Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 regulates leukocyte recruitment during gastric ulcer recurrence induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

TNF-alpha has numerous biological activities, including the induction of chemokine expression, and is involved in many gastric injuries. C-C chemokines [monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha] and C-X-C chemokines [MIP-2 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2alpha] mediate chemotaxis of monocytes and neutrophils, respectively. We examined the roles of TNF-alpha and dynamics of chemokine expression in gastric ulceration including ulcer recurrence and indomethacin-induced injury. Rats with healed chronic gastric ulcers received intraperitoneal TNF-alpha to induce ulcer recurrence. Some rats were given neutralizing antibodies against neutrophils or MCP-1 together with TNF-alpha. In a separate experiment, rats were orally administered 20 mg/kg indomethacin with or without pretreatment with pentoxifylline (an inhibitor of TNF-alpha synthesis) or anti-MCP-1 antibody. TNF-alpha (1 microg/kg) induced gastric ulcer recurrence after 48 h, which was completely prevented by anti-neutrophil antibody. TNF-alpha increased the number of macrophages and MCP-1 mRNA expression in scarred mucosa from 4 h, whereas it increased MPO activities (marker of neutrophil infiltration) and mRNA expression of MIP-2 and CINC-2alpha from 24 h. Anti-MCP-1 antibody inhibited leukocyte infiltration with reduction of the levels of C-X-C chemokines and prevented ulcer recurrence. Indomethacin treatment increased TNF-alpha/chemokine mRNA expression from 30 min and induced macroscopic erosions after 4 h. Pentoxifylline inhibited the indomethacin-induced gastric injury with reduction of neutrophil infiltration and expression of chemokine (MCP-1, MIP-2, and CINC-2alpha). Anti-MCP-1 antibody also inhibited the injury and these inflammatory responses but did not affect TNF-alpha mRNA expression. In conclusion, increased MCP-1 triggered by TNF-alpha may play a key role in gastric ulceration by regulating leukocyte recruitment and chemokine expression.     

Pathological change of articular cartilage in the mandibular head treated with immunosuppressant FK 506

While several reports have documented immunosuppressant-induced osteoporosis, the exact mechanism of the pathological change of the joint remains to be clarified. In the present study, we have demonstrated the pathological change of the articular cartilage in the mandibular head of five Sprague-Dawley rats administered with the immunosuppressant FK 506 for 28 days. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography of the mandibular heads in treated rats showed a significant decrease in trabecular bone volume compared to control rats. Histological observation revealed atrophic change of the articular cartilage. Immunohistological observation using anti-proliferative cell nuclear antibody (PCNA), type I, II, and type X collagen antibodies showed significantly decreased proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage compared with the control group (p<0.05). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining revealed no significant difference in the numbers of osteoclasts at the chondro-osseous junction. Thus, FK 506 administration inhibited chondrogenic cell proliferation and differentiation and might cause osteoporotic change of subcartilage trabecular bone that subsequently forms in the mandibular head.     

An RNA-dependent protein kinase is involved in tunicamycin-induced apoptosis and Alzheimer's disease

Various types of stress, such as disruption of calcium homeostasis, inhibition of protein glycosylation and reduction of disulfide bonds, result in accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The initial cellular response involves removal of such proteins by the ER, but excessive and/or long-term stress results in apoptosis. In this study, we used a randomized ribozyme library and ER stress-mediated apoptosis (tunicamycin-induced apoptosis) in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells as a selective phenotype to identify factors involved in this process. We identified a double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) as one of the participants in this process. The level of nuclear PKR was elevated, but the level of cytoplasmic PKR barely changed in tunicamycin-treated SK-N-SH cells. Furthermore, tunicamycin also raised levels of phosphorylated PKR in the nucleus. We also detected the accumulation of phosphorylated PKR in the nuclei of autopsied brain tissues in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, PKR might play a role in ER stress-induced apoptosis and in Alzheimer's disease.     

Cathepsin L is crucial for a Th1-type immune response during Leishmania major infection

Prior to the activation of CD4+ T cells, exogenous proteins are digested by endo/lysosomal enzymes in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to produce antigenic peptides that are presented on MHC class II molecules. In the studies described here, the functional significance of cathepsin L for antigen processing and Th1/Th2 differentiation in experimental leishmaniasis was investigated. We first demonstrated that cathepsin L is one of the candidates for endo/lysosomal enzymes in the processing of soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) by using CLIK148, a specific inhibitor of cathepsin L. Treatment of BALB/c or DBA/2 mice with CLIK148 exacerbated the disease by enhancing an SLA-specific Th2-type response such as IL-4 production. CLIK148 did not exert any direct influence on Leishmania major promastigotes themselves or on the course of L. major infection in SCID mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that treatment of host mice with CLIK148 affects the processing of SLA in APCs, resulting in the potentiation of Th2-type immune responses and thus leading to exacerbation of the disease. Furthermore, endo/lysosomal cathepsin L was found to be functionally distinct from previously described cathepsins B and D.     

Novel biodegradable polyphosphate cross-linker for making biocompatible hydrogel

To obtain a novel biodegradable cross-linker, polymerizable polyphosphate (PIOP) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of 2-i-propyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with 2-(2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphoroyloxyethyl methacrylate) (OPEMA). The number averaged molecular weight of the PIOP was 1.2 x 10(4), and the number of OPEMA units in one PIOP molecule was 2.2. Nonenzymatic degradation of the PIOP was evaluated in various pH aqueous media. The degree of hydrolysis was dependent on the pH; that is, it increased with an increase in the pH of the medium. At pH 11.0, the PIOP completely degraded in only 6 days. The poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)] cross-linked with the PIOP was prepared by radical polymerization. This polymer could form hydrogel, and the free water fraction in the hydrogel was high. The enzymatic activity of trypsin in contact with the hydrogel was similar to that in buffer solution. There is no adverse effect caused by the hydrogel to reduce the function of the trypsin. The cytotoxicity of poly(MPC) and degraded PIOP was evaluated using v79 cells, and it was not observed in either case. In conclusion, PIOP is a hydrolyzable polymer, which can be used as a cross-linker, and novel hydrogels having biodegradability and biocompatibility were prepared from poly(MPC) cross-linked with the PIOP.     

Differential subcellular localization of two dopamine D2 receptor isoforms in transfected NG108-15 cells

The dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) is target for antipsychotic drugs and associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. D2R has a long third cytoplasmic loop and a short carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic tail. It exists as two alternatively spliced isoforms, termed D2LR and D2SR, which differ in the presence and absence, respectively, of a 29 amino acid insert in the third cytoplasmic loop. To evaluate the differential roles of the two D2R isoforms, we transfected both isoforms into NG108-15 cells and observed their subcellular localization by a confocal laser scanning light microscope. D2SR was predominantly localized at the plasma membrane, whereas D2LR was mostly retained in the perinuclear region around the Golgi apparatus. Using a yeast two hybrid system with a mouse brain cDNA library and coimmunoprecipitation assay, we found that heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) interacts with D2LR but not with D2SR. H-FABP is a cytosolic protein involved in binding and transport of fatty acids. Overexpressed H-FABP and endogenous H-FABP were colocalized with the intracellular D2LR in NG108-15 cells. Furthermore, in the rat striatum, H-FABP was detected in the D2R-expressing neurons. From these results, H-FABP is associated with D2LR, and may thereby modulate the subcellular localization and function of D2LR.     

L1-dependent neuritogenesis involves ankyrinB that mediates L1-CAM coupling with retrograde actin flow

The cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1-CAM) plays critical roles in neurite growth. Its cytoplasmic domain (L1CD) binds to ankyrins that associate with the spectrin-actin network. This paper demonstrates that L1-CAM interactions with ankyrinB (but not with ankyrinG) are involved in the initial formation of neurites. In the membranous protrusions surrounding the soma before neuritogenesis, filamentous actin (F-actin) and ankyrinB continuously move toward the soma (retrograde flow). Bead-tracking experiments show that ankyrinB mediates L1-CAM coupling with retrograde F-actin flow in these perisomatic structures. Ligation of the L1-CAM ectodomain by an immobile substrate induces L1CD-ankyrinB binding and the formation of stationary ankyrinB clusters. Neurite initiation preferentially occurs at the site of these clusters. In contrast, ankyrinB is involved neither in L1-CAM coupling with F-actin flow in growth cones nor in L1-based neurite elongation. Our results indicate that ankyrinB promotes neurite initiation by acting as a component of the clutch module that transmits traction force generated by F-actin flow to the extracellular substrate via L1-CAM.