cAMP antagonizes interleukin 2-promoted T-cell cycle progression at a discrete point in early G1

A most versatile kinase: The catalytic subunit of PKA in T-cell biology

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase, more commonly referred to as protein kinase A (PKA), is one of the most-studied enzymes in biology. PKA is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, can be activated in response to a plethora of biological stimuli, and phosphorylates more than 250 known substrates. Indeed, PKA is of central importance to a wide range of organismal processes, including energy homeostasis, memory formation and immunity. It serves as the primary effector of the second-messenger molecule 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is believed to have mostly inhibitory effects on the adaptive immune response. In particular, elevated levels of intracellular cAMP inhibit the activation of conventional T cells by limiting signal transduction through the T-cell receptor and altering gene expression, primarily in a PKA-dependent manner. Regulatory T cells have been shown to increase the cAMP levels in adjacent T cells by direct and indirect means, but the role of cAMP within regulatory T cells themselves remains incompletely understood. Paradoxically, cAMP has been implicated in promoting T-cell activation as well, adding another functional dimension beyond its established immunosuppressive effects. Furthermore, PKA can phosphorylate the NF-κB subunit p65, a transcription factor that is essential for T-cell activation, independently of cAMP. This phosphorylation of p65 drastically enhances NF-κB-dependent transcription and thus is likely to facilitate immune activation. How these immunosuppressive and immune-activating properties of PKA balance in vivo remains to be elucidated. This review provides a brief overview of PKA regulation, its ability to affect NF-κB activation, and its diverse functions in T-cell biology.

Molecular mechanism of antimutagenicity by an ethoxy-substituted phylloquinone (vitamin K1 derivative) from spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.)

In our previous study, an antimutagenic compound from spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.), ethoxy-substituted phylloquinone (ESP) was isolated and characterized. The current study deals with elucidation of the possible mechanism of antimutagenicity of ESP against ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) deploying model systems such as human lymphoblast (TK^+/- or TK6) cell line (thymidine kinase gene mutation assay) and Escherichia coli MG1655 (rifampicin resistance assay). Findings of the study ruled out the possibility of direct inactivation of EMS by ESP. DAPI competitive binding assay indicated the DNA minor groove binding activity of ESP. Interestingly, ESP did not display major groove binding or intercalating abilities. Further, proteomics study using 2-D gel electrophoresis in E. coli and subsequent studies involving single gene knockout strains revealed the possible role of tnaA (tryptophanase) and dgcP (diguanylate cyclase) genes in observed antimutagenicity. These genes have been reported to be involved in indole and cyclic-di-GMP biosynthesis, respectively, which eventually lead to cell division inhibition. In case of TK^+/- cell line system, ADCY genes (adenylate cyclase), a functional analogue of dgcP gene, were found to be transcriptionally up-regulated. The generation/doubling time were significantly higher in E. coli or TK^+/- cells treated with ESP than control cells. The findings indicated inhibition of cell proliferation by ESP through gene regulation as a possible mechanism of antimutagenicity across the biological system. Cell division inhibition actually provides additional time for the repair of damaged DNA leading to antimutagenicity.

Analysis of Gene Expression Changes in PHA-M Stimulated Lymphocytes - Unraveling PHA Activity as Prerequisite for Dicentric Chromosome Analysis

Dicentric chromosome analysis (DCA) is the gold standard for individual radiation dose assessment. However, DCA is limited by the time-consuming phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-mediated lymphocyte activation. In this study using human peripheral blood lymphocytes, we investigated PHA-associated whole genome gene expression changes to elucidate this process and sought to identify suitable gene targets as a means of meeting our long-term objective of accelerating cell cycle kinetics to reduce DCA culture time. Human peripheral whole blood from three healthy donors was separately cultured in RPMI/FCS/antibiotics with BrdU and PHA-M. Diluted whole blood samples were transferred into PAXgene tubes at 0, 12, 24 and 36 h culture time. RNA was isolated and aliquots were used for whole genome gene expression screening. Microarray results were validated using qRT-PCR and differentially expressed genes [significantly (FDR corrected) twofold different from the 0 h value reference] were analyzed using several bioinformatic tools. The cell cycle positions and DNA-synthetic activities of lymphocytes were determined by analyzing the correlated total DNA content and incorporated BrdU level with flow cytometry after continued BrdU incubation. From 42,545 transcripts of the whole genome microarray 47.6%, on average, appeared expressed. The number of differentially expressed genes increased linearly from 855 to 2,858 and 4,607 at 12, 24 and 36 h after PHA addition, respectively. Approximately 2-3 times more up- than downregulated genes were observed with several hundred genes differentially expressed at each time point. Earliest enrichment was observed for gene sets related to the nucleus (12 h) followed by genes assigned to intracellular structures such as organelles (24 h) and finally genes related to the membrane and the extracellular matrix were enriched (36 h). Early gene expression changes at 12 h, in particular, were associated with protein classes such as chemokines/cytokines (e.g., CXCL1, CXCL2) and chaperones. Genes coding for biological processes involved in cell cycle control (e.g., MYBL2, RBL1, CCNA, CCNE) and DNA replication (e.g., POLA, POLE, MCM) appeared enriched at 24 h and later, but many more biological processes (42 altogether) showed enrichment as well. Flow cytometry data fit together with gene expression and bioinformatic analyses as cell cycle transition into S phase was observed with interindividual differences from 12 h onward, whereas progression into G₂ as well as into the second G₁ occurred from 36 h onward after activation. Gene set enrichment analysis over time identifies, in particular, two molecular categories of PHA-responsive gene targets (cytokine and cell cycle control genes). Based on that analysis target genes for cell cycle acceleration in lymphocytes have been identified ( CDKN1A/B/C, RBL-1/RBL-2, E2F2, Deaf-1), and it remains undetermined whether the time expenditure for DCA can be reduced by influencing gene expression involved in the regulatory circuits controlling PHA-associated cell cycle entry and/or progression at a specific early cell cycle phase.

Modulation of Phenotype and Function of Human CD4+CD25+ T Regulatory Lymphocytes Mediated by cAMP-Elevating Agents

We have shown that cholera toxin (CT) and other cyclic AMP (cAMP)-elevating agents induce upregulation of the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 in human resting CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, which following the treatment acquired suppressive functions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of cAMP-elevating agents on human CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells, which include the T regulatory cells (Tregs) that play a pivotal role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance. We found that cAMP-elevating agents induce upregulation of CTLA-4 in CD4⁺CD25⁻ and further enhance its expression in CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells. We observed an increase of two isoforms of mRNA coding for the membrane and the soluble CTLA-4 molecules, suggesting that the regulation of CTLA-4 expression by cAMP is at the transcriptional level. In addition, we found that the increase of cAMP in CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells converts the CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁻ T cells in CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells, whereas the increase of cAMP in CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells did not upregulate Foxp3 in the absence of activation stimuli. To investigate the function of these cells, we performed an in vitro suppression assay by culturing CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells untreated or pre-treated with CT with anti-CD3 mAbs-stimulated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cell. We found that CT enhances the inhibitory function of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T cell proliferation and IFNγ production are strongly inhibited by CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells pre-treated with cAMP-elevating agents. Furthermore, we found that CD4⁺CD25⁺ T lymphocytes pre-treated with cAMP-elevating agents induce the upregulation of CD80 and CD86 co-stimulatory molecules on immature dendritic cells (DCs) in the absence of antigenic stimulation, however without leading to full DC maturation. These data show that the increase of intracellular cAMP modulates the phenotype and function of human CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells.

Cyclic AMP Represents a Crucial Component of Treg Cell-Mediated Immune Regulation

T regulatory (Treg) cells are one of the key players in the immune tolerance network, and a plethora of manuscripts have described their development and function in the course of the last two decades. Nevertheless, it is still a matter of debate as to which mechanisms and agents are employed by Treg cells, providing the basis of their suppressive potency. One of the important candidates is cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is long known as a potent suppressor at least of T cell activation and function. While this suppressive function by itself is widely accepted, the source and the mechanism of action of cAMP are less clear, and a multitude of seemingly contradictory data allow for, in principle, two different scenarios of cAMP-mediated suppression. In one scenario, Treg cells contain high amounts of cAMP and convey this small molecule via gap junction intercellular communication directly to the effector T cells (Teff) leading to their suppression. Alternatively, it was shown that Treg cells represent the origin of considerable amounts of adenosine, which trigger the adenylate cyclases in Teff cells via A_2A and A_2B receptors, thus strongly increasing intracellular cAMP. This review will present and discuss initial findings and recent developments concerning the function of cAMP for Treg cells and its impact on immune regulation.

Dopamine inhibits the effector functions of activated NK cells via the upregulation of the D5 receptor

Several lines of evidence indicate that dopamine (DA) plays a key role in the cross-talk between the nervous and immune systems. In this study, we disclose a novel immune-regulatory role for DA: inhibition of effector functions of activated NK lymphocytes via the selective upregulation of the D5 dopaminergic receptor in response to prolonged cell stimulation with rIL-2. Indeed, engagement of this D1-like inhibitory receptor following binding with DA suppresses NK cell proliferation and synthesis of IFN-γ. The inhibition of IFN-γ production occurs through blocking the repressor activity of the p50/c-REL dimer of the NF-κB complex. Indeed, the stimulation of the D5 receptor on rIL-2-activated NK cells inhibits the binding of p50 to the microRNA 29a promoter, thus inducing a de novo synthesis of this miRNA. In turn, the increased levels of microRNA 29a were inversely correlated with the ability of NK cells to produce IFN-γ. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that DA switches off activated NK cells, thus representing a checkpoint exerted by the nervous system to control the reactivity of these innate immune effectors in response to activation stimuli and to avoid the establishment of chronic and pathologic inflammatory processes.

Human monocytes respond to extracellular cAMP through A2A and A2B adenosine receptors

In this study, we test the hypothesis that cAMP, acting as an extracellular mediator, affects the physiology and function of human myeloid cells. The cAMP is a second messenger recognized as a universal regulator of several cellular functions in different organisms. Many studies have shown that extracellular cAMP exerts regulatory functions, acting as first mediator in multiple tissues. However, the impact of extracellular cAMP on cells of the immune system has not been fully investigated. We found that human monocytes exposed to extracellular cAMP exhibit higher expression of CD14 and lower amount of MHC class I and class II molecules. When cAMP-treated monocytes are exposed to proinflammatory stimuli, they exhibit an increased production of IL-6 and IL-10 and a lower amount of TNF-α and IL-12 compared with control cells, resembling the features of the alternative-activated macrophages or M2 macrophages. In addition, we show that extracellular cAMP affects monocyte differentiation into DCs, promoting the induction of cells displaying an activated, macrophage-like phenotype with reduced capacity of polarized, naive CD4(+) T cells into IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes compared with control cells. The effects of extracellular cAMP on monocytes are mediated by CD73 ecto-5'-nucleotidase and A2A and A2B adenosine receptors, as selective antagonists could reverse its effects. Of note, the expression of CD73 molecules has been found on the membrane of a small population of CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes. These findings suggest that an extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway is active in cells of the immune systems.

Regulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 by cyclic AMP

Recent studies indicate that cyclic AMP (cAMP) induces cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA) 4. CTLA4 is expressed in T cells, and is a negative regulator of T cell activation. CTLA4 expression is regulated by T cell receptor plus CD28 (adaptive immune signaling) at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Here, we examine the pathways by which cAMP regulates CTLA4 expression, focusing on transcriptional activation. Elevating intracellular cAMP levels by cell-permeable cAMP analogs, the adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors increases CTLA4 mRNA expression in EL4 murine T cells and primary CD4(+) T cells. Activation of protein kinase A (using the protein kinase A-selective agonist, N6-phenyladenosine-cAMP), but not exchange proteins activated by cAMP (using the exchange proteins activated by cAMP-selective 8-pCPT-2Me-cAMP), increases CTLA4 promoter activity. Mutation constructs of the CTLA4 promoter uncover an enhancer binding site located within the -150 to -130 bp region relative to the transcription start site. Promoter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggest that cAMP response element-binding is a putative transcription factor induced by cAMP. We have previously shown that CTLA4 mediates decreased pulmonary inflammation in an LPS-induced murine model of acute lung injury (ALI). We observed that LPS can induce CTLA4 transcription via the same cAMP-inducible promoter region. The immunosuppressant, rapamycin, decreases cAMP and LPS-induced CTLA4 transcription in vitro. In vivo, LPS induces cAMP accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage cells, and lung tissues in ALI. We demonstrate that rapamycin decreases cAMP accumulation and CTLA4 expression in ALI. Together, these data suggest that cAMP may negatively regulate pulmonary inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro by altering CTLA4 expression.

Adenosine and prostaglandin E2 cooperate in the suppression of immune responses mediated by adaptive regulatory T cells

Adaptive regulatory T cells (Tr1) are induced in the periphery upon encountering cognate antigens. In cancer, their frequency is increased; however, Tr1-mediated suppression mechanisms are not yet defined. Here, we evaluate the simultaneous involvement of ectonucleotidases (CD39/CD73) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in Tr1-mediated suppression. Human Tr1 cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived, sorted CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and incubated with autologous immature dendritic cells, irradiated COX-2(+) or COX-2(-) tumor cells, and IL-2, IL-10, and IL-15 (each at 10-15 IU/ml) for 10 days as described (Bergmann, C., Strauss, L., Zeidler, R., Lang, S., and Whiteside, T. L. (2007) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 56, 1429-1442). Tr1 were phenotyped by multicolor flow cytometry, and suppression of proliferating responder cells was assessed in carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-based assays. ATP hydrolysis was measured using a luciferase detection assay, and levels of adenosine or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in cell supernatants were analyzed by mass spectrometry or ELISA, respectively. Intracellular cAMP levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The COX-2(+) tumor induced a greater number of Tr1 than COX-2(-) tumor (p < 0.05). Tr1 induced by COX-2(+) tumor were more suppressive, hydrolyzed more exogenous ATP (p < 0.05), and produced higher levels of adenosine and PGE(2) (p < 0.05) than Tr1 induced by COX-2(-) tumor. Inhibitors of ectonucleotidase activity, A(2A) and EP(2) receptor antagonists, or an inhibitor of the PKA type I decreased Tr1-mediated suppression (p < 0.05), whereas rolipram, a PDE(4) inhibitor, increased the intracellular cAMP level in responder cells and their susceptibility to Tr1-mediated suppression. Tr1 present in tumors or the peripheral blood of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients co-expressed COX-2, CD39, and CD73. A concomitant inhibition of PGE(2) and adenosine via the common intracellular cAMP pathway might be a novel approach for improving results of immune therapies for cancer.

Cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin, but not their nontoxic counterparts, improve the antigen-presenting cell function of human B lymphocytes

B lymphocytes play an important role in the immune response induced by mucosal adjuvants. In this study we investigated the in vitro antigen-presenting cell (APC) properties of human B cells upon treatment with cholera toxin (CT) and Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and nontoxic counterparts of these toxins, such as the B subunit of CT (CT-B) and the mutant of LT lacking ADP ribosyltransferase activity (LTK63). Furthermore, forskolin (FSK), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, and cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogues were used to investigate the role of the increase in intracellular cAMP caused by the A subunit of CT and LT. B lymphocytes were cultured with adjuvants and polyclonal stimuli necessary for activation of B cells in the absence of CD4 T cells. Data indicated that treatment with CT, LT, FSK, or cAMP analogues, but not treatment with CT-B or LTK63, upregulated surface activation markers on B cells, such as CD86 and HLA-DR, and induced inhibition of the proliferation of B cells at early time points, while it increased cell death in long-term cultures. Importantly, B cells treated with CT, LT, or FSK were able to induce pronounced proliferation of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) allogeneic T cells compared with untreated B cells and B cells treated with CT-B and LTK63. Finally, only treatment with toxins or FSK induced antigen-specific T-cell proliferation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis purified protein derivative or tetanus toxoid responder donors. Taken together, these results indicated that the in vitro effects of CT and LT on human B cells are mediated by cAMP.

cAMP regulates IL-10 production by normal human T lymphocytes at multiple levels: a potential role for MEF2

Signal transduction by the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway is triggered through multiple receptors and is important for many processes in a variety of cells. In T cells, the engagement of the TCR-CD3 complex induces cAMP, a second messenger that controls immune response. IL-10, produced by a variety of lymphocyte subpopulations, is an important regulator of this response exerting a wide range of immunomodulatory actions. Elevation of cAMP has been shown to increase IL-10 production by monocytes. However, the mechanism of cAMP mediated regulation of IL-10 production by T lymphocytes remains unclear. In this study using normal peripheral T lymphocytes stimulated either through the TCR-CD3 complex or the TCR-CD3 and the CD28 molecule, we show that IL-10 is produced mainly by memory T lymphocytes after either way of stimulation and is drastically inhibited (70-90%) by cAMP elevating agents. cAMP mediated inhibition was reversed by the use of the specific PKA inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMP but not by the addition of exogenous rhIL-2, indicating that the inhibitory effect depends on PKA activation and is not secondary to IL-2 inhibition. Inhibition is taking place at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. Transfection of a luciferase reporter plasmid carrying the IL-10 promoter in T cells, revealed that TCR/CD28-induced activation was inhibited by 60% by cAMP elevation. The most sensitive part to cAMP mediated inhibition was a fragment of 135 bp upstream of TATA box, which contains multiple binding sites for MEF-2. Overexpression of MEF-2 in the same cells increased IL-10 promoter activity by 2.5-fold. Stimulation through TCR/CD28 increased MEF-2 binding in its corresponding binding sites which was inhibited by 80% in the presence of cAMP elevating agents. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of cAMP on IL-10 production by normal peripheral T lymphocytes is cell type and stimulus specific, exerted on multiple levels and involves MEF2 transcription factor.

Inhibition of T cell proliferation by cholera toxin involves the modulation of costimulatory molecules CTLA-4 and CD28

Cholera toxin (CT) is known to inhibit the proliferation of murine and human T lymphocytes. In this study we have analysed the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of CT on subpopulations of human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. We show that CT dramatically prevents the activation of resting T lymphocytes, whereas it has a minor effect on cells that have been previously activated. Analysis of DNA content of the CT-treated T cells showed an arrest in the G(0)/G(1) phase and this correlated with high expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip). Moreover, we show that CT up-regulates the expression of the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 in naïve, effector and memory resting CD4+ T cells and in resting CD8+ T lymphocytes. The regulation of CTLA-4 expression by CT is at the transcriptional level. Indeed, in cells treated with CT we observed an increase of two mRNA variants coding for the membrane and the soluble CTLA-4 molecules. In parallel with the up-regulation of the inhibitory CTLA-4, CT down-modulates the costimulatory molecule CD28 on CD4+ and CD8+ resting T cells. The increased expression of CTLA-4 played a role in controlling T cell activation and function as blocking anti-CTLA-4 F(ab')(2) mAbs partially inhibited anti-CD3 mAbs induced proliferation. These findings show that the inhibition of T cell proliferation by CT affects early stages of the T cell activation and involves the modulation of costimulatory molecules CTLA-4 and CD28 on resting T cells.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a key component of regulatory T cell-mediated suppression

Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are a thymus-derived subset of T cells, which are crucial for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance by controlling potentially autoreactive T cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this strictly cell contact–dependent process are still elusive. Here we show that naturally occurring T reg cells harbor high levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This second messenger is known to be a potent inhibitor of proliferation and interleukin 2 synthesis in T cells. Upon coactivation with naturally occurring T reg cells the cAMP content of responder T cells is also strongly increased. Furthermore, we demonstrate that naturally occurring T reg cells and conventional T cells communicate via cell contact–dependent gap junction formation. The suppressive activity of naturally occurring T reg cells is abolished by a cAMP antagonist as well as by a gap junction inhibitor, which blocks the cell contact–dependent transfer of cAMP to responder T cells. Accordingly, our results suggest that cAMP is crucial for naturally occurring T reg cell–mediated suppression and traverses membranes via gap junctions. Hence, naturally occurring T reg cells unexpectedly may control the immune regulatory network by a well-known mechanism based on the intercellular transport of cAMP via gap junctions.

Human CD4+ T lymphocytes with increased intracellular cAMP levels exert regulatory functions by releasing extracellular cAMP

We have previously shown that cholera toxin (CT) and other cAMP-elevating agents induce up-regulation of the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 on human resting T lymphocytes. In this study, we evaluated the function of these cells. We found that purified human CD4(+) T lymphocytes pretreated with CT were able to inhibit proliferation of autologous PBMC in a dose-dependent manner. It is interesting that this phenomenon was not mediated by inhibitory cytokines such as IL-10, IL-4, or TGF-beta but was in part caused by the release of extracellular cAMP by the CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Purified CD4(+) T cells pretreated with forskolin, a transient cAMP inducer, or with dibutyryl cAMP, an analog of cAMP, did not exert suppressive functions, suggesting that a sustained production of cAMP, such as that induced by CT, was required to identify a novel regulatory function mediated by CD4(+) T cells. Our results show that CD4(+) T lymphocytes can exert regulatory functions through the release of extracellular cAMP and that the cyclic nucleotide acts as a primary messenger, which could play a biological role in the modulation of immune responses.

Reduced capacity for the reactivation of glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis synovial cells: possible role of the sympathetic nervous system?

OBJECTIVE

Cortisol, the biologically active glucocorticoid, is a major endogenous antiinflammatory factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to examine the local conversion of cortisol to biologically inactive cortisone and vice versa (the cortisol-cortisone shuttle) in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

METHODS

Thin-layer chromatography and phosphorimaging were used to examine the cortisol-cortisone shuttle in mixed synovial cells. Double immunohistochemistry was used to assess the key enzymes 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11beta-HSD1) and 11beta-HSD2 and their possible cellular locations.

RESULTS

Double immunohistochemistry demonstrated 11beta-HSD1/2+ macrophages in the sublining area. The ratio of 11beta-HSD2+ cells to 11beta-HSD1+ cells was significantly higher in RA than in OA patients. Cortisol was converted to inactive cortisone in mixed synovial cells from RA and OA patients, which was largely inhibited by carbenoxolone (11beta-HSD1 and 11beta-HSD2 inhibitor). Using metyrapone to inhibit the 11beta-HSD1 reducing reaction (cortisone --> cortisol), we demonstrated that the capacity for reactivation of cortisone to cortisol was significantly higher in OA than in RA patients. Although the capacity for the cortisone-cortisol shuttle was higher in synovial cells from less-inflamed OA tissue compared with inflamed RA tissue, it was obvious that synovial inflammation in RA, but not OA, was related positively to the reactivation of cortisone. This indicates that in RA, a cause other than typical inflammatory factors inhibits the reactivation of cortisone. Since isoproterenol and adenosine inhibited the cortisol-cortisone shuttle, the loss of sympathetic nerve fibers (loss of beta-adrenergic agonist and adenosine) may be the missing link that accounts for the increased cortisol-cortisone shuttle in RA.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a reduced capacity for local reactivation of cortisone in RA synovial cells. Since synthetic glucocorticoids also use this reactivation shuttle, the results also apply to therapeutic glucocorticoids. This defective reactivation of cortisone may be an important unrecognized pathophysiologic factor in RA.

Inhibition of DNA repair by Pentoxifylline and related methylxanthine derivatives

The methylxanthine drug Pentoxifylline is reviewed for new properties which have emerged only relatively recently and for which clinical applications can be expected. After a summary on the established systemic effects of Pentoxifylline on the microcirculation and reduction of tumour anoxia, the role of the drug in the treatment of vasoocclusive disorders, cerebral ischemia, infectious diseases, septic shock and acute respiratory distress, the review focuses on another level of drug action which is based on in vitro observations in a variety of cell lines. Pentoxifylline and the related drug Caffeine are known radiosensitizers especially in p53 mutant cells. The explanation that the drug abrogates the G2 block and shortens repair in G2 by promoting early entry into mitosis is not anymore tenable because enhancement of radiotoxicity requires presence of the drug during irradiation and fails when the drug is added after irradiation at the G2 maximum. Repair assays by measurement of recovery ratios and by delayed plating experiments indeed strongly suggested a role in repair which is now confirmed for Pentoxifylline by constant field gel electrophoresis (CFGE) measurements and for Pentoxifylline and for Caffeine by use of a variety of repair mutants. The picture now emerging shows that Caffeine and Pentoxifylline inhibit homologous recombination by targeting members of the PIK kinase family (ATM and ATR) which facilitate repair in G2. Pentoxifylline induced repair inhibition between irradiation dose fractions to counter interfraction repair has been successfully applied in a model for stereotactic surgery. Another realistic avenue of application of Pentoxifylline in tumour therapy comes from experiments which show that repair events in G2 can be targeted directly by addition of cytotoxic drugs and Pentoxifylline at the G2 maximum. Under these conditions massive dose enhancement factors of up to 80 have been observed suggesting that it may be possible to realise dramatic improvements to tumour growth control in the clinic.

Modifications of the catalytic and binding subunits of pertussis toxin by formaldehyde: effects on toxicity and immunogenicity

A panel of pertussis toxin (PT) preparations with varying levels of residual toxicity was prepared by treatment of native PT with formaldehyde (0-1.00% (w/v)) with the purpose of investigating the effects of residual toxicity on immunogenicity. The catalytically inactive mutant PT (PT-9K/129G) was used for comparison. Results from in vitro ADP-ribosyl transferase and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-cell toxicity assays demonstrated a formaldehyde-dependent reduction in PT toxicity, and implied that both A and B domain functions of PT were modified. The in vivo histamine sensitisation and leukocyte proliferation tests suggested that the formaldehyde-treated native PT preparations were subject to reversion to toxicity. Reversion was confirmed by in vitro toxicity assays, which demonstrated recovery of A and B domain functions. The presence of high molecular weight aggregated and cross-linked species of PT in these preparations did not appear to be detrimental to the production of a neutralising antibody response. IgG responses to native and non-catalytic mutant PT suggested that low levels of residual activity in the native PT enhanced the antibody response, while higher levels of activity inhibited the response. Using the non-catalytic mutant PT showed that formaldehyde-induced changes were not detrimental to the magnitude of the PT-specific antibody response but did reduce the PT-specific neutralising activity. In conclusion, the residual toxicity of PT preparations following formaldehyde treatment may play an important role in the immune response to pertussis vaccine, potentially altering the quality, class and magnitude of the antibodies produced to PT.

Effects of lentinan on broiler splenocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and signal transduction

Lentinan (LEN) is an intensively studied beta-glucan that has been shown to have immunostimulating and antitumor functions. However, it currently is not used in veterinary practice and animal production. This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of LEN on broiler splenocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and to explore its effects on receptor signal transduction by determining signaling molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), cytosolic-free Ca2+, cytosolic cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The results showed that compared to the control all three measured doses, including 40, 80, and 160 microg/mL LEN, increased splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production (P < 0.05). Lentinan increased splenocyte NO production and cytosolic-free calcium concentration in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). After incubating splenocytes for 20 min, LEN increased intracellular cAMP and cGMP concentrations at a dose of 80 and 160 microg/mL, respectively. However, after incubating the splenocytes for 60 min, LEN had no effect on cytosolic cAMP and cGMP concentration irrespective of the LEN dosage. Those results indicated that LEN had immunostimulatory effects on splenocytes by increasing splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production and by activating splenocyte receptor signal transduction.

Cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate and calcium induce CD152 (CTLA-4) up-regulation in resting CD4+ T lymphocytes

The CTLA-4 (CD152) molecule is up-regulated upon T cell activation and proliferation, and plays a critical role in the inhibition of immune responses. We show in this study that cAMP induces up-regulation of CD152 in human CD4(+) T lymphocytes. This effect occurs in the absence of the up-regulation of CD69 and CD25 activation markers and T cell proliferation. In addition, we found that the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin also up-regulates CD152, and that the combination of a cAMP analog or cAMP inducers with ionomycin further enhances the expression of CD152 in resting CD4(+) T lymphocytes. However, cyclosporin A, which inhibits Ca(2+)/calcineurin signaling pathway, fully prevented the ionomycin- but not the cAMP-induced up-regulation of CD152. The effects of cAMP and ionomycin involve increase of both CD152 mRNA transcripts, coding for the membrane and the soluble forms of CD152. Furthermore, we show that CD152 molecules are translocated to the membrane and are functional, as their engagement by specific mAbs prevented NF-kappaB activation by anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation. These findings demonstrate that at least two novel signal pathways regulate CTLA-4 gene expression and CD152 molecule up-regulation in human CD4(+) T lymphocytes, in the absence of full T cell activation.

Cyclic AMP differentially modulates CD40L expression on human nai;ve and memory CD4(+) T cells

Although differences in nai;ve and memory T cell signaling have been recognized, how these differences relate to cell regulation and function is not well understood. In this study, we investigated CD40 ligand (CD40L) regulation by cyclic AMP (cAMP) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and observed differential effects depending upon the cell subset and mode of activation. cAMP inhibited CD3-induced CD40L in both nai;ve and memory subsets, although greater inhibition was observed in memory cells. With CD3/CD28 costimulation, cAMP inhibited CD40L in memory cells but had a minimal effect on nai;ve cells. In primed T cells, cAMP increased CD40L on nai;ve cells but inhibited expression on memory cells. Differential cAMP effects appear interrelated to calcium signaling since the level of CD40L induced by calcium ionophore was increased by cAMP in both cell subsets, although nai;ve cells were more calcium responsive. Calcium-dependent calcineurin activity appeared necessary for CD40L expression, although no interaction of calcineurin and cAMP regulation was demonstrable. In contrast, inhibitors of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) blocked cAMP effects to increase CD40L and resulted in marked CD40L inhibition. The importance of CaMKIV in cAMP regulation was confirmed by transfection studies using a dominant negative CaMKIV construct. We conclude that cAMP differentially regulates CD40L expression in a manner that appears dependent upon CaMKIV activation. In view of the central role of CD40L expression in immunity as well as the pathophysiology of common diseases, it is of interest that cAMP can either increase or decrease CD40L expression depending upon the T cell subtype and mechanism of cell activation.

Anti-inflammatory cooperativity of corticosteroids and norepinephrine in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue in vivo and in vitro

Corticosteroids (CS) and norepinephrine (NE) support each other's biological effects. Thus, deficiency of cortisol and reduced synovial sympathetic innervation (SSI) may be proinflammatory in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study tested the anti-inflammatory cooperativity of CS and NE in human RA synovial tissue. In an in vivo study, 32 patients with RA (with prior CS therapy/without SSI: n=7; without prior CS therapy/with SSI: 6; with prior CS therapy/with SSI: 19) were investigated for synovial inflammation. In an in vitro study with synoviocytes from RA and OA patients, the separate and combined effects of cortisol and NE were studied. In the in vivo study, patients with prior CS therapy/with SSI showed lower secretion of synovial IL-8 than the other groups, lower synovial density of T cells and macrophages, and lower overall inflammation. In the in vitro study, a cooperative suppressive effect of NE (10(-6) M to 10(-8) M) and cortisol (10(-6) M and 10(-7) M) on secretion of IL-8 and TNF from primary early culture mixed RA synoviocytes was observed. This cooperative effect was not observed in OA synoviocytes. In the same RA and OA patients, the cooperative effect was lost in 3rd passage synovial fibroblasts. This study demonstrates the cooperativity of cortisol and NE for inhibition of proinflammatory mediators produced in the synovial tissue of RA patients. These results underscore that coupling of an efficient secretion of systemic cortisol together with local production of NE is important in order to lower synovial inflammation.

Endothelial cell and cAMP regulation of T-cell CD40 ligand: relevance of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV signalling

CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression is now recognized to contribute in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Because increased CD40L has been associated with myocardial infarction, effects of endothelial cells and cAMP with respect to CD40L regulation may be of clinical relevance. In the present study, endothelial cells are shown to markedly increase CD40L on naïve CD4+ T cells with a more modest effect on memory T cells. Furthermore, the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) synergistically increased naïve cell CD40L but inhibited memory cell CD40L. Although it has previously been recognized that human endothelial cells can increase T-cell CD40L, this is the first description of the difference in responses of naïve and memory cells and the first demonstration of synergistic effects of endothelial cells and cAMP on CD40L regulation. Consistent with previous reports that CD40L regulation is distinctive, another marker of early activation (CD69) was not similarly regulated. The mechanisms of CD40L regulation were related to calcineurin and calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) signalling pathways. Endothelial cell costimulation of CD40L was found to be dependent upon calcineurin activity while cAMP actions to increase CD40L were dependent upon CaMKIV. Expression of a dominant negative CaMKIV construct further indicated an important role for CaMKIV in regulation of CD40L and cAMP responses. These data indicate that endothelial cell costimulation can interact with cAMP through calcium signalling pathways to synergistically enhance CD40L expression. Because increased CD40L is associated with atherosclerotic plaque and instability, results are relevant to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

Cholera toxin treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells decreases smooth muscle alpha-actin content and abolishes the platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated DNA synthesis

The second messenger cyclic AMP regulates diverse biological processes such as cell morphology and cell growth. We examined the role of the second messenger cyclic AMP on rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) morphology and the intracellular transduction pathway mediated by platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor (PDGF-Rbeta). The effect of PDGF-BB on VSMCs growth was assessed by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-Rbeta, PLC-gamma1, ERK1 and ERK2, p125(FAK) and paxillin as well as Sm alpha-actin was examined by the chemiluminescence Western blotting method. Actin mRNA level was quantitated by Northern blotting. Visualization of Sm alpha-actin filaments, paxillin and PDGF-Rbeta was performed by immunfluorescence microscopy. Cholera toxin (CTX; 10 nM) treatment lead to a large and sustained increase in the cyclic AMP concentration after 2 h which correlated with change of VSMC morphology including complete disruption of the Sm alpha-actin filament array and loss of focal adhesions. Treatment of VSMCs with CTX did not influence tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin but decreased the content of a Sm alpha-actin protein. Maximal decrease of 70% was observed after 24 h of treatment. CTX also caused a 90% decrease of the actin mRNA level. CTX treatment completely abolished PDGF-BB stimulated DNA-synthesis although PDGF-Rbeta level and subcellular distribution and translocation was not altered. Furthermore CTX attenuated the PDGF-BB-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF-Rbeta, PI 3'-K, PLC-gamma1 and ERK1/2 indicating an action of cyclic AMP on PDGF-beta receptor. We conclude that although cyclic AMP attenuates the PDGF-Rbeta mediated intracellular transduction pathway, an intact actin filament may be required for the PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis in VSMCs.

Inhibitory activity of fenoterol on Dermatophagoides-, Parietaria-, tetanus-toxoid-, and Candida albicans-stimulated blood mononuclear cells: differences in beta2-adrenoreceptor stimulation but not in cell apoptosis

beta2-adrenoreceptor agonists have the ability to downregulate in vitro the proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (BMCs). This activity could be related to a variety of beta2-adrenoreceptor-mediated functions, including induction of cell apoptosis in activated T-cells. To test this hypothesis, BMCs from atopic subjects, sensitized to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides [Der p]) and/or to Parietaria were incubated with fenoterol (10(-8)-10(-5) M) in the presence of (a) purified allergen extracts (Der p [5 microg/mL] or Parietaria [5 microg/mL]) or (b) antigens (tetanus toxoid [1 microg/mL] or Candida albicans [5 x 10(5) bodies/mL]). The BMC proliferation was assessed by [3H] thymidine incorporation and cell apoptosis was assessed by evaluating DNA fragmentation by a fluorescence technique, using propidium iodide. In cultures stimulated with Der p or with Parietaria, fenoterol induced a dose-dependent inhibition of BMC proliferation, significant also at the lowest concentration tested (10(-8) M) (p < 0.05, each comparison). In contrast, the inhibitory activity of the drug on tetanus-toxoid-stimulated BMCs was significant only at the highest dose tested (10(-5)M) (p < 0.05), whereas no effect was seen when BMCs were stimulated with C. albicans extract (p > 0.05). The different inhibitory efficacy of fenoterol appeared to be related to the degree of activation of beta2-adrenoreceptors on the different BMC populations that responded to the different stimuli. Indeed, in the presence of fenoterol (10(-6) and 10(-5)M), a significant increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels was seen in Der p- or Parietaria-stimulated cells (p < 0.05; each comparison), but not in cell cultures stimulated with tetanus toxoid or with C. albicans extracts (p > 0.05; each comparison). Finally, the percentage of cells with fragmented DNA was lower in cultures stimulated with Der p or Parietaria than in those stimulated with tetanus toxoid or C. albicans, and the presence of fenoterol did not modify cell apoptosis (p > 0.05; each comparison). Thus, the different inhibitory activity of fenoterol on BMCs activated by allergens (Der p or Parietaria) or by antigens (tetanus toxoid or C. albicans) seems to be related to differences in beta2-adrenoreceptor expression and/or function in the different antigen-specific T-cell subsets, but it is not influenced by changes in cell apoptosis.

Downregulation of JAK3 Protein Levels in T Lymphocytes by Prostaglandin E2 and Other Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Elevating Agents: Impact on Interleukin-2 Receptor Signaling Pathway

The Janus kinase, JAK3 plays an important role in interleukin-2 (IL-2)–dependent signal transduction and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Our findings show that prostaglandin E2(PGE2) can inhibit upregulation of JAK3 protein in naive T cells and can downregulate its expression in primed cells. Reduction in JAK3 was selective because expression of other tyrosine kinases (JAK1, p56lck, and p59fyn) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5, which are linked to IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling pathway, were not affected. Inhibition of JAK3 may be controlled by intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, as forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), a membrane permeable analogue of cAMP suppressed JAK3 expression. Moreover, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase, potentiated PGE2-induced suppression of JAK3. In naive T cells, but not primed T cells, PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents also caused a modest reduction in surface expression of the common gamma chain (γc) that associates with JAK3. The absence of JAK3, but not IL-2R in T cells correlated with impaired IL-2–dependent signal transduction and proliferation. The alteration in IL-2 signaling included decreased tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of STAT5 and poor induction of the c-Myc and c-Jun pathways. In contrast, IL-2–dependent induction of Bcl-2 was unaffected. These findings suggest that suppression of JAK3 levels may represent one mechanism by which PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents can inhibit T-cell proliferation.

Downregulation of JAK3 Protein Levels in T Lymphocytes by Prostaglandin E2 and Other Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Elevating Agents: Impact on Interleukin-2 Receptor Signaling Pathway

The Janus kinase, JAK3 plays an important role in interleukin-2 (IL-2)–dependent signal transduction and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Our findings show that prostaglandin E2(PGE2) can inhibit upregulation of JAK3 protein in naive T cells and can downregulate its expression in primed cells. Reduction in JAK3 was selective because expression of other tyrosine kinases (JAK1, p56lck, and p59fyn) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5, which are linked to IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling pathway, were not affected. Inhibition of JAK3 may be controlled by intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, as forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), a membrane permeable analogue of cAMP suppressed JAK3 expression. Moreover, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase, potentiated PGE2-induced suppression of JAK3. In naive T cells, but not primed T cells, PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents also caused a modest reduction in surface expression of the common gamma chain (γc) that associates with JAK3. The absence of JAK3, but not IL-2R in T cells correlated with impaired IL-2–dependent signal transduction and proliferation. The alteration in IL-2 signaling included decreased tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of STAT5 and poor induction of the c-Myc and c-Jun pathways. In contrast, IL-2–dependent induction of Bcl-2 was unaffected. These findings suggest that suppression of JAK3 levels may represent one mechanism by which PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents can inhibit T-cell proliferation.

Regulation of CD40L expression by cyclic AMP: contrasting proinflammatory and inhibitory actions

CD40L expression is well recognized to be of critical importance in initiation of the immune response. Because cAMP mediates actions of bronchodilators commonly used in asthma, the effects of cAMP in regulating the immune response are of major importance. Cyclic AMP was found to either inhibit or markedly increase CD40L expression dependent upon the mechanisms of T cell activation. Cyclic AMP inhibited CD40L expression induced by TCR activation. In contrast, cAMP enhanced CD40L induced by CD2-mediated T cell activation or by calcium-dependent mechanisms. While neither CD28 costimulation nor exogenous IL-2 or IL-4 prevented cAMP inhibition in TCR activated cells, addition of calcium ionophore to TCR activation prevented any inhibitory effects and caused cAMP to increase CD40L expression. Actions of cAMP to increase CD40L expression appeared independent of PKC and were not a reflection of generalized cellular activation since neither CD25 nor CD69 expression was affected. The markedly contrasting actions of cAMP to decrease or increase CD40L expression, an important control point in the immune response, could be relevant to actions of commonly used medications including bronchodilators.

Regulators of G Protein Signaling Exhibit Distinct Patterns of Gene Expression and Target G Protein Specificity in Human Lymphocytes

The newly recognized regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) attenuate heterotrimeric G protein signaling pathways. We have cloned an IL-2-induced gene from human T cells, cytokine-responsive gene 1, which encodes a member of the RGS family, RGS16. The RGS16 protein binds Giα and Gqα proteins present in T cells, and inhibits Gi- and Gq-mediated signaling pathways. By comparison, the mitogen-induced RGS2 inhibits Gq but not Gi signaling. Moreover, the two RGS genes exhibit marked differences in expression patterns. The IL-2-induced expression of the RGS16 gene in T cells is suppressed by elevated cAMP, whereas the RGS2 gene shows a reciprocal pattern of regulation by these stimuli. Because the mitogen and cytokine receptors that trigger expression of RGS2 and RGS16 in T cells do not activate heterotrimeric G proteins, these RGS proteins and the G proteins that they regulate may play a heretofore unrecognized role in T cell functional responses to Ag and cytokine activation.

Immunomodulatory effects of pharmacological elevation of cyclic AMP in T lymphocytes proceed via a protein kinase A independent mechanism

The role of the cAMP pathway as an immunomodulatory system has been an area of intensive research. Pharmacological elevation of the cAMP pathway inhibits T lymphocyte proliferation and production of Th1-type cytokines. The effects of cAMP are thought to be mediated via activation of the intracellular receptor, protein kinase A (PKA). We investigated the inhibitory effects of cAMP elevation on human lymphocyte proliferation and function by utilising a range of selective inhibitors of PKA. Elevation of cAMP activity by dbcAMP, Sp-cAMPS and forskolin induced significant decreases of Con A stimulated PBMC proliferation. Co-incubation with the selective PKA inhibitors HA1004, KT5720 and Rp-cAMPS showed these antiproliferative effects to persist, despite measurable PKA activity being inhibited to that of untreated cells or less. IL-2 production was also inhibited by dbcAMP in the presence of HA1004 and Rp-cAMPS. It has been demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of pharmacological elevations in cAMP on human T cell proliferation and IL-2 production do not require PKA activity. These observations indicate that control of lymphocyte proliferation and functional status by cAMP proceeds through PKA-independent events. Identification of the underlying mechanisms behind these effects would increase our understanding of the cAMP cascade and may provide a potentially novel target for immunomodulation.

Inhibition of the cAMP signaling cascade via cannabinoid receptors: a putative mechanism of immune modulation by cannabinoid compounds

Immune modulation by cannabinoids has been widely established over the past three decades. In spite of this, the mechanism of action responsible for immune modulation and other well described biological effects attributed to cannabinoid compounds has been elusive. The identification and cloning of two novel G protein coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2, both of which bind cannabimimetic agents has served as the basis for a putative mechanism of action. CB1, which is also referred to as the central cannabinoid receptor is the primary form expressed within the central nervous system (CNS). Conversely, the peripheral cannabinoid receptor, CB2, does not appear to be expressed within the CNS but is the predominant form of the receptor expressed within the immune system. Both CB1 and CB2 negatively regulate adenylate cyclase activity through a pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding protein. Recent investigations addressing the mechanism by which cannabinoids disrupt leukocyte function have demonstrated that in the presence of cannabinoids the cAMP signaling cascade is markedly inhibited as evidenced by decreased adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A activity and decreased DNA binding by cAMP response element binding proteins. The focus of this discussion will be on the effects cannabinoids elicit on events within the cAMP cascade and related signaling pathways critical to the regulation of cytokine genes.

CD2 signalling induces phosphorylation of CREB in primary lymphocytes

Promoter sequences responsive to cyclic AMP (cAMP) are found in a number of cellular genes, and bind transcription factors of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor-1 (ATF-1) family. We have used a human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) model of cAMP response element (CRE) transcription to investigate the influence of lymphocyte activation on transcription from homologous regions in the viral promoter. We previously demonstrated increased HTLV-1 transcription following CD2 but not CD3 receptor cross-linking. We hypothesized that this increased viral transcription was mediated, in part, through the phosphorylation of CREB. Therefore, we investigated CD2 and CD3 receptor-mediated signalling in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). CD2, but not CD3, cross-linking increased cAMP detected by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approximately fourfold. CD2 cross-linking concurrently increased phosphorylation of CREB detected by immunoblot assay eightfold. Consistent with post-translational regulation, no change in total level of CREB protein was observed. Phosphorylation of CREB occurred through a herbimycin A and Rp-cAMP-sensitive pathway, suggesting phosphorylation required antecedent activation of both protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and protein kinase A (PKA). Both CD2 and CD3 cross-linking increased binding of nuclear proteins to a radiolabelled CRE oligonucleotide probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggesting that lymphocyte activation enhances binding independently of phosphorylation of CREB at serine 133. These data indicate specific modulation of the CREB/ATF-1 family of transcription factors by the CD2 signalling pathway and suggest CD2 receptor modulation of CRE-mediated transcription following ligand engagement (e.g. cell-to-cell contact).

Altered peptide ligands act as partial agonists by inhibiting phospholipase C activity induced by myasthenogenic T cell epitopes

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T cell-regulated, antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. Two peptides representing sequences of the human acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit, p195-212 and p259-271, previously were shown to stimulate the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with MG and were found to be immunodominant T cell epitopes in SJL and BALB/c mice, respectively. Single amino acid-substituted analogs of p195-212 and p259-271, as well as a dual analog composed of the tandemly arranged two single analogs, were shown to inhibit, in vitro and in vivo, MG-associated autoimmune responses. Stimulation of T cells through the antigen-specific T cell receptor activates tyrosine kinases and phospholipase C (PLC). Therefore, in attempts to understand the mechanism of action of the analogs, we first examined whether the myasthenogenic peptides trigger tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C. For that purpose, we measured generation of inositol phosphates and tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC after stimulation of the p195-212- and p259-271-specific T cell lines with these myasthenogenic peptides. Both myasthenogenic peptides stimulated generation of inositol phosphates as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC. However, the single and dual analogs, although inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC, could not induce PLC activity. Furthermore, the single and dual analogs inhibited the induced PLC activity whereas they could not inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC that was caused by the myasthenogenic peptides. Thus, the altered peptides and the dual analog act as partial agonists. The down-regulation of PLC activity by the analogs may account for their capacity to inhibit in vitro MG-associated T cell responses.

Regulation of the cAMP cascade, gene expression and immune function by cannabinoid receptors

The objective of this article is to discuss the putative role of cannabinoid receptors in immune modulation by cannabinoid compounds. The primary focus is on the signal transduction events that are initiated following ligand binding to cannabinoid receptors and how these events lead to detrimental effects on the normal responsiveness of immunocompetent cells. Toward this end, signalling events are traced from the cannabinoid receptor to the transcription factors which are adversely regulated in the presence of cannabinoid compounds during leukocyte activation. Moreover, this aberrant regulation of transcription factors is discussed in the context of altered gene expression and the impact this has on leukocyte function. Lastly, an important goal of this article is to dispel a long standing myth that the cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) cascade is a negative regulatory pathway for immunocompetent cells. This chapter examines two major immunologic cell-types which are well established as exhibiting altered function following cannabinoid treatment, helper T-cells and the macrophage. Not discussed are the effects of cannabinoids on B-cell function. This is primarily due to the rather refractory nature of B-cells to inhibition by cannabinoids in spite of the fact that this cell-type expresses functional cannabinoid receptors [Schatz, A.R., Koh, W.S., Kaminski, N.E., 1993. Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol selectively inhibits T-cell dependent humoral immune responses through direct inhibition of accessory T-cell function. Immunopharmacol., 26, pp. 129-137.]. One cautionary note, although the focus of this article is on cannabinoid receptor mediated signalling events, immune modulation by cannabinoid compounds is likely multi-factorial presumably involving receptor as well as receptor-nonrelated events. Effects on leukocytes by cannabinoids which are believed to be mediated by receptor-nonrelated events are outside the scope of this paper and will not be discussed. One last introductory point is that even though their is presumably little overlap in the genes which are regulated by cannabinoids in leukocytes as compared to other cell-types (e.g., neural cells), the major signalling pathways involved in cellular regulation are ubiquitous. With that in mind, it is likely that their is a considerable amount of similarity in the signalling pathways regulated by cannabinoids in cell-types of different lineage, given that they express cannabinoid receptors. In this context, signalling events observed in leukocytes can provide important insight into which genes may be modulated by cannabinoid in other cell types.

Pentoxifylline potentiates nitric oxide production and growth suppression in interferon-gamma-treated L929 fibroblasts

In this study the effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (PTX) on nitric oxide (NO) production and proliferation of murine fibrosarcoma cell line L929 were investigated. We showed that both IFN-gamma (200 U/ml)-induced NO production and inhibition of [3H]thymidine uptake by L929 cells were potentiated in a synergistic fashion in the presence of PTX (200 micrograms/ml). These effects of PTX could be a consequence of phosphodiesterase inhibition, since they were mimicked by cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP. PTX failed to affect NO production when added to cells in which inducible NO synthase (iNOS) had already been induced with IFN-gamma and any further induction was blocked by cycloheximide (1 ug/ml), indicating that PTX modulates NO synthesis in L929 cells probably on a pretranslational level. Inhibition of iNOS with L-NAME (3 mM), although completely abolishing NO production, did not have any effect on proliferation of IFN-gamma or IFN-gamma + PTX-treated L929 cells, arguing against the possibility that growth suppression of these cells was due to the enhanced NO production. Moreover, the observation that the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (10-250 microM) significantly increased incorporation of [3H]thymidine in L929 fibroblasts suggests a role for NO in the positive regulation of their growth.

Selective stimulation of a cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4A5) isoform by phosphatidic acid molecular species endogenously formed in rat thymocytes

We have previously reported that concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation of rat thymocytes induces an increase in the cellular phosphatidic acid mass as well as a change in its fatty acid composition. An increase in phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, mostly due to cAMP-specific (PDE4) isoforms, has also been observed in thymocytes stimulated by ConA. Furthermore, phosphatidic acid was able to stimulate PDE4 activity in vitro. In the present study, cAMP levels have been shown to decrease upon ConA stimulation of thymocytes. Decreasing phosphatidic acid level using diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors induced a parallel decrease of the ConA-stimulated cAMP-specific PDE activity in these cells. Analyses of phosphatidic acid molecular species in cells stimulated for 5 min by ConA revealed a significant increase in 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate and a relative decrease in the other molecular species of phosphatidic acid, mainly species containing palmitate. On the other hand, phosphatidic acid extracted from ConA-stimulated cells activated more efficiently the recombinant PDE4A5 isoform in vitro, as compared to phosphatidic acid extracted from unstimulated cells. In addition, phosphatidic acid species containing unsaturated fatty acids were stimulatory, while those containing two saturated fatty acids had only a marginal effect on the enzyme activity. Taken together, these data suggest that the mitogenic stimulation of thymocytes is accompanied by the synthesis of peculiar phosphatidic acid molecular species able to activate a PDE4 isoform. This activation might be of physiological relevance since cAMP is a major negative effector of the mitogenic response.

Interleukin-2 induces gamma-S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase gene expression during T-lymphocyte activation

The regulation of expression of the gamma-S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) synthetase gene was investigated in T-cells during G0/G1 transition, as well as throughout the G1 phase. Stimulation of G0 T-lymphocytes with concanavalin A induces AdoMet synthetase gene expression, starting 8 h after stimulation. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulates the induction of this gene expression and AdoMet synthetase activity in G1 lymphoblasts, in part by an increase in the transcription rate of the gene. Phorbol esters, which also stimulate the proliferation of G1 lymphoblasts, show a similar kinetics of AdoMet synthetase mRNA induction. In contrast, the mRNA levels of the S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, another enzyme of the methionine cycle, remain unchanged upon IL-2 or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate treatment. Dexamethasone and 8Br-cAMP, both inhibitors of lymphocyte proliferation, are able to block the expression of the AdoMet synthetase gene and, consequently, AdoMet synthetase activity. Together these findings indicate that the AdoMet synthetase gene is subject to cell-cycle regulation in T-lymphocytes.

Evidence for the Role of Cyclic AMP-Responsive Elements in Human Virus Replication and Disease

We review the involvement of the cyclic AMP responsive DNA element (CRE) and the ATF/CREB (activating transcription factor/CRE binding protein) family of transcription factors in the regulation and pathology of clinically important viruses that infect humans, including the herpesviridae, adenoviridae, parvoviridae, hepadnaviridae, and retroviridae families. CRE sequences found in specific regulatory elements of human viruses are listed, and the functional evidence for CRE activity, in the form of DNA binding assays, mutational studies, transfection and transcriptional activation experiments, or in vitro transcription assays, is summarized. Manipulation of cellular processes is required for virus replication in human cells following infection. A primary target of many viruses is the cellular transcription machinery, and several human viruses contain transcriptional activator and repressor proteins that affect cellular transcription. Through their effect on cellular transcription, viral genes alter the pattern of cellular gene expression, and thereby affect the differentiation state and cell cycle progression of the infected cell. We summarize evidence demonstrating that the CRE and its binding proteins are involved in the activity of the viruses, implicating their function in the pathogenesis of human diseases. The targeting of specific transcription factor pathways as a potential therapeutic approach is discussed. Copyright 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel

Dual signal transduction through delta opioid receptors in a transfected human T-cell line

Opiates are known to function as immunomodulators, in part by effects on T cells. However, the signal transduction pathways mediating the effects of opiates on T cells are largely undefined. To determine whether pathways that regulate free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and/or cAMP are affected by opiates acting through delta-type opioid receptors (DORs), a cDNA encoding the neuronal DOR was expressed in a stably transfected Jurkat T-cell line. The DOR agonists, deltorphin and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin (DADLE), elevated [Ca2+]i, measured by flow cytofluorometry using the calcium-sensitive dye, Fluo-3. At concentrations from 10(-11)-10(-7) M, both agonists increased [Ca2+]i from 60 nM to peak concentrations of 400 nM in a dose-dependent manner within 30 sec (ED50 of approximately 5 x 10(-9) M). Naltrindole, a selective DOR antagonist, abolished the increase in [Ca2+]i, and pretreatment with pertussis toxin was also effective. To assess the role of extracellular calcium, cells were pretreated with EGTA, which reduced the initial deltorphin-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i by more than 50% and eliminated the second phase of calcium mobilization. Additionally, the effect of DADLE on forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was determined. DADLE reduced cAMP production by 70% (IC50 of approximately equal to 10(-11) M), and pertussis toxin inhibited the action of DADLE. Thus, the DOR expressed by a transfected Jurkat T-cell line is positively coupled to pathways leading to calcium mobilization and negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase. These studies identify two pertussis toxin-sensitive, G protein-mediated signaling pathways through which DOR agonists regulate the levels of intracellular messengers that modulate T-cell activation.

Identification of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases 3, 4 and 7 in human CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes: role in regulating proliferation and the biosynthesis of interleukin-2

1. The cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases (PDE) expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes purified from the peripheral blood of normal adult subjects were identified and characterized, and their role in modulating proliferation and the biosynthesis of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma evaluated. 2. In lysates prepared from both subsets, SK&F 95654 (PDE3 inhibitor) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) suppressed cyclic AMP hydrolysis indicating the presence of PDE3 and PDE4 isoenzymes in these cells. Differential centrifugation and subsequent inhibitor and kinetic studies revealed that the particulate fraction contained, predominantly, a PDE3 isoenzyme. In contrast, the soluble fraction contained a PDE4 (approximately 65% of total activity) and, in addition, a novel enzyme that had the kinetic characteristics of the recently identified PDE7. 3. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies with primer pairs designed to recognise unique sequences in the human PDE4 and PDE7 genes amplified cDNA fragments that corresponded to the predicted sizes of HSPDE4A, HSPDE4B, HSPDE54D and HSPDE7. No message was detected for HSPDE4C after 35 cycles of amplification. 4. Functionally, rolipram inhibited phytohaemagglutinin- (PHA) and anti-CD3-induced proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and the elaboration of IL-2, which was associated with a three to four fold increase in cyclic AMP mass. In all experiments, however, rolipram was approximately 60 fold more potent at suppressing IL-2 synthesis than at inhibiting mitogenesis. In contrast, SK&F 95654 failed to suppress proliferation and cytokine generation, and did not elevate the cyclic AMP content in T-cells. Although inactive alone, SK&F 95654 potentiated the ability of rolipram to suppress PHA- and anti-CD3-induced T-cell proliferation, and PHA-induced IL-2 release. 5. When a combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin were used as a co-mitogen, rolipram did not affect proliferation but, paradoxically, suppressed IL-2 release indicating that cyclic AMP can inhibit mitogenesis by acting at, or proximal to, the level of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. 6. Collectively, these data suggest that PDE3 and PDE4 isoenzymes regulate the cyclic AMP content, IL-2 biosynthesis and proliferation in human CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. However, the ability of rolipram to suppress markedly mitogen-induced IL-2 generation without affecting T-cell proliferation suggests that growth and division of T-lymphocytes may be governed by mediators in addition to IL-2. Finally, T-cells have the potential to express PDE7, although elucidating the functional role of this enzyme must await the development of selective inhibitors.

Cannabinoid inhibition of adenylate cyclase-mediated signal transduction and interleukin 2 (IL-2) expression in the murine T-cell line, EL4.IL-2

Cannabinoid receptors negatively regulate adenylate cyclase through a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. In the present studies, signaling via the adenylate cyclase/cAMP pathway was investigated in the murine thymoma-derived T-cell line, EL4.IL-2. Northern analysis of EL4.IL-2 cells identified the presence of 4-kilobase CB2 but not CB1 receptor-subtype mRNA transcripts. Southern analysis of genomic DNA digests for the CB2 receptor demonstrated identical banding patterns for EL4.IL-2 cells and mouse-derived DNA, both of which were dissimilar to DNA isolated from rat. Treatment of EL4.IL-2 cells with either cannabinol or Delta9-THC disrupted the adenylate cyclase signaling cascade by inhibiting forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation which consequently led to a decrease in protein kinase A activity and the binding of transcription factors to a CRE consensus sequence. Likewise, an inhibition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) protein secretion, which correlated to decreased IL-2 gene transcription, was induced by both cannabinol and Delta9-THC. Further, cannabinoid treatment also decreased PMA/ionomycin-induced nuclear factor binding to the AP-1 proximal site of the IL-2 promoter. Conversely, forskolin enhanced PMA/ionomycin-induced AP-1 binding. These findings suggest that inhibition of signal transduction via the adenylate cyclase/cAMP pathway induces T-cell dysfunction which leads to a diminution in IL-2 gene transcription.

Cyclic AMP-mediated growth arrest is associated with increased expression of human T cell leukemia virus type I structural and transforming genes

The effect of increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels on gene expression of the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) provirus was examined. Induction of infected cells to produce elevated levels of cyclic AMP was associated with specific increases in viral surface antigen expression, protein synthesis, p24 release into the supernatant, and RNA levels. The patterns of HTLV-I proviral gene expression observed support results from transfection experiments regarding the function of Tax, Rex, and cyclic AMP in HTLV-I gene regulation. As evidenced by thymidine incorporation, treatment of the infected cells to produce cyclic AMP caused reversible growth arrest. The data indicate that HTLV-I RNA and protein synthesis can proceed at an elevated level in the absence of cell growth. Sustained increases in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP may represent a method for enriching cell cultures in HTLV-I proteins.

Block of T lymphocyte differentiation by activation of the cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathway

Differentiation of T lymphocytes is a complex and finely tuned process. Here we show that treatment of mouse fetal thymus organ cultures with agents activating the cAMP-dependent signalling pathway results in the block of thymocyte differentiation. This is due to severe impairment of maturation beyond the CD4-/CD8- stage. In addition, rearrangements at the TCR alpha gene locus, but not at the TCR beta locus, are completely inhibited. The cAMP effect is reversible and is restricted to TCR alpha beta+ cells. cAMP acts both by triggering apoptosis and by inducing cell-cycle block in thymocytes. Thus, activation of the cAMP pathway provides a mechanism to modulate thymic function for hormones and ligands whose receptors are coupled to adenylate cyclase.

Activation of p70 S6 kinase and erk-encoded mitogen-activated protein kinases is resistant to high cyclic nucleotide levels in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

Treatment of Swiss mouse 3T3 fibroblasts with certain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors (theophylline, SQ 20,006, and MY-5445) prevents the activation of the M(r) 70,000 S6 kinase (p70S6k) induced by a variety of external stimuli. Concentrations giving half-maximal inhibition were 800, 50, and 25 microM, respectively. Western blot analysis and immunocomplex kinase assays showed that these compounds inhibit the phosphorylation and activation of p70S6k without affecting the erk-encoded mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases or the rsk-encoded S6 kinase (p90rsk). A distinct collection of cAMP and cGMP agonists and analogues did not suppress p70S6k activation, indicating that 1) high intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations do not antagonize the p70S6k pathway and 2) phosphodiesterase inhibitors block p70S6k activation by a mechanism that is independent of cAMP or cGMP production. The effect of theophylline and SQ 20,006, but not MY-5445, on p70S6k signaling may be due in part to the inhibition of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase that acts upstream of p70S6k. Finally, in contrast to many other cell types, cAMP and cGMP were also found to have no inhibitory effect on the MAP kinase/p90rsk signaling pathway in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.

Time-course changes in content and fatty acid composition of phosphatidic acid from rat thymocytes during concanavalin A stimulation

Several studies have shown the potential role of phosphatidic acid (PA) as a second messenger in different cell types. Thus, PA has been shown to mimic physiological agonists leading to various cellular responses, such as neurotransmitter and hormone release, cell proliferation by modulating DNA or RNA synthesis, the expression of several proto-oncogenes and growth factors, and the stimulation of enzyme activities such as phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinases and cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase. Stimulation of [3H]arachidonate-labelled rat thymocytes with the mitogen lectin concanavalin A (con A) resulted in enhanced production of radiolabelled PA after only 5 min of activation. The radiolabelled PA increase corresponded to a real increase in PA mass as determined by GLC quantification of its fatty acid content. In the presence of ethanol (0.5%), formation of phosphatidylethanol was not observed after 5 min of con A activation. Pretreatment of cells with R 59022 (10 microM), a diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase inhibitor, showed an inhibition in the formation of radiolabelled PA and in PA mass. These results suggest that the PLC-DAG kinase may be the pathway for PA synthesis in the first minutes of mitogenic thymocyte activation. A detailed analysis of the fatty acid composition showed that the relative amount of unsaturated fatty acids was increased in PA from stimulated cells concomitantly with a decrease in saturated ones; in particular, arachidonic acid was increased approximately 2-fold only 2 min after con A addition whereas palmitic acid was decreased for the whole period investigated (20 min). These changes favour the hydolysis of phosphoinositides rather than phosphatidylcholines by PLC. As PA remains a minor phospholipid, these changes are unlikely to affect cell membrane fluidity; but PA being now well recognized as a potential second messenger, its increased content as well as its increased unsaturation in the fatty acyl moiety might modulate several signalling pathways or the activity of enzymes such as cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, controlling in this way the cellular level of cAMP, a negative regulator of blastic transformation.

Activation of pp70/85 S6 kinases in interleukin-2-responsive lymphoid cells is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and inhibited by cyclic AMP

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and activation of the 70/85-kDa S6 protein kinases (alpha II and alpha I isoforms, referred to collectively as pp70S6k) have been independently linked to the regulation of cell proliferation. We demonstrate that these kinases lie on the same signalling pathway and that PI3K mediates the activation of pp70 by the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). We also show that the activation of pp70S6k can be blocked at different points along the signalling pathway by using specific inhibitors of T-cell proliferation. Inhibition of PI3K activity with structurally unrelated but highly specific PI3K inhibitors (wortmannin or LY294002) results in inhibition of IL-2-dependent but not phorbol ester (conventional protein kinase C [cPKC])-dependent pp70S6k activation. The T-cell immunosuppressant rapamycin potently antagonizes IL-2-(PI3K)- and phorbol ester (cPKC)-mediated activation of pp70S6k. Thus, wortmannin and rapamycin antagonize IL-2-mediated activation of pp70S6k at distinct points along the PI3K-regulated signalling pathway, or rapamycin antagonizes another pathway required for pp70S6k activity. Agents that raise the concentration of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) also inhibit IL-2-dependent activation of pp70S6k. In this case, inhibition appears to occur at least two points in this signalling path. Like rapamycin, PKA appears to act downstream of cPKC-mediated pp70S6k activation, and like wortmannin, PKA antagonizes IL-2-dependent activation of PI3K. The results with rapamycin and wortmannin are of added interest since the yeast and mammalian rapamycin targets resemble PI3K in the catalytic domain.

Apolipoprotein E restricts interleukin-dependent T lymphocyte proliferation at the G1A/G1B boundary

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a lipid transport protein important in cholesterol homeostasis, inhibits the proliferation of interleukin-dependent lymphocytes. Growth factor-responsive cells are blocked in the G1A phase of the cell cycle. Suppression by apoE is independent of growth factor, as evidenced by the fact that interleukin-2 (IL2)- and IL4-dependent proliferation of HT-2 T lymphocytes is equally inhibited. apoE has no effect on IL2-augmented killing of target cells by cytotoxic T cells, indicating that it has no direct effect on signaling via interleukin receptors. The data are consistent with inhibition by apoE of an event or pathway distal to receptor signaling and required for G1A transition, or G1B entry.