The role of B-cell-specific activator protein in the response of malignant B-1 cells to LPS

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) results from the uncontrolled proliferation and accumulation of B-1 cells, many of which demonstrate self-reactivity. The response of B-1 cells to mitogen after undergoing malignant transformation is still unclear. Using our established malignant B-1 cell lines derived from the NZB murine model of human CLL, we investigated the response of malignant B-1 cells to the mitogen LPS. Interestingly, these malignant B-1 cells proliferated initially, but the proliferation rate decreased after a 48-h transition. Prolonged LPS treatment induced apoptosis and pathological differentiation. We studied possible underlying molecular mechanisms and found that the level of the DNA binding protein BSAP (B-cell-specific activator protein) was upregulated by LPS at the initial activation stage, followed by an increase in the apoptotic factor caspase-3 (CPP32) at 48 h and a subsequent decrease of BSAP at 72 h. The pathological differentiation induced by LPS was partially prevented by treatment with antisense BSAP. This study indicates that malignant B-1 cells could be driven to apoptosis and pathological differentiation when activated by the mitogen LPS, and BSAP may be an important factor in regulating these responses.     

p53-independent regulation of cyclin B1 in normal human fibroblasts during UV-induced G2-arrest

Recently we demonstrated, using normal human fibroblasts (NHFs), that UVc radiation induces a G2/M arrest which was even more pronounced when p53 expression was inhibited. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate in NHFs the relationship between UV-induced G2/M arrest and cyclin B1 regulation and to investigate if p53 could contribute to the cyclin B1 regulation in these conditions. Following exposure of asynchronous NHFs to UV light, we showed that the induced G2/M arrest was accompanied by a dose-dependent down-regulation of cyclin B1 mRNA as evaluated by RT-PCR. Concomitantly, using flow cytometric analysis, we observed a strong accumulation of cyclin B1 protein which was correlated to the apparition of the G2/M arrest. In order to study the contribution of p53 to the cyclin B1 accumulation in response to UV exposure, we inhibited p53 induction using p53 antisense oligonucleotides. We found that the inhibition of p53 protein induction after UV exposure had no effect on the level of cyclin B1 mRNA. Moreover, although inhibition of p53 protein induction increased the number of the cells in the G2-M phase, the mean content of cyclin B1 protein was not augmented in these cells. These results indicate clearly that the induction of p53 protein following UV exposure does not regulate the level of cyclin B1 mRNA or protein in normal cells.     

Activation-induced T-cell death is cell cycle dependent and regulated by cyclin B.

Developing thymocytes and some T-cell hybridomas undergo activation-dependent programmed cell death. Although recent studies have identified some critical regulators in programmed cell death, the role of cell cycle regulation in activation-induced cell death in T cells has not been addressed. We demonstrate that synchronized T-cell hybridomas, irrespective of the point in the cell cycle at which they are activated, stop cycling shortly after they reach G2/M. These cells exhibit the diagnostic characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Although p34cdc2 levels are not perturbed after activation of synchronously cycling T cells, cyclin B- and p34cdc2-associated histone H1 kinase activity is persistently elevated. This activation-dependent induction of H1 kinase activity in T cells is associated with a decrease in the phosphotyrosine content of p34cdc2. We also demonstrate that transient inappropriate coexpression of cyclin B with p34cdc2 induces DNA fragmentation in a heterologous cell type. Finally, in T cells, cyclin B-specific antisense oligonucleotides suppress activation-induced cell death but not cell death induced by exposure to dexamethasone. We therefore conclude that a persistent elevation of the level of cyclin B kinase is required for activation-induced programmed T-cell death.     

Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β2 expression with phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides in U937 cells

Four types of phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides for transforming growth factor-β2 were synthesized and tested for their antisense activity in U937 cells. The full-length phosphorothioate modified antisense analogues exhibited the highest inhibitory effects on the transforming growth factor-β2 expression in U937 cells.     

表达PKCα反义RNA对人肺癌细胞增殖的影响

 运用基因重组和基因转染技术 ,将 PKCα c DNA反向插入的重组质粒 p XJ41 - CKPα导入人肺癌 LTEPa- 2细胞 .经 Northern印迹 ,Western印迹等检验 ,表明成功地建立了稳定表达 PKCα反义 RNA的人肺癌细胞 (LT· AS4) .进一步研究了表达 PKCα反义 RNA对人肺癌细胞 LTEPa-2增殖的影响 .结果表明 ,表达 PKCα反义 RNA可抑制人肺癌细胞增殖速率 ,流式细胞光度术检测 ,G1 期细胞百分数增加 ,S期细胞百分数降低 ,并进一步探讨了其作用机理 ,观察到与增殖相关基因 c- myc、Ca M和 Cyclin B1的表达水平均下降 .这可能是 PKCα表达被阻抑、负调细胞增殖的分子机理之一     

Betulinic acid-induced Mcl-1 expression in human melanoma--mode of action and functional significance

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no information on the regulation of expression and physiological role of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 in cells of the melanocytic lineage. This study investigates the regulation and expression of Mcl-1 in human melanoma cells, which was recently found to be induced by betulinic acid, a compound with anti-melanoma and apoptosis-inducing potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mcl-1 phosphorthioate antisense oligonucleotides were used to investigate the effect of downregulating the expression of Mcl-1. Regulation of Mcl-1 expression was analyzed with the specific PI3-kinase inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin and the inhibitor of MAP-kinase activation, PD98059. Western blot analysis was performed with anti ERK1/2, Mcl-1, Bak, Bcl-x and Bax antibodies. Activation status of PI-3 kinase and MAP-kinase pathways was investigated using phospho-Akt and phosphorylation-state independent Akt as well as phospho-MAP kinase, phospho-MEK and phospho-GSK-3alpha/beta antibodies. RESULTS: Upregulation of Mcl-1 in human melanoma cells by betulinic acid is mediated via a signal-transduction pathway that is inhibited by LY294002 and wortmannin. Betulinic acid-induced phosphorylation and activation of the Akt protein kinase was inhibited by LY294002. The inhibitor PD98059 reduced expression levels of Mcl-1 in melanoma cells and this effect was counteracted by betulinic acid. Downregulation of Mcl-1 by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in combination with betulinic treatment led to a synergistic effect regarding growth inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in human melanoma cells Mcl-1 is (i) of functional relevance for survival and (ii) subject to dual regulation by the MAP- kinase pathway and a pathway involving protein kinase B/Akt, the latter of which is modulated in response to betulinic acid. This study provides an experimental foundation for future therapeutic strategies using anti-Mcl-1 antisense oligonucleotides in human melanoma.     

c-Jun N-terminal kinase is essential for growth of human T98G glioblastoma cells

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway is activated by numerous cellular stresses. Although it has been implicated in mediating apoptosis and growth factor signaling, its role in regulating cell growth is not yet clear. Here, the influence of JNK on basal (unstimulated) growth of human tumor glioblastoma T98G cells was investigated using highly specific JNK antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit JNK expression. Transient depletion of either JNK1 or JNK2 suppressed cell growth associated with an inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell cycle arrest in S phase. The growth-inhibitory potency of JNK2 antisense ((JNK)2 IC(50) = 0.14 micrometer) was greater than that of JNK1 antisense ((JNK)1 IC(50) = 0.37 micrometer), suggesting that JNK2 plays a dominant role in regulating growth of T98G cells. Indeed, JNK2 antisense-treated populations exhibited greater inhibition of DNA synthesis and accumulation of S-phase cells than did the JNK1 antisense-treated cultures, with a significant proportion of these cells detaching from the tissue culture plate. JNK2 (but not JNK1) antisense-treated cultures exhibited marked elevation in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(cip1/waf1) accompanied by inhibition of Cdk2/Cdc2 kinase activities. Taken together, these results indicate that JNK is required for growth of T98G cells in nonstress conditions and that p21(cip1/waf1) may contribute to the sustained growth arrest of JNK2-depleted T98G cultures.     

STAT3 regulates the growth and immunoglobulin production of BCL(1) B cell lymphoma through control of cell cycle progression

STAT3 is constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine(705) in self-renewing, CD5(+) murine B-1 lymphocytes. Nuclear extracts from untreated primary B-1 or CD5(+) BCL(1) B lymphoma cells were found to contain immunoreactive STAT3 protein that binds to a sis-inducible element present in the promoter of the p21(waf1/cip1) tumor suppressor gene and is constitutively phosphorylated on serine(727). To determine the functional significance of constitutive STAT3 activation in B lymphoma cells, a specific STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide was developed and used to examine basal BCL(1) cell growth and IgM production. Abrogating STAT3 expression in BCL(1) cells inhibited their proliferative capacity and induced a corresponding decrease in secretion of IgM. Cell cycle analysis showed a block in progression through G1 in BCL(1) cells treated with the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide. These results indicate that STAT3 controls cell growth and immunoglobulin secretion by enhancing progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle in BCL(1) B cell lymphoma.     

Benzo[a]pyrene-induced cell cycle progression is through ERKs/cyclin D1 pathway and requires the activation of JNKs and p38 mapk in human diploid lung fibroblasts

Treatment of cells with carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) allows cells to evade G1 arrest and induces cells abnormal proliferation. However, the mechanisms of its action at cellular level are not well understood. To address this question, normal human embryo lung diploid fibroblasts (HELF) were selected in the present study. We found that exposure of cells with 2.5 μM of B[a]P for 24 h resulted in a decrease of G1 population by 11.9% (P < 0.05) and a increase of S population by 17.2% (P < 0.05). Treatment of cells with B[a]P also caused dose-related activation of MAPK and induction of cyclin D1 protein expression, whereas the CDK4 protein levels were not significantly affected by B[a]P. Overexpression of cyclin D1 protein stimulated by B[a]P was significantly inhibited by 50 μM AG126 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2), but not by 25 μM SP600125 (an inhibitor of JNK1/2) or 5 μM SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 mapk), suggesting that B[a]P-induced cyclin D1 expression was only regulated by ERK1/2 pathway. However, AG126, SP600125 or SB203580 led to cell cycle significantly arrested in G1 phase, indicating that ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 mapk pathways are all required for B[a]P-induced G1/S transition. In addition, HELF cells transfecting with antisense cyclin D1 cDNA or antisense CDK4 cDNA showed significantly G1 arrest after B[a]P stimulation. These results suggested that B[a]P exposure accelerated the G1→S transition by activation of MAPK signaling pathways. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 are rate-limiting regulators of the G1→S transition and expression of cyclin D1 is predominantly regulated by ERK1/2 pathway in HELF cells.     

Mechanisms of peritoneal B-1a cells accumulation induced by murine lupus susceptibility locus Sle2

The abundance of B-1a cells found in the peritoneal cavity of mice is under genetic control. The lupus-prone mouse New Zealand Black and New Zealand White (NZB x NZW)F(1) and its derivative NZM2410 are among the strains with the highest numbers of peritoneal B1-a cells. We have previously identified an NZM2410 genetic locus, Sle2, which is associated with the production of large numbers of B-1a cells. In this paper, we examined the mechanisms responsible for this phenotype by comparing congenic C57BL/6 mice with or without Sle2. Fetal livers generated more B-1a cells in B6.Sle2 mice, providing them with a greater starting number of B-1a cells early in life. Sle2-expressing B1-a cells proliferated significantly more in vivo than their B6 counterparts, and reciprocal adoptive transfers showed that this phenotype is intrinsic to Sle2 peritoneal B cells. The rate of apoptosis detected was significantly lower in B6.Sle2 peritoneal cavity B-1a cells than in B6, with or without exogenous B cell receptor cross-linking. Increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis did not affect Sle2 peritoneal B-2 cells. In addition, a significant number of peritoneal cavity B-1a cells were recovered in lethally irradiated B6.Sle2 mice reconstituted with B6.Igh(a) bone marrow, showing radiation resistance in Sle2 B-1a cells or its precursors. Finally, B6.Sle2 adult bone marrow and spleen were a significant source of peritoneal B-1a cells when transferred into B6.Rag2(-/-) mice. This suggests that peritoneal B-1a cells are replenished throughout the animal life span in B6.Sle2 mice. These results show that Sle2 regulates the size of the B-1a cell compartment at multiple developmental checkpoints.     

Evidence for differential functions of the p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B with a cell adhesion model.

The p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B represent two members of a gene family that shares considerable homology to the rel oncogene. Proteins encoded by these genes form homo- and heterodimers which recognize a common DNA sequence motif. Recent data have suggested that homodimers of individual subunits of NF-kappa B can selectively activate gene expression in vitro. To explore this possibility in a more physiological manner, murine embryonic stem (ES) cells were treated with phosphorothio antisense oligonucleotides to either p50 or p65. Within 5 h after exposure to phosphorothio antisense p65 oligonucleotides, cells exhibited dramatic alterations in adhesion properties. Similar findings were obtained in a stable cell line that expressed a dexamethasone-inducible antisense mRNA to p65. Although antisense oligonucleotides raised against both p50 and p65 elicited a significant reduction in their respective mRNAs, only the cells treated with antisense p50 maintained a normal morphology. However, 6 days following removal of leukemia-inhibiting factor, a growth factor which suppresses embryonic stem cell differentiation, adhesion properties of cells treated with the antisense p50 oligonucleotides were markedly affected. The ability of the individual antisense oligonucleotides to elicit differential effects on cell adhesion, a property dependent upon the stage of differentiation, suggests that the p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B regulate gene expression either as homodimers or as heterodimers with other rel family members. Furthermore, the finding that reduction in p65 expression alone had profound effects on cell adhesion properties indicates that p65 plays an important role in nonstimulated cells and cannot exist solely complexed with the cytosolic inhibitory protein I kappa B.     

Subunit composition of G(o) proteins functionally coupling galanin receptors to voltage-gated calcium channels.

The neuropeptide galanin is widely expressed in the central nervous system and other tissues and induces different cellular reactions, e.g. hormone release from pituitary and inhibition of insulin release from pancreatic B cells. By microinjection of antisense oligonucleotides we studied the question as to which G proteins mediate the galanin-induced inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in the rat pancreatic B-cell line RINm5F and in the rat pituitary cell line GH3. Injection of antisense oligonucleotides directed against alpha 01, beta 2, beta 3, gamma 2 and gamma 4 G protein subunits reduced the inhibition of Ca2+ channel current which was induced by galanin, whereas no change was seen after injection of cells with antisense oligonucleotides directed against alpha i, alpha q, alpha 11, alpha 14, alpha 15, beta 1, beta 4, gamma 1, gamma 3, gamma 5, or gamma 7 G protein subunits or with sense control oligonucleotides. In view of these data and of previous results, we conclude that the galanin receptors in GH3 and in RINm5F cells couple mainly to the G(0) protein consisting of alpha 01 beta 2 gamma 2 to inhibit Ca2+ channels and use alpha 01beta 3 gamma 4 less efficiently. The latter G protein composition was previously shown to be used by muscarinic M4 receptors to inhibit Ca2+ channels.     

DNA ploidy and proliferative activity of human pulmonary epithelium

DNA ploidy and distribution has been determined in normal and abnormal bronchial, bronchiolar and alveolar epithelium from 22 patients, aged between 0 and 85 years, 9 of whom had received chemotherapy for malignant disease. The DNA ploidy was diploid in all the specimens examined. The S + G2/M fraction was significantly greater in diseased than normal bronchial trees. In the bronchial epithelium, mean values +/- the standard deviation (SD) were 5.5 +/- 2.2% vs 1.1 +/- 0.6%, in bronchiolar epithelium 4.6 +/- 1.6% vs 1.0 +/- 0.9% and in alveolar epithelium 4.6 +/- 1.6% vs 0.8 +/- 0.5%. The highest S + G2/M value of 8.9% was obtained from inflamed bronchial epithelium. Polyploid cells up to the octaploid range occurred infrequently but their incidence was slightly increased to between 0.16% and 0.9% in diseased lungs and in patients who had received chemotherapeutic drugs. It was concluded that (1) non-cancerous drugs. It was concluded that (1) non-cancerous pulmonary epithelium is diploid, that (2) pulmonary epithelium shows steady-state renewal at all ages and polyploid cells are rare under normal conditions and that (3) the S + G2/M fraction increases up to approximately 10% in reactive proliferative states.     

The H2 haplotype regulates the distribution of B cells into B-1a,B-1b and B-2 subsets

The size of B-cell subsets appears to be under genetic control, but the mechanism of this regulation is unknown. By analyzing five congenic strains of mice that differ only in their H2 haplotype, we addressed the issue of whether the MHC genes are involved in the relative proportions of B-1a, B-1b and B-2 cells. Not only were there considerable differences in the percentages of B-1 in B cells between H2s mice which were the highest [78.5+/-0.8% in the peritoneal cavity (PerC), and 26.3+/-0.5% in the spleen] and H2d mice, which were the lowest (15.2+/-0.6% in the PerC, and 10.9+/-0.6% in the spleen), but the percentages of B-1a cells varied inversely to those of B-1. Crosses between H2s and H2d strains showed that the highest B-1 frequencies occurred in F2 progeny expressing the homozygous H2s (70.8+/-2.1% in the PerC, and 30.0+/-0.5 in the spleen), and the lowest in that expressing the homozygous H2d haplotype (8.9+/-0.6% in the PerC, and 8.6+/-0.4% in the spleen). A dose effect of H2 was established in heterozygous F1 and F2 mice. As mice aged, there was a reduction of B-1 cells in the PerC, at the expense of B-1b in the H2s, but not in the H2d mice. Hence, the H2 genes appear to participate in regulating the proportions of B-1a, B-1b and B-2 cells.     

Alternative splicing variant of NRP/B promotes tumorigenesis of gastric cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer is associated with a high mortality rate. Here, we report that the splice variant of NRP/B contributes to tumorigenic activity in highly malignant gastric cancer through dissociation from the tumor repressor, HDAC5. NRP/B mRNA expression is significantly higher in the human gastric cancer tissues than in the normal tissues. Further, high levels of both the NRP/B splice variant and Lgr5, but not the full-length protein, are found in highly tumorigenic gastric tumor cells, but not in non-tumorigenic cells. The loss of NRP/B markedly inhibits cell migration and invasion, which reduces tumor formation in vivo. Importantly, the inhibition of alternative splicing increases the levels of NRP/B-1 mRNA and protein in AGS cells. The ectopic expression of full-length NRP/B exhibits tumor-suppressive activity, whereas NRP/B-2 induces the noninvasive human gastric cancer cells tumorigenesis. The splice variant NRP/B-2 which loses the capacity to interact with tumor repressors promoted oncogenic activity, suggesting that the BTB/POZ domain in the N-terminus has a crucial role in the suppression of gastric cancer. Therefore, the regulation of alternative splicing of the NRP/B gene is a potential novel target for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.     

Retroviral-mediated gene transfer of the peripheral myelin protein PMP22 in Schwann cells: modulation of cell growth.

The peripheral myelin gene PMP22 is the rat and human homologue of the murine growth arrest-specific gene gas3. Besides a putative role of PMP22 in myelination, a regulatory function in cell growth has been suspected. Here we have investigated both the expression of PMP22 during cell cycle progression of cultured rat Schwann cells and the influence of altered levels of PMP22 on Schwann cell growth. When resting cells were stimulated to begin the cell cycle, the regulation of PMP22 mRNA resembled the growth arrest-specific pattern of gas3 expression observed previously in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. To prove a growth regulatory function of PMP22, we generated Schwann cell cultures by infection with retroviral PMP22 expression vectors that constitutively expressed PMP22 cDNA sequences, in either the sense or antisense orientation. Transduced cells carrying the sense construct overexpressed PMP22 mRNA and protein, whereas in cells infected with an antisense PMP22 expression vector PMP22 mRNA levels were reduced markedly. Altered levels of PMP22 significantly modulated Schwann cell proliferation, as judged by 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine incorporation into replicated DNA. In asynchronously dividing cultures enhanced expression of PMP22 decreased DNA synthesis to 60% of the control level. Conversely, reduced levels of PMP22 mRNA led to enhanced DNA synthesis of approximately 150%. Further cell cycle analyses by flow cytometry revealed that overexpression of PMP22 delayed serum- and forskolin-stimulated entry of resting Schwann cells from G0/G1 into the S + G2/M phases by approximately 8 h, whereas underexpression of PMP22 mRNA slightly increased the proportion of cells that entered the S + G2/M phases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)