Dexamethasone inhibits mitogen induction of the TIS10 prostaglandin synthase/cyclooxygenase gene.

Glucocorticoids block the induced secretion of prostaglandins in a variety of biological contexts. We have identified a primary response gene, TIS10, which encodes a mitogen-inducible prostaglandin synthase/cyclooxygenase in Swiss 3T3 cells. TIS10 is distinct from prostaglandin synthase/cyclooxygenase. (EC 1.14.99.1), previously cloned from mouse, man, and sheep. Dexamethasone blocks prostaglandin E2 synthesis by 3T3 cells in response to tetradecanoylphorbol acetate. Dexamethasone also blocks both phorbol ester- and forskolin-induced TIS10 mRNA accumulation. In contrast, phorbol esters, forskolin, and dexamethasone have little or no effect on the levels of prostaglandin synthase/cyclooxygenase mRNA in 3T3 cells. Moreover, dexamethasone does not inhibit induction of TIS8/egr-1, another primary response gene. Inhibition of the synthesis of TIS10 prostaglandin synthase/cyclooxygenase may be a principal mechanism by which glucocorticoids block prostaglandin synthesis and secretion.     

Synthesis,degradation, and subcellular localization of proteins encoded by the primary response genes TIS7/PC4 and TIS21/PC3

Murine TIS7 and TIS21 cDNAs were cloned from phorbol ester-induced Swiss 3T3 cells. The cognate rat cDNAs. PC4 and PC3, were cloned from nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. The TIS7/PC4 and TIS21/PC3 primary response genes are rapidly and transiently induced in response to serum, phorbol esters, and polypeptide growth factors in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells and by NGF and other ligands in PC12 cells. In both 3T3 and PC12 cells the appearance of the TIS21/PC3 message precedes that of TIS7/PC4 message following ligand stimulation, suggesting that the TIS21/PC3 protein is likely to be synthesized more rapidly than the TIS7/PC4 protein. Using antisera prepared against recombinant TIS21 and TIS7 proteins, we find that the TIS21/PC3 protein is, indeed, synthesized more rapidly than the TIS7/PC4 protein following stimulation in both 3T3 and PC12 cells. In addition, “pulse-chase” experiments demonstrate that the TIS21/PC3 protein is degraded much more rapidly than the TIS7/PC4 protein. The sequences of the predicted PC3 and PC4 proteins have lead to the speculation that these two proteins may both be secreted from cells following stimulation. The PC4 protein is reported to have some sequence similarity to interferons. The TIS21/PC3 protein contains a presumptive leader sequence. Using our antisera to the recombinant proteins, however, we cannot detect secretion of radiolabelled TIS7/PC4 or TIS21/PC3 protein. Immunohistochemical and subcellular fractionation experiments suggest that the TIS7 protein is a membrane associated, non-nuclear intracellular protein. The TIS21 protein, in contrast, is' a non-nuclear, soluble intracellular protein. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A Swiss 3T3 variant cell line resistant to the effects of tumor promoters cannot be transformed by src.

To study the relationship between oncogenesis by v-src and normal cellular signalling pathways, we determined the effects of v-src on 3T3-TNR9 cells, a Swiss 3T3 variant which does not respond mitogenically to tumor promoters such as 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We found that src was unable to transform these variant cells, whether the oncogene was introduced by infection with a murine retrovirus vector or by transfection with plasmid DNA. 3T3-TNR9 cells were not inherently resistant to transformation, since infection with similar recombinant retroviruses containing either v-ras or v-abl did induce transformation. Further analysis of Swiss 3T3 and 3T3-TNR9 cell populations infected with the v-src-containing retrovirus revealed that although the amount of v-src DNA in each was approximately the same, the level of the v-src message and protein and the overall level of phosphotyrosine expressed in the infected variants was much less than in infected parental cells. Cotransfection experiments using separate v-src and neo plasmids revealed a decrease in the number of G418-resistant colonies when transfections of TNR9 cells occurred in the presence of the src-containing plasmid, suggesting a growth inhibitory effect of v-src on 3T3-TNR9 cells, as has also been found for TPA itself. Since v-src cannot transform this variant cell line, which does not respond mitogenically to the protein kinase C agonist TPA, we suggest that src makes use of the protein kinase C pathway as part of its signalling activities.     

Induction of tumor promotor-inducible genes in murine 3T3 cell lines and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-nonproliferative 3T3 variants can occur through protein kinase C-dependent and -independent pathways.

We isolated a group of genes that are rapidly and transiently induced in 3T3 cells by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). These genes are called TIS genes (for TPA-inducible sequences). Epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and TPA activated TIS gene expression with similar induction kinetics. TPA pretreatment to deplete protein kinase C activity did not abolish the subsequent induction of TIS gene expression by epidermal growth factor or fibroblast growth factor; both peptide mitogens can activate TIS genes through a protein kinase C-independent pathway(s). We also analyzed TIS gene expression in three TPA-nonproliferative variants (3T3-TNR2, 3T3-TNR9, and A31T6E12A). The results indicate that (i) modulation of a TPA-responsive sodium-potassium-chloride transport system is not necessary for TIS gene induction either by TPA or by other mitogens and (ii) TIS gene induction is not sufficient to guarantee a proliferative response to mitogenic stimulation.     

The upregulating effect of dexamethasone on tumor necrosis factor production is mediated by a nitric oxide-producing cytochrome P450

Dexamethasone (DEX) is a well-known inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production when given shortly before lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, DEX (10 mg/kg, ip) potentiates TNF production when administered 24–48 hr before LPS (16 μg/kg, ip). We have found that this is probably due to DEX induction of cytochrome P450 3A, which is known to produce nitric oxide (NO). The upregulating effect of DEX on TNF production is associated with increased NO production. Both the upregulation of NO and of TNF production by DEX are inhibited by co-administration of the P450 3A inhibitor troleandomycin (TAO, 40 mg/kg, ip). These data suggest that P450 3A-generated NO might be involved in TNF induction.     

Cholera toxin induces expression of the immediate-early response gene JE via a cyclic AMP-independent signaling pathway.

Cholera toxin (CT) activates expression of two immediate-early response genes (JE and TIS10) in quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells. Increases in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in response to CT are likely responsible for the induction of TIS10 gene expression, since treatment with 8-Br-cAMP and increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP by treatment with forskolin induce TIS10 gene expression. In contrast, neither forskolin nor 8-Br-cAMP induces JE gene expression. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, which stabilizes intracellular cAMP, potentiates CT-induced TIS10 gene expression but has no effect on CT-induced JE gene expression. Thus, induction of JE by CT is independent of the cAMP produced in response to CT. Induction of JE by CT does not require protein kinase C (PKC), since depleting cells of PKC activity has no effect on the induction of JE by CT. CT-induced expression of JE can be distinguished from CT-induced TIS10 gene expression by using protein kinase inhibitors and inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism, further suggesting distinct signaling pathways for CT-induced JE and TIS10 gene expression. Thus, induction of JE gene expression by CT results from the activation of an intracellular signaling pathway that is independent of cAMP production. This pathway is independent of PKC activity and uniquely sensitive to inhibitors of protein kinases and arachidonic acid metabolism.     

Aucubin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory responses by blocking the NF-κB translocation signaling pathways in activated microglial cells

Aucubin is an iridoid glycoside with demonstrable hepatoprotective and anti-osteoporotic effects. Herein, using microglial cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammatory responses, we studied the signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory action of aucubin and their influence on the expression of several genes known to be involved in inflammation. Aucubin inhibited LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory responses by suppressing the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂. Furthermore, aucubin inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels. In addition, aucubin inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that aucubin inhibited the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) translocation and phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt as well as of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are upstream molecules responsible for controlling inflammatory reactions. These results suggest that aucubin may exert anti-neuroinflammatory responses by suppressing the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators by blocking the activation of NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways in microglial cells.     

Two-dimensional gel analysis of secreted proteins induced by interleukin-1β in rat astrocytes

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced in the brain by endogenous microglial cells responding to injury. Levels of IL-1β are elevated in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. IL-1β, which can act as a mitogen for astrocytes, also elicits the expression and secretion of multiple factors and paracrine ‘second messengers’ such as other cytokines, nerve growth factor, prostaglandins and nitric oxide that may in turn modulate neuronal and glial responses to injury. Utilizing giant, high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have sought to more fully define the potential range of protein mediators that are secreted by astrocytes treated with IL-1β. In cultured rat astrocytes, we observe dramatic increases in the secretion of eight different protein species after 24 h of treatment with human recombinant IL-1β (1 U/ml). Seven of the proteins are also induced by tumor necrosis factor-α or basic fibroblast growth factor. Based on immunoprecipitation with specific antisera, we have identified three of these proteins as plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, ceruloplasmin, and complement component C3. The identities of the other proteins, including the IL-1β-specific induction, are currently unknown. Characterization of these downstream modulators of IL-1β action complements gene-based approaches and will provide a better understanding of astrocyte responses to injury as well as markers for astrocyte activation in neurodegenerative diseases.     

Regulation of the Manganese Superoxide Dismutase and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene in Rat Neuronal and Glial Cells

Abstract: Bidirectional communication occurs between neuroendocrine and immune systems through the action of various cytokines. Responses to various inflammatory mediators include increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), notably, superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and nitric oxide (NO^•). Neurotoxicity mediated by NO^• may result from the reaction of NO^• with O₂, leading to formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻). ROS are highly toxic, potentially contributing to extensive neuronal damage. We, therefore, evaluated the effects of a variety of inflammatory mediators on the regulation of mRNA levels for manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in primary cultures of rat neuronal and glial cells. To determine age-dependent variation of mRNA expression, we used glial cells derived from newborn, 3-, 21-, and 95-day-old rat brains. Interleukin-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and tumor necrosis factor-α showed significant induction of MnSOD in both glial and neuronal cells. However, only LPS and IFN-γ increased iNOS mRNA. These data demonstrate that these two genes are similarly regulated in two cells of the nervous system, further suggesting that the oxidative state of a cell may dictate a neurotoxic or neuroprotective outcome.     

Differential gene regulation by specific gain-of-function JNK1 proteins expressed in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are encoded by three genes that yield 10 isoforms through alternative mRNA splicing. The roles of each JNK isoform in the many putative biological responses where the JNK pathway is activated are still unclear. To examine the cellular responses mediated by different JNK isoforms, gain-of-function JNK1 polypeptides were generated by fusing the upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, MKK7, with p46JNK1alpha or p46JNK1beta. The MKK7-JNK fusion proteins, which exhibited constitutive activity in 293T cells, were stably expressed in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. Swiss 3T3 cells expressing either of the MKK7-JNK polypeptides were equally sensitized to induction of cell death following serum withdrawal. To search for other cellular responses that may be selectively regulated by the JNK1 isoforms, the gene expression profiles of Swiss 3T3 cells expressing MKK7-JNK1alpha or MKK7-JNK1beta were compared with empty vector-transfected control cells. Affymetrix Genechips identified 46 genes for which expression was increased in MKK7-JNK-expressing cells relative to vector control cells. Twenty genes including those for c-Jun, MKP-7, interluekin-1 receptor family member ST2L/ST2, and c-Jun-binding protein were induced similarly by MKK7-JNK1alpha and MKK7-JNK1beta proteins, whereas 13 genes were selectively increased by MKK7-JNK1alpha and 13 genes were selectively increased by MKK7-JNK1beta. The set of genes selectively induced by MKK7-JNK1beta included a number of known interferon-stimulated genes (ISG12, ISG15, IGTP, and GTPI). Consistent with these gene expression changes, Swiss 3T3 cells expressing MKK7-JNK1beta exhibited increased resistance to vesicular stomatitis virus-induced cell death. These findings reveal evidence for JNK isoform-selective gene regulation and support a role for distinct JNK isoforms in specific cellular responses.