Interleukin-4-dependent proliferation dissociates p44erk-1, p42erk-2, and p21ras activation from cell growth

Type I IL-4Rs selectively activate IRS-2 to induce target gene expression in macrophages

Although interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 participate in allergic inflammation and share a receptor subunit (IL-4Ralpha), they have different functions. We compared cells expressing type I and II IL-4Rs with cells expressing only type II receptors for their responsiveness to these cytokines. IL-4 induced highly efficient, gammaC-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2), whereas IL-13 was less effective, even when phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) was maximal. Only type I receptor, gammaC-dependent signaling induced efficient association of IRS-2 with the p85 subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase or the adaptor protein growth factor receptor-bound protein 2. In addition, IL-4 signaling through type I IL-4Rs induced more robust expression of a subset of genes associated with alternatively activated macrophages than did IL-13. Thus, IL-4 activates signaling pathways through type I IL-4Rs qualitatively differently from IL-13, which cooperate to induce optimal gene expression.

IgE-induced mast cell survival requires the prolonged generation of reactive oxygen species

We show in this study that the ability of five different monomeric IgEs to enhance murine bone marrow-derived mast cell (BMMC) survival correlates with their ability to stimulate extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) entry. However, whereas IgE+Ag more potently stimulates Ca(2+) entry, it does not enhance survival under our conditions. Exploring this further, we found that whereas all five monomeric IgEs stimulate a less robust Ca(2+) entry than IgE+Ag initially, they all trigger a more prolonged Ca(2+) influx, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ERK phosphorylation. These prolonged signaling events correlate with their survival-enhancing ability and positively feedback on each other to generate the prosurvival cytokine, IL-3. Interestingly, the prolonged ERK phosphorylation induced by IgE appears to be regulated by a MAPK phosphatase rather than MEK. IgE-induced ROS generation, unlike that triggered by IgE+Ag, is not mediated by 5-lipoxygenase. Moreover, ROS inhibitors, which block both IgE-induced ROS production and Ca(2+) influx, convert the prolonged ERK phosphorylation induced by IgE into the abbreviated phosphorylation pattern observed with IgE+Ag and prevent IL-3 generation. In support of the essential role that IgE-induced ROS plays in IgE-enhanced BMMC survival, we found the addition of H(2)O(2) to IgE+Ag-stimulated BMMCs leads to IL-3 secretion.

Combinatorial Signal Transduction Responses Mediated by Interleukin-2 and -4 Receptors in a Helper TH2 Cell Line

The cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 are important regulators of the adaptive immune response, due in part to their effects on clonal expansion and differentiation of T cells. When IL-2 and IL-4 are administered together, both antagonistic and synergistic effects have been reported, but little is known in general concerning the mechanisms underlying such combinatorial effects. We found evidence for both effects in the proliferation responses of the IL-2 and IL-4 responsive T cell line, HT-2; IL-4 delays the onset of cell growth yet ultimately allows a higher cell density to be achieved in static culture. At the level of signal transduction pathways, we found that IL-4 partially inhibits IL-2 receptor-mediated pathways (PI3K/Akt, Ras/Erk, and STAT5a/b) and does not prolong their transient kinetics. This mode of antagonism, but not the effects on cell proliferation, is overcome at higher concentrations of IL-2 that are sufficient to saturate the signaling responses. By comparison, IL-4-stimulated activation of STAT6 is unaffected by IL-2 and shows sustained kinetics, and we speculate that this or another IL-4 receptor-specific pathway is responsible for the effects of IL-4 on IL-2-stimulated proliferation. A possibly related observation is that IL-4 induces a dramatic cell adhesion phenotype.

Cytokine-stimulated phosphorylation of GSK-3 is primarily dependent upon PKCs, not PKB

The regulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) by phosphorylation at inhibitory sites has been well documented. In many, but not all, cases, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, and particularly the downstream kinase protein kinase B (PKB)/akt, have been shown to be responsible for GSK-3 phosphorylation. Given that no studies have ever reported cytokine-mediated phosphorylation of GSK-3, we investigated the phosphorylation of this kinase in several hemopoietic cell types in response to either interleukin (IL)-3, IL-4 or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Each of the cytokines was able to stimulate phosphorylation of the isoforms GSK-3alpha and GSK-3beta. However, only in the case of IL-4 stimulation was there any dependence on PKB for this phosphorylation. We were clearly able to show that PKB was capable of phosphorylating GSK-3 in these cells, but studies using inhibitors of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of kinases have shown that these enzymes are more likely to play a key role in GSK-3 phosphorylation. Cytokine-mediated generation of diacylglycerol was demonstrated, supporting the possible activation of PKC family members. Thus, cytokine-dependent GSK-3 phosphorylation in hemopoietic cells proceeds primarily through PKB independent pathways.

Ligation of CD28 Stimulates the Formation of a Multimeric Signaling Complex Involving Grb-2-Associated Binder 2 (Gab2), Src Homology Phosphatase-2, and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase: Evidence That Negative Regulation of CD28 Signaling Requires the Gab2 Pleckstrin Homology Domain

Grb-2-associated binder (Gab)2 is a scaffolding adaptor protein that has been reported to promote growth factor and cytokine receptor signal transduction, but inhibit TCR-mediated signaling events. In this study, we show that ligation of CD28 by its natural ligand B7-1/CD80, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab2 and its coassociation with Src homology phosphatase (SHP)-2 and class IA PI3K in Jurkat cells. Overexpression of wild-type Gab2 revealed a negative role in regulation of CD3/CD28 induction of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1. To characterize this inhibitory function further, we used Gab2 mutants unable to bind either PI3K or SHP-2 and a PH domain deletion mutant. Although PI3K has previously been implicated as necessary for Gab2-mediated inhibition of TCR signaling, Gab2 mutants defective in their ability to bind PI3K or SHP-2 retained their inhibitory function, whereas deletion of the PH domain ablated the inhibitory effect of Gab2. Together, these data demonstrate that CD28 stimulation of T cells is sufficient to induce an inhibitory multimeric signaling complex involving Gab2, SHP-2, and PI3K. Furthermore, the inhibitory capacity of Gab2 is strictly dependent upon the integrity of its PH domain, suggesting phosphoinositide-mediated membrane recruitment is important to Gab2 function in T cells.

New programming of IL-4 receptor signal transduction in activated T cells: Stat6 induction and Th2 differentiation mediated by IL-4Ralpha lacking cytoplasmic tyrosines

Signaling by the IL-4 receptor alpha-chain (IL-4Ralpha) is a key determinant of the development of the Th2 lineage of effector T cells. Studies performed in tissue culture cell lines have indicated that tyrosines of the IL-4Ralpha cytoplasmic tail are necessary for the induction of Stat6, a transcription factor required for Th2 differentiation. Surprisingly, we have found that in activated T cells, IL-4Ralpha chains lacking all cytoplasmic tyrosines promote induction of this IL-4-specific transcription factor and efficient commitment to the Th2 lineage. Mutagenesis of a tyrosine-free cytoplasmic tail identifies a requirement for the serine-rich ID-1 region in this new program of IL-4R signal transduction observed in activated T cells. Additional findings suggest that an extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway can be necessary and sufficient for the ability of such tyrosine-free IL-4Ralpha chains to mediate Stat6 induction. These results provide novel evidence that the molecular mechanisms by which a cytokine specifically induces a Stat transcription factor can depend on the activation state of T lymphoid cells. Furthermore, the data suggest that one pathway by which such new programming may be achieved is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases.

The coupling of TEL/PDGFbetaR to distinct functional responses is modulated by the presence of cytokine: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases

The TEL/PDGFbetaR oncogenic fusion protein is the product of the t(5;12)(q33; p13) translocation recurrently found in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). To investigate the coupling of molecular signaling events activated by TEL/PDGFbetaR to functional responses, we expressed TEL/PDGFbetaR in interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent BaF/3 cells using the tetracycline-regulated expression system. Induction of TEL/PDGFbetaR expression led to increased cell survival following IL-3 withdrawal and constitutive activation of protein kinase B (PKB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinases 1/2 (JNK1/2), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, inducible expression of TEL/PDGFbetaR failed to generate factor-independent cells, whereas constitutive expression of TEL/PDGFbetaR did, albeit at low frequency, suggesting the duration of TEL/PDGFbetaR expression is important for transformation. Surprisingly, in cells induced to express TEL/PDGFbetaR, IL-3-dependent growth was dramatically reduced as a result of increased apoptosis of cells receiving combined IL-3 and TEL/PDGFbetaR signals. We demonstrate that TEL/PDGFbetaR expression augmented IL-3-induced activation of PKB, STAT5, ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2. Inhibition of neither phosphoinositide-3 kinases nor p38 MAPKs reduced the inhibition of IL-3-driven proliferation observed when TEL/PDGFbetaR was expressed. However, inhibition of MEKs or JNKs partially reversed the combined inhibitory effects of TEL/PDGFbetaR and IL-3 on proliferation and survival. These results suggest that the combination of TEL/PDGFbetaR and IL-3-induced signals activate apoptosis through ERK and JNK MAPK-dependent pathways. Given that in vivo hematopoietic cells are in contact with a variety of cytokines, our results have important implications for cellular responses in the pathogenesis of CMML.

MAP kinase activation by interleukin-9 in lymphoid and mast cell lines

Interleukin-9 (IL-9) stimulates the proliferation of mast cells and lymphocytes. In the present study, we showed that IL-9 induced a transient phosphorylation of MEK, ERK2 and p90/RSK in murine lymphoid and mast cell lines. ERK2 in vitro kinase activity was also increased upon IL-9 stimulation. Similar results were obtained with IL-4, which had not been previously reported to activate these kinases in hematopoietic cells. Analysis of IL-9 receptor mutants showed that activation of the pathway was correlated with proliferation and with phosphorylation of the adaptor protein SHC, but not IRS2 or GAB2. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 reduced the mitogenic response to IL-4 and IL-9. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative RAS variant blocked ERK phosphorylation and significantly decreased Ba/F3 cell growth in the presence of IL-9, but did not affect expression of pim-1, a STAT target gene. In summary, these results indicate that IL-9 can transiently activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which contributes to growth stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines.

IL-4 regulation of p38 MAPK signalling is dependent on cell type

p38 MAPK was originally characterized as a stress-induced kinase, along with JNK. Subsequently, p38 MAPK was found to be activated by stimuli other than cellular stress, such as growth factors and mitogens, like interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7 and IL-3. A notable exception was IL-4, as studies in mast cells showed no activation of p38 MAPK by this cytokine. In this study we show that the regulation of p38 MAPK is cell type dependent. Like other cytokines that signal through the gamma (gamma)(c), IL-4 can activate p38 MAPK in the CT6 T-cell line and BA/F3 pro-B-cells. However, IL-4 was unable to activate p38 MAPK in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 and, indeed, prolonged exposure of cells to IL-4 results in suppression of LPS-induced MAPK activation. This result correlates with the well defined inhibitory effect of IL-4 on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) production. In contrast, studies in primary human monocytes showed that prolonged exposure to IL-4 resulted in enhanced activation of LPS-stimulated p38 MAPK; this correlated with an enhanced TNFalpha production. These data highlight the complexity of IL-4 signalling mechanisms, the diversity that can exist in the regulation of a given signalling pathway by a given cytokine and, furthermore, indicate the problems that can arise from extrapolation between different cell systems.

Molecular interactions of SHP1 and SHP2 in IL-3-signalling

SHP1 and SHP2 tyrosine phosphatases have both been implicated in signalling pathways downstream of the interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor. We have investigated the co-association of SHP1 and SHP2 with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in IL-3-dependent BaF/3 cells. We demonstrate that both SHP1 and SHP2 associate with Aic2A (beta chain of the IL-3 receptor), Gab2 and the paired inhibitory receptor B (PIR-B). The individual SH2 domains of SHP2 can independently bind Gab2, potentially important for the adapter function of SHP2. Association of both phosphatases with Aic2A and Gab2 increases upon IL-3 treatment. Recruitment of SHP1 to PIR-B also increases in response to IL-3, suggesting a functional link between inhibitory and cytokine receptor signalling. Aic2A is a rapid target for dephosphorylation following IL-3 stimulation and substrate-trapping versions of both phosphatases identify Aic2A and Gab2 as substrates for SHP1 and SHP2. These studies suggest that SH2-domain interactions are important for targetting these phosphatases to their substrates.

IL-4 and IL-13 induce myofibroblastic phenotype of human lung fibroblasts through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-dependent pathway

BACKGROUND

Myofibroblasts play a role in the airway remodeling response of bronchial asthma. IL-4 and IL-13 are possibly involved in the airway remodeling response by inducing extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts. However, the roles of these cytokines in inducing the phenotypic modulation of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) to myofibroblasts and the intracellular signal have not been determined.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effect of IL-4 and IL-13 on inducing the phenotypic modulation of HLFs to myofibroblasts characterized by alpha-smooth muscle actin and examined the role of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily in inducing the myofibroblastic phenotype of the HLF to clarify these issues.

METHODS

Phosphorylation and activities of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAP kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) were examined by using Western blotting and in vitro kinase assay. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in IL-4- and IL-13-stimulated HLFs was analyzed by means of Western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that (1) IL-4 and IL-13 increased alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner; (2) IL-4 and IL-13 induced increases in JNK and Erk phosphorylation and activity but not p38 MAP kinase activity; (3) CEP-1347 and PD 98059 attenuated IL-4- and IL13-induced JNK and Erk activity, respectively; and (4) CEP-1347, but not PD 98059, attenuated IL-4- and IL-13-induced alpha-smooth muscle actin expression.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that IL-4 and IL-13 are capable of inducing the phenotypic modulation of HLFs to myofibroblasts, and JNK, but not p38 MAP kinase and Erk, regulates IL-4- and IL-13-induced phenotypic modulation of HLFs to myofibroblasts.

IL-4-dependent induction of BCL-2 and BCL-X(L)IN activated T lymphocytes through a STAT6- and pi 3-kinase-independent pathway

Both B and T lymphocytes require ongoing signals to maintain their viability. The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL-) 4 plays an important role in the maintenance of activated T cells, perhaps reflecting induction of the anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L). However, it is not known which of the signalling pathways known to link the IL-4 receptor with transcription regulation are required, or if the levels of Bcl-2/X induction under such physiologic conditions are sufficient to account for the anti-apoptotic effects of IL-4. We report here that although blockade of pathways (PI 3-kinase and pp70 S6 kinase) recruited by the IRS-1/2 adaptor proteins inhibited the anti-apoptotic function of IL-4, Bcl-2/X induction were normal. These findings were recapitulated in primary and culture-adapted T cells whose Stat6 signalling pathway also was defective. These results demonstrate that both the Stat6 and PI 3-kinase pathways can be dispensable for Bcl-2/X induction by IL-4, thus suggesting the involvement of an additional signal transduction pathway. Moreover, the preservation of Bcl-2/X induction despite inhibition of the anti-apoptotic function of IL-4 indicates that this cytokine activates additional protective mechanisms.

Possible involvement of Shc in IL-4-induced germline epsilon transcription in a human B cell line

The IL-4Ralpha contains the I4R motif which binds to the phosphotyrosine binding domain of several adaptor proteins, including IRS-1/2 and Shc. Although the involvement of IRS-1/2 in IL-4-induced PI3-kinase activation is known, there is little information on the role of Shc in IL-4 signaling. In this study, we found the preferential utilization of Shc by the IL-4Ralpha in a human Burkitt's B lymphoma cell line, DND39. IL-4 induced the association of tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc with the IL-4Ralpha, whereas no detectable tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 or IRS-2 was induced. IL-4-induced germline epsilon promoter activation was enhanced by overexpression of Shc and was inhibited by truncated Shc lacking the collagen-homologous domain. We further found the association of Shc with PLCgamma1. Although direct tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCgamma1 was not detectable, the amount of PLCgamma1 coprecipitable with anti-phosphotyrosine was increased after IL-4 stimulation. These results suggest that Shc can function as an adaptor protein of the IL-4Ralpha and mediate the germline epsilon transcription.

Involvement of Shc and Cbl-PI 3-kinase in Lyn-dependent proliferative signaling pathways for G-CSF

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the major hematopoietic factor which controls the production and differentiation of granulocytes. The G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) belongs to the superfamily of the cytokine receptors, which transduce signals via the activation of cytosolic protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). To determine the role of specific PTK in G-CSF signaling we expressed the human G-CSFR in cell lines derived from DT40 B cells, which lack either the Src-related Lyn or Syk. Wild-type (wt) and syk-deficient cells underwent increased DNA synthesis in response to G-CSF; lyn-deficient cells did not. The purpose of these studies is to identify Lyn's downstream effectors in mediating DNA synthesis. While G-CSF stimulated Ras activity in all cell lines, G-CSF failed to induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc in lyn-deficient cells. G-CSF induced a statistically significant activation of Erk1/Erk2 Kinase or p90Rsk only in the wt cells. G-CSF induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and increased activity of PI 3-kinase in wild-type and syk-deficient, but non in lyn-deficient, cells. Inhibition of Shc by over-expression of its SH2 or PTB domains or PI 3-kinase by either treatment with wortmannin or expression of the CblY731F mutant decreased G-CSF-induced DNA synthesis. Thus, the Lyn, Cbl-PI 3-kinase, and Shc/non-Ras-dependent pathways correlate with the ability of cells to respond to G-CSF with increased DNA synthesis.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by Schistosoma mansoni antigens: association between protein tyrosine kinases, mitogen-activated protein kinases and cytokine production

Concerning schistosomiasis, little is known about the intracellular signaling response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to Schistosoma mansoni antigens. To understand the critical role of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) in PBMC activation by S. mansoni antigens, we investigated how inhibition of PTKs by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, affects proliferation, cytokine production and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Our studies showed that PTKs have an important role in proliferation of PBMC from chronic schistosomiasis patients as cells stimulated with S. mansoni soluble antigens in the presence of genistein had an impaired proliferation. In contrast, PTK inhibition failed to cause any effect on MAPKs activity. We also evaluated the cytokine production for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and IL-10 in culture supernatants of PBMC treated with or without PTKs inhibitor. Our results show that PBMC from chronic patients produced a high amount of IL-10 when stimulated with soluble egg antigen preparation (SEA), however, the amount produced of IL-2 and IFN-gamma was not significant. In the presence of PTKs inhibitor only the production of IL-10 was decreased. The findings suggest that PTKs are involved on signal transduction pathway for PBMC activation, but may not be an absolute requirement for all signaling responses to S. mansoni antigens.

Cytokine-Induced Protein Kinase B Activation and Bad Phosphorylation Do Not Correlate with Cell Survival of Hemopoietic Cells

Activation of phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3Ks), their downstream target protein kinase B (PKB), and phosphorylation of Bad have all been implicated in survival signaling in many systems. However, it is not known whether these events are sufficient or necessary to universally prevent apoptosis. To address this issue, we have used three different factor-dependent hemopoietic cell lines, MC/9, BaF/3, and factor-dependent (FD)-6, which respond to a range of cytokines, to investigate the relationship between PI3K, PKB, and Bad activity with survival. The cytokines IL-3, IL-4, stem cell factor (SCF), GM-CSF, and insulin all induced the rapid and transient activation of PKB in responsive cell lines. In all cases, cytokine-induced PKB activation was sensitive to inhibition by the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002. However, dual phosphorylation of the proapoptotic protein Bad was found not to correlate with PKB activation. In addition, we observed cell-type-specific differences in the ability of the same cytokine to induce Bad phosphorylation. Whereas IL-4 induced low levels of dual phosphorylation of Bad in FD-6, it was unable to in MC/9 or BaF/3. Insulin, which was the most potent inducer of PKB in FD-6, induced barely detectable Bad phosphorylation. In addition, the ability of a particular cytokine to induce PKB activity did not correlate with its ability to promote cell survival and/or proliferation. These data demonstrate that, in hemopoietic cells, activation of PKB does not automatically confer a survival signal or result in phosphorylation of Bad, implying that other survival pathways must be involved.

The IL-4 receptor: signaling mechanisms and biologic functions

Interleukin-4 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a critical role in the regulation of immune responses. Its effects depend upon binding to and signaling through a receptor complex consisting of the IL-4R alpha chain and the common gamma chain (gamma c), resulting in a series of phosphorylation events mediated by receptor-associated kinases. In turn, these cause the recruitment of mediators of cell growth, of resistance to apoptosis, and of gene activation and differentiation. Here we describe our current understanding of the organization of the IL-4 receptor, of the signaling pathways that are induced as a result of receptor occupancy, and of the various mechanisms through which receptor function is modulated. We particularly emphasize the modular nature of the receptor and the specialization of different receptor regions for distinct functions, most notably the independent regulation of cell growth and gene activation.

Interleukin-4 Synergizes With Raf-1 to Promote Long-Term Proliferation and Activation of c-jun N-terminal Kinase

This report shows that interleukin-4 (IL-4), which plays a key role in regulating immune responses, fails to support cellular growth. We investigated whether this failure of IL-4 to promote growth was because of its unique inability to activate the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway. Consistent with other reports, expression in Ba/F3, a factor-dependent hematopoietic cell line, of either activated Q61KN-Ras or a hormone-inducible activated Raf-1, resulted in suppression of apoptosis but not in long-term growth. However, in the presence of IL-4, Ba/F3 cells that expressed either Q61KN-Ras or activated Raf-1 grew continuously at a rate comparable with that stimulated by IL-3. Investigation of the biochemical events associated with the stimulation of long-term growth showed that, as expected, the presence of activated Raf-1 resulted in an increased activity of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not of c-jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK). However, surprisingly, if IL-4 was present, cells expressing active Raf-1 exhibited increases in JNK activity. These observations point to a novel mechanism for JNK activation involving synergy between Raf-1 and pathways activated by IL-4 and suggest that in hematopoietic cells proliferation is correlated not only with “mitogen activated” ERK activity, but also with JNK activity.

Interleukin-4 Synergizes With Raf-1 to Promote Long-Term Proliferation and Activation of c-jun N-terminal Kinase

This report shows that interleukin-4 (IL-4), which plays a key role in regulating immune responses, fails to support cellular growth. We investigated whether this failure of IL-4 to promote growth was because of its unique inability to activate the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway. Consistent with other reports, expression in Ba/F3, a factor-dependent hematopoietic cell line, of either activated Q61KN-Ras or a hormone-inducible activated Raf-1, resulted in suppression of apoptosis but not in long-term growth. However, in the presence of IL-4, Ba/F3 cells that expressed either Q61KN-Ras or activated Raf-1 grew continuously at a rate comparable with that stimulated by IL-3. Investigation of the biochemical events associated with the stimulation of long-term growth showed that, as expected, the presence of activated Raf-1 resulted in an increased activity of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not of c-jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK). However, surprisingly, if IL-4 was present, cells expressing active Raf-1 exhibited increases in JNK activity. These observations point to a novel mechanism for JNK activation involving synergy between Raf-1 and pathways activated by IL-4 and suggest that in hematopoietic cells proliferation is correlated not only with “mitogen activated” ERK activity, but also with JNK activity.

IL-3 and IL-4 Activate Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases 3 (PDE3) and 4 (PDE4) by Different Mechanisms in FDCP2 Myeloid Cells

In FDCP2 myeloid cells, IL-4 activated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases PDE3 and PDE4, whereas IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and phorbol ester (PMA) selectively activated PDE4. IL-4 (not IL-3 or GM-CSF) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin-receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) and its association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). TNF-α, AG-490 (Janus kinase inhibitor), and wortmannin (PI3-K inhibitor) inhibited activation of PDE3 and PDE4 by IL-4. TNF-α also blocked IL-4-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2, but not of STAT6. AG-490 and wortmannin, not TNF-α, inhibited activation of PDE4 by IL-3. These results suggested that IL-4-induced activation of PDE3 and PDE4 was downstream of IRS-2/PI3-K, not STAT6, and that inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS molecules might be one mechnism whereby TNF-α could selectively regulate activities of cytokines that utilized IRS proteins as signal transducers. RO31-7549 (protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor) inhibited activation of PDE4 by PMA. IL-4, IL-3, and GM-CSF activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and protein kinase B via PI3-K signals; PMA activated only MAP kinase via PKC signals. The MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1) inhibitor PD98059 inhibited IL-4-, IL-3-, and PMA-induced activation of MAP kinase and PDE4, but not IL-4-induced activation of PDE3. In FDCP2 cells transfected with constitutively activated MEK, MAP kinase and PDE4, not PDE3, were activated. Thus, in FDCP2 cells, PDE4 can be activated by overlapping MAP kinase-dependent pathways involving PI3-K (IL-4, IL-3, GM-CSF) or PKC (PMA), but selective activation of PDE3 by IL-4 is MAP kinase independent (but perhaps IRS-2/PI3-K dependent).

T cell antigen receptor-mediated activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway controls interleukin 4 receptor function and type-2 helper T cell differentiation

The central role of type-2 helper T (Th2) cells in the development of allergic responses and immune responses against helminthic parasites is well documented. The differentiation of Th2 cells from naive T cells requires both the recognition of antigen by T cell antigen receptors (TCR) and the activation of downstream signal-transduction molecules of the interleukin 4 receptor (IL-4R) pathway, including Jak1, Jak3, and STAT6. Little is known, however, about how these two distinct pathways cooperate with each other to induce Th2 cells. Here, we use a T cell-specific H-Ras-dominant-negative transgenic mouse to show that TCR-mediated activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway alters IL-4R function and is required for Th2 cell differentiation. The enhancement of IL-4R signaling seems to be a consequence of both direct "crosstalk" with the TCR signaling pathway and increased protein expression of downstream signaling molecules of the IL-4R pathway. Therefore, successful Th2 differentiation depends on the effectiveness of the TCR-mediated activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in modifying the IL-4R-mediated signaling pathway.

Analysis of Signal Transduction Pathways Regulating Cytokine-Mediated Fc Receptor Activation on Human Eosinophils

Igs can be potent stimulants of eosinophil activation since interaction with IgA or IgG-coated particles can lead to eosinophil degranulation. We have investigated the comparative roles of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPKs; ERK1/2 and p38) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in the priming and regulation of Fc receptor functioning on human eosinophils utilizing a MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059), a p38 inhibitor SB203580, and the widely used PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. We demonstrate that priming of human eosinophils with Th2-derived cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, differentially activate phosphotyrosine-associated PI3K and ERK and p38 MAP kinases. This activation can be inhibited by pre-incubation with wortmannin or LY294002, PD98059, and SB203580, respectively. Analysis of the effects of the inhibitors on rosette formation between human eosinophils and IgA- or IgG-coated beads revealed that activation of MEK was not required for IgA binding after priming with IL-4 or IL-5. However, inhibition of MEK did inhibit IL-5-primed binding of IgG-beads. The rosette formation of primed eosinophils with IgA-beads could be completely inhibited by wortmannin and LY294002 treatment, demonstrating a critical role for PI3K. Interestingly, inhibition of the p38 pathway also resulted in a complete blockade of IgA rosette formation. This work demonstrates regulatory control by inside-out signaling of Fc receptors by various cytokines on human eosinophils. Thus in vivo the local production of Th2-derived cytokines will regulate the effector functions of Fc receptors.

In vivo function of an interleukin 2 receptor beta chain (IL-2Rbeta)/IL-4Ralpha cytokine receptor chimera potentiates allergic airway disease

Strength of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, coreceptors, costimulation, antigen-presenting cell type, and cytokines all play crucial roles in determining the efficiency with which type 2 T lymphocytes (Th2, Tc2) develop from uncommitted precursors. To investigate in vivo regulatory mechanisms that control the population of type 2 T cells and disease susceptibility, we have created lines of transgenic mice in which expression of a chimeric cytokine receptor (the mouse interleukin 2 receptor beta chain [IL-2Rbeta] extracellular domain fused to the cytoplasmic tail of IL-4Ralpha) is targeted to the T lymphoid lineage using the proximal lck promoter. This chimera transduced IL-4-specific signals in response to IL-2 binding and dramatically enhanced type 2 responses (IL-4, IL-5, and immunoglobulin E production) upon in vitro TCR stimulation or in vivo antigen challenge. Thus, type 2 effector function was augmented by IL-4 signals transduced through a chimeric receptor expressed in a T cell-specific manner. This influence was sufficient for establishment of antigen-induced allergic airway hyperresponsiveness on a disease-resistant background (C57BL/6).

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

Inhibition of T Cell Activation by Pharmacologic Disruption of the MEK1/ERK MAP Kinase or Calcineurin Signaling Pathways Results in Differential Modulation of Cytokine Production

Productive T cell activation leading to cytokine secretion requires the cooperation of multiple signaling pathways coupled to the TCR and to costimulatory molecules such as CD28. Here, we utilized two pharmacophores, PD98059 and FK506, that inhibit, respectively, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase 1 (MEK 1) and calcineurin, to determine the relative role of the signaling pathways controlled by these enzymes in T cell activation. Although the two compounds had distinctive effects on CD69 induction, they both suppressed T cell proliferation induced by anti-CD3 mAb, in a manner reversible by exogenous IL-2, suggesting that PD98059, like FK506, affects the production of, rather than the responsiveness to growth-promoting cytokines. Accordingly, IL-2 production by T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb in conjunction with PMA or with anti-CD28 mAb was inhibited by both compounds. However, these compounds differentially affected the production of other cytokines, depending on the mode of activation. PD98059 inhibited TNF-α, IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, IFN-γ, and to a lesser extent IL-6 and IL-10 production but enhanced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production induced by CD3/PMA or CD3/CD28. FK506 suppressed CD3/PMA-induced production of all cytokines examined here but to a lesser extent IL-13. FK506 also reduced CD3/CD28-induced production of IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-6 but augmented that of GM-CSF, IL-5, IFN-γ, and IL-13. Therefore, the biochemical targets of PD98059 and FK506 contribute differently to the production of various cytokines by T cells, which may have implications for the therapeutic manipulation of this production.

c-Cbl Is Tyrosine-Phosphorylated by Interleukin-4 and Enhances Mitogenic and Survival Signals of Interleukin-4 Receptor by Linking With the Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase Pathway

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a cytokine that induces both proliferation and differentiation and suppresses apoptosis of B cells. Although IL-4 has been shown to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3′ (PI3)-kinase pathway, the role of PI3 kinase in the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) signaling remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that c-Cbl proto-oncogene product is inducibly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and is associated with the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase by IL-4 stimulation. Overexpression of c-Cbl enhances the PI3-kinase activity and, at the same time, mitogenic activity and survival of cells in the presence of IL-4. However, these effects of c-Cbl were abolished by wortmannin, a specific inhibitor for the PI3 kinase pathway, or by a point mutation at tyrosine 731 of c-Cbl, which is a major binding site for p85. These results indicate that c-Cbl plays a role in linking IL-4R with the PI3 kinase pathway and thus enhancing the mitogenic and survival signals.

c-Cbl Is Tyrosine-Phosphorylated by Interleukin-4 and Enhances Mitogenic and Survival Signals of Interleukin-4 Receptor by Linking With the Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase Pathway

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a cytokine that induces both proliferation and differentiation and suppresses apoptosis of B cells. Although IL-4 has been shown to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3′ (PI3)-kinase pathway, the role of PI3 kinase in the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) signaling remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that c-Cbl proto-oncogene product is inducibly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and is associated with the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase by IL-4 stimulation. Overexpression of c-Cbl enhances the PI3-kinase activity and, at the same time, mitogenic activity and survival of cells in the presence of IL-4. However, these effects of c-Cbl were abolished by wortmannin, a specific inhibitor for the PI3 kinase pathway, or by a point mutation at tyrosine 731 of c-Cbl, which is a major binding site for p85. These results indicate that c-Cbl plays a role in linking IL-4R with the PI3 kinase pathway and thus enhancing the mitogenic and survival signals.

Interleukin-3 induces association of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with a 100-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in hemopoietic cells

We have observed previously the co-immunoprecipitation of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and SHP2 in murine lymphohemopoietic cells after stimulation with interleukin-3. We have investigated this interaction in more detail and now report the identification of a potentially novel 100-kDa protein (termed p100), which is inducibly phosphorylated on tyrosine after interleukin-3 treatment and which co-immunoprecipitates with both p85 PI3K and SHP2. The Src homology region 2 domains of both p85 and SHP2 appear to mediate their interactions with p100. Sequential precipitation analyses suggest that these interactions are direct and do not involve Grb2, and that the same p100 protein, or a portion of it, interacts with both p85 and SHP2, implying that p100 may serve to link these two proteins. Far Western blotting with both full-length p85 and isolated p85 Src homology region 2 domains supports this view. Interestingly, p100 also appears to be a substrate for the SHP2 phosphatase activity. In addition, p100 is precipitated by Grb2-glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, an interaction largely mediated by the Grb2 SH3 domains. p100 appears to be distinct from JAK2, Vav, STAT5, and c-Cbl. Although largely cytosolic, p100 can be detected associated with SHP2 and PI3K in crude membrane fractions after interleukin-3 stimulation. We propose that p100 plays a role as an adaptor molecule, linking PI3K and SHP2 in IL-3 signaling.

HMG-I(Y) phosphorylation status as a nuclear target regulated through insulin receptor substrate-1 and the I4R motif of the interleukin-4 receptor

Interleukin (IL)-4 is a cytokine that regulates both the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Its ligand binding specificity and important signal transduction mechanisms are conferred by the IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Ralpha). The I4R is a tyrosine-containing motif within IL-4Ralpha that is critical for proliferative responses to IL-4. Although the I4R also contributes to gene regulation, nuclear targets directly regulated by this motif have not been described. It is shown here that the tyrosine at position 497 in the I4R is critical for regulation of the phosphorylation status of a set of nuclear proteins that includes HMG-I(Y), small non-histone chromosomal proteins involved in the control of gene expression in hematopoietic cell lines. Moreover, IL-4 is unable to induce HMG-I(Y) phosphorylation in insulin receptor substrate-1-deficient cells, and the inhibitor wortmannin completely blocks IL-4 regulation of HMG-I(Y) phosphorylation status but not activation of an IL-4 Stat protein. Taken together, these data indicate that HMG-I(Y) is a nuclear target whose phosphorylation status is regulated through the I4R motif via insulin receptor substrate proteins, independent of activation of the Stat pathway.

An interleukin (IL)-13 receptor lacking the cytoplasmic domain fails to transduce IL-13-induced signals and inhibits responses to IL-4

Interleukin (IL)-13 is a pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine that shares many, although not all, of the biological activities of IL-4. The overlapping biological properties of IL-4 and IL-13 appear to be due to the existence of shared components of the receptors, and we and others showed that the IL-4 receptor-alpha is involved in signal transduction paths activated by both. We show here that expression of the IL-13 receptor-alpha in two factor-dependent cell lines, the premyeloid FD5 and the T lymphoid CT4.S, conferred the ability to grow continuously in response to IL-13; to respond to IL-13 with tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK1, Tyk2, IL-4Ralpha, IRS-2, and STAT6; and to respond to IL-4 with tyrosine phosphorylation of Tyk2 in addition to those induced in parental cell lines. Expression of a truncated IL-13 receptor-alpha that lacked the cytoplasmic domain demonstrated that this domain was essential for IL-13-dependent growth and phosphorylation of the above substrates. Expression of this truncated IL-13 receptor also resulted in an inhibition of biochemical and biological responses to IL-4 that was exacerbated by the presence of IL-13. These dominant inhibitory effects indicate that the extracellular domain of the truncated IL-13 receptor competes with gammac for complexes of IL-4 and the IL-4 receptor-alpha, or, when itself bound to IL-13, competes with IL-4 for the IL-4 receptor-alpha.

Activation of the Stress-Activated Protein Kinases by Multiple Hematopoietic Growth Factors With the Exception of Interleukin-4

The stress-activated protein/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNK) have been shown to be activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as physical and chemical stresses. We now show that a variety of hematopoietic growth factors, including Steel locus factor (SLF ), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF ), and interleukin-3 (IL-3), all of which promote the growth and survival of various lineages of hematopoietic cells, activate the stress-activated protein kinases in the factor-dependent cell line MC/9. These hematopoietic growth factors activated both 46- and 55-kD isoforms of both SAPKγ and SAPKα. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SAPK activation correlated with the phosphorylation of SAPK/ERK kinase-1 (SEK1) after treatment with SLF or GM-CSF. Interestingly, IL-4, a cytokine with distinctive and important effects on the immune system, was the exception among the hematopoietic growth factors we examined in failing to induce activation of SAPKγ, SAPKα, or SEK1. These findings show that activation of SAPK is involved, not only in responses to stresses, but also in signaling by growth factors that regulate the normal development and function of cells of the immune system.

P110delta, a novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase in leukocytes

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that have been implicated in signal transduction through tyrosine kinase- and heterotrimeric G-protein-linked receptors. We report herein the cloning and characterization of p110delta, a novel class I PI3K. Like p110alpha and p110beta, other class I PI3Ks, p110delta displays a broad phosphoinositide lipid substrate specificity and interacts with SH2/SH3 domain-containing p85 adaptor proteins and with GTP-bound Ras. In contrast to the widely distributed p110alpha and beta, p110delta is exclusively found in leukocytes. In these cells, p110alpha and delta both associate with the p85alpha and beta adaptor subunits and are similarly recruited to activated signaling complexes after treatment with the cytokines interleukin 3 and 4 and stem cell factor. Thus, these class I PI3Ks appear not to be distinguishable at the level of p85 adaptor selection or recruitment to activated receptor complexes. However, distinct biochemical and structural features of p110delta suggest divergent functional/regulatory capacities for this PI3K. Unlike p110alpha, p110delta does not phosphorylate p85 but instead harbors an intrinsic autophosphorylation capacity. In addition, the p110delta catalytic domain contains unique potential protein-protein interaction modules such as a Pro-rich region and a basic-region leucine-zipper (bZIP)-like domain. Possible selective functions of p110delta in white blood cells are discussed.

Hemopoietic growth factors with the exception of interleukin-4 activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

The mammalian mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase homologue p38 has been shown to be activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as physical and chemical stresses. We now show that a variety of hemopoietic growth factors, including Steel locus factor, colony stimulating factor-1, granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and interleukin-3, activate p38 MAP kinase and the downstream kinase MAPKAP kinase-2. Furthermore, although these growth factors activate both p38 MAP kinase and Erk MAP kinases, we demonstrate using a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, SB 203580, that p38 MAP kinase activity was required for MAP kinase-activated protein kinase-2 activation. Conversely p38 MAP kinase was shown not to be required for in vivo activation of p90(rsk), known to be downstream of the Erk MAP kinases. Interleukin-4 was unique among the hemopoietic growth factors we examined in failing to induce activation of either p38 MAP kinase or MAP kinase-activated protein kinase-2. These findings demonstrate that the activation of p38 MAP kinase is involved not only in responses to stresses but also in signaling by growth factors that regulate the normal development and function of cells of the immune system.

Insulin receptor substrate-2 is the major 170-kDa protein phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to cytokines in murine lymphohemopoietic cells

Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and its structural relative IRS-2, are both phosphorylated on tyrosine following treatment of cells with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and insulin. We have investigated whether both IRS-1 and IRS-2 are expressed in murine lymphohemopoietic cells. T and B lymphocytes and macrophages from primary cultures expressed only IRS-2, which became phosphorylated on tyrosine following stimulation with both IL-4 and insulin. Likewise, the murine myeloid cell line FD-5 expressed only IRS-2, which was tyrosine phosphorylated in response to IL-4 and insulin, as well as interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Neither IRS-1 nor IRS-2 were expressed at detectable levels in primary bone marrow mast cells although these cells do respond to IL-4. Moreover, a factor-dependent lymphocyte cell line, CT.4S, which grows continuously in IL-4, did not express detectable levels of IRS-1 or IRS-2. IRS-2 from FD-5 cells stimulated with either IL-4 or insulin bound to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of the p85 subunit of phosphoinositol 3'-kinase, Grb2, and Syp, paralleling reported associations of IRS-1 with these molecules and indicating phosphorylation of the corresponding residues on IRS-2.

The effect of prolactin on casein kinase II, MAP kinase and PKC in rabbit mammary cells and Nb2 rat lymphoid cells

Prolactin induces milk protein gene expression in rabbit primary mammary cells without any concomitant cell multiplication. Prolactin or other lactogenic hormones is the major inducer of cell division in the rat lymphoid Nb2 cells. In Nb2 cells, prolactin also rapidly induces the expression of the c-myc gene, and beta-actin and stathmin gene expression is induced more slowly. The possible involvement of casein kinase II (CKII), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase C (PKC) in these process is not well known. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of prolactin on these protein kinases and to determine the possible involvement of these enzymes in the activity of several genes under the control of the hormone. In rabbit mammary cells, prolactin did not alter CKII activity but did transiently stimulate MAP kinase activity. Prolactin also stimulated Ca(2+)-independent PKC. This effect was visible after 10 min and was maintained for at least 24 hr. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC and of several tyrosine kinases altered Ca(2+)-independent PKC only moderately. In contrast, GF 109203X, a potent and specific inhibitor of PKC, abrogated almost all PKC activity. Staurosporine, but not GF 109203X, prevented the induction of the casein gene by prolactin. In Nb2 cells, prolactin induced a slow stimulation of CKII activity. The hormone did not induce MAP kinase activity. Prolactin stimulated Ca(2+)-independent PKC over periods of 24 hr. GF 109203X, but not staurosporine, inhibited PKC activity, whereas staurosporine but not GF 109203X, inhibited the induction of Nb2 cell multiplication and the accumulation of c-myc, beta-actin and stathmin mRNAs. From these data, it can be concluded that (1) the stimulation of CKII by prolactin in Nb2 cells is concomitant with cell multiplication: (2) MAPK stimulation is not necessary for prolactin to induce Nb2 cell multiplication; and (3) PKC is stimulated in mammary and Nb2 cells, but this stimulation is not required for prolactin to stimulate casein, c-myc, beta-actin and stathmin gene expression and Nb2 cell division.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase activity is not required for activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by cytokines

Hemopoietic cells respond to cytokines by initiating tyrosine phosphorylation of receptors and receptor-associated proteins, leading to the activation of numerous cytosolic and membrane associated enzymes, including phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI 3-kinase). Recent reports have suggested that PI 3-kinase may serve as an upstream activator of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. After stimulation with interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, we show here that inhibition of MAP kinase activity by two inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, wortmannin and LY-294002, does not correlate with their ability to inhibit PI 3-kinase or p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation. Complete inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate production occurred at approximately 100 nM WM or 25 microM LY-294002, but at these concentrations, WM significantly inhibited MAP kinase activation, while LY-294002 had virtually no effect on MAP kinase activity. Furthermore, WM does not inhibit phorbol ester-mediated MAP kinase activation, but LY-294002 does. Together these results suggest WM and LY-294002 are differentially inhibiting enzymes other than PI 3-kinase that function upstream of MAP kinase.

Role of p70 S6 kinase in cytokine-regulated hemopoietic cell survival

The signalling mechanisms required for cell survival remain relatively undefined. We and others have shown that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is an important enzyme in the prevention of apoptosis, and this property is independent of p21ras-MAP kinase activation. It is therefore important to define the downstream targets of this enzyme mediating the inhibition of apoptosis. We report here than p70 S6 kinase, a protein critical for progression through the cell cycle and a downstream effector of PI 3-kinase, is not required for the survival of cytokine-stimulated human T-cells or murine mast cells. The potent inhibitor of p70 S6 kinase activation, rapamycin, was unable to induce apoptosis in cells stimulated with cytokines. As well, PI 3-kinase inhibitors that also blocked the activation of p70 S6 kinase were able to induce apoptosis. These studies, therefore, describe a bifurcation of signalling pathways from PI 3-kinase leading to different physiological outcomes.

Interleukin-4 induces activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylation of shc in human keratinocytes

Most cytokines stimulate the p21ras pathway, leading to MAP kinase activation. One exception is interleukin-4 (IL-4), which has been shown not to activate this pathway in hematopoietic cells. However, IL-4 acts on a broad range of cells, including keratinocytes, in which it induces IL-6 production. We report here that IL-4 stimulation of human keratinocytic cell lines or primary cultures activates MAP kinase. In these cells, IL-4 stimulation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of p42/44 MAP kinase as well as its catalytic activity. We also observed an increased phosphorylation of p46shc, an SH2-containing protein involved in the Ras pathway, as a result of IL-4 stimulation in human keratinocytic cell lines but not in T lymphocytes.

Cell type-specific modulation of cell growth by transforming growth factor beta 1 does not correlate with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional cytokine that positively or negatively regulates the proliferation of various types of cells. In this study we have examined whether or not the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is involved in the transduction of cell growth modulation signals of TGF-beta 1, as MAP kinase activity is known to be closely associated with cell cycle progression. Although TGF-beta 1 stimulated the growth of quiescent Balb 3T3 and Swiss 3T3 cells, it failed to detectably stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the 41- and 43-kDa MAP kinases at any time point up to the reinitiation of DNA replication. TGF-beta 1 also failed to stimulate the expression of the c-fos gene. Furthermore, TGF-beta 1 synergistically enhanced the mitogenic action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) without affecting EGF-induced MAP kinase activation in these fibroblasts, and it inhibited the EGF-stimulated proliferation of mouse keratinocytes (PAM212) without inhibiting EGF-induced MAP kinase activation. Thus, the ability of TGF-beta 1 to modulate cell proliferation is apparently not associated with the activation of MAP kinases. In this respect, TGF-beta 1 is clearly distinct from the majority, if not all, of peptide growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor and EGF, whose ability to modulate cell proliferation is closely associated with the activation of MAP kinases. These results also suggest that the activation of MAP kinases is not an absolute requirement for growth factor-stimulated mitogenesis.

The signal transduction pathway of erythropoietin involves three forms of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in UT7 erythroleukemia cells

The survival and proliferation of the UT-7 human leukemic cell line is strictly dependent on the presence of either interleukin 3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or erythropoietin. In these cells, erythropoietin stimulation led to the rapid phosphorylation of several proteins including the erythropoietin receptor and proteins with molecular masses around 45 kDa which could be mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Separation of cytosol from resting or erythropoietin-stimulated UT-7 cells by anion-exchange chromatography revealed two peaks of myelin basic protein kinase activity. The kinase activity of the first peak was independent of erythropoietin treatment of the cells and corresponded to an unidentified 50-kDa kinase, whereas the second peak was only present in erythropoietin-stimulated cells and corresponded to three forms of MAP kinases with molecular masses of 45, 44 and 42 kDa. The three forms were separated by hydrophobic chromatography and were shown to be activated in erythropoietin-stimulated cells. The 44-kDa and 42-kDa forms corresponded to extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and ERK-2, respectively. Evidence was obtained showing that the 45-kDa form is not a shifted form of ERK-1 but corresponded to a less well defined form of MAP kinase which may be the previously described ERK-4. MAP kinase activation was detected after 1 min erythropoietin stimulation and remained detectable after more than 1 hour. A role for MAP kinase activation in erythropoietin-stimulated cell proliferation was suggested by the simultaneous inhibition of erythropoietin-induced MAP kinase stimulation and cell proliferation. The potential activator of MAP kinase, RAF-1, was hyperphosphorylated in erythropoietin-stimulated cells and its autophosphorylation activity was strongly increased. The protein adaptor Shc was heavily phosphorylated in UT-7 erythropoietin-stimulated cells and associated strongly with a unidentified 145-kDa protein. However, Shc bound poorly to the activated erythropoietin receptor and most Shc proteins were cytosolic in both unstimulated and erythropoietin-stimulated cells. In contrast, Grb2 associated efficiently with the activated erythropoietin receptor and a significant part of Grb2 was associated to a particulate subcellular fraction upon erythropoietin stimulation.

Cytokine receptor signalling

Many cell functions are regulated by members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Signalling by these receptors depends upon their association with Janus kinases (JAKs), which couple ligand binding to tyrosine phosphorylation of signalling proteins recruited to the receptor complex. Among these are the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), a family of transcription factors that contribute to the diversity of cytokine responses.

Dissociation of cAMP-stimulated mitogenesis from activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in Swiss 3T3 cells

Elevation of intracellular cAMP by forskolin, 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, and prostaglandin E1, in synergy with insulin, stimulated DNA synthesis in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells to the same level achieved by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or bombesin. Both forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate stimulated a significant increase in cell number which, in the presence of insulin, reached the same levels achieved with PDGF. Treatment with either PDGF or bombesin caused a marked and persistent stimulation of p42MAPK and p44MAPK. In striking contrast, no activation was seen with mitogenic combinations of cAMP as shown by three different assays. Swiss 3T3 cells stably transfected with a constitutively activated Gs alpha subunit were 100-fold more sensitive to the mitogenic effects of forskolin but in this distinct cellular model forskolin did not activate p42MAPK. Swiss 3T3 cells stably transfected with interfering mutants of MEK-1 showed a 60% decrease in PDGF-stimulated p42 MAPK activation, but there was no inhibition of the mitogenic effect of forskolin in these cells. Furthermore, the upstream kinases MEK-1/MEK-2 and p74raf-1 were not activated by mitogenic combinations of cAMP while PDGF caused marked stimulation of their activity. Treatment of 3T3 cells with forskolin attenuated PDGF-stimulated p74raf-1 and p42MAPK activation but enhanced the mitogenic effects of this agent. Mitogenic combinations of cAMP strongly stimulated the phosphorylation and activation of p70s6k an effect that was inhibited by rapamycin. This agent markedly inhibited cAMP-stimulated DNA synthesis suggesting a critical role for p70s6k in cAMP mitogenic signaling. These results demonstrate that cAMP-induced mitogenesis can be dissociated from activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and that this is not an obligatory point of convergence in mitogenic signaling in Swiss 3T3 cells.

Characterization of the interleukin-4 nuclear activated factor/STAT and its activation independent of the insulin receptor substrate proteins

The activation of a latent DNA binding factor by interleukin-4 (IL-4), the IL-4 nuclear activated factor (IL-4 NAF), occurs within minutes of IL-4 binding to its receptor. Molecular characterization of IL-4NAF by ultraviolet light cross-linking experiments revealed a single protein of 120-130 kDa in contact with the DNA target site. Glycerol gradient sedimentation analysis indicated a molecular mass of IL-4 NAF consistent with a monomer that is capable of binding DNA. The IL-4 NAF target site is a palindromic sequence that is also recognized by the interferon-induced transcription factor, p91/STAT1 alpha. However, IL-4 NAF and p91/STAT1 alpha display distinguishable DNA binding specificities that may generate one level of specificity in the expression of target genes. Previous studies suggested the involvement of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in the IL-4 signal transduction pathway. Although IRS-1 is involved in the stimulation of mitogenesis, our results demonstrate that activation of IL-4 NAF is independent of IRS-signaling proteins. The results of this study indicate that IL-4 stimulates bifurcating signal pathways that can direct mitogenesis via the IRS-signaling proteins and specific gene expression via the IL-4 NAF.