Activation of transcriptionally active nuclear factor-kappaB by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its inhibition by antioxidants in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells

A fusion-protein approach enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development

A single chain Fv fragment (scFv) is a fusion of the variable regions of heavy (VH ) and light (VL ) chains of immunoglobulins. They are important elements of chimeric antigen receptors for cancer therapy. We sought to produce a panel of 16 extracellular protein domains of tumor markers for use in scFv yeast library screenings. A series of vectors comprising various combinations of expression elements was made, but expression was unpredictable and more than half of the protein domains could not be produced using any of the constructs. Here we describe a novel fusion expression system based on mouse TEM7 (tumor endothelial marker 7), which could facilitate protein expression. With this approach we could produce all but one of the tumor marker domains that could not otherwise be expressed. In addition, we demonstrated that the tumor associated antigen hFZD10 produced as a fusion protein with mTEM7 could be used to enrich scFv antibodies from a yeast display library. Collectively our study demonstrates the potential of specific fusion proteins based on mTEM7 in enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development.

Osteoblast-like differentiation of cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by bone morphogenetic protein endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER)

Differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into osteoblast-like cells is considered to be a mechanism of vascular calcification. However, regulators of osteoblast-like differentiation of vascular SMCs are not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER), a vertebrate homologue of Drosophila crossveinless-2, in vascular SMCs and the role and mode of action of BMPER in osteoblast-like differentiation of human coronary artery SMCs (HCASMCs). BMPER was expressed in cultured human vascular SMCs, including HCASMCs. Silencing of endogenous BMPER expression by an RNA interference technique inhibited osteoblast-like differentiation of HCASMCs, as evaluated by up-regulation of osteoblast markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), by down-regulation of a SMC marker α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and by mineralization. Treatment with recombinant BMPER enhanced, whereas BMP-2 reduced osteoblast-like differentiation. BMPER antagonized BMP-2-induced phosphorylation of Smad 1/5/8, suggesting that the effect of BMPER was mediated by antagonizing the action of BMP. BMPER increased IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activity and specific NF-κB decoy oligonucleotides deteriorated osteoblast-like differentiation of HCASMCs by BMPER. In human coronary artery with atherosclerotic plaque containing calcification, the BMPER-positive signals were observed in the neointimal and medial SMCs in the vicinity of the plaque. These findings indicate that BMPER is a novel regulator of the osteoblast-like differentiation of HCASMCs.

Local overexpression of toll-like receptors at the vessel wall induces atherosclerotic lesion formation: synergism of TLR2 and TLR4

OBJECTIVE

Atherosclerosis is now considered as a chronic inflammatory disease, and inflammation is closely related to immune systems, which consist of innate-immunity and adaptive-immunity. Recently, toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been identified as key components of innate-immunity. We examined the role of local expressions of TLRs at the vessel wall in atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We transfected cDNA encoding human TLR2 and TLR4 into the carotid arterial vessel wall of rabbits fed high-cholesterol diets with the use of HVJ-liposome. The rabbits were transfected with (1) pCMV-beta-gal, (2) empty vector, (3) TLR2, (4) TLR4, (5) TLR2+4. X-gal staining and immunohistochemical analysis showed that the transfected plasmids were mainly expressed in the media. Neither TLR2 nor TLR4 transfection induced significant augmentation of atherosclerosis. Transfection of TLR2- and TLR4-containing HVJ synergistically accelerated atherosclerosis and increased expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and MCP-1. Moreover, transfection of TLR2 and TLR4 resulted in synergistic activation of NF-kappaB at the vessel wall in vivo, and in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Expressions of both TLR2 and TLR4 at the vessel wall synergistically accelerated atherosclerosis. The present study revealed the role of TLRs expressed locally at the vessel wall in the early stage of atherosclerosis.

Cigarette smoke induces proinflammatory cytokine release by activation of NF-κB and posttranslational modifications of histone deacetylase in macrophages

Cigarette smoke-mediated oxidative stress induces an inflammatory response in the lungs by stimulating the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Chromatin remodeling due to histone acetylation and deacetylation is known to play an important role in transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) of inflammatory responses caused by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in the human macrophage-like cell line MonoMac6 and whether the treatment of these cells with the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) monoethyl ester, or modulation of the thioredoxin redox system, can attenuate cigarette smoke-mediated IL-8 release. Exposure of MonoMac6 cells to CSE (1% and 2.5%) increased IL-8 and TNF-α production vs. control at 24 h and was associated with significant depletion of GSH levels associated with increased reactive oxygen species release in addition to activation of NF-κB. Inhibition of IKK ablated the CSE-mediated IL-8 release, suggesting that this process is dependent on the NF-κB pathway. CSE also reduced histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 protein levels. This was associated with posttranslational modification of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 protein by nitrotyrosine and aldehyde-adduct formation. Pretreatment of cells with GSH monoethyl ester, but not thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase, reversed cigarette smoke-induced reduction in HDAC levels and significantly inhibited IL-8 release. Thus cigarette smoke-induced release of IL-8 is associated with activation of NF-κB via IKK and reduction in HDAC levels/activity in macrophages. Moreover, cigarette smoke-mediated proinflammatory events are regulated by the redox status of the cells.

Inhibitory effects of cyclosporin A on calcium mobilization-dependent interleukin-8 expression and invasive potential of human glioblastoma U251MG cells

Interleukin (IL)-8 produced from glioblastoma is suggested to contribute to its own proliferation and progression. Since various external stimuli have been shown to increase intracellular Ca(2+) in glioma cells, we investigated Ca(2+) mobilization-dependent IL-8 expression and effect of cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of calcineurin (Cn), on the expression and invasive potential of human glioblastoma U251MG cells. Combined treatment with Ca(2+)-ionophore and phorbol-myristate-acetate (A23187/PMA) increased IL-8 mRNA and protein levels. This increase was suppressed by CsA and by another Cn inhibitor FK506. Luciferase reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that activation of p65-containing nuclear factor-kappaB was essential for A23187/PMA-dependent activation of IL-8 promoter. CsA suppressed the promoter activity by attenuating IkappaB-alpha degradation. U251MG cells expressed IL-8 receptors CXCR-1 and -2, and Matrigel invasion assay revealed that CsA attenuated A23187/PMA-dependent stimulation of invasive potential, probably by inhibiting IL-8 production. In addition, IL-8-dependent proliferation was also suppressed by CsA. Taken together, these results demonstrate the novel inhibitory effects of CsA on glioblastoma cell functions, suggesting CsA as a potential therapeutic adjuvant for glioma treatment.

Calcium signaling pathway involving calcineurin regulates interleukin-8 gene expression through activation of NF-kappaB in human osteoblast-like cells

Involvement of aberrant IL-8 production by osteoblasts was demonstrated in pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases. We thus investigated intracellular signaling pathways leading to IL-8 expression in human osteoblast-like HOS-TE85 cells. It was demonstrated that Ca2+ signaling pathway involving calcineurin regulates IL-8 gene expression through activation of a transcription factor, NF-kappaB.

INTRODUCTION

Involvement of aberrant interleukin (IL)-8 production by osteoblasts was demonstrated in pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases. However, intracellular signaling pathways leading to IL-8 expression in osteoblasts have been poorly explored. Because a variety of external stimuli was shown to increase intracellular Ca2+ in osteoblasts, we investigated effects of Ca(2+)-ionophore and phorbol-myristate-acetate (Ion/PMA) on IL-8 expression in human osteoblast-like HOS-TE85 cells and compared the effects with those elicited by TNF-alpha.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HOS-TE85 cells were treated with Ion/PMA or TNF-alpha in the presence and absence of calcineurin inhibitors (CnI), cyclosporin A, and FK506. IL-8 mRNA levels and its promoter activities were examined by Northern blot and luciferase reporter analyses, respectively. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to evaluate DNA binding activities of transcription factors such as NF-kappaB. Degradation of IkappaB, a cytoplasmic NF-kappaB-inhibitory protein, was examined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Ion/PMA and TNF-alpha induced IL-8 mRNA expression. Interestingly, CnI attenuated the induction by Ion/PMA, but not that by TNF-alpha. Promoter activity was also increased by both stimuli, and only the Ion/PMA-dependent increase was suppressed by CnI. Introduction of mutations in the promoter demonstrated that one NF-kappaB site was responsible for the suppression by CnI. EMSA revealed that this site binds with NF-kappaB containing p65 that was activated by Ion/PMA and TNF-alpha and that CnI inhibited only Ion/PMA-dependent NF-kappaB activation. Accordingly, CnI blocked only Ion/PMA-dependent degradation of IkappaB-alpha. In addition, the basal and Ion/PMA-dependent IL-8 promoter activities were enhanced by co-transfection of constitutively active calcineurin.

CONCLUSION

These results show that the Ca2+ signaling pathway involving calcineurin regulates IL-8 gene expression through activation of NF-kappaB in human osteoblast-like cells.

Cyclosporin A enhances interleukin-8 expression by inducing activator protein-1 in human aortic smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE

Cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) are widely used as immunosuppressants. However, their use has been hampered by various adverse effects, such as acceleration of atherosclerosis. Interleukin (IL)-8, a chemotactic cytokine, plays an important role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We thus investigated whether synthesis of IL-8 from primary human aortic smooth muscle cells is influenced by CsA and FK506.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Northern blot analysis revealed that CsA increased IL-8 mRNA level and enhanced its increase by epidermal growth factor or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In contrast, FK506 had no effect on the mRNA level. IL-8 accumulation in culture media was also increased by CsA. Stability of IL-8 mRNA was not affected by CsA, whereas luciferase reporter gene assay using the human IL-8 promoter revealed that CsA significantly augmented the promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that binding activity of activator protein (AP)-1 was increased by CsA, and introduction of a mutation into the AP-1 site in the promoter abolished its CsA-dependent activation. The increased AP-1 binding activity was accompanied by c-Fos synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

CsA stimulates synthesis of IL-8 via activation of AP-1 in human aortic smooth muscle cells, providing a novel aspect of biological effects of CsA on the cells.

Male genital tract inflammation: The role of selected interleukins in regulation of pro-oxidant and antioxidant enzymatic substances in seminal plasma

Human semen contains spermatozoa as well as populations of round nonspermatozoal cells primarily consisting of leukocytes. Activation of white blood cells present in the seminal plasma during genital tract inflammation and cellular reactions against microbial agents may provoke a release of a variety of products such as cytokines and reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a panel of selected cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF alpha]) detectable in seminal plasma during male genital tract inflammation could be considered as mediators between altered semen parameters and changed levels of pro-oxidant and antioxidant substances. Studies using chemiluminometric, spectrophotometric, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods indicate that proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF alpha may modulate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in the male genital tract. The data also suggest that the function of pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems in semen may directly influence basic semen parameters. The elevated numbers of leukocytes present in semen during male genital tract inflammation without an associated contribution of cytokines and semen antioxidant capacity appear to be of little prognostic value in evaluating male fertilization potential.

Oxygen-evoked changes in transcriptional activity of the 5'-flanking region of the human amiloride-sensitive sodium channel (alphaENaC) gene: role of nuclear factor kappaB

Expression of the alpha-subunit of the amiloride-sensitive sodium channel (alphaENaC) is regulated by a number of factors in the lung, including oxygen partial pressure (PO2). As transcriptional activation is a mechanism for raising cellular mRNA levels, we investigated the effect of physiological changes in PO2 on the activity of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and transcriptional activity of 5'-flanking regions of the human alphaENaC gene using luciferase reporter-gene vectors transiently transfected into human adult alveolar carcinoma A549 cells. By Western blotting we confirmed the presence of NF-kappaB p65 but not p50 in these cells. Transiently increasing PO2 from 23 to 42 mmHg for 24 h evoked a significant increase in NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity and transactivation of a NF-kappaB-driven luciferase construct (pGLNF-kappaBpro), which was blocked by the NF-kappaB activation inhibitor sulphasalazine (5 mM). Transcriptional activity of alphaENaC-luciferase constructs containing 5'-flanking sequences (including the NF-kappaB consensus) were increased by raising PO2 from 23 to 142 mmHg if they contained transcriptional initiation sites (TIS) for exons 1A and 1B (pGL3E2.2) or the 3' TIS of exon 1B alone (pGL3E0.8). Sulphasalazine had no significant effect on the activity of these constructs, suggesting that the PO2-evoked rise in activity was not a direct consequence of NF-kappaB activation. Conversely, the relative luciferase activity of a construct that lacked the 3' TIS, a 3' intron and splice site but still retained the 5' TIS and NF-kappaB consensus sequence was suppressed significantly by raising PO2. This effect was reversed by sulphasalazine, suggesting that activation of NF-kappaB mediated PO2-evoked suppression of transcription from the exon 1A TIS of alphaENaC.

Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity decreases the VEGF mRNA expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) secreted from tumor cells including breast cancer serves as a potent angiogenic factor which favors tumor growth and metastasis. Indeed, a higher concentration of serum VEGF has been shown to associate with a poorer prognosis in patients with breast cancer. On the other hand, constitutive expression of a transcription factor, NF-kappaB was correlated with progression and metastasis in a number of human breast cancers, suggesting a possible regulation of VEGF expression by NF-kappaB. We thus investigated the relationship between the expression of VEGF and constitutive NF-kappaB activity in three breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-MB-231. The basal levels of VEGF mRNA expression correlated with those of nuclear NF-kappaB activity in these cell lines. The highest NF-KB activity in MDA-MB-231 cells was associated with the highest expression of VEGF mRNA, while the activity and the mRNA levels were moderate in MCF cells and the lowest in T47D cells. In MDA-MB-231 cells, inhibition of NF-KB by adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant negative NF-kappaB or by a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, decreased the VEGF mRNA. These results suggest that NF-kappaB is involved in the upregulation of VEGF mRNA and inhibition of the activity could be a new approach for the treatment of breast cancer by preventing angiogenesis.

Respiratory syncytial virus and TNF alpha induction of chemokine gene expression involves differential activation of Rel A and NF-kappa B1

BACKGROUND

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of airway epithelial cells stimulates the expression and secretion of a variety of cytokines including the chemotactic cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted). Chemokines are important chemoattractants for the recruitment of distinct sets of leukocytes to airway sites of inflammation.

RESULTS

We have shown previously that chemokine expression is regulated in airway epithelial cells (A549) in a stimulus-specific manner in part through the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB. In this study, we examined the NF-kappaB-mediated effects of RSV and the proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha on the induction of IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES chemokine gene expression in A549 epithelial cells. The results demonstrate that RSV induces chemokine expression with distinct kinetics that is associated with a specific pattern of NF-kappaB binding activity. This distinction was further demonstrated by the differential effects of the NF-kappaB inhibitors dexamethasone (DEX) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). NAC preferentially inhibited RSV induced chemokine expression, whereas DEX preferentially inhibited TNFalpha induced chemokine expression. DNA binding studies using NF-kappaB subunit specific binding ELISA demonstrated that RSV and TNFalpha induced different NF-kappaB binding complexes containing Rel A (p65) and NF-kappaB1 (p50). Both TNFalpha and RSV strongly induced Rel A the activation subunit of NF-kappaB, whereas only TNFalpha was able to substantially induce the p50 subunit. Consistent with the expression studies, RSV but not TNFalpha induction of Rel A and p50 were markedly inhibited by NAC, providing a mechanism by which TNFalpha and RSV can differentially activate chemokine gene expression via NF-kappaB.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that RSV induction of chemokine gene expression, in contrast to TNFalpha, involves redox-sensitive NF-kappaB complexes containing predominantly Rel A.

Anti-inflammatory antioxidants attenuate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mediated by advanced glycation endproducts in murine microglia

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) accumulate on long-lived protein deposits including beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AGE-modified amyloid deposits contain oxidized and nitrated proteins as markers of a chronic neuroinflammatory condition and are surrounded by activated microglial and astroglial cells. We show in this study that AGEs increase nitric oxide production by induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on the mRNA and protein level in the murine microglial cell line N-11. Membrane permeable antioxidants including oestrogen derivatives (e.g. 17beta-oestradiol) thiol antioxidants (e.g. (R+)-alpha-lipoic acid) and Gingko biloba extract EGb 761, but not phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as propentophylline, prevent the up-regulation of AGE-induced iNOS expression and NO production. These results indicate that oxygen free radicals serve as second messengers in AGE-induced pro-inflammatory signal transduction pathways. As this pharmacological mechanism is not only relevant for Alzheimer's disease, but also for many chronic inflammatory conditions, such membrane-permeable antioxidants could be regarded not only as antioxidant, but also as potent therapeutic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Double-stranded RNA-induced interferon regulatory factor-1 gene expression in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) plays a role in the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis as well as in the cellular antiviral responses. However, it remains unknown if dsRNA-activated signaling systems are functional in the thyroid. Here we report the presence of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. In poly(I)-poly(C) (pIC)-stimulated cells, activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF kappa B) binding was clearly induced. Incubation of FRTL-5 cells with pIC resulted in a marked increase in interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) mRNA and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) levels. Addition of pIC to cells led to type I interferon (IFN) gene expression, especially IFN beta, which can induce STAT1 phosphorylation, suggesting that dsRNA indirectly induced STAT1 phosphorylation through expression of type I IFN. Thus, our results suggest that the dsRNA-activated signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of IFN-inducible genes in the thyroid.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces expression of genes for matrix degradation in human chondrocyte-like HCS-2/8 cells through activation of NF-kappaB: abrogation of the tumor necrosis factor alpha effect by proteasome inhibitors

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has been suggested to induce chondrocytic chondrolysis in both inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. However, its intracellular signaling pathway leading to the chondrolysis has not been studied in detail. Thus, we investigated whether TNF-alpha activates a transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in human chondrocyte-like cells (HCS-2/8) and induces the expression of genes involved in the degradation of cartilage matrix. Treatment of the cells with TNF-alpha markedly increased the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The increase in the mRNAs was associated with the activation of p65/p50 heterodimer NF-kappaB. IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta, cytoplasmic molecules preventing the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, were degraded rapidly by TNF-alpha followed by their synthesis to the basal level. Treatment with proteasome inhibitors inhibited the degradation of both IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta and prevented the TNF-alpha-dependent nuclear translocation of p65. Furthermore, the inhibitors completely prevented the TNF-alpha-dependent induction of MMP-1, MMP-3, ICAM-1, and COX-2 mRNAs. Thus, it is shown that the activation of p65/p50 NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha plays a cardinal role in inducing the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, ICAM-1, and COX-2 genes, which are involved in matrix degradation and inflammatory reaction in chondrocytes, leading to chondrocytic chondrolysis.

Thyrotropin modifies activation of nuclear factor kappaB by tumour necrosis factor alpha in rat thyroid cell line

We have recently demonstrated that nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) mediates the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-dependent expression of the gene encoding interleukin 6 (IL-6) in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells cultured in the presence of thyrotropin (TSH). In the present study we investigated how TSH is involved in the activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha in the cells. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay revealed that, in the absence of TSH, TNF-alpha activated a single protein-DNA complex containing the p50 subunit but not other NF-kappaB subunits such as p65. In contrast, two distinct protein-DNA complexes were activated in the presence of TSH: the faster-migrating complex contained only p50 subunit; the slower-migrating complex consisted of p65-p50 heterodimer. This TSH effect was mimicked by forskolin and thyroid-stimulating antibodies obtained from patients with Graves's disease, suggesting that an increase in intracellular cAMP is responsible for the induction of different NF-kappaBs by TNF-alpha. A transient transfection study with a luciferase reporter gene driven by multimerized NF-kappaB sites demonstrated that TNF-alpha increased the luciferase activities only in the presence of TSH, and that this increase was inhibited by the co-transfection of mutant p65, which prevented the function of wild-type p65 in a dominant-negative manner. Accordingly, TNF-alpha activated the expression of the IL-6 gene in the presence of TSH but not in its absence. Although the expression of the p105 gene, another known target for NF-kappaB, was increased by TNF-alpha in the absence of TSH, the presence of TSH further increased the mRNA level. Taken together, these observations indicate that the presence of TSH is crucial for the NF-kappaB-mediated actions of TNF-alpha on thyroid follicular cells.

IL-4 gene expression up-regulated by mercury in rat mast cells: a role of oxidant stress in IL-4 transcription

In the Brown Norway (BN) rat, chemical compounds [mercuric chloride (HgCl2), D-penicillamine or gold salts] induce a T(h)2-dominated autoimmune syndrome with tissue injury in the form of a vasculitis and arthritis. An early phase of vasculitis in the model occurs within 24 h of an injection of HgCl2, is alphabeta T cell independent and involves the mast cell. In addition, HgCl2 induces IL-4 mRNA in mast cells from BN rats. Our recent work has demonstrated that the balance of oxidative/antioxidative influences plays an important role in the modulation of mast cell function (degranulation) in chemically induced autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to determine, in mast cells, whether oxidative status influences IL-4 transcription and translation, which is required for the development of a T(h)2 response. Exposure of the mast cell line RBL-2H3 to HgCl2 enhanced both IL-4 mRNA and its promoter activity. Oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide mimicked the effects of HgCl2 in enhancing IL-4 promoter activity. The enhancement of IL-4 gene expression by HgCl2 was significantly reduced by antioxidants (both sulphydryl and non-sulphydryl containing). The same pattern of regulation was also observed on IL-4 protein expression in the mast cells. These data suggest a novel mechanism of IL-4 transcriptional up-regulation by oxidative stress. Our results provide evidence to support our hypothesis that alterations in intracellular reactive oxygen species production modulate both IL-4 gene expression and mast cell function.

TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappa B in human osteoblastic HOS-TE85 cells is repressed in vector-averaged gravity using clinostat rotation

Effects of vector-averaged gravity on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-dependent activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in human osteoblastic HOS-TE85 cells were investigated by culturing the cells using clinostat rotation (clinorotation). Cell cultures were rotated for 72 h at 40 rpm in a clinostat. At the end of clinorotation, the cells were treated with TNF-alpha for 30 min under stationary conditions. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappa B was markedly reduced in the clinorotated cells when compared with the cells in control stationary cultures or after horizontal rotation (motional controls). The NF-kappa B-dependent transactivation was also impaired in the clinorotated cells, as evidenced by a transient transfection assay with a reporter plasmid containing multimerized NF-kappa B sites. Consistent with these findings, the TNF-alpha-dependent induction of endogenous NF-kappa B-responsive genes p105, I kappa B-alpha, and IL-8, was significantly attenuate in clinorotated cells. These results demonstrate that vector-averaged gravity inhibits the responsiveness of osteoblasts to TNF-alpha by repressing NF-kappa B activation.

Regulation of thyroid follicular cell function by intracellular redox-active copper

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a metal-chelating compound that exerts prooxidant or antioxidant effects and is widely used to study redox regulation of cell function. In the present study, we investigated effects of PDTC on the function of rat thyroid follicular FRTL-5 cells. Treatment of the cells with PDTC resulted in a marked decrease in Pax-8 messenger RNA level and its DNA-binding activity. This decrease was associated with a significant reduction in thyroperoxidase (TPO) messenger RNA level. Expression of TTF-1 and thyroglobulin was not affected by PDTC. Treatment with PDTC also decreased DNA-binding activity of p53, a tumor suppressor protein, and increased cell proliferation rates. These changes were not observed by the treatment with another antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting that the metal-chelating, prooxidant property of PDTC is responsible for its effects. Indeed, the intracellular level of copper was significantly increased by PDTC. Treatment with bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, a noncell-permeable chelator of Cu1+, abrogated the copper increase by PDTC and its effects on Pax-8 and TPO expression as well as on p53 binding. Taken together, these results indicate that the intracellular level of redox-active copper is crucial for Pax-8 and TPO expression and for proliferation of thyroid follicular cells.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibits TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappaB by increasing intracellular copper level in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a metal-chelating compound that acts as antioxidant or pro-oxidant and is widely used to study redox regulation of cell function. In the present study, we investigated effects of PDTC and another antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), on TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappaB in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Treatment of the cells with TNF-alpha induced the activation of p65/p50 heterodimer NF-kappaB and increased the mRNA levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. Pretreatment with PDTC markedly suppressed the NF-kappaB activation and expression of MCP-1 by inhibiting IkappaB-alpha degradation. In contrast, NAC had no effect. PDTC concomitantly increased the intracellular levels of copper, and bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, a non-cell-permeable chelator of Cu(1+), inhibited the PDTC-induced increase in intracellular copper level and reversed the PDTC effects on IkappaB-alpha, NF-kappaB, and MCP-1. These results indicate that TNF-alpha-dependent expression of MCP-1 in HASMC is tightly regulated by NF-kappaB and that intracellular copper level is crucial for the TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappaB in HASMC.

Effects of glucocorticoids on tumor necrosis factor alpha-dependent activation of nuclear factor kappaB and expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene in osteoblast-like ROS17/2.8 cells

Recently, we showed that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulates expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) genes through activation of p65-p50 heterodimer nuclear factor KB (NF-kappaB) in rat osteoblast-like ROS17/2.8 cells. In the present study, we investigated effects of a synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), on TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappaB and expression of the ICAM-1 gene. ROS17/2.8 cells were pretreated with Dex for 6 h and then exposed to TNF-alpha. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that TNF-alpha-dependent activation of NF-kappaB was almost completely suppressed by Dex treatment. Increase in ICAM-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) level by TNF-alpha also was markedly suppressed by Dex. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses showed that Dex attenuated the TNF-alpha-induced nuclear translocation of p65. Treatment with protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) reversed the Dex effect, indicating that Dex requires de novo protein synthesis for its action. Northern blot analysis revealed that Dex increased IkappaB-alpha mRNA level synergistically with TNF-alpha, whereas it decreased p65 mRNA level. The p105 and IkappaB-beta mRNA levels were not altered by Dex. Consistent with the mRNA level, Dex increased the amount of IkappaB-alpha protein in the cytoplasm in either the presence or the absence of TNF-alpha. Considering a role of IkappaB to sequester NF-kappaB in the cytoplasm, it was suggested that an increase in IkappaB-alpha protein and the concomitant decrease in p65 synthesis account for the Dex-induced suppression of NF-kappaB activation in osteoblastic cells.

A potential role of activated NF-kappa B in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome

Euthyroid sick syndrome, characterized by low serum 3,5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) with normal L-thyroxine levels, is associated with a wide variety of disorders including sepsis, malignancy, and AIDS. The degree of low T(3) in circulation has been shown to correlate with the severity of the underlying disorders and with the prognosis. Elevated TNF-alpha levels, which accompany severe illness, are associated with decreased activity of type I 5'-deiodinase (5'-DI) in liver, leading us to speculate that high levels of this factor contribute to euthyroid sick syndrome. Here we demonstrate that the activation of NF-kappa B by TNF-alpha interferes with thyroid-hormone action as demonstrated by impairment of T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI gene expression in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of NF-kappa B action by a dominant-negative NF-kappa B reversed this effect and allowed T(3) induction of 5'-DI. Furthermore, we show that an inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation, clarithromycin (CAM), can inhibit TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B and restore T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI mRNA and enzyme activity. These results suggest that NF-kappa B activation by TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome and that CAM could help prevent a decrease in serum T(3) levels and thus ameliorate euthyroid sick syndrome.

Cellular redox state alters recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction through tyrosine phosphatase pathways

Several types of environmental damage including UV, hydroxyurea and ionizing irradiation have been shown to augment rAAV transduction. Current hypotheses suggest that these environmental stimuli lead to the enhanced production and/or activation of cellular factors important in the conversion of single-stranded DNA genomes to expressible forms. However, the mechanisms of action are currently unknown. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) may play a common role in the augmentation of rAAV transduction by these environmental stimuli. Our results demonstrate that treatment with hydrogen peroxide can give equivalent or greater levels of augmentation in rAAV transduction as that seen by hydroxyurea or UV irradiation. For all environmental stimuli, pretreatment with the hydroxyl radical (H0 small middle dot) scavenger, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), completely blocked augmentation of rAAV transduction. Furthermore, using electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), we demonstrated that both UV and H2O2 treatment of cell lines lead to the induction of H0 small middle dot radicals. Our results demonstrating that NaOV inhibits the augmentation of rAAV transduction following UV and H2O2 treatment, implicate H0 small middle dot radicals as modulators of tyrosine phosphatase pathways involved in rAAV transduction. Alterations in the cellular redox state and subsequent activation of tyrosine phosphatase pathways appear to alter the phosphorylation status of the previously identified single-stranded sequence binding protein (ssD-BP), with reduced phosphorylation correlating with an enhancement in rAAV transduction. In summary, we conclude that the cellular redox state may play an important role in regulating rAAV transduction.

Mycobacterium avium complex activates nuclear factor kappaB via induction of inflammatory cytokines

A variety of microorganisms has been reported to directly induce NF-kappaB, a critical step in the regulation of genes involved in the cellular immune response. In this study, we demonstrate that proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) produced upon activation by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) preceed NF-kappaB activity in U937, a human monocytoid cell line. MAC induction of TNFalpha mRNA expression was detected within 15 min after MAC infection, whereas enhanced NF-kappaB binding activity was not detected until 90 to 120 min postinfection. Supershift analysis revealed increased p50 in the MAC-induced NF-kappaB binding complexes. Consistent with an autocrine mechanism, anti-TNFalpha antibody and dexamethasone, a known cytokine inhibitor, both completely suppressed the effect of MAC on the induction of NF-kappaB. Taken together, these findings suggest that exposure of monocyte cell membranes to MAC induces endogenous TNFalpha, which in turn enhances NF-kappaB binding activity. The rapid induction of TNFalpha may be important in the initial host response to MAC infection.

Intracellular proteolytic cleavage of 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor alpha by cathepsin L-type protease is a potential mechanism for modulating thyroid hormone action

We previously reported that the responsiveness of hepatocytes to thyroid hormone is markedly attenuated when they were cultured as monolayers rather than spheroids. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the altered responsiveness, thyroid hormone receptor auxiliary proteins in the hepatocytes were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The major thyroid hormone receptor auxiliary protein was identified as 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor alpha (RXRalpha) in the hepatocytes regardless of the culture conditions. The cytoplasmic fraction was shown to contain a protease(s) that cleaves RXRalpha at its amino terminus. The presence of the protease in the cytosol, but not in the nucleus, was ascertained by incubating full-length 35S-labeled RXRalpha with each fraction. Using various protease inhibitors, it was shown that cathepsin L-type protease could participate in the cleavage of the RXRalpha. The enzyme activity was much higher in the monolayers than the spheroids. Inhibition of this enzyme activity in the monolayer hepatocyte resulted in the increase of nuclear RXRalpha protein and the augmentation of T3-dependent induction of spot 14 mRNA. These results suggest that the changes in cathepsin L-type protease activity in the cytosol may alter the turnover of RXRalpha in the nucleus and modify the function of steroid receptor superfamilies that heterodimerize with RXRalpha.