Development of brain injury in mice by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection is associated with the induction of transcription factor NF-kappaB, nuclear protooncogenes, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation

Eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is endemic to the Pacific area of Asia, especially Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan. Although eosinophilia is an important clinical manifestation of A. cantonensis infection, the role of eosinophils in the progress of the infection remains to be elucidated. In this experiment, we showed that A. cantonensis-caused eosinoplia and inflammation might lead to the induction of NF-kappaB and protooncogene expression via activation of the tyrosine phosphorylation signal pathway. After mice were infected daily with 30 third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis by oral adminstration for 6 weeks, no significant differences PKC-alpha, MEK-1, ERK-2, JNK, and p38 protein expression were found between the control and infected mice. However, the protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels, NF-kappaB, and iNOS protein products were significantly increased by 3.5-, 3.3-, and 6.3-fold, respectively, after 3 weeks of A. cantonensis infection. The same pattern was found for c-Myc, c-Jun, and c-Fos proteins, which were elevated by 3.2-, 2.3-, and 3.4-fold, respectively, compared to control animals after 3 weeks. The expression potency of these proteins started increasing in week 1, reaching maximal induction in week 3, and then declining in week 5 after A. cantonensis infection. Another consistent result was noted in the pathological observations, including eosinophilia, leukocyte infiltration, granulomatous reactions, and time responses in brain tissues of infected mice. These data suggest that the development of brain injury by eosinophlia of A. cantonensis infection is associated with NF-kappaB and/or nuclear protooncogenes expression, which is activated by the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway.     

异丙肾上腺素对小鼠心肌MAPK、NFκB和JAK/STAT信号转导途径的激活效应

为研究异丙肾上腺素(isoproterenol,ISO)诱导心肌肥厚或心肌重塑的分子机制,本工作以成年雄性Balh／c小鼠为研究对象,通过腹腔注射ISO,采用蛋白免疫印迹杂交方法观察ISO对小鼠心肌丝裂素活化蛋白激酶(mito-gen-activted protein kinase,MAPK)、核因子—κB(NFκB)和Janus激酶／信号转导因子和转录激活因子(JAK／STAT)途径的激活效应。结果发现,ISO腹腔注射后可早期(5min)激活心肌MAPK(ERK1／2和p38);ISO对心肌NFKB的激活效应表现为双相性,激活高峰分别为5和120min;ISO腹腔注射60min后可显著促进STAT3的酪氨酸磷酸化,6h时基本恢复到基础水平。上述结果提示,ISO对多种细胞内信号转导途径均具有激活效应,但表现出明显的时相差异。探明这些信号转导途径的时空整合规律,将有助于深化对心肌重塑发生机制的认识。     

JAK/STAT3-dependent activation of the RalGDS/Ral pathway in M1 mouse myeloid leukemia cells.

The Ras-related GTPase (Ral) is converted to the GTP-bound form by Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS), a putative effector protein of Ras. Recently, it was proven that Ral regulates c-Src activity and subsequent phosphorylation of its substrate, STAT3. Here, we show that STAT3 inversely regulates activation of Ral through induction of expression of RalGDS. To identify new leukemia inhibitory factor-induced genes, we have performed representational difference analysis using M1 mouse myeloid leukemia cells and cloned RalGDS. The expression of RalGDS and subsequent activation of RalA were clearly suppressed by a dominant negative form of STAT3 and a JAK inhibitor, JAB/SOCS1/SSI-1, indicating that RalGDS/RalA signaling requires the activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway. An experiment using a Ras inhibitor demonstrated that full activation of RalA also requires activation of Ras. These results suggest a novel cross-talk between JAK/STAT3 and the Ras/RalGDS/Ral signaling pathways through gp130.     

Mitochondrial DNA deletions are associated with ischemia and aging in Balb/c mouse brain

Deletions in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Balb/c mouse cerebrums, resembling deletions found in elderly humans or in patients with certain disorders, were detected by PCR. Analysis was carried out on mice of various ages and on mice in which the bilateral common carotid arteries had been incompletely ligated to reconstruct cerebral ischemia. A 3,867 bp mtDNA deletion was present only in old or ischemic mouse groups. Among the non-ischemic groups, it was found in 0 of 12 weaning, 0 of 12 young, and four of eight old mice. Among the ischemic groups, it was found in 12 of 17 young and 11 of 11 old mice. Moreover, the percentage of total mtDNA containing deletions was 22% for the old non-ischemic group, 37% for the young ischemic group, and 69% for the old ischemic group. In addition, PCR analysis detected two other deletions of 3,726 bp and 4,236 bp in 4 of the 11 old ischemic cerebrums. The results indicate that mtDNA deletions are associated with aging, that ischemia increases the incidence of mtDNA deletions, and that mtDNA deletions resulting from ischemia are more likely to occur in old mice than in young mice.     

Role of JAK/STAT signaling in neuroepithelial stem cell maintenance and proliferation in the Drosophila optic lobe

Human urine contains a large number of proteins and peptides (the urinary proteome). Global analysis of the human urinary proteome is important for understanding urinary tract diseases. Bladder cancer is the most common urological cancer with higher incidence rates in endemic areas of Blackfoot disease (BFD) in southern Taiwan. The aim of this study was to use the proteomic approach to establish urinary protein biomarkers of bladder cancer. ADAM28, identified by proteomic approaches and confirmed by Western blotting, showed significant differences compared with normal individuals, so it may be a biomarker of bladder cancer.     

Role of JAK/STAT signaling in neuroepithelial stem cell maintenance and proliferation in the Drosophila optic lobe

During Drosophila optic lobe development, proliferation and differentiation must be tightly modulated to reach its normal size for proper functioning. The JAK/STAT pathway plays pleiotropic roles in Drosophila development and in the larval brain, has been shown to inhibit medulla neuroblast formation. In this study, we find that JAK/STAT activity is required for the maintenance and proliferation of the neuroepithelial stem cells in the optic lobe. In loss-of-function JAK/STAT mutant brains, the neuroepithelial cells lose epithelial cell characters and differentiate prematurely while ectopic activation of this pathway is sufficient to induce neuroepithelial overgrowth in the optic lobe. We further show that Notch signaling acts downstream of JAK/STAT to control the maintenance and growth of the optic lobe neuroepithelium. Thus, in addition to its role in suppression of neuroblast formation, the JAK/STAT pathway is necessary and sufficient for optic lobe neuroepithelial growth.     

CD40 mediated human cholangiocyte apoptosis requires JAK2 dependent activation of STAT3 in addition to activation of JNK1/2 and ERK1/2

CD40 is critically involved in Fas-mediated cholangiocyte apoptosis during liver inflammation, but the underlying signalling events are poorly understood. Our recent work implicated AP-1 in CD40-induced cholangiocyte apoptosis, but suggested involvement of other signalling pathways. Because STAT3 has been implicated in liver regeneration we investigated this signalling pathway during CD40 mediated cholangiocyte apoptosis. Western immunoblotting, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays, In situ DNA end labelling and caspase-3 activity were used to investigate intracellular signalling and apoptosis in primary human cholangiocytes following CD40 activation. CD40-activation induced caspase-3 dependent cholangiocyte apoptosis and 3-fold increases in JNK/ERK phosphorylation (concomitant with increased AP-1 binding activity) and 4-fold increases in pSTAT3, which were sustained for up to 24 h. Protein levels of c-Jun, c-Fos and pSTAT3 confirmed the upregulation. Phosphorylation of p38 remained unchanged suggesting that this MAP kinase was not involved in CD40 mediated apoptosis. Increased JAK2 phosphorylation accompanied increased STAT3 phosphorylation after CD40 ligation. Cholangiocytes were also shown to express JAK1 and 3 which was phosphorylated following control stimulation with TNFalpha or IL2 respectively but not after CD40 ligation. JNK, ERK and JAK2 inhibitors partially abrogated apoptosis and when used in combination reduced it to basal levels. In conclusion, induction of CD40-mediated cholangiocyte apoptosis requires JAK2-mediated phosphorylation of STAT3 as well as sustained JNK1/2, ERK1/2 activation. This study demonstrates that STAT3 can function as a proapoptotic factor in primary human liver epithelial cells.     

Expression and distribution of JNK/SAPK-associated scaffold protein JSAP1 in developing and adult mouse brain

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is one of the three major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) playing key roles in various cellular processes in response to both extracellular and intracellular stimuli. JNK/SAPK-associated protein 1 (JSAP1 also referred to as JIP3) is a JNK-associated scaffold that controls the specificity and efficiency of JNK signaling cascades. Here we studied its expression in mouse brains. JSAP1 mRNA was expressed in developing and adult brains, showing spatial patterns similar to JNK1-3 mRNAs. In embryos, JSAP1 immunolabeling was intense for progenitor cells in the ventricular zone throughout the brain and in the external granular layer of the cerebellum, and for neurons and glial cells differentiating in the mantle zone. In adults, JSAP1 was distributed in various neurons and Bergmann glia, with higher levels in striatal cholinergic interneurons, telencephalic parvalbumin-positive interneurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells. In these neurons, JSAP1 was observed as tiny particulate staining in spines, dendrites, perikarya and axons, where it was often associated with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) and cell membrane. Immunoblots revealed enriched distribution in the microsomal fraction and cytosolic fraction. Therefore, the characteristic cellular expression and subcellular distribution of JSAP1 might be beneficial for cells to efficiently link external stimuli to the JNK MAPK pathway and other intracellular machineries.     

JAK/STAT signaling coordinates stem cell proliferation and multilineage differentiation in the Drosophila intestinal stem cell lineage

Adult stem cells are the most primitive cells of a lineage and are distinguished by the properties of self-renewal and multipotency. Coordinated control of stem cell proliferation and multilineage differentiation is essential to ensure a steady output of differentiated daughter cells necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis. However, little is known about the signals that coordinate stem cell proliferation and daughter cell differentiation. Here we investigate the role of the conserved JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the Drosophila intestinal stem cell (ISC) lineage. We show first, that JAK/STAT signaling is normally active in both ISCs and their newly formed daughters, but not in terminally differentiated enteroendocrine (ee) cells or enterocyte (EC) cells. Second, analysis of ISC lineages shows that JAK/STAT signaling is necessary but not sufficient for daughter cell differentiation, indicating that competence to undergo multilineage differentiation depends upon JAK/STAT. Finally, our analysis reveals JAK/STAT signaling to be a potent regulator of ISC proliferation, but not ISC self-renewal. On the basis of these findings, we suggest a model in which JAK/STAT signaling coordinates the processes of stem cell proliferation with the competence of daughter cells to undergo multilineage differentiation, ensuring a robust cellular output in the lineage.     

Roflumilast N-Oxide Prevents Cytokine Secretion Induced by Cigarette Smoke Combined with LPS through JAK/STAT and ERK1/2 Inhibition in Airway Epithelial Cells

Cigarette smoke is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway epithelial cells and macrophages are the first defense cells against cigarette smoke and these cells are an important source of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines play a role in progressive airflow limitation and chronic airways inflammation. Furthermore, the chronic colonization of airways by Gram-negative bacteria, contributes to the persistent airways inflammation and progression of COPD. The current study addressed the effects of cigarette smoke along with lipolysaccharide (LPS) in airway epithelial cells as a representative in vitro model of COPD exacerbations. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of PDE4 inhibitor, the roflumilast N-oxide (RNO), in this experimental model. A549 cells were stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) alone (0.4% to 10%) or in combination with a low concentration of LPS (0.1 µg/ml) for 2 h or 24 h for measurement of chemokine protein and mRNAs and 5–120 min for protein phosphorylation. Cells were also pre-incubated with MAP kinases inhibitors and Prostaglandin E₂ alone or combined with RNO, before the addition of CSE+LPS. Production of cytokines was determined by ELISA and protein phosphorylation by western blotting and phospho-kinase array. CSE did not induce production of IL-8/CXCL8 and Gro-α/CXCL1 from A549 cells, but increase production of CCL2/MCP-1. However the combination of LPS 0.1 µg/ml with CSE 2% or 4% induced an important production of these chemokines, that appears to be dependent of ERK1/2 and JAK/STAT pathways but did not require JNK and p38 pathways. Moreover, RNO associated with PGE₂ reduced CSE+LPS-induced cytokine release, which can happen by occur through of ERK1/2 and JAK/STAT pathways. We report here an in vitro model that can reflect what happen in airway epithelial cells in COPD exacerbation. We also showed a new pathway where CSE+LPS can induce cytokine release from A549 cells, which is reduced by RNO.     

IAP suppression of apoptosis involves distinct mechanisms: the TAK1/JNK1 signaling cascade and caspase inhibition

The antiapoptotic properties of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins have been linked to caspase inhibition. We have previously described an alternative mechanism of XIAP inhibition of apoptosis that depends on the selective activation of JNK1. Here we report that two other members of the IAP family, NAIP and ML-IAP, both activate JNK1. Expression of catalytically inactive JNK1 blocks NAIP and ML-IAP protection against ICE- and TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis, indicating that JNK1 activation is necessary for the antiapoptotic effect of these proteins. The MAP3 kinase, TAK1, appears to be an essential component of this antiapoptotic pathway since IAP-mediated activation of JNK1, as well as protection against TNF-alpha- and ICE-induced apoptosis, is inhibited when catalytically inactive TAK1 is expressed. In addition, XIAP, NAIP, and JNK1 bind to TAK1. Importantly, expression of catalytically inactive TAK1 did not affect XIAP inhibition of caspase activity. These data suggest that XIAP's antiapoptotic activity is achieved by two separate mechanisms: one requiring TAK1-dependent JNK1 activation and the second involving caspase inhibition.     

STAM2 knockdown inhibits proliferation,migration,and invasion by affecting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Signal transducing adaptor molecule 2(STAM2)is a phosphotyrosine protein,which regulates receptor signaling and trafficking of mammalian cells.However,its role ...     

Ubiquitylation of MEKK1 inhibits its phosphorylation of MKK1 and MKK4 and activation of the ERK1/2 and JNK pathways

MEKK1 is a MAPK kinase kinase that is activated in response to stimuli that alter the cytoskeleton and cell shape. MEKK1 phosphorylates and activates MKK1 and MKK4, leading to ERK1/2 and JNK activation. MEKK1 has a plant homeobox domain (PHD) that has been shown to have E3 ligase activity. (Lu, Z., Xu, S., Joazeiro, C., Cobb, M. H., and Hunter, T. (2002) Mol. Cell 9, 945-956). MEKK1 kinase activity is required for ubiquitylation of MEKK1. MEKK1 ubiquitylation is inhibited by mutation of cysteine 441 to alanine (C441A) within the PHD. The functional consequence of MEKK1 ubiquitylation is the inhibition of MEKK1 catalyzed phosphorylation of MKK1 and MKK4 resulting in inhibition of ERK1/2 and JNK activation. The C441A mutation within the PHD of MEKK1 prevents ubiquitylation and preserves the ability of MEKK1 to catalyze MKK1 and MKK4 phosphorylation. MEKK1 ubiquitylation represents a mechanism for inhibiting the ability of a protein kinase to phosphorylate substrates and regulate downstream signaling pathways.     

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) activates the JAK/STAT,ERK, JNK,and p38 MAP kinase pathways in a rat hepatoma cell line. Pathways that are shared with and distinct from IL-10

IL (interleukin)-22 is an IL-10-related cytokine; its main biological activity known thus far is the induction of acute phase reactants in liver and pancreas. IL-22 signals through a receptor that is composed of two chains from the class II cytokine receptor family: IL-22R (also called ZcytoR11/CRF2-9) and IL-10Rbeta (CRF2-4), which is also involved in IL-10 signaling. In this report, we analyzed the signal transduction pathways activated in response to IL-22 in a rat hepatoma cell line, H4IIE. We found that IL-22 induces activation of JAK1 and Tyk2 but not JAK2, as well as phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 on tyrosine residues, extending the similarities between IL-22 and IL-10. However our results unraveled some differences between IL-22 and IL-10 signaling. Using antibodies specific for the phosphorylated form of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, p90RSK, JNK, and p38 kinase, we showed that IL-22 activates the three major MAPK pathways. IL-22 also induced serine phosphorylation of STAT3 on Ser(727). This effect, which is not shared with IL-10, was only marginally affected by MEK1/2 inhibitors, indicating that other pathways might be involved. Finally, by overexpressing a STAT3 S727A mutant, we showed that serine phosphorylation is required to achieve maximum transactivation of a STAT responsive promoter upon IL-22 stimulation.