NF-kappa B inactivation converts a hepatocyte cell line TNF-alpha response from proliferation to apoptosis

Toxins convertthe hepatocellular response to tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)stimulation from proliferation to cell death, suggesting thathepatotoxins somehow sensitize hepatocytes to TNF- toxicity. Becausenuclear factor-B (NF-B) activation confers resistance to TNF-cytotoxicity in nonhepatic cells, the possibility that toxin-inducedsensitization to TNF- killing results from inhibition ofNF-B-dependent gene expression was examined in the RALA rathepatocyte cell line sensitized to TNF- cytotoxicity by actinomycinD (ActD). ActD did not affect TNF--induced hepatocyte NF-Bactivation but decreased NF-B-dependent gene expression. Expressionof an IB superrepressor rendered RALA hepatocytes sensitive toTNF--induced apoptosis in the absence of ActD. Apoptosis was blockedby caspase inhibitors, and TNF- treatment led to activation ofcaspase-2, caspase-3, and caspase-8 only when NF-B activation wasblocked. Although apoptosis was blocked by the NF-B-dependent factornitric oxide (NO), inhibition of endogenous NO production did notsensitize cells to TNF--induced cytotoxicity. Thus NF-Bactivation is the critical intracellular signal that determines whetherTNF- stimulates hepatocyte proliferation or apoptosis. Althoughexogenous NO blocks RALA hepatocyte TNF- cytotoxicity, endogenousproduction of NO is not the mechanism by which NF-B activationinhibits this death pathway.

     

TNF-alpha and insulin, alone and synergistically, induce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in adipocytes

Obesity is associated with hyperinsulinemia and elevatedconcentrations of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) inadipose tissue. TNF- has been implicated as an inducer of thesynthesis of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primaryphysiological inhibitor of fibrinolysis, mediated by plasminogenactivators in cultured adipocytes. To identify mechanism(s) throughwhich TNF- induces PAI-1, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiatedinto adipocytes and exposed to TNF- for 24 h. TNF- selectivelyincreased the synthesis of PAI-1 without increasing activity ofplasminogen activators. Both superoxide (generated by xanthine oxidaseplus hypoxanthine) and hydrogen peroxide were potent inducers of PAI-1, and hydroxyl radical scavengers completely abolished the TNF- induction of PAI-1. Exposure of adipocytes to TNF- or insulin aloneover 5 days increased PAI-1 production. These agonists exert synergistic effects. Results obtained suggest that TNF- stimulates PAI-1 production by adipocytes, an effect potentiated by insulin, andthat adipocyte generation of reactive oxygen centered radicals mediatesthe induction of PAI-1 production by TNF-. Because induction ofPAI-1 by TNF- is potentiated synergistically by insulin, both agonists appear likely to contribute to the impairment of fibrinolytic system capacity typical in obese, hyperinsulinemic patients.

     

Effect of TNF-alpha on SMIT mRNA levels and myo-inositol accumulation in cultured endothelial cells

Previously we have shown that hyperosmolarity increasesNa⁺-myo-inositolcotransporter (SMIT) activity and mRNA levels in cultured endothelialcells. Because hyperosmolarity and cytokines, such as tumor necrosisfactor- (TNF-), activate similar signal transduction pathways, weexamined the effect of TNF- on SMIT mRNA levels andmyo-inositol accumulation. In contrastto the effect of hyperosmolarity, TNF- caused a time- andconcentration-dependent decrease in SMIT mRNA levels andmyo-inositol accumulation. The effectof TNF- on myo-inositolaccumulation was found in large-vessel endothelial cells (derived fromthe aorta and pulmonary artery) and cerebral microvessel endothelialcells. In bovine aorta and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells,TNF- activated nuclear factor (NF)-B. TNF- also increasedceramide levels, and C₂-ceramidemimicked the effect of TNF- on SMIT mRNA levels andmyo-inositol accumulation in bovineaorta endothelial cells. Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, genistein, and7-amino-1-chloro-3-tosylamido-2-hepatanone, compounds that can inhibitNF-B activation, partially prevented the TNF--induced decrease inmyo-inositol accumulation. The effectof TNF- on myo-inositolaccumulation was also partially prevented by the protein kinase Cinhibitor calphostin C but not by staurosporine. These studiesdemonstrate that TNF- causes a decrease in SMIT mRNA levels andmyo-inositol accumulation in culturedendothelial cells, which may be related to the activation of NF-B.

     

Serine phosphorylation of p60 tumor necrosis factor receptor by PKC-delta in TNF-alpha-activated neutrophils

Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-) triggers degranulation and oxygen radical release in adherentneutrophils. The p60TNF receptor (p60TNFR) is responsible forproinflammatory signaling, and protein kinase C (PKC) is a candidatefor the regulation of p60TNFR. Both TNF- and the PKC-activatorphorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate triggered phosphorylation of p60TNFR.Receptor phosphorylation was on both serine and threonine but not ontyrosine residues. The PKC- isotype is a candidate enzyme for serinephosphorylation of p60TNFR. Staurosporine and the PKC- inhibitorrottlerin inhibited TNF--triggered serine but not threoninephosphorylation. Serine phosphorylation was associated withreceptor desensitization, as inhibition of PKC resulted in enhanceddegranulation (elastase release). After neutrophil activation, PKC-was the only PKC isotype that associated with p60TNFR within thecorrect time frame for receptor phosphorylation. In vitro, onlyPKC-, but not the -, I-, II-, or -isotypes, wascompetent to phosphorylate the receptor, indicating that p60TNFR is adirect substrate for PKC-. These findings suggest a selective rolefor PKC- in negative regulation of the p60TNFR and ofTNF--induced signaling.

     

Nitric oxide-dependent downregulation of adipocyte UCP-2 expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) is amitochondrial protein expressed in adipocytes and has recently beeninvolved in the control of energy dissipation. Because obesity ischaracterized by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure andby an enhanced adipocyte-derived secretion of tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-), we asked whether TNF- could directly influence UCP-2expression in adipocytes. Experiments performed in differentiated3T3F442A preadipocytes showed that TNF- (10 ng/ml) induced areduction of UCP-2 trancripts, assessed by Northern blot analysis. Asignificant decrease in UCP-2 expression (40%) was observed after 12 and 24 h of TNF- stimulation of the cells. The characterizationof the mechanisms responsible for the TNF- effect on UCP-2expression demonstrates an involvement of the TNF--induced inducible(i) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression. Cell treatment with the NOSinhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME; 1 mmol/l) significantly diminished theTNF--mediated sustained downregulation of UCP-2 expression, whereascell treatment with a nitric oxide (NO) donor (10³ mol/lS-nitroso-L-glutathione) mimicked the TNF-effect on UCP-2 expression. Moreover, Western blot analysis clearlyshowed that TNF- alone induces the expression of iNOS after12-24 h treatment of differentiated 3T3F442A cells. Theseexperiments demonstrate that TNF- directly downregulates UCP-2expression via NO-dependent pathways that involve the induction of iNOS expression.

     

Regulation of Fas (CD95)-induced apoptosis by nuclear factor-kappaB and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in macrophages

The APO-1/Fasligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) are twofunctionally related molecules that induce apoptosis ofsusceptible cells. Although the two molecules have been reported toinduce apoptosis via distinct signaling pathways, we have shown that FasL can also upregulate the expression of TNF-, raising thepossibility that TNF- may be involved in FasL-inducedapoptosis. Because TNF- gene expression is under the controlof nuclear factor-B (NF-B), we investigated whether FasL caninduce NF-B activation and whether such activation plays a role inFasL-mediated cell death in macrophages. Gene transfection studiesusing NF-B-dependent reporter plasmid showed that FasL did activateNF-B promoter activity. Gel shift studies also revealed that FasLmobilized the p50/p65 heterodimeric form of NF-B. Inhibition ofNF-B by a specific NF-B inhibitor, caffeic acid phenylethylester, or by dominant expression of the NF-B inhibitory subunitIB caused an increase in FasL-induced apoptosis and areduction in TNF- expression. However, neutralization of TNF- byspecific anti-TNF- antibody had no effect on FasL-inducedapoptosis. These results indicate that FasL-mediated cell deathin macrophages is regulated through NF-B and is independent ofTNF- activation, suggesting the antiapoptotic role of NF-Band a separate death signaling pathway mediated by FasL.

     

Activation of p42mapk in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by interleukin-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Work from this and other laboratories has identified a role forprotein tyrosine kinases in interleukin-1 (IL-1)- and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)-induced responses in endothelial cells. In this study, we show that activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by IL-1 leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins including one with a molecular massof ~42 kDa. This protein was identified asp42^mapk by Western blot analysis.Tyrosine phosphorylation and catalytic activation ofp42^mapk by IL-1 was transient,reaching maximal levels after 30 min and returning to basal levels by120-300 min. Activation ofp42^mapk in HUVEC was also observedin response to TNF- or to the protein kinase C (PKC)-activatingphorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Pretreatment ofHUVEC with IL-1 or TNF- prevented reactivation ofp42^mapk by either cytokine but didnot affect subsequent activation in response to PMA. Activation ofp42^mapk by PMA was significantlyreduced by the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 and completely inhibited by theprotein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Genistein, but notRo-31-8220, attenuated IL-1- and TNF--inducedp42^mapk activation. Takentogether, the results of this study demonstrate 1) thatp42^mapk is transiently activatedin HUVEC by IL-1 and TNF-, 2)that this activation is PKC independent, and3) that a genistein-inhibitable tyrosine kinase may be an upstream regulator of cytokine-induced p42^mapk activation in humanendothelium.

     

p38 MAPK mediates renal tubular cell TNF-{alpha} production and TNF-{alpha}-dependent apoptosis during simulated ischemia

Ischemia causes renal tubular cellloss through apoptosis; however, the mechanisms of this processremain unclear. Using the renal tubular epithelial cell lineLLC-PK₁, we developed a model of simulated ischemia(SI) to investigate the role of p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated proteinkinase) in renal cell tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) mRNAproduction, protein bioactivity, and apoptosis. Resultsdemonstrate that 60 min of SI induced maximal TNF- mRNA productionand bioactivity. Furthermore, 60 min of ischemia induced renaltubular cell apoptosis at all substrate replacement time pointsexamined, with peak apoptotic cell death occurring after either 24 or 48 h. p38 MAPK inhibition abolished TNF- mRNA production andTNF- bioactivity, and both p38 MAPK inhibition and TNF- neutralization (anti-porcine TNF- antibody) preventedapoptosis after 60 min of SI. These results constitute theinitial demonstration that 1) renal tubular cells produceTNF- mRNA and biologically active TNF- and undergoapoptosis in response to SI, and 2) p38 MAPKmediates renal tubular cell TNF- production and TNF--dependent apoptosis after SI.

     

Carbachol-induced desensitization of PLC-beta pathway in rat myometrium: downregulation of Gqalpha /G11alpha

In the estrogen-treated rat myometrium, carbachol increased thegeneration of inositol phosphates by stimulating the muscarinic receptor-G_q/G₁₁-phospholipaseC-3 (PLC-3) cascade. Exposure to carbachol resulted in a rapidand specific (homologous) attenuation of the subsequent muscarinicresponses in terms of inositol phosphate production, PLC-3translocation to membrane, and contraction. Refractoriness wasaccompanied by a reduction of membrane muscarinic binding sites and anuncoupled state of residual receptors. Protein kinase C (PKC) alteredthe functionality of muscarinic receptors and contributed to theinitial period of desensitization. A delayed phase of the muscarinicrefractoriness was PKC independent and was associated with adownregulation ofG_q/G₁₁.Atropine failed to induce desensitization as well asG_q/G₁₁downregulation, indicating that both events involve active occupancy ofthe receptor. Prolonged exposure toAlF₄ reduced subsequent AlF₄ as well as carbachol-mediatedinositol phosphate responses and similarly induced downregulation ofG_q/G₁₁. Data suggest that a decrease in the level ofG_q/G₁₁is subsequent to its activation and may account forheterologous desensitization.

     

Role of alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin in TNF-alpha-induced endothelial cell migration

Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), oneof the major inflammatory cytokines, is known to influence endothelialcell migration. In this study, we demonstrate that exposure of calfpulmonary artery endothelial cells to TNF- caused an increase in theformation of membrane protrusions and cell migration. Fluorescencemicroscopy revealed an increase in _v3focal contacts but a decrease in ₅₁ focalcontacts in TNF--treated cells. In addition, both cell-surface andtotal cellular expression of _v3-integrinsincreased significantly, whereas the expression of₅₁-integrins was unaltered. Only focalcontacts containing _v3- but not₅₁-integrins were present in membraneprotrusions of cells at the migration front. In contrast, robust focalcontacts containing ₅₁-integrins were present in cells behind the migration front. A blocking antibody to_v3, but not a blocking antibody to₅-integrins, significantly inhibited TNF--inducedcell migration. These results indicate that in response to TNF-,endothelial cells may increase the activation and ligation of_v3 while decreasing the activation andligation of ₅₁-integrins to facilitatecell migration, a process essential for vascular wound healing and angiogenesis.

     

Chemokine expression in CF epithelia: implications for the role of CFTR in RANTES expression

To delineate themechanisms that facilitate leukocyte migration into the cystic fibrosis(CF) lung, expression of chemokines, including interleukin-8 (IL-8),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), andRANTES, was compared between CF and non-CF airway epithelia. Thefindings presented herein demonstrate that, under either basalconditions or tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)- and/or interferon- (IFN-)-stimulated conditions, a consistent pattern ofdifferences in the secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1 between CF and non-CFepithelial cells was not observed. In contrast, CF epithelial cellsexpressed no detectable RANTES protein or mRNA under basal conditionsor when stimulated with TNF- and/or IFN-(P  0.05), unlike their non-CFcounterparts. Correction of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR) defect in CF airway epithelial cells restored the induction ofRANTES protein and mRNA by TNF- in combination with IFN-(P  0.05) but had little effect onIL-8 or MCP-1 production compared with mock controls. Transfection studies utilizing RANTES promoter constructs suggested that CFTR activates the RANTES promoter via a nuclear factor-B-mediated pathway. Together, these results suggest that1) RANTES expression is altered inCF epithelia and 2) epithelialexpression of RANTES, but not IL-8 or MCP-1, is dependent on CFTR.     

TNF-alpha pretreatment prevents subsequent activation of cultured brain cells with TNF-alpha and hypoxia via ceramide

We havedeveloped a cellular model in which cultured astrocytes and braincapillary endothelial cells preconditioned with tumor necrosisfactor- (TNF-) fail to upregulate intercellular adhesionmolecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein (80% inhibition) and mRNA (30%inhibition) when challenged with TNF- or exposed to hypoxia. Inasmuch as ceramide is known to mediate some of the effects of TNF-, its levels were measured at various times after the TNF- preconditioning. We present evidence for the first time that, in normalbrain cells, TNF- pretreatment causes a biphasic increase ofceramide levels: an early peak at 15-20 min, when ceramide levelsincreased 1.9-fold in astrocytes and 2.7-fold in rat brain capillaryendothelial cells, and a delayed 2- to 3-fold ceramide increase thatoccurs 18-24 h after addition of TNF-. The following findingsindicate that the delayed ceramide accumulation results in cellunresponsiveness to TNF-: 1)coincident timing of the ceramide peak and the tolerance period,2) mimicking of preconditioning byaddition of exogenous ceramide, and3) attenuation of preconditioning byfumonisin B₁, an inhibitor ofceramide synthesis. In contrast to observations in transformed celllines, the delayed ceramide increase was transient and did not induceapoptosis in brain cells.     

Cholecystokinin induction of mob-1 chemokine expression in pancreatic acinar cells requires NF-kappa B activation

Inflammatory mediators are involved in the early phase of acutepancreatitis, but the cellular mechanisms responsible for theirgeneration within pancreatic cells are unknown. We examined the role ofnuclear factor-B (NF-B) in cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)-induced mob-1 chemokineexpression in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. Supraphysiological, butnot physiological, concentrations of CCK-8 increased inhibitory B(IB-) degradation, NF-B activation, andmob-1 gene expression in isolatedpancreatic acinar cells. CCK-8-induced IB- degradation wasmaximal within 1 h. Expression ofmob-1 was maximal within 2 h. Neitherbombesin nor carbachol significantly increasedmob-1 mRNA or induced IB-degradation. Thus the concentration, time, and secretagogue dependenceof mob-1 gene expression and IB-degradation were similar. Inhibition of NF-B with pharmacologicalagents or by adenovirus-mediated expression of the inhibitory proteinIB- also inhibited mob-1 geneexpression. These data indicate that the NF-B signaling pathway isrequired for CCK-8-mediated induction ofmob-1 chemokine expression inpancreatic acinar cells. This supports the hypothesis that NF-Bsignaling is of central importance in the initiation of acute pancreatitis.

     

Hypoxic preconditioning protects cultured neurons against hypoxic stress via TNF-alpha and ceramide

Brief "preconditioning" ischemia inducesischemic tolerance (IT) and protects the animal brain from subsequentotherwise lethal ischemia. Identification of the signalingsteps most proximal to the development of the IT will allow inductionof the resistance to ischemia shortly after the onset ofstroke. Animal studies demonstrate a key role of tumor necrosisfactor- (TNF-) in induction of IT. The sphingolipid ceramide isknown as a second messenger in many of the multiple effects of TNF-.We hypothesized that ceramide could mediate IT. We demonstrate thatpreconditioning of rat cortical neurons with mild hypoxia protects themfrom hypoxia and O₂-glucosedeprivation injury 24 h later (50% protection). TNF- pretreatmentcould be substituted for hypoxic preconditioning (HP). HP wasattenuated by TNF--neutralizing antibody. HP and TNF-pretreatment cause a two- to threefold increase of intracellular ceramide levels, which coincides with the state of tolerance. FumonisinB₁, an inhibitor of ceramidesynthase, attenuated ceramide upregulation and HP. C-2 ceramide addedto the cultures right before the hypoxic insult mimicked the effect ofHP. Ceramide did not induce apoptosis. These results suggest that HP ismediated via ceramide synthesis triggered by TNF-.

     

Colonic H-K-ATPase beta -subunit: identification in apical membranes and regulation by dietary K depletion

P-type ATPasesrequire both - and -subunits for functionalactivity. Although an -subunit for colonic apical membraneH-K-ATPase (HKc) has been identified and studied, its -subunithas not been identified. We cloned putative -subunit rat colonicH-K-ATPase (HKc) cDNA that encodes a 279-amino-acid protein with asingle transmembrane domain and sequence homology to other rat-subunits. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that this HKc isexpressed in several rat tissues, including distal and proximal colon,and is highly expressed in testis and lung. HKc mRNA abundance is upregulated threefold compared with normal in distal colon but notproximal colon, testis, or lung of K-depleted rats. In contrast, Na-K-ATPase ₁ mRNA abundance isunaltered in distal colon of K-depleted rats. Na depletion, which alsostimulates active K absorption in distal colon, does not increaseHKc mRNA abundance. Western blot analyses using a polyclonalantibody raised to a glutathioneS-transferase-HKc fusion proteinestablished expression of a 45-kDa HKc protein in both apical andbasolateral membranes of rat distal colon, but K depletion increasedHKc protein expression only in apical membranes. Physicalassociation between HKc and HKc proteins was demonstrated byWestern blot analysis performed with HKc antibody onimmunoprecipitate of apical membranes of rat distal colon and HKcantibody. Tissue-specific upregulation of this -subunit mRNA inresponse to K depletion, localization of its protein, its upregulationby K depletion in apical membranes of distal colon, and its physicalassociation with HKc protein provide compelling evidence that HKcis the putative -subunit of colonic H-K-ATPase.     

Interaction of alpha- and beta-subunits in native H-K-ATPase and cultured cells transfected with H-K-ATPase beta-subunit

The assembly of the -subunit of thegastric H-K-ATPase (HK) with the -subunit of the H-K-ATPase orthe Na-K-ATPase (NaK) was characterized with two anti-HKmonoclonal antibodies (MAbs). In fixed gastric oxyntic cells, inH-K-ATPase in vitro, and in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cellstransfected with HK, MAb 2/2E6 was observed to bind to HK onlywhen interactions between - and -subunits were disrupted byvarious denaturants. The epitope for MAb 2/2E6 was mapped to thetetrapeptide S₂₂₆LHY₂₂₉ of the extracellulardomain of HK. The epitope for MAb 2G11 was mapped to the eightNH₂-terminal amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain ofHK. In transfected MDCK cells, MAb 2G11 could immunoprecipitate HK with -subunits of the endogenous cell surface NaK, as well as that from early in the biosynthetic pathway, whereas MAb 2/2E6 immunoprecipitated only a cohort of unassembled endoglycosidase H-sensitive HK. In HK-transfected LLC-PK₁ cells,significant immunofluorescent labeling of HK at the cell surfacecould be detected without postfixation denaturation or in live cells,although a fraction of transfected HK could also becoimmunoprecipitated with NaK. Thus assembly of HK with NaKdoes not appear to be a stringent requirement for cell surface deliveryof HK in LLC-PK₁ cells but may be required in MDCKcells. In addition, endogenous posttranslational regulatory mechanismsto prevent hybrid - heterodimer assembly appear to be compromisedin transfected cultured renal epithelial cells. Finally, theextracellular epitope for assembly-sensitive MAb 2/2E6 may represent aregion of HK that is associated with - interaction.

     

Cloning and functional studies of splice variants of the alpha -subunit of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel

The -subunit of the amiloride-sensitive epithelialNa⁺ channel (ENaC) is criticalin forming an ion conductive pore in the membrane. We have identifiedthe wild-type and three splice variants of the human ENaC (hENaC)from the human lung cell line H441, using RT-PCR. These splice variantscontain various structures in the extracellular domain, resultingin premature truncation (hENaCx), 19-amino acid deletion(hENaC19), and 22-amino acid insertion (hENaC+22).Wild-type hENaC and splice variants were functionally characterizedin Xenopus oocytes by coexpression with hENaC - and -subunits. Unlike wild-type hENaC,undetectable or substantially reduced amiloride-sensitive currents wereobserved in oocytes expressing these splice variants. Wild-typehENaC was the most abundantly expressed hENaC mRNA species in alltissues in which its expression was detected. These findings indicate that the extracellular domain is important to generate structural andfunctional diversity of hENaC and that alternative splicing may playa role in regulating hENaC activity.

     

Unusual degradation of alpha -beta complexes in Xenopus oocytes by beta -subunits of Xenopus gastric H-K-ATPase

The catalytic -subunit of oligomeric P-type ATPases such asNa-K-ATPase and H-K-ATPase requires association with a -subunit after synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to become stably expressed and functionally active. In this study, we have expressed the-subunit of Xenopus gastricH-K-ATPase (HK) in Xenopus oocytes together with -subunits of H-K-ATPase (HK) or Na-K-ATPase (NK) and have followed the biosynthesis, assembly, and cell surface expression of functional pumps. Immunoprecipitations ofXenopus HK from metabolicallylabeled oocytes show that it is well expressed and, when synthesizedwithout -subunits, can leave the ER and become fully glycosylated.Xenopus HK can associate with both coexpressed HK and NK, but the - complexes formed aredegraded rapidly in or close to the ER and do not produce functionalpumps at the cell surface as assessed by⁸⁶Rb uptake. A possibleexplanation of these results is thatXenopus HK may contain atissue-specific signal that is important in the formation or correcttargeting of functional - complexes in the stomach but thatcannot be recognized in Xenopusoocytes and in consequence leads to cellular degradation of the -complexes in this experimental system.

     

Modulation of human neuronal alpha 1E-type calcium channel by alpha 2delta -subunit

Calcium channels are composed of a pore-forming subunit,₁, and at least two auxiliarysubunits, - and₂-subunits. It is well knownthat -subunits regulate most of the properties of the channel. Thefunction of ₂-subunit isless understood. In this study, the effects of the calcium channel₂-subunit on the neuronal_1E voltage-gated calciumchannel expressed in Xenopus oocyteswas investigated without and with simultaneous coexpression of eitherthe _1b- or the_2a-subunit. Most aspects of_1E function were affected by₂. Thus₂ caused a shift in thecurrent-voltage and conductance-voltage curves toward more positivepotentials and accelerated activation, deactivation, and theinstallation of the inactivation process. In addition, the efficiencywith which charge movement is coupled to pore opening assessed bydetermining ratios of limiting conductance to limiting charge movementwas decreased by ₂ byfactors that ranged from 1.6 (P < 0.01) for _1E-channels to 3.0 (P < 0.005) for_1E1b-channels. These results indicate that₂ facilitates the expressionand the maturation of_1E-channels and converts thesechannels into molecules responding more rapidly to voltage.

     

Effect of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on gene expression in human endothelial cells

Interleukin-1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) are two majorcytokines that rise to relatively high levels during systemicinflammation, and the endothelial cell (EC) response to these cytokinesmay explain some of the dysfunction that occurs. To better understandthe cytokine-induced responses of EC at the gene expression level,human umbilical vein EC were exposed to IL-1 or TNF- for varioustimes and subjected to cDNA microarray analyses to study alterations intheir mRNA expression. Of ~4,000 genes on the microarray, expressionlevels of 33 and 58 genes appeared to be affected by treatment withIL-1 and TNF-, respectively; 25 of these genes responded to bothtreatments. These results suggest that the effects of IL-1 andTNF- on EC are redundant and that it may be necessary to suppressboth cytokines simultaneously to ameliorate the systemic response.