Prostaglandin E(2) upregulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) has been implicated in the regulation of inflammatory and immunological events. Using RAW 264.7 macrophages, the present study investigates the influence of PGE(2) on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Incubation of cells with PGE(2) increased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Upregulation of COX-2 expression by PGE(2) was completely abolished by the specific adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and mimicked by butaprost, a selective agonist of the adenylyl cyclase-coupled PGE(2) receptor subtype 2 (EP(2)), or 11-deoxy PGE(1), an EP(2)/EP(4) receptor agonist. By contrast, the EP(3)/EP(1) receptor agonists 17-phenyl-omega-trinor PGE(2) and sulprostone left LPS-induced COX-2 expression virtually unaltered. Upregulation of LPS-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE(2) synthesis was also observed in the presence of the cell-permeable cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP and the adenylyl cyclase activator cholera toxin. Together, our data demonstrate that PGE(2) potentiates COX-2 mRNA expression via an adenylyl cyclase/cAMP-dependent pathway. In conclusion, upregulation of COX-2 expression via an autocrine feed-forward loop may in part contribute to the well-known capacity of PGE(2)/cAMP to modulate inflammatory processes.     

Regulation of PC12 cell survival and differentiation by the new P2Y-like receptor GPR17

The P2Y-like receptor GPR17 has been reported to respond to both uracil nucleotides and cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cysLTs), such as UDP-glucose and LTD₄. Our previous data suggest a potential role for GPR17 in regulation of both cell viability and differentiation state of central nervous system cells. On this basis, in the present paper we investigated the effect of GPR17 receptor ligands on PC12 cell viability, following induction of morphological differentiation by nerve growth factor (NGF). In addition, the role of GPR17 ligands, either alone or in combination with growth factors, on the degree of PC12 cell differentiation was investigated. GPR17, which was not basally expressed in undifferentiated PC12 cells, was specifically induced by a 10 day-treatment with NGF, suggesting a role in the control of neuronal specification. Both UDP-glucose and LTD₄, agonists at the nucleotide and cysLT GPR17 binding sites, respectively, induced a significant pro-survival effect on PC12 cells after priming with NGF. By in vitro silencing experiments with specific small interfering RNAs and by using receptor antagonists, we confirmed that the agonist effects are indeed mediated by the selective activation of GPR17. We also demonstrated that GPR17 agonists act, both alone and synergistically with NGF, to promote neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. In addition, GPR17 ligands were able to confer an NGF-like activity to the epidermal growth factor (EGF), that, under these experimental conditions, also promoted cell differentiation and neurite elongation.Finally, we show that GPR17 ligands activate the intracellular phosphorylation of both ERK 1/2 and p38 kinases, that have been identified as important signalling pathways for neurotrophins in PC12 cells.Our results establish GPR17 as a neurotrophic regulator for neuronal-like cells and suggest a possible interplay between endogenous uracil derivatives, cysLTs and NGF in the signalling pathways involved in neuronal survival and differentiation. They also represent the first direct demonstration, in a native system, that GPR17 can indeed be activated by uracil nucleotides and cysLTs, in line with what previously demonstrated in recombinant expression systems.     

Expression of human p140trk receptors in p140trk-deficient,PC12/endothelial cells results in nerve growth factor-induced signal transduction and DNA synthesis

Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates proliferation, differentiation, and survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons through the tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor, p140^trk. These biological effects of NGF depend upon the signal-mediating function of p140^trk substrates which are likely to differ from cell to cell. To define p140^trk receptor substrates and the details of signalling by NGF in the hybrid cell PC12EN, we stably transfected cultures with a vector encoding a full-length human p140^trk cDNA sequence. Two stably transfected clones, one expressing p140^trk with higher affinity (PC12EN-trk3; K_d 57.4 pM, B_max 9.7 pmole/mg) and one expressing p140^trk with a lower affinity (PC12EN-trk1; K_d 392.4 pM, B_max 5.7 pmole/mg) were generated. Radioreceptor assays indicate that transfected p140^trk receptors show slow NGF-dissociation kinetics, are resistant to trypsin or Triton X-100 treatment, are specific for NGF compared to other neurotrophins, and are internalized or downregulated as are native PC12 p140^trk receptors. NGF stimulates p140^trk tyrosine phosphorylation in a dose- (0.01-10 ng/ml) and time- (5-120 min) dependent manner, and tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by 200-1,000 nM K-252a. NGF-induced Erk stimulation for 60 min was assessed using myelin basic protein as a substrate. NGF treatment also led to an increased phosphorylation of p70^S6k, SNT, and phospholipase Cγ, demonstrating that the major NGF-stimulated signalling pathways found in other cells are activated in PC12EN-trk cells. Staurosporine (5-50 nM) rapidly and dBcAMP (1 mM) more slowly, but not NGF induced morphological differentiation in PC12EN-trk cells. Rather, NGF treatment in low-serum medium stimulated a 1.3- and 2.3-fold increase in DNA synthesis measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation in PC12EN-trk1 and PC12EN-trk3, respectively. These data highlight the functionality of the transfected p140^trk receptors and indicate that these transfected cells may serve as a novel cellular model facilitating the study of the mitogenic properties of NGF signalling and the transducing role of the p140^trk receptor substrates. J. Cell. Biochem. 66:229-244. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.     

Prostaglandin receptors: advances in the study of EP3 receptor signaling

Prostaglandin (PG) E(2) produces a broad range of physiological and pharmacological actions in diverse tissues through specific receptors on plasma membranes for maintenance of local homeostasis in the body. PGE receptors are divided into four subtypes, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4, which have been identified and cloned. These EP receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor family. Among these subtypes, the EP3 receptor is unique in its ability to couple to multiple G proteins. EP3 receptor signals are primarily involved in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via G(i) activation, and in Ca(2+)-mobilization through G(beta)(gamma) from G(i). Along with G(i) activation, the EP3 receptor can stimulate cAMP production via G(s) activation. Recent evidence indicates that the EP3 receptor can augment G(s)-coupled receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, and can also be coupled to the G(13) protein, resulting in activation of the small G protein Rho followed by morphological changes in neuronal cells. This article focuses on recent studies on the novel pathways of EP3 receptor signaling.     

Augmentation of receptor-mediated adenylyl cyclase activity by Gi-coupled prostaglandin receptor subtype EP3 in a Gbetagamma subunit-independent manner.

We previously demonstrated that the mouse EP3beta receptor and its C-terminal tail-truncated receptor (abbreviated T-335) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed agonist-dependent and fully constitutive Gi activity in forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, respectively. Here we examined the effect of the EP3beta receptor or T-335 receptor on adenylyl cyclase activity stimulated by the Gs-coupled EP2 subtype receptor in COS-7 cells. As a result, sulprostone, a selective EP3 agonist, dose dependently augmented butaprost-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in EP3beta receptor- or T-335 receptor-expressing COS-7 cells. However, such adenylyl cyclase augmentation was not attenuated by either pertussis toxin treatment or expression of the PH domain of rat betaARK1, which serves as a scavenger of Gbetagamma subunits, but was partially attenuated by treatment with either 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester, an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, or W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor. These findings suggest that the C-terminal tail of the EP3beta receptor is not essentially involved in activation of EP2 receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent but Gbetagamma subunit-independent manner.     

Soluble adenylyl cyclase mediates nerve growth factor-induced activation of Rap1

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and the ubiquitous second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) are both implicated in neuronal differentiation. Multiple studies indicate that NGF signals to at least a subset of its targets via cAMP, but the link between NGF and cAMP has remained elusive. Here, we have described the use of small molecule inhibitors to differentiate between the two known sources of cAMP in mammalian cells, bicarbonate- and calcium-responsive soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) and G protein-regulated transmembrane adenylyl cyclases. These inhibitors, along with sAC-specific small interfering RNA, reveal that sAC is uniquely responsible for the NGF-elicited rise in cAMP and is essential for the NGF-induced activation of the small G protein Rap1 in PC12 cells. In contrast and as expected, transmembrane adenylyl cyclase-generated cAMP is responsible for Rap1 activation by the G protein-coupled receptor ligand PACAP (pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide). These results identify sAC as a mediator of NGF signaling and reveal the existence of distinct pathways leading to cAMP-dependent signal transduction.     

Heterologous desensitization of the human dopamine D1 receptor in Y1 adrenal cells and in a desensitization-resistant Y1 mutant.

In previous studies, mutant clones (designated Y1DR) were isolated that resisted ACTH-induced homologous desensitization of adenylyl cyclase. The Y1DR mutation also conferred resistance to the homologous desensitization induced by agonist stimulation of transfected beta 2-adrenergic receptors. These observations suggested that ACTH and beta 2-adrenergic agonists homologously desensitized adenylyl cyclase in Y1 cells by a common mechanism. In the present study, parental Y1 cells (Y1DS) and the Y1DR mutant were transfected with the gene encoding the human dopamine D1 receptor and examined for regulation of adenylyl cyclase by dopaminergic agonists. Transformants were isolated from both cell lines and shown to respond to dopamine agonists with increases in adenylyl cyclase activity. Treatment of the Y1DS transformants with ACTH promoted a rapid, homologous desensitization of adenylyl cyclase and had little effect on the responses to dopamine or NaF; treatment of Y1DS with dopaminergic agonists promoted a slower rate of heterologous desensitization that diminished responsiveness of the adenylyl cyclase system to dopamine, ACTH, and NaF. Y1DR cells transfected with the dopamine D1 receptor were resistant to the heterologous desensitization of adenylyl cyclase induced by dopaminergic agonists. These latter observations suggest that the pathways of homologous desensitization and heterologous desensitization converge at a common point in the desensitization pathway defined by the DR mutation in Y1 cells.     

Induction of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by the bacterial nucleoside N6-methyldeoxyadenosine is mediated through adenosine A2a receptors and via cAMP and MAPK signaling pathways

We have previously shown that N(6)-methyldeoxyadenosine (MDA) is an inducer of differentiation in several tumor cells. Here we show that in addition to its ability to induce neurite-outgrowth in PC12 cells, MDA also significantly enhances the nerve-growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth of these cells. Thus, MDA acts synergistically with NGF to repress cdc2 and cdk2 synthesis and to enhance tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis. To further elucidate the mechanisms of action of MDA, we investigated the effect of this drug on various signaling pathways. The neuritogenesis observed in PC12 following MDA treatment is mediated through activation of adenylyl cyclase in a PKA independent process and through the recruitment of the p44/p42 MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the adenosine A(2a) receptor antagonist ZM 241385 prevents the MDA-induced neuritogenesis, suggesting that MDA mediates its effect via this adenylyl cyclase-coupled A(2a) receptor. Collectively, these findings suggest that, in PC12 cells, the MDA-induced neuritogenesis requires the recruitment of adenosine A(2a) receptor, the stimulation of adenylate cyclase, and the activation of the p44/42MAP kinase cascade.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes is modulated by cyclic AMP, prostaglandin E(2), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Using human blood monocytes (for determination of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA by RT-PCR) and human whole blood (for prostanoid determination), the present study investigates the influence of the second messenger cAMP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 expression with particular emphasis on the role of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in this process. Elevation of intracellular cAMP with a cell-permeable cAMP analogue (dibutyryl cAMP), an adenylyl cyclase activator (cholera toxin), or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) substantially enhanced LPS-induced PGE(2) formation and COX-2 mRNA expression, but did not modify COX-2 enzyme activity. Moreover, up-regulation of LPS-induced COX-2 expression was caused by PGE(2), butaprost (selective agonist of the adenylyl cyclase-coupled EP(2) receptor) and 11-deoxy PGE(1) (EP(2)/EP(4) agonist), whereas sulprostone (EP(3)/EP(1) agonist) left COX-2 expression unaltered. Abrogation of LPS-induced PGE(2) synthesis with the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 caused a decrease in COX-2 mRNA levels that was restored by exogenous PGE(2) and mimicked by S(+)-flurbiprofen and ketoprofen. Overall, these results indicate a modulatory role of cAMP in the regulation of COX-2 expression. PGE(2), a cAMP-elevating final product of the COX-2 pathway, may autoregulate COX-2 expression in human monocytes via a positive feedback mechanism.     

Changes in the distribution of adenylate cyclase activity in PC 12 cells under the influence of nerve growth factor

Changes in distribution of adenylate cyclase in PC 12 cells under the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) have been studied using cytochemical methods. The adenylate cyclase activity was predominantly associated with the plasma membrane. In cell cultures without NGF the activity was revealed on the contacting surfaces of cell aggregates; single grains of reaction product were revealed on exposed cell surface only in cultures with a high cell density. One day after administration of NGF, the adenylate cyclase activity on exposed cell surface increased, and three days later the whole cell surface was covered with lead sediment. The enzyme activity was also revealed in growth cones, filopodia and microcytospheres. The role of adenydlate cyclase system in neuron-like differentiation of PC 12 cells is discussed.     

Activation of 5-HT1A receptors expressed in NIH-3T3 cells induces focus formation and potentiates EGF effect on DNA synthesis.

NIH-3T3 fibroblasts have been transfected with human serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. Clonal cell lines expressed between 40 and 500 fmol receptor/mg. 5-HT1A agonists strongly inhibited nonstimulated- as well as forskolin- or isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. The effects of 5-HT1A receptor activation on cell growth were investigated. 5-HT1A agonists accelerated cell division, generated foci, and increased DNA synthesis. The stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation was much stronger when tyrosine kinase receptors were activated concomitantly. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) elevating agents inhibited DNA synthesis induced by all mitogens tested. The mitogenic activity of 5-HT1A agonists did not seem to be linked to adenylyl cyclase inhibition because 1) we were not able to measure any decrease in intracellular cAMP levels under the conditions of DNA synthesis assay and 2) 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, which strongly inhibited adenylyl cyclase, was not mitogenic and did not modify the mitogenic effects of 5-HT1A agonists. Pertussis toxin completely blocked potentiation of epidermal growth factor effect induced by 8-hydroxy-di-(n-propyl)aminotetralin, a 5-HT1A agonist, but only partially blocked the one induced by insulin. In conclusion, in transfected NIH-3T3 cells, transforming and mitogenic effects of 5-HT1A agonists involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein but do not seem to be linked to adenylyl cyclase inhibition.     

Beta-adrenergic receptor in the brain: comparison of 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding sites and a beta-adrenergic receptor regulating adenylyl cyclase activity in cell free homogenates.

The properties of specific ³H-dihydroalprenolol binding sites resemble the properties of the beta-receptor regulating hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity in an homogenate of rabbit cerebellum. The rabbit cerebellum has 5 to 6 pmole per gm (wet weight) of high affinity (K_D=1.3 nM) specific binding sites for ³H-dihydroalprenolol. the interaction of several beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists with the specific binding sites is rapid, reversible, and demonstrates stereospecificity which parallels the properties of the beta receptor. Beta-adrenergic agonists show a similar potency as agonists upon adenylyl cyclase activity and as inhibitors of ³H-dihydroalprenolol binding: i.e. l-isoproterenol > l-epinephrine > l-norepinephrine (suggesting a beta₂ adrenergic receptor). The binding affinities of several beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists for the specific binding sites approximate the affinities of these compounds for the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Thus, the ³H-dihydroalprenolol binding sites have properties similar to the beta-adrenergic receptor regulating adenylyl cyclase activity in a rabbit cerebellar homogenate.     

Prostaglandin E<Subscript>2</Subscript> (PGE<Subscript>2</Subscript>) suppresses natural killer cell function primarily through the PGE<Subscript>2</Subscript> receptor EP4

The COX-2 product prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) contributes to the high metastatic capacity of breast tumors. Our published data indicate that inhibiting either PGE₂ production or PGE₂-mediated signaling through the PGE₂ receptor EP4 reduces metastasis by a mechanism that requires natural killer (NK) cells. It is known that NK cell function is compromised by PGE₂, but very little is known about the mechanism by which PGE₂ affects NK effector activity. We now report the direct effects of PGE₂ on the NK cell. Endogenous murine splenic NK cells express all four PGE₂ receptors (EP1-4). We examined the role of EP receptors in three NK cell functions: migration, cytotoxicity, and cytokine release. Like PGE₂, the EP4 agonist PGE₁-OH blocked NK cell migration to FBS and to four chemokines (ITAC, MIP-1α, SDF-1α, and CCL21). The EP2 agonist, Butaprost, inhibited migration to specific chemokines but not in response to FBS. In contrast to the inhibitory actions of PGE₂, the EP1/EP3 agonist Sulprostone increased migration. Unlike the opposing effects of EP4 vs. EP1/EP3 on migration, agonists of each EP receptor were uniformly inhibiting to NK-mediated cytotoxicity. The EP4 agonist, PGE₁-OH, inhibited IFNγ production from NK cells. Agonists for EP1, EP2, and EP3 were not as effective at inhibiting IFNγ. Agonists of EP1, EP2, and EP4 all inhibited TNFα; EP4 agonists were the most potent. Thus, the EP4 receptor consistently contributed to loss of function. These results, taken together, support a mechanism whereby inhibiting PGE₂ production or preventing signaling through the EP4 receptor may prevent suppression of NK functions that are critical to the control of breast cancer metastasis.     

Cellular senescence involves an intracrine prostaglandin E2 pathway in human fibroblasts

Cyclooxygenase 2 and release of prostaglandin E₂ are involved in many responses including inflammation and are upregulated during cellular senescence. However, little is known about the role of lipid inflammatory mediators in senescence. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the COX-2/PGE₂ axis induces senescence. Using the NS398 specific inhibitor of COX-2, we provide evidence that reactive oxygen species by-produced by the COX-2 enzymatic activity are negligible in front of the total senescence-associated oxidative stress. We therefore investigated the role of PGE₂ by invalidating the PGE₂ synthases downstream of COX-2, or the specific PGE₂ receptors, or by applying PGE₂ or specific agonists or antagonists. We evaluated the effect on senescence by evaluating the senescence-associated proliferation arrest, the percentage of senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells, and the expression of senescent molecular markers such as IL-6 and MCP1. We show that PGE₂ acting on its EP specific receptors is able to induce both the onset of senescence and the maintenance of the phenotype. It did so only when the PGE₂/lactate transporter activity was enhanced, indicating that PGE₂ acts on senescence more via the pool of intracellular EP receptors than via those localized at the cell surface. Treatment with agonists, antagonists and silencing of the EP receptors by siRNA revealed that EP3 was the most involved in transducing the intracrine effects of PGE₂. Immunofluorescence experiments confirmed that EP3 was more localized in the cytoplasm than at the cell surface. Taken together, these results suggest that COX-2 contributes to the establishment and maintenance of senescence of normal human fibroblasts via an independent-ROS and a dependent-PGE₂/EPs intracrine pathway.     

NGF activates the phosphorylation of MAP1B by GSK3beta through the TrkA receptor and not the p75(NTR) receptor

We have recently shown that nerve growth factor (NGF) induces the phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) by activating the serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) in a spatio-temporal pattern in PC12 cells that correlates tightly with neurite growth. PC12 cells express two types of membrane receptor for NGF: TrkA receptors and p75NTR receptors, and it was not clear from our studies which receptor was responsible. We show here that brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which activates p75NTR but not TrkA receptors, does not stimulate GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B in PC12 cells. Similarly, NGF fails to activate GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B in PC12 cells that lack TrkA receptors but express p75NTR receptors (PC12 nnr). Chick ciliary ganglion neurons in culture lack TrkA receptors but express p75NTR and also fail to show NGF-dependent GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B, whereas in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons in culture, NGF activation of TrkA receptors elicits GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B. Finally, inhibition of TrkA receptor tyrosine kinase activity in PC12 cells and superior cervical ganglion neurons with K252a potently and dose-dependently inhibits neurite elongation while concomitantly blocking GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B. These results suggest that the activation of GSK3beta by NGF is mediated through the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor and not through p75NTR receptors.     

Fibroblast growth factor receptors participate in the control of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity during nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

The current paradigm for the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) or FGF-2 in the differentiation of neuronal cells implies their binding to specific receptors and activation of kinase cascades leading to the expression of differentiation specific genes. We examined herein the hypothesis that FGF receptors (FGFRs) are involved in NGF-induced neuritogenesis of pheochromocytoma-derived PC12 cells. We demonstrate that in PC12 cells, FGFR expression and activity are modulated upon NGF treatment and that a dominant negative FGFR-2 reduces NGF-induced neuritogenesis. Moreover, FGF-2 expression is modulated by NGF, and FGF-2 is detected at the cell surface. Oligonucleotides that specifically inhibit FGF-2 binding to its receptors are able to significantly reduce NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Finally, the duration of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity upon FGF or NGF stimulation is shortened in FGFR-2 dominant negative cells through inactivation of signaling from the receptor to the Ras/MAPK pathway. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that FGFR activation is involved in neuritogenesis induced by NGF where it contributes to a sustained MAPK activity in response to NGF.     

RabGEF1/Rabex-5 Regulates TrkA-Mediated Neurite Outgrowth and NMDA-Induced Signaling Activation in NGF-Differentiated PC12 Cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) binds to its cognate receptor TrkA and induces neuronal differentiation by activating distinct downstream signal transduction events. RabGEF1 (also known as Rabex-5) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rab5, which regulates early endosome fusion and vesicular trafficking in endocytic pathways. Here, we used the antisense (AS) expression approach to induce an NGF-dependent sustained knockdown of RabGEF1 protein expression in stable PC12 transfectants. We show that RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and modulates other cellular and signaling processes that are activated by the interaction of NGF with TrkA receptors, such as cell cycle progression, cessation of proliferation, and activation of NGF-mediated downstream signaling responses. Moreover, RabGEF1 can bind to Rac1, and the activation of Rac1 upon NGF treatment is significantly enhanced in AS transfectants, suggesting that RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of NGF-induced Rac1 activation in PC12 cells. Furthermore, we show that RabGEF1 can also interact with NMDA receptors by binding to the NR2B subunit and its associated binding partner SynGAP, and negatively regulates activation of nitric oxide synthase activity induced by NMDA receptor stimulation in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. Our data suggest that RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of TrkA-dependent neuronal differentiation and of NMDA receptor-mediated signaling activation in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.     

Prostaglandin E Receptor Subtypes in Cultured Rat Microglia and Their Role in Reducing Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-1 β Production

Abstract : Prostaglandins (PGs) are potent modulators of brain function under normal and pathological conditions. The diverse effects of PGs are due to the various actions of specific receptor subtypes for these prostanoids. Recent work has shown that PGE₂, while generally considered a proinflammatory molecule, reduces microglial activation and thus has an antiinflammatory effect on these cells. To gain further insight to the mechanisms by which PGE₂ influences the activation of microglia, we investigated PGE receptor subtype, i.e., EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4, expression and function in cultured rat microglia. RT-PCR showed the presence of the EP1 and EP2 but not EP3 and EP4 receptor subtypes. Sequencing confirmed their identity with previously published receptor subtypes. PGE₂ and the EP1 agonist 17-phenyl trinor PGE₂ but not the EP3 agonist sulprostone elicited reversible intracellular [Ca²⁺] increases in microglia as measured by fura-2. PGE₂ and the EP2/EP4-specific agonists 11-deoxy-PGE₁ and 19-hydroxy-PGE₂ but not the EP4-selective agonist 1-hydroxy-PGE₁ induced dose-dependent production of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Interleukin (IL)-1β production, a marker of activated microglia, was also measured following lipopolysaccharide exposure in the presence or absence of the receptor subtype agonists. PGE₂ and the EP2 agonists reduced IL-1β production. IL-1β production was unchanged by EP1, EP3, and EP4 agonists. The adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin and the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP also reduced IL-1β production. Thus, the inhibitory effects of PGE₂ on microglia are mediated by the EP2 receptor subtype, and the signaling mechanism of this effect is likely via cAMP. These results show that the effects of PGE₂ on microglia are receptor subtype-specific. Furthermore, they suggest that specific and selective manipulation of the effects of PGs on microglia and, as a result, brain function may be possible.