Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk1/2 by erythropoietin receptor via a G(i )protein beta gamma-subunit-initiated pathway

Dapagliflozin attenuates diabetic cardiomyopathy through erythropoietin up-regulation of AKT/JAK/MAPK pathways in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of Dapagliflozin (Dapa) cardioprotection against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Structural and functional changes in the heart as well as decrease of erythropoietin (EPO) levels were reported in DCM. EPO simultaneously activates three pathways: the Janus-activated kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK2/STAT5), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/Akt), and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK/MAPK) cascades, that result in proliferation and differentiation of cardiac cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DCM was induced by a high fat diet for 10 weeks followed by administration of streptozotocin. After confirmation of diabetes, rats were divided randomly to 5 groups: Group 1; normal control group, Group 2; untreated diabetic group and Groups (3-5); diabetic groups received Dapa daily (0.75 mg, 1.5 or 3 mg/Kg, p.o) respectively for a month. At the end of the experiment, full anaesthesia was induced in all rats using ether inhalation and ECG was recorded. Blood samples were collected then rats were sacrificed and their heart were dissected out and processed for biochemical and histopathological studies. Untreated diabetic rats showed abnormal ECG pattern, elevation of serum cardiac enzymes, decrease EPO levels, downregulation of P-Akt, P-JAK2 and pMAPK pathways, abnormal histological structure of the heart and increase immunostaining intensity of P53 and TNF α in the cardiomyocytes. Dapa in a dose dependent manner attenuated the alterations in the previously mentioned parameters.

CONCLUSION

The cardioprotective effect of Dapa could be mediated by increasing EPO levels and activation of P-Akt, P-JAK2 and pMAPK signalling cascades which in turn decrease apoptosis.

Erythropoietin directly stimulates osteoclast precursors and induces bone loss

Erythropoietin (EPO) primarily regulates red blood cell formation, and EPO serum levels are increased on hypoxic stress (e.g., anemia and altitude). In addition to anemia, recent discoveries suggest new therapeutic indications for EPO, unrelated to erythropoiesis. We investigated the skeletal role of EPO using several models of overexpression (Tg6 mice) and EPO administration (intermittent/continuous, high/low doses) in adult C57Bl6 female mice. Using microcomputed tomography, histology, and serum markers, we found that EPO induced a 32%-61% trabecular bone loss caused by increased bone resorption (+60%-88% osteoclast number) and reduced bone formation rate (-19 to -74%; P < 0.05 throughout). EPO targeted the monocytic lineage by increasing the number of bone monocytes/macrophages, preosteoclasts, and mature osteoclasts. In contrast to the attenuated bone formation in vivo, EPO treatment in vitro did not inhibit osteoblast differentiation and activity, suggesting an indirect effect of EPO on osteoblasts. However, EPO had a direct effect on preosteoclasts by stimulating osteoclastogenesis in isolated cultures (+60%) via the Jak2 and PI3K pathways. In summary, our findings demonstrate that EPO negatively regulates bone mass and thus bears significant clinical implications for the potential management of patients with endogenously or therapeutically elevated EPO levels.

Expression profiles uncover the relationship between erythropoietin and cell proliferation in rat hepatocytes after a partial hepatectomy

Erythropoietin (EPO) has a beneficial effect on hepatic cell proliferation during liver regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. To uncover the proliferation response of EPO in rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) at the cellular level, hepatocytes (HCs) were isolated using Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The genes of the EPO-mediated signaling pathway and the target genes of the transcription factor (TF) in the pathway were identified in a pathway and TF database search. Their expression profiles were then detected using Rat Genome 230 2.0 Microarray. The results indicated that the EPO-mediated signaling pathway is involved in 19 paths and that 124 genes participate, of which 32 showed significant changes and could be identified as liver regeneration-related genes. In addition, 443 targets regulated by the TFs of the pathway and 60 genes associated with cell proliferation were contained in the array. Subsequently, the synergetic effect of these genes in liver regeneration was analyzed using the E(t) mathematical model based on their expression profiles. The results demonstrated that the E(t) values of paths 3, 8, 12 and 14-17 were significantly strengthened in the progressing phase of liver regeneration through the RAS/MEK/ERK or PI3K/AκT pathways. The synergetic effect of the target genes, in parallel with target-related cell proliferation, was also enhanced 12-72 h after PH, suggesting a potential positive effect of EPO on HC proliferation during rat liver regeneration. These data imply that the EPO receptor may allow EPO to promote HC proliferation through paths 3, 8, 12 and 14-17, mediating the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AκT pathways in rat liver regeneration after PH.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate/S1P receptors signaling modulates cell migration in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to damaged tissues and sites of inflammation is an essential step for clinical therapy. However, the signals regulating the motility of these cells are still not fully understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite, is known to have a variety of biological effects on various cells. Here, we investigated the roles of S1P and S1P receptors (S1PRs) in migration of human BMSCs. We found that S1P exerted a powerful migratory action on human BMSCs. Moreover, by employing RNA interference technology and pharmacological tools, we demonstrated that S1PR1 and S1PR3 are responsible for S1P-induced migration of human BMSCs. In contrast, S1PR2 mediates the inhibition of migration. Additionally, we explored the downstream signaling pathway of the S1P/S1PRs axis and found that activation of S1PR1 or S1PR3 increased migration of human BMSCs through a G i /extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2- (ERK1/2-) dependent pathway, whereas activation of S1PR2 decreased migration through the Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) pathway. In conclusion, we reveal that the S1P/S1PRs signaling axis regulates the migration of human BMSCs via a dual-directional mechanism. Thus, selective modulation of S1PR's activity on human BMSCs may provide an effective approach to immunotherapy or tissue regeneration.

The role of tumor suppressor p15Ink4b in the regulation of hematopoietic progenitor cell fate

Epigenetic silencing of the tumor suppressor gene p15Ink4b (CDKN2B) is a frequent event in blood disorders like acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. The molecular function of p15Ink4b in hematopoietic differentiation still remains to be elucidated. Our previous study demonstrated that loss of p15Ink4b in mice results in skewing of the differentiation pattern of the common myeloid progenitor towards the myeloid lineage. Here, we investigated a function of p15Ink4b tumor suppressor gene in driving erythroid lineage commitment in hematopoietic progenitors. It was found that p15Ink4b is expressed more highly in committed megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitors than granulocyte–macrophage progenitors. More importantly, mice lacking p15Ink4b have lower numbers of primitive red cell progenitors and a severely impaired response to 5-fluorouracil- and phenylhydrazine-induced hematopoietic stress. Introduction of p15Ink4b into multipotential progenitors produced changes at the molecular level, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase\extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling, increase GATA-1, erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) and decrease Pu1, GATA-2 expression. These changes rendered cells more permissive to erythroid commitment and less permissive to myeloid commitment, as demonstrated by an increase in early burst-forming unit-erythroid formation with concomitant decrease in myeloid colonies. Our results indicate that p15Ink4b functions in hematopoiesis, by maintaining proper lineage commitment of progenitors and assisting in rapid red blood cells replenishment following stress.

Erythropoietin as a novel brain and kidney protective agent

Erythropoietin is a 30.4 kDa glycoprotein produced by the kidney, which is mostly known for its physiological function in regulating red blood cell production in the bone marrow Accumulating evidence, however suggests that erythropoietin has additional organ protective effects, which may specifically be useful in protecting the brain and kidneys from injury. Experimental evidence suggests that these protective mechanisms are multi-factorial in nature and may include inhibition of apoptotic cell death, stimulation of cellular regeneration, inhibition of deleterious pathways and promotion of recovery. In this article we review the physiology of erythropoietin, assess previous work that supports the role of erythropoietin as a general tissue protective agent and explain the mechanisms by which it may achieve this tissue protective effect. We then focus on specific laboratory and clinical data that suggest that erythropoietin has a strong brain protective and kidney protective effect. In addition, we comment on the implications of these studies for clinicians at the bedside and for researchers designing controlled trials to further elucidate the true clinical utility of erythropoietin as a neuroprotective and nephroprotective agent. Finally, we describe EPO-TBI, a double-blinded multi-centre randomised controlled trial involving the authors that is being conducted to investigate the organ protective effects of erythropoietin on the brain, and also assesses its effect on the kidneys.

Diabetes mellitus abrogates erythropoietin-induced cardioprotection against ischemic-reperfusion injury by alteration of the RISK/GSK-3β signaling

Recent studies reported cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through activation of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway. As RISK has been reported to be impaired in diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome, we examined whether EPO-induced cardioprotection was maintained in rat models of type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. Isolated hearts were obtained from three rat cohorts: healthy controls, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance syndrome. All hearts underwent 25 min ischemia and 30 min or 120 min reperfusion. They were assigned to receive either no intervention or a single dose of EPO at the onset of reperfusion. In hearts from healthy controls, EPO decreased infarct size (14.36 ± 0.60 and 36.22 ± 4.20% of left ventricle in EPO-treated and untreated hearts, respectively, p < 0.05) and increased phosphorylated forms of Akt, ERK1/2, and their downstream target GSK-3β. In hearts from STZ-induced diabetic rats, EPO did not decrease infarct size (32.05 ± 2.38 and 31.88 ± 1.87% in EPO-treated and untreated diabetic rat hearts, respectively, NS) nor did it increase phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK-3β. In contrast, in hearts from HFD-induced insulin resistance rats, EPO decreased infarct size (18.66 ± 1.99 and 34.62 ± 3.41% in EPO-treated and untreated HFD rat hearts, respectively, p < 0.05) and increased phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK-3β. Administration of GSK-3β inhibitor SB216763 was cardioprotective in healthy and diabetic hearts. STZ-induced diabetes abolished EPO-induced cardioprotection against I/R injury through a disruption of upstream signaling of GSK-3β. In conclusion, direct inhibition of GSK-3β may provide an alternative strategy to protect diabetic hearts against I/R injury.

Myocardial reperfusion injury management: erythropoietin compared with postconditioning

Ischemic postconditioning (IPost) and erythropoietin (EPO) have been shown to attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury using similar signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to examine whether EPO is as effective as IPost in decreasing postischemic myocardial injury in both Langendorff-isolated-heart and in vivo ischemia-reperfusion rat models. Rat hearts were subjected to 25 min ischemia, followed by 30 min or 2 h of reperfusion in the isolated-heart study. Rats underwent 45 min ischemia, followed by 24 h of reperfusion in the in vivo study. In both studies, the control group ( n = 12; ischemia-reperfusion only) was compared with IPost ( n = 16; 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s ischemia) and EPO ( n = 12; 1,000 IU/kg) at the onset of reperfusion. The following resulted. First, in the isolated hearts, IPost or EPO significantly improved postischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure. EPO induced better left ventricular developed pressure than IPost at 30 min of reperfusion (73.18 ± 10.23 vs. 48.11 ± 7.92 mmHg, P < 0.05). After 2 h of reperfusion, the infarct size was significantly lower in EPO-treated hearts compared with IPost and control hearts (14.36 ± 0.60%, 19.11 ± 0.84%, and 36.21 ± 4.20% of the left ventricle, respectively; P < 0.05). GSK-3β phosphorylation, at 30 min of reperfusion, was significantly higher with EPO compared with IPost hearts. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and ERK1/2 inhibitors abolished both EPO- and IPost-mediated cardioprotection. Second, in vivo, IPost and EPO induced an infarct size reduction compared with control (40.5 ± 3.6% and 28.9 ± 3.1%, respectively, vs. 53.7 ± 4.3% of the area at risk; P < 0.05). Again, EPO decreased significantly more infarct size and transmurality than IPost ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, with the use of our protocols, EPO showed better protective effects than IPost against reperfusion injury through higher phosphorylation of GSK-3β.

Intracellular signal transduction by the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor of Xenopus melanotrope cells

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is expressed in various types of endocrine pituitary cell, but the intracellular mechanism this G protein-coupled receptor uses in these cells is not known. In the present study we investigated possible intracellular signal transduction pathway(s) utilized by the CaR of the endocrine melanotrope cells in the intermediate pituitary lobe of the South African-clawed toad Xenopus laevis. For this purpose, the effects of various pharmacological agents on CaR-evoked secretion of radiolabeled secretory peptides from cultured melanotrope cells were assessed. CaR-evoked secretion, induced by the potent CaR agonist L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), could not be inhibited by cholera toxin, nor by NPC-15437 and PMA, indicating that neither G(s)/PKA nor G(q)/PKC pathways are involved. However, pertussis toxin (G(i/o) protein inhibitor), genistein (inhibitor of PTKs), wortmannin/LY-294002 (PI3-K inhibitor) and U-0126 (inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ERK) all substantially inhibited CaR-evoked secretion, indicating that the Xenopus melanotrope cell possesses a PI3-K/MAPK system that plays some role in CaR-signaling. Since no direct effect of L-Phe on ERK phosphorylation could be shown it is concluded that CaR must act primarily through another, still unknown, signaling pathway in Xenopus melanotropes. Our results indicate that the PI3-K/MAPK system has a facilitating effect on CaR-induced secretion, possibly by sensitizing the CaR.

Role of HLA-G in innate immunity through direct activation of NF-κB in natural killer cells

HLA-G is a non-classical HLA class I molecule involved in immunotolerance. HLA-G protects the fetus from maternal immune recognition and promotes allograft acceptance and tumor escape. Its low polymorphism and primary function, which is not peptide presentation to T lymphocytes, led us to compare the signal transduced after interaction between HLA-G and its receptor to those of innate immunity receptors with their ligands. We investigated the role of HLA-G in the classical NF-kappaB pathway in natural killer (NK) cells, which is the major pathway activated by innate immunity receptors. In NK cells stimulated with HLA-G1-expressed cells, we demonstrate that HLA-G induces the phosphorylation and the degradation of IkappaBalpha leading to nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. This effect is independent of the presence of ILT-2 receptors and is still observed using a peptide corresponding to the alpha-1 domain of HLA-G. All these data support an unsuspected role for HLA-G in innate immunity by activating classical NF-kappaB pathway in NK cells.

Different Pathways for Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase through Thromboxane A2 Receptor Isoforms

Thromboxane A2 receptor (TP) consists of two alternatively spliced isoforms, TPalpha and TPbeta, which differ in their cytoplasmic tails. In the present study, we examined the difference in signal transduction of TPalpha and TPbeta, using stably expressing cells of TPalpha and TPbeta. The cells expressing TPalpha (TPalpha-SC2) and TPbeta (TPbeta-SC15) were selected based on the similar binding sites of [3H]-SQ29548, a TP antagonist. U46619, a TP agonist, elicited phosphoinositide hydrolysis in TPalpha-SC2 and TPbeta-SC15 cells with a similar concentration-dependency. U46619 also caused the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in both TPalpha-SC2 and TPbeta-SC15 cells. While the peak of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was observed 5 min after addition of U46619 in TPalpha-SC2 cells, the long lasting phosphorylation up to 60 min was in TPbeta-SC15 cells. U46619-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at 5 min was inhibited by pertussis toxin in both cells, suggesting that G(i) is involved in the phosphorylation mediated via both TP isoforms. Interfering G(12/13) activity by overexpression of p115-RGS reduced U46619-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in TPbeta-SC15 cells, but not in TPalpha-SC2 cells. H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), reduced U46619-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in TPalpha-SC2 cells, but not in TPbeta-SC15 cells. These results indicate that G(i) may be involved in TP-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in both isoforms. In addition, H89-sensitive kinase and G(12/13) may be involved in TP-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in TPalpha and TPbeta, respectively.

Core erythropoietin receptor signals for late erythroblast development

Critical signals for erythroblast formation are transduced by activated, tyrosine-phosphorylated erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) complexes. Nonetheless, steady-state erythropoiesis is supported effectively by EpoR alleles that are deficient in cytoplasmic phosphotyrosine sites. To better define core EpoR action mechanisms, signaling capacities of minimal PY-null (EpoR-HM) and PY343-retaining (EpoR-H) alleles were analyzed for the first time in bone marrow-derived erythroblasts. Jak2 activation via each allele was comparable. Stat5 (and several Stat5-response genes) were induced via EpoR-H but not via EpoR-HM. Stat1 and Stat3 activation was nominal for all EpoR forms. For both EpoR-HM and EpoR-H, Akt and p70S6-kinase activation was decreased multifold, and JNK activation was minimal. ERKs, however, were hyperactivated uniquely via EpoR-HM. In vivo, Epo expression in EpoR-HM mice was elevated, while Epo-induced reticulocyte production was diminished. In vitro, EpoR-HM erythroblast maturation also was attenuated (based on DNA content, forward-angle light scatter, and hemoglobinization). These EpoR-HM-specific defects were corrected not only upon PY343 site restoration in EpoR-H, but also upon MEK1,2 inhibition. Core EpoR PY site-independent signals for erythroblast formation therefore appear to be Stat5, Stat1, Stat3, p70S6-kinase, and JNK independent, but ERK dependent. Wild-type signaling capacities, however, depend further upon signals provided via an EpoR/PY343/Stat5 axis.

Erythropoietin protects the myocardium against reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that is currently used to treat patients with renal failure and anaemia. However, it has also been shown to protect against ischaemia/reperfusion injury; this protection occurring via activation of the ERK 1/2 and PI3K pathways. Since we have previously shown activation of ERK 1/2 and PI3K to be important for protection against reperfusion-induced injury in the myocardium, this study was designed to investigate its effect in the myocardium using both an isolated perfused rat heart and an in vivo rat recovery model of ischaemia-reperfusion.

METHODS

Using an in vitro isolated rat heart model of 35 minutes ischaemia and 2 hours reperfusion, EPO (50 ng/ml) was administered to the rat myocardium 5 minutes prior to reperfusion for 20 minutes. The in vivo open-chest rat model consisted of 40 minutes ischaemia followed by 24 hours reperfusion with EPO (5000 U/kg) being administered at the point of reperfusion.

RESULTS

In the isolated perfused heart studies 50 ng/ml EPO was found to provide protection with a % I/R of 22.9% +/- 6.4 vs 54.5% +/- 7.4 for the ischaemic control group. To examine the mechanistic pathways involved in EPO-mediated protection, we co-administered the ERK 1/2 inhibitor, U0126 (10 uM) or the PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin, (100 nM) and LY294002 (15 microM) at reperfusion. U0126, wortmannin and LY294002 all abrogated EPO-mediated protection (% I/R 49.2% +/- 5.6, 46.1% +/- 5.5 and 49.9% +/- 6.1 respectively, p < 0.05). In the in vivo open-chest rat model, the % I/R was significantly attenuated in EPO-treated animals from 53.6 % +/- 3.7 in the control to 32.5% +/- 2.9 (p < 0.05). Likewise, wortmannin abrogated EPO-mediated protection (% I/R 50.7 +/- 2.3 v EPO 32.5% +/- 2.9, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that EPO, administered at the point of reperfusion, reduced infarct size in an isolated perfused rat heart, in an ERK and PI3K dependent manner; in addition the mechanism was also confirmed in a whole animal model of ischaemia-reperfusion. These results suggest that EPO may be able to directly protect the myocardium against lethal reperfusion-induced injury and so offer the myocardium an additional clinical advantage over and above its ability to improve the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

The blockade of endothelin A receptor protects astrocytes against hypoxic injury: Common effects of BQ-123 and erythropoietin on the rejuvenation of the astrocyte population

In the present study the role of endothelin (ET) and its receptors (ETA-R and ETB-R) in cellular mechanisms underlying the resistance of astroglial cells to low oxygen level and development of hypoxia has been investigated. To define the influences of ET and its receptors on survival and on antigenic as well as morphologic differentiation of rat astroglial cells in normoxic (NC) and hypoxic culture (HC) the selective antagonists of ETA-R (BQ-123) and ETB-R (BQ-788) were used. Treatment of HC with BQ-123 caused an increase in cell number and inhibited the hypoxia-induced apoptosis by 37%. BQ-123 decreased the hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in HC. These effects of BQ-123 were abolished in cultures simultaneously treated with BQ-123 and BQ-788. Administration of BQ-788 alone decreased the number of living cells in NC, but not in HC. The activity of caspase-3/-7 was not changed by exposure of NC and HC to BQ-788. The protection provided by BQ-123 to astroglial cells against cytotoxicity in NC and HC was similar to that of erythropoietin (EPO), a cytokine with established neuroprotective effects. The functional improvement of astroglial cells and slowing down of their differentiation under exposure to BQ-123, or EPO, or BQ-123 + EPO has been evidenced by an increased number of nestin+/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP+) astrocytes accompanied by decrease of nestin-/GFAP+ cells. The simultaneous treatment with BQ-123 and EPO additionally decreased the activities of caspase-3/-7 (64%) and release of LDH into the medium (94%). The benefits in the functional states of astrocytes obtained by combined treatment of HC with BQ-123 and EPO suggest a new therapeutic strategy in treatment of hypoxic brain injury.

Phosphoprotein profiling of erythropoietin receptor- dependent pathways using different proteomic strategies

Proteomic techniques provide new tools for the global analysis of protein profiles but also for the investigation of specific protein functions. The analysis of signaling cascades has traditionally been performed by the determination of enzymatic or transcription factor activities representing a certain pathway. Functional proteomics now allows more comprehensive approaches to study cellular responses induced during ligand/receptor interactions. In this study we evaluated proteomic strategies for the investigation of structure-function relationships in the erythropoietin receptor signalling complex. After expression of epidermal growth factor/erythropoietin receptor mutant molecules in an identical cellular background we characterized their potential to induce cellular activities. Using this system we focused our efforts on post-translational modifications of signalling proteins reflecting a substantial part of receptor-dependent signaling events. Although tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were enriched by immunoprecipitation the analysis using the classical approach combining two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identification by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry revealed that low expressed signaling proteins cannot be detected by this technique. An alternative strategy using one-dimensional gel separation of phosphoproteins and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, however, allowed us to identify multiple proteins involved in intracellular signalling representing already established pathways but also proteins which have not been linked to EPO-induced signaling so far. This approach offers the potential to extend functional proteomic studies to complex signaling processes.

The role of G-protein coupled receptors and associated proteins in receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction

It is well established that stimulation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate signalling from receptor tyrosine kinases by a process termed transactivation. Indeed, in recent years, it has become apparent that transactivation is a general phenomenon that has been demonstrated for many unrelated GPCRs and receptor tyrosine kinases. In this case the GPCR/G-protein participation is up-stream of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Substantial research has addressed these findings but meanwhile another mechanism of cross talk has been slowly emerging. For over a decade, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that numerous growth factors use G-proteins and attendant signalling molecules such as beta-arrestins that participate down-stream of the receptor tyrosine kinase to signal to effectors, such as p42/p44 MAPK. This review highlights this novel mechanism of cross talk between receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCRs, which is distinct from growth factor receptor transactivation by GPCRs.

PI3 kinase is important for Ras, MEK and Erk activation of Epo-stimulated human erythroid progenitors

Background

Erythropoietin is a multifunctional cytokine which regulates the number of erythrocytes circulating in mammalian blood. This is crucial in order to maintain an appropriate oxygen supply throughout the body. Stimulation of primary human erythroid progenitors (PEPs) with erythropoietin (Epo) leads to the activation of the mitogenic kinases (MEKs and Erks). How this is accomplished mechanistically remained unclear.

Results

Biochemical studies with human cord blood-derived PEPs now show that Ras and the class Ib enzyme of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) family, PI3K gamma, are activated in response to minimal Epo concentrations. Surprisingly, three structurally different PI3K inhibitors block Ras, MEK and Erk activation in PEPs by Epo. Furthermore, Erk activation in PEPs is insensitive to the inhibition of Raf kinases but suppressed upon PKC inhibition. In contrast, Erk activation induced by stem cell factor, which activates c-Kit in the same cells, is sensitive to Raf inhibition and insensitive to PI3K and PKC inhibitors.

Conclusions

These unexpected findings contrast with previous results in human primary cells using Epo at supraphysiological concentrations and open new doors to eventually understanding how low Epo concentrations mediate the moderate proliferation of erythroid progenitors under homeostatic blood oxygen levels. They indicate that the basal activation of MEKs and Erks in PEPs by minimal concentrations of Epo does not occur through the classical cascade Shc/Grb2/Sos/Ras/Raf/MEK/Erk. Instead, MEKs and Erks are signal mediators of PI3K, probably the recently described PI3K gamma, through a Raf-independent signaling pathway which requires PKC activity. It is likely that higher concentrations of Epo that are induced by hypoxia, for example, following blood loss, lead to additional mitogenic signals which greatly accelerate erythroid progenitor proliferation.

Cardioprotective Effects of Erythropoietin in the Reperfused Ischemic Heart

Erythropoietin has recently been shown to have effects beyond hematopoiesis such as prevention of neuronal and cardiac apoptosis secondary to ischemia. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo protective potential of erythropoietin in the reperfused rabbit heart following ventricular ischemia. We show that "preconditioning" with erythropoietin activates cell survival pathways in myocardial tissue in vivo and adult rabbit cardiac fibroblasts in vitro. These pathways, activated by erythropoietin in both whole hearts and cardiac fibroblasts, are also activated acutely by ischemia/reperfusion injury. Moreover, in vivo studies indicate that erythropoietin treatment either prior to or during ischemia significantly enhances cardiac function and recovery, including left ventricular contractility, following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Our data indicate that a contributing in vivo cellular mechanism of this protection is mitigation of myocardial cell apoptosis. This results in decreased infarct size as evidenced by area at risk studies following in vivo ischemia/reperfusion injury, translating into more viable myocardium and less ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, erythropoietin treatment may offer novel protection against ischemic heart disease and may act, at least in part, by direct action on cardiac fibroblasts and myocytes to alter survival and ventricular remodeling.

Attenuated 5-HT1A receptor signaling in brains of suicide victims: involvement of adenylyl cyclase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase

Positron emission tomography studies in major depression show reduced serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor antagonist-binding potentials in many brain regions including occipital cortex. The functional meaning of this observation in terms of signal transduction is unknown. We used postmortem brain samples from depressed suicide victims to examine the downstream effectors of 5-HT1A receptor activation. The diagnosis was established by means of psychological autopsy using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) III-R criteria. Measurements of [35S]GTPgammaS binding to Galphai/o in the occipital cortex of suicide victims and matched controls revealed a blunted response in suicide subjects and a decrease in the coupling of 5-HT1A receptor to adenylyl cyclase. No significant group differences were detected in the expression levels of Galphai/o, Galphaq/11 or Galphas proteins, or in the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Studies of a parallel transduction pathway downstream from 5-HT1A receptor activation demonstrated a decrease in the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and its downstream effector Akt, as well as an increase in PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), the phosphatase that hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate. Finally, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was attenuated in suicide victims. These data suggest that the alterations in agonist-stimulated 5-HT1A receptor activation in depressed suicide victims are also manifest downstream from the associated G protein, affecting the activity of second messengers in two 5-HT1A receptor transduction pathways that may have implications for cell survival.