SP600125, an anthrapyrazolone inhibitor of Jun N-terminal kinase

Roles of toll-like receptors in C-C chemokine production by renal tubular epithelial cells

Pyelonephritis, in which renal tubular epithelial cells are directly exposed to bacterial component, is a major predisposing cause of renal insufficiency. Although previous studies have suggested C-C chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis, the exact source and mechanisms of the chemokine secretion remain ambiguous. In this study, we evaluated the involvement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in C-C chemokine production by mouse primary renal tubular epithelial cells (MTECs). MTECs constitutively expressed mRNA for TLR1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, but not for TLR5 or 9. MTECs also expressed MD-2, CD14, myeloid differentiation factor 88, and Toll receptor-IL-1R domain-containing adapter protein/myeloid differentiation factor 88-adapter-like. Synthetic lipid A and lipoprotein induced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and RANTES production in MTECs, which strictly depend on TLR4 and TLR2, respectively. In contrast, MTECs were refractory to CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide in chemokine production, consistently with the absence of TLR9. LPS-mediated MCP-1 and RANTES production in MTECs was abolished by NF-kappaB inhibition, but unaffected by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibition. In LPS-stimulated MTECs, inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase significantly decreased RANTES, but did not affect MCP-1 mRNA induction. Thus, MTECs have a distinct expression pattern of TLR and secrete C-C chemokines in response to direct stimulation with a set of bacterial components.

Activation of GCN2 in UV-irradiated cells inhibits translation

BACKGROUND

Mammalian cells subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation actively repress DNA replication, transcription, and mRNA translation. While the effects of UV irradiation on DNA replication and transcription have been extensively studied, the mechanism(s) responsible for translational repression are poorly understood.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrate that UV irradiation elicits phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) by activating the kinase GCN2 in a manner that does not require SAPK/JNK or p38 MAP kinase. GCN2-/- cells, and cells expressing nonphosphorylatable eIF2alpha as their only source of eIF2alpha protein, fail to repress translation in response to UV irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide a mechanism for translation inhibition by UV irradiation and identify a hitherto unrecognized role for mammalian GCN2 as a mediator of the cellular response to UV stress.

Interaction of matrix with integrin receptors is required for optimal LPS-induced MAP kinase activation

Exposure of macrophages to endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] results in a cascade of events resulting in the release of multiple inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 complex is the major receptor that mediates LPS signaling. However, there is evidence that other surface molecules may play a complementary role in the TLR-induced events. Integrin receptors are one class of receptors that have been linked to LPS signaling. This study investigates the role of macrophage integrin receptors in the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by LPS. In conditions where macrophages were not permitted to adhere to matrix or a tissue culture surface, we found a decrease in LPS signaling as documented by a marked reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of whole cell proteins. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase MAP kinase activation. Inhibition of integrin signaling, with EDTA or RGD peptides, decreased LPS-induced MAP kinase activity. The functional consequence of blocking integrin signaling was demonstrated by decreased LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These observations demonstrate that, in addition to the TLR receptor complex, optimal LPS signaling requires complementary signals from integrin receptors.

Therapeutic modulation of inflammatory gene transcription by kinase inhibitors

Altered gene expression contributes to the aetiology of inflammatory disease by modulation of the concentration of disease-related proteins. The expression of inflammatory genes is controlled through the concerted actions of specific transcription factors. Signal transduction networks positively or negatively regulate the activity of these transcription factors. Key components of these networks are protein kinases, which phosphorylate substrates on tyrosine, threonine or serine residues. During the disease process, pro-inflammatory signalling at the cell surface leads to a cascade of kinase activation, which ultimately culminates in modulation of the activity of transcription factors. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of protein kinases is a potential therapeutic strategy to treat inflammation. There are approximately 500 protein kinases in the human genome. Targeted small molecule inhibitors of these kinases should allow for tissue- and disease-specific therapies of unprecedented selectivity. Heralding this new era in molecular medicine is imatinib (Gleevec, Norvartis) a recently marketed tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This review focuses on kinase inhibitors that are currently in development for inflammatory diseases and the transcription factors that are involved.

Jun kinase modulates tumor necrosis factor-dependent apoptosis in liver cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) triggers distinct pathways in liver cells through TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1) via adapter molecules, including the intracellular cascades leading to apoptosis, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), and Jun kinase (JNK) activation. TNF-dependent activation of NF-kappa B induces the transcription of antiapoptotic genes that renders liver cells resistant against TNF-induced apoptosis. In contrast, the role of JNK during TNF-induced apoptosis is less clear, so we studied its role during this process. Hepatoma cells treated with TNF and cycloheximide undergo apoptosis, which is proceeded by a strong activation of JNK. Adenoviral vectors (adv) were tested to block TNF-dependent JNK activation selectively. An adv expressing dominant-negative (dn) TRAF2 inhibited only JNK and not ERK or NF-kappa B activation. However, the effect of inhibiting JNK activation with a dn TAK1 virus was also specific but was stronger than that via dn TRAF2. In further experiments, the inhibitory effect of dn TAK1 on JNK was used to define its role during TNF-dependent apoptosis. Inhibition of JNK by adv dn TAK1 resulted in an earlier and stronger induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, TAM67, a dn form of c-Jun, did not mediate the JNK-dependent effect on TNF-dependent apoptosis, indicating that other molecular targets are essential to confer this mechanism. However, the modified apoptosis pattern could be inhibited by adv expressing Bcl-2 or dn FADD. In conclusion, we define TAK1 as a kinase specifically involved in TNF-induced JNK activation in hepatoma cells and show that JNK transduces antiapoptotic signals, which modulate the strength and time course of FADD-dependent cell death involving mitochondrial permeability transfer.

T-cell activation through the antigen receptor. Part 2: role of signaling cascades in T-cell differentiation, anergy, immune senescence, and development of immunotherapy

Part 2 of this review on cellular activation by the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) will highlight how TCR signaling pathways are adapted to achieve specific biologic outcomes, including different states of T-cell differentiation and the induction of T-cell tolerance. We will also explore how treatment with altered peptide ligands affects TCR signaling to change T-cell differentiation or to induce an anergy state. These changes are accomplished through alteration of protein tyrosine kinase activity, the stoichiometry of phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs, intracellular free ionized calcium flux, mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, and transcriptional activation of key cytokine promoters. The CTLA-4 plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of anergy. The second theme will highlight how altered TCR signal transduction, including changes in the compartmentalization of signaling components at the TCR synapse, contributes to decreased T-cell activation during immune senescence. Finally, we will illustrate how the molecular details of TCR activation can be used to modify the function of the immune system. This includes a description of the mechanism of action of altered peptide ligands, CTLA-4Ig, and pharmacologic inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor kappaB, and protein kinase C cascades.

The novel triterpenoid 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) potently enhances apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor in human leukemia cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent activator of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway that leads to up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. Hence, TNF induces apoptosis in the presence of inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis. We report that a novel triterpenoid, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9,-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) inhibits NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression at a step after translocation of activated NF-kappaB to the nucleus. This effect appears specific for the NF-kappaB pathway as CDDO does not inhibit gene expression induced by the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). CDDO in combination with TNF caused a dramatic increase in apoptosis in ML-1 leukemia cells that was associated with activation of caspase-8, cleavage of Bid, translocation of Bax, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. Experiments with caspase inhibitors demonstrated that caspase-8 was an initiator of this pathway. TNF also induced a transient activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which upon addition of CDDO was converted to a sustained activation. The activation of JNK was also dependent on caspase-8. Sustained activation of JNK is frequently pro-apoptotic, yet inhibition of JNK did not prevent Bax translocation or cytochrome c release, demonstrating its lack of involvement in CDDO/TNF-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was acutely induced by CDDO/TNF in every leukemia cell line tested including those that overexpress Bcl-x(L), suggesting that the mitochondrial pathway is not required for apoptosis by this combination. These results suggest that the apoptotic potency of the CDDO/TNF combination occurs through selective inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, bypassing potential mitochondrial resistance mechanisms, and thus may provide a basis for the development of novel approaches to the treatment of leukemia.

An inhibitor of c-jun aminoterminal kinase (SP600125) represses c-Jun activation, DNA-binding and PMA-inducible 92-kDa type IV collagenase expression

The 92-kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-9) contributes to tumor invasion and metastases and strategies to down-regulate its expression could ultimately be of clinical utility. Although the expression of this collagenase is regulated by numerous growth factors, the signaling pathways that transduce these signals are fewer in number and therefore represent pharmacological targets. In this regard, we previously reported that MMP-9 expression was regulated by the c-jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. Therefore, we undertook a study to determine the efficacy of a novel compound (SP600125), which binds to the ATP binding site of all known JNKs, in repressing MMP-9 expression. In OVCAR-3 cells, SP600125 inhibited the PMA-dependent secretion of MMP-9 in a time-dependent manner and over a dose range that blocked c-Jun phosphorylation and AP-1 binding. SP600125 repressed the activity of a PMA-stimulated MMP-9 promoter-driven luciferase reporter, suggesting that diminished secretion of this collagenase reflected reduced transcription. Further, the activity of a GAL4-driven reporter in PMA-treated cells, co-transfected with an expression construct encoding the trans-activation domain of c-Jun fused to the DNA binding domain of GAL4, was repressed by SP600125. These findings indicate the efficacy of SP600125 in inhibiting c-Jun activation, DNA-binding and the PMA-dependent induction of MMP-9 expression.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor during human endotoxemia

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) participates in intracellular signaling cascades resulting in inflammatory responses. Therefore, inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway may form the basis of a new strategy for treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, p38 MAPK activation during systemic inflammation in humans has not yet been shown, and its functional significance in vivo remains unclear. Hence, we exposed 24 healthy male subjects to an i.v. dose of LPS (4 ng/kg), preceded 3 h earlier by orally administered 600 or 50 mg BIRB 796 BS (an in vitro p38 MAPK inhibitor) or placebo. Both doses of BIRB 796 BS significantly inhibited LPS-induced p38 MAPK activation in the leukocyte fraction of the volunteers. Cytokine production (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1R antagonist) was strongly inhibited by both low and high dose p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, p38 MAPK inhibition diminished leukocyte responses, including neutrophilia, release of elastase-alpha(1)-antitrypsin complexes, and up-regulation of CD11b with down-regulation of L-selectin. Finally, blocking p38 MAPK decreased C-reactive protein release. These data identify p38 MAPK as a principal mediator of the inflammatory response to LPS in humans. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory potential of an oral p38 MAPK inhibitor in humans in vivo suggests that p38 MAPK inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic option in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)1 and JNK2 have distinct roles in CD8(+) T cell activation

The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is induced by cytokines and stress stimuli and is implicated in cell death and differentiation, but the specific function of this pathway depends on the cell type. Here we examined the role of JNK1 and JNK2 in CD8(+) T cells. Unlike CD4(+) T cells, the absence of JNK2 causes increased interleukin (IL)-2 production and proliferation of CD8(+) T cells. In contrast, JNK1-deficient CD8(+) T cells are unable to undergo antigen-stimulated expansion in vitro, even in the presence of exogenous IL-2. The hypoproliferation of these cells is associated with impaired IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) gene and cell surface expression. The reduced level of nuclear activating protein 1 (AP-1) complexes in activated JNK1-deficient CD8(+) T cells can account for the impaired IL-2 receptor alpha chain gene expression. Thus, JNK1 and JNK2 play different roles during CD8(+) T cell activation and these roles differ from those in CD4(+) T cells.

Identification of the critical features of a small peptide inhibitor of JNK activity

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a subfamily of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Although progress in evaluating the functions of other MAPKs has been facilitated by the characterization of specific inhibitors, no JNK-directed inhibitor is commercially available. We have identified a 21-amino acid peptide inhibitor of activated JNKs, based on amino acids 143-163 of the JNK-binding domain (JBD) of the JNK scaffolding protein, JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1). This peptide, I-JIP (Inhibitor of JNK-based on JIP-1), inhibited JNK activity in vitro toward recombinant c-Jun, Elk, and ATF2 up to 90%. A truncated I-JIP (TI-JIP), the C-terminal 11 amino acids of I-JIP, directly interacted with recombinant JNKs but not its substrates as shown by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Scanning alanine replacement within truncated I-JIP identified 4 residues (Arg-156, Pro-157, Leu-160, or Leu-162) as independently critical for inhibition. JBD peptide sequences from JIP-2 and JIP-3 shared these critical residues and accordingly were effective JNK inhibitors. In contrast, peptides based on the JBDs of ATF2 and c-Jun inhibited JNK activity by <40%, which agreed with their lack of homology to the critical Arg-156 and Pro-157. These studies thus define a small peptide inhibitor sequence of JNKs based on the JIP proteins.