E-selectin-dependent signaling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in vascular endothelial cells

E-selectin, a cytokine-inducible adhesion molecule, supports rolling and stable arrest of leukocytes on activated vascular endothelium. Previous studies have suggested that this transmembrane protein can also transduce signals into the endothelial cell. We now demonstrate activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in cultured HUVEC in response to E-selectin-dependent leukocyte adhesion and Ab-mediated cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin. Adhesion of increasing numbers of HL60 cells to IL-1beta-activated HUVEC stimulated robust increases in MAPK activity that were abrogated by an E-selectin blocking Ab. Cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin with Abs, as a mimic of multivalent ligand engagement, strongly stimulated MAPK/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-dependent MAPK activation and concomitant up-regulation of mRNA for c-fos, an immediate early response gene, whereas Ab cross-linking of HLA class I molecules (present at comparable density) failed to do so. Coimmunoprecipitation documented Ras, Raf-1 and, phospho-MEK complex formation. Unactivated HUVEC transduced with a full-length adenoviral E-selectin construct also exhibited cross-link-induced MAPK activation, macromolecular complex formation, and c-fos up-regulation, whereas HUVEC transduced with a cytoplasmic domain deletion mutant failed to respond. These observations indicate that E-selectin can transduce an activating stimulus via the MAPK cascade into the endothelial cell during leukocyte adhesion.     

Inhibition of a signaling pathway in cardiac muscle cells by active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase.

Signaling via the Ras pathway involves sequential activation of Ras, Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK), and the extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Expression from the c-Fos, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and myosin light chain-2 (MLC-2) promoters during phenylephrine-induced cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy requires activation of this pathway. Furthermore, constitutively active Ras or Raf-1 can mimic the action of phenylephrine in inducing expression from these promoters. In this study, we tested whether constitutively active MKK, the molecule immediately downstream of Raf, was sufficient to induce expression. Expression of constitutively active MKK induce ERK2 kinase activity and caused expression from the c-Fos promoter, but did not significantly activate expression of reporter genes under the control of either the ANF or MLC-2 promoters. Expression of CL100, a phosphatase that inactivates ERKs, prevented expression from all of the promoters. Taken together, these data suggest that ERK activation is required for expression from the Fos, ANF, and MLC-2 promoters but MKK and ERK activation is sufficient for expression only from the Fos promoter. Constitutively active MKK synergized with phenylephrine to increase expression from a c-Fos- or an AP1-driven reporter. However, active MKK inhibited phenylephrine- and Raf-1-induced expression from the ANF and MLC-2 promoters. A DNA sequence in the MLC-2 promoter that is a target for inhibition by active MKK, but not CL100, was mapped to a previously characterized DNA element (HF1) that is responsible for cardiac specificity. Thus, activation of cardiac gene expression during phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy requires ERK activation but constitutive activation by MKK can inhibit expression by targeting a DNA element that controls the cardiac specificity of gene expression.     

Nitroglycerin drives endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway

Nitroglycerin (GTN) has been clinically used to treat angina pectoris and acute heart episodes for over 100 years. The effects of GTN have long been recognized and active research has contributed to the unraveling of numerous metabolic routes capable of converting GTN to the potent vasoactive messenger nitric oxide. Recently, the mechanism by which minute doses of GTN elicit robust pharmacological responses was revisited and eNOS activation was implicated as an important route mediating vasodilation induced by low GTN doses (1-50nM). Here, we demonstrate that at such concentrations the pharmacologic effects of nitroglycerin are largely dependent on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt/PKB, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) signal transduction axis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that nitroglycerin-dependent accumulation of 3,4,5-InsP(3), probably because of inhibition of PTEN, is important for eNOS activation, conferring a mechanistic basis for GTN pharmacological action at pharmacologically relevant doses.     

VEGF induces proliferation, migration, and TGF-beta1 expression in mouse glomerular endothelial cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

The role of glomerular endothelial cells in kidney fibrosis remains incompletely understood. While endothelia are indispensable for repair of acute damage, they can produce extracellular matrix proteins and profibrogenic cytokines that promote fibrogenesis. We used a murine cell line with all features of glomerular endothelial cells (glEND.2), which dissected the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cell migration, proliferation, and profibrogenic cytokine production. VEGF dose-dependently induced glEND.2 cell migration and proliferation, accompanied by up-regulation of VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and mRNA expression. VEGF induced a profibrogenic gene expression profile, including up-regulation of TGF-beta1 mRNA, enhanced TGF-beta1 secretion, and bioactivity. VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and TGF-beta1 induction were mediated by the phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase pathway, while proliferation was dependent on the Erk1/2 MAP kinase pathway. This suggests that differential modulation of glomerular angiogenesis by selective inhibition of the two identified VEGF-induced signaling pathways could be a therapeutic approach to treat kidney fibrosis.     

Tec kinase signaling in T cells is regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the Tec pleckstrin homology domain

Tec, the prototypical member of the Tec family of tyrosine kinases, is abundantly expressed in T cells and other hemopoietic cell types. Although the functions of Itk and Txk have recently been investigated, little is known about the role of Tec in T cells. Using antisense oligonucleotide treatment to deplete Tec protein from primary T cells, we demonstrate that Tec plays a role in TCR signaling leading to IL-2 gene induction. Interestingly, Tec kinases are the only known family of tyrosine kinases containing a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Using several PH domain mutants overexpressed in Jurkat T cells, we show that the Tec PH domain is required for Tec-mediated IL-2 gene induction and TCR-mediated Tec tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, we show that Tec colocalizes with the TCR after TCR cross-linking, and that both the Tec PH and Src homology (SH) 2 domains play a role in this association. Wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, abolishes Tec-mediated IL-2 gene induction and Tec tyrosine phosphorylation, and partially suppresses Tec colocalization with the activated TCR. Thus, our data implicate the Tec kinase PH domain and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in Tec signaling downstream of the TCR.     

Extracellular zinc activates p70 S6 kinase through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway

We have studied a possible role of extracellular zinc ion in the activation of p70S6k, which plays an important role in the progression of cells from the G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle. Treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with zinc sulfate led to the activation and phosphorylation of p70S6k in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of p70S6k by zinc treatment was biphasic, the early phase being at 30 min followed by the late phase at 120 min. The zinc-induced activation of p70S6k was partially inhibited by down-regulation of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-responsive protein kinase C (PKC) by chronic treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, but this was not significant. Moreover, Go6976, a specific calcium-dependent PKC inhibitor, did not significantly inhibit the activation of p70S6k by zinc. These results demonstrate that the zinc-induced activation of p70S6k is not related to PKC. Also, extracellular calcium was not involved in the activation of p70S6k by zinc. Further characterization of the zinc-induced activation of p70S6k using specific inhibitors of the p70S6k signaling pathway, namely rapamycin, wortmannin, and LY294002, showed that zinc acted upstream of mTOR/FRAP/RAFT and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), because these inhibitors caused the inhibition of zinc-induced p70S6k activity. In addition, Akt, the upstream component of p70S6k, was activated by zinc in a biphasic manner, as was p70S6k. Moreover, dominant interfering alleles of Akt and PDK1 blocked the zinc-induced activation of p70S6k, whereas the lipid kinase activity of PI3K was potently activated by zinc. Taken together, our data suggest that zinc activates p70S6k through the PI3K signaling pathway.     

The roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase Czeta for thrombopoietin-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in primary murine megakaryocytes

Thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulates a network of intracellular signaling pathways that displays extensive cross-talk. We have demonstrated previously that the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is important for TPO-induced endomitosis in primary megakaryocytes (MKs). One known pathway by which TPO induces ERK activation is through the association of Shc with the penultimate phosphotyrosine within the TPO receptor, Mpl. However, several investigators found that the membrane-proximal half of the cytoplasmic domain of Mpl is sufficient to activate ERK in vitro and support base-line megakaryopoiesis in vivo. Using BaF3 cells expressing a truncated Mpl (T69Mpl) as a tool to identify non-Shc/Ras-dependent signaling pathways, we describe here novel mechanisms of TPO-induced ERK activation mediated, in part, by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Similar to cells expressing full-length receptor, PI3K was activated by its incorporation into a complex with IRS2 or Gab2. Furthermore, the MEK-phosphorylating activity of protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta) was also enhanced after TPO stimulation of T69Mpl, contributing to ERK activity. PKCzeta and PI3K also contribute to TPO-induced ERK activation in MKs, confirming their physiological relevance. Like in BaF3 cells, a TPO-induced signaling complex containing p85PI3K is detectable in MKs expressing T61Mpl and is probably responsible for PI3K activation. These data demonstrate a novel role of PI3K and PKCzeta in steady-state megakaryopoiesis.     

Estrogen modulation of prolactin gene expression requires an intact mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway in cultured rat pituitary cells

Expression of the PRL gene is regulated by many factors, including cAMP, estradiol (E2), phorbol esters, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and TRH. The promoter region of the rat PRL gene has been shown to contain DNA sequences that are thought to support the direct interaction of estrogen receptors (ERs) with DNA. It is by this direct ER/DNA interaction that estrogen is thought to modulate expression of PRL. We report here that estrogeninduced PRL expression requires an intact mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway in cultured rat pituitary cells (PR1 lactotroph and GH3 somatolactotroph cell lines). Interfering with the MAPK signaling cascade by inhibiting the activity of MAPK kinase (MEK) ablates the ability of estrogen to induce PRL mRNA and protein. In these cell lines, estrogen activates extracellular regulated protein kinases ERK-1 and ERK-2 enzyme activities maximally within 10 min of 1 nM E2 treatment. This activity is blocked by pretreatment of the cells with the MEK inhibitors PD98059 and UO126. The mechanism by which ERKs-1 and -2 are activated by estrogen appears to be independent of c-Src since the effects of estrogen on PRL gene expression are not affected by herbimycin A or PP1 administration. c-Raf-1 may be involved in the effects of E2 because estrogen causes the rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Raf-1. The ER antagonist ICI 182,780 blocks both ERK-1 and ERK-2 activation in addition to PRL protein and mRNA, implying a central role for the classical ER in the activation of the MAPK pathway resulting in PRL gene expression.     

Transforming ability of MEN2A-RET requires activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway

The RET gene codes for a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role during the development of both the enteric nervous system and the kidney. Germ line missense mutations at one of six codons specifying extracytoplasmic cysteines are responsible for two related cancer disorders as follows: multiple endocrine neoplasia type2A (MEN2A) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). MEN2A and FMTC mutations result in a constitutive catalytic activity and as a consequence convert RET into a dominantly acting transforming gene. Although it has been shown that RET-MEN2 mutants activate several transduction pathways, their respective contribution to the neoplastic phenotype remains poorly understood. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that the transforming ability of several viral and cellular oncoproteins depends on their capacity to activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). We now report that RET carrying a representative MEN2A mutation at Cys-634 (termed RET-MEN2A) activates PI3K and its downstream effector, the serine/threonine kinase AKT/protein kinase B. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutation of Tyr-1062, which is the intracellular docking site for Shc and Enigma on RET, abolishes the RET-MEN2A transforming activity. We provide evidence that mutation of Tyr-1062 abrogates the binding of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K to RET-MEN2A and the subsequent stimulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, infection of rat fibroblasts with a retrovirus expressing a dominant-interfering form of PI3K suppresses RET-MEN2A-dependent transformation, whereas overexpression of AKT enhances the RET-MEN2A oncogenic potential. In summary, these data are consistent with the notion that RET-mediated cell-transforming effect is critically dependent on the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.     

Meiotic progression of rat spermatocytes requires mitogen-activated protein kinases of Sertoli cells and close contacts between the germ cells and the Sertoli cells

Progression of germ cells through meiosis is regulated by phosphorylation events. We previously showed the key role of cyclin dependent kinases in meiotic divisions of rat spermatocytes co-cultured with Sertoli cells (SC). In the present study, we used the same culture system to address the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in meiotic progression. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 were detected in vivo and in freshly isolated SC and in pachytene spermatocytes (PS) as early as 3 h after seeding on SC. The yield of the two meiotic divisions and the percentage of highly MPM-2-labeled pachytene and secondary spermatocytes (SII) were decreased in co-cultures treated with U0126, an inhibitor of the ERK-activating kinases, MEK1/2. Pre-incubation of PS with U0126 resulted in a reduced number of in vitro formed round spermatids without modifying the number of SII or the MPM-2 labeling of PS or SII. Conversely, pre-treatment of SC with U0126 led to a decrease in the percentage of highly MPM-2-labeled PS associated with a decreased number of SII and round spermatids. These results show that meiotic progression of spermatocytes is dependent on SC-activated MAPKs. In addition, high MPM-2 labeling was not acquired by PS cultured alone in Sertoli cell conditioned media, indicating a specific need for cell-cell contact between germ cells and SC.     

Activation of protein kinase C increases proteoglycan synthesis in immature rat Sertoli cells

In order to determine the signal transduction pathways involved in the regulation of proteoglycan (PG) synthesis in immature rat Sertoli cells (SC), we have examined the effect of the tumor promoter phorbol ester PMA (phorbol myristate acetate) on [35S]sulfate and [3H]glucosamine incorporation into PG molecules neosynthesized by cultured rat SC. PMA induced a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of labeled cell-associated PG as determined by quantitative solid phase assay. The overall effect of PMA resulted from enhancement of both glycosylation and catabolism of cell PG, this latter effect leading to a drastic decrease of their residence time in the membrane. Besides these quantitative effects, activation of protein kinase C by PMA induced qualitative changes as reflected by increase in relative proportion of heparan sulfate PG (HSPG) in cell membrane PG. In light of our previous results suggesting an inverse relationship between PG synthesis and FSH responsiveness in immature rat Sertoli cells, the PMA-induced upregulation of cell membrane PG, and particularly HSPG, could constitute one mechanism involved in the repression of FSH-stimulated steroidogenesis induced by PKC activation.     

五灵胶囊对LPS诱导鼠枯否细胞p38MAPK信号转导通路的影响

目的:探讨五灵胶囊对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠枯否细胞(Kupffer cells,KC)p38MAPK信号转导通路的影响。方法:分离纯化KCs,60ng/ml LPS刺激建立LPS的肝细胞损伤模型;40只SD大鼠药物处理后,分离制备含药血清。实验分为四组:空白血清组、LPS+空白血清组、含药血清Ⅰ组(10.0g/kg)+LPS、含药血清Ⅱ组(6.25g/kg)+LPS。KCs产生促炎因子(I125放免法测定TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8,比色法测定NO生成量),采用Western blot法检测ERK、p-ERK、p38、p-p38、TNF-α和STAT3的蛋白水平。结果:1、空白血清+LPS组,TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8和NO浓度明显高于空白血清组;2、同空白血清+LPS组比较,含药血清Ⅰ、Ⅱ组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8和NO水平明显降低;3、与空白血清组比较,空白血清+LPS组能上调KCs对p-ERK、P38、p-P38、STAT3和TNF-α表达(p<0.01,p<0.05),对ERK表达无影响(p>0.05)4、同空白血清+LPS组比较,含药血清Ⅰ+LPS、含药血清Ⅱ+LPS组p-p38、S...     

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for integrin-stimulated AKT and Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation.

Cell attachment to fibronectin stimulates the integrin-dependent interaction of p85-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase with integrin-dependent focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as well as activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. However, it is not known if this PI 3-kinase-FAK interaction increases the synthesis of the 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides (3-PPIs) or what role, if any, is played by activated PI 3-kinase in integrin signaling. We demonstrate here the integrin-dependent accumulation of the PI 3-kinase products, PI 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and PI(3,4,5)P3, as well as activation of AKT kinase, a serine/threonine kinase that can be stimulated by binding of PI(3,4)P2. The PI 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 significantly decreased the integrin-induced accumulation of the 3-PPIs and activation of AKT kinase, without having significant effects on the levels of PI(4,5)P2 or tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. These inhibitors also reduced cell adhesion/spreading onto fibronectin but had no effect on attachment to polylysine. Interestingly, integrin-mediated Erk-2, Mek-1, and Raf-1 activation, but not Ras-GTP loading, was inhibited at least 80% by wortmannin and LY294002. In support of the pharmacologic results, fibronectin activation of Erk-2 and AKT kinases was completely inhibited by overexpression of a dominant interfering p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. We conclude that integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin results in the accumulation of the PI 3-kinase products PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 as well as the PI 3-kinase-dependent activation of the kinases Raf-1, Mek-1, Erk-2, and AKT and that PI 3-kinase may function upstream of Raf-1 but downstream of Ras in integrin activation of Erk-2 MAP and AKT kinases.     

Rac and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulate the protein kinase B in Fc epsilon RI signaling in RBL 2H3 mast cells

FcepsilonRI signaling in rat basophilic leukemia cells depends on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and the small GTPase Rac. Here, we studied the functional relationship among PI3-kinase, its effector protein kinase B (PKB), and Rac using inhibitors of PI3-kinase and toxins inhibiting Rac. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3-kinase, blocked FcepsilonRI-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma, inositol phosphate formation, calcium mobilization, and secretion of hexosaminidase. Similarly, Clostridium difficile toxin B, which inactivates all Rho GTPases including Rho, Rac and Cdc42, and Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin, which inhibits Rac (possibly Cdc42) but not Rho, blocked these responses. Stimulation of the FcepsilonRI receptor induced a rapid increase in the GTP-bound form of Rac. Whereas toxin B inhibited the Rac activation, PI3-kinase inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) had no effect on activation of Rac. In line with this, wortmannin had no effect on tyrosine phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav. Wortmannin, toxin B, and lethal toxin inhibited phosphorylation of PKB on Ser(473). Similarly, translocation of the pleckstrin homology domain of PKB tagged with the green fluorescent protein to the membrane, which was induced by activation of the FcepsilonRI receptor, was blocked by inhibitors of PI3-kinase and Rac inactivation. Our results indicate that in rat basophilic leukemia cells Rac and PI3-kinase regulate PKB and suggest that Rac is functionally located upstream and/or parallel of PI3-kinase/PKB in FcepsilonRI signaling.     

Insulin accelerates inter-endosomal GLUT4 traffic via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B

Insulin enhances plasmalemmal-directed traffic of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), but it is unknown whether insulin regulates GLUT4 traffic through endosomal compartments. In L6 myoblasts expressing Myc-tagged GLUT4, insulin markedly stimulated the rate of GLUT4myc recycling. In myoblasts stimulated with insulin to maximize surface GLUT4myc levels, we followed the rates of surface-labeled GLUT4myc endocytosis and chased its intracellular distribution in space and time using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Surface-labeled GLUT4myc internalized rapidly (t(12) 3 min), reaching the early endosome by 2 min and the transferrin receptor-rich, perinuclear recycling endosome by 20 min. Upon re-addition of insulin, the t(12) of GLUT4 disappearance from the plasma membrane was unchanged (3 min), but strikingly, GLUT4myc reached the recycling endosome by 10 and left by 20 min. This effect of insulin was blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 or by transiently transfected dominant-negative phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B mutants. In contrast, insulin did not alter the rate of arrival of rhodamine-labeled transferrin at the recycling endosome. These results reveal a heretofore unknown effect of insulin to accelerate inter-endosomal travel rates of GLUT4 and identify the recycling endosome as an obligatory stage in insulin-dependent GLUT4 recycling.     

Insulin activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and Akt is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent in rat adipocytes

To explore the mechanism of MAP kinase activation in adipocytes, we examined the possible involvement of several candidate signaling proteins. MAP kinase activity was markedly increased 2-4 min after treatment with insulin and declined to basal levels after 20 min. The insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in the internal membrane and its association with phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase preceded MAP kinase activation. There was little or no tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc or association of Grb2 with Shc or IRS-1. Specific PI3 kinase inhibitors blocked the insulin-mediated activation of MAP kinase. They also decreased the activation of MAP kinase by PMA and EGF but to a much lesser extent. Insulin induced phosphorylation of AKT on serine/threonine residues, and its effect could be blocked by PI3 kinase inhibitors. These results suggest that the insulin-dependent activation of MAP kinase in adipocytes is mediated by the IRS-1/PI3 kinase pathway but not by the Shc/Grb2/SOS pathway.     

B cell receptor-mediated Syk-independent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,Ras, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

The Syk tyrosine kinase is a key molecule in the development of the B cell lineage and the activation of B lymphocytes after Ag recognition by the B cell Ag receptor (BCR). Several genetic studies with chicken B cells have reported that the recruitment of Syk by BCR is essential for activation of a cascade of signaling molecules including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases, Ras signaling pathways, phospholipase C-gamma2 activation, and calcium mobilization. The identification of a Syk-deficient mouse IIA1.6/A20 B cell line provided us the opportunity to investigate Syk-mediated signaling in mouse. Surprisingly, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Ras, and mitogen-activated protein kinases were activated upon BCR cross-linking in these Syk-deficient mouse B cells, whereas, as expected from results obtained in chicken B cells, phospholipase C-gamma2 activation and calcium mobilization were impaired as well as the NF-kappaB pathway. These results indicate that BCR signaling is not strictly dependent on Syk expression in mouse IIA1.6/A20 B cells. Thus, B lymphocyte activation may be initiated by Syk-dependent and Syk-independent signaling cascades.