Strong inhibition of TNF-α production and inhibition of IL-8 and COX-2 mRNA expression in monocyte-derived macrophages by RWJ 67657, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor

In inflammatory processes, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction route regulates production and expression of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a pivotal cytokine in rheumatoid arthritis and its production in macrophages is under control of the p38 MAPK route. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK route may inhibit production not only of TNF-α, but also of other inflammatory mediators produced by macrophages, and indirectly of inflammatory mediators by other cells induced by TNF-α stimulation. Here we investigate the effects of RWJ 67657, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, on mRNA expression and protein production of TNF-α and other inflammatory mediators, in monocyte-derived macrophages. A strong inhibition of TNF-α was seen at pharmacologically relevant concentrations of RWJ 67657, but also inhibition of mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 was shown. Furthermore, it was shown that monocyte-derived macrophages have a high constitutive production of matrix metalloproteinase 9, which is not affected by p38 MAPK inhibition. The results presented here may have important implications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Chondrocyte response to growth factors is modulated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition

Inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) diminish inflammatory arthritis in experimental animals. This may be effected by diminishing the production of inflammatory mediators, but this kinase is also part of the IL-1 signal pathway in articular chondrocytes. We determined the effect of p38 MAPK inhibition on proliferative and synthetic responses of lapine chondrocytes, cartilage, and synovial fibroblasts under basal and IL-1-activated conditions.     

Pharmacologic inhibition of tpl2 blocks inflammatory responses in primary human monocytes, synoviocytes, and blood

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that controls the initiation and progression of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Tpl2 is a MAPKKK in the MAPK (i.e. ERK) pathway, and the Tpl2-MEK-ERK signaling pathway is activated by the pro-inflammatory mediators TNFalpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). Moreover, Tpl2 is required for TNFalpha expression. Thus, pharmacologic inhibition of Tpl2 should be a valid approach to therapeutic intervention in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases in humans. We have developed a series of highly selective and potent Tpl2 inhibitors, and in the present study we have used these inhibitors to demonstrate that the catalytic activity of Tpl2 is required for the LPS-induced activation of MEK and ERK in primary human monocytes. These inhibitors selectively target Tpl2 in these cells, and they block LPS- and IL-1beta-induced TNFalpha production in both primary human monocytes and human blood. In rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes these inhibitors block ERK activation, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and the production of IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin E(2), and the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1 and MMP-3. Taken together, our results show that inhibition of Tpl2 in primary human cell types can decrease the production of TNFalpha and other pro-inflammatory mediators during inflammatory events, and they further support the notion that Tpl2 is an appropriate therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis and other human inflammatory diseases.     

A novel chromone derivative with anti-inflammatory property via inhibition of ROS-dependent activation of TRAF6-ASK1-p38 pathway

The p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in inflammation. Targeting p38 MAPK may be a potential strategy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we show that a novel chromone derivative, DCO-6, significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide, IL-1β and IL-6, decreased the levels of iNOS, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression in both RAW264.7 cells and mouse primary peritoneal macrophages, and inhibited LPS-induced activation of p38 MAPK but not of JNK, ERK. Moreover, DCO-6 specifically inhibited TLR4-dependent p38 activation without directly inhibiting its kinase activity. LPS-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was remarkably impaired by DCO-6, which disrupted the formation of the TRAF6-ASK1 complex. Administering DCO-6 significantly protected mice from LPS-induced septic shock in parallel with the inhibition of p38 activation and ROS production. Our results indicate that DCO-6 showed anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of ROS-dependent activation of TRAF6-ASK1-p38 pathway. Blockade of the upstream events required for p38 MAPK action by DCO-6 may provide a new therapeutic option in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Chondrocyte response to growth factors is modulated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition

Inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) diminish inflammatory arthritis in experimental animals. This may be effected by diminishing the production of inflammatory mediators, but this kinase is also part of the IL-1 signal pathway in articular chondrocytes. We determined the effect of p38 MAPK inhibition on proliferative and synthetic responses of lapine chondrocytes, cartilage, and synovial fibroblasts under basal and IL-1-activated conditions.Basal and growth factor-stimulated proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis were determined in primary cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes, first-passage synovial fibroblasts, and cartilage organ cultures. Studies were performed with or without p38 MAPK inhibitors, in IL-1-activated and control cultures. Media nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 were assayed.p38 MAPK inhibitors blunt chondrocyte and cartilage proteoglycan synthesis in response to transforming growth factor beta; responses to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and fetal calf serum (FCS) are unaffected. p38 MAPK inhibitors significantly reverse inhibition of cartilage organ culture proteoglycan synthesis by IL-1. p38 MAPK inhibition potentiated basal, IGF-1-stimulated and FCS-stimulated chondrocyte proliferation, and reversed IL-1 inhibition of IGF-1-stimulated and FCS-stimulated DNA synthesis. Decreases in nitric oxide but not prostaglandin E2 synthesis in IL-1-activated chondrocytes treated with p38 MAPK inhibitors are partly responsible for this restoration of response. Synovial fibroblast proliferation is minimally affected by p38 MAPK inhibition.p38 MAPK activity modulates chondrocyte proliferation under basal and IL-1-activated conditions. Inhibition of p38 MAPK enhances the ability of growth factors to overcome the inhibitory actions of IL-1 on proliferation, and thus could facilitate restoration and repair of diseased and damaged cartilage.     

Kinetics of small molecule inhibitor binding to p38 kinase.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (p38/p38-alpha/CSBP2/RK) has been implicated in the regulation of many proinflammatory pathways. Because of this, it has received much attention as a potential drug target for controlling diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, endotoxic shock, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, and many others. A number of small molecule inhibitors of this kinase have been described, and in this paper we have used surface plasmon resonance to directly measure and quantitate their binding to p38. Despite the relatively low molecular mass (approximately 400 Da) of these inhibitors, specific binding can be observed. For the two most potent inhibitors studied, SB 203580 and RWJ 67657, dissociation constants, K(d)'s, of 22 and 10 nm, respectively, were obtained. These values closely match the IC(5)0 values observed in a cell-based TNF alpha release assay implying that p38 plays a major role in TNF alpha release. The association and dissociation rates for the binding of these inhibitors to p38 have also been quantitated. SB 203580 and RWJ 67657 have very similar association rates of around 8 x 10(5) m(-1) x s(-1), and the differences in affinity are determined by different dissociation rates. The weaker binding compounds have dissociation rates similar to SB 203580, but the association rates vary by an order of magnitude or more. The direct measurement of compounds binding to p38 may help in understanding the difference between potency and efficacy for these inhibitors. This in turn may yield clues on how to develop better inhibitors.     

Essential role of MAPK phosphatase-1 in the negative control of innate immune responses

TLR-induced innate immunity and inflammation are mediated by signaling cascades leading to activation of the MAPK family of Ser/Thr protein kinases, including p38 MAPK, which controls cytokine release during innate and adoptive immune responses. Failure to terminate such inflammatory reactions may lead to detrimental systemic effects, including septic shock and autoimmunity. In this study, we provide genetic evidence of a critical and nonredundant role of MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1 in the negative control of MAPK-regulated inflammatory reactions in vivo. MKP-1-/- mice are hyperresponsive to low-dose LPS-induced toxicity and exhibit significantly increased serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-12, MCP-1, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 levels after systemic administration of LPS. Furthermore, absence of MKP-1 increases systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines and exacerbates disease development in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. When activated through TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9, bone marrow-derived MKP-1-/- macrophages exhibit increased cytokine production and elevated expression of the differentiation markers B7.2 (CD86) and CD40. MKP-1-deficient macrophages also show enhanced constitutive and TLR-induced activation of p38 MAPK. Based on these findings, we propose that MKP-1 is an essential component of the intracellular homeostasis that controls the threshold and magnitude of p38 MAPK activation in macrophages, and inflammatory conditions accentuate the significance of this regulatory function.     

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

ADP-ribosylation is involved in nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent gene expression induced by lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages. Here we have investigated the mechanism by which ADP-ribosylation inhibitors block signaling pathways induced in macrophages. In RAW264.7 macrophages the inducers of NF-kappaB activate the production of reactive oxygen species and three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), the c-jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK), and p38. We demonstrate that ADP-ribosylation inhibitors specifically inhibit ERK MAPK activation and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and nitrite.     

Induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by interleukin-12 p40 monomer and homodimer in microglia and macrophages

The present study was undertaken to explore the role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 in the expression of TNF-alpha in microglia. Interestingly, we have found that IL-12 p70, p402 (the p40 homodimer) and p40 (the p40 monomer) dose-dependently induced the production of TNF-alpha and the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in BV-2 microglial cells. In addition to BV-2 microglial cells, p70, p402 and p40 also induced the production of TNF-alpha in mouse primary microglia and peritoneal macrophages. As the activation of both NF-kappaB and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) is important for the expression of TNF-alpha in microglial cells, we investigated the effect of p40 on the activation of NF-kappaB as well as C/EBPbeta. Activation of NF-kappaB as well as C/EBPbeta by p40 and inhibition of p40-induced expression of TNF-alpha by Deltap65, a dominant-negative mutant of p65, and DeltaC/EBPbeta, a dominant-negative mutant of C/EBPbeta, suggests that p40 induces the expression of TNF-alpha through the activation of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta. In addition, we show that p40 induced the activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Interestingly, PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK, inhibited p40-induced expression of TNF-alpha through the inhibition of C/EBPbeta, but not that of NF-kappaB, whereas SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, inhibited p40-induced expression of TNF-alpha through the inhibition of both NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta. This study delineates a novel biological function of p40 in inducing TNF-alpha in microglia and macrophages.     

Inhibition of p38 MAPK suppresses inflammatory cytokine induction by etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin without affecting tumoricidal activity

Cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic cancer chemotherapy drugs often experience debilitating fatigue similar to sickness behavior, a normal response to infection or tissue damage caused by the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) plays a central role in the production of these cytokines and consequently the development of sickness behavior. Targeted inhibitors of p38 MAPK can reduce systemic inflammatory cytokine production and the development of sickness behavior. Several systemic cancer chemotherapy drugs have been shown to stimulate inflammatory cytokine production, yet whether this response is related to a common ability to activate p38 MAPK is not known and is the focus of this study. This understanding may present the possibility of using p38 MAPK inhibitors to reduce chemotherapy-induced inflammatory cytokine production and consequently treatment-related fatigue. One caveat of this approach is a potential reduction in chemotherapeutic efficacy as some believe that p38 MAPK activity is required for chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity of tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate proof of principal that p38 MAPK inhibition can block chemotherapy-induced inflammatory cytokine production without inhibiting drug-induced cytotoxicity using murine peritoneal macrophages and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC1) cells as model cell systems. Using these cells we assessed the requirement of etoposide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and docetaxel for p38 MAPK in inflammatory cytokine production and cytotoxicity. Study findings demonstrate that clinically relevant doses of etoposide, doxorubicin, and 5-FU activated p38 MAPK in both macrophages and LLC1 cells. In contrast, docetaxel failed to activate p38 MAPK in either cell type. Activation of p38 MAPK mediated the drug's effects on inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages but not LLC1 cytotoxicity and this was confirmed with inhibitor studies.     

Selective suppression of neutrophil accumulation in ongoing pulmonary inflammation by systemic inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway regulates a wide range of inflammatory responses in many different cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK before exposing a cell to stress stimuli has profound anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about the effects of p38 MAPK inhibition on ongoing inflammatory responses. LPS-induced activation of p38 MAPK in human neutrophils was inhibited by poststimulation exposure to a p38 MAPK inhibitor (M39). Release of TNF-alpha, macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 (MIP-1beta), and IL-8 by LPS-stimulated neutrophils was also reduced by poststimulation p38 MAPK inhibition. In contrast, release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was found to be p38 MAPK independent. Ongoing chemotaxis toward IL-8 was eliminated by p38 MAPK inhibition, although the rate of nondirectional movement was not reduced. A murine model of acute LPS-induced lung inflammation was used to study the effect of p38 MAPK inhibition in ongoing pulmonary inflammation. Initial pulmonary cell responses occur within 4 h of stimulation in this model, so M39 was administered 4 h or 12 h after exposure of the animals to aerosolized LPS to avoid inhibition of cytokine release. Quantities of TNF-alpha, MIP-2, KC, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 recovered from bronchial alveolar lavage or serum were not changed. Recruitment of neutrophils, but not other leukocytes, to the airspaces was significantly reduced. Together, these data demonstrate the selective reduction of LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment to the airspaces, independent of suppression of other inflammatory responses. These findings support the feasibility of p38 MAPK inhibition as a selective intervention to reduce neutrophilic inflammation.     

Free cholesterol-loaded macrophages are an abundant source of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6: model of NF-kappaB- and map kinase-dependent inflammation in advanced atherosclerosis

Two key features of atherosclerotic plaques that precipitate acute atherothrombotic vascular occlusion ("vulnerable plaques") are abundant inflammatory mediators and macrophages with excess unesterified, or "free," cholesterol (FC). Herein we show that FC accumulation in macrophages leads to the induction and secretion of two inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The increases in TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA and protein were mediated by FC-induced activation of the IkappaB kinase/NF-kappaB pathway as well as activation of MKK3/p38, Erk1/2, and JNK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Activation of IkappaB kinase and JNK1/2 was needed for the induction of both cytokines. However, MKK3/p38 signaling was specifically involved in TNF-alpha induction, and Erk1/2 signaling was required for IL-6. Most interestingly, activation of all of the signaling pathways and induction of both cytokines required cholesterol trafficking to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The CHOP branch of the unfolded protein response, an ER stress pathway, was required for Erk1/2 activation and IL-6 induction. In contrast, one or more other ER-related pathways were responsible for activation of p38, JNK1/2, and IkappaB kinase/NF-kappaB and for the induction of TNF-alpha. These data suggest a novel scenario in which cytokines are induced in macrophages by endogenous cellular events triggered by excess ER cholesterol rather than by exogenous immune cell mediators. Moreover, this model may help explain the relationship between FC accumulation and inflammation in vulnerable plaques.     

Paradoxical anti-inflammatory actions of TNF-alpha: inhibition of IL-12 and IL-23 via TNF receptor 1 in macrophages and dendritic cells

IL-12 and TNF-alpha are central proinflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages and dendritic cells. Disregulation of TNF-alpha is associated with sepsis and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, new evidence suggests an anti-inflammatory role for TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha-treated murine macrophages produced less IL-12p70 and IL-23, after stimulation with IFN-gamma and LPS. Frequency of IL-12p40-producing macrophages correspondingly decreased as measured by intracellular cytokine staining. IL-12p40 production was also inhibited in dendritic cells. TNFR1 was established as the main receptor involved in IL-12p40 regulation, because IL-12p40 levels were not affected by TNF-alpha in TNFR1(-/-)-derived macrophages. Macrophages activated during Listeria monocytogenes infection were more susceptible to inhibition by TNF-alpha than cells from naive animals, which suggests a regulatory role for TNF-alpha in later stages of infection. This nonapoptotic anti-inflammatory regulation of IL-12 and IL-23 is an important addition to the multitude of TNF-alpha-induced responses determined by cell-specific receptor signaling.     

Iron chelation acutely stimulates fetal human intestinal cell production of IL-6 and VEGF while decreasing HGF: the roles of p38, ERK, and JNK MAPK signaling

Bacteria have developed mechanisms to sequester host iron via chelators such as deferoxamine (DFO). Interestingly, DFO has been shown to stimulate acute intestinal epithelial cell inflammatory cytokine production in the absence of bacteria; however, this mechanism has not been elucidated. Intestinal epithelial cell production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha is elevated in various gastrointestinal pathologies, including acute intestinal ischemia. Similarly, VEGF and HGF are essential to intestinal epithelial cell integrity. Therapeutic strategies that decrease IL-6 and TNF-alpha while increasing VEGF and HGF therefore have theoretical appeal. We hypothesized that 1) fetal human intestinal epithelial cells acutely produce increased IL-6, TNF-alpha, VEGF, and HGF during iron chelation and 2) the MAPK pathway mediates these effects. Fetal human intestinal epithelial cells were stimulated by iron chelation (1 mM DFO) with and without p38 MAPK, ERK, or JNK inhibition. Supernatants were harvested after 24 h of incubation, and IL-6, TNF-alpha, VEGF, and HGF levels were quantified by ELISA. Activation of MAPK pathways was confirmed by Western blot analysis. DFO stimulation resulted in a significant increase in epithelial cell IL-6 and VEGF production while yielding a decrease in HGF production (P<0.05). Unexpectedly, TNF-alpha was not detectable. p38 MAPK, ERK, and JNK inhibition significantly decreased IL-6, VEGF, and HGF production (P<0.05). In conclusion, DFO acutely increases fetal human intestinal epithelial cell IL-6 and VEGF expression while causing an unexpected decrease in HGF expression and no detectable TNF-alpha production. Furthermore, chelator-induced intestinal epithelial cell cytokine expression depends on p38, ERK, and JNK MAPK pathways.