Correlation between Musashi-1 and c-hairy-1 expression and cell proliferation activity in the developing intestine and stomach of both chicken and mouse

Musashi-1 (Msi-1) is an RNA-binding protein that plays key roles in the maintenance of neural stem cell states and in their differentiation into neural cells. Msi-1 has also been proposed as a candidate marker gene of mammalian intestinal stem cells and their immediate lineages. In this study, we examined Msi-1 expression in the small intestine and the stomach of both chicken and mouse during embryonic, fetal and postnatal development. In addition, we analyzed the expression of c-hairy-1, a chicken homologue of mouse Hes1, and assessed the proliferative activity of the cells expressing both of these factors. Significantly, during the development of these digestive organs in both species Msi-1 expression showed dynamic changes, suggesting that it is important for digestive organ development, particularly for epithelial differentiation. Based on our observations of the expression patterns of Msi-1 and c-hairy-1 in the adult small intestine, we speculate that Msi-1 is also a stem cell marker of the chicken small intestinal epithelium.     

Alveolar epithelial cells direct monocyte transepithelial migration upon influenza virus infection: impact of chemokines and adhesion molecules

Influenza A virus pneumonia is characterized by severe lung injury and high mortality. Early infection elicits a strong recruitment of monocytes from the peripheral blood across the endo-/epithelial barrier into the alveolar air space. However, it is currently unclear which of the infected resident lung cell populations, alveolar epithelial cells or alveolar macrophages, elicit monocyte recruitment during influenza A virus infection. In the current study, we investigated whether influenza A virus infection of primary alveolar epithelial cells and resident alveolar macrophages would elicit a basal-to-apical monocyte transepithelial migration in vitro. We found that infection of alveolar epithelial cells with the mouse-adapted influenza A virus strain PR/8 strongly induced the release of monocyte chemoattractants CCL2 and CCL5 followed by a strong monocyte transepithelial migration, and this monocytic response was strictly dependent on monocyte CCR2 but not CCR5 chemokine receptor expression. Analysis of the adhesion molecule pathways demonstrated a role of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, integrin-associated protein (CD47), and junctional adhesion molecule-c on the epithelial cell surface interacting with monocyte beta(1) and beta(2) integrins and integrin-associated protein in the monocyte transmigration process. Importantly, addition of influenza A virus-infected alveolar macrophages further enhanced monocyte transmigration across virus-infected epithelium in a TNF-alpha-dependent manner. Collectively, the data show an active role for virus-infected alveolar epithelium in the regulation of CCL2/CCR2-dependent monocyte transepithelial migration during influenza infection that is essentially dependent on both classical beta(1) and beta(2) integrins but also junctional adhesion molecule pathways.     

Chitin Elicits CCL2 from Airway Epithelial Cells and Induces CCR2-Dependent Innate Allergic Inflammation in the Lung

Chitin exposure in the lung induces eosinophilia and alternative activation of macrophages and is correlated with allergic airway disease. However, the mechanism underlying chitin-induced polarization of macrophages is poorly understood. In this paper, we show that chitin induces alternative activation of macrophages in vivo but does not do so directly in vitro. We further show that airway epithelial cells bind chitin in vitro and produce CCL2 in response to chitin both in vitro and in vivo. Supernatants of chitin-exposed epithelial cells promoted alternative activation of macrophages in vitro, whereas Ab neutralization of CCL2 in the supernate abolished the alternative activation of macrophages. CCL2 acted redundantly in vivo, but mice lacking the CCL2 receptor, CCR2, showed impaired alternative activation of macrophages in response to chitin, as measured by arginase I, CCL17, and CCL22 expression. Furthermore, CCR2 knockout mice exposed to chitin had diminished reactive oxygen species products in the lung, blunted eosinophil and monocyte recruitment, and impaired eosinophil functions as measured by expression of CCL5, IL-13, and CCL11. Thus, airway epithelial cells secrete CCL2 in response to chitin and CCR2 signaling mediates chitin-induced alternative activation of macrophages and allergic inflammation in vivo.     

MCSF expression is induced in healing myocardial infarcts and may regulate monocyte and endothelial cell phenotype

Myocardial infarction is associated with the rapid induction of mononuclear cell chemoattractants that promote monocyte infiltration into the injured area. Monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and macrophage proliferation allow a long survival of monocytic cells, critical for effective healing of the infarct. In a canine infarction-reperfusion model, newly recruited myeloid leukocytes were markedly augmented during early reperfusion (5-72 h). By 7 days, the number of newly recruited myeloid cells was reduced, and the majority of the inflammatory cells remaining in the infarct were mature macrophages. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) is known to facilitate monocyte survival, monocyte-to-macrophage conversion, and macrophage proliferation. We demonstrated marked induction of MCSF mRNA in ischemic segments persisting for at least 5 days after reperfusion. MCSF expression was predominantly localized to mature macrophages infiltrating the infarcted myocardium; the expression of the MCSF receptor, c-Fms, a protein with tyrosine kinase activity, was found in these macrophages but was also observed in a subset of microvessels within the infarct. Many infarct macrophages expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of proliferative activity. In vitro MCSF induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 synthesis in canine venous endothelial cells. MCSF-induced endothelial monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 upregulation was inhibited by herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and by LY-294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor. We suggest that upregulation of MCSF in the infarcted myocardium may have an active role in healing not only through its effects on cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, but also by regulating endothelial cell chemokine expression.     

Pre- and postnatal development of differentiated functions in rat intestinal epithelial cells

A panel of monoclonal antibodies to intestinal cell surface components has been used to compare the expression of differentiation-specific antigens in the epithelial cells of fetal, suckling, and adult rat small intestine. Indirect immunofluorescence staining, and immunopurification of detergent-solubilized membrane proteins, followed by single- and two-dimensional slab gel electrophoretic analysis, have demonstrated that fetal intestinal cells (at day 21 of gestation) express most differentiation-specific markers typical of adult absorptive villus cells. A marked heterogeneity in antigen expression was observed among different villus cell populations in suckling rat intestine, and three cell surface components were identified which are exclusively present during this period of intestinal development. Striking changes in the patterns of antigen expression in crypt and villus cells, and variations in the apparent isoelectric points for most luminal membrane components, were associated with the maturation of the intestinal mucosa at weaning. These changes could not be prematurely induced by cortisone injection in newborn rats, suggesting that factors other than glucocorticoids are responsible for the postnatal development of the intestinal epithelium. These results suggest that basic differences in biological properties and regulatory mechanisms exist among intestinal epithelial cells at different stages of pre- and postnatal maturation.     

Analysis of mesenchymal influence on the pepsinogen gene expression in the epithelium of chicken embryonic digestive tract

We performed tissue recombination experiments to discover the mesenchymal influences on differentiation of epithelia in chicken digestive organs. Epithelia and mesenchymes were taken from the lung, esophagus, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine and large intestine of 6-day chicken embryos and recombined in various associations and cultivated in vitro for 6 days. Rather unexpectedly, embryonic chicken pepsinogen (ECPg) gene, a marker of the proventricular epithelium, was induced in the gizzard epithelium, which does not express ECPg in normal development, by the proventricular and lung mesenchymes. In the second half of this study, we investigated the mode of action of mesenchymal cells on ECPg expression in gizzard epithelial cells more precisely using the cell aggregate culture system, in which gizzard epithelial cells were mixed with proventricular, gizzard or lung mesenchymal cells. We found that supporting action of lung mesenchymal cells on ECPg expression was even stronger than that of proventricular mesenchymal cells, and suggest that the action of lung mesenchyme may be due partly to the enhancement of epithelial cell proliferation. According to the results of this study, together with many facts obtained so far, we will discuss a new model for restricted expression of ECPg in the proventricular epithelium in normal development.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation is required for proteinase-activated receptor-2-induced COX-2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells

Proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)(2), a G protein-coupled receptor activated by serine proteinases, has been implicated in both intestinal inflammation and epithelial proliferation. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is overexpressed in the gut during inflammation as well as in colon cancer. We hypothesized that PAR(2) drives COX-2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment of Caco-2 colon cancer cells with the PAR(2)-activating peptide 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH(2) (2fLI), but not by its reverse-sequence PAR(2)-inactive peptide, for 3 h led to an increase in intracellular COX-2 protein expression accompanied by a COX-2-dependent increase in prostaglandin E(2) production. 2fLI treatment for 30 min significantly increased metalloproteinase activity in the culture supernatant. Increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation was observed in cell lysates following 40 min of treatment with 2fLI. The broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat inhibited both COX-2 expression and EGFR phosphorylation. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 also abolished 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. Although PAR(2) activation increased ERK MAPK phosphorylation, neither ERK pathway inhibitors nor a p38 MAPK inhibitor affected 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. However, inhibition of either Src tyrosine kinase signaling by PP2, Rho kinase signaling by Y27632, or phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase signaling by LY294002 prevented 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. Trypsin increased COX-2 expression through PAR(2) in Caco-2 cells and in an EGFR-dependent manner in the noncancerous intestinal epithelial cell-6 cell line. In conclusion, PAR(2) activation drives COX-2 expression in Caco-2 cells via metalloproteinase-dependent EGFR transactivation and activation of Src, Rho, and PI3 kinase signaling. Our findings provide a mechanism whereby PAR(2) can participate in the progression from chronic inflammation to cancer in the intestine.     

pp60src tyrosine kinase modulates P19 embryonal carcinoma cell fate by inhibiting neuronal but not epithelial differentiation

P19 embryonal carcinoma cells provide an in vitro model system to analyze the events involved in neural differentiation. These multipotential stem cells can be induced by retinoic acid (RA) to differentiate into neural cells. We have investigated the ability of several variant forms of the protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) pp60src to modulate cell fate determination in this system. Normally, P19 cells are induced to differentiate along a neural lineage when allowed to form extensive cell-cell contacts in large multicellular aggregates during exposure to RA. Through analysis of markers of epithelial (keratin and desmosomal proteins) and neuronal (neurofilament) cells we have found that RA-induced P19 cells transiently express epithelial markers before neuronal differentiation. Under these inductive conditions, expression of pp60v-src or expression of the neuronal variant pp60c-src+ inhibited neuronal differentiation, and resulted in maintained expression of an epithelial phenotype. Morphological analysis showed that expression of pp60src PTKs results in decreased cell-cell adhesion during the critical cell aggregation stage of the neural differentiation procedure. The effects of pp60v-src on cell fate and cell-cell adhesion could be mimicked by direct modulation of Ca+(+)-dependent cell-cell contact during RA induction of normal P19 cells. We conclude that the neural lineage of P19 cells includes an early epithelial intermediate and suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation can modulate cell fate determination during an early cell-cell adhesion-dependent event in neurogenesis.     

Differential expression and localization of brain-type and mitochondrial creatine kinase isoenzymes during development of the chicken retina: Mi-CK as a marker for differentiation of photoreceptor cells

The expression and the cellular- as well as subcellular-distribution of brain-type B-CK and mitochondrial Mi-CK during development of the chicken retina was studied by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and immunogold methods. B-CK expression and accumulation in retina was high from early stages of embryonic development on, decreased slightly around hatching and remained high again during adulthood. At early stages of development (days 2-5), B-CK was more or less evenly distributed over the entire retina with the exception of ganglion cells, which were stained more strongly for B-CK than other retinal precursor cells. Then, at around day 10, the beginning of stratified immunostaining by anti-B-CK antibody was noted concomitant with progressing differentiation. Finally, a dramatic increase in staining of the differentiating photoreceptor cells was seen before hatching (day 18) with weaker staining of other cell types. At hatching, as in the adult state, most of the B-CK was localized within rods and cones. Thus, during retinal development marked changes in the immunostaining pattern for B-CK were evident. By contrast, Mi-CK expression was low during development in ovo and rose just before hatching with a predominant accumulation of this isoenzyme within the ellipsoid portion of the inner photoreceptor cell segments. Mi-CK accumulation in the retina coincided with functional maturation of photoreceptors and therefore represents a good marker for terminal differentiation of these cells. B-CK, present from early stages of retina development, seems to be relevant for the energetics of retinal cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, whereas the simultaneous expression of both B- and Mi-CK around the time of hatching indicates a coordinated function of the two CK isoforms as constituents of a PCr-circuit involved in the energetics of vision, which, in autophagous birds, has to be operational at this point in time.     

Monocytic microparticles promote atherogenesis by modulating inflammatory cells in mice

Microparticles (MP) are generated during a vast number of biological processes such as inflammation, cell activation and apoptosis. Increasing evidence points towards an important role of MP as intercellular messengers of biological information. During atherogenesis, monocytes infiltrate the vascular wall and foster inflammation, accompanied by the release of monocytic MP (mono-MP). To date, only little is known about the biological function of mono-MP in the vascular wall. Here, we investigated the role of mono-MP during atherogenesis. Mono-MP were generated by starvation of THP-1 monocytes and isolated by ultracentrifugation. To investigate whether mono-MP influence atherogenesis, ApoE^−/− mice were fed a high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet for 8 weeks and simultaneously treated with mono-MP or vehicle twice a week. Mice treated with mono-MP showed significantly increased monocyte and T-cell infiltration into the vessel wall, as assessed by Moma-2 and CD3 staining, and enhanced plaque formation, as assessed by oil-red-O staining. However, atherosclerotic plaque composition was not influenced by mono-MP application. In vitro, incubation of mono-MP with murine macrophages and endothelial cells resulted in the uptake of calcein-labelled mono-MP. Mono-MP uptake initiated the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Murine macrophages pre-treated with mono-MP showed significantly enhanced expression of CCR2, migration to MCP-1 and increased release of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6. Co-incubation of mono-MP with endothelial cells resulted in significantly increased expression of ICAM-1, as assessed by RT-PCR and ELISA. Mono-MP act as paracrine messengers that intensify inflammation during atherogenesis by stimulating vascular-bound and inflammatory cells in their vicinity.     

Proinflammatory and Th2-derived cytokines modulate CD40-mediated expression of inflammatory mediators in airway epithelia: implications for the role of epithelial CD40 in airway inflammation

Cytokines produced by activated macrophages and Th2 cells within the lung play a key role in asthma-associated airway inflammation. Additionally, recent studies suggest that the molecule CD40 modulates lung immune responses. Because airway epithelial cells can act as immune effector cells through the expression of inflammatory mediators, the epithelium is now considered important in the generation of asthma-associated inflammation. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the effects of proinflammatory and Th2-derived cytokines on the function of CD40 in airway epithelia. The results show that airway epithelial cells express CD40 and that engagement of epithelial CD40 induces a significant increase in expression of the chemokines RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), and IL-8 and the adhesion molecule ICAM-1. Cross-linking epithelial CD40 had no effect on expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1. The proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the Th2-derived cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 modulated the positive effects of CD40 engagement on inflammatory mediator expression in airway epithelial cells. Importantly, CD40 ligation enhanced the sensitivity of airway epithelial cells to the effects of TNF-alpha and/or IL-1beta on expression of RANTES, MCP-1, IL-8, and VCAM-1. In contrast, neither IL-4 nor IL-13 modified the effects of CD40 engagement on the expression of RANTES, MCP-1, IL-8, or VCAM-1; however, both IL-4 and IL-13 attenuated the effects of CD40 cross-linking on ICAM-1 expression. Together, these findings suggest that interactions between CD40-responsive airway epithelial cells and CD40 ligand+ leukocytes, such as activated T cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, modulate asthma-associated airway inflammation.     

Cross-talk between Staphylococcus aureus leukocidins-intoxicated macrophages and lung epithelial cells triggers chemokine secretion in an inflammasome-dependent manner

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen responsible for both nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Central to its virulence is its ability to secrete haemolysins, pore-forming toxins and cytolytic peptides. The large number of membrane-damaging toxins and peptides produced during S. aureus infections has hindered a precise understanding of their specific roles in diseases. Here, we used comprehensive libraries of recombinant toxins and synthetic cytolytic peptides, of S. aureus mutants and clinical strains to investigate the role of these virulence factors in targeting human macrophages and triggering IL-1β release. We found that the Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is the major trigger of IL-1β release and inflammasome activation in primary human macrophages. The cytolytic peptides, δ-haemolysin and PSMα3; the pore-forming toxins, γ-haemolysin and LukDE; and β-haemolysin synergize with PVL to amplify IL-1β release, indicating that these factors cooperate with PVL to trigger inflammation. PVL(+) S. aureus causes necrotizing pneumonia in children and young adults. The severity of this disease is due to the massive recruitment of neutrophils that cause lung damage. Importantly, we demonstrate that PVL triggers IL-1β release in human alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, IL-1β released by PVL-intoxicated macrophages stimulates the secretion of the neutrophil attracting chemokines, IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, by lung epithelial cells. Finally, we show that PVL-induced IL-8/monocyte chemotactic protein-1 release is abolished by the inclusion of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a mixed culture of lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Together, our results identify PVL as the predominant S. aureus secreted factor for triggering inflammasome activation in human macrophages and demonstrate how PVL-intoxicated macrophages orchestrate inflammation in the lung. Finally, our work suggests that anakinra, a synthetic IL-1Ra, may be an effective therapeutic agent to reduce the massive neutrophils infiltration observed during necrotizing pneumonia and decrease the resulting host-mediated lung injury.     

An emerging role of deubiquitinating enzyme cylindromatosis (CYLD) in the tubulointerstitial inflammation of IgA nephropathy

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is an important cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Tubulointerstitial inflammation and subsequent fibrosis appear to be a major contributor of the disease progression to ESKD; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Herein, we report that a unique feature of CYLD expression in kidneys of patients with IgA nephropathy and a CYLD-mediated negative regulation of inflammatory responses in human tubular epithelial cells. Immunochemical staining revealed that CYLD was predominantly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells in 81% of the patients (37 cases) with proteinuric IgA nephropathy. Patients with positive CYLD had significantly less tubulointerstitial lesions and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels when compared with those negative. Logistic regression analysis indicated that eGFR was a predictor for the CYLD expression. In cultured human tubular epithelial HK-2 cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) up-regulated CYLD expression. Adenoviral knockdown of CYLD did not affect albumin-, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-, tunicamycin- or thapsigargin-induced cell death; however, it enhanced TNFα-induced expression of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 as well as activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, monocyte adhesion to the TNFα-inflamed HK-2 cells was significantly increased by the CYLD shRNA approach. Taken together, our results suggest that CYLD negatively regulates tubulointertitial inflammatory responses via suppressing activation of JNK in tubular epithelial cells, putatively attenuating the progressive tubulointerstitial lesions in IgA nephropathy.     

生长抑素受体2的小鼠时空组织表达谱

生长抑素(somatostatin, SST)作为一种抑制性多肽激素,在多种生物过程中发挥重要的功能。生长抑素受体2 (somatostatin receptor 2, SSTR2)作为生长抑素表达最广泛的受体在多种组织中表达,但其表达的具体细胞类型尚不清楚。本研究在小鼠不同发育阶段的多种组织中鉴定了SSTR2蛋白表达的细胞类型。通过多色免疫荧光在小鼠胚胎期15.5 d、出生后1 d、7 d、15 d、3个月和6个月的脑、骨、肺、肠道、皮肤、胃、脾和肾等组织中检测了Sstr2基因的表达。结果发现Sstr2在不同发育阶段的多种组织的特定细胞类型中表达,包括脑神经元和星形胶质细胞,骨的间充质基质细胞、造血细胞和B细胞,肺的巨噬细胞、Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞和气道纤毛细胞,肠道的上皮细胞和神经元,皮肤的毛囊细胞,胃体的上皮细胞,脾的造血干细胞、造血祖细胞和神经纤维,肾的肾小管上皮细胞等。本研究确定了小鼠多组织不同发育阶段Sstr2表达的细胞类型,为生长抑素与生长抑素受体2的生理功能研究提供了新的线索。     

Exosomes released from Shiga toxin 2a–treated human macrophages modulate inflammatory responses and induce cell death in toxin receptor expressing human cells

Shiga toxins (Stxs) produced by Stx‐producing Escherichia coli are the primarily virulence factors of hemolytic uremic syndrome and central nervous system (CNS) impairment. Although the precise mechanisms of toxin dissemination remain unclear, Stxs bind to extracellular vesicles (EVs). Exosomes, a subset of EVs, may play a key role in Stx‐mediated renal injury. To test this hypothesis, we isolated exosomes from monocyte‐derived macrophages in the presence of Stx2a or Stx2 toxoids. Macrophage‐like differentiated THP‐1 cells treated with Stxs secreted Stx‐associated exosomes (Stx‐Exo) of 90–130 nm in diameter, which induced cytotoxicity in recipient cells in a toxin receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb₃)‐dependent manner. Stx2‐Exo engulfed by Gb₃‐positive cells were translocated to the endoplasmic reticulum in the human proximal tubule epithelial cell line HK‐2. Stx2‐Exo contained pro‐inflammatory cytokine mRNAs and proteins and induced more severe inflammation than purified Stx2a accompanied by greater death of target cells such as human renal or retinal pigment epithelial cells. Blockade of exosome biogenesis using the pharmacological inhibitor GW4869 reduced Stx2‐Exo‐mediated human renal cell death. Stx2‐Exo isolated from human primary monocyte–derived macrophages activated caspase 3/7 and resulted in significant cell death in primary human renal cortical epithelial cells. Based on these results, we speculate that Stx‐containing exosomes derived from macrophages may exacerbate cytotoxicity and inflammation and trigger cell death in toxin‐sensitive cells. Therapeutic interventions targeting Stx‐containing exosomes may prevent or ameliorate Stx‐mediated acute vascular dysfunction.     

alpha-Actinin localization in the junctional complex of intestinal epithelial cells

We have used antibody to chicken gizzard alpha-actinin to identify and localize this molecule in chicken intestinal epithelium. The antibody binds only to alpha-actinin when tested against a crude extract of chicken gizzard. Extracts of purified epithelial cells contain a molecule which has a subunit molecular weight of 100,000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate gels and which is able to inhibit the interaction of alpha-actinin antibody and 125I-labeled chicken gizzard alpha-actinin. By indirect immunofluorescence, alpha-actinin is localized in the apical portion of chicken intestinal epithelial cells. Ethanol-fixed cryostat sections of intestine taken through the apical portion of the epithelial cells and in a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the cells show that alpha-actinin is organized in a polygonal pattern which corresponds to the outlines of the polygonally packed epithelial cells. We interpret the data as indicating that alpha-actinin is a component of the tight junction (zonula occludens) and/or the belt desmosome (zonula adherens), both of which are membrane structures known to encircle the cell and to be confined to its apical portion.     

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 negatively regulates growth and promotes enterocyte differentiation in the small intestine

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) (also called Brk or Sik) is an intracellular tyrosine kinase that is expressed in breast cancer and normal epithelial linings. In adult mice, PTK6 expression is high in villus epithelial cells of the small intestine. To explore functions of PTK6, we disrupted the mouse Ptk6 gene. We detected longer villi, an expanded zone of PCNA expression, and increased bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in the PTK6-deficient small intestine. Although differentiation of major epithelial cell types occurred, there was a marked delay in expression of intestinal fatty acid binding protein, suggesting a role for PTK6 in enterocyte differentiation. However, fat absorption was comparable in wild-type and Ptk6-/- mice. It was previously shown that the serine threonine kinase Akt is a substrate of PTK6 and that PTK6-mediated phosphorylation of Akt on tyrosine resulted in inhibition of Akt activity. Consistent with these findings, we detected increased Akt activity and nuclear beta-catenin in intestines of PTK6-deficient mice and decreased nuclear localization of the Akt substrate FoxO1 in villus epithelial cells. PTK6 contributes to maintenance of tissue homeostasis through negative regulation of Akt in the small intestine and is associated with cell cycle exit and differentiation in normal intestinal epithelial cells.     

The 46,000-dalton tyrosine protein kinase substrate is widespread, whereas the 36,000-dalton substrate is only expressed at high levels in certain rodent tissues

Proteins of molecular mass 46,000 (p46) and 34,000-39,000 (p36) daltons are phosphorylated at tyrosine in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken and mouse fibroblasts. p46 has recently been identified as an isozyme of enolase but the function of p36 is unknown. The expression of these proteins in various mouse and rat tissues has been examined. In most tissues, except muscle, p46 is found at relatively constant levels. In muscle, a more basic, related protein is present. In contrast, the abundance of p36 varies more widely from tissue to tissue, suggesting that it has a function in some but not all differentiated cells. By SDS gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, high levels of p36 (60-120% of its relative abundance in fibroblasts) were found in small intestine, lung, and thymus, and intermediate levels (20-50%) were found in spleen, lymph nodes, and testes. No p36 was detectable in brain and muscle. Where studied, p36 mRNA expression paralleled protein levels. The cell types within each tissue expressing p36 were identified by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining. These cell types include all endothelial cells and fibroblastic cells examined, as well as various epithelial cells, cardiac muscle cells, macrophages, and testicular interstitial cells. We were unable to detect p36 in skeletal or smooth muscle cells, erythrocytes, nerve cells, or lymphocytes in any of the examined tissues. p36 appears to be concentrated in the terminal web region of intestinal columnar epithelial cells.