKK) activation, by inducing cross-linking and protein polymer formation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaBalpha (I-kappaBalpha). TGase 2 catalyzes covalent isopeptide bond formation between the peptide bound-glutamine and the lysine residues. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectra analysis of I-kappaBalpha polymers cross-linked by TGase 2, as well as synthetic peptides in an in vitro competition assay, we identified a glutamine cluster at the C terminus of I-kappaBalpha (amino acids 266-268) that appeared to play a key role in the formation of I-kappaBalpha polymers. Although there appeared to be no requirement for specific lysine residues, we found a considerably higher preference for the use of lysine residues at positions 21, 22, and 177 in TGase 2-mediated cross-linking of I-kappaBalpha. We demonstrated that synthetic peptides encompassing the glutamine cluster at amino acid positions 266-268 reversed I-kappaBalpha polymerization in vitro. Furthermore, the depletion of free I-kappaBalpha in EcR/TG cells was completely rescued in vivo by transfection of mutant I-kappaBalphas in glutamine sites (Q266G, Q267G, and Q313G) as well as in a lysine site (K177G). These findings provide additional clues into the mechanism by which TGase 2 contributes to the inflammatory process via activation of NF-kappaB.

A novel mechanism of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 activation by interleukin-1 in primary human astrocytes

Reactive astrogliosis is the gliotic response to brain injury with activated astrocytes and microglia being the major effector cells. These cells secrete inflammatory cytokines, proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors that influence extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In astrocytes, the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is up-regulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is a major neuroinflammatory cytokine. We report that IL-1 activates TIMP-1 expression via both the IKK/NF-kappaB and MEK3/6/p38/ATF-2 pathways in astrocytes. The activation of the TIMP-1 gene can be blocked by using pharmacological inhibitors, including BAY11-7082 and SB202190, overexpression of the dominant-negative inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaBalphaSR), or by the knock-down of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Binding of activated NF-kappaB (p50/p65 heterodimer) and ATF-2 (homodimer) to two novel regulatory elements located -2.7 and -2.2 kb upstream of the TIMP-1 transcription start site, respectively, is required for full IL-1-responsiveness. Mutational analysis of these regulatory elements and their weak activity when linked to the minimal tk promoter suggest that cooperative binding is required to activate transcription. In contrast to astrocytes, we observed that TIMP-1 is expressed at lower levels in gliomas and is not regulated by IL-1. We provide evidence that the lack of TIMP-1 activation in gliomas results from either dysfunctional IKK/NF-kappaB or MEK3/6/p38/ATF-2 activation by IL-1. In summary, we propose a novel mechanism of TIMP-1 regulation, which ensures an increased supply of the inhibitor after brain injury, and limits ECM degradation. This mechanism does not function in gliomas, and may in part explain the increased invasiveness of glioma cells.

Sodium arsenite accelerates TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells through upregulation of TRAIL-R1/R2 surface levels and downregulation of cFLIP expression

AP-1/cJun, NF-kappaB and STAT3 transcription factors control expression of numerous genes, which regulate critical cell functions including proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Sodium arsenite is known to suppress both the IKK-NF-kappaB and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathways and to activate the MAPK/JNK-cJun pathways, thereby committing some cancers to undergo apoptosis. Indeed, sodium arsenite is an effective drug for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with little nonspecific toxicity. Malignant melanoma is highly refractory to conventional radio- and chemotherapy. In the present study, we observed strong effects of sodium arsenite treatment on upregulation of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in human and mouse melanomas. Arsenite treatment upregulated surface levels of death receptors, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2, through increased translocation of these proteins from cytoplasm to the cell surface. Furthermore, activation of cJun and suppression of NF-kappaB by sodium arsenite resulted in upregulation of the endogenous TRAIL and downregulation of the cFLIP gene expression (which encodes one of the main anti-apoptotic proteins in melanomas) followed by cFLIP protein degradation and, finally, by acceleration of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Direct suppression of cFLIP expression by cFLIP RNAi also accelerated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in these melanomas, while COX-2 suppression substantially increased levels of both TRAIL-induced and arsenite-induced apoptosis. In contrast, overexpression of permanently active AKTmyr inhibited TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via downregulation of TRAIL-R1 levels. Finally, AKT overactivation increased melanoma survival in cell culture and dramatically accelerated growth of melanoma transplant in vivo, highlighting a role of AKT suppression for effective anticancer treatment.

Identification of genes that modulate sensitivity of U373MG glioblastoma cells to cis-platinum

Scatter factor (hepatocyte growth factor) and its receptor c-Met are increasingly expressed during progression from low-grade to high-grade gliomas. Scatter factor/c-Met signaling induces glioma cell motility, invasion, angiogenesis and resistance to DNA-damaging agents. The latter is relevant to the understanding of the resistance of human gliomas to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The goal of this study was to identify a set of genes that may contribute to scatter factor-mediated protection of U373MG cells against cis-platinum, a DNA cross-linking agent. We used DNA microarray assays, confirmatory semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and functional assays to identify genes involved in the scatter factor-induced resistance of U373MG to cis-platinum. We identified a group of genes that are overexpressed in cells treated with scatter factor plus cis-platinum relative to cells treated with cis-platinum alone and confirmed some of these gene expression alterations by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Inhibiting the expression of three of these genes--polycystic kidney disease 1, amplified in breast cancer 1 and DEAD/H box helicase 21--using small interfering RNAs reduced survival of cis-platinum-treated cells and partially reversed the scatter factor protection against cis-platinum. Dominant-negative Akt and IkappaB super-repressor expression vectors inhibited the scatter factor protection, and abrogated the ability of scatter factor to alter the expression of DEAD/H box helicase 21 and polycystin (PKD1) within the context of cis-platinum exposure. The Akt and nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitors had no effect on amplified in breast cancer 1 expression. These studies implicate DEAD/H box helicase 21, polycystin (PKD1) and amplified in breast cancer 1 as novel transcription-dependent regulators of scatter factor-mediated glioma cell protection against cytotoxic death, and identify other potential regulators for future study.

Coincident enrichment of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha, activated IKK, and phosphorylated p65 in the axon initial segment of neurons

Phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha by the activated IkappaB kinase (IKK) is a crucial step in the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. In neurons of the mammalian central nervous system, constitutive activation of NF-kappaB has been previously documented. The cellular compartments involved in this activation have not yet been fully identified. Here we document a striking enrichment of several molecules involved in NF-kappaB activation in the axon initial segment (AIS) of neurons: Phosphorylated-IkappaBalpha (pIkappaBalpha), activated IKK, and p65 phosphorylated at serine 536 were found to be enriched in the AIS in vivo as well as in vitro. Both, pIkappaBalpha and activated IKK, were associated with cytoskeletal components of the AIS. Activated IKK was associated with the membrane cytoskeleton, whereas pIkappaBalpha was sequestered to microtubules of the AIS. Colchicine-induced depolymerization of microtubules resulted in the loss of pIkappaBalpha in the AIS, demonstrating that the integrity of the axonal cytoskeleton is essential for the clustering of this NF-kappaB pathway component. These data provide the first evidence for a compartmentalized clustering of NF-kappaB pathway components in the AIS and implicate this neuronal compartment in the activation of NF-kappaB.

ROS-production-mediated activation of AP-1 but not NFkappaB inhibits glutamate-induced HT4 neuronal cell death

Aside from their deleterious effect, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can function as small messenger molecules during physiologic processes. ROS have been shown to activate the transcription nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). Exposure of HT4 neuronal cells to 10 mM glutamate results in cell death after 12 h. Here we show that glutamate treatment leads to an increase in ROS production and activation of AP-1, but not NFkappaB. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C and an inducer of NFkappaB and AP-1, protected the cells. This protective effect was preceded by increased production of ROS compared with glutamate alone, which was accompanied by a synergistic increase in AP-1, but not NFkappaB activity. We used all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), overexpression of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha) and a decoy oligonucleotide inclusion assay to suppress AP-1 activity. NFkappaB was inhibited by using a super suppressor (IkappaBalphaDeltaN-transfected cells). Inhibition of AP-1, but not NFkappaB resulted in increased cellular vulnerability to glutamate. Inhibition of AP-1 activity was coincident with a decrease in ROS production. Thus, although ROS are significant to the cell-death effect induced by glutamate, they also activate protective pathways mediated by increasing AP-1 activity, and not that of NFkappaB.

Dual role of TMS1/ASC in death receptor signaling

Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter region CpG islands is associated with gene silencing and serves as an alternative to mutations in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. We identified a gene TMS1 (for Target of Methylation-mediated Silencing) that is subject to such epigenetic silencing in a significant proportion of human breast and other cancers. Also known as ASC and PYCARD, TMS1 encodes a bipartite intracellular signaling molecule with proposed roles in apoptosis and inflammation. However, the precise role of this protein in the pathogenesis of breast and other cancers has not been clearly defined. In this study, we examined the role of TMS1/ASC in death receptor signaling. We found that TMS1/ASC is upregulated in response to treatment with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in breast epithelial cells, but not in human fibroblasts. This upregulation was not dependent on the synthesis of a TNFalpha-regulated intermediate or alterations in mRNA stability, suggesting a direct effect on TMS1/ASC transcription. Induction of TMS1/ASC by TNFalpha was blocked by co-expression of a dominant negative IkappaBalpha, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of RelA/p65, or concurrent treatment with SP600125, indicating a requirement for the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and jun kinase signaling pathways. Although previous work has suggested that TMS1/ASC may be directly regulated by p53, we found that whereas treatment of breast epithelial cells or normal diploid fibroblasts with DNA damaging agents resulted in the stabilization of endogenous p53 and a concomitant increase in p21, it had little impact on the expression of TMS1/ASC mRNA or protein. We further show that whereas TMS1/ASC is not required for TNFalpha or TRAIL-induced activation of NF-kappaB or caspase-8, it can promote caspase-8 activation independently of death receptor-ligand interactions. Taken together, these data suggest that upregulation of TMS1/ASC by TNFalpha and subsequent activation of caspase-8 could function to amplify the apoptotic signal induced by death receptors in some cell types, including breast epithelial cells.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Inhibits Skeletal Myogenesis through Sustained Activation of Nuclear Factor-κB and Degradation of MyoD Protein

In this study we have investigated the effect and the mechanisms by which tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) modulates myogenic differentiation. Treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with TWEAK inhibited their differentiation evident by a decrease in the expression of creatine kinase, myosin heavy chain-fast twitch, myogenin, and the formation of multinucleated myotubes. TWEAK also inhibited the differentiation of mouse primary myoblasts. Conversely, the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and the expression of a cell-cycle regulator cyclin D1 were increased in response to TWEAK treatment. Inhibition of cellular proliferation using hydroxyurea only partially reversed the inhibitory effect of TWEAK on myogenic differentiation. Treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with TWEAK resulted in the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), the (IkappaB) IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, and the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha protein. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalphaDeltaN) significantly increased the myogenic differentiation in TWEAK-treated C2C12 cultures. Furthermore, overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of IKKbeta (IKKbetaK44A) but not IKKalpha (IKKalphaK44M) reversed the inhibitory effect of TWEAK on myogenesis. TWEAK inhibited the expression of myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and myogenin and also induced the degradation of MyoD protein. Finally, inhibition of NF-kappaB activation through overexpression of IKKbetaK44A prevented the degradation of MyoD protein. Overall, our data suggest that TWEAK inhibits myogenesis through the activation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway and degradation of MyoD protein.

Nonstructural protein of infectious bursal disease virus inhibits apoptosis at the early stage of virus infection

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), the causative agent of a highly contagious disease in chickens, carries a small nonstructural protein (NS). This protein has been implicated to play a role in the induction of apoptosis. In this study, we investigate the kinetics of viral replication during a single round of viral replication and examine the mechanism of IBDV-induced apoptosis. Our results show that it is caspase dependent and activates caspases 3 and 9. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is also activated and is required for IBDV-induced apoptosis. The NF-kappaB inhibitor MG132 completely inhibited IBDV-induced DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activation, and NF-kappaB activation. To study the function of the NS protein in this context, we generated the recombinant rGLS virus and an NS knockout mutant, rGLSNSdelta virus, using reverse genetics. Comparisons of the replication kinetics and markers for virally induced apoptosis indicated that the NS knockout mutant virus induces earlier and increased DNA fragmentation, caspase activity, and NF-kappaB activation. These results suggest that the NS protein has an antiapoptotic function at the early stage of virus infection.

Transactivation of CCL20 gene by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

CCL20 is expected to play a crucial role in the initiation of immune responses and tumour growth. However, expression of CCL20 in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases has not been studied. We examined the contribution of EBV infection and EBV-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 to CCL20 expression. EBV infection and LMP-1 induced CCL20 mRNA expression in the EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell lines and the embryonic kidney cell line. Histone deacetylase inhibitor-stimulated endogenous LMP-1 also induced CCL20 expression in an EBV-positive BL cell line. Analysis of the CCL20 promoter showed that it was activated by LMP-1 C-terminal activation region (CTAR)-1 and CTAR-2. Co-expression of IkappaB alpha, IkappaB beta, IkappaB kinase (IKK)alpha, IKKbeta, IKKgamma, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-inducing kinase and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 dominant-negative constructs with LMP-1 inhibited the activation of the CCL20 promoter by LMP-1, suggesting that LMP-1 induces CCL20 via NF-kappaB signalling. The requirement for the NF-kappaB-binding site in the CCL20 promoter in LMP-1 responsiveness was established. Our results indicate that activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by LMP-1 is required for the activation of CCL20 expression.

Variant IRAK-1 haplotype is associated with increased nuclear factor-kappaB activation and worse outcomes in sepsis

RATIONALE

The IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK-1) plays a central role in TLR2- and TLR4-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, a critical event in the transcriptional regulation of many sepsis-associated proinflammatory mediators. There are two haplotypes for the IRAK-1 gene in Caucasians, with the variant haplotype consisting of five intron single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and three exon SNPs.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the functional significance of the IRAK-1 variant haplotype in modifying nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and affecting outcomes from sepsis.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

One hundred fifty-five Caucasian patients with sepsis were included. Twenty-one (14%) were homozygous for the IRAK-1 variant haplotype as determined by a SNP in which T is replaced with C at nucleotide 1,595 within exon 12 of the IRAK-1 gene. The IRAK-1 variant haplotype was associated with increased nuclear levels of NF-kappaB in LPS-stimulated peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with sepsis compared with that found in patients with wild-type IRAK-1 haplotype (p=0.0009). There was an increased incidence of shock (p=0.047) (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-7.7), greater requirement for more prolonged mechanical ventilator support (p=0.04) (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.05-6.9), and higher 60-d mortality (p=0.05) (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0-6.8) in patients with the IRAK-1 variant haplotype compared with wild type.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the IRAK-1 variant haplotype is functionally significant in patients with sepsis, being associated with increased nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, more severe organ dysfunction, and higher mortality.

Transactivation of the ICAM-1 gene by CD30 in Hodgkin's lymphoma

The ICAM-1/LFA-1 complex mediates cell-cell interaction. ICAM-1 is overexpressed in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells, and serum levels of its soluble form are higher in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients than in controls. There are no data, however, regarding the regulation of expression of ICAM-1 in H/RS cells. CD30 was identified in H/RS cells of HL and has attracted much interest as a molecular marker of HL. To analyze ICAM-1 expression in H/RS cells, we examined the expression of ICAM-1, LFA-1, CD30 and CD30L in HL-derived cell lines. All cell lines expressed ICAM-1 and CD30, but not LFA-1 or CD30L. CD30 induced ICAM-1 expression. Analysis of the ICAM-1 promoter showed the importance of NF-kappaB binding site for CD30-induced ICAM-1 gene expression. Coexpression of IkappaB, IKK, NIK and TRAF dominant-negative constructs with CD30 inhibited CD30-induced activation of ICAM-1 promoter, suggesting that CD30 induces ICAM-1 via NF-kappaB signalling. The ICAM-1 promoter was activated by the C-terminal region of CD30, which activated NF-kappaB signalling. A decoy CD30 lacking the cytoplasmic region inhibited ICAM-1 promoter activity in HL cell lines. Thus, in H/RS cells, ligand-independent activation of CD30 signalling activates NF-kappaB and this leads to constitutive ICAM-1 expression, suggesting a link between 2 well known phenotypic characteristics of HL, CD30 and ICAM-1 overexpression.

Overexpression of p65/RelA potentiates curcumin-induced apoptosis in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in the spice turmeric, has potent chemopreventive activities that involve diverse molecular pathways. It is widely believed that curcumin pro-apoptotic properties are mediated by downregulation of NF kappa B (NFkappaB). The p65/RelA subunit of NFkappaB may influence cell death, in part by activation of NFkappaB anti-apoptotic target genes including X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), A20, bcl-xL and inhibition of sustained activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We have shown previously that curcumin inhibits NFkappaB, activates JNK and promotes apoptosis in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Here, we show that forced overexpression of p65 does not affect curcumin-induced JNK activation. Indeed, overexpression of p65 enhanced curcumin-mediated apoptosis as assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. This potentiating effect of p65 upon curcumin-mediated apoptosis was reversed by transfection of cells with an IkappaB super-repressor (DeltaNIkappaB). Curcumin treatment inhibited expression of NFkappaB anti-apoptotic target genes in mock-transfected and in p65-overexpressing HCT116 cells, although expression levels remained higher in the latter. Taken together, these results show that curcumin-mediated activation of JNK or induction of apoptosis does not require inhibition of p65. Furthermore, curcumin/p65 synergy in promotion of apoptosis cannot be attributed to active repression of NFkappaB anti-apoptotic genes.

Dexamethasone protection from TNF-alpha-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells requires NF-kappaB and is independent from AKT

Background

The biochemical bases for hormone dependence in breast cancer have been recognized as an important element in tumor resistance, proliferation and metastasis. On this respect, dexamethasone (Dex) dependent protection against TNF-alpha-mediated cell death in the MCF-7 cell line has been demonstrated to be a useful model for the study of this type of cancer. Recently, cytoplasmic signaling induced by steroid receptors has been described, such as the activation of the PI3K/Akt and NF-kappaB pathways. We evaluated their possible participation in the Dex-dependent protection against TNF-alpha-mediated cell death.

Results

Cellular cultures of the MCF-7 cell line were exposed to either, TNF-alpha or TNF-alpha and Dex, and cell viability was evaluated. Next, negative dominants of PI3K and IkappaB-alpha, designed to block the PI3K/Akt and NF-kappaB pathways, respectively, were transfected and selection and evaluation of several clones overexpressing the mutants were examined. Also, correlation with inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) expression was examined. Independent inhibition of these two pathways allowed us to test their participation in Dex-dependent protection against TNF-alpha-cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. Expression of the PI3K dominant negative mutant did not alter the protection conferred by Dex against TNF-alpha mediated cell death. Contrariwise, clones expressing the IkappaB-alpha dominant negative mutant lost the Dex-conferred protection against TNF-alpha. In these clones degradation of c-IAP was accelerated, while that of XIAP was remained unaffected.

Conclusion

NF-kappaB, but not PI3K/Akt activation, is required for the Dex protective effect against TNF-alpha-mediated cell death, and correlates with lack of degradation of the anti-apoptotic protein c-IAP1.

Helicobacter pylori and toll-like receptor agonists induce syndecan-4 expression in an NF-kappaB-dependent manner

The syndecans are a family of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) that have been implicated in a wide variety of biological functions including the regulation of growth factor signaling, adhesion, tumorigenesis, and inflammation. In the current studies, we examined the regulation of syndecan-4 gene expression in gastric epithelial cells and macrophages in response to infection with live Helicobacter pylori and purified toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. H. pylori, PAM3CSK4 (a TLR2 agonist), and Escherichia coli flagellin (a TLR5 agonist) all induced the rapid expression of syndecan-4 mRNA in MKN45 gastric epithelial cells. Similarly, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a TLR4 agonist) also induced the expression of syndecan-4 in macrophages. The H. pylori- and TLR-induced increase in syndecan-4 mRNA was blocked by the proteosome inhibitor MG-132 suggesting a role for nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the regulation of syndecan-4 gene expression. An 895-bp fragment of the human syndecan-4 promoter was cloned upstream of the luciferase reporter. When transfected into MKN45 cells, the activity of this promoter was inducible by H. pylori and TLR agonists. Inducible activity of the syndecan-4 promoter was blocked by cotransfection with a dominant negative IkappaBalpha expression plasmid. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated the presence of a highly conserved NF-kappaB-binding site. Mutation of this site within the context of the full-length syndecan-4 promoter resulted in a complete loss of responsiveness to H. pylori and TLR agonists. These results thus demonstrate that the response of the syndecan-4 gene to infectious agents, or their products, is a direct result of NF-kappaB binding to the promoter and induction of de novo transcription.

NF-kappaB couples protein kinase B/Akt signaling to distinct survival pathways and the regulation of lymphocyte homeostasis in vivo

Protein kinase B (PKBalpha/Akt1) a PI3K-dependent serine-threonine kinase, promotes T cell viability in response to many stimuli and regulates homeostasis and autoimmune disease in vivo. To dissect the mechanisms by which PKB inhibits apoptosis, we have examined the pathways downstream of PKB that promote survival after cytokine withdrawal vs Fas-mediated death. Our studies show that PKB-mediated survival after cytokine withdrawal is independent of protein synthesis and the induction of NF-kappaB. In contrast, PKB requires de novo gene transcription by NF-kappaB to block apoptosis triggered by the Fas death receptor. Using gene-deficient and transgenic mouse models, we establish that NF-kappaB1, and not c-Rel, is the critical signaling molecule downstream of the PI3K-PTEN-PKB signaling axis that regulates lymphocyte homeostasis.

Molecular basis of the effects of shear stress on vascular endothelial cells

Blood vessels are constantly exposed to hemodynamic forces in the form of cyclic stretch and shear stress due to the pulsatile nature of blood pressure and flow. Endothelial cells (ECs) are subjected to the shear stress resulting from blood flow and are able to convert mechanical stimuli into intracellular signals that affect cellular functions, e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, migration, permeability, and remodeling, as well as gene expression. The ECs use multiple sensing mechanisms to detect changes in mechanical forces, leading to the activation of signaling networks. The cytoskeleton provides a structural framework for the EC to transmit mechanical forces between its luminal, abluminal and junctional surfaces and its interior, including the cytoplasm, the nucleus, and focal adhesion sites. Endothelial cells also respond differently to different modes of shear forces, e.g., laminar, disturbed, or oscillatory flows. In vitro studies on cultured ECs in flow channels have been conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which cells convert the mechanical input into biochemical events, which eventually lead to functional responses. The knowledge gained on mechano-transduction, with verifications under in vivo conditions, will advance our understanding of the physiological and pathological processes in vascular remodeling and adaptation in health and disease.

Opposite roles of FAP-1 and dynamin in the regulation of Fas (CD95) translocation to the cell surface and susceptibility to Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis

Human melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and is extremely resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. One of the critical parameters of this resistance is down-regulation of Fas (CD95) cell-surface expression. Using TIG3 normal human fibroblasts and human melanoma cell lines, we investigated transcriptional regulation of FAP-1, a regulator of Fas translocation in the cell. Protein-tyrosine phosphatase FAP-1 (PTPN13, PTP-BAS) interacts with human Fas protein and prevents its export from the cytoplasm to the cell surface. In contrast, dynamin-2 facilitates Fas protein translocation from the Golgi apparatus via the trans-Golgi network to the cell surface. Suppression of dynamin functions by dominant negative dynamin K44A blocks Fas export, whereas the down-regulation of FAP-1 expression by specific RNA interference restores Fas export (a phenomenon that could still be down-regulated in the presence of dominant-negative dynamin). Based on the FAP-1- and dynamin-dependent regulation of Fas translocation, we have created human melanoma lines with different levels of surface expression of Fas. Treatment of these melanoma lines with soluble Fas ligand resulted in programmed cell death that was proportional to the pre-existing levels of surface Fas. Taking into consideration the well known observations that FAP-1 expression is often up-regulated in metastatic tumors, we have established a causal connection between high basal NF-kappaB transcription factor activity (which is a hallmark of many types of metastatic tumors) and NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional regulation of FAP-1 gene expression that finally restricts Fas protein trafficking, thereby, facilitating the survival of cancer cells.

Polyamine depletion inhibits NF-kappaB binding to DNA and interleukin-8 production in human chondrocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

The activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), can be an important contributor for the re-programming of chondrocyte gene expression, thereby making it a therapeutic target in articular diseases. To search for new approaches to limit cartilage damage, we investigated the requirement of polyamines for NF-kappaB activation by TNFalpha in human C-28/I2 chondrocytes, using alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor. The NF-kappaB pathway was dissected by using pharmacological inhibitors or by expressing a transdominant IkappaBalpha super repressor. Treatment of C-28/I2 chondrocytes with TNFalpha resulted in a rapid enhancement of nuclear localization and DNA binding activity of the p65 NF-kappaB subunit. TNFalpha also increased the level and extracellular release of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a CXC chemokine that can have a role in arthritis, in an NF-kappaB-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of chondrocytes with DFMO, while causing polyamine depletion, significantly reduced NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Moreover, DFMO also decreased IL-8 production without affecting cellular viability. Restoration of polyamine levels by the co-addition of putrescine circumvented the inhibitory effects of DFMO. Our results show that the intracellular depletion of polyamines inhibits the response of chondrocytes to TNFalpha by interfering with the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB. This suggests that a pharmacological and/or genetic approach to deplete the polyamine pool in chondrocytes may represent a useful way to reduce NF-kappaB activation by inflammatory cytokines in arthritis without provoking chondrocyte apoptosis.

Comparative biology of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2

HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 are highly related complex retroviruses that have been studied intensely for nearly three decades because of their association with neoplasia, neuropathology, and/or their capacity to transform primary human T lymphocytes. The study of HTLV also represents an attractive model that has allowed investigators to dissect the mechanism of various cellular processes, several of which may be critical steps in HTLV-mediated pathogenesis. Both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 can efficiently immortalize and transform T lymphocytes in cell culture and persist in infected individuals or experimental animals. However, the clinical manifestations of these two viruses differ significantly. HTLV-1 is associated with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and a variety of immune-mediated disorders including the chronic neurological disease termed HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). In contrast, HTLV-2 is much less pathogenic with reports of only a few cases of variant hairy cell leukemia and neurological disease associated with infection. The limited number of individuals shown to harbor HTLV-2 in association with specific diseases has, to date, precluded convincing epidemiological demonstration of a definitive etiologic role of HTLV-2 in human disease. Therefore, it has become clear that comparative studies designed to elucidate the mechanisms by which HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 determine distinct outcomes are likely to provide fundamental insights into the initiation of multistep leukemogenesis.

Activation of NF-kappaB by HTLV-I and implications for cell transformation

T-cell transformation by the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) involves deregulation of cellular transcription factors, including members of the NF-kappaB family. In normal T cells, NF-kappaB activation occurs transiently in response to immune stimuli, which is required for antigen-stimulated T-cell proliferation and survival. However, HTLV-I induces persistent activation of NF-kappaB, causing deregulated expression of a large array of cellular genes, which in turn contributes to the induction of T-cell transformation. The HTLV-I transforming protein Tax functions as an intracellular stimulator of IkappaB kinase (IKK), a cellular kinase mediating NF-kappaB activation by diverse stimuli. Tax physically interacts with IKK and renders this inducible kinase constitutively active. By assembling different Tax/IKK complexes, Tax targets the persistent activation of both canonical and noncanonical NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Whereas Tax plays a primary role in HTLV-I-mediated NF-kappaB activation, recent studies reveal that the IKK/NF-kappaB signaling pathway is also activated in freshly isolated adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells that often lack detectable Tax expression. The mechanism underlying this Tax-independent pathway of NF-kappaB activation remains poorly understood. Clarifying the precise nature and consequences of the constitutive NF-kappaB activation in ATL cells is important for developing rational therapeutic strategies for this T-cell malignancy.

Inhibition of astroglial nuclear factor kappaB reduces inflammation and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury

In the central nervous system (CNS), the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is a key regulator of inflammation and secondary injury processes. After trauma or disease, the expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes is highly activated, leading to both protective and detrimental effects on CNS recovery. We demonstrate that selective inactivation of astroglial NF-kappaB in transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative (dn) form of the inhibitor of kappaB alpha under the control of an astrocyte-specific promoter (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]-dn mice) leads to a dramatic improvement in functional recovery 8 wk after contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). Histologically, GFAP mice exhibit reduced lesion volume and substantially increased white matter preservation. In parallel, they show reduced expression of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, such as CXCL10, CCL2, and transforming growth factor-beta2, and of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans participating in the formation of the glial scar. We conclude that selective inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling in astrocytes results in protective effects after SCI and propose the NF-kappaB pathway as a possible new target for the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SCI.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for rhinovirus-induced airway epithelial cell interleukin-8 expression

Rhinovirus (RV) is a common cause of asthma exacerbations. The signaling mechanisms regulating RV-induced airway epithelial cell responses have not been well studied. We examined the role of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in RV-induced interleukin (IL)-8 expression. Infection of 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells with RV39 induced rapid activation of PI 3-kinase and phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector of PI 3-kinase. RV39 also colocalized with cit-Akt-PH, a citrogen-tagged fluorescent fusion protein encoding the pleckstrin homology domain of Akt, indicating that 3-phosphorylated PI accumulates at the site of RV infection. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase and Akt attenuated RV39-induced NF-kappaB transactivation and IL-8 expression. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase also blocked internalization of labeled RV39 into 16HBE14o- cells, suggesting that the requirement of PI 3-kinase for RV39-induced IL-8 expression, at least in part, relates to its role in viral endocytosis.

NF-(kappa)B mediates amyloid beta peptide-stimulated activity of the human apolipoprotein E gene promoter in human astroglial cells

The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyloid plaque comprised mostly of the amyloid-beta peptide (A(beta)) is one of the major hallmarks of AD. However, the relationship between these two important molecules is poorly understood. We examined how A(beta) treatment affects APOE expression in cultured cells and tested the role of the transcription factor NF-(kappa)B in APOE gene regulation. To delineate NF-(kappa)B's role, we have characterized a 1098 nucleotide (nt) segment containing the 5'-flanking region of the human APOE gene (-1054/+44, +1 transcription start site). Sequence analysis of this region suggests the presence of two potential NF-(kappa)B elements. To demonstrate promoter activity, the region was cloned upstream of a promoterless luciferase (reporter) gene. This segment was able to drive expression of luciferase in transient transfections of human fetal glial cells. Promoter activity was stimulated twofold by A(beta)(1-40) (25 microM, 24 h) treatment. Pretreatment with double-stranded DNA decoy oligonucleotides against NF-(kappa)B (2 microM) reduced A(beta) stimulation. Deletion and mutagenetic analyses demonstrated that the distal NF-(kappa)B element was functional and showed a strong DNA-protein complex band in gel shift analysis, similar to that from control NF-(kappa)B consensus element. An anti-inflammatory and anti-NF-(kappa)B drug, sodium salicylate, significantly blocked A(beta)-induced APOE promoter function. Our data provide evidence that upregulation of APOE by A(beta) in astroglial cells is mediated by an NF-(kappa)B-element present in the 5'-flanking region of the APOE gene.

Transcriptional activation of survivin through the NF-kappaB pathway by human T-cell leukemia virus type I tax

Survivin, a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is overexpressed in many cancers and considered to play an important role in oncogenesis. We previously reported the survivin expression profile in ATL, a CD4-positive T-cell malignancy caused by HTLV-I. HTLV-I Tax is thought to play an important role in immortalization of T cells. We have shown also that the expression of Tax protected the mouse T-cell line CTLL-2 against apoptosis induced by deprivation of IL-2 and converted its growth from being IL-2 dependent to being IL-2 independent through the NF-kappaB pathway. In our study, we demonstrate that constitutive expression of survivin was associated with resistance to apoptosis after IL-2 deprivation in Tax-expressing CTLL-2 cells. Transient transfection assays showed that survivin promoter was transactivated by Tax, via the activation of NF-kappaB. Pharmacological NF-kappaB inhibition resulted in suppression of survivin expression and caused apoptosis of Tax-expressing CTLL-2 cells. Our findings suggest that activated NF-kappaB signaling contributes directly to malignant progression of ATL by preventing apoptosis, acting through the prosurvival protein survivin.

Cardiac-specific blockade of NF-κB in cardiac pathophysiology: differences between acute and chronic stimuli in vivo

The role of NF-κB in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology has been difficult to delineate due to the inability to specifically block NF-κB signaling in the heart. Cardiac-specific transgenic models have recently been developed that repress NF-κB activation by preventing phosphorylation at specific serine residues of the inhibitory κB (IκB) protein isoform IκBα. However, these models are unable to completely block NF-κB because of a second signaling pathway that regulates NF-κB function via Tyr42 phosphorylation of IκBα. We report the development of transgenic (3M) mouse lines that express the mutant IκBα(S32A,S36A,Y42F)in a cardiac-specific manner. NF-κB activation in cardiomyopathic TNF-1.6 mice is completely blocked by the 3M transgene but only partially blocked (70–80%) by the previously described double-mutant 2M [IκBα(S32A,S36A)] transgene, which demonstrates the action of two proximal pathways for NF-κB activation in TNF-α-induced cardiomyopathy. In contrast, after acute stimuli including administration of TNF-α and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), NF-κB activation is blocked in both 2M and 3M transgenic mice. This result suggests that phosphorylation of the regulatory Ser32 and Ser36 predominantly mediates NF-κB activation in these situations. We show that infarct size after I/R is reduced by 70% in 3M transgenic mice, which conclusively demonstrates that NF-κB is involved in I/R injury. In summary, we have engineered novel transgenic mice that allow us to distinguish two major proximal pathways for NF-κB activation. Our results demonstrate that the serine and tyrosine phosphorylation pathways are differentially activated during different pathophysiological processes (cardiomyopathy and I/R injury) and that NF-κB contributes to infarct development after I/R.

NF-κB activation but not PI3K/Akt is required for dexamethasone dependent protection against TNF-α cytotoxicity in L929 cells

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the best-described cell death promoters. In murine L929 fibroblasts, dexamethasone inhibits TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity. Since phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) proteins regulate several survival pathways, we evaluated their participation in dexamethasone protection against TNF-alpha cell death. We interfered with these pathways by overexpressing a negative dominant mutant of PI3K or a non-degradable mutant of inhibitor of NF-kappaB alpha (IkappaBalpha) (the cytoplasmic inhibitor of NF-kappaB) in L929 cells. The mutant IkappaB, but not the mutant PI3K, abrogated dexamethasone-mediated protection. The loss of dexamethasone protection was associated with a diminished accumulation in XIAP and c-IAP proteins.

Prevention of NF-kappaB activation in vivo by a cell-permeable NF-kappaB inhibitor peptide

The NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factor family plays a central role in coordinating the expression of a variety of genes that regulate stress responses, immune cell activation, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation. Interventions that target the NF-kappaB pathway may be therapeutic for a variety of pathologies, especially immune/inflammatory diseases. Using membrane translocating sequence (MTS) technology, we developed a cell-permeable dominant inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, termed IkappaBalpha-(DeltaN)-MTS. This molecule contains a 12-amino acid MTS motif attached to the COOH-terminal region of a nondegradable inhibitor protein [IkappaBalpha-(DeltaN)]. The recombinant protein enters cells and localizes in the cytoplasm. Delivery of the IkappaBalpha-(DeltaN)-MTS to cell lines and primary cells inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB proteins induced by cell activation. The protein also effectively inhibited NF-kappaB activation in vivo in two different animal models: NF-kappaB activation in response to skin wounding in mice and NF-kappaB activation in lungs after endotoxin treatment in sheep. Inhibition of NF-kappaB by the IkappaBalpha-(DeltaN)-MTS in the endotoxin model attenuated physiological responses to endotoxemia. These data demonstrate that activation of NF-kappaB can be inhibited using a recombinant protein designed to penetrate into cells. This technology may provide a new approach to NF-kappaB pathway-targeted therapies.

Regulation of endothelial thrombomodulin expression by inflammatory cytokines is mediated by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B

Inflammation and thrombosis are increasingly recognized as interrelated biologic processes. Endothelial cell expression of thrombomodulin (TM), a key component of the anticoagulant protein C pathway, is potently inhibited by inflammatory cytokines. Because the mechanism underlying this effect is largely unknown, we investigated a potential role for the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Blocking NF-κB activation effectively prevented cytokine-induced down-regulation of TM, both in vitro and in a mouse model of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)–mediated lung injury. Although the TM promoter lacks a classic NF-κB consensus site, it does contain tandem Ets transcription factor binding sites previously shown to be important for both constitutive TM gene expression and cytokine-induced repression. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that multiple Ets species bind to the TNF-α response element within the TM promoter. Although cytokine exposure did not alter Ets factor binding, it did reduce binding of p300, a coactivator required by Ets for full transcriptional activity. Overexpression of p300 also prevented TM repression by cytokines. We conclude that NF-κB is a critical mediator of TM repression by cytokines. Further evidence suggests a mechanism involving competition by NF-κB for limited pools of the transcriptional coactivator p300 necessary for TM gene expression.

Breast Cancer Metastasis Suppressor 1 Inhibits Gene Expression by Targeting Nuclear Factor-κB Activity

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) functions as a metastasis suppressor gene in breast cancer and melanoma cell lines, but the mechanism of BRMS1 suppression remains unclear. We determined that BRMS1 expression was inversely correlated with that of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), a prometastatic gene that is regulated at least in part by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). To further investigate the role of NF-kappaB in BRMS1-regulated gene expression, we examined NF-kappaB binding activity and found an inverse correlation between BRMS1 expression and NF-kappaB binding activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and C8161.9 melanoma cells stably expressing BRMS1. In contrast, BRMS1 expression had no effect on activation of the activator protein-1 transcription factor. Further, we showed that suppression of both constitutive and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation by BRMS1 may be due to inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation. To examine the relationship between BRMS1 and uPA expression in primary breast tumors, we screened a breast cancer dot blot array of normalized cDNA from 50 breast tumors and corresponding normal breast tissues. There was a significant reduction in BRMS1 mRNA expression in breast tumors compared with matched normal breast tissues (paired t test, P < 0.0001) and a general inverse correlation with uPA gene expression (P < 0.01). These results suggest that at least one of the underlying mechanisms of BRMS1-dependent suppression of tumor metastasis includes inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and subsequent suppression of uPA expression in breast cancer and melanoma cells.

Inhibition of NF-kappa B activity and cFLIP expression contribute to viral-induced apoptosis

Virus-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is required for Type 3 (T3) reovirus-induced apoptosis. We now show that NF-kappaB is also activated by the prototypic Type 1 reovirus strain Lang (T1L), which induces significantly less apoptosis than T3 viruses, indicating that NF-kappaB activation alone is not sufficient for apoptosis in reovirus-infected cells. A second phase of virus-induced NF-kappaB regulation, where NF-kappaB activation is inhibited at later times following infection with T3 Abney (T3A), is absent in T1L-infected cells. This suggests that inhibition of NF-kappaB activation at later times post infection also contributes to reovirus-induced apoptosis. Reovirus-induced inhibition of stimulus-induced activation of NF-kappaB is significantly associated with apoptosis following infection of HEK293 cells with reassortant reoviruses and is determined by the T3 S1 gene segment, which is also the primary determinant of reovirus-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of stimulus-induced activation of NF-kappaB also occurs following infection of primary cardiac myocytes with apoptotic (8B) but not non-apoptotic (T1L) reoviruses. Expression levels of the NF-kappaB-regulated cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP) reflect NF-kappaB activation in reovirus-infected cells. Further, inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and cFLIP expression promote T1L-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that inhibition of stimulus-induced activation of NF-kappaB and the resulting decrease in cFLIP expression promote reovirus-induced apoptosis.

Transactivation of the CCL5/RANTES gene by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

Chemokines and chemokine receptors mediate lymphocyte migration and tissue localization. To analyze CCL5 (RANTES) expression by EBV-infected cells, we examined the expression of CCL5 in BL cell lines. Among 4 BL cell lines, those infected with EBV selectively expressed the CCL5 gene and secreted CCL5. Four cell lines also expressed CCR5, a receptor for CCL5. EBV-encoded LMP-1, a pleiotropic protein that effects gene expression, cell transformation, growth and death, induces expression of CCL5 mRNA and secretion of CCL5 in the EBV-negative BL cell line BJAB and the embryonic kidney cell line 293T. HDACI-stimulated endogenous LMP-1 also induced CCL5 expression in an EBV-positive BL cell line. Analysis of the CCL5 promoter revealed that it is activated by both LMP-1 C-terminal activation domains, CTAR-1 and CTAR-2, which can activate NF-kappaB signaling. Coexpression of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, IKKalpha, IKKbeta, NIK and TRAF2 dominant-negative constructs, with LMP-1 inhibited the activation of the CCL5 promoter by LMP-1, suggesting that LMP-1 induces CCL5 via NF-kappaB signaling. The NF-kappaB binding sites, R(A/B), located at positions -71 to -43 relative to the putative transcription start site in the CCL5 promoter, were essential for the activation of CCL5 gene expression by LMP-1. These results indicate that the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by LMP-1 is required for the activation of CCL5 expression.

Direct Effects of Polymyxin B on Human Dendritic Cells Maturation

Polymyxin B is a lipopolysaccharide binding antibiotic used to inactivate potential lipopolysaccharide contaminations when evaluating the activity of different agents on innate immune cells. We report that polymyxin B is able to induce directly in monocyte-derived human dendritic cells (DCs) several functional and molecular modifications characteristic of DCs undergoing a maturation process. DCs incubated with polymyxin B up-regulate the expression of HLA class I and II, the co-stimulatory CD86 molecule, and show an increase in the fraction of adherent cells at short time, which persist at 48 h of incubation. Adhesion to the plate was required for the polymyxin B-induced DCs maturation. A transient activation of IkappaB-alpha/NF-kappaB and ERK1/2 pathways at short time and a further ERK1/2 activation at long term were also detected. Neither up-regulation of the maturation marker CD83 nor activation of p38 nor induction of cytokines secretion was observed in DCs treated with polymyxin B. We demonstrated that inhibition of IkappaB-alpha/NF-kappaB pathway abolishes polymyxin B effects. ERK1/2 inhibition instead allowed DCs treated with polymyxin B to progress in their maturation process as revealed by the increased up-regulation of the CD83 co-stimulatory molecules, the activation of p38, and the reduced adhesion to culture plates at 48 h of incubation. Our results indicate that polymyxin B induces a partial maturation of human DCs through increased adhesion to a substrate and activation of the IkappaB-alpha/NF-kappaB pathway. The increased ERK1/2 activation observed, even though correlating with the initial phases of the maturation process, actually inhibits the occurrence of full maturation.

Evidence for a phosphorylation-independent role for Ser 32 and 36 in proteasome inhibitor-resistant (PIR) IkappaBalpha degradation in B cells

Constitutive NF-kappaB activity has emerged as an important cell survival regulator. Canonical inducible NF-kappaB activation involves IkappaB kinase (IKK)-dependent dual phosphorylation of Ser 32 and 36 of IkappaBalpha to cause its beta-TrCP-dependent ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. We recently reported that constitutive NF-kappaB (p50/c-Rel) activity in WEHI231 B cells is maintained through proteasome inhibitor-resistant (PIR) IkappaBalpha degradation in a manner that requires Ser 32 and 36, without the requirement of a direct interaction with beta-TrCP. Here we specifically examined whether dual phosphorylation of Ser 32 and 36 was required for PIR degradation. Through mutagenesis studies, we found that dual replacement of Ser 32 and 36 with Glu permitted beta-TrCP and proteasome-dependent, but not PIR, degradation. Moreover, single replacement of either Ser residue with Leu permitted PIR degradation in WEHI231 B cells. These results indicate that PIR degradation occurs in the absence of dual phosphorylation, thereby explaining the beta-TrCP-independent nature of the PIR pathway. Additionally, we found evidence that PIR IkappaBalpha degradation controls constitutive NF-kappaB activation in certain multiple myeloma cells. These results suggest that B lineage cells can differentiate between PIR and canonical IkappaBalpha degradation through the absence or presence of dually phosphorylated IkappaBalpha.

NF-kappaB mediates proteolysis-inducing factor induced protein degradation and expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in skeletal muscle

Loss of skeletal muscle in cancer cachexia has a negative effect on both morbidity and mortality. The role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in regulating muscle protein degradation and expression of the ubiquitin–proteasome proteolytic pathway in response to a tumour cachectic factor, proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF), has been studied by creating stable, transdominant-negative, muscle cell lines. Murine C₂C₁₂ myoblasts were transfected with plasmids with a CMV promoter that had mutations at the serine phosphorylation sites required for degradation of I-κBα, an NF-κB inhibitory protein, and allowed to differentiate into myotubes. Proteolysis-inducing factor induced degradation of I-κBα, nuclear accumulation of NF-κB and an increase in luciferase reporter gene activity in myotubes containing wild-type, but not mutant, I-κBα proteins. Proteolysis-inducing factor also induced total protein degradation and loss of the myofibrillar protein myosin in myotubes containing wild-type, but not mutant, plasmids at the same concentrations as those causing activation of NF-κB. Proteolysis-inducing factor also induced increased expression of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, as determined by ‘chymotrypsin-like’ enzyme activity, the predominant proteolytic activity of the β-subunits of the proteasome, protein expression of 20S α-subunits and the 19S subunits MSS1 and p42, as well as the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, E2_14k, in cells containing wild-type, but not mutant, I-κBα. The ability of mutant I-κBα to inhibit PIF-induced protein degradation, as well as expression of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, confirms that both of these responses depend on initiation of transcription by NF-κB.

Role of NF-kappaB signaling in hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-mediated cell protection

The cytokine scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/SF) protects epithelial, carcinoma, and other cell types against cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging agents such as ionizing radiation and adriamycin (ADR, a topoisomerase IIalpha inhibitor). We investigated the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling in HGF/SF-mediated protection of human prostate cancer (DU-145) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells against ADR. HGF/SF caused the rapid nuclear translocation of the p65 (RelA) subunit of NF-kappaB associated with the transient loss of the inhibitory subunit IkappaB-alpha. Exposure to HGF/SF caused the activation of an NF-kappaB luciferase reporter that was blocked or attenuated by the expression of a mutant 'super-repressor' IkappaB-alpha. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay supershift assays revealed that HGF/SF treatment induced the transient binding of various NF-kappaB family proteins (p65, p50, c-Rel, and RelB) with radiolabeled NF-kappaB-binding oligonucleotides. The HGF/SF-mediated protection of DU-145 and MDCK cells against ADR (demonstrated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays) was abrogated by the IkappaB-alpha super-repressor. The ability of HGF/SF to activate NF-kappaB signaling was dependent on c-Akt --> Pak1 (p21-associated kinase-1) signaling (with Pak1 downstream of c-Akt) and was inhibited by the tumor suppressor PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog). Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase and Src family kinases significantly inhibited HGF/SF-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, while inhibitors of MEK, protein kinase C, and p70 S6 kinase had a modest effect or no effect on NF-kappaB activity. HGF/SF induced the expression of several known NF-kappaB target genes (cIAP-1 (cellular inhibitor of apoptosis-1), cIAP-2, and TRAF-2 (TNF receptor-associated factor-2)) in an NF-kappaB-dependent manner; HGF/SF blocked the inhibition of expression of these genes by ADR. Experimental manipulation of expression of these genes suggests that they (particularly TRAF-2 and cIAP-2) contribute to the protection against ADR by HGF/SF. These findings suggest that HGF/SF activates NF-kappaB through a c-Akt --> Pak1 signaling pathway that is also dependent on Src, and that NF-kappaB contributes to HGF/SF-mediated protection against ADR.

Reductions in I kappa B epsilon and changes in NF-kappa B activity during B lymphocyte differentiation

The levels and stability of IkappaBepsilon have been examined in unstimulated and stimulated splenic B cells and compared with that of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. Primary murine splenic B cells but not T cells were found to contain high levels of IkappaBepsilon protein, equivalent to levels of the abundant IkappaBalpha. Most agents that activate IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta degradation do not induce rapid degradation of IkappaBepsilon. Interestingly, however, the levels of IkappaBepsilon, but not of IkappaBalpha or IkappaBbeta, are dramatically reduced upon the stimulation of B cells both in vivo and in vitro. Since IkappaBepsilon exhibits substrate specificity for NF-kappaB Rel homodimers, this suggested the possibility that changes in NF-kappaB-responsive genes might also occur during this transition. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that a NF-kappaB reporter construct sensitive to p65/RelA homodimers is activated at the time that IkappaBepsilon levels decline following B cell stimulation. In IgG(+) B cell lines, which contain low levels of IkappaBepsilon, this same reporter construct was inactive, suggesting that the increases in Rel homodimer activity that accompany B cell stimulation are transient. However, there are differences in the level of expression of NF-kappaB-responsive genes in these IgG(+) B cell lines compared with their IgM(+) counterparts. From these data, we conclude that there are transient changes in NF-kappaB activity due to reductions in IkappaBepsilon, which might contribute to long-term, persistent changes that accompany B cell differentiation. We propose an important role for IkappaBepsilon in the differential regulation of nuclear NF-kappaB activity in stimulated B cells.

NF-κB: a therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases

The transcription factor NF-kappaB has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Many agents have shown promise and potential to abrogate NF-kappaB activity in both in vitro and in vivo systems. These include antioxidants, corticosteroids, proteasome inhibitors, arachadonic acid pathway metabolites, salicylates, molecular interventions and cell-permeable peptides. Unfortunately, therapies aimed at blocking its activation have not proven clinically feasible at this time. As the complex signal transduction pathways leading to NF-kappaB activation are further elucidated, more specific inhibitors of NF-kappaB are likely to be identified.

Resistance to Apo2 ligand (Apo2L)/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis and constitutive expression of Apo2L/TRAIL in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-infected T-cell lines

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), a CD4+-T-cell malignancy caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), is difficult to cure, and novel treatments are urgently needed. Apo2 ligand (Apo2L; also tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand [TRAIL]) has been implicated in antitumor therapy. We found that HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines and primary ATL cells were more resistant to Apo2L-induced apoptosis than uninfected cells. Interestingly, HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines and primary ATL cells constitutively expressed Apo2L mRNA. Inducible expression of the viral oncoprotein Tax in a T-cell line up-regulated Apo2L mRNA. Analysis of the Apo2L promoter revealed that this gene is activated by Tax via the activation of NF-kappaB. The sensitivity to Apo2L was not correlated with expression levels of Apo2L receptors, intracellular regulators of apoptosis (FLICE-inhibitory protein and active Akt). NF-kappaB plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and survival of ATL cells. The resistance to Apo2L-induced apoptosis was reversed by N-acetyl-L-leucinyl-L-leucinyl-lLnorleucinal (LLnL), an NF-kappaB inhibitor. LLnL significantly induced the Apo2L receptors DR4 and DR5. Our results suggest that the constitutive activation of NF-kappaB is essential for Apo2L gene induction and protection against Apo2L-induced apoptosis and that suppression of NF-kappaB may be a useful adjunct in clinical use of Apo2L against ATL.