Dispensability of Jak1 tyrosine kinase for interleukin-2-induced cell growth signaling in a human T cell line

Characterisation and expression analysis of the chicken interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a central regulator of T cell survival and homeostasis and its expression is indicative for naïve and memory T cells. We cloned chicken IL-7Ralpha (CHIL-7Ralpha) and determined its expression profile in chicken lymphocyte subpopulations. The predicted protein sequence contained 460 amino acids. The extracellular domain exhibited features typical of a type I cytokine receptor; a fibronectin type III domain and the GXWSXWS motif were conserved. ChIL-7Ralpha mRNA is highly expressed in lymphoid organs and in CD4+, CD8alpha+ and CD8beta+ cells. A monoclonal antibody was generated and expression of the protein investigated. ChIL-7Ralpha was expressed on CD4+ and CD8alpha+, but not CD8beta+, T cells, in contrast to the high mRNA expression levels in all of these cells. Upon polyclonal stimulation with ConA, IL-7Ralpha was rapidly down-regulated on T cells, suggesting that in the chicken expression of this receptor might also be correlated to the T cell activation status.

JAK and MPL mutations in myeloid malignancies

The Janus family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and tyrosine kinase 2) transduces signals downstream of type I and II cytokine receptors via signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). JAK3 is important in lymphoid and JAK2 in myeloid cell proliferation and differentiation. The thrombopoietin receptor MPL is one of several JAK2 cognate receptors and is essential for myelopoiesis in general and megakaryopoiesis in particular. Germline loss-of-function (LOF) JAK3 and MPL mutations cause severe combined immunodeficiency and congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, respectively. Germline gain-of-function (GOF) MPL mutation (MPLS505N) causes familial thrombocytosis. Somatic JAK3 (e.g. JAK3A572V, JAK3V722I, JAK3P132T) and fusion JAK2 (e.g. ETV6-JAK2, PCM1-JAK2, BCR-JAK2) mutations have respectively been described in acute megakaryocytic leukemia and acute leukemia/chronic myeloid malignancies. However, current attention is focused on JAK2 (e.g. JAK2V617F, JAK2 exon 12 mutations) and MPL (e.g. MPLW515L/K/S, MPLS505N) mutations associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). A JAK2 mutation, primarily JAK2V617F, is invariably associated with polycythemia vera (PV). The latter mutation also occurs in the majority of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF). MPL mutational frequency in MPNs is substantially less (<10%). In general, despite a certain degree of genotype - phenotype correlations, the prognostic relevance of harbouring one of these mutations, or their allele burden when present, remains dubious. Regardless, based on the logical assumption that amplified JAK-STAT signalling is central to the pathogenesis of PV, ET and PMF, several anti-JAK2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed and are currently being tested in humans with these disorders.

The Mannich base NC1153 promotes long-term allograft survival and spares the recipient from multiple toxicities

JAK3 is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase with limited tissue expression but is readily found in activated T cells. Patients lacking JAK3 are immune compromised, suggesting that JAK3 represents a therapeutic target for immunosuppression. Herein, we show that a Mannich base, NC1153, blocked IL-2-induced activation of JAK3 and its downstream substrates STAT5a/b more effectively than activation of the closely related prolactin-induced JAK2 or TNF-alpha-driven NF-kappaB. In addition, NC1153 failed to inhibit several other enzymes, including growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, Src family members, and serine/threonine protein kinases. Although NC1153 inhibited proliferation of normal human T cells challenged with IL-2, IL-4, or IL-7, it did not block T cells void of JAK3. In vivo, a 14-day oral therapy with NC1153 significantly extended survival of MHC/non-MHC mismatched rat kidney allografts, whereas a 90-day therapy induced transplantation tolerance (>200 days). Although NC1153 acted synergistically with cyclosporin A (CsA) to prolong allograft survival, it was not nephrotoxic, myelotoxic, or lipotoxic and did not increase CsA-induced nephrotoxicity. In contrast to CsA, NC1153 was not metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4. Thus, NC1153 prolongs allograft survival without several toxic effects associated with current immunosuppressive drugs.

Cell biology of IL-7, a key lymphotrophin

IL-7 is essential for the development and survival of T lymphocytes. This review is primarily from the perspective of the cell biology of the responding T cell. Beginning with IL-7 receptor structure and regulation, the major signaling pathways appear to be via PI3K and Stat5, although the requirement for either has yet to be verified by published knockout experiments. The proliferation pathway induced by IL-7 differs from conventional growth factors and is primarily through posttranslational regulation of p27, a Cdk inhibitor, and Cdc25a, a Cdk-activating phosphatase. The survival function of IL-7 is largely through maintaining a favorable balance of bcl-2 family members including Bcl-2 itself and Mcl-1 on the positive side, and Bax, Bad and Bim on the negative side. There are also some remarkable metabolic effects of IL-7 withdrawal. Studies of IL-7 receptor signaling have yet to turn up unique pathways, despite the unique requirement for IL-7 in T cell biology. There remain significant questions regarding IL-7 production and the major producing cells have yet to be fully characterized.

Adenosine acts through A2 receptors to inhibit IL-2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 in T lymphocytes: role of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and phosphatases

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside with immunosuppressive activity that acts through cell surface receptors (A(1), A(2a), A(2b), A(3)) on responsive cells such as T lymphocytes. IL-2 is a major T cell growth and survival factor that is responsible for inducing Jak1, Jak3, and STAT5 phosphorylation, as well as causing STAT5 to translocate to the nucleus and bind regulatory elements in the genome. In this study, we show that adenosine suppressed IL-2-dependent proliferation of CTLL-2 T cells by inhibiting STAT5a/b tyrosine phosphorylation that is associated with IL-2R signaling without affecting IL-2-induced phosphorylation of Jak1 or Jak3. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on IL-2-induced STAT5a/b tyrosine phosphorylation was reversed by the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors sodium orthovanadate and bpV(phen). Adenosine dramatically increased Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) tyrosine phosphorylation and its association with STAT5 in IL-2-stimulated CTLL-2 T cells, implicating SHP-2 in adenosine-induced STAT5a/b dephosphorylation. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on IL-2-induced STAT5a/b tyrosine phosphorylation was reproduced by A(2) receptor agonists and was blocked by selective A(2a) and A(2b) receptor antagonists, indicating that adenosine was mediating its effect through A(2) receptors. Inhibition of STAT5a/b phosphorylation was reproduced with cell-permeable 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin-induced activation of adenylyl cyclase, and blocked by the cAMP/protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMP. Forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP also induced SHP-2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings suggest that adenosine acts through A(2) receptors and associated cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent signaling pathways to activate SHP-2 and cause STAT5 dephosphorylation that results in reduced IL-2R signaling in T cells.

Chlorogenic acid inhibits Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase and triggers p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemic cells

We report that chlorogenic acid (Chl) induces apoptosis of several Bcr-Abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell lines and primary cells from CML patients in vitro and destroys Bcr-Abl-positive K562 cells in vivo. In contrast, this compound has no effect on the growth and viability of Bcr-Abl-negative lymphocytic and myeloid cell lines and primary CML cells. Sodium chlorogenate (NaChl) exhibits 2-fold higher efficiency in killing K562 cells compared with Chl. NaChl also induces growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2) and salivary gland tumor cells (HSG), although at 50-fold higher concentration. NaChl inhibits autophosphorylation of p210(Bcr-Abl) fusion protein rapidly. We demonstrate that p38 phosphorylation is increased in Bcr-Abl-positive cells after treatment with NaChl and closely paralleled the inhibition of Bcr-Abl phosphorylation. NaChl did not increase phosphorylation of p38 in Bcr-Abl-negative cells including HSC-2 and HSG that are responsive to this compound, indicating that p38 activation by NaChl is dependent on Bcr-Abl kinase inhibition. Inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 significantly reduced NaChl-induced apoptosis of K562 cells, whereas activation of p38 by anisomycin augmented the apoptosis. These findings indicate that inhibition of Bcr-Abl kinase leading to activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase may play an important role in the anti-CML activity of Chl.

Effects of deficiencies of STAMs and Hrs, mammalian class E Vps proteins, on receptor downregulation

The STAM family proteins, STAM1 and STAM2/EAST/Hbp, are phosphotyrosine proteins that contain SH3 domains and ubiquitin-interacting motifs. Their yeast homologue, Hse1, and its binding protein, Vps27, are involved in the vacuolar membrane transport machinery. Here we show that STAM1 and STAM2 are localized to the endosomal membrane. Some of these complexes contain Eps15, an endocytic protein, which accumulates in clumps upon expression of a dominant-negative form of Vps4-A, an AAA-type ATPase, that is required for normal endosome function. These results support the idea that the STAMs are mammalian vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) proteins. We also demonstrate that ligand-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degradation is partially but not completely impaired in both Hrs(-/-) and STAM1(-/-)STAM2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, endosome swelling is seen in both Hrs(-/-) and STAM1(-/-)STAM2(-/-) cells. These results suggest that the STAMs and Hrs play important roles in the mammalian endosomal/vacuolar protein sorting pathway.

Uncoupling of proliferation and Stat5 activation in thymic stromal lymphopoietin-mediated signal transduction

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that facilitates B lymphocyte differentiation and costimulates T cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that a functional TSLP receptor complex is a heterodimer consisting of the TSLP receptor and the IL-7R alpha-chain. TSLP-mediated signaling is unique among members of the cytokine receptor family in that activation of the transcription factor Stat5 occurs without detectable Janus kinase activation. Using a variety of biological systems we demonstrate here that TSLP-mediated Stat5 activation can be uncoupled from proliferation. We also show that the single tyrosine residue in the cytoplasmic domain of the TSLP receptor is critical for TSLP-mediated proliferation, but is dispensable for Stat5 activation. Our data demonstrate that TSLP-mediated Stat5 activation is insufficient for cell proliferation and identifies residues within the TSLP receptor complex required to mediate these downstream events.

Selective inhibitor of Janus tyrosine kinase 3, PNU156804, prolongs allograft survival and acts synergistically with cyclosporine but additively with rapamycin

Janus kinase 3 (Jak3) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine (Tyr) kinase associated with the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor common gamma chain (gamma(c)) that is activated by multiple T-cell growth factors (TCGFs) such as IL-2, -4, and -7. Using human T cells, it was found that a recently discovered variant of the undecylprodigiosin family of antibiotics, PNU156804, previously shown to inhibit IL-2-induced cell proliferation, also blocks IL-2-mediated Jak3 auto-tyrosine phosphorylation, activation of Jak3 substrates signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat) 5a and Stat5b, and extracellular regulated kinase 1 (Erk1) and Erk2 (p44/p42). Although PNU156804 displayed similar efficacy in blocking Jak3-dependent T-cell proliferation by IL-2, -4, -7, or -15, it was more than 2-fold less effective in blocking Jak2-mediated cell growth, its most homologous Jak family member. A 14-day alternate-day oral gavage with 40 to 120 mg/kg PNU156804 extended the survival of heart allografts in a dose-dependent fashion. In vivo, PNU156804 acted synergistically with the signal 1 inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA) and additively with the signal 3 inhibitor rapamycin to block allograft rejection. It is concluded that inhibition of signal 3 alone by targeting Jak3 in combination with a signal 1 inhibitor provides a unique strategy to achieve potent immunosuppression.

Interferon-alpha inhibits Stat5 DNA-binding in IL-2 stimulated primary T-lymphocytes

It has previously been shown that IFN-alpha is a potent inhibitor of IL-2 induced proliferation in primary T-lymphocytes, by selectively abrogating the downstream effects of IL-2 on the core cell cycle machinery regulating the G1/S transition. Theoretically this could be mediated through cross-talk between the signalling cascades activated by these cytokines, as several signalling components are known to be shared. IL-2 activates multiple signalling pathways that are important for T-cell proliferation and differentiation. In the present study, the effects of IFN-alpha on IL-2 signal transduction was investigated. The IFN-alpha induced inhibition of IL-2 induced proliferation in activated T-lymphocytes, was associated with a suppressed Jak3 protein expression as well as an inhibited prolonged Stat5 DNA binding, and a partially reduced expression of the Stat5 inducible gene IL-2R alpha. Our results provide a possible molecular link between the prominent antiproliferative effects of IFN-alpha on IL-2 induced T-cell proliferation and the signal transduction pathways emerging from the IL-2 receptor.

The IL-15R alpha chain signals through association with Syk in human B cells

The alpha-chain of the IL-15R (IL-15Ralpha) serves as the specific, high-affinity receptor for IL-15. It is expressed by lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells, including B cell lymphoma lines. In this study, we have further explored IL-15Ralpha-mediated signaling in activated primary B cells and in Raji cells, a human B-lymphoblastoid cell line which expresses the IL-15Ralpha and IL-2Rgamma chains, but lacks the IL-2Rbeta chain. Stimulation of Raji cells with IL-15 induces their proliferation and rescues them from C2-ceramide-induced apoptosis. By immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, we show that treatment of Raji cells and activated primary B cells with IL-15 induces coprecipitation of Syk kinase with the IL-15Ralpha chain. Upon association, the activated Syk kinase phosphorylates the IL-15Ralpha chain as well as phospholipase Cgamma, which coprecipitates with Syk. Furthermore, transfection of Raji cells with stem-loop Syk antisense oligonucleotides prevents IL-15Ralpha and phospholipase Cgamma phosphorylation as well as the inhibition of apoptosis by IL-15. Mutation of a defined region of the intracellular signaling portion of IL-15Ralpha (Tyr227) abrogates both the IL-15Ralpha/Syk association and IL-15Ralpha phosphorylation. Taken together, this suggests that Syk kinase physically and functionally associates with the IL-15Ralpha chain in B cells and that Syk plays a key role in mediating IL-15-induced signal transduction, thus accounting for the distinct functional consequences of IL-15 vs IL-2 binding to B cells.

The interacting domains of three MutL heterodimers in man: hMLH1 interacts with 36 homologous amino acid residues within hMLH3, hPMS1 and hPMS2

In human cells, hMLH1, hMLH3, hPMS1 and hPMS2 are four recognised and distinctive homologues of MutL, an essential component of the bacterial DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system. The hMLH1 protein forms three different heterodimers with one of the other MutL homologues. As a first step towards functional analysis of these molecules, we determined the interacting domains of each heterodimer and tried to understand their common features. Using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we show that these MutL homologues can form heterodimers by interacting with the same amino acid residues of hMLH1, residues 492-742. In contrast, three hMLH1 partners, hMLH3, hPMS1 and hPMS2 contain the 36 homologous amino acid residues that interact strongly with hMLH1. Contrary to the previous studies, these homologous residues reside at the N-terminal regions of three subdomains conserved in MutL homologues in many species. Interestingly, these residues in hPMS2 and hMLH3 may form coiled-coil structures as predicted by the MULTICOIL program. Furthermore, we show that there is competition for the interacting domain in hMLH1 among the three other MutL homologues. Therefore, the quantitative balance of these three MutL heterodimers may be important in their functions.

Concomitant inhibition of Janus kinase 3 and calcineurin-dependent signaling pathways synergistically prolongs the survival of rat heart allografts

The cytoplasmic localized Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (Jak3) is activated by multiple cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7, through engagement of the IL-2R common gamma-chain. Genetic inactivation of Jak3 is manifested as SCID in humans and mice. These findings have suggested that Jak3 represents a pharmacological target to control certain lymphoid-derived diseases. Using the rat T cell line Nb2-11c, we document that tyrphostin AG-490 blocked in vitro IL-2-induced cell proliferation (IC(50) approximately 20 microM), Jak3 autophosphorylation, and activation of its key substrates, Stat5a and Stat5b, as measured by tyrosine/serine phosphorylation analysis and DNA-binding experiments. To test the notion that inhibition of Jak3 provides immunosuppressive potential, a 7-day course of i.v. therapy with 5-20 mg/kg AG-490 was used to inhibit rejection of heterotopically transplanted Lewis (RT1(l)) heart allografts in ACI (RT1(a)) recipients. In this study, we report that AG-490 significantly prolonged allograft survival, but also acted synergistically when used in combination with the signal 1 inhibitor cyclosporin A, but not the signal 3 inhibitor, rapamycin. Finally, AG-490 treatment reduced graft infiltration of mononuclear cells and Stat5a/b DNA binding of ex vivo IL-2-stimulated graft infiltrating of mononuclear cells, but failed to affect IL2R alpha expression, as judged by RNase protection assays. Thus, inhibition of Jak3 prolongs allograft survival and also potentiates the immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporin A, but not rapamycin.

Stat5 and Sp1 regulate transcription of the cyclin D2 gene in response to IL-2

The IL-2R promotes rapid expansion of activated T cells through signals mediated by the adaptor protein Shc and the transcription factor Stat5. The mechanisms that engage the cell cycle are not well defined. We report on the transcriptional regulation of the cell cycle gene cyclin D2 by the IL-2R. IL-2-responsive induction of a luciferase reporter gene containing 1624 bp of the cyclin D2 promoter/enhancer was studied in the murine CD8(+) T cell line CTLL2. Reporter gene deletional analysis and EMSAs indicate an IL-2-regulated enhancer element flanks nucleotide -1204 and binds a complex of at least three proteins. The enhancer element is bound constitutively by Sp1 and an unknown factor(s) and inducibly by Stat5 in response to IL-2. The Stat5 binding site was essential for IL-2-mediated reporter gene activity, and maximum induction required the adjacent Sp1 binding site. Receptor mutagenesis studies in the pro-B cell line BA/FG (a derivative of the BA/F3 cell line) demonstrated a correlation between Stat5 activity and cyclin D2 mRNA levels when the Stat5 signal was isolated, disrupted, and then rescued. Further, a dominant-negative form of Stat5 lacking the trans-activation domain inhibited induction of cyclin D2 mRNA. We propose that the IL-2R regulates the cyclin D2 gene in part through formation of an enhancer complex containing Stat5 and Sp1.

Activation of the interleukin 2 receptor: a possible role for tyrosine phosphatases

Engagement of interleukin-2 (IL-2) mediates the heterodimeridation of the common beta chain (beta(c)) and common gamma chain (gamma(c)) of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). This is sufficient and necessary for receptor activation and signal transduction. It is generally held that the IL-2R is activated by the trans-activity of the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) Jak1 and Jak3 associated with beta(c) and gamma(c) respectively. Transduction of proliferative signals requires Jak3 activity. A Jak3 independent signalling pathway involving p56(lck), generating anti-apoptotic signals, can be observed and requires the PROX domain of gamma(c). p56(lck) can be activated by dephosphorylation of an inhibitory carboxyl terminal phosphorylated tyrosine residue (Y505). We propose that this is mediated by a PROX domain associated protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP). Activation of p56(lck) alone is insufficient for transduction of proliferative signals and thus works in concert with Jak3 mediated receptor activation. This indicates that both gamma(c) domains are vital for signal transduction.

Interleukin (IL)-7 induces rapid activation of Pyk2, which is bound to Janus kinase 1 and IL-7Ralpha

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor signaling begins with activation of the Janus tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3, which are associated with the receptor complex. To identify potential targets of these kinases, we examined Pyk2 (a member of the focal adhesion kinase family) using an IL-7-dependent murine thymocyte line, D1. We demonstrate that stimulation of D1 (or normal pro-T) cells by IL-7 rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation and enzymatic activity of Pyk2, with kinetics slightly lagging that of Jak1 and Jak3 phosphorylation. Conversely, IL-7 withdrawal resulted in a marked decrease of Pyk2 phosphorylation. Pyk2 was found to be physically associated with Jak1 prior to IL-7 stimulation and to increase its association with IL-7Ralpha chain following IL-7 stimulation. Pyk2 appeared to be involved in cell survival, because antisense Pyk2 accelerated the cell death process. Activation of Pyk2 via the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors using carbachol or via intracellular Ca(2+) rise using ionomycin/phorbol myristate acetate promoted survival in the absence of IL-7. These data support a role for Pyk2 in coupling Jak signaling to the trophic response.

IL-2 unresponsiveness in anergic CD4+ T cells is due to defective signaling through the common gamma-chain of the IL-2 receptor

Repeated administration of the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A to mice transduces a state of anergy in the CD4+ T cell compartment, characterized by inhibition of IL-2 production and clonal expansion in vivo. In contrast to what has been reported on anergic T cell clones in vitro, culture of in vivo anergized CD4+ T cells in the presence of exogenous IL-2 did not overcome the block in responsiveness. In this study, we demonstrate that CD4+ T cells from mice anergized with staphylococcal enterotoxin A also exhibit a reduced proliferative capacity in response to IL-7 and IL-15, cytokines that share a common gamma-chain with the IL-2R. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed only modest changes in the expression of the different IL-2R chains. In a number of experiments, our results also provide evidence that excludes a major role of the IL-2R alpha-chain in this system. According to these results, the inability of anergic cells to respond to IL-2 is not mainly due to a down-regulation of the high affinity IL-2R, but to a perturbation in intracellular signaling. Our study confirmed that the activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus-associated kinase 3 and STAT5 were considerably weaker after anergy induction. Moreover, anergic CD4+ T cells showed significantly reduced DNA-binding ability to STAT5-specific elements. Taken together, we suggest that the observed IL-2 unresponsiveness in anergic CD4+ T cells could be due to a defect in signaling through the common gamma-chain of the IL-2R.

Possible involvement of a novel STAM-associated molecule "AMSH" in intracellular signal transduction mediated by cytokines

STAM containing an SH3 (Src homology 3) domain and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif was previously revealed to be implicated in signaling pathways immediately downstream of Jak2 and Jak3 tyrosine kinases associated with cytokine receptors. We molecularly cloned a novel molecule interacting with the SH3 domain of STAM, which was named AMSH (associated molecule with the SH3 domain of STAM). AMSH contains a putative bipartite nuclear localization signal and a homologous region of a c-Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (JAB1) subdomain in addition to a binding site for the SH3 domain of STAM. AMSH mutant deleted of the C-terminal half conferred dominant negative effects on signaling for DNA synthesis and c-myc induction mediated by interleukin 2 and granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. These results suggest that AMSH plays a critical role in the cytokine-mediated intracellular signal transduction downstream of the Jak2/Jak3.STAM complex.

JAK3, STAT, and MAPK Signaling Pathways as Novel Molecular Targets for the Tyrphostin AG-490 Regulation of IL-2-Mediated T Cell Response

AG-490 is a member of the tyrphostin family of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. While AG-490 has been considered to be a Janus kinase (JAK)2-specific inhibitor, these conclusions were primarily drawn from acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells that lack readily detectable levels of JAK3. In the present study, evidence is provided that clearly demonstrates AG-490 potently suppresses IL-2-induced T cell proliferation, a non-JAK2-dependent signal, in a dose-dependent manner in T cell lines D10 and CTLL-2. AG-490 blocked JAK3 activation and phosphorylation of its downstream counterpart substrates, STATs. Inhibition of JAK3 by AG-490 also compromised the Shc/Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways as measured by phosphorylation of Shc and extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). AG-490 effectively inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activities of several transcription factors including STAT1, -3, -5a, and -5b and activating protein-1 (AP-1) as judged by Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These data suggest that AG-490 is a potent inhibitor of the JAK3/STAT, JAK3/AP-1, and JAK3/MAPK pathways and their cellular consequences. Taken together, these findings support the notion that AG-490 possesses previously unrecognized clinical potential as an immunotherapeutic drug due to its inhibitory effects on T cell-derived signaling pathways.

Role of interleukin (IL)-2 receptor beta-chain subdomains and Shc in p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and p54 MAP kinase (stress-activated protein Kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activation. IL-2-driven proliferation is independent of p38 and p54 MAP kinase activation

We have shown recently that interleukin (IL)-2 activates the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members p38 (HOG1/stress-activated protein kinase II) and p54 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase I). Furthermore, the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 inhibited IL-2-driven T cell proliferation, suggesting that p38 MAP kinase might be involved in mediating proliferative signals. In this study, using transfected BA/F3 cell lines, it is shown that both the acidic domain and the membrane-proximal serine-rich region of the IL-2Rbeta chain are required for p38 and p54 MAP kinase activation and that, as for p42/44 MAP kinase, this activation requires the Tyr338 residue of the acidic domain, the binding site for Shc. It is well established that the acidic domain of the IL-2Rbeta chain is dispensable for IL-2-driven proliferation, and thus our observations suggest that neither p38 nor p54 MAP kinase activation is required for IL-2-driven proliferation of BA/F3 cells. In addition, the tetravalent guanylhydrazone inhibitor of proinflammatory cytokine production, CNI-1493, can block the activation of p54 and p38 MAP kinases by IL-2 but has no effect on IL-2-driven proliferation of BA/F3 cells, activated primary T cells, or a cytotoxic T cell line. Furthermore, our observations provide evidence for the existence of an additional, unknown target of the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580, the activation of which is essential for mitogenic signaling by IL-2.

Interleukin-7: physiological roles and mechanisms of action

Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a product of stromal cells, provides critical signals to lymphoid cells at early stages in their development. Two types of cellular responses to IL-7 have been identified in lymphoid progenitors: (1) a trophic effect and (2) an effect supporting V(D)J recombination. The IL-7 receptor is comprised of two chains, IL-7R alpha and gamma(c). Following receptor crosslinking, rapid activation of several classes of kinases occurs, including members of the Janus and Src families and PI3-kinase. A number of transcription factors are subsequently activated including STATs, c-myc, NFAT and AP-1. However, it remains to be determined which, if any, previously identified pathway leads to the trophic or V(D)J endpoints. The trophic response to IL-7 involves protecting lymphoid progenitors from a death process that resembles apoptosis. This protection is partly mediated by IL-7 induction of Bcl-2, however other IL-7-induced events are probably also involved in the trophic response. The V(D)J response to IL-7 is partly mediated through increased production of Rag proteins (which cleave the target locus) and partly by increasing the accessibility of a target locus to cleavage through chromatin remodeling.

IL-4 Selectively Inhibits IL-2-Triggered Stat5 Activation, But Not Proliferation, in Human T Cells

IL-2 activates several distinct signaling pathways that are important for T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into both Th1 and Th2 phenotypes. IL-4, the major cytokine that promotes differentiation of Th2 cells, has been shown to block signaling of the Th1-promoting cytokine IL-12. As IL-2 synergizes with IL-12 in promoting Th1 differentiation, the effects of IL-4 on IL-2 signal transduction were investigated. IL-4 suppressed activation of DNA binding and tyrosine phosphorylation of the transcription factor Stat5 by IL-2, and suppressed the expression of the IL-2-inducible genes CD25, CIS, the PGE2 receptor, and cytokine responsive (CR) genes CR1 and CR8. Activation of Stat5 by cytokines that share a common γ receptor subunit, IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15, was suppressed by preculture in IL-4. Activation of the Jak1 and Jak3 kinases that are proximal to Stat5 in the IL-2-Jak-STAT signaling pathway was suppressed, and this correlated with inhibition of IL-2Rβ subunit expression. In contrast to suppression of Stat5, proliferative responses to IL-2 were augmented in IL-4-cultured cells, and activation of proliferative pathways leading to activation of mitogen activated protein kinases, induction of expression of Myc, Fos, Pim-1, and cyclin D3, and decreased levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 were intact. These results identify molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between IL-4 and IL-2 in T cells and demonstrate that one mechanism of regulation of IL-2 activity is selective and differential modulation of signaling pathways.

The IL-2 Receptor Promotes Proliferation, bcl-2 and bcl-x Induction, But Not Cell Viability Through the Adapter Molecule Shc

IL-2, the principal mitogenic factor for activated T cells, delivers a proliferative signal through ligation of the heterotrimeric IL-2R. This proliferative signal is critically dependent upon cytoplasmic tyrosines on the β-chain of this receptor (IL-2Rβ) becoming phosphorylated in response to ligand. We found that at least one of these tyrosines (Y338) also mediates cell survival and induction of bcl-2, bcl-x, and c-myc in the murine T cell line CTLL-2. Since the adapter molecule Shc binds to phosphorylated Y338, the specific contribution of Shc to these events was evaluated. An IL-2Rβ/Shc fusion protein, in which Shc was covalently tethered to a truncated version of IL-2Rβ lacking all cytoplasmic tyrosines, revealed a robust proliferative signal mediated through Shc. This Shc-mediated signal induced expression of c-myc as well as the antiapoptotic genes bcl-2 and bcl-x with normal magnitude and kinetics. Nonetheless, signals from this fusion protein failed to sustain the long-term viability of CTLL-2 cells. Thus, induction of bcl family genes and delivery of a competent proliferative signal are not sufficient to promote cell survival and mediate the antiapoptotic effects associated with a complete IL-2 signal.

Functional cooperation of the interleukin-2 receptor beta chain and Jak1 in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase recruitment and phosphorylation

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) plays an important role in signaling via a wide range of receptors such as those for antigen, growth factors, and a number of cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2). PI 3-K has been implicated in both IL-2-induced proliferation and prevention of apoptosis. A number of potential mechanisms for the recruitment of PI 3-K to the IL-2 receptor have been proposed. We now have found that tyrosine residues in the IL-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2Rbeta) are unexpectedly not required for the recruitment of the p85 component of PI 3-K. Instead, we find that Jak1, which associates with membrane-proximal regions of the IL-2Rbeta cytoplasmic domain, is essential for efficient IL-2Rbeta-p85 interaction, although some IL-2Rbeta-p85 association can be seen in the absence of Jak1. We also found that Jak1 interacts with p85 in the absence of IL-2Rbeta and that IL-2Rbeta and Jak1 cooperate for the efficient recruitment and tyrosine phosphorylation of p85. This is the first report of a PI 3-K-Jak1 interaction, and it implicates Jak1 in an essential IL-2 signaling pathway distinct from the activation of STAT proteins.

Biology of the interleukin-2 receptor

Studies of the biology of the IL-2 receptor have played a major part in establishing several of the fundamental principles that govern our current understanding of immunology. Chief among these is the contribution made by lymphokines to regulation of the interactions among vast numbers of lymphocytes, comprising a number of functionally distinct lineages. These soluble mediators likely act locally, within the context of the microanatomic organization of the primary and secondary lymphoid organs, where, in combination with signals generated by direct membrane-membrane interactions, a wide spectrum of cell fate decisions is influenced. The properties of IL-2 as a T-cell growth factor spawned the view that IL-2 worked in vivo to promote clonal T-cell expansion during immune responses. Over time, this singular view has suffered from increasing appreciation that the biologic effects of IL-2R signals are much more complex than simply mediating T-cell growth: depending on the set of conditions, IL-2R signals may also promote cell survival, effector function, and apoptosis. These sometimes contradictory effects underscore the fact that a diversity of intracellular signaling pathways are potentially activated by IL-2R. Furthermore, cell fate decisions are based on the integration of multiple signals received by a lymphocyte from the environment; IL-2R signals can thus be regarded as one input to this integration process. In part because IL-2 was first identified as a T-cell growth factor, the major focus of investigation in IL-R2 signaling has been on the mechanism of mitogenic effects in cultured cell lines. Three critical events have been identified in the generation of the IL-2R signal for cell cycle progression, including heterodimerization of the cytoplasmic domains of the IL-2R beta and gamma(c) chains, activation of the tyrosine kinase Jak3, and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on the IL-2R beta chain. These proximal events led to the creation of an activated receptor complex, to which various cytoplasmic signaling molecules are recruited and become substrates for regulatory enzymes (especially tyrosine kinases) that are associated with the receptor. One intriguing outcome of the IL-2R signaling studies performed in cell lines is the apparent functional redundancy of the A and H regions of IL-2R beta, and their corresponding downstream pathways, with respect to the proliferative response. Why should the receptor complex induce cell proliferation through more than one mechanism or pathway? One possibility is that this redundancy is an unusual property of cultured cell lines and that primary lymphocytes require signals from both the A and the H regions of IL-2R beta for optimal proliferative responses in vivo. An alternative possibility is that the A and H regions of IL-2R beta are only redundant with respect to proliferation and that each region plays a unique and essential role in regulating other aspects of lymphocyte physiology. As examples, the A or H region could prove to be important for regulating the sensitivity of lymphocytes to AICD or for promoting the development of NK cells. These issues may be resolved by reconstituting IL-2R beta-/-mice with A-and H-deleted forms of the receptor chain and analyzing the effect on lymphocyte development and function in vivo. In addition to the redundant nature of the A and H regions, there remains a large number of biochemical activities mediated by the IL-2R for which no clear physiological role has been identified. Therefore, the circumstances are ripe for discovering new connections between molecular signaling events activated by the IL-2R and the regulation of immune physiology. Translating biochemical studies of Il-2R function into an understanding of how these signals regulate the immune system has been facilitated by the identification of natural mutations in IL-2R components in humans with immunodeficiency and by the generation of mice with targeted mutations in these gen

Recent advances in the understanding of interleukin-2 signal transduction

Interleukin-2 is one of the critical cytokines that control the proliferation and differentiation of cells of the immune system. The present article briefly reviews the current and recently established knowledge on the intracellular signaling events that convert the initial interaction of IL-2 with its receptor into pathways leading to the various biological functions. A first step in IL-2 signaling is the activation of several protein tyrosine kinases that phosphorylate a large array of intracellular substrates including the receptor complex. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues within the receptor then serve as docking sites for multimolecular signaling complexes that initiate three major pathways: the Jak-STAT pathway controlling gene transcription, the Ras-MAPK pathway leading to cell proliferation and gene transcription as well, and the PI3-kinase pathway involved in antiapoptotic signaling and organization of the cytoskeleton. Finally, other recently identified and presumably important tyrosine kinase substrates, whose significance is not yet fully understood, are described.

Macrophage-Derived Nitric Oxide Regulates T Cell Activation via Reversible Disruption of the Jak3/STAT5 Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO) has been invoked as an important pathogenic factor in a wide range of immunologically mediated diseases. The present study demonstrates that macrophage-derived NO may conversely function to fine tune T cell-mediated inflammation via reversible dephosphorylation of intracellular signaling molecules, which are involved in the control of T cell proliferation. Thus, T cells activated in the presence of alveolar macrophages are unable to proliferate despite expression of IL-2R and secretion of IL-2. This process is reproduced by the NO generator S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and is inhibitable by the NO synthase inhibitor NG-methyl-l-arginine. Analysis of T cell lysates by immunoprecipitation with specific Abs and subsequent immunoblotting indicated marked reduction of tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak3 and STAT5 mediated by NO. Further studies indicated that NO-mediated T cell suppression was reversible by the guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue and LY-83583 and was reproduced by a cell-permeable analogue of cyclic GMP, implicating guanylate cyclase activation as a key step in the inhibition of T cell activation by NO.

Delineation of the regions of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor beta chain important for association of Jak1 and Jak3. Jak1-independent functional recruitment of Jak3 to Il-2Rbeta

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) induces heterodimerization of the IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2Rbeta) and gammac chains of its receptor and activates the Janus family tyrosine kinases, Jak1 and Jak3. Whereas Jak1 associates with IL-2Rbeta, Jak3 associates primarily with gammac but also with IL-2Rbeta. We analyzed four IL-2Rbeta mutations that diminish IL-2-induced proliferation and found that each also decreased IL-2-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation. For this reason, and because the mutations were in the IL-2Rbeta membrane-proximal region, we investigated and found that each mutation diminished IL-2Rbeta association with both Jak1 and Jak3. This suggested that these Jaks might interact with the same region of IL-2Rbeta; however, certain IL-2Rbeta internal deletions and C-terminal truncations differentially affected the association of Jak1 and Jak3. Interestingly, just as Jak1-IL-2Rbeta association is Jak3-independent and functionally important, we show that Jak3-IL-2Rbeta association is Jak1-independent and implicate this association as being important for IL-2-induced Stat5 activation. Moreover, Jak1 and Jak3 could associate only in the presence of IL-2Rbeta, suggesting that these kinases can simultaneously bind to IL-2Rbeta. Thus, our data not only demonstrate that somewhat more distal as well as membrane-proximal cytoplasmic regions of a type I cytokine receptor are important for Jak kinase association but also suggest that two IL-2Rbeta-Jak kinase interactions are important for IL-2 signaling.

JAK2 and JAK1 Constitutively Associate With an Interleukin-5 (IL-5) Receptor α and βc Subunit, Respectively, and Are Activated Upon IL-5 Stimulation

The human interleukin-5 receptor (hIL-5R) consists of a unique α subunit (hIL-5Rα) and a common β subunit (βc) that activate two Janus kinases (JAK1 and JAK2) and a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT5). The precise stoichiometry of the hIL-5R subunits and the role of JAK kinases used in IL-5 signaling were investigated. We analyzed the interaction between hIL-5Rα and βc by immunoprecipitation using anti–hIL-5Rα and anti-βc monoclonal antibodies. The binding of JAK1 and JAK2 to each hIL-5R subunit was also evaluated in the hIL-5–responsive cell line, TF-h5Rα. It was observed that IL-5 stimulation induced the recruitment of βc to hIL-5Rα, although in the absence of IL-5 the subunits remain independent. In the absence of IL-5, JAK2 and JAK1 were associated with hIL-5Rα and βc, respectively. IL-5 stimulation resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, JAK1, βc, and STAT5. Moreover, IL-5–induced dimerization of IL-5R subunits caused JAK2 activation and βc phosphorylation even in the absence of JAK1 activation. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK1 was dependent on the activation of JAK2. Detailed study of the C-terminal truncated cytoplasmic domain of hIL-5Rα revealed that the cytoplasmic stretch at position 346-387, containing the proline-rich region, is necessary for JAK2 binding. These observations suggest that activation of hIL-5Rα–associated JAK2 is indispensable for the IL-5 signaling event.

JAK2 and JAK1 Constitutively Associate With an Interleukin-5 (IL-5) Receptor α and βc Subunit, Respectively, and Are Activated Upon IL-5 Stimulation

The human interleukin-5 receptor (hIL-5R) consists of a unique α subunit (hIL-5Rα) and a common β subunit (βc) that activate two Janus kinases (JAK1 and JAK2) and a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT5). The precise stoichiometry of the hIL-5R subunits and the role of JAK kinases used in IL-5 signaling were investigated. We analyzed the interaction between hIL-5Rα and βc by immunoprecipitation using anti–hIL-5Rα and anti-βc monoclonal antibodies. The binding of JAK1 and JAK2 to each hIL-5R subunit was also evaluated in the hIL-5–responsive cell line, TF-h5Rα. It was observed that IL-5 stimulation induced the recruitment of βc to hIL-5Rα, although in the absence of IL-5 the subunits remain independent. In the absence of IL-5, JAK2 and JAK1 were associated with hIL-5Rα and βc, respectively. IL-5 stimulation resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, JAK1, βc, and STAT5. Moreover, IL-5–induced dimerization of IL-5R subunits caused JAK2 activation and βc phosphorylation even in the absence of JAK1 activation. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK1 was dependent on the activation of JAK2. Detailed study of the C-terminal truncated cytoplasmic domain of hIL-5Rα revealed that the cytoplasmic stretch at position 346-387, containing the proline-rich region, is necessary for JAK2 binding. These observations suggest that activation of hIL-5Rα–associated JAK2 is indispensable for the IL-5 signaling event.

Hrs is associated with STAM, a signal-transducing adaptor molecule. Its suppressive effect on cytokine-induced cell growth

We previously reported a new type of signal-transducing adaptor molecule, STAM, which was shown to be involved in cytokine-mediated intracellular signal transduction. In this study, we molecularly cloned a 110-kDa phosphotyrosine protein inducible by stimulation with interleukin 2 (IL-2). The 110-kDa molecule was found to be a human counterpart of mouse Hrs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate) and to be associated with STAM. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Hrs is induced rapidly after stimulation with IL-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as well as hepatocyte growth factor. The mutual association sites of Hrs and STAM include highly conserved coiled-coil sequences, suggesting that their association is mediated by the coiled-coil structures. Exogenous introduction of the wild-type Hrs significantly suppressed DNA synthesis upon stimulation with IL-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, while the Hrs mutant deleted of the STAM-binding site lost such suppressive ability. These results suggest that Hrs counteracts the STAM function which is critical for cell growth signaling mediated by the cytokines.

Distinct tyrosine phosphorylation sites in JAK3 kinase domain positively and negatively regulate its enzymatic activity

Cytokines are critically important for the growth and development of a variety of cells. Janus kinases (JAKs) associate with cytokine receptors and are essential for transmitting downstream cytokine signals. However, the regulation of the enzymatic activity of the JAKs is not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK3 in regulating its kinase activity by analyzing mutations of tyrosine residues within the putative activation loop of the kinase domain. Specifically, tyrosine residues 980 and 981 of JAK3 were mutated to phenylalanine individually or doubly. We found that JAK3 is autophosphorylated on multiple sites including Y980 and Y981. Compared with the activity of wild-type (WT) JAK3, mutant Y980F demonstrated markedly decreased kinase activity, and optimal phosphorylation of JAK3 on other sites was dependent on Y980 phosphorylation. The mutant Y980F also exhibited reduced phosphorylation of its substrates, gammac and STAT5A. In contrast, mutant Y981F had greatly increased kinase activity, whereas the double mutant, YY980/981FF, had intermediate activity. These results indicate that Y980 positively regulates JAK3 kinase activity whereas Y981 negatively regulates JAK3 kinase activity. These observations in JAK3 are similar to the findings in the kinase that is closely related to the JAK family, ZAP-70; mutations of tyrosine residues within the putative activation loop of ZAP-70 also have opposing actions. Thus, it will be important to determine whether this feature of regulation is unique to JAK3 or if it is also a feature of other JAKs. Given the importance of JAKs and particularly JAK3, it will be critical to fully dissect the positive and negative regulatory function of these and other tyrosine residues in the control of kinase activity and hence cytokine signaling.

Critical cytoplasmic domains of human interleukin-9 receptor alpha chain in interleukin-9-mediated cell proliferation and signal transduction

Interleukin-9 receptor (IL-9R) complex consists of a ligand-specific alpha chain and IL-2R gamma chain. In this study, two regions in the cytoplasmic domain of human IL-9Ralpha were found to be important for IL-9-mediated cell growth. A membrane-proximal region that contains the BOX1 consensus sequence is required for IL-9-induced cell proliferation and tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinases (JAKs). Deletion of this region or internal deletion of the BOX1 motif abrogated IL-9-induced cell proliferation and signal transduction. However, substitution of the Pro-X-Pro in the BOX1 motif with Ala-X-Ala failed to abolish IL-9-induced cell proliferation but decreased IL-9-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK kinases, insulin receptor substrate-2, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and expression of c-myc and junB. Another important region is downstream of the BOX1 motif and contains a STAT3 binding motif YLPQ. Deletion of this region significantly impaired IL-9-induced cell growth, activation of JAK kinases, insulin receptor substrate-2, and STAT3 and expression of early response genes. A point mutation changing YLPQ into YLPA greatly reduced IL-9-induced activation of STAT3 and expression of c-myc but did not affect cell proliferation. These results suggest that cooperation or cross-talk of signaling molecules associated with different domains of IL-9Ralpha other than STAT3 is essential for IL-9-mediated cell growth.

T cell proliferation in response to interleukins 2 and 7 requires p38MAP kinase activation

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a potent T cell mitogen. However, the signaling pathways by which IL-2 mediates its mitogenic effect are not fully understood. One of the members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, p42/44MAPK (ERK2/1), is known to be activated by IL-2. We have now investigated the response to IL-2 of two other members of the MAP kinase family, p54MAP kinase (stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK)) and p38MAP kinase (p38/Mpk2/CSBP/RK), which respond primarily to stressful and inflammatory stimuli (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1, and lipopolysaccharide). Here we show that IL-2, and another T cell growth factor, IL-7, activate both SAPK/JNK and p38MAP kinase. Furthermore, inhibition of p38MAP kinase activity with a specific pyrinidyl imidazole inhibitor SB203580 that prevents activation of its downstream effector, MAPK-activating protein kinase-2, correlated with suppression of IL-2- and IL-7-driven T cell proliferation. These data indicate that in T cells p38MAP kinase has a role in transducing the mitogenic signal.

Homodimerization of the human interleukin 4 receptor alpha chain induces Cepsilon germline transcripts in B cells in the absence of the interleukin 2 receptor gamma chain

The cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 play a critical role in inducing Cepsilon germline transcripts and IgE isotype switching in human B cells. The IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) in B cells is composed of two chains, the IL-4-binding IL-4Ralpha chain, which is shared with the IL-13R, and the IL-2Rgamma (gammac) chain, which is shared with IL-7R, IL-9R, and IL-15R. IL-4 induces Cepsilon germline transcripts and IgE isotype switching in B cells from patients with gammac chain deficiency. Induction of Cepsilon germline transcripts by IL-4 in B cells that lack the gammac chain may involve signaling via the IL-13R. Alternatively, the IL-4Ralpha chain may transduce intracellular signals that lead to Cepsilon gene transcription independently of its association with other chains. We show that ligand-induced homodimerization of chimeric surface receptors consisting of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the erythropoietin receptor and of the intracellular domain of IL-4Ralpha induces Janus kinase 1 (Jak1) activation, STAT6 activation, and Cepsilon germline transcripts in human B cell line BJAB. Disruption of the Jak1-binding proline-rich Box1 region of IL-4Ralpha abolished signaling by this chimeric receptor. Furthermore, B cells transfected with a chimeric CD8alpha/IL-4Ralpha receptor, which is expressed on the cell surface as a homodimer, constitutively expressed Cepsilon germline transcripts. These results suggest that homodimerization of the IL-4Ralpha chain is sufficient to transduce Jak1-dependent intracellular signals that lead to IgE isotype switching.

STAM, signal transducing adaptor molecule, is associated with Janus kinases and involved in signaling for cell growth and c-myc induction

We previously identified a putative signal transducing adaptor molecule, named STAM, that contains an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). In this report, we demonstrate the functional significance of STAM in cytokine-mediated signal transduction. STAM is associated with Jak3 and Jak2 tyrosine kinases via its ITAM region and phosphorylated by Jak3 and Jak2 upon stimulation with IL-2 and GM-CSF, respectively. An SH3 deletion mutant of STAM confers a dominant-negative effect on DNA synthesis mediated by IL-2 and GM-CSF. Furthermore, the wild-type STAM, but not STAM mutants deleted of SH3 and ITAM, significantly enhances c-myc induction mediated by IL-2 and GM-CSF. These results strongly implicate STAM in the signaling pathways for cell growth and c-myc induction immediately downstream of the Jaks associated with the cytokine receptors.

Requirement for an initial signal from the membrane-proximal region of the interleukin 2 receptor gamma(c) chain for Janus kinase activation leading to T cell proliferation

The interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) generates proliferative signals in T lymphocytes by ligand-induced heterodimerization of two chains, IL-2Rbeta and gamma(c), which associate with the tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3, respectively. Genetic and molecular studies have demonstrated that Jak3 is essential for mitogenic signaling by the gamma(c) chain; because it is also the only molecule known to associate with gamma(c), we speculated that Jak3 might be sufficient for signaling by this chain. Therefore, fusion proteins were constructed in which all or part of the cytoplasmic domain of gamma(c) was replaced by Jak3. Signaling was evaluated in the IL-2-dependent T cell line CTLL-2 using chimeric IL-2Rbeta and gamma(c) chains that bind and are activated by the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Chimeric gamma(c) chains containing only Jak3 in the cytoplasmic domain failed to mediate proliferation of CTLL-2 cells, but addition of a conserved membrane-proximal (PROX) domain of gamma(c) in tandem with Jak3 fully reconstituted gamma(c) function. The requirement for the PROX domain reflected an essential role in the activation of Jak3 in vivo. Despite lacking defined catalytic motifs, PROX induced an early Jak-independent signal, including tyrosine phosphorylation of IL-2Rbeta and the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. The results define the minimal signaling components of gamma(c) and suggest a new mechanism by which the IL-2R initiates signaling in response to ligand.