Interleukin-1-mediated enhancement of mouse factor B gene expression via NF kappa B-like hepatoma nuclear factor

Losartan, an Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonist, Alleviates Mechanical Hyperalgesia in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Inflammatory Cytokines in the Dorsal Root Ganglia

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) adversely impacts quality of life and a challenge to treat with existing drugs used for neuropathic pain. Losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist widely used to treat hypertension, has been reported to have analgesic effects in several pain models. In this study, we assessed losartan's analgesic effect on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) in rats and its mechanism of action in dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Rats received intraperitoneal injections of 2 mg/kg paclitaxel on days 0, 2, 4, and 6 and received single or multiple intraperitoneal injections of losartan potassium dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline at various times. The mechanical thresholds, protein levels of inflammatory cytokines, and cellular location of AT1R and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in the DRG were assessed with behavioral testing, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance for the behavioral test or the Mann-Whitney U test for the Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Single and multiple injections of losartan ameliorated PINP, and losartan delayed the development of PINP. Paclitaxel significantly increased, and losartan subsequently decreased, the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), in the lumbar DRG. AT1R and IL-1β were expressed in both neurons and satellite cells and losartan decreased the intensity of IL-1β in the DRG. Losartan ameliorates PINP by decreasing inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and TNF-α in the DRG. Our findings provide a new or add-on therapy for CIPN patients.

NF-kappaB mediated enhancement of potassium currents by the chemokine CXCL1/growth related oncogene in small diameter rat sensory neurons

Background

Inflammatory processes play important roles in both neuropathic and inflammatory pain states, but the effects of inflammation per se within the sensory ganglia are not well understood. The cytokine growth-related oncogene (GRO/KC; CXCL1) shows strong, rapid upregulation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in both nerve injury and inflammatory pain models. We examined the direct effects of GRO/KC on small diameter DRG neurons, which are predominantly nociceptive. Whole cell voltage clamp technique was used to measure voltage-activated potassium (K) currents in acutely cultured adult rat small diameter sensory neurons. Fluorescently labeled isolectin B4 (IB4) was used to classify cells as IB4-positive or IB4-negative.

Results

In IB4-negative neurons, voltage-activated K current densities of both transient and sustained components were increased after overnight incubation with GRO/KC (1.5 nM), without marked changes in voltage dependence or kinetics. The average values for the slow and fast decay time constants at 20 mV were unchanged by GRO/KC. The amplitude of the fast inactivating component increased significantly with no large shifts in the voltage dependence of inactivation. The increase in K currents was completely blocked by co-incubation with protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) or NF-κB inhibitors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or quinazoline (6-Amino-4-(4-phenoxypheny lethylamino;QNZ). In contrast, the voltage-activated K current of IB4-positive neurons was unchanged by GRO/KC. GRO/KC incubation caused no significant changes in the expression level of eight selected voltage-gated K channel genes in quantitative PCR analysis.

Conclusion

The results suggest that GRO/KC has important effects in inflammatory processes via its direct actions on sensory neurons, and that activation of NF-κB is involved in the GRO/KC-induced enhancement of K currents.

Transcriptional regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 expression by the NF-kappaB pathway in primary dorsal root ganglia neurons: a possible mechanism for the analgesic effect of L-acetylcarnitine

L-acetylcarnitine (LAC), a drug utilized for the treatment of neuropathic pain in humans, has been shown to induce analgesia in rodents by up-regulating the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2) in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We now report that LAC-induced upregulation of mGlu2 expression in DRG cultures involves transcriptional activation mediated by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). A single application of LAC (250 muM) to DRG cultures induced a transient increase in mGlu2 mRNA, which was observable after 1 hour and was no longer detectable after 1 to 4 days. In contrast, LAC treatment had no effect on mGlu3 mRNA expression. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-kappaB binding to DNA by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) (2.5 microg/ml for 30 minutes) reduced the constitutive expression of mGlu2 and mGlu3 mRNA after 1-4 days and reduced the constitutive expression of mGlu2/3 protein at 4 days. This evidence combined with the expression of p65/RelA and c-Rel in DRG neurons indicated that expression of mGlu2 and mGlu3 is endogenously regulated by the NF-kappaB family of transcription factors. Consistent with this idea, the transient increase in mGlu2 mRNA induced by LAC after 1 hour was completely suppressed by CAPE. Furthermore, LAC induced an increase in the acetylation of p65/RelA, a process that enhances the transcriptional activity of p65/RelA. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that LAC selectively induces the expression of mGlu2 by acting as a donor of acetyl groups, thus enhancing the activity of the NF-kappaB family of transcription factors. Accordingly, we show that carnitine, which has no effect on pain thresholds, had no effect on p65/RelA acetylation and did not enhance mGlu2 expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that expression of mGlu2 and mGlu3 mRNA is regulated by the NF-kappaB transcriptional machinery, and that agents that increase acetylation and activation of NF-kappaB transcription factors might induce analgesia via upregulation of mGlu2 in DRG neurons.

Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB via endogenous tumor necrosis factor alpha regulates survival of axotomized adult sensory neurons

Embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons die after axonal damage in vivo, and cultured embryonic DRG neurons require exogenous neurotrophic factors that activate the neuroprotective transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) for survival. In contrast, adult DRG neurons survive permanent axotomy in vivo and in defined culture media devoid of exogenous neurotrophic factors in vitro. Peripheral axotomy in adult rats induces local accumulation of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a potent activator of NF-kappaB activity. We tested the hypothesis that activation of NF-kappaB stimulated by endogenous TNFalpha was required for survival of axotomized adult sensory neurons. Peripheral axotomy of lumbar DRG neurons by sciatic nerve crush induced a very rapid (within 2 h) and significant elevation in NF-kappaB-binding activity. This phenomenon was mimicked in cultured neurons in which there was substantial NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and a significant rise in NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity after plating. Inhibitors of NF-kappaB (SN50 or NF-kappaB decoy DNA) resulted in necrotic cell death of medium to large neurons (> or =40 microm) within 24 h (60 and 75%, respectively), whereas inhibition of p38 and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase did not effect survival. ELISA revealed that these cultures contained TNFalpha, and exposure to an anti-TNFalpha antibody inhibited NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity by approximately 35% and killed approximately 40% of medium to large neurons within 24 h. The results show for the first time that cytokine-mediated activation of NF-kappaB is a component of the signaling pathway responsible for maintenance of adult sensory neuron survival after axon damage.

Identification of NF-kappaB-dependent gene networks in respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a mucosa-restricted virus that is a leading cause of epidemic respiratory tract infections in children. In epithelial cells, RSV replication activates nuclear translocation of the inducible transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) through proteolysis of its cytoplasmic inhibitor, IkappaB. In spite of a putative role in mediating virus-inducible gene expression, the spectrum of NF-kappaB-dependent genes induced by RSV infection has not yet been determined. To address this, we developed a tightly regulated cell system expressing a nondegradable, epitope-tagged IkappaBalpha isoform (Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut) whose expression could be controlled by exogenous addition of nontoxic concentrations of doxycycline. Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut expression potently inhibited IkappaBalpha proteolysis, NF-kappaB binding, and NF-kappaB-dependent gene transcription in cells stimulated with the prototypical NF-kappaB-activating cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and in response to RSV infection. High-density oligonucleotide microarrays were then used to profile constitutive and RSV-induced gene expression in the absence or presence of Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut. Comparison of these profiles revealed 380 genes whose expression was significantly changed by the dominant-negative NF-kappaB. Of these, 236 genes were constitutive (not RSV regulated), and surprisingly, only 144 genes were RSV regulated, representing numerically approximately 10% of the total population of RSV-inducible genes at this time point. Hierarchical clustering of the 144 RSV- and Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut-regulated genes identified two discrete gene clusters. The first group had high constitutive expression, and its expression levels fell in response to RSV infection. In this group, constitutive mRNA expression was increased by Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut expression, and the RSV-induced decrease in expression was partly inhibited. In the second group, constitutive expression was very low (or undetectable) and, after RSV infection, expression levels strongly increased. In this group, NF-kappaB was required for RSV-inducible expression because Flag-IkappaBalpha Mut expression blocked their induction by RSV. This latter cluster includes chemokines, transcriptional regulators, intracellular proteins regulating translation and proteolysis, and secreted proteins (complement components and growth factor regulators). These data suggest that NF-kappaB action induces global cellular responses after viral infection.

Activators and target genes of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors

The vertebrate transcription factor NF-kappaB is induced by over 150 different stimuli. Active NF-kappaB, in turn, participates in the control of transcription of over 150 target genes. Because a large variety of bacteria and viruses activate NF-kappaB and because the transcription factor regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, immunoreceptors, and cell adhesion molecules, NF-kappaB has often been termed a 'central mediator of the human immune response'. This article contains a complete listing of all NF-kappaB inducers and target genes described to date. The collected data argue that NF-kappaB functions more generally as a central regulator of stress responses. In addition, NF-kappaB activation blocks apoptosis in several cell types. Coupling stress responsiveness and anti-apoptotic pathways through the use of a common transcription factor may result in increased cell survival following stress insults.

The effect of interleukin-1 on C-reactive protein expression in Hep3B cells is exerted at the transcriptional level

The combination of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) synergistically induces the human acute-phase reactant, C-reactive protein (CRP) in Hep3B cells. While previous studies have indicated that IL-6 induces transcription of CRP, the mode of action of IL-1 has not been clearly defined. It has been suggested that the effect of IL-1 might be post-transcriptional, exerted through the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). To evaluate the role of IL-1 in CRP gene expression, we studied the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on both the endogenous CRP gene and on transfected CRP-CAT constructs in Hep3B cells. In kinetic studies of the endogenous CRP gene, IL-1 beta alone had no effect on CRP mRNA levels, but when added to IL-6, synergistically enhanced both CRP mRNA levels and transcription, as determined by Northern-blot analyses and nuclear run-on studies. IL-6 alone and the combination of [IL-1 beta + IL-6] each induced increases in mRNA levels roughly comparable with observed increases in transcription. These findings indicate that the effect of IL-1 beta on CRP expression is exerted largely at the transcriptional level in this system. This conclusion was confirmed by studies in Hep3B cells transiently transfected with CRP-CAT constructs, each containing 157 bp of the CRP 5'-flanking region but differing in the length of the 5'-UTR from 104 bp to 3 bp. All constructs responded in the same way; IL-6, but not IL-1 beta, induced significant chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression which was synergistically enhanced 2- to 3-fold by IL-1 beta. These results indicate that IL-1 beta stimulates transcriptional events in the presence of IL-6 and that the upstream 157 bases of the CRP promoter contain elements capable of both IL-6 induction and the synergistic effect of IL-1 beta on transcription.

Developmental characterization of a Drosophila RNA-binding protein homologous to the human systemic lupus erythematosus-associated La/SS-B autoantigen

Patients with humoral autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome contain antibodies in their sera directed against certain normal cellular components such as the La/SS-B autoantigen, an RNA-binding protein believed to function as a putative processor of RNA polymerase III precursor transcripts. We have identified cDNA clones from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that encode a protein displaying significant sequence homology with human La/SS-B. The fly protein (which we refer to as D-La) contains a putative ribonucleoprotein 1 (RNP1) and RNP2 RNA-binding domain. D-La also possesses a leucine zipper motif, suggesting that it may interact with itself or other proteins. Using gel retardation analysis, we show that D-La can bind RNA; in addition, we demonstrate the first reported DNA-binding activity associated with a La protein. Northern (RNA) blot analysis revealed a single 1,600-nucleotide transcript expressed throughout embryonic, larval, pupal, and adult development. Surprisingly, whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments revealed that D-La transcripts are not present in all ovarian tissues. In addition, early expression throughout the embryo is followed by a restricted pattern of mesodermal expression that is later confined to the visceral mesoderm, gonads, gut, and salivary glands. These results suggest that D-La may play a more specialized role during fly development as opposed to a rather general role inferred by its homology to La proteins from other organisms.

Developmental characterization of a Drosophila RNA-binding protein homologous to the human systemic lupus erythematosus-associated La/SS-B autoantigen

Patients with humoral autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome contain antibodies in their sera directed against certain normal cellular components such as the La/SS-B autoantigen, an RNA-binding protein believed to function as a putative processor of RNA polymerase III precursor transcripts. We have identified cDNA clones from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that encode a protein displaying significant sequence homology with human La/SS-B. The fly protein (which we refer to as D-La) contains a putative ribonucleoprotein 1 (RNP1) and RNP2 RNA-binding domain. D-La also possesses a leucine zipper motif, suggesting that it may interact with itself or other proteins. Using gel retardation analysis, we show that D-La can bind RNA; in addition, we demonstrate the first reported DNA-binding activity associated with a La protein. Northern (RNA) blot analysis revealed a single 1,600-nucleotide transcript expressed throughout embryonic, larval, pupal, and adult development. Surprisingly, whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments revealed that D-La transcripts are not present in all ovarian tissues. In addition, early expression throughout the embryo is followed by a restricted pattern of mesodermal expression that is later confined to the visceral mesoderm, gonads, gut, and salivary glands. These results suggest that D-La may play a more specialized role during fly development as opposed to a rather general role inferred by its homology to La proteins from other organisms.

Apo CIII gene transcription is regulated by a cytokine inducible NF-kappa B element

Overproduction of Apo CIII causes elevated plasma triglyceride levels in transgenic animals and is associated with hypertriglyceridemia in humans. The regulation of apo CIII production is likely to play an important role in controlling plasma triglyceride levels. As an initial step in determining the role of transcriptional regulation in the production of apo CIII and in triglyceride metabolism, we have begun to characterize the activity of specific transcriptional regulatory elements in the CIII promoter. In the current study, we have identified and characterized an NF-kappa B regulatory element located 150 nucleotides upstream from the transcriptional start site of the apo CIII gene. Purified NF-kappa B, as well as an NF-kappa B protein in HepG2 cell nuclear extracts, bound specifically to this sequence element. The hepatic protein was induced by phorbol ester (PMA), and reacted with antibodies to the p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B. The NF-kappa B element conferred PMA and IL1-beta inducible transcriptional activity to a heterologous promoter/reporter construct when transfected into HepG2 cells. Analysis of the full length CIII promoter demonstrated that the inducible activity of the NF-kappa B element was suppressed by sequences in the apo CIII enhancer element located approximately 500 nucleotides upstream of the NF-kappa B binding site. A deletion removing the enhancer restored the PMA inducible activity of the NF-kappa B binding site. These results indicate that apo CIII gene expression is regulated by NF-kappa B, and suggest that apo CIII production may be modulated by cellular signals, like inflammatory cytokines, that activate NF-kB.

Acute-phase response factor, a nuclear factor binding to acute-phase response elements, is rapidly activated by interleukin-6 at the posttranslational level

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to be a major mediator of the acute-phase response in liver. We show here that IL-6 triggers the rapid activation of a nuclear factor, termed acute-phase response factor (APRF), both in rat liver in vivo and in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells in vitro. APRF bound to IL-6 response elements in the 5'-flanking regions of various acute-phase protein genes (e.g., the alpha 2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes). These elements contain a characteristic hexanucleotide motif, CTGGGA, known to be required for the IL-6 responsiveness of these genes. Analysis of the binding specificity of APRF revealed that it is different from NF-IL6 and NF-kappa B, transcription factors known to be regulated by cytokines and involved in the transcriptional regulation of acute-phase protein genes. In HepG2 cells, activation of APRF was observed within minutes after stimulation with IL-6 or leukemia-inhibitory factor and did not require ongoing protein synthesis. Therefore, a preexisting inactive form of APRF is activated by a posttranslational mechanism. We present evidence that this activation occurs in the cytoplasm and that a phosphorylation is involved. These results lead to the conclusions that APRF is an immediate target of the IL-6 signalling cascade and is likely to play a central role in the transcriptional regulation of many IL-6-induced genes.

Acute-phase response factor, a nuclear factor binding to acute-phase response elements, is rapidly activated by interleukin-6 at the posttranslational level

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to be a major mediator of the acute-phase response in liver. We show here that IL-6 triggers the rapid activation of a nuclear factor, termed acute-phase response factor (APRF), both in rat liver in vivo and in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells in vitro. APRF bound to IL-6 response elements in the 5'-flanking regions of various acute-phase protein genes (e.g., the alpha 2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes). These elements contain a characteristic hexanucleotide motif, CTGGGA, known to be required for the IL-6 responsiveness of these genes. Analysis of the binding specificity of APRF revealed that it is different from NF-IL6 and NF-kappa B, transcription factors known to be regulated by cytokines and involved in the transcriptional regulation of acute-phase protein genes. In HepG2 cells, activation of APRF was observed within minutes after stimulation with IL-6 or leukemia-inhibitory factor and did not require ongoing protein synthesis. Therefore, a preexisting inactive form of APRF is activated by a posttranslational mechanism. We present evidence that this activation occurs in the cytoplasm and that a phosphorylation is involved. These results lead to the conclusions that APRF is an immediate target of the IL-6 signalling cascade and is likely to play a central role in the transcriptional regulation of many IL-6-induced genes.

Cellular distribution of nuclear factor kappa B binding activity in rat liver

The cellular localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding activity in rat liver has been investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay on extracts of highly purified hepatocytes and Kupffer cells obtained from liver perfused in vivo with collagenase. Constitutive NF-kappa B binding activity was demonstrated in nuclear extracts of control Kupffer cells, and this was not apparently influenced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into rats 24 h before perfusion. In contrast, little nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was present in hepatocytes from control animals, although there was detectable inactive, inhibitor-bound, NF-kappa B in the cytoplasm. However, nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was increased in hepatocytes from LPS-treated animals and after in vitro culture of control rat hepatocytes. Thus NF-kappa B binding activity has been demonstrated in highly purified hepatocytes and appears to be inducible both in vivo and in vitro. These findings support a role for NF-kappa B in hepatocyte gene regulation which may be important in the modulation of the hepatic acute phase response.

cis and trans elements differ among mouse strains with high and low extrahepatic complement factor B gene expression

Factor B (Bf), an enzyme of the alternative pathway of complement activation, is one of four major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III genes. To ascertain the genetic mechanism for tissue-specific constitutive and regulated expression of Bf, we sequenced the regulatory regions 5' of the gene from mice of different H-2 MHC haplotypes and assessed trans-acting factors, specific DNA binding nucleoproteins, in liver and kidney. Striking tissue-specific differences in constitutive expression of Bf were demonstrated in mice of H-2f or H-2z haplotypes when compared with H-2d or H-2u (kidney and intestinal Bf in H-2d or H-2u much greater than H-2f or H-2z). These differences correlated with a point nucleotide substitution 3 bp downstream of the upstream Bf initiation site that affects interaction with a DNA binding protein. This and additional cis differences localize the sequence substitutions responsible for previously identified restriction fragment length polymorphisms among inbred mouse strains and also reveal two previously unrecognized polymorphisms generated by SmaI and HinfI digestion. Evidence for differences in trans was found in a comparison of DNA binding nucleoproteins from kidney, but not liver, of B10.PL when compared with B10.M. These data, together with the high degree of sequence homology between human and mouse Bf 5' flanking regions, should prompt a search for polymorphic restriction sites and cis binding elements in the Bf promoter that could serve as markers of human MHC-associated renal pathology and variants in local MHC class III gene expression.