p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB mediate COX-2 expression in human airway myocytes

We have previously demonstrated that p38 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are components of proinflammatory induced cytokine expression in human airway myocytes. The experiments described here further these studies by examining p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in response to a complex inflammatory stimulus consisting of 10 ng/ml interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon (IFN)-gamma. COX-2 expression was induced with this stimulus in a time-dependent manner, with maximal expression seen 12-20 h after treatment. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting experiments demonstrate decreased COX-2 expression following treatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 (25 microM) or the proteosome inhibitor MG-132 (1 microM). SB-203580 did not affect cytokine-stimulated IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB nuclear binding activity, or NF-kappaB-dependent signaling from the COX-2 promoter, indicating that p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB may affect COX-2 expression via separate signaling pathways. SB-203580, but not MG-132, also increased the initial rate of COX-2 mRNA decay, indicating p38 MAPK, but not NF-kappaB, participates in the regulation of COX-2 mRNA stability. These findings suggest that although p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling regulate steady-state levels of COX-2 expression, p38 MAPK additionally affects stability of COX-2 mRNA in cytokine-stimulated human airway myocytes.     

Activation of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase is inhibited by SB 203580, a specific inhibitor of SAPK2/p38.

Activation of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase by either the bacterial peptide fMLP or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is partially suppressed by SB 203580, a specific inhibitor of the MAP kinase family member, SAPK2/p38. The concentration of SB 203580 that suppresses activation of NADPH oxidase is similar to that which inhibits SAPK2/p38 in vitro, and both fMLP and PMA induce an extremely rapid and potent activation of SAPK2/p38 in neutrophils. SB 203580 does not exert its effect by preventing the neutrophil priming reaction, by suppressing the phosphorylation of p47phax, or by preventing the translocation of p47phax/p67phax to the plasma membrane.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor upregulates cyclooxygenase-2 in I407 cells through p38 MAP kinase

The intestinal cell line I407 responds to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by upregulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein expression and increasing PGE(2) production. bFGF treatment of I407 cells results in phosphorylation of p38, and the p38 inhibitor SB-203580 abrogates bFGF-induced PGE(2) synthesis. Wild-type p38alpha (p38alphaWT) and dominant-negative p38alpha (p38alphaDN) stable transfectant clones of I407 cells were used to examine the role of the p38 MAP kinase pathway in the events controlling PGE(2) synthesis after treatment with bFGF. Treatment of p38alphaWT clones with bFGF resulted in increased COX-2 protein levels and PGE(2) synthesis similar to those seen in bFGF-treated control-transfected cells. In contrast, the p38alphaDN clones failed to upregulate COX-2 protein or increase PGE(2) synthesis when treated with bFGF. Exogenous arachidonate did not restore PGE(2) synthesis by p38alphaDN cells. bFGF treatment increased COX-2 mRNA stability, and the p38 inhibitor SB-203580 attenuated COX-2 mRNA stability in bFGF-treated I407 cells. These data demonstrate a crucial role for p38alpha in growth factor-induced PGE(2) synthesis by intestinal cells. Furthermore, they indicate that p38 activity is required at a step distal to arachidonate release, most likely COX-2 upregulation, because exogenous arachidonate did not restore PGE(2) synthesis.     

Feedback control of the protein kinase TAK1 by SAPK2a/p38alpha

TAB1, a subunit of the kinase TAK1, was phosphorylated by SAPK2a/p38alpha at Ser423, Thr431 and Ser438 in vitro. TAB1 became phosphorylated at all three sites when cells were exposed to cellular stresses, or stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phosphorylation of Ser423 and Thr431 was prevented if cells were pre-incubated with SB 203580, while the phosphorylation of Ser438 was partially inhibited by PD 184352. Ser423 is the first residue phosphorylated by SAPK2a/p38alpha that is not followed by proline. The activation of TAK1 was enhanced by SB 203580 in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and by proinflammatory cytokines or osmotic shock in epithelial KB cells or embryonic fibroblasts. The activation of TAK1 by TNF-alpha, IL-1 or osmotic shock was also enhanced in embryonic fibroblasts from SAPK2a/p38alpha-deficient mice, while incubation of these cells with SB 203580 had no effect. Our results suggest that TAB1 participates in a SAPK2a/p38alpha-mediated feedback control of TAK1, which not only limits the activation of SAPK2a/p38alpha but synchronizes its activity with other signalling pathways that lie downstream of TAK1 (JNK and IKK).     

Acid increases proliferation via ERK and p38 MAPK-mediated increases in cyclooxygenase-2 in Barrett's adenocarcinoma cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been linked to neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus. Acid exposure has been shown both to activate the MAPK pathways and to increase COX-2 protein expression in Barrett's metaplasia, but it is not known whether these effects are interrelated. We hypothesized that acid-induced activation of the MAPK pathways mediates an increase in COX-2 expression in Barrett's esophagus, and we tested this hypothesis in a Barrett's-associated adenocarcinoma cell line (SEG-1). We exposed SEG-1 cells to acidic or neutral media in the presence and absence of two MAPK inhibitors: U-0126 (an ERK inhibitor) or SB-203580 (a p38 inhibitor). We quantitated COX-2 protein levels using an enzyme immunometric assay and COX-2 mRNA levels using real-time PCR. We also determined how acid affects the activity of the COX-2 promoter and mRNA stability. Compared with SEG-1 cells exposed to neutral media, acid-exposed cells exhibited a 2.8-fold increase in COX-2 mRNA levels within 30 min. Both U-0126 and SB-203580 attenuated the acid-induced increase in COX-2 mRNA. Acid significantly increased COX-2 protein expression and promoter activity, and both of these effects were abolished by treatment with U-0126 and SB-203580. Acid exposure also stabilized COX-2 mRNA levels, an effect that was abolished by U-0126 but not by SB-203580. We conclude that acid increases COX-2 expression through activation of the MAPK pathways. Acid-induced activation of both ERK and p38 causes a significant increase in COX-2 promoter activity, and acid-activated ERK stabilizes COX-2 mRNA. These findings suggest potential mechanisms whereby acid reflux might promote carcinogenesis in Barrett's esophagus.