Bruton's tyrosine kinase is a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-binding protein that participates in nuclear factor kappaB activation by Toll-like receptor 4

In this study we have identified members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family (namely, TLRs 4, 6, 8, and 9) as proteins to which the intracellular protein tyrosine kinase, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), binds. Detailed analysis of the interaction between Btk and TLR8 demonstrates that the presence of both Box 2 and 3 motifs in the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain was required for the interaction. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Btk can also interact with key proteins involved in TLR4 signal transduction, namely, MyD88, Mal (MyD88 adapter-like protein), and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1, but not TRAF-6. The ability of Btk to interact with TLR4 and Mal suggests a role for Btk in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signal transduction. Stimulation of the human monocytic cell line THP-1 with LPS resulted in an increase in the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk (indicative of activation). The autokinase activity of Btk was also stimulated after LPS stimulation. In addition, a dominant negative form of Btk inhibited TLR4-mediated activation of a nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB)-dependent reporter gene in HEK293 cells as well as LPS-induced activation of NFkappaB in the astrocytoma cell line U373 and the monocytic cell line RAW264.7. Further investigation revealed that the Btk-specific inhibitor, LFM-A13, inhibited the activation of NFkappaB by LPS in THP-1 cells. Our findings implicate Btk as a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-binding protein that is important for NFkappaB activation by TLR4.     

Suppressive effects of genistein on oxidative stress and NFkappaB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages

This study was designed to investigate whether genistein may ameliorate oxidative stress and nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) activation in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with genistein significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 69.4 microM. Genistein at 50 microM and 100 microM concentrations reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) accumulation, increasing the GSH level and antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The specific DNA-binding activities of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) on nuclear extracts from 50 microM and 100 microM genistein treatments were significantly suppressed. These results suggest that genistein has mild antioxidant activity to suppress intracellular oxidative stress and NFkappaB activation.     

TNF-alpha promotes cell survival through stimulation of K+ channel and NFkappaB activity in corneal epithelial cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in various cell types induces either cell death or mitogenesis through different signaling pathways. In the present study, we determined in human corneal epithelial cells how TNF-alpha also promotes cell survival. Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium containing 10% FBS. TNF-alpha stimulation induced activation of a voltage-gated K+ channel detected by measuring single channel activity using patch clamp techniques. The effect of TNF-alpha on downstream events included NFkappaB nuclear translocation and increases in DNA binding activities, but did not elicit ERK, JNK, or p38 limb signaling activation. TNF-alpha induced increases in p21 expression resulting in partial cell cycle attenuation in the G1 phase. Cell cycle progression was also mapped by flow cytometer analysis. Blockade of TNF-alpha-induced K+ channel activity effectively prevented NFkappaB nuclear translocation and binding to DNA, diminishing the cell-survival protective effect of TNF-alpha. In conclusion, TNF-alpha promotes survival of HCE cells through sequential stimulation of K+ channel and NFkappaB activities. This response to TNF-alpha is dependent on stimulating K+ channel activity because following suppression of K+ channel activity TNF-alpha failed to activate NFkappaB nuclear translocation and binding to nuclear DNA.     

Okadaic acid induces sustained activation of NFkappaB and degradation of the nuclear IkappaBalpha in human neutrophils

Human neutrophils differ from other cells by containing high amount of IkappaBalpha in the nucleus, and this increased nuclear IkappaBalpha accumulation is associated with the inhibition of NFkappaB activity and increased apoptosis. However, the mechanisms regulating NFkappaB activation and IkappaBalpha degradation in human neutrophils are little understood. The objective of this study was to provide a further insight into the mechanisms regulating NFkappaB activity and IkappaBalpha degradation in human neutrophils. We show that okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A, induces sustained activation of NFkappaB and degradation of the nuclear IkappaBalpha, and increases interleukin-8 expression in the neutrophils. Furthermore, inhibitors of protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta) and IkappaB kinase (IKK) inhibit the OA-induced activation of NFkappaB. Collectively, our results indicate that in human neutrophils, the sustained activation of NFkappaB is regulated by a continuous phosphorylation and degradation of the nuclear IkappaBalpha.     

The prostacyclin analogue treprostinil blocks NFkappaB nuclear translocation in human alveolar macrophages

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is characterized by increased pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance. We and others have observed that inflammatory cytokines and infiltrates are present in the lung tissue, but the significance is uncertain. Treprostinil (TRE), a prostacyclin analogue with extended half-life and chemical stability, has shown promise in the treatment of PPH. We hypothesize that TRE might exert beneficial effects in PPH by antagonizing inflammatory cytokine production in the lung. Here we show that TRE dose-dependently inhibits inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor) secretion and gene expression by human alveolar macrophages. TRE blocks NFkappaB activation, but IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation and degradation are unaffected. Moreover, TRE does not affect the formation of the NFkappaB.DNA complex but blocks nuclear translocation of p65. These results are the first to illustrate the anti-cytokine actions of TRE in down-regulating NFkappaB, not through its inhibitory component or by direct binding but by blocking nuclear translocation. These data indicate that inflammatory mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis of PPH and cytokine antagonism by blocking NFkappaB may contribute to the efficacy of TRE therapy in PPH.