Transforming growth factor-β1 interferes with thrombopoietin-induced signal transduction in megakaryoblastic and erythroleukemic cells

Potentiated activation of VLA-4 and VLA-5 accelerates proplatelet-like formation

Fibronectin (FN) plays important roles in the proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of megakaryocytic-lineage cells through FN receptors. However, substantial role of FN receptors and their functional assignment in proplatelet-like formation (PPF) of megakaryocytes are not yet fully understood. Herein, we investigated the effects of FN receptors on PPF using the CHRF-288 human megakaryoblastic cell line, which expresses VLA-4 and VLA-5 as FN receptors. FN and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were essential for inducing PPF in CHRF-288 cells. Blocking experiments using anti-β1-integrin monoclonal antibodies indicated that the adhesive interaction with FN via VLA-4 and VLA-5 were required for PPF. PPF induced by FN plus PMA was accelerated when CHRF-288 cells were enforced adhering to FN by TNIIIA2, a peptide derived from tenascin-C, which we recently found to induce β1-integrin activation. Adhesion to FN enhanced PMA-stimulated activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1)/2 and enforced adhesion to FN via VLA-4 and VLA-5 by TNIIIA2-accelerated activation of ERK1/2 with FN plus PMA. However, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), p38, and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt were not stimulated by FN plus PMA, even with TNIIIA2. Thus, the enhanced activation of ERK1/2 by FN, PMA plus TNIIIA2 was responsible for acceleration of PPF with FN plus PMA.

Prostacyclin receptor-dependent inhibition of human erythroleukemia cell differentiation is STAT3-dependent

We have previously demonstrated that activation of prostacyclin (IP) receptors in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells phosphorylates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) via Gα(s) and Gα(16) hybrid signalling. This current study was designed to determine if functional responses to cicaprost in HEL cells were dependent on STAT3 phosphorylation. Cicaprost significantly enhanced the rapid change in HEL cell morphology induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), and this effect was inhibited by the IP receptor antagonist RO1138452 and a STAT3 inhibitory peptide. Other indicators of PMA-induced HEL cell differentiation, such as increased expression of CD41/CD61 and an increase in cell complexity/granularity, were inhibited by cicaprost in an IP receptor-dependent and STAT3-dependent manner. Although thrombopoietic cytokines promote megakaryocytic differentiation and platelet production via activation of STAT3, the predominant STAT3-dependent effects of cicaprost in HEL cells were inhibitory towards the process of PMA-induced megakaryocytopoeisis.

The small peptide OGP(10-14) reduces proliferation and induces differentiation of TPO-primed M07-e cells through RhoA/TGFbeta1/SFK pathway

Background

Osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) is a 14-mer peptide found in relevant concentration in blood, and its carboxy-terminal fragment [OGP(10-14)] represents the active portion of the full-length peptide. In addition to stimulating bone formation, OGP(10-14) shows hematological activity. In fact, it highly enhances hematopoiesis-affecting stem progenitors. Moreover, OGP(10-14) reduces the growth and induces the differentiation of the hematological tumour cell line trombophoietin(TPO)-primed M07-e by interfering with RhoA and Src kinase pathways. In the present report, we went deeper into this mechanism and evaluated the possible interference of the OGP(10-14) signal pathway with TGFβ1 and TPO receptor Mpl.

Material/Methods

In OGP(10-14)-treated M07-e cells cultured with or without RhoA and Src kinases inhibitors (C3 and PP2), expression of TGFβ1, Mpl, and Src kinases was analyzed by immunoperoxidase technique. Activated RhoA expression was studied using the G-LISA™ quantitative test.

Results

In M07-e cells, both OGP(10-14) and PP2 activate RhoA, inhibit Src kinases, reduce Mpl expression and increase TGFβ1 expression. OGP(10-14) and PP2 show the same behavior, causing an additive effect when associated.

Conclusions

OGP(10-14) induces TPO-primed M07-e cells differentiation through RhoA/TGFβ1/SFKs signalling pathway. In particular OGP(10-14) acts as a Src inhibitor, showing the same effects of PP2.

BMP4 regulation of human megakaryocytic differentiation is involved in thrombopoietin signaling

Activin A, BMP2, and BMP4, 3 members of the transforming growth factor-beta family, are involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Here, we explored the role of these molecules in human megakaryopoiesis using an in vitro serum-free assay. Our results highlight for the first time that, in the absence of thrombopoietin, BMP4 is able to induce CD34(+) progenitor differentiation into megakaryocytes through all stages. Although we have previously shown that activin A and BMP2 are involved in erythropoietic commitment, these molecules have no effect on human megakaryopoietic engagement and differentiation. Using signaling pathway-specific inhibitors, we show that BMP4, like thrombopoietin, exerts its effects on human megakaryopoiesis through the JAK/STAT and mTor pathways. Inhibition of the BMP signaling pathway with blocking antibodies, natural soluble inhibitors (FLRG or follistatin), or soluble BMP receptors reveals that thrombopoietin uses the BMP4 pathway to induce megakaryopoiesis, whereas the inverse is not occurring. Finally, we show that thrombopoietin up-regulates the BMP4 autocrine loop in megakaryocytic progenitors by inducing their production of BMP4 and up-regulating BMP receptor expression. In summary, this work indicates that BMP4 plays an important role in the control of human megakaryopoiesis.

Levels of Smad7 regulate Smad and mitogen activated kinases (MAPKs) signaling and controls erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of erythroleukemia cells

Smad and MAPK signaling cascades are involved in erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation. The inhibitory Smad for TGF-beta/activin signaling, Smad7, may directly or indirectly affect these signaling pathways. By modulating Smad7 expression, we attempted to delineate the relevance of Smad7 during erythro-megakaryocytic (E/M) differentiation of human erythroleukemia cells. Smad7 transcripts were detected at low levels in different erythroleukemia cell lines (TF-1, HEL and K562). Reduction of expression of endogenous Smad7 by RNA interference enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells in response to physiological doses of activin-A/TGF-beta1. Stable over-expression of Smad7 in K562 cells (K562/7) prevented activation of Smad2/3 and MAPK (ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2) proteins by activin-A/TGF-beta1 and subsequent induction of erythroid differentiation. High levels of Smad7 also interfered with hydroxyurea- and butyrate-, but not hemin-induced erythroid differentiation. Interestingly, K562/7 cells were found to harbor a significant proportion (about 35%) of large ploy nucleated cells compared to fewer than 12% in control cells. K562/7 cells treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), showed a great shift in ploidy towards high ploidy classes (> or =8N) accompanied with an increase in the expression of the maturation marker CD42b. We showed here that: (a) low levels of endogenous Smad7 in erythroleukemia cells are physiologically relevant, and (b) high levels of Smad7 interferes with TGF-beta/activin-induced Smad/MAPK signaling and erythro-differentiation and promotes megakaryocytic differentiation, possibly by blocking autocrine TGF-beta.

Synergistic activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in human dermal fibroblasts by human telomerase reverse transcriptase and transforming growth factor-beta1

BACKGROUND

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is primarily known for its ability to elongate telomeres for maintaining chromosomal integrity and delaying cellular senescence. Recently, hTERT has emerged as having a role in promoting cellular proliferation that is independent of telomere elongation. How hTERT elicits this novel function is a fundamental question in cell biology. Understanding this question may have therapeutic implications in regenerative medicine for patients with damaged organs or tissues, cardiovascular disorders, stroke, ischemic chronic wounds, and other ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Toward this end, we treated hTERT-transfected human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and investigated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, vital mediators of cell proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary HDFs were transfected with either recombinant adenovirus expressing hTERT (Ad-hTERT) or control adenovirus (Ad-NULL) and subsequently treated with TGF-beta1 (2 pg/mL). ERK 1/2 activation was determined by Western blotting using an antibody recognizing only activated ERK 1/2 that is dually phosphorylated at Thr(202) and Tyr(204). TGF-beta1, TGFbeta-RI, TGFbeta-RII, and Col1 A1 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Ad-hTERT-transfected HDFs showed more than 7-fold up-regulation of phospho-ERK 1/2 over Ad-NULL-transfected HDFs upon TGF-beta1 treatment. The synergistic ERK 1/2 activation in Ad-hTERT-transfected HDFs occurred as early as 10 min and was sustained for at least 30 min after TGF-beta1 treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in TGF-beta1, TGFbeta-RI, TGFbeta-RII, and Col1 A1 mRNA levels between HDFs that were transfected with Ad-hTERT and those that were transfected with Ad-NULL after TGF-beta1 treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

hTERT and extremely low concentrations of TGF-beta1 (2 pg/mL) synergistically activate ERK 1/2 in HDFs by a mechanism that is independent of the autocrine TGF-beta1 loop.

TGF-beta1 inhibits T-bet induction by IFN-gamma in murine CD4+ T cells through the protein tyrosine phosphatase Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1

TGF-beta1 prevents the development of autoimmune disease by restraining the development of autoreactive Th1 cells. TGF-beta1 inhibits Th1 development in part by suppressing the expression of T-bet, an IFN-gamma-induced transcription factor that promotes Th1 differentiation, but how TGF-beta1 suppresses T-bet is not known. In this study we show that TGF-beta1 suppresses IFN-gamma-induced T-bet expression through the hemopoietic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (Shp-1). In murine CD4+ T cells, IFN-gamma rapidly induced the expression of T-bet as well as of IFN regulatory factor-1, another transcription factor important for Th1 development. TGF-beta1 antagonized the effects of IFN-gamma, inhibiting IFN-gamma's induction of both Th1 transcription factors. In the presence of IFN-gamma, TGF-beta1 rapidly induced in Th cells the synthesis of the PTP Shp-1, but did not induce Shp-2 or several members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling family of Jak-Stat inhibitors. We tested the requirement for Shp-1 by using T cells from the Shp-1-deficient me(v)/me(v) mouse strain. Shp-1 was required for TGF-beta1's suppressive effects, because its suppression of T-bet and IFN regulatory factor-1 was completely abrogated in me(v)/me(v) CD4+ T cells. Receptor-proximal responses to IFN-gamma, such as the induction of Jak-Stat phosphorylation, were inhibited by TGF-beta1 in wild-type T cells, but not in me(v)/me(v) T cells. Consistent with a direct role for Shp-1, TGF-beta1's inhibition of IFN-gamma-induced Stat1 phosphorylation was sensitive to the general PTP inhibitor pervanadate. Together, these data show that TGF-beta1 suppresses IFN-gamma signaling and transcriptional responses in CD4+ T cells through the PTP Shp-1.

Autocrine transforming growth factor-beta regulation of hematopoiesis: many outcomes that depend on the context

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a pleiotropic regulator of all stages of hematopoieis. The three mammalian isoforms (TGF-beta1, 2 and 3) have distinct but overlapping effects on hematopoiesis. Depending on the differentiation stage of the target cell, the local environment and the concentration and isoform of TGF-beta, in vivo or in vitro, TGF-beta can be pro- or antiproliferative, pro- or antiapoptotic, pro- or antidifferentiative and can inhibit or increase terminally differentiated cell function. TGF-beta is a major regulator of stem cell quiescence, at least in vitro. TGF-beta can act directly or indirectly through effects on the bone marrow microenvironment. In addition, paracrine and autocrine actions of TGF-beta have overlapping but distinct regulatory effects on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Since TGF-beta can act in numerous steps in the hematopoietic cascade, loss of function mutations in hematopoeitic stem cells (HSC) have different effects on hematopoiesis than transient blockade of autocrine TGF-beta1. Transient neutralization of autocrine TGF-beta in HSC has therapeutic potential. In myeloid and erythroid leukemic cells, autocrine TGF-beta1 and/or its Smad signals controls the ability of these cells to respond to various differentiation inducers, suggesting that this pathway plays a role in determining the cell fate of leukemic cells.

Bone and bone marrow interactions: hematological activity of osteoblastic growth peptide (OGP)-derived carboxy-terminal pentapeptide

The increase of megakaryocytes and platelets that characterizes essential thrombocythemia (ET) appears to be secondary to a deregulation of megakaryocytopoiesis. The carboxy-terminal fragment of osteogenic growth peptide (OGP10-14) promotes bone formation and hemopoiesis, while it inhibits megakaryocytopoiesis. In this paper we show that treatment with synthetic OGP10-14 (sOGP10-14) induces a significant reduction of mid and large colony-forming unit-megakaryocytes (CFU-Mk) in ET patients as well as in controls, and is associated with a significant inhibition of thrombopoietin (TPO)-primed MO-7e megakaryoblastic cells proliferation. These actions appear to be related to sOGP10-14 modulation of TGF-beta(1) synthesis and/or secretion, although a direct effect on TGF-beta receptor expression cannot be excluded.

Signal transduction mediated by the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway from cytokine receptors to transcription factors: potential targeting for therapeutic intervention

The Ras/Raf/Mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade couples signals from cell surface receptors to transcription factors, which regulate gene expression. Depending upon the stimulus and cell type, this pathway can transmit signals, which result in the prevention or induction of apoptosis or cell cycle progression. Thus, it is an appropriate pathway to target for therapeutic intervention. This pathway becomes more complex daily, as there are multiple members of the kinase and transcription factor families, which can be activated or inactivated by protein phosphorylation. The diversity of signals transduced by this pathway is increased, as different family members heterodimerize to transmit different signals. Furthermore, additional signal transduction pathways interact with the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway to regulate positively or negatively its activity, or to alter the phosphorylation status of downstream targets. Abnormal activation of this pathway occurs in leukemia because of mutations at Ras as well as genes in other pathways (eg PI3K, PTEN, Akt), which serve to regulate its activity. Dysregulation of this pathway can result in autocrine transformation of hematopoietic cells since cytokine genes such as interleukin-3 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor contain the transacting binding sites for the transcription factors regulated by this pathway. Inhibitors of Ras, Raf, MEK and some downstream targets have been developed and many are currently in clinical trials. This review will summarize our current understanding of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signal transduction pathway and the downstream transcription factors. The prospects of targeting this pathway for therapeutic intervention in leukemia and other cancers will be evaluated.

Inverse relationship between myeloid maturation and leukotriene C4 synthase expression in normal and leukemic myelopoiesis-consistent overexpression of the enzyme in myeloid cells from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

OBJECTIVE

Leukotriene (LT) C(4) synthase (LTC(4)S) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of LTC(4), which has been reported to stimulate the growth of human myeloid progenitor cells and is specifically overproduced in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The aim of this study was to clarify the expression of LTC(4)S during normal and leukemic myelopoiesis and to investigate the correlation between abnormal LTC(4)S expression in CML myeloid cells and the activity of the disease-specific tyrosine kinase p210 BCR-ABL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immature and mature myeloid cell subpopulations were isolated with magnetic cell sorting from healthy volunteer bone marrow (n = 11) and CML patient peripheral blood (n = 8), respectively. The cells were subjected to analysis of LTC(4)S protein expression and activity. Expression of LTC(4)S was investigated in CD16(+) neutrophils from CML patients before and after 1 month of medication with imatinib mesylate (STI571), which is a specific inhibitor of p210 BCR-ABL.

RESULTS

Among normal cells, the highest enzyme activity was observed in the most immature, CD34(+) progenitor cell-enriched and CD15(+) myelocyte-enriched fractions. Subsequently, LTC(4)S activity decreased with increasing maturity, with only negligible amounts of LTC(4) produced in CD16(+) neutrophils. LTC(4)S was expressed at the protein level in the immature myeloid cell fractions but not in CD16(+) cells. In CML cells, LTC(4)S activity and expression were consistently elevated. Thus, the CML CD34(+) and CD15(+) cell fractions, as well as the CD11b(+) myelocyte/metamyelocyte-enriched fractions, produced 6 to 10 times as much LTC(4) as the corresponding normal cells. Again, enzyme expression was highest in the most immature cells, although evident LTC(4)S expression and activity remained in CML CD16(+) neutrophils. Interestingly, treatment of five CML patients with imatinib mesylate down-regulated the abnormal neutrophil LTC(4)S expression and activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of LTC(4)S in immature myelopoid cells is in line with a role for this enzyme in myelopoiesis. In addition, consistent overexpression of LTC(4)S in CML and the correlation to p210 BCR-ABL activity suggests that LTC(4)S may be involved in leukemic pathogenesis.

Diaminofluorene stain detects erythroid differentiation in immature haemopoietic cells treated with EPO, IL-3, SCF, TGFbeta1, MIP-1alpha and IFNgamma

We have combined in vitro clonogenic culture and a highly sensitive stain for haemoglobin to compare the influence of EPO, IL-3, SCF, TGFbeta1, MIP-1alpha and IFNgamma, to directly stimulate cells in the progenitor compartment to develop towards the erythroid lineage. Three cell lines were chosen, as they exist developmentally arrested in the progenitor compartment, yet in a pliant state of maturation. HEL (erythroleukaemia) and K562 (CML-derived) cell lines, may, under appropriate stimuli, develop erythroid characters, whilst the third, U937 (as control cell line), may be stimulated by DMSO to differentiate to myeloid cells. After in vitro semi-solid methylcellulose culture with these cytokines, resulting colonies were stained with 2,7-diaminofluorene (DAF), which sensitively stains haemoglobin blue. Haemoglobin production was low in HEL and K562 cells and absent in U937. Cytokine analysis showed varying levels of influence depending on the starting level of cell line maturation. EPO and TGFbeta1 maximally stimulated haemoglobin production in the HEL and K562 cell lines. This differential cytokine stimulation analysis combined with sensitive DAF haemoglobin detection could be applied in the study of many erythropoiesis-deficient patients or primitive erythropoiesis.

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) augments granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced proliferation of umbilical cord blood CD34(+) cells with an associated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5

OBJECTIVE

Several investigators have reported that transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) synergistically support cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. To clarify the mechanisms of the synergistic action of TGF-beta(1) and GM-CSF, we compared the activation states of STAT5 and mitogen-activated protein kinase in CD34(+) cells and in GM-CSF-dependent hematopoietic cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human CD34(+) cells and GM-CSF-dependent cell lines (FKH-1, YNH-1, and M-07e) were stimulated with 1.25 ng/mL GM-CSF and/or 0.25 ng/mL TGF-beta(1), and 1.25 ng/mL GM-CSF and/or 0.25 ng/mL, 0.025 ng/mL TGF-beta(1), respectively, and cell proliferation was analyzed by [3H]thymidine uptake. Expression of signal transduction proteins and their phosphorylation states were determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

TGF-beta(1) synergistically enhanced the GM-CSF-augmented growth of CD34(+) cells and FKH-1 cells, but inhibited the growth of YNH-1 and M-07e cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 induced by GM-CSF was enhanced by stimulation with the combination of TGF-beta(1) and GM-CSF (TGF-beta(1)/GM-CSF) compared with that induced by GM-CSF alone in CD34(+) cells and FKH-1 cells. However, combinations of TGF-beta(1)/GM-CSF caused inhibition of GM-CSF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation in M-07e cells. No significant difference was observed in mitogen-activated protein kinase activation between CD34(+) cells and FKH-1 cells stimulated with GM-CSF/TGF-beta(1) or GM-CSF alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that TGF-beta(1) may augment GM-CSF-induced proliferation of CD34(+) cells in association with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5. Our data suggest a novel mechanism for the synergistic enhancement of cellular growth induced by the combination of TGF-beta(1) and GM-CSF.

Potential roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase but not p38 during myeloid differentiation of U937 cells stimulated by cytokines: augmentation of differentiation via prolonged activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the signaling mechanism of human myeloid differentiation by hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines, we investigated the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) during the differentiation of human monoblastic U937 cells stimulated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Myeloid differentiation was evaluated by morphology, function (respiratory burst activity), and cell surface expression of adhesion molecule (CD11b), and activation of ERK and/or p38 was determined by Western blotting and/or in vitro kinase assay. Inhibition of the ERK pathway was performed using PD98059, a specific inhibitor of this pathway.

RESULTS

U937 cells were induced to be differentiated by the combination of GM-CSF and TNF, but only minimally by either cytokine alone. Transient phosphorylation and activation of ERK was induced by both GM-CSF alone and combination of the two cytokines, whereas sustained phosphorylation and activation was induced only by the combination. In addition, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK pathway, almost completely abolished this prolonged phosphorylation of ERK and completely blocked differentiation. In contrast, both TNF alone and cytokine combination equivalently phosphorylated p38 in U937 cells, which was dissociated from differentiation, and a specific inhibitor of p38 (SB203580) did not inhibit differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate potential roles of sustained activation of ERK but not of p38 in the signaling pathways for human myeloid differentiation in U937 cells synergistically stimulated by the two physiologic cytokines GM-CSF and TNF.

Differential effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on interleukin-18 gene expression in myeloid cells

Histone deacetyrase (HDAC) inhibitors induce growth arrest and differentiation of leukemia cell lines and tumor cells derived from a large variety of human tissues. Here we showed that HDAC inhibitors sodium butyrate, TSA, and valproate regulated the expression of Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a cytokine with antitumor and proinflammatory properties, in human acute myeloid leukemia cell lines U937 and HEL. Sodium butyrate increased expression of IL-18 protein and mRNA and activated 1357bp IL-18 gene promoter construct. IL-18 mRNA level was up-regulated by TSA or valproate, which also activated IL-18 full-length promoter. While sodium butyrate or TSA stimulated the 108-bp IL-18 minimal promoter, valproate failed to activate it, indicating that valproate may use a distinct mechanism from sodium butyrate and TSA to activate IL-18 gene expression.