Identification of p54(nrb) and the 14-3-3 Protein HS1 as TNF-alpha-inducible genes related to cell cycle control and apoptosis in human arterial endothelial cells

TNF-alpha plays a pivotal role in inflammation processes which are mainly regulated by endothelial cells. While TNF-alpha induces apoptosis of several cell types like tumor cells, endothelial cells are resistant to TNFa mediated cell death. The cytotoxic effects of TNF-alpha on most cells are only evident if RNA or protein synthesis is inhibited, suggesting that de novo RNA or protein synthesis protect cells from TNF-alpha cytotoxicity, presumably by NF-kappaB mediated induction of protective genes. However, the cytoprotective genes involved in NF-kappaB dependent endothelial cell survival have not been sufficiently identified. In the present study, the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method was employed to identify rarely transcribed TNF-alpha inducible genes in human arterial endothelial cells related to cell survival and cell cycle. The TNF-alpha-induced expression of the RNA binding protein p54(nrb) and the 14-3-3 protein HS1 as shown here for the first time may contribute to the TNF-alpha mediated cell protection of endothelial cells. These genes have been shown to play pivotal roles in cell survival and cell cycle control in different experimental settings. The concerted expression of these genes together with other genes related to cell protection and cell cycle like DnaJ, p21(cip1) and the ubiquitin activating enzyme E1 demonstrates the identification of new genes in the context of TNF-alpha induced gene expression patterns mediating the prosurvival effect of TNF-alpha in endothelial cells.     

Proinflammatory role of glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor-related gene in acute lung inflammation

Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related gene (GITR) participates in the immune/inflammatory response. Because GITR expression has been described in cells other than T lymphocytes, we investigated whether it also modulates acute inflammatory response. Using GITR-deficient (GITR(-/-)) mice, we analyzed the role of GITR in the development of carrageenan-induced lung inflammation (pleurisy) by studying several proinflammatory markers 2-8 h after carrageenan injection. When compared with GITR(+/+), GITR(-/-) mice exhibited decreased production of turbid exudate containing a lower number of leukocytes. This was correlated with the reduction of inflammatory markers (including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, myeloperoxidase, inducible NO synthase, and cyclooxygenase 2) in the pleural exudate and/or in the lung. Moreover, endothelial cells expressed lower levels of adhesion molecules. In lungs of GITR(+/+) mice, GITR ligand expression was not modulated during pleurisy, while that of GITR increased, as a consequence of increased infiltration by GITR-expressing cells and of GITR up-regulation in macrophages and endothelial cells. Finally, cotreatment of GITR(+/+) mice with carrageenan and Fc-GITR fusion protein decreased the number of inflammatory cells (pleural macrophages and lung neutrophils) as compared with carrageenan treatment alone, confirming that GITR plays a role in the modulation of pleurisy.     

RASSF1A对黑色素瘤A375细胞基因网络的影响

RASSF1A(Ras association domain family 1 isoform A)是定位于染色体3p21.3区域的抑瘤基因,编码一个由340个氨基酸残基构成的微管相关蛋白.该基因在包括恶性黑色素瘤在内的多种肿瘤中因启动子高甲基化而表达沉默.本研究建立了RASSF1A稳定表达的恶性黑色素瘤A375细胞系,通过全基因组表达谱基因芯片分析RASSF1A过表达对A375细胞基因表达谱的影响,发现RASSF1A引起184个基因表达上调,26个基因表达下调.通过Realtime RT-PCR对部分差异表达基因进行验证,结果表明与芯片筛选结果一致.RASSF1A影响的差异表达基因功能上归属于细胞生长与增殖、细胞周期、细胞凋亡、细胞间黏附、信号传导等生物过程.采用STRING软件构建了RASSF1A影响的差异表达基因调控网络,结果表明RASSF1A调控的差异表达基因构成一个高连接度的基因网络.其中,炎症细胞因子、转录因子位于网络中央.RASSF1A通过影响炎症细胞因子与转录因子之间的表达,影响A375细胞基因网络,调节黑色素瘤恶性生物学行为.