Modulation of the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the production of inflammatory mediators by ADP-ribosylation inhibitors

Interplay between ADP-ribosyltransferases and essential cell signaling pathways controls cellular responses

Signaling cascades provide integrative and interactive frameworks that allow the cell to respond to signals from its environment and/or from within the cell itself. The dynamic regulation of mammalian cell signaling pathways is often modulated by cascades of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). ADP-ribosylation is a PTM that is catalyzed by ADP-ribosyltransferases and manifests as mono- (MARylation) or poly- (PARylation) ADP-ribosylation depending on the addition of one or multiple ADP-ribose units to protein substrates. ADP-ribosylation has recently emerged as an important cell regulator that impacts a plethora of cellular processes, including many intracellular signaling events. Here, we provide an overview of the interplay between the intracellular diphtheria toxin-like ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARTD) family members and five selected signaling pathways (including NF-κB, JAK/STAT, Wnt-β-catenin, MAPK, PI3K/AKT), which are frequently described to control or to be controlled by ADP-ribosyltransferases and how these interactions impact the cellular responses.

CD38 is required for priming by TNF-alpha: a mechanism for extracellular coordination of cell fate

Cytokines are protein messengers that act to modulate the differentiation or activation of their target cells. Bone marrow macrophages can become activated tissue macrophages, dendritic cells, or osteoclasts depending on to which cytokines they are exposed. However, one cytokine can often induce divergent outcomes, suggesting that other signals are needed to establish the specificity of the result. We hypothesize that these signals may derive from the local environment and serve to prime cells to respond toward a specific outcome. Here, it is shown that the cytokine TNF-alpha is capable of affecting the fate of macrophages by upregulating the NADase CD38. CD38 upregulation primes macrophages, such that signals induced by inflammatory stimuli are augmented, while those leading to osteoclast formation are inhibited. We show that TNF-alpha-induced CD38 expression negatively affects the expression of osteoclast markers, while it enhances inflammatory gene expression by decreasing ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increasing NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, it is shown that CD38 may reduce osteoclastogenesis and increase inflammatory gene induction by decreasing cellular histone deacetylase activity. These results provide a demonstration of how a cytokine can prime cells to differentiate toward a certain lineage or acquire enhanced activation characteristics. Since CD38 is an ectoenzyme, we suggest that the modulation of extracellular NAD(+) metabolism likely serves as a unique mechanism to coordinate the fate of cells within a local environment.

Nicotinamide inhibits B lymphocyte activation by disrupting MAPK signal transduction

Nicotinamide (NAm) represents both a pharmacological agent known to express cell preserving and anti-inflammatory properties, and a useful investigational tool to elucidate cellular pathways regulating a wide range of cellular functions. We demonstrate in this study that exogenous NAm, when used at pharmacological doses, inhibits activation of primary murine B lymphocytes in response to multiple ligands. NAm appears to affect a membrane proximal event leading to MAPKs activation, a transduction pathway shared by multiple receptors including the antigen-specific B cell receptor, CD38, CD40 and TLR4 receptors. NAm inhibited phospho-ERK accumulation, and only marginally affected phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK induction upon BCR stimulation of naive B lymphocytes. Accordingly, NAm also affected the expression of known targets of the MAPK ERK pathway such as CD69 and cyclin D2. Based on a comparison with well-characterized pharmacological inhibitors, we suggest in this work that NAm may inhibit a post-translational modification mediated by a yet unidentified mono(ADP-ribose)transferase. Collectively, our observations indicate that in addition to its previously described effect on cells of the innate immune system, NAm is able to modulate the activity of B lymphocytes suggesting a potential role of this vitamin in regulating antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders.