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Lo WL, Huseby ES. The partitioning of TCR repertoires by thymic selection. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20230897. [PMID: 39167074 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
αβ T cells are critical components of the adaptive immune system; they maintain tissue and immune homeostasis during health, provide sterilizing immunity after pathogen infection, and are capable of eliminating transformed tumor cells. Fundamental to these distinct functions is the ligand specificity of the unique antigen receptor expressed on each mature T cell (TCR), which endows lymphocytes with the ability to behave in a cell-autonomous, disease context-specific manner. Clone-specific behavioral properties are initially established during T cell development when thymocytes use TCR recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and MHC-like ligands to instruct survival versus death and to differentiate into a plethora of inflammatory and regulatory T cell lineages. Here, we review the ligand specificity of the preselection thymocyte repertoire and argue that developmental stage-specific alterations in TCR signaling control cross-reactivity and foreign versus self-specificity of T cell sublineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Lin Lo
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Eric S Huseby
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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2
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Burgermeister E. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Exploratory Nuclear Receptor Crosstalk in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14546. [PMID: 37833991 PMCID: PMC10572424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The three major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (ERK1/2, p38, and JNK/SAPK) are upstream regulators of the nuclear receptor superfamily (NRSF). These ligand-activated transcription factors are divided into subclasses comprising receptors for endocrine hormones, metabolic compounds (e.g., vitamins, diet), xenobiotics, and mediators released from host immune reactions such as tissue injury and inflammation. These internal and external cues place the NRSF at the frontline as sensors and translators of information from the environment towards the genome. For most of the former "orphan" receptors, physiological and synthetic ligands have been identified, opening intriguing opportunities for combination therapies with existing cancer medications. Hitherto, only preclinical data are available, warranting further validation in clinical trials in patients. The current review summarized the existing literature covering the expression and function of NRSF subclasses in human solid tumors and hematopoietic malignancies and their modulatory effects on innate (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells) and adaptive (i.e., T cell subsets) immune cells, encouraging mechanistic and pharmacological studies in combination with current clinically approved therapeutics against immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Burgermeister
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
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3
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Funasaki S, Hatano A, Nakatsumi H, Koga D, Sugahara O, Yumimoto K, Baba M, Matsumoto M, Nakayama KI. A stepwise and digital pattern of RSK phosphorylation determines the outcome of thymic selection. iScience 2023; 26:107552. [PMID: 37646020 PMCID: PMC10460994 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes with randomly generated T cell receptors (TCRs) undergo positive (maturation) or negative (apoptosis) selection on the basis of the strength of TCR stimulation. Selection fate is determined by engagement of TCR ligands with a subtle difference in affinity, but the molecular details of TCR signaling leading to the different selection outcomes have remained unclear. We performed phosphoproteome analysis of DP thymocytes and found that p90 ribosomal protein kinase (RSK) phosphorylation at Thr562 was induced specifically by high-affinity peptide ligands. Such phosphorylation of RSK triggered its translocation to the nucleus, where it phosphorylated the nuclear receptor Nur77 and thereby promoted its mitochondrial translocation for apoptosis induction. Inhibition of RSK activity protected DP thymocytes from antigen-induced cell death. We propose that RSK phosphorylation constitutes a mechanism by which DP thymocytes generate a stepwise and binary signal in response to exposure to TCR ligands with a graded affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Funasaki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hatano
- Department of Omics and Systems Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Nakatsumi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Daisuke Koga
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Osamu Sugahara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kanae Yumimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masaya Baba
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Masaki Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Omics and Systems Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Keiichi I. Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Anticancer Strategies Laboratory, TMDU Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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García-Yagüe ÁJ, Cuadrado A. Mechanisms of NURR1 Regulation: Consequences for Its Biological Activity and Involvement in Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12280. [PMID: 37569656 PMCID: PMC10419244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
NURR1 (Nuclear receptor-related 1 protein or NR4A2) is a nuclear protein receptor transcription factor with an essential role in the development, regulation, and maintenance of dopaminergic neurons and mediates the response to stressful stimuli during the perinatal period in mammalian brain development. The dysregulation of NURR1 activity may play a role in various diseases, including the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and several other pathologies. NURR1 is regulated by multiple mechanisms, among which phosphorylation by kinases or SUMOylation are the best characterized. Both post-translational modifications can regulate the activity of NURR1, affecting its stability and transcriptional activity. Other non-post-translational regulatory mechanisms include changes in its subcellular distribution or interaction with other protein partners by heterodimerization, also affecting its transcription activity. Here, we summarize the currently known regulatory mechanisms of NURR1 and provide a brief overview of its participation in pathological alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Juan García-Yagüe
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBER-CIBERNED), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBER-CIBERNED), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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5
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Bodhale N, Nair A, Saha B. Isoform-specific functions of Ras in T-cell development and differentiation. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350430. [PMID: 37173132 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Ras GTPases, well characterized for their role in oncogenesis, are the cells' molecular switches that signal to maintain immune homeostasis through cellular development, proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. In the immune system, T cells are the central players that cause autoimmunity if dysregulated. Antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation activates Ras-isoforms, which exhibit isoform-specific activator and effector requirements, functional specificities, and a selective role in T-cell development and differentiation. Recent studies show the role of Ras in T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases; however, there is a scarcity of knowledge about the role of Ras in T-cell development and differentiation. To date, limited studies have demonstrated Ras activation in response to positive and negative selection signals and Ras isoform-specific signaling, including subcellular signaling, in immune cells. The knowledge of isoform-specific functions of Ras in T cells is essential, but still inadequate to develop the T-cell-targeted Ras isoform-specific treatment strategies for the diseases caused by altered Ras-isoform expression and activation in T cells. In this review, we discuss the role of Ras in T-cell development and differentiation, critically analyzing the isoform-specific functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arathi Nair
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
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Yadav N, Patel H, Parmar R, Patidar M, Dalai SK. TCR-signals downstream adversely correlate with the survival signals of memory CD8 + T cells under homeostasis. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152354. [PMID: 36854249 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The significance of self-peptide-MHC-I/TCR (SMT) interaction in the survival of CD8+ T cells during naïve- and developmental-stages is well documented. However, the same for the memory stage is contentious. Previous studies have attempted to address the issue using MHC-I or TCR deficient systems, but inconsistent findings with memory CD8+ T cells of different TCR specificities have complicated the interpretation. Differential presence and/or processing of TCR-signals downstream in memory CD8+ T cells of different TCR specificities could be thought of as a reason. In this study, we examined the TCR-signals downstream in memory CD8+ T cells and compared them to the presence of survival-related signals (Annexin-V, Bcl-2, and Ki-67). We categorically tracked foreign antigen-experienced memory CD8+ T (TM) cells generated after Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic-stage malaria infection in C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, we found that memory CD8+ T cells had more TCR-signals downstream than naive cells. We reasoned and attributed the increased expression of cell adhesion molecules to the enhanced TCR-signaling. TCR-signals downstream correlate more closely with survival signals in naive CD8+ T cells than with death signals in TM cells. Further investigation using antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and diverse infection systems would aid in conceptualizing the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Yadav
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Hardik Patel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rajesh Parmar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Manoj Patidar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; Department of Zoology, Govt. College Manawar, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sarat K Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India.
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Nur77 Serves as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker That Correlates with Immune Infiltration and May Act as a Good Target for Prostate adenocarcinoma. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031238. [PMID: 36770929 PMCID: PMC9921667 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the most frequent malignancy, and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in men. Thus, new prognostic biomarkers and drug targets for PRAD are urgently needed. As we know, nuclear receptor Nur77 is important in cancer development and changes in the tumor microenvironment; whereas, the function of Nur77 in PRAD remains to be elucidated. The TCGA database was used to explore the Nur77 expression and its role in the prognosis of PRAD. It was shown that Nur77 was down regulated in PRAD, and low Nur77 expression was correlated with advanced clinical pathologic characteristics (high grade, histological type, age) and poor prognosis. Furthermore, key genes screening was examined by univariate Cox analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival. Additionally, Nur77 was closely related to immune infiltration and some anti-tumor immune functions. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were presented by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Therefore, the expression level of Nur77 might help predict the survival of PRAD cases, which presents a new insight and a new target for the treatment of PRAD. In vitro experiments verified that natural product malayoside targeting Nur77 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on PRAD and largely induced cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Nur77 and its mitochondrial localization. Taken together, Nur77 is a prognostic biomarker for patients with PRAD, which may refresh the profound understanding of PRAD individualized treatment.
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Luo Q, Tang Y, Jiang Z, Bao H, Fu Q, Zhang H. hUCMSCs reduce theca interstitial cells apoptosis and restore ovarian function in premature ovarian insufficiency rats through regulating NR4A1-mediated mitochondrial mechanisms. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:125. [PMID: 35986315 PMCID: PMC9389823 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00992-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs, retrospectively registered) have a lot of promise for treating theca interstitial cells(TICs) dysfunction in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The mechanisms, however, are still unknown. METHODS To examine the therapeutic and find the cause, we used both in vivo cisplatin-induced POI rat model and in vitro TICs model. HUCMSCs were injected into the tail veins of POI rats in an in vivo investigation. Then, using ELISA, HE staining, TUNEL apoptosis test kit, immunohistochemistry and western blot, researchers examined hormonal levels, ovarian morphology, TICs apoptosis, NR4A1 and Cyp17a1 in response to cisplatin treatment and hUCMSCs. TICs were obtained from the ovaries of rats and treated with the cisplatin, hUCMSCs supernatant, and the antagonist of NR4A1--DIM-C-pPhOH. ELISA, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, JC-1 labeling and western blot analysis were used to detect T levels, Cyp17a1, NR4A1, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, and cytochrome C(cytc). RESULTS We discovered that hUCMSCs restored the ovarian function, particularly TICs function based on measures of Cyp17a1 and T expression. NR4A1 was found in ovarian TICs of each group and NR4A1 expression was lower in the POI rats but higher following hUCMSCs therapy. The apoptosis of TICs generated by cisplatin was reduced after treatment with hUCMSCs. In vitro, NR4A1 was expressed in the nucleus of TICs, and NR4A1 as well as phospho-NR4A1 were decreased, following the apoptosis of TICs was emerged after cisplatin treatment. Interestingly, the localization of NR4A1 was translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm due to cisplatin. HUCMSCs were able to boost NR4A1 and phospho-NR4A1 expression while TICs' apoptosis and JC-1 polymorimonomor fluorescence ratios reduced. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression dropped following cisplatin treatment, whereas Bax, cytc, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression rose; however, hUCMSCs treatment reduced their expression. In addition, DIM-C-pPhOH had no effect on the NR4A1 expression, but it did increase the expression of apoptosis-related factors such as Bax, cytc, caspase-9, and caspase-3, causing the apoptosis of TICs. CONCLUSIONS These data show that hUCMSCs therapy improves ovarian function in POI rats by inhibiting TICs apoptosis through regulating NR4A1 -mediated mitochondrial mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Luo
- Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China
- Basic Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Basic Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Zhonglin Jiang
- Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China
- Basic Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Hongchu Bao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Pharmacology, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
| | - Hongqin Zhang
- Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China.
- Basic Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
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9
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Hiwa R, Brooks JF, Mueller JL, Nielsen HV, Zikherman J. NR4A nuclear receptors in T and B lymphocytes: Gatekeepers of immune tolerance . Immunol Rev 2022; 307:116-133. [PMID: 35174510 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Random VDJ recombination early in T and B cell development enables the adaptive immune system to recognize a vast array of evolving pathogens via antigen receptors. However, the potential of such randomly generated TCRs and BCRs to recognize and respond to self-antigens requires layers of tolerance mechanisms to mitigate the risk of life-threatening autoimmunity. Since they were originally cloned more than three decades ago, the NR4A family of nuclear hormone receptors have been implicated in many critical aspects of immune tolerance, including negative selection of thymocytes, peripheral T cell tolerance, regulatory T cells (Treg), and most recently in peripheral B cell tolerance. In this review, we discuss important insights from many laboratories as well as our own group into the function and mechanisms by which this small class of primary response genes promotes self-tolerance and immune homeostasis to balance the need for host defense against the inherent risks posed by the adaptive immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Hiwa
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engelman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jeremy F Brooks
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engelman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James L Mueller
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engelman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hailyn V Nielsen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engelman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Julie Zikherman
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engelman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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Sellin M, Mack R, Rhodes MC, Zhang L, Berg S, Joshi K, Liu S, Wei W, S. J. PB, Larsen P, Taylor RE, Zhang J. Molecular mechanisms by which splice modulator GEX1A inhibits leukaemia development and progression. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:223-236. [PMID: 35422078 PMCID: PMC9296642 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01796-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Splice modulators have been assessed clinically in treating haematologic malignancies exhibiting splice factor mutations and acute myeloid leukaemia. However, the mechanisms by which such modulators repress leukaemia remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES The primary goal of this assessment was to assess the molecular mechanism by which the natural splice modulator GEX1A kills leukaemic cells in vitro and within in vivo mouse models. METHODS Using human leukaemic cell lines, we assessed the overall sensitivity these cells have to GEX1A via EC50 analysis. We subsequently analysed its effects using in vivo xenograft mouse models and examined whether cell sensitivities were correlated to genetic characteristics or protein expression levels. We also utilised RT-PCR and RNAseq analyses to determine splice change and RNA expression level differences between sensitive and resistant leukaemic cell lines. RESULTS We found that, in vitro, GEX1A induced an MCL-1 isoform shift to pro-apoptotic MCL-1S in all leukaemic cell types, though sensitivity to GEX1A-induced apoptosis was negatively associated with BCL-xL expression. In BCL-2-expressing leukaemic cells, GEX1A induced BCL-2-dependent apoptosis by converting pro-survival BCL-2 into a cell killer. Thus, GEX1A + selective BCL-xL inhibition induced synergism in killing leukaemic cells, while GEX1A + BCL-2 inhibition showed antagonism in BCL-2-expressing leukaemic cells. In addition, GEX1A sensitised FLT3-ITD+ leukaemic cells to apoptosis by inducing aberrant splicing and repressing the expression of FLT3-ITD. Consistently, in in vivo xenografts, GEX1A killed the bulk of leukaemic cells via apoptosis when combined with BCL-xL inhibition. Furthermore, GEX1A repressed leukaemia development by targeting leukaemia stem cells through inhibiting FASTK mitochondrial isoform expression across sensitive and non-sensitive leukaemia types. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that GEX1A is a potent anti-leukaemic agent in combination with BCL-xL inhibitors, which targets leukaemic blasts and leukaemia stem cells through distinct mechanisms.
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Ding X, Le S, Wang K, Su Y, Chen S, Wu C, Chen J, Chen S, Zhang A, Xia J. Cytosporone B (Csn-B), an NR4A1 agonist, attenuates acute cardiac allograft rejection by inducing differential apoptosis of CD4+T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 104:108521. [PMID: 35026656 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CD4+T cell-mediated acute rejection remains a major factor that affects the early survival of transplanted organs post-transplantation. Here, we reveal that nuclear receptor subfamily 4 Group A member 1 (Nr4A1) was upregulated during cardiac allograft rejection and that the increased Nr4A1 was primarily localized in intragraft-infiltrating CD4+T cells. Nr4A1 acts as a transcription factor with an important role in CD4+T cell apoptosis, differentiation and T cell dysfunction, which indicates that Nr4A1 may play a critical role in transplant rejection. Cytosporone B (Csn-B) is a naturally occurring agonist of Nr4A1, and the role of Csn-B in the physiological process of cardiac rejection is poorly defined. This study constructed an acute rejection model of abdominal heterotopic cardiac transplantation in mice and investigated whether Csn-B could attenuate acute transplant rejection by modulating the CD4+T lymphocyte response. The results showed that Csn-B prolonged murine cardiac allograft survival and reduced inflammation in allografts. Subsequently, it was confirmed that Csn-B functions by inducing non-Treg apoptosis and promoting Treg cell differentiation. Finally, we also confirmed that Csn-B attenuates acute rejection by directly targeting Nr4A1 in CD4+T cells. Our data suggest that Csn-B is a promising novel therapeutic approach for acute cardiac allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchao Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sheng Le
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunshu Su
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province and Central Laboratory, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuangyan Wu
- Departments of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiuling Chen
- Departments of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Anchen Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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di Martino O, Niu H, Hadwiger G, Ferris MA, Welch JS. Cytokine exposure mediates transcriptional activation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in hematopoietic cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101240. [PMID: 34571009 PMCID: PMC8528724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is an immediate-early response gene that based on tissue and cell context is implicated in a plethora of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, and inflammation. Nur77 has a ligand-binding pocket that is obstructed by hydrophobic side groups. Naturally occurring, cell-endogenous ligands have not been identified, and Nur77 transcriptional activity is thought to be regulated through posttranslational modification and modulation of protein levels. To determine whether Nur77 is transcriptionally active in hematopoietic cells in vivo, we used an upstream activating sequence (UAS)-GFP transgenic reporter. We found that Nur77 is transcriptionally inactive in vivo in hematopoietic cells under basal conditions, but that activation occurs following cytokine exposure by G-CSF or IL-3. We also identified a series of serine residues required for cytokine-dependent transactivation of Nur77. Moreover, a kinase inhibitor library screen and proximity labeling-based mass spectrometry identified overlapping kinase pathways that physically interacted with Nur77 and whose inhibition abrogated cytokine-induced activation of Nur77. We determined that transcriptional activation of Nur77 by G-CSF or IL-3 requires functional JAK and mTor signaling since their inhibition leads to Nur77 transcriptional inactivation. Thus, intracellular cytokine signaling networks appear to regulate Nur77 transcriptional activity in mouse hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsola di Martino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Haixia Niu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Gayla Hadwiger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Margaret A Ferris
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John S Welch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Diacylglycerol Kinase alpha in X Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Type 1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115816. [PMID: 34072296 PMCID: PMC8198409 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinases are intracellular enzymes that control the balance between the secondary messengers diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. DGKα and DGKζ are the prominent isoforms that restrain the intensity of T cell receptor signalling by metabolizing PLCγ generated diacylglycerol. Thus, their activity must be tightly controlled to grant cellular homeostasis and refine immune responses. DGKα is specifically inhibited by strong T cell activating signals to allow for full diacylglycerol signalling which mediates T cell response. In X-linked lymphoproliferative disease 1, deficiency of the adaptor protein SAP results in altered T cell receptor signalling, due in part to persistent DGKα activity. This activity constrains diacylglycerol levels, attenuating downstream pathways such as PKCθ and Ras/MAPK and decreasing T cell restimulation induced cell death. This is a form of apoptosis triggered by prolonged T cell activation that is indeed defective in CD8+ cells of X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1 patients. Accordingly, inhibition or downregulation of DGKα activity restores in vitro a correct diacylglycerol dependent signal transduction, cytokines production and restimulation induced apoptosis. In animal disease models, DGKα inhibitors limit CD8+ expansion and immune-mediated tissue damage, suggesting the possibility of using inhibitors of diacylglycerol kinase as a new therapeutic approach.
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Hu QY, Zhang XK, Wang JN, Chen HX, He LP, Tang JS, Yao XS, Liu J. Malayoside, a cardenolide glycoside extracted from Antiaris toxicaria Lesch, induces apoptosis in human non-small lung cancer cells via MAPK-Nur77 signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114622. [PMID: 34043967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with poor prognosis and resistance to chemoradiotherapy, is the most common histological type of lung cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new and more effective treatment strategy for NSCLC. Nur77, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, induces apoptosis in cancer cells including NSCLC cells, by high expression and translocation to mitochondria. Small molecules trigger expression and mitochondrial localization of Nur77 may be an ideal anti-cancer drug candidate. Here, we report malayoside, a cardiac glycoside in the extract of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch., had different sensitivities to NSCLC cells. Malayoside induced apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells. Meanwhile, malayoside induced Nur77 expression and mitochondrial localization, and its induction of apoptosis was Nur77-dependent. To investigate the molecular mechanism of malayoside inducing Nur77 and apoptosis, we found that malayoside activated MAPK signaling pathway, including both ERK and p38 phosphorylation. The suppression of MAPK signaling activation inhibited the expression of Nur77 and apoptosis induced by malayoside. Our studies in nude mice showed that malayside potently inhibited the growth of tumor cells in vivo. Furthermore, the anti-cancer effect of malayosidwas in vivo was also related to the elevated expression of Nur77, p-ERK, and p-p38 proteins. Our results suggest that malayoside possesses an anti-NSCLC activity in vitro and in vivo mainly via activation of MAPK-Nur77 signaling pathway, indicating that malayoside is a promising chemotherapeutic candidate for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong-Ying Hu
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiao-Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jia-Nan Wang
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao-Xuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lian-Ping He
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Shan Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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15
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Wei J, Liu R, Hu X, Liang T, Zhou Z, Huang Z. MAPK signaling pathway-targeted marine compounds in cancer therapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:3-22. [PMID: 33389079 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03460-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This paper reviews marine compounds that target the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and their main sources, chemical structures, major targeted cancers and possible mechanisms to provide comprehensive and basic information for the development of marine compound-based antitumor drugs in clinical cancer therapy research. METHODS This paper searched the PubMed database using the keywords "cancer", "marine*" and "MAPK signaling pathway"; this search was supplemented by the literature-tracing method. The marine compounds screened for review in this paper are pure compounds with a chemical structure and have antitumor effects on more than one tumor cell line by targeting the MAPK signaling pathway. The PubChem database was used to search for the PubMed CID and draw the chemical structures of the marine compounds. RESULTS A total of 128 studies were searched, and 32 marine compounds with unique structures from extensive sources were collected for this review. These compounds are cytotoxic to cancer cell lines, although their targets are still unclear. This paper describes their anticancer effect mechanisms and the protein expression changes in the MAPK pathway induced by these marine compound treatments. This review is the first to highlight MAPK signaling pathway-targeted marine compounds and their use in cancer therapy. CONCLUSION The MAPK signaling pathway is a promising potential target for cancer therapy. Searching for marine compounds that exert anticancer effects by targeting the MAPK signaling pathway and developing them into new marine anticancer drugs will be beneficial for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruining Liu
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiyun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Tingen Liang
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiran Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China. .,Marine Medical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524023, Guangdong, China.
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16
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Lith SC, van Os BW, Seijkens TTP, de Vries CJM. 'Nur'turing tumor T cell tolerance and exhaustion: novel function for Nuclear Receptor Nur77 in immunity. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:1643-1652. [PMID: 33063848 PMCID: PMC7702156 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor Nur77 is expressed in a multitude of tissues, regulating cell differentiation and homeostasis. Dysregulation of Nur77 signaling is associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and disorders of the CNS. The role of Nur77 in T cells has been studied for almost 30 years now. There is a clear appreciation that Nur77 is crucial for apoptosis of self‐reactive T cells. However, the regulation and function of Nur77 in mature T cells remains largely unclear. In an exciting development, Nur77 has been recently demonstrated to impinge on cancer immunotherapy involving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These studies indicated that Nur77 deficiency reduced T cell tolerance and exhaustion, thus raising the effectiveness of immune therapy in mice. Based on these novel insights, it may be proposed that regulation of Nur77 activity holds promise for innovative drug development in the field of cellular immunotherapy in cancer. In this review, we therefore summarize the role of Nur77 in T cell selection and maturation; and further develop the idea of targeting its activity in these cells as a potential strategy to augment current cancer immunotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne C Lith
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram W van Os
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom T P Seijkens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlie J M de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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12-Deacetyl-12-epi-Scalaradial, a Scalarane Sesterterpenoid from a Marine Sponge Hippospongia sp., Induces HeLa Cells Apoptosis via MAPK/ERK Pathway and Modulates Nuclear Receptor Nur77. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18070375. [PMID: 32708154 PMCID: PMC7403966 DOI: 10.3390/md18070375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
12-Deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial, a scalarane sesterterpenoid from a marine sponge Hippospongia sp, has been reported to possess cytotoxic activity on HepG2, MCF-7, and HCT-116 cells. However, there is no research to indicate that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial exhibited anticancer effect on cervical cancer HeLa cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial against HeLa cells and to explore the mechanism. The results from a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay suggested that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells and flow cytometry analysis showed 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial could induce the apoptosis of HeLa cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial triggered apoptosis via mediating the extrinsic pathway and was found to suppress MAPK/ERK pathway which was associate with cancer cell death. Nur77, a critical number of orphan nuclear receptors, plays diverse roles in tumor development as a transcription factor and has been considered as a promising anticancer drug target. The dual-luciferase reporter assays suggested that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial could selectively enhance the trans-activation activity of Nur77. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis and fluorescence quenching showed that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial could induce the phosphorylation of Nur77 and interact with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Nur77. Our research confirmed 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial as a potential agent for cervical cancer therapy and provided a view that 12-deacetyl-12-epi-scalaradial may be a modulator of Nur77.
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18
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JNK1 and ERK1/2 modulate lymphocyte homeostasis via BIM and DRP1 upon AICD induction. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2749-2767. [PMID: 32346136 PMCID: PMC7492225 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Activation-Induced Cell Death (AICD) is a stimulation-dependent form of apoptosis used by the organism to shutdown T-cell response once the source of inflammation has been eliminated, while allowing the generation of immune memory. AICD is thought to progress through the activation of the extrinsic Fas/FasL pathway of cell death, leading to cytochrome-C release through caspase-8 and Bid activation. We recently described that, early upon AICD induction, mitochondria undergo structural alterations, which are required to promote cytochrome-C release and execute cell death. Here, we found that such alterations do not depend on the Fas/FasL pathway, which is instead only lately activated to amplify the cell death cascade. Instead, such alterations are primarily dependent on the MAPK proteins JNK1 and ERK1/2, which, in turn, regulate the activity of the pro-fission protein Drp1 and the pro-apoptotic factor Bim. The latter regulates cristae disassembly and cooperate with Drp1 to mediate the Mitochondrial Outer Membrane Permeabilization (MOMP), leading to cytochrome-C release. Interestingly, we found that Bim is also downregulated in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) cells, this alteration favouring their escape from AICD-mediated control.
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19
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Xiong Y, Ran J, Xu L, Tong Z, Adel Abdo MS, Ma C, Xu K, He Y, Wu Z, Chen Z, Hu P, Jiang L, Bao J, Chen W, Wu L. Reactivation of NR4A1 Restrains Chondrocyte Inflammation and Ameliorates Osteoarthritis in Rats. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:158. [PMID: 32258036 PMCID: PMC7090231 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease and uncontrolled inflammation is now recognized to play vital roles in OA development. Targeting the endogenous counterpart of inflammation may develop new therapeutic approaches in resolving inflammation persistence and treating inflammatory disease including OA. The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is a key negative regulator of inflammatory responses but its role in osteoarthritis remains unclear. In the present study, we found that the NR4A1 expression was elevated in human osteoarthritis cartilage and in vitro OA model, which could be blocked by NF-κB signal inhibitor JSH23. The overexpression of NR4A1 inhibited, whereas knockdown of NR4A1 enhanced IL-1β induced COX-2, iNOS, MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 expression, and luciferase reporter activity of NF-κB response element. Though NR4A1 was upregulated in inflammatory stimulation and creates a negative feedback loop, persistent inflammatory stimulation inhibited NR4A1 expression and activation. The expression of NR4A1 declined rapidly after an initial peak in conditions of chronic IL-1β stimulation, which could be partially restored by HDACs inhibitor SAHA. The phosphorylation of NR4A1 was increased in human osteoarthritis cartilage, and p38 inhibitor SB203580, JNK inhibitor SP600125 and ERK inhibitor FR180204 could significantly inhibited IL-1β induced NR4A1 phosphorylation. Reactivation of NR4A1 by its agonist cytosporone B could inhibit IL-1β induced chondrocyte inflammation and expression of COX-2, iNOS, MMP3, MMP9, and MMP13. In rat OA model, intra-articular injection of cytosporone B protected cartilage damage and ameliorated osteoarthritis. Thus, our study demonstrated that the NR4A1 is a key endogenous inhibitor of chondrocyte inflammation, which was relatively inactivated under chronic inflammatory stimulation through HDACs mediated transcriptional suppression and MAKP dependent phosphorylation in osteoarthritis. NR4A1 agonist cytosporone B could reactivate and restore the inhibitory regulatory ability of NR4A1, prevent excessive inflammation, and ameliorates osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jisheng Ran
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Langhai Xu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Tong
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Moqbel Safwat Adel Abdo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chiyuan Ma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhe He
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhipeng Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhonggai Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Hu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Jiang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiapeng Bao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiping Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lidong Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Close AF, Dadheech N, Lemieux H, Wang Q, Buteau J. Disruption of Beta-Cell Mitochondrial Networks by the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nor1/Nr4a3. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010168. [PMID: 31936632 PMCID: PMC7017372 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nor1, the third member of the Nr4a subfamily of nuclear receptor, is garnering increased interest in view of its role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Our previous study highlighted a proapoptotic role of Nor1 in pancreatic beta cells and showed that Nor1 expression was increased in islets isolated from type 2 diabetic individuals, suggesting that Nor1 could mediate the deterioration of islet function in type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism remains incompletely understood. We herein investigated the subcellular localization of Nor1 in INS832/13 cells and dispersed human beta cells. We also examined the consequences of Nor1 overexpression on mitochondrial function and morphology. Our results show that, surprisingly, Nor1 is mostly cytoplasmic in beta cells and undergoes mitochondrial translocation upon activation by proinflammatory cytokines. Mitochondrial localization of Nor1 reduced glucose oxidation, lowered ATP production rates, and inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Western blot and microscopy images revealed that Nor1 could provoke mitochondrial fragmentation via mitophagy. Our study unveils a new mode of action for Nor1, which affects beta-cell viability and function by disrupting mitochondrial networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Françoise Close
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Nidheesh Dadheech
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Hélène Lemieux
- Faculty Saint-Jean, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6C 4G9, Canada
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Jean Buteau
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-780-492-8386
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21
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Odagiu L, May J, Boulet S, Baldwin TA, Labrecque N. Role of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A Family in T-Cell Biology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:624122. [PMID: 33597928 PMCID: PMC7883379 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.624122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear orphan receptors NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 are immediate early genes that are induced by various signals. They act as transcription factors and their activity is not regulated by ligand binding and are thus regulated via their expression levels. Their expression is transiently induced in T cells by triggering of the T cell receptor following antigen recognition during both thymic differentiation and peripheral T cell responses. In this review, we will discuss how NR4A family members impact different aspects of the life of a T cell from thymic differentiation to peripheral response against infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Odagiu
- Laboratory of Immunology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julia May
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Salix Boulet
- Laboratory of Immunology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Troy A. Baldwin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Troy A. Baldwin, ; Nathalie Labrecque,
| | - Nathalie Labrecque
- Laboratory of Immunology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Troy A. Baldwin, ; Nathalie Labrecque,
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Acute myeloid leukemia-induced T-cell suppression can be reversed by inhibition of the MAPK pathway. Blood Adv 2019; 3:3038-3051. [PMID: 31648326 PMCID: PMC6849941 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains difficult to treat due to mutational heterogeneity and the development of resistance to therapy. Targeted agents, such as MEK inhibitors, may be incorporated into treatment; however, the impact of MEK inhibitors on the immune microenvironment in AML is not well understood. A greater understanding of the implications of MEK inhibition on immune responses may lead to a greater understanding of immune evasion and more rational combinations with immunotherapies. This study describes the impact of trametinib on both T cells and AML blast cells by using an immunosuppressive mouse model of AML and primary patient samples. We also used a large AML database of functional drug screens to understand characteristics of trametinib-sensitive samples. In the mouse model, trametinib increased T-cell viability and restored T-cell proliferation. Importantly, we report greater proliferation in the CD8+CD44+ effector subpopulation and impaired activation of CD8+CD62L+ naive cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that trametinib-sensitive samples have an inflammatory gene expression profile, and we also observed increased programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on trametinib-sensitive samples. Finally, we found that trametinib consistently reduced PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in a dose-dependent manner on the myeloid population. Altogether, our data present greater insight into the impact of trametinib on the immune microenvironment and characteristics of trametinib-sensitive patient samples.
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Pei HZ, Huang B, Chang HW, Baek SH. Ovarian tumor domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde binding protein 1 inhibits inflammation by regulating Nur77 stability. Cell Signal 2019; 59:85-95. [PMID: 30905540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Nur77 (NR4A1) plays an important role in various inflammatory responses. Nur77 is rapidly degraded in cells and its protein level is critically controlled. Although few E3 ligases regulating the Nur77 protein have been defined, the deubiquitinase (DUB) responsible for Nur77 stability has not been reported to date. We identified ovarian tumor domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde binding protein 1 (OTUB1) as a DUB that stabilizes Nur77 by preventing its proteasomal degradation. We found that OTUB1 interacted with Nur77 to deubiquitinate it, thereby stabilizing Nur77 in an Asp88-dependent manner. This suggests that OTUB1 targets Nur77 for deubiquitination via a non-canonical mechanism. Functionally, OTUB1 inhibited TNFα-induced IL-6 production by promoting Nur77 protein stability. OTUB1 modulated the stability of Nur77 as a counterpart of tripartite motif 13 (Trim13). That is, OTUB1 reduced the ubiquitination and degradation of Nur77 potentiated by Trim13. In addition, this DUB also inhibited IL-6 production, which was further amplified by Trim13 in TNFα-induced responses. These findings suggest that OTUB1 is an important regulator of Nur77 stability and plays a role in controlling the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhong Pei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Bin Huang
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hyeun-Wook Chang
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, South Korea
| | - Suk-Hwan Baek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea.
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24
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Popichak KA, Hammond SL, Moreno JA, Afzali MF, Backos DS, Slayden RD, Safe S, Tjalkens RB. Compensatory Expression of Nur77 and Nurr1 Regulates NF- κB-Dependent Inflammatory Signaling in Astrocytes. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 94:1174-1186. [PMID: 30111648 PMCID: PMC6117504 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.112631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory activation of glial cells promotes loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease. The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) regulates the expression of multiple neuroinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in activated glial cells that are damaging to neurons. Thus, inhibition of NF-κB signaling in glial cells could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention of neuroinflammatory injury. Nuclear orphan receptors in the NR4A family, including NR4A1 (Nur77) and NR4A2 (Nurr1), can inhibit the inflammatory effects of NF-κB, but no approved drugs target these receptors. Therefore, we postulated that a recently developed NR4A receptor ligand, 1,1bis (3'indolyl) 1(pmethoxyphenyl) methane (C-DIM5), would suppress NF-κB-dependent inflammatory gene expression in astrocytes after treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl 1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and the inflammatory cytokines interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α C-DIM5 increased expression of Nur77 mRNA and suppressed expression of multiple neuroinflammatory genes. C-DIM5 also inhibited the expression of NFκB-regulated inflammatory and apoptotic genes in quantitative polymerase chain reaction array studies and effected p65 binding to unique genes in chromatin immunoprecipitation next-generation sequencing experiments but did not prevent p65 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting a nuclear-specific mechanism. C-DIM5 prevented nuclear export of Nur77 in astrocytes induced by MPTP treatment and simultaneously recruited Nurr1 to the nucleus, consistent with known transrepressive properties of this receptor. Combined RNAi knockdown of Nur77 and Nurr1 inhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of C-DIM5, demonstrating that C-DIM5 requires these receptors to inhibit NF-κB. Collectively, these data demonstrate that NR4A1/Nur77 and NR4A2/Nurr1 dynamically regulated inflammatory gene expression in glia by modulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katriana A Popichak
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Sean L Hammond
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Julie A Moreno
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Maryam F Afzali
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Donald S Backos
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Richard D Slayden
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Stephen Safe
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
| | - Ronald B Tjalkens
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (K.A.P., S.L.H., R.B.T.) and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (J.A.M., M.F.A., R.D.S.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (D.S.B.); and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.S.)
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25
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Fechter K, Feichtinger J, Prochazka K, Unterluggauer JJ, Pansy K, Steinbauer E, Pichler M, Haybaeck J, Prokesch A, Greinix HT, Beham-Schmid C, Neumeister P, Thallinger GG, Deutsch AJA. Cytoplasmic location of NR4A1 in aggressive lymphomas is associated with a favourable cancer specific survival. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14528. [PMID: 30266952 PMCID: PMC6162226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32972-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear orphan receptor NR4A1 functions as tumour suppressor in aggressive lymphomas by pro-apoptotic genomic and non-genomic effects. Here, we immunohistochemically studied the clinico-pathological relevance of NR4A1 protein expression patterns in a cohort of 60 diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients and non-neoplastic lymph nodes. We observed a significant association between high cytoplasmic NR4A1 and favourable cancer-specific survival and the germinal centre B cell-like subtype, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of lymphoma cells exhibiting cytoplasmic NR4A1 significantly correlated to those showing cleaved caspase 3. Complementary, functional profiling using gene set enrichment of Reactome pathways based on publicly available microarray data was applied to determine pathways potentially implicated in cytoplasmic localization of NR4A1 and validated by means of semi quantitative real-time PCR. The pathway analysis revealed changes in the ERK1/2 pathway, and this was corroborated by the finding that high cytoplasmic NR4A1 was associated with higher expression of ERK1/2 targets in our cohort. These data indicate that high cytoplasmic NR4A1 is associated with a favourable lymphoma-specific survival and highlights the importance of NR4A1 expression patterns as potential prognostic marker for risk assessment in aggressive lymphomas.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Cohort Studies
- Cytoplasm/genetics
- Cytoplasm/pathology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/epidemiology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/analysis
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Survival Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Fechter
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Institute of Computational Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Omics Center Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Prochazka
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Katrin Pansy
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Prokesch
- Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hildegard T Greinix
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Peter Neumeister
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerhard G Thallinger
- Institute of Computational Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed Omics Center Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Alexander J A Deutsch
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
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26
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Mumau MD, Vanderbeck AN, Lynch ED, Golec SB, Emerson SG, Punt JA. Identification of a Multipotent Progenitor Population in the Spleen That Is Regulated by NR4A1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 200:1078-1087. [PMID: 29282309 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The developmental fate of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is influenced by their physiological context. Although most hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are found in the bone marrow of the adult, some are found in other tissues, including the spleen. The extent to which the fate of stem cells is determined by the tissue in which they reside is not clear. In this study, we identify a new progenitor population, which is enriched in the mouse spleen, defined by cKit+CD71lowCD24high expression. This previously uncharacterized population generates exclusively myeloid lineage cells, including erythrocytes, platelets, monocytes, and neutrophils. These multipotent progenitors of the spleen (MPPS) develop from MPP2, a myeloid-biased subset of hematopoietic progenitors. We find that NR4A1, a transcription factor expressed by myeloid-biased long term-hematopoietic stem cells, guides the lineage specification of MPPS. In vitro, NR4A1 expression regulates the potential of MPPS to differentiate into erythroid cells. MPPS that express NR4A1 differentiate into a variety of myeloid lineages, whereas those that do not express NR4A1 primarily develop into erythroid cells. Similarly, in vivo, after adoptive transfer, Nr4a1-deficient MPPS contribute more to erythrocyte and platelet populations than do wild-type MPPS. Finally, unmanipulated Nr4a1-/- mice harbor significantly higher numbers of erythroid progenitors in the spleen compared with wild-type mice. Together, our data show that NR4A1 expression by MPPS limits erythropoiesis and megakaryopoeisis, permitting development to other myeloid lineages. This effect is specific to the spleen, revealing a unique molecular pathway that regulates myeloid bias in an extramedullary niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie D Mumau
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Ashley N Vanderbeck
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Elizabeth D Lynch
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Sophia B Golec
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Stephen G Emerson
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Jennifer A Punt
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
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27
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Kuppusamy P, Nagalingam A, Muniraj N, Saxena NK, Sharma D. Concomitant activation of ETS-like transcription factor-1 and Death Receptor-5 via extracellular signal-regulated kinase in withaferin A-mediated inhibition of hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17943. [PMID: 29263422 PMCID: PMC5738353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18190-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the second lowest 5-year survival rate (~16%) of all tumor types partly owing to the lack of effective therapeutic agents. Withaferin A (WA) is a bioactive molecule derived from Withania somnifera and the present study is designed to systemically investigate the anti-HCC efficacy of WA. WA inhibited growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells. Using a phospho-kinase screening array, we discovered that WA increased phosphorylation of ERK and p38 in HCC. Further analyses revealed a key role of ERK leading to increased phosphorylation of p90-ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) and a concomitant activation of ETS-like transcription factor-1(ELK1) and Death Receptor protein-5 (DR5) in HCC. Importantly, oral administration of WA effectively inhibited HepG2-xenografts and DEN-induced-HCC in C57BL/6 mice. Analyses of WA-treated HepG2-xenografts and DEN-induced-HCC tumors showed elevated levels of ERK, RSK, ELK1 and DR5 along with decreased expression of Ki67. In silico analyses of HCC, utilizing published profiling studies showed an inverse correlation between DR5 and Ki67. These data showed the efficacy of WA as an effective agent for HCC inhibition and provided first in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the key role of a novel crosstalk between WA, ERK/RSK, ELK1, and DR5 in HCC inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panjamurthy Kuppusamy
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Arumugam Nagalingam
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Nethaji Muniraj
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Neeraj K Saxena
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Early Detection Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Dipali Sharma
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
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28
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Chen Y, Jin Y, Zhan H, Chen J, Chen Y, Meng H, Jin J, Yu L, Cao X, Xu Y. Proteomic analysis of the effects of Nur77 on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial activation. Neurosci Lett 2017; 659:33-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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29
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Liu J, Wang GH, Duan YH, Dai Y, Bao Y, Hu M, Zhou YQ, Li M, Jiang F, Zhou H, Yao XS, Zhang XK. Modulation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway by p38α MAPK. Oncotarget 2017; 8:69731-69745. [PMID: 29050237 PMCID: PMC5642512 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 promotes apoptosis by targeting mitochondria through interaction with Bcl-2, an event that converts Bcl-2 from a survival to killer. However, how the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway is regulated remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the regulation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway by CCE9, a xanthone compound. Our results demonstrated that the apoptotic effect of CCE9 depended on its induction of Nur77 expression, cytoplasmic localization, and mitochondrial targeting. The activation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway by CCE9 was associated with its activation of p38α MAPK. Inhibition of p38α MAPK activation by knocking down or knocking out p38α MAPK impaired the effect of CCE9 on inducing apoptosis and the expression and cytoplasmic localization of Nur77. In addition, CCE9 activation of p38α MAPK resulted in Bcl-2 phosphorylation and Bcl-2 interaction with Nur77, whereas inhibition of p38α MAPK activation or expression suppressed the interaction. Moreover, mutating Ser87 and Thr56 in the loop of Bcl-2, which are known to be phosphorylated by p38α MAPK, impaired the ability Bcl-2 to interact with Nur77. Together, our results reveal a profound role of p38α MAPK in regulating the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway through its modulation of Nur77 expression, Bcl-2 phosphorylation, and their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Guang-Hui Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ying-Hui Duan
- Institutes of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Dai
- Institutes of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhou Bao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mengjie Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yu-Qi Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingyu Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fuquan Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institutes of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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30
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Casalvieri KA, Matheson CJ, Backos DS, Reigan P. Selective Targeting of RSK Isoforms in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2017; 3:302-312. [PMID: 28718440 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The p90 ribosomal S6 kinase family (RSK1-4) is a group of highly conserved Ser/Thr kinases that act as downstream effectors of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. The RSKs phosphorylate a range of substrates involved in transcription, translation, cell cycle regulation, and cell survival. Although the RSKs have a high degree of sequence homology, their functional differences in cancer are of great interest. Current RSK inhibitors target more than one RSK isoform, and this may limit their efficacy as anticancer agents. Here, we review the structure and function of the RSK kinases, their role in cancer growth and survival, and their potential as modulators of chemoresistance. In addition, we summarize the development of current RSK inhibitors and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Casalvieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christopher J Matheson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Donald S Backos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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31
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Dnmt3a regulates T-cell development and suppresses T-ALL transformation. Leukemia 2017; 31:2479-2490. [PMID: 28321121 PMCID: PMC5636646 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematopoietic neoplasm resulting from the malignant transformation of T-cell progenitors, and comprises approximately 15% and 25% of pediatric and adult ALL cases respectively. It is well-established that activating NOTCH1 mutations are the major genetic lesions driving T-ALL in most patients, but efforts to develop targeted therapies against this pathway have produced limited success in decreasing leukemic burden and come with significant clinical side effects. A finer detailed understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying T-ALL is required identify patients at increased risk for treatment failure and the development of precision medicine strategies. Generation of genetic models that more accurately reflect the normal developmental history of T-ALL are necessary to identify new avenues for treatment. The DNA methyltransferase enzyme DNMT3A is also recurrently mutated in T-ALL patients, and we show here that inactivation of Dnmt3a combined with Notch1 gain-of-function leads to an aggressive T-ALL in mouse models. Moreover, conditional inactivation of Dnmt3a in mouse hematopoietic cells leads to an accumulation of immature progenitors in the thymus which are less apoptotic. These data demonstrate that Dnmt3a is required for normal T-cell development, and acts as a T-ALL tumor suppressor.
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32
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Helional-induced activation of human olfactory receptor 2J3 promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in a non-small-cell lung cancer cell line. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:34-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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33
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Ruffo E, Malacarne V, Larsen SE, Das R, Patrussi L, Wülfing C, Biskup C, Kapnick SM, Verbist K, Tedrick P, Schwartzberg PL, Baldari CT, Rubio I, Nichols KE, Snow AL, Baldanzi G, Graziani A. Inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase α restores restimulation-induced cell death and reduces immunopathology in XLP-1. Sci Transl Med 2016; 8:321ra7. [PMID: 26764158 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP-1) is an often-fatal primary immunodeficiency associated with the exuberant expansion of activated CD8(+) T cells after Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. XLP-1 is caused by defects in signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP), an adaptor protein that modulates T cell receptor (TCR)-induced signaling. SAP-deficient T cells exhibit impaired TCR restimulation-induced cell death (RICD) and diminished TCR-induced inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα), leading to increased diacylglycerol metabolism and decreased signaling through Ras and PKCθ (protein kinase Cθ). We show that down-regulation of DGKα activity in SAP-deficient T cells restores diacylglycerol signaling at the immune synapse and rescues RICD via induction of the proapoptotic proteins NUR77 and NOR1. Pharmacological inhibition of DGKα prevents the excessive CD8(+) T cell expansion and interferon-γ production that occur in SAP-deficient mice after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection without impairing lytic activity. Collectively, these data highlight DGKα as a viable therapeutic target to reverse the life-threatening EBV-associated immunopathology that occurs in XLP-1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ruffo
- Department of Translational Medicine and Institute for Research and Cure of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Valeria Malacarne
- Department of Translational Medicine and Institute for Research and Cure of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Sasha E Larsen
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Rupali Das
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Laura Patrussi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Christoph Wülfing
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, BS8 1TH Bristol, UK
| | - Christoph Biskup
- Biomolecular Photonics Group, Jena University Hospital, D 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Senta M Kapnick
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Katherine Verbist
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Paige Tedrick
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Pamela L Schwartzberg
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cosima T Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ignacio Rubio
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care and Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kim E Nichols
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Gianluca Baldanzi
- Department of Translational Medicine and Institute for Research and Cure of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Graziani
- Department of Translational Medicine and Institute for Research and Cure of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy. School of Medicine, University Vita e Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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Roy A, Srivastava M, Saqib U, Liu D, Faisal SM, Sugathan S, Bishnoi S, Baig MS. Potential therapeutic targets for inflammation in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 40:79-89. [PMID: 27584057 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation is set off when innate immune cells detect infection or tissue injury. Tight control of the severity, duration, and location of inflammation is an absolute requirement for an appropriate balance between clearance of injured tissue and pathogens versus damage to host cells. Impeding the risk associated with the imbalance in the inflammatory response requires precise identification of potential therapeutic targets involved in provoking the inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) primarily known for the pathogen recognition and subsequent immune responses are being investigated for their pathogenic role in various chronic diseases. A mammalian homologue of Drosophila Toll receptor 4 (TLR4) was shown to induce the expression of genes involved in inflammatory responses. Signaling pathways via TLR4 activate various transcription factors like Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer (NF-κB), activator protein 1 (AP1), Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription family of transcription factors (STAT1) and Interferon regulatory factors (IRF's), which are the key players regulating the inflammatory response. Inhibition of these targets and their upstream signaling molecules provides a potential therapeutic approach to treat inflammatory diseases. Here we review the therapeutic targets involved in TLR-4 signaling pathways that are critical for suppressing chronic inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Roy
- Center for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, MP, India
| | - Mansi Srivastava
- Center for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, MP, India
| | - Uzma Saqib
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Indore, MP, India
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Center for Inflammation & Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Syed M Faisal
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Subi Sugathan
- Center for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, MP, India
| | - Suman Bishnoi
- Center for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, MP, India
| | - Mirza S Baig
- Center for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, MP, India.
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Ebert PJR, Cheung J, Yang Y, McNamara E, Hong R, Moskalenko M, Gould SE, Maecker H, Irving BA, Kim JM, Belvin M, Mellman I. MAP Kinase Inhibition Promotes T Cell and Anti-tumor Activity in Combination with PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade. Immunity 2016; 44:609-621. [PMID: 26944201 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 520] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) can induce regression of tumors bearing activating mutations in the Ras pathway but rarely leads to tumor eradication. Although combining MEK inhibition with T-cell-directed immunotherapy might lead to more durable efficacy, T cell responses are themselves at least partially dependent on MEK activity. We show here that MEK inhibition did profoundly block naive CD8(+) T cell priming in tumor-bearing mice, but actually increased the number of effector-phenotype antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells within the tumor. MEK inhibition protected tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells from death driven by chronic TCR stimulation while sparing cytotoxic activity. Combining MEK inhibition with anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) resulted in synergistic and durable tumor regression even where either agent alone was only modestly effective. Thus, despite the central importance of the MAP kinase pathway in some aspects of T cell function, MEK-targeted agents can be compatible with T-cell-dependent immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeanne Cheung
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yagai Yang
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Erin McNamara
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Rebecca Hong
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bryan A Irving
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jeong M Kim
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Marcia Belvin
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ira Mellman
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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Agostini-Dreyer A, Jetzt AE, Stires H, Cohick WS. Endogenous IGFBP-3 Mediates Intrinsic Apoptosis Through Modulation of Nur77 Phosphorylation and Nuclear Export. Endocrinology 2015; 156:4141-51. [PMID: 26340041 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In nontransformed bovine mammary epithelial cells, the intrinsic apoptosis inducer anisomycin (ANS) induces IGFBP-3 expression and nuclear localization and knockdown of IGFBP-3 attenuates ANS-induced apoptosis. Others have shown in prostate cancer cells that exogenous IGFBP-3 induces apoptosis by facilitating nuclear export of the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 and its binding partner, retinoid X receptor-α (RXRα). The goal of the present work was to determine whether endogenous IGFBP-3 plays a role in ANS-induced apoptosis by facilitating nuclear transport of Nur77 and/or RXRα in nontransformed cells. Knockdown of Nur77 with siRNA decreased ANS-induced cleavage of caspase-3 and -7 and their downstream target, PARP, indicating a role for Nur77 in ANS-induced apoptosis. In cells transfected with IGFBP-3, IGFBP-3 associated with RXRα but not Nur77 under basal conditions, however, IGFBP-3 co-precipitated with phosphorylated forms of both proteins in ANS-treated cells. Indirect immunofluorescence and cell fractionation techniques showed that ANS induced phosphorylation and transport of Nur77 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and these effects were attenuated by knockdown of IGFBP-3. These data suggest that endogenous IGFBP-3 plays a role in intrinsic apoptosis by facilitating phosphorylation and nuclear export of Nur77 to the cytoplasm where it exerts its apoptotic effect. Whether this mechanism involves a physical association between endogenous IGFBP-3 and Nur77 or RXRα remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson Agostini-Dreyer
- Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (A.A.-D., W.S.C.), Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers (A.E.J., W.S.C.), and Graduate Program in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences (H.S., W.S.C.), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520
| | - Amanda E Jetzt
- Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (A.A.-D., W.S.C.), Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers (A.E.J., W.S.C.), and Graduate Program in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences (H.S., W.S.C.), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520
| | - Hillary Stires
- Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (A.A.-D., W.S.C.), Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers (A.E.J., W.S.C.), and Graduate Program in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences (H.S., W.S.C.), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520
| | - Wendie S Cohick
- Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (A.A.-D., W.S.C.), Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers (A.E.J., W.S.C.), and Graduate Program in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences (H.S., W.S.C.), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520
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Wei X, Gao H, Zou J, Liu X, Chen D, Liao J, Xu Y, Ma L, Tang B, Zhang Z, Cai X, Jin K, Xia Y, Wang Q. Contra-directional Coupling of Nur77 and Nurr1 in Neurodegeneration: A Novel Mechanism for Memantine-Induced Anti-inflammation and Anti-mitochondrial Impairment. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:5876-5892. [PMID: 26497037 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that nerve growth factor IB (Nur77) and nuclear receptor related1 (Nurr1) are differentially involved in dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Since memantine has shown clinically relevant efficacy in Parkinson's disease (PD) and displayed a potent protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in experimental PD models, we asked if it exerts its neuroprotection by regulating Nur77 and Nurr1 signaling. We adopted a well-established in vitro PD model, 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA)-lesioned PC12 cells, to test our hypothesis. Different concentrations of memantine were incubated with 6-OHDA-lesioned PC12 cells, and Nur77/Nurr1 and their related signaling molecules were examined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Nur77-deficient PC12 cells were used to verify the influences of Nur77 on neurodegeneration and memantine-mediated neuroprotection. We found that memantine reversed Nur77 upregulation and restored Nurr1 downregulation in 6-OHDA-lesioned PC12 cells. 6-OHDA incubation caused Nur77 translocation from the nucleus to cytosol and induced co-localization of Cyt c/HSP60/Nur77 in the cytosol. Memantine strongly reduced the sub-cellular translocations of Nur77/Cyt c/HSP60 under 6-OHDA-induced oxidative condition. Knockdown of Nur77 enhanced the viability of PC12 cells exposed to 6-OHDA, while memantine-induced neuroprotection was much less in the cells with Nur77 knockdown than in those without it. We conclude that Nur77 plays a crucial role in modulating mitochondrial impairment and contributes to neurodegeneration under the experimental PD condition. Memantine effectively suppresses such Nur77-mediated neurodegeneration and promotes survival signaling through post-translational modification of Nurr1. Nur77 and Nurr1 present a contra-directionally coupling interaction in memantine-mediated neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wei
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Huimin Gao
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Jinchi Liao
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Yunqi Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Long Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Zhuohua Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Xiang Cai
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Kunling Jin
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin St. MSE R444, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
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Differential function and regulation of orphan nuclear receptor TR3 isoforms in endothelial cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3307-20. [PMID: 26440050 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
TR3 has been reported to be an excellent target for angiogenesis therapies. We reported three TR3 transcript variant messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and are differentially regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). TR3 transcript variant 1 (TR3-TV1) and variant 2 (TR3-TV2) encoding the same TR3 isoform 1 protein (TR3-iso1) that was named TR3 has been extensively studied. However, the function of TR3 isoform 2 protein (TR3-iso2) encoded by TR3 transcript variant 3 (TR3-TV3) is still not known. Here, we clone and express the novel TR3-iso2 protein and find that expression of TR3-iso2, in contrast to TR3-iso1, inhibits endothelial cell proliferation induced by VEGF-A, histamine, and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). The differential function of TR3-iso2 correlates with the down-regulation of cyclin D1. However, TR3-iso2 plays similar roles in endothelial cell migration and monolayer permeability as TR3-iso1. We further demonstrate that several intracellular signaling pathways are involved in histamine-induced TR3 transcript variants, including histamine receptor H1-mediated phospholipase C (PLC)/calcium /calcineurin/protein kinase C (PKC)/protein kinase D (PKD) pathway and ERK pathway, as well as histamine receptor H3-mediated PKC-ERK pathway. Further, expressions of TR3-TV1, TR3-TV2, and TR3-TV3 by VEGF and histamine are regulated by different promoters, but not by their mRNA stability.
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Lanig H, Reisen F, Whitley D, Schneider G, Banting L, Clark T. In Silico Adoption of an Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A1. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135246. [PMID: 26270486 PMCID: PMC4535767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A 4.1μs molecular dynamics simulation of the NR4A1 (hNur77) apo-protein has been undertaken and a previously undetected druggable pocket has become apparent that is located remotely from the ‘traditional’ nuclear receptor ligand-binding site. A NR4A1/bis-indole ligand complex at this novel site has been found to be stable over 1 μs of simulation and to result in an interesting conformational transmission to a remote loop that has the capacity to communicate with a NBRE within a RXR-α/NR4A1 heterodimer. Several features of the simulations undertaken indicate how NR4A1 can be affected by alternate-site modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Lanig
- Computer-Chemie-Centrum der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstraße 25, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix Reisen
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wolfgang-Pauli-Straße 10, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Whitley
- Centre for Molecular Design, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, United Kingdom
| | - Gisbert Schneider
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wolfgang-Pauli-Straße 10, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lee Banting
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. Michael’s Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LB); (TC)
| | - Timothy Clark
- Computer-Chemie-Centrum der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstraße 25, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Centre for Molecular Design, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LB); (TC)
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40
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Ma W, Zhao R, Yang R, Liu B, Chen X, Wu L, Qi H. Nuclear receptors of the NR4a family are not required for the development and function of follicular T helper cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 28:841-5. [PMID: 25899083 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells promote germinal center (GC) reaction and high-affinity antibody production. The molecular mechanisms that regulate development and function of Tfh cells are not fully understood. Here we report that ligand-independent nuclear receptors of the Nr4a family are highly expressed in Tfh cells. In a well-established adoptive transfer model, enforced expression of Nr4a receptors reduces helper T cell expansion but apparently increased the T cell capacity to promote the GC response. On the other hand, deletion of all Nr4a receptors in T cells did not significantly affect expansion or differentiation of Tfh cells or the development of GC reaction. These findings suggest that Nr4a receptors may promote but are not necessary for Tfh development or function in vivo.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/immunology
- Germinal Center
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/immunology
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/immunology
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/genetics
- Receptors, Steroid/immunology
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Ma
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
| | - Ruozhu Zhao
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Runqing Yang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Bo Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Xin Chen
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Longyan Wu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Hai Qi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology Institute for Immunology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
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Impeding the interaction between Nur77 and p38 reduces LPS-induced inflammation. Nat Chem Biol 2015; 11:339-46. [PMID: 25822914 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis, a hyperinflammatory response that can result in multiple organ dysfunctions, is a leading cause of mortality from infection. Here, we show that orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 (also known as TR3) can enhance resistance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis in mice by inhibiting NF-κB activity and suppressing aberrant cytokine production. Nur77 directly associates with p65 to block its binding to the κB element. However, this function of Nur77 is countered by the LPS-activated p38α phosphorylation of Nur77. Dampening the interaction between Nur77 and p38α would favor Nur77 suppression of the hyperinflammatory response. A compound, n-pentyl 2-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(1-nonanoyl) phenyl]acetate, screened from a Nur77-biased library, blocked the Nur77-p38α interaction by targeting the ligand-binding domain of Nur77 and restored the suppression of the hyperinflammatory response through Nur77 inhibition of NF-κB. This study associates the nuclear receptor with immune homeostasis and implicates a new therapeutic strategy to treat hyperinflammatory responses by targeting a p38α substrate to modulate p38α-regulated functions.
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Hu QN, Baldwin TA. Differential roles for Bim and Nur77 in thymocyte clonal deletion induced by ubiquitous self-antigen. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:2643-53. [PMID: 25687757 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Negative selection, primarily mediated through clonal deletion of self-reactive thymocytes, is critical for establishing self-tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. Recent studies suggest that the molecular mechanisms of negative selection differ depending on the thymic compartment and developmental stage at which thymocytes are deleted. Using the physiological HY(cd4) TCR transgenic model of negative selection against ubiquitous self-antigen, we previously found that one of the principal mediators implicated in clonal deletion, Bim, is required for caspase-3 activation but is ultimately dispensable for negative selection. On the basis of these data, we hypothesized that Nur77, another molecule thought to be a key mediator of clonal deletion, could be responsible for Bim-independent deletion. Despite comparable Nur77 induction in thymocytes during negative selection, Bim deficiency resulted in an accumulation of high-affinity-signaled thymocytes as well as impairment in caspase-mediated and caspase-independent cell death. Although these data suggested that Bim may be required for Nur77-mediated cell death, we found that transgenic Nur77 expression was sufficient to induce apoptosis independently of Bim. However, transgenic Nur77-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited in the context of TCR signaling, suggesting that endogenous Nur77 could be similarly regulated during negative selection. Although Nur77 deficiency alone did not alter positive or negative selection, combined deficiency in Bim and Nur77 impaired clonal deletion efficiency and significantly increased positive selection efficiency. Collectively, these data shed light on the different roles for Bim and Nur77 during ubiquitous Ag-mediated clonal deletion and highlight potential differences from their reported roles in tissue-restricted Ag-mediated clonal deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Nancy Hu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Troy A Baldwin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada
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43
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The interplay of NR4A receptors and the oncogene-tumor suppressor networks in cancer. Cell Signal 2014; 27:257-66. [PMID: 25446259 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 10/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor (NR) subfamily 4 group A (NR4A) is a family of three highly homologous orphan nuclear receptors that have multiple physiological and pathological roles, including some in cancer. These NRs are reportedly dysregulated in multiple cancer types, with many studies demonstrating pro-oncogenic roles for NR4A1 (Nur77) and NR4A2 (Nurr1). Additionally, NR4A1 and NR4A3 (Nor-1) are described as tumor suppressors in leukemia. The dysregulation and functions of the NR4A members are due to many factors, including transcriptional regulation, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications. These various levels of intracellular regulation result from the signaling cross-talk of the NR4A members with various signaling pathways, many of which are relevant to cancer and likely explain the family members' functions in oncogenesis and tumor suppression. In this review, we discuss the multiple functions of the NR4A receptors in cancer and summarize a growing body of scientific literature that describes the interconnectedness of the NR4A receptors with various oncogene and tumor suppressor pathways.
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44
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Zhou Y, Zhao W, Xie G, Huang M, Hu M, Jiang X, Zeng D, Liu J, Zhou H, Chen H, Wang GH, Zhang XK. Induction of Nur77-dependent apoptotic pathway by a coumarin derivative through activation of JNK and p38 MAPK. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:2660-9. [PMID: 25187486 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coumarins are plant-derived natural products with a broad range of known pharmacological activities including anticancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms by which this class of promising compounds exerts their anticancer effects remain largely unknown. We report here that a furanocoumarin named apaensin could effectively induce apoptosis of cancer cells through its activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Apoptosis induction by apaensin in cancer cells was suppressed by chemical inhibitors of JNK and p38 MAPK. Inhibition of the expression of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) approach also abrogated the death effect of apaensin. Molecular analysis demonstrated that JNK activation was required for the nuclear export of Nur77, a known apoptotic event in cancer cells. Although p38 MAPK activation was not involved in Nur77 nuclear export, it was essential for Nur77 mitochondrial targeting through induction of Nur77 interaction with Bcl-2, which is also known to convert Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic to a proapoptotic molecule. Together, our results identify a new natural product that targets orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 through its unique activation of JNK and p38 MAPK and provide insight into the complex regulation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Guobin Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Mingfeng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Mengjie Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Xin Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Dequan Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Hu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Haifeng Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Guang-Hui Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and
| | - Xiao-Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China and Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Burger ML, Leung KK, Bennett MJ, Winoto A. T cell-specific inhibition of multiple apoptotic pathways blocks negative selection and causes autoimmunity. eLife 2014; 3. [PMID: 25182415 PMCID: PMC4171708 DOI: 10.7554/elife.03468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell self-tolerance is thought to involve peripheral tolerance and negative selection, involving apoptosis of autoreactive thymocytes. However, evidence supporting an essential role for negative selection is limited. Loss of Bim, a Bcl-2 BH3-only protein essential for thymocyte apoptosis, rarely results in autoimmunity on the C57BL/6 background. Mice with T cell-specific over-expression of Bcl-2, that blocks multiple BH3-only proteins, are also largely normal. The nuclear receptor Nur77, also implicated in negative selection, might function redundantly to promote apoptosis by associating with Bcl-2 and exposing its potentially pro-apoptotic BH3 domain. Here, we report that T cell-specific expression of a Bcl2 BH3 mutant transgene results in enhanced rescue of thymocytes from negative selection. Concomitantly, Treg development is increased. However, aged BH3 mutant mice progressively accumulate activated, autoreactive T cells, culminating in development of multi-organ autoimmunity and lethality. These data provide strong evidence that negative selection is crucial for establishing T cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Burger
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Kenneth K Leung
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Margaux J Bennett
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Astar Winoto
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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NR4A nuclear receptors are orphans but not lonesome. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:2543-2555. [PMID: 24975497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors consists of three mammalian members: Nur77, Nurr1, and NOR-1. The NR4A receptors are involved in essential physiological processes such as adaptive and innate immune cell differentiation, metabolism and brain function. They act as transcription factors that directly modulate gene expression, but can also form trans-repressive complexes with other transcription factors. In contrast to steroid hormone nuclear receptors such as the estrogen receptor or the glucocorticoid receptor, no ligands have been described for the NR4A receptors. This lack of known ligands might be explained by the structure of the ligand-binding domain of NR4A receptors, which shows an active conformation and a ligand-binding pocket that is filled with bulky amino acid side-chains. Other mechanisms, such as transcriptional control, post-translational modifications and protein-protein interactions therefore seem to be more important in regulating the activity of the NR4A receptors. For Nur77, over 80 interacting proteins (the interactome) have been identified so far, and roughly half of these interactions has been studied in more detail. Although the NR4As show some overlap in interacting proteins, less information is available on the interactome of Nurr1 and NOR-1. Therefore, the present review will describe the current knowledge on the interactomes of all three NR4A nuclear receptors with emphasis on Nur77.
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Dai Y, Zhang W, Sun Q, Zhang X, Zhou X, Hu Y, Shi J. Nuclear receptor nur77 promotes cerebral cell apoptosis and induces early brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats. J Neurosci Res 2014; 92:1110-21. [PMID: 24737679 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nur77 is a potent proapoptotic member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is expressed predominantly in brain tissue. It has been demonstrated that Nur77 mediates apoptosis in multiple organs. Nur77-mediated early brain injury (EBI) involves a conformational change in BCL-2 and triggers cytochrome C (cytoC) release resulting in cellular apoptosis. This study investigates whether Nur77 can promote cerebral cell apoptosis after experimentally induced subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) untreated group, 2) treatment control group, and 3) SAH group. The experimental SAH group was divided into four subgroups, corresponding to 12 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr, and 72 hr after experimentally induced SAH. It remains unclear whether Nur77 can play an important role during EBI after SAH as a proapoptotic protein in cerebral cells. Cytosporone B (Csn-B) was used to demonstrate that Nur77 could be enriched and used to aggravate EBI after SAH. Rats treated with Csn-B were given an intraperitoneal injection (13 mg/kg) 30 min after experimentally induced SAH. We found that Nur77 promotes cerebral cell apoptosis by mediating EBI and triggering a conformational change in BCL-2, resulting in cytoC release. Nur77 activity, along with cerebral cell apoptosis, peaked at 24 hr after SAH onset. After induction of SAH, an injection of Csn-B, an agonist for Nur77, enhanced the expression and function of Nur77. In summary, we have demonstrated the proapoptotic effect of Nur77 within cerebral cells, an effect that can be further exacerbated with Csn-B stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Dai
- Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Nagalingam A, Kuppusamy P, Singh SV, Sharma D, Saxena NK. Mechanistic elucidation of the antitumor properties of withaferin a in breast cancer. Cancer Res 2014; 74:2617-29. [PMID: 24732433 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Withaferin A (WFA) is a steroidal lactone with antitumor effects manifested at multiple levels that are mechanistically obscure. Using a phospho-kinase screening array, we discovered that WFA activated phosphorylation of the S6 kinase RSK (ribosomal S6 kinase) in breast cancer cells. Pursuing this observation, we defined activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-RSK and ETS-like transcription factor 1 (Elk1)-CHOP (C-EBP homologous protein) kinase pathways in upregulating transcription of the death receptor 5 (DR5). Through this route, WFA acted as an effective DR5 activator capable of potentiating the biologic effects of celecoxib, etoposide, and TRAIL. Accordingly, WFA treatment inhibited breast tumor formation in xenograft and mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-neu mouse models in a manner associated with activation of the ERK/RSK axis, DR5 upregulation, and elevated nuclear accumulation of Elk1 and CHOP. Together, our results offer mechanistic insight into how WFA inhibits breast tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arumugam Nagalingam
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland; and Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Dai Y, Sun Q, Zhang X, Hu Y, Zhou M, Shi J. Cyclosporin A ameliorates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage through inhibition of a Nur77 dependent apoptosis pathway. Brain Res 2014; 1556:67-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Gao X, Lin B, Sadayappan S, Patel TB. Interactions between the regulatory subunit of type I protein kinase A and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase1 regulate cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Mol Pharmacol 2013; 85:357-67. [PMID: 24307699 DOI: 10.1124/mol.113.090613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocyte apoptosis contributes toward the loss of muscle mass in myocardial pathologies. Previous reports have implicated type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, the precise mechanisms and the isoform of RSK involved in this process remain undefined. Using adult rat ventricular myocytes and mouse-derived cardiac HL-1 cardiomyocytes, we demonstrate that hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced apoptosis is accompanied by a decrease in the type I PKA regulatory subunit (PKARIα) and activation of RSK1. As previously described by us for other cell types, in cardiomyocytes, inactive RSK1 also interacts with PKARIα, whereas the active RSK1 interacts with the catalytic subunit of PKA. Additionally, small interfering (siRNA)-mediated silencing of PKARIα or disrupting the RSK1/PKARIα interactions with a small, cell-permeable peptide activates RSK1 and recapitulates the H/R-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of RSK1 or siRNA-mediated silencing of RSK1 attenuates H/R-induced apoptosis, demonstrating the role of RSK1 in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, silencing of RSK1 decreases the H/R-induced phosphorylation of sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1), and inhibition of NHE1 with 5'-N-ethyl-N-isopropyl-amiloride blocks H/R induced apoptosis, indicating the involvement of NHE1 in apoptosis. Overall, our findings demonstrate that H/R-mediated decrease in PKARIα protein levels leads to activation of RSK1, which via phosphorylation of NHE1 induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianlong Gao
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Signal Transduction Research Institute (X.G., T.B.P.), and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (B.L., S.S.), Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois
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