Interleukin-1 represents a new modality for the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases/microtubule-associated protein-2 kinases

IL1α and IL4 signalling in human ovarian surface epithelial cells

The human ovarian surface epithelium (hOSE) is a mesothelial layer that surrounds the ovary and undergoes injury and repair cycles after ovulation-associated inflammation. We previously showed that IL4 is a key regulator of progesterone bioavailability during post-ovulatory hOSE repair as it differentially up-regulated 3β-HSD1 and 3β-HSD2 mRNA transcripts and total 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity whereas it inhibited androgen receptor (AR) expression. We now show that the pro-inflammatory effect of IL1α on 3β-HSD1 expression is mediated by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), whereas its anti-inflammatory action on 3β-HSD2 expression is exerted via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and NF-κB signalling pathways. The anti-inflammatory IL4 effects on 3β-HSD1 and 3β-HSD2 mRNA expression are mediated through STAT6 and PI3K signalling networks. IL4 effects on AR and 3β-HSD2 expression involve the p38 MAPK pathway. We also document that IL4 up-regulates lysyl oxidase (LOX) mRNA transcripts, a key gene for extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and inhibits IL1α-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA, a gene involved in breakdown of ECM, showing a further role in post-ovulatory wound healing. We conclude that IL1α and IL4 actions in the post-ovulatory wound healing of hOSE cells are mediated by different signalling transduction pathways. The p38 MAPK signalling pathway may have possible therapeutic benefit in inflammation-associated disorders of the ovary, including cancer.

Initiation of dopaminergic differentiation of Nurr1(-) mesencephalic precursor cells depends on activation of multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a pivotal role in terminal dopaminergic differentiation of midbrain-derived neural precursor cells already committed to the mesencephalic dopaminergic phenotype (named mdNPCs for mesencephalic dopaminergic neural precursor cells). Here we characterized the molecular events in long-term expanded rat nuclear receptor related-1(-) (Nurr1(-)) mdNPCs in response to IL-1beta during their terminal dopaminergic specification. We showed that IL-1beta induced a rapid induction of mRNA of dopaminergic key fate-determining transcription factors, such as Nurr1 and Pitx3, and a subsequent increase of tyrosine hydroxylase protein as an early marker for dopaminergic neurons in vitro. These effects of IL-1beta were specific for mdNPCs and were not observed in striatal neural precursor cells (NPCs). Surprisingly, IL-1beta did not activate the NF-kappaB pathway or the transcription factor activating protein 1 (AP-1), but inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB by SN50 facilitated IL-1beta-induced Nurr1 expression and dopaminergic differentiation of mdNPCs. Incubation of mdNPCs with IL-1beta led to a rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases within 1 to 3 hours, whereas Jun kinase was not phosphorylated in response to IL-1beta. Consistently, inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway or p38 MAP kinase blocked Nurr1 upregulation and further dopaminergic specification of mdNPCs, but not differentiation into MAP2ab(+) neurons. IL-1 receptor antagonist did not block early dopaminergic differentiation events, suggesting that the effects of IL-1beta are not mediated through activation of IL-1 receptor type I. Our results indicate that induction of terminal dopaminergic specification of Nurr1(-) mdNPCs by IL-1beta depends on activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase pathway.

Dexamethasone blocks astroglial differentiation from neural precursor cells

In previous studies, we demonstrated functional neuronal and dopaminergic differentiation of fetal mesencephalic neural precursor cells. The major factors for orienting their progeny towards a dopaminergic phenotype are forskolin and interleukin-1beta. Here, we investigated the effects of dexamethasone (10 microM) on neuronal and glial differentiation. Exposure of mesencephalic neural precursor cells to dexamethasone significantly reduces the amount of glial fibrillary acidic protein astroglia, but not of galactocerebrosidase C oligodendroglia, MAP2ab neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase dopaminergic cells. Presuming a possible involvement of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway, we examined the effects of wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor) and SN50 (nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor) on gliogenesis. Both wortmannin and SN50 mimicked the effects of dexamethasone suggesting that dexamethasone specifically blocks astroglial differentiation from mesencephalic neural precursor cells most likely via inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway.

c-Src kinase activation regulates preprotachykinin gene expression and substance P secretion in rat sensory ganglia

Increased synthesis of substance P (SP) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and enhanced axonal transport to and secretion from the primary afferent sensory neurons might enhance pain signalling in the spinal dorsal horn by modifying pronociceptive pathways. IL-1beta increases SP synthesis by enhancing the expression of preprotachykinin (PPT) mRNA encoding for SP and other tachykinins in the DRG. Stimulation of IL-1 receptor by IL-1beta may induce the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in many effector proteins through the activation of p60c-src kinase. The hypothesis that the synthesis of SP in and secretion from the primary sensory ganglia are regulated by the activation of p60c-src kinase induced by IL-1beta was tested. Pretreatment of DRG neurons in culture with herbimycin A, genistein or PP2, three structurally different nonreceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors that act by different mechanisms, decreased the kinase activity of p60c-src induced by the activation of IL-1 receptor. PP3, a negative control for the Src family of tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 had no effect. Herbimycin A and genistein also decreased IL-1beta-induced expression of PPT mRNA-encoding transcripts and the levels of SP-li synthesized in the cells and secreted into the culture medium in a concentration-dependent manner. SB 203580 [a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor] and PD 98059 (a p44/42 MAPK kinase inhibitor) were ineffective in modulating IL-1beta-induced SP synthesis and secretion, and p60c-src kinase activity in DRG neurons. Whereas, IL-1 receptor antagonist and cycloheximide inhibited IL-1beta-evoked secretion of SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-li), actinomycin D decreased it significantly but did not entirely abolish it. These findings show that phosphorylation of specific protein tyrosine residue(s) following IL-1 receptor activation might play a key role in IL-1beta signalling to modulate PPT gene expression and SP secretion in sensory neurons. In view of the role of SP as an immunomodulator, these studies provide a new insight into neural-immune intercommunication in pain regulation in the sensory ganglia through the IL-1beta-induced p60c-src activation.

Myocardial hypertrophy in transgenic mice overexpressing human interleukin 1alpha

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-1 has profound effects on nonimmune cells and organs, including the heart. The effects of IL-1 on transgenic hearts have not yet been described.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We generated transgenic mice overexpressing the human IL-1 gene under control of the cytomegalovirus enhancer/chicken beta-actin promoter. Heart weight-body weight ratio increased 1.4- to 2.2-fold in transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. Lung weight-body weight ratio also increased in transgenic mice, all of which died within 14 days of birth. Light microscopy revealed concentric hypertrophy with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in all transgenic mice and pulmonary edema in some of them. Electron microscopy showed myofilament loss and an increased number of giant mitochondria, but no sarcomere disarray. Northern blotting showed that gene expression had been reprogrammed in the left ventricle of transgenic mice. Expression of fetal-type genes such as prepro-atrial natriuretic factor and beta-myosin heavy chain were increased, but voltage-dependent calcium channel messenger RNA expression was decreased in the left ventricle of transgenic mice compared with that of wild-type mice.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-1 may cause structural and functional alterations in cardiac myocytes.

Identification of two major sites in the type I interleukin-1 receptor cytoplasmic region responsible for coupling to pro-inflammatory signaling pathways

Type I interleukin-1 receptor is the prototype for a family of proteins, which play a central role in early responses to injury and infection. The similarity of function across the family is reflected in similarity in signaling: all members tested couple to activation of NFkappaB and stress kinases. The coupling to these pathways is mediated by a 200-residue intracellular domain (the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain), in which sequence conservation is primarily confined to three short motifs (boxes 1, 2, and 3) located at amino acid residue positions 10 (box 1), 60 (box 2), and 170 (box 3). We have analyzed the contribution of these motifs to function by alanine scanning mutagenesis of the human interleukin-1 receptor type I. Mutant receptors were tested for expression, ligand binding, activation of receptor-associated kinase(s), NFkappaB, stress kinases, and transcription. Mutations in all three motifs led to low cell surface expression. Mutants in box 3 were, however, wild type for signaling, whereas mutants in boxes 1 and 2 were defective. We conclude that the conserved motifs box 1 and box 2 mediate the coupling of molecules in the family to inflammation signaling pathways.

Distinct roles for p42/p44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in the induction of IL-2 by IL-1

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) activates p42/p44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) in target cells. Here we have used two specific inhibitors, PD98059 which inhibits MAP kinase kinase (MEK), and SB203580 which inhibits p38 MAP kinase to explore the involvement of these kinases in the induction of IL-2 by IL-1 in the murine thymoma cell line EL4.NOB-1. Both kinase inhibitors suppressed IL-1-stimulated IL-2 production. PD98059 blocked IL-2 mRNA accumulation and the induction of a reporter gene linked to the IL-2 promoter. In contrast, SB203580 only marginally inhibited IL-2 promoter-linked reporter gene expression and had no inhibitory effect on IL-2 mRNA levels. Neither PD98059 nor SB203580 had an inhibitory effect on NFkappaB-driven reporter gene expression in response to IL-1. Surprisingly, higher concentrations of SB203580 (30 microM) potentiated the IL-1 responses. PD98059 also inhibited induction of IL-2 by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and AP1-linked reporter gene expression in response to PMA but not IL-1. These results indicate that p42/p44 MAP kinase is involved in the regulation of IL-2 gene transcription by IL-1, whilst p38 MAP kinase has a post-transcriptional target. Additional IL-1 signalling pathways can clearly compensate for the lack of p38 MAP kinase which result in potentiation of the IL-1 responses observed at high-dose SB203580.

MAP kinase abnormalities in hyperproliferative cultured fibroblasts from psoriatic skin

Several studies indicate that dermal fibroblasts have a specific role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. We have previously found that cultured fibroblasts from psoriatic patients are hyperproliferative and have low cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. In this study, we observed that these cells are also larger than normal. Given the key role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the regulation of cell proliferation and cytoskeleton function, we characterized MAPK in psoriatic fibroblasts and in normal fibroblasts. Serum and platelet-derived growth factor treatment of serum-deprived fibroblasts led to a larger increase in MAPK activity in psoriatic cells than in normal cells. We then purified MAPK by ion-exchange chromatography. MAPK activity was again found to be significantly higher in psoriatic fibroblasts than in normal cells, both when deprived of serum (p < 0.01) and when stimulated with serum (p < 0.05). Interestingly, 8-bromo-cAMP treatment inhibited serum-stimulated MAPK phosphorylation in normal fibroblasts but had no effect in psoriatic fibroblasts. We observed a temporal variation in nuclear localization of phosphorylated MAPK in cultured fibroblasts stimulated by either serum or platelet-derived growth factor. No difference in the localization of phosphorylated MAPK in normal and psoriatic skins was found. Psoriatic fibroblasts are the first example of a MAPK pathway abnormality in large human benign hyperproliferative cells.

Antibodies to Domains II and III of the IL-1 Receptor Accessory Protein Inhibit IL-1β Activity But Not Binding: Regulation of IL-1 Responses Is Via Type I Receptor, Not the Accessory Protein

The IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) plays a role in IL-1R signaling by forming a complex with IL-1RI bound to the IL-1 ligand. We identified four hydrophilic peptide regions of the extracellular IL-1RAcP that may be available for complex formation (peptide 1, 71–83 domain I; peptide 2, 204–211 domain II; peptide 3, 282–292 domain III; and peptide 4, 304–314 domain III). These peptides were synthesized, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and used to produce rabbit antisera. Each affinity-purified antiserum showed specificity for the respective peptide without cross-reactivity. Anti-peptide 2, 3, and 4 recognized surface expression of IL-1RAcP on the Th2 D10S cells by FACS and inhibited IL-1-driven proliferation. Anti-peptide 4 recognized intact IL-1RAcP and soluble IL-1RAcP. Anti-IL-1RAcP-peptide 4, which targets the terminal segment of domain III, inhibited 80% of IL-1β-driven proliferation of D10S cells. However, these IL-1RAcP Abs had no effect on the activity of human or mouse IL-1α. Whereas IL-1β down-regulated IL-1RI surface expression (p &lt; 0.05), there was no change in the surface expression of IL-1RAcP. Moreover, murine IL-10 increased surface expression of IL-1RI, but did not affect expression of IL-1RAcP or the proliferation of D10S cells. Steady state levels of mRNA for IL-1RAcP and IL-1RI in D10S cells showed a similar pattern to that of surface expression of the respective receptors. We conclude that 1) blocking IL-1RAcP inhibits IL-1 signaling in D10S cells, 2) domains-II and III may be involved in complex formation with IL-1RI, 3) IL-1RAcP is not regulated as is IL-1RI in the same cells, and 4) IL-1 responsiveness is dependent on the expression of IL-1RI, not IL-1RAcP.

Activation of p42mapk in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by interleukin-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Work from this and other laboratories has identified a role for protein tyrosine kinases in interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha)- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced responses in endothelial cells. In this study, we show that activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by IL-1 alpha leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins including one with a molecular mass of approximately 42 kDa. This protein was identified as p42mapk by Western blot analysis. Tyrosine phosphorylation and catalytic activation of p42mapk by IL-1 alpha was transient, reaching maximal levels after 30 min and returning to basal levels by 120-300 min. Activation of p42mapk in HUVEC was also observed in response to TNF-alpha or to the protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Pretreatment of HUVEC with IL-1 alpha or TNF-alpha prevented reactivation of p42mapk by either cytokine but did not affect subsequent activation in response to PMA. Activation of p42mapk by PMA was significantly reduced by the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 and completely inhibited by the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Genistein, but not Ro-31-8220, attenuated IL-1 alpha- and TNF-alpha-induced p42mapk activation. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate 1) that p42mapk is transiently activated in HUVEC by IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha, 2) that this activation is PKC independent, and 3) that a genistein-inhibitable tyrosine kinase may be an upstream regulator of cytokine-induced p42mapk activation in human endothelium.

Activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB by interleukin-1 is accompanied by casein kinase II-mediated phosphorylation of the p65 subunit

In fibroblasts and hepatoma cells, interleukin-1 (IL-1) treatment results in the rapid nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB, present largely as p65 (RelA)/p50 heterodimers. It is well established that this process is dependent in large part upon the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of the cytosolic inhibitor IkappaB. We looked for other IL-1-induced modifications of NF-kappaB components and found that, in both cell types, IL-1 stimulation led, within minutes, to phosphorylation of both NF-kappaB p65 and p50. Phosphorylation of p65 was sustained for at least 30 min after addition of the cytokine and occurred principally upon serine residues. Immunoprecipitates of NF-kappaB complexes contained an associated protein kinase, the biochemical characteristics of which were indistinguishable from casein kinase II (CKII). Purified CKII efficiently phosphorylated p65 in vitro, apparently on the same major sites that became phosphorylated in intact IL-1-treated cells. Although IL-1 treatment caused little apparent stimulation of total cellular CKII activity, the fraction that was specifically associated with NF-kappaB complexes was markedly elevated by the cytokine. The association of CKII with NF-kappaB occurred in the cytoplasm, suggesting that this phosphorylation might be involved either in control of translocation of the activated complex or in modulation of its DNA binding properties.

Interleukin-1

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is the prototypic pro-inflammatory cytokine. There are two forms of IL-1, IL-1alpha and IL-1beta and in most studies, their biological activities are indistinguishable. IL-1 affects nearly every cell type, often in concert with another pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Although IL-1 can upregulate host defenses and function as an immunoadjuvant, IL-1 is a highly inflammatory cytokine. The margin between clinical benefit and unacceptable toxicity in humans is exceedingly narrow. In contrast, agents that reduce the production and/or activity of IL-1 are likely to have an impact on clinical medicine. The synthesis, processing, secretion and activity of IL-1, particularly IL-1beta, are tightly regulated events. A unique aspect of cytokine biology is the naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). IL-1Ra is structurally similar to IL-1beta but lacking agonist activity is used in clinical trials to reduce disease severity. In addition, regulation of IL-1 activity extends to low numbers of surface receptors, circulating soluble receptors and a cell surface "decoy" receptor to down-regulate responses to IL-1beta. This review updates the current knowledge on IL-1.

Molecular approaches to receptors as targets for drug discovery

The cloning of a great number of receptors and channels has revealed that many of these targets for drug discovery can be grouped into superfamilies based on sequence and structural similarities. This review presents an overview of how molecular biological approaches have revealed a plethora of receptor subtypes, led to new definitions of subtypes and isoforms, and played a role in the development of high selective drugs. Moreover, the diversity of subtypes has molded current views of the structure and function of receptor families. Practical difficulties and limitations inherent in the characterization of the ligand binding and signaling properties of expressed recombinant receptors are discussed. The importance of evaluating drug-receptor interactions that differ with temporally transient and distinct receptor conformational states is emphasized. Structural motifs and signal transduction features are presented for the following major receptor superfamilies: ligand-gated ion channel, voltage-dependent ion channel, G-protein coupled, receptor tyrosine-kinase, receptor protein tyrosine-phosphatase, cytokine and nuclear hormone. In addition, a prototypic receptor is analyzed to illustrate functional properties of a given family. The review concludes with a discussion of future directions in receptor research that will impact drug discovery, with a specific focus on orphan receptors as targets for drug discovery. Methods for classifying orphan receptors based upon homologies with members of existing superfamilies are presented together with molecular approaches to the greater challenge of defining their physiological roles. Besides revealing new orphan receptors, the human genome sequencing project will result in the identification of an abundance of novel receptors that will be molecular targets for the development of highly selective drugs. These findings will spur the discovery and development of an exciting new generation of receptor-subtype specific drugs with enhanced therapeutic specificity.

Central interleukin-1 receptors as mediators of sickness

These data establish that cytokines, such as IL-1, can act on specific receptors within the brain to induce many symptoms of sickness. A number of inflammatory stimuli in the periphery can activate both the transcription and translation of IL-1 within the central nervous system. It will now be important to determine if similar central IL-1 pathways are activated during SLE and whether these central inflammatory cytokines are involved in the neurologic complications that often accompany this disease.

Inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation causes a superinduction of nitric-oxide synthase-2 by interleukin-1beta in vascular smooth muscle cells

Recently, we have designed farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I inhibitors (FTI-277 and GGTI-298) that selectively block protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, respectively. In this study, we describe the opposing effects of these inhibitors on interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-stimulated induction of nitric-oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (RPASMC) and rat hepatocytes. Pretreatment of cells with GGTI-298 caused a superinduction of NOS-2 by IL-1beta. RPASMC treated with GGTI-298 (10 microM) prior to IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) expressed levels of NOS-2 protein five times higher than those exposed to IL-1beta alone. This superinduction of NOS-2 protein by pretreatment with GGTI-298 resulted in nitrite concentrations in the medium that were 5-fold higher at 10 ng/ml IL-1beta and 10-fold higher at 1 ng/ml IL-1beta. Furthermore, NOS-2 mRNA levels in RPASMC were also increased 6- and 14-fold (at 10 and 1 ng/ml IL-1beta, respectively) when the cells were pretreated with GGTI-298. In contrast, treatment of cells with the inhibitor of protein farnesylation, FTI-277 (10 microM), blocked IL-1beta-induced NOS-2 expression at mRNA and protein levels. Pretreatment with lovastatin, an inhibitor of protein prenylation, resulted in superinduction of NOS-2. This superinduction was reversed by geranylgeraniol, but not by farnesol, further confirming that inhibition of geranylgeranylation, not farnesylation, is responsible for enhanced NOS-2 expression. The results demonstrate that a farnesylated protein(s) mediates IL-1beta induction of NOS-2, whereas a geranylgeranylated protein(s) represses this induction.

Pyridinyl imidazole inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase bind in the ATP site

The site of action of a series of pyridinyl imidazole compounds that are selective inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in vitro and block proinflammatory cytokine production in vivo has been determined. Using Edman sequencing, 125I-SB206718 was shown to cross-link to the nonphosphorylated Escherichia coli-expressed p38 kinase at Thr175, which is proximal to the ATP binding site. Titration calorimetric studies with E. coli-expressed p38 kinase showed that SB203580 bound with a stoichiometry of 1:1 and that binding was blocked by preincubation of p38 kinase with the ATP analogue, FSBA (5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine), which covalently modifies the ATP binding site. The intrinsic ATPase activity of the nonphosphorylated enzyme was inhibited by SB203580 with a Km of 9.6 mM. Kinetic studies of active, phosphorylated yeast-expressed p38 kinase using a peptide substrate showed that SB203580 was competitive with ATP with a Ki of 21 nM and that kinase inhibition correlated with binding and biological activity. Mutagenesis indicated that binding of 125I-SB206718 was dependent on the catalytic residues K53 and D168 in the ATP pocket. These findings indicate that the pyridinyl imidazoles act in vivo by inhibiting p38 kinase activity through competition with ATP and that their selectivity is probably determined by differences in nonconserved regions within or near the ATP binding pocket.

The effects of IL-1 on mitogen-activated protein kinases in rabbit articular chondrocytes

IL-1-activated chondrocytes express a large number of genes which contribute to cartilage degradation. The signaling pathways activated in response to IL-1 in these cells are not well-defined. We examined the effects of IL-1 and other stimuli on the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in rabbit articular chondrocytes. We demonstrate that IL-1 activates three MAPKs, ERK, JNK and p38, in a time and dose-dependent manner. Activation is maximal by 15 minutes and returns to baseline levels by 1 hour. Maximal activation of ERK and p38 occurs with 1 ng/ml IL-1 whereas activation of JNK requires 10-fold higher levels. In contrast to IL-1, the PKC activator, PDBu preferentially activates ERK while TNF alpha preferentially activates JNK. LPS and TGF beta fail to stimulate any of the kinases examined. These results suggest that activation of the various MAPK pathways is important in the response of chondrocytes to IL-1, cytokines and growth factors.

Synergy between tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1beta in inducing transcriptional down-regulation of muscarinic M2 receptor gene expression. Involvement of protein kinase A and ceramide pathways

Stimulation of HEL 299 cells with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) had no effect on M2 muscarinic receptor expression. However, the combination of these two cytokines markedly down-regulated muscarinic M2 receptor protein and mRNA expression and uncoupled M2 receptors from adenylyl cyclase. There was no effect of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta on the m2 muscarinic receptor mRNA stability, and nuclear run-on assays showed reduced m2 receptor gene transcription. Sequential cytokine addition suggests that the synergy involves postreceptor events. Although the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor H8 provided a significant protection against receptor down-regulation, the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X had no effect. The ceramide analog C2-ceramide (N-acetylsphingosine) was without effect on m2 receptor expression. However, a strong synergistic effect was demonstrated when cells were treated with the combination of C2-ceramide and TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. TNF-alpha and/or IL-1beta combination also activated the 46- and 55-kDa c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases and to a lesser extent p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms. Cycloheximide abolished the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta effect, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is required for receptor down-regulation. These results suggest that the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta synergize to induce transcriptional down-regulation of the M2 muscarinic receptor, which seems to be mediated through activation of both ceramide and cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathways. Furthermore, these results suggest that M2 receptor expression is under the control of a cytokine network.

Effects of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors on cytokine-induced adhesion molecule expression by human umbilical vein endothelial cells

1. Endothelial cells can be stimulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha to express the leukocyte adhesion molecules E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 but the intracellular signalling mechanisms leading to this expression are incompletely understood. We have investigated the role of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) in adhesion molecule expression by cytokine-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using the PTK inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A, and the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor sodium orthovanadate. 2. Maximal E-selectin expression induced by incubation of HUVEC for 4 h with IL-1 alpha (100 u ml-1) and TNF alpha (100 u ml-1) was dose-dependently inhibited by genistein and herbimycin A. Although similar effects were seen on phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA)-induced expression, this was not due to inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity as the selective inhibitors of PKC, bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), Ro31-7549 or Ro31-8220 did not affect IL-1 alpha- or TNF alpha-induced E-selectin expression at concentrations which maximally inhibited PMA-induced expression. 3. Genistein inhibited VCAM-1 expression induced by incubation of HUVEC for 24 h with TNF alpha or IL-1 alpha whereas it did not affect ICAM-1 expression induced by 24 h incubation with either of these cytokines. Herbimycin A inhibited both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression induced by TNF alpha. 4. Basal expression of E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was dose-dependently enhanced by sodium orthovanadate. In contrast, vanadate differentially affected TNF alpha-induced expression of these molecules with maximal E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression being slightly enhanced and VCAM-1 expression dose-dependently reduced. 5. We also studied the effects of PTK and PTP inhibitors on adhesion of the human pre-myeloid cell line U937 to TNF alpha-stimulated HUVEC. Adhesion of U937 cells to HUVEC pretreated for 4 or 24 h with TNF alpha was dose-dependently inhibited by genistein and herbimycin A but unaffected by daidzein. Adhesion of U937 cells after 4 h was partially inhibited by blocking antibodies against both E-selectin and VCAM-1 but after 24 h was only inhibited by anti-VCAM-1. 6. Sodium orthovanadate had no effect on TNF alpha-induced U937 adhesion but dose-dependently enhanced adhesion to unstimulated HUVEC. Vanadate-induced adhesion was inhibited by an antibody against VCAM-1. 7. These results demonstrate that PTK-mediated phosphorylation events are important for the regulation of adhesion molecule expression by human endothelial cells, and additionally show that PTK inhibitors differentially affect upregulation of different adhesion molecules, implicating divergent regulatory pathways for cytokine-induced adhesion molecule expression.

Cloning and expression of cystolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and a naturally occurring variant. Phosphorylation of Ser505 of recombinant cPLA2 by p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase results in an increase in specific activity

Full-length cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) was cloned from U937 cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) while a naturally occurring variant of cPLA2, which lacks residues Val473-Ala749 but has a C-terminal extension of ILMNLSEYMLWMSKVKRFM (DcPLA2) was cloned from PMNLs and mononuclear leukocytes. We were unable to clone DcPLA2 from U937 cells. When cPLA2 and DcPLA2 were expressed in insect cells, both proteins were detected in cell lysates by SDS/PAGE as single bands of apparent molecular masses 100 kDa and 57 kDa, respectively. Full-length cPLA2 was phosphorylated stoichiometrically by p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in vitro at a similar rate to other physiological substrates of this protein kinase and the major site of phosphorylation was identified by amino acid sequencing as Ser505. [32P]Ser(P)505 in cPLA2 was only dephosphorylated at a slow rate by mammalian tissue homogenates. Protein phosphatases 2A, 2B and 2C all contributed significantly to the overall dephosphorylation of cPLA2. The phosphorylation of cPLA2 by p42 MAP kinase correlated with an approximately 1.5-fold increase in specific enzyme activity which was reversed by dephosphorylation.

Inhibition of interleukin-1 type I receptor expression in human cell-lines by an antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide

A 20 mer oligodeoxynucleotide designed to hybridize to specific 3'-untranslated sequences in the type I receptor IL-1r mRNA was identified which inhibited the expression of both IL-1r mRNA and protein in human A549 lung carcinoma cells and human dermal fibroblasts. The oligodeoxynucleotide exhibited an IC50 value of approximately 100 nM in both cell lines and reduced IL-1r mRNA expression for up to 48 h. Multiple scrambled control oligonucleotides were without effect on IL-1r mRNA expression. Treatment of A549 cells with this oligodeoxynucleotide (but not scrambled controls) inhibited the IL-1 stimulated expression of the cell adhesion molecule ICAM-1 but was without effect on the TNF-alpha induction of this molecule. This study demonstrates that phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides can selectively inhibit IL-1r expression leading to a reduction in IL-1 dependent gene expression.

T1/ST2 signaling establishes it as a member of an expanding interleukin-1 receptor family

Through data base searches, we have discovered new proteins that share homology with the signaling domain of the type I interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1RI): human "randomly sequenced cDNA 786" (rsc786), murine MyD88, and two partial Drosophila open reading frames, MstProx and STSDm2245. Comparisons between these new proteins and known IL-1RI homologous proteins such as Toll, 18-Wheeler, and T1/ST2 revealed six clusters of amino acid similarity. We tested the hypothesis that sequence similarity between the signaling domain of IL-1RI and the three mammalian family members might indicate functional similarity. Chimeric IL-1RI receptors expressing the putative signaling domains of T1/ST2, MyD88, and rsc786 were assayed by three separate IL-1 responsive assays, NF-kappaB, phosphorylation of an epidermal growth factor receptor peptide, and an interleukin 8 promoter-controlled reporter construct, for their ability to transduce an IL-1-stimulated signal. All three assays were positive in response to the T1/ST2 chimera, while the MyD88 and rsc786 chimeras failed to respond. These data indicate that the sequence homology between IL-1RI and T1/ST2 indicates a functional homology as well.

Reduction of cerebellar GABAA responses by interleukin-1 (IL-1) through an indomethacin insensitive mechanism

Recently, a role of IL-1 in the central nervous system has been described, principally a fever-inducing effect in the hypothalamus through a prostaglandin second messenger system. IL-1 has also been shown to potentiate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) responses in embryonic chick neurones. This study describes the investigation of the effect of IL-1 on GABAA responses within the in vitro rat cerebellar slice, a preparation containing intact neuronal circuitry. Stimulation of the area of passage of paralleled fibres produced a pure GABAA inhibition of the spontaneous firing of Purkinje cells. 5 and 10 ng/ml IL-1 produced a reduction in the duration of inhibition 10 min after beginning perfusion of IL-1. This effect reversed within 15 min of washing out the IL-1. 10 ng/ml IL-1 also reduced the effects of exogenously-applied GABA (0.1 mM) with the same time course. In the presence of 1 uM indomethacin, there was no change in the effect of the IL-1. It can therefore be concluded that the reduction in cerebellar GABAA responses by IL-1 is not mediated by the indomethacin-sensitive prostaglandin second messenger system.

Studies into the effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A on NF-kappa B activation in T lymphocytes. Evidence for covalent modification of the p50 subunit

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A was found to block NF-kappa B stimulation in response to interleukin-1 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in EL4.NOB-1 thymoma cells and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in Jurkat T lymphoma cells. The effect appeared not to involve inhibition of tyrosine kinase activation as neither interleukin-1 nor phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced major changes in tyrosine phosphorylation in EL4.NOB-1 or Jurkat cells, respectively. Herbimycin A did not interfere with I kappa B-alpha degradation, and in unstimulated cells, it modified NF-kappa B prior to chemical dissociation with sodium deoxycholate. Because herbimycin A is thiol-reactive, we suspected that the target was the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B, which has a key thiol at cysteine 62. Herbimycin A inhibited DNA binding when added to nuclear extracts prepared from stimulated cells, which were shown to contain high levels of p50. Incubation of herbimycin A with 2-mercaptoethanol attenuated the effect. Herbimycin A was also shown to react directly with p50, blocking its ability to bind to the NF-kappa B consensus sequence. However, a mutant form of p50 in which cysteine 62 was mutated to serine was insensitive to herbimycin A. Finally, we demonstrated that the compound inhibited the expression of interleukin-2 (an NF-kappa B-regulated gene) in EL4.NOB-1 cells. These data therefore suggest that herbimycin A inhibits NF-kappa B by modifying the p50 subunit on cysteine 62 in the NF-kappa B complex, which blocks DNA binding and NF-kappa B-driven gene expression. The results urge caution in the use of herbimycin A as a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor and suggest that the development of agents that selectively modify p50 may have potential as a means of inhibiting NF-kappa B-dependent gene transcription.

Interleukin-1 signal transduction

Interleukin 1 (IL1) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disease. Despite much effect, the signal transduction pathway activated by IL1 has remained obscure. Recently, much attention has focussed on IL1 receptors and early events triggered by IL1 in cells, including activation of transcription factors and serine/threonine protein kinases. Two main types of IL1 receptors have been described, IL1RI and IL1RII. They appear to belong to a family of proteins which include most notably a Drosophila protein, Toll. Following receptor binding IL1 has been shown to increase protein phosphorylation in cells, and much effort has been made to identify the protein kinases responsible. Novel enzymes have been discovered, including a family of MAP kinase--like enzymes which are also activated by a range of stresses such as hypertonic stress and heat shock. Attention has also been focussed in the activation of the transcription factor NF kappa B, which is rapidly activated by IL1. This review will describe our current understanding of how IL1 activated cells and will particularly describe more recent work on IL1 receptors and early post-receptors events.

Tyrosine kinase activation is necessary for inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by interleukin-1 beta

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with an increase in nitric oxide in rat mesangial cells. However, the cellular mechanisms that underlie the induction of iNOS by IL-1 beta in mesangial cells has not been clarified. Because we have shown that tyrosine kinase inhibitors attenuate IL-1 beta-induced cyclooxygenase expression and prostaglandin production, we investigated the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on IL-1 beta-induced nitrite production and iNOS mRNA expression in rat mesangial cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A attenuated IL-1 beta-induced nitrite production in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, both of these inhibitors blocked IL-1 beta-induced iNOS mRNA expression. These data suggest that tyrosine kinase(s) plays a central role in IL-1 beta signaling to induce iNOS in rat mesangial cells.

Different carboxyl-terminal domain kinase activities are induced by heat-shock and arsenite. Characterization of their substrate specificity, separation by Mono Q chromatography, and comparison with the mitogen-activated protein kinases

In response to heat-shock and chemical treatments, cells undergo profound biochemical changes such as modifications in protein phosphorylation in order to resist the new, unfavorable growth conditions. We have previously shown that in HeLa cells a protein kinase (HS-CTD kinase) activity is induced rapidly after a heat or sodium arsenite shock. This kinase activity is able to phosphorylate a synthetic peptide composed of four repeats of the motif Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser-Tyr, a motif highly repeated in the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. In this paper, we designed a new experimental procedure to characterize the substrate specificity of this kinase activity. We show that HS-CTD kinase activity phosphorylates a consensus sequence (-P-X-S/T-P-) which is similar to the sequence phosphorylated by extracellular regulated protein kinases (also called mitogen-activated protein kinases). However, there is a slight but reproducible difference between these kinases in their use of serine or threonine as the phosphate acceptor. Mono Q chromatography allows the separation of five stress-induced CTD kinase activities, two of which coelute with active mitogen-activated protein kinase forms revealed by Western blotting with anti ERK1-ERK2 antibodies. The other three CTD kinase activities induced after a stress are distinct from ERK1 and ERK2 and have different enzymatic properties. The molecular nature of these HS-CTD kinases and the physiological significance of their activation during stress remain to be determined.

Does endotoxin stimulate cells by mimicking ceramide?

Recent studies indicate that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) stimulate cells via the intracellular messenger ceramide. Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) shows strong structural and functional resemblance to ceramide. Here, Samuel Wright and Richard Kolesnick review data suggesting that LPS may provoke cellular responses by mimicking the action of ceramide.

Targeted disruption of the low-affinity leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene causes placental, skeletal, neural and metabolic defects and results in perinatal death

The low-affinity receptor for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIFR) interacts with gp130 to induce an intracellular signal cascade. The LIFR-gp130 heterodimer is implicated in the function of diverse systems. Normal placentation is disrupted in LIFR mutant animals, which leads to poor intrauterine nutrition but allows fetuses to continue to term. Fetal bone volume is reduced greater than three-fold and the number of osteoclasts is increased six-fold, resulting in severe osteopenia of perinatal bone. Astrocyte numbers are reduced in the spinal cord and brain stem. Late gestation fetal livers contain relatively high stores of glycogen, indicating a metabolic disorder. Hematologic and primordial germ cell compartments appear normal. Pleiotropic defects in the mutant animals preclude survival beyond the day of birth.

IL-1 beta regulates rat mesangial cyclooxygenase II gene expression by tyrosine phosphorylation

The pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1 beta, induces the mRNA for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase II gene in renal mesangial cells. This inductive effect is selective for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase II and not prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase I. In the present experiments IL-1 beta increased COX II mRNA, and this was inhibited by genistein and herbimycin A, both inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. The dose dependent effect of genistein on inhibition of mRNA for COX II correlated with the inhibition of the release of PGE2 into the media. Induction of COX II by interleukin-1 beta was mimicked by incubating the cells in the presence of a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate. These experiments also illustrate selective induction of COX II mRNA without induction of COX I mRNA. Western analysis utilizing antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated in whole lysates of mesangial cells treated with interleukin-1 beta that the transient phosphorylation of several proteins occurred. Interleukin-1 beta induced the transient phosphorylation of a protein of about 39/40 kD. Similarly, vanadate also produced a rapid and transient phosphorylation of a protein of about 39/40 kD in addition to other proteins. Immunoprecipitation of mesangial cell lysates with agarose conjugated antiphosphotyrosine antibody and Western analysis of precipitated proteins with anti-ERK2 antibody demonstrate that the 39/40 kD protein phosphorylated on tyrosine is ERK2 and suggests participation of one of the MAP kinase family of extracellular receptor kinases in IL-1 beta stimulated induction of the COX II gene.

Functional dichotomy of neutral and acidic sphingomyelinases in tumor necrosis factor signaling

Ceramide produced by sphingomyelinases (SMases) has been recognized as an important second messenger in growth factor receptor signaling. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), through binding to the 55 kDa TNF receptor (TNF-R55), rapidly activates two distinct types of SMase, a membrane-associated neutral (N-)SMase, and an endosomal acidic (A)-SMase. N-SMase and A-SMase are activated independently by different cytoplasmic domains of TNF-R55. Each type of SMase specifically couples to select pathways of TNF signaling. Ceramide generated by N-SMase directs the activation of proline-directed serine/threonine protein kinase(s) and phospholipase A2. In contrast, A-SMase triggers the activation of NF-kappa B. No apparent crosstalk was detected between N-SMase and A-SMase pathways, indicating that ceramide action depends on the topology of its production. These results suggest that N-SMase and A-SMase control important yet dissociable and nonoverlapping pathways of TNF receptor signal transduction.

A novel kinase cascade triggered by stress and heat shock that stimulates MAPKAP kinase-2 and phosphorylation of the small heat shock proteins

MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP kinase-2) is activated in vitro by the p42 and p44 isoforms of MAPK (p42/p44MAPK). In several cell lines, however, MAPKAP kinase-2 is activated by sodium arsenite, heat shock, or osmotic stress and not by agonists that activate p42/p44MAPK. We have identified a MAPK-like enzyme that acts as a MAPKAP kinase-2 reactivating kinase (RK). RK is recognized by an antiserum raised against a Xenopus MAPK (Mpk2), which is most similar to HOG1 from S. cerevisiae. We also identified a RK kinase (RKK) on the basis of its ability to activate either RK or a GST-Mpk2 fusion protein. The RKK, RK, and MAPKAP kinase-2 constitute a new stress-activated signal transduction pathway in vertebrates that is distinct from the classical MAPK cascade.

Interleukin-1 stimulates de novo synthesis of mitogen-activated protein kinase in glomerular mesangial cells

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulates a time- and concentration-dependent mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in rat mesangial cells. A rapid increase in activity (maximal at 10 min) is followed by a second persistent level of activity which steadily increases over 24 h. The second peak of MAP kinase activity is paralleled by a marked de novo synthesis of p42 MAP kinase as measured by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labelled mesangial cells and by a 60% increase in total p42 MAP kinase protein as detected by Western blot analysis. We propose that IL-1 induced de novo synthesis of p42 MAP kinase is important for the multiplicity of long-term actions of this cytokine in renal mesangial cells.

Interleukin-1-induced activation of a protein kinase co-precipitating with the type I interleukin-1 receptor in T cells

We have investigated the possibility of a protein kinase participating in the signal transduction mechanisms of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) type I receptor (IL-1RI). Our data show that a protein kinase was co-precipitated with the IL-1RI from the two murine T helper cell lines D10N and EL-4. The kinase activity was detected in an in vitro kinase assay performed with the immuno beads in the presence of exogenous substrates. IL-1 treatment of the cells resulted in a rapid activation of this protein kinase in a concentration-dependent manner. Both forms of IL-1, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, induced this kinase activity, whereas the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was inactive. In excess IL-1ra competitively antagonized IL-1 stimulation. In the in vitro kinase assay the exogenous substrates myelin basic protein and histone H1 were phosphorylated, whereas casein or heat-shock protein HSP27 were not accepted, reflecting a certain selectivity of this protein kinase. The IL-1RI co-precipitable protein kinase showed a serine/threonine specificity and was inhibited by staurosporine, but not by inhibitors specific for protein tyrosine kinase or protein kinase C. These results show that a serine/threonine protein kinase directly interacts with the IL-1RI at the plasma membrane level of T helper cells forming a novel type of IL-1 inducible signaling complex. This protein kinase may resemble the link coupling the plasma membrane IL-1 receptor to cytosolic downstream elements in the IL-1 signaling pathway.

Interleukin-1 stimulates phosphatidic acid-mediated phospholipase D activity in human mesangial cells

Previous studies suggest that signal transduction mediated by interleukin-1 (IL-1), acting through an IL-1 receptor type found on T-cells and mesangial cells, may use phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as a signaling molecule. Evidence presented here indicates that stimulation of human mesangial cells by IL-1 results in activation of a phospholipase D (PLD) that hydrolyzes PE to phosphatidic acid (PA). PLD acts on a subfraction of PE enriched in 1-o-alkyl and 1-o-alkenyl, sn-2-unsaturated species, generating a unique PA subspecies 30-120 s after stimulation. This PA species is subsequently converted to diradylglycerols by phosphatidate phosphohydrolase. The PE-directed PLD activity is abolished by antibodies against the IL-1 type I receptor and against IL-1. This specific PLD activity is also stimulated by low concentrations of 1,2-sn-dilinoleoyl PA, but not by high concentrations of 1-palmitoyl or 1-oleoyl lyso-PA. Blockade of PLD activation by IL-1 antibodies or antibody against the IL-1 receptor is bypassed by stimulation of human mesangial cells with 1,2-sn-dilinoleoyl PA. A novel system of signal cytokine mediation through PA self-amplification is indicated.

Analysis of cellular phosphoproteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: applications for cell signaling in normal and cancer cells

Two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis has been used to map proteins from various cell types in an effort to eventually link such maps to the sequencing of the entire human genome. While this analysis indicates the cellular disposition and expression of proteins, another application of 2-D gels, the analysis of phosphoproteins, can provide much information as to the assembly and "wiring" of the signal transduction circuits within cells which appear to be enervated by phosphate exchange. The preparation and separation of 32P-labeled proteins is described, as well as various analytical methods, including: the variety of gel systems available for specialist types of analyses, comparing 33P- and 32P-labeling of proteins, imaging techniques, phosphoamino analysis, phosphopeptide separation, identifying the amino acid groups that are phosphorylated, and the identification of phosphoproteins on 2-D gels by immunoprecipitation, corunning of purified proteins, comparative mapping and microsequencing, and by Western blotting. Examples (in brackets) are given of applications in which 2-D phosphogels can be applied, which offer advantages over other techniques. These include: (i) identifying in vivo substrates for kinases (protein kinase C activated by phorbol myristate acetate), (ii) investigating cytokine signaling pathways (tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1), (iii) investigating the effects of drugs on signaling pathways (okadaic acid, menadione and cyclooxygenase inhibitors), (iv) characterization of specific phosphoproteins (heat-shock protein Hsp27 and stathmin), (v) comparing normal and transformed cells (MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts and their SV-40-transformed counterparts, MRC-5 SV1 cells), (vi) purifying phosphoproteins, (vii) investigating the relationship of protein phosphorylation to stages in the cell cycle (stathmin), (viii) investigating protein/protein interactions, (ix) mapping in vitro kinase substrates (protein kinase C, protein kinase A, and mitogen activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2), and (x) locating and identifying cellular phosphatases (Hsp27 phosphatase). It is possible that the mapping of phosphoproteins can be linked to other 2-D gel databases and that information derived from these can be used in the future to better understand the signaling mechanisms of normal and cancerous cells.

The acute phase response

Adult mammals respond to tissue damage by implementing the acute phase response, which comprises a series of specific physiological reactions. This review outlines the principal cellular and molecular mechanisms that control initiation of the tissue response at the site of injury, the recruitment of the systemic defense mechanisms, the acute phase response of the liver and the resolution of the acute phase response.

The interleukin-1-stimulated protein kinase that phosphorylates heat shock protein hsp27 is activated by MAP kinase

In KB cells, interleukin-1 (IL-1), epidermal growth factor and phorbol ester transiently activated both MAP kinase and a serine kinase which phosphorylated the heat shock protein hsp27. Extracts made from IL-1-stimulated KB cells phosphorylated recombinant hsp27, in vitro, on serine residues 78 and 82 which are contained within Arg-X-X-Ser motifs similar to those phosphorylated by the ribosomal protein S6 kinases. Upon size exclusion chromatography, however, hsp27 kinase eluted as a single peak of activity at 50-60 kDa, clearly separated from ribosomal protein S6 kinases. Treatment of partially purified hsp27 kinase with protein phosphatase-2a reduced its activity by 80%. De-phosphorylated hsp27 kinase could be approximately 50% reactivated by a factor present in IL-1-treated cell extracts in the presence of ATP. This factor co-eluted with MAP kinase after partial purification by DEAE-cellulose, phenyl Sepharose, and size exclusion chromatography. Purified sea star p44mpk and recombinant ERK2 MAP kinases were also capable of re-activating hsp27 kinase to a similar extent. These data suggest that hsp27 kinase is downstream from, and probably a direct target of MAP kinase.