CHI3L1 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) is a glycoprotein consisting of 383 amino acids with a molecular mass of 40 kDa, and its serum level is elevated in inflammatory diseases. Although CHI3L1 is described as a biomarker of inflammation, the function of this protein is not completely understood. In the present study, we examined the regulation of CHI3L1 in primary human skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, we analysed potential autocrine effects of CHI3L1. We show that myotubes express CHI3L1 in a differentiation-dependent manner. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines up-regulate CHI3L1 expression (6-fold) and release (3-fold). Importantly, CHI3L1 treatment blocked TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation in skeletal muscle cells. We show that this effect is mediated via PAR2 (protease-activated receptor 2). In addition, CHI3L1 treatment diminished the TNFα-induced expression and secretion of IL (interleukin)-8, MCP1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and IL-6. In addition, impaired insulin action at the level of Akt and GSK3α/β (glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β) phosphoryl-ation and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was normalized by CHI3L1. In conclusion, the novel myokine CHI3L1, which is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, can counteract TNFα-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle cells, potentially involving an auto- and/or para-crine mechanism.

The IKK [inhibitor of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) kinase] complex has an essential role in the activation of the family of NF-κB transcription factors in response to a variety of stimuli. To identify novel IKK-interacting proteins, we performed an unbiased proteomics screen where we identified TfR1 (transferrin receptor 1). TfR1 is required for transferrin binding and internalization and ultimately for iron homoeostasis. TfR1 depletion does not lead to changes in IKK subunit protein levels; however, it does reduce the formation of the IKK complex, and inhibits TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced NF-κB-dependent transcription. We find that, in the absence of TfR1, NF-κB does not translocate to the nucleus efficiently, and there is a reduction in the binding to target gene promoters and consequentially less target gene activation. Significantly, depletion of TfR1 results in an increase in apoptosis in response to TNFα treatment, which is rescued by elevating the levels of RelA/NF-κB. Taken together, these results indicate a new function for TfR1 in the control of IKK and NF-κB. Our data indicate that IKK–NF-κB responds to changes in iron within the cell.

PI3Ks (phosphoinositide 3-kinases) are signalling molecules and drug targets with important biological functions, yet the regulation of PI3K gene expression is poorly understood. Key PI3Ks are the class IA PI3Ks that consist of a catalytic subunit (p110α, p110β and p110δ) in complex with a p85 regulatory subunit. Whereas p110α and p110β are ubiquitously expressed, high levels of p110δ are mainly found in white blood cells, with most non-leucocytes expressing low levels of p110δ. In the present paper we report that TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) stimulation induces p110δ expression in human ECs (endothelial cells) and synovial fibroblasts, but not in leucocytes, through transcription start sites located in a novel promoter region in the p110δ gene ( PIK3CD ). This promoter is used in all cell types, including solid tumour cell lines that express p110δ, and is activated by TNFα in ECs and synovial fibroblasts. We further present a detailed biochemical and bioinformatic characterization of p110δ gene regulation, demonstrating that PIK3CD has distinct promoters, some of which can be dynamically activated by pro-inflammatory mediators. This is the first molecular identification of a PI3K promoter under the control of acute extracellular stimulation.

Airway inflammation in allergen-induced asthma is associated with eicosanoid release. These bioactive lipids exhibit anti- and pro-inflammatory activities with relevance to pulmonary pathophysiology. We hypothesized that sensitization/challenge using an extract from the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in a mouse model of allergic asthma would result in altered phospholipase gene expression, thus modulating the downstream eicosanoid pathway. We observed the most significant induction in the group IVC PLA 2 (phospholipase A 2 ) [also known as cPLA 2 γ (cytosolic PLA 2 γ) or PLA2G4C]. Our results infer that A. fumigatus extract can induce cPLA 2 γ levels directly in eosinophils, whereas induction in lung epithelial cells is most likely to be a consequence of TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) secretion by A. fumigatus -activated macrophages. The mechanism of TNFα-dependent induction of cPLA 2 γ gene expression was elucidated through a combination of promoter deletions, ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) and overexpression studies in human bronchoepithelial cells, leading to the identification of functionally relevant CRE (cAMP-response element), NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and E-box promoter elements. ChIP analysis demonstrated that RNA polymerase II, ATF-2 (activating transcription factor 2)–c-Jun, p65–p65 and USF (upstream stimulating factor) 1–USF2 complexes are recruited to the cPLA 2 γ enhancer/promoter in response to TNFα, with overexpression and dominant-negative studies implying a strong level of co-operation and interplay between these factors. Overall, our results link cytokine-mediated alterations in cPLA 2 γ gene expression with allergic asthma and outline a complex regulatory mechanism.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino 1 can be interconverted between inactive and active forms by a reversible phosphorylation mechanism. In vitro , phosphorylation and activation can be catalysed by either the IRAKs [IL (interleukin)-1-receptor-associated kinases] IRAK1 and IRAK4, or the IKK {IκB [inhibitor of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)] kinase}-related kinases [IKKϵ and TBK1 (TANK {TRAF [TNF (tumour-necrosis-factor)-receptor-associated factor]-associated NF-κB activator}-binding kinase 1)]. In the present study we establish that IRAK1 is the major protein kinase that mediates the IL-1-stimulated activation of Pellino 1 in MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) or HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells, whereas the IKK-related kinases activate Pellino 1 in TNFα-stimulated MEFs. The IKK-related kinases are also the major protein kinases that activate Pellino 1 in response to TLR (Toll-like receptor) ligands that signal via the adaptors MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88) and/or TRIF [TIR (Toll/IL-1 receptor) domain-containing adaptor protein inducing interferon β]. The present studies demonstrate that, surprisingly, the ligands that signal via MyD88 do not always employ the same protein kinase to activate Pellino 1. Our results also establish that neither the catalytic activity of IRAK1 nor the activation of Pellino 1 is required for the initial transient activation of NF-κB and MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) that is triggered by IL-1 or TNFα in MEFs, or by TLR ligands in macrophages. The activation of Pellino 1 provides the first direct readout for IRAK1 catalytic activity in cells.

cAMP-specific PDE (phosphodiesterase) 4 isoforms underpin compartmentalized cAMP signalling in mammalian cells through targeting to specific signalling complexes. Their importance is apparent as PDE4 selective inhibitors exert profound anti-inflammatory effects and act as cognitive enhancers. The p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling cascade is a key signal transduction pathway involved in the control of cellular immune, inflammatory and stress responses. In the present study, we show that PDE4A5 is phosphorylated at Ser 147 , within the regulatory UCR1 (ultraconserved region 1) domain conserved among PDE4 long isoforms, by MK2 (MAPK-activated protein kinase 2, also called MAPKAPK2). Phosphorylation by MK2, although not altering PDE4A5 activity, markedly attenuates PDE4A5 activation through phosphorylation by protein kinase A. This modification confers the amplification of intracellular cAMP accumulation in response to adenylate cyclase activation by attenuating a major desensitization system to cAMP. Such reprogramming of cAMP accumulation is recapitulated in wild-type primary macrophages, but not MK2/3-null macrophages. Phosphorylation by MK2 also triggers a conformational change in PDE4A5 that attenuates PDE4A5 interaction with proteins whose binding involves UCR2, such as DISC1 (disrupted in schizophrenia 1) and AIP (aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein), but not the UCR2-independent interacting scaffold protein β-arrestin. Long PDE4 isoforms thus provide a novel node for cross-talk between the cAMP and p38 MAPK signalling systems at the level of MK2.

NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) controls diverse cellular processes and is frequently misregulated in chronic immune diseases or cancer. The activity of NF-κB is regulated by IκB (inhibitory κB) proteins which control nuclear–cytoplasmic shuttling and DNA binding of NF-κB. In the present paper, we describe a novel role for p65 as a critical regulator of the cellular localization and functions of NF-κB and its inhibitor IκBβ. In genetically modified p65 −/− cells, the localization of ectopic p65 is not solely regulated by IκBα, but is largely dependent on the NLS (nuclear localization signal) and the NES (nuclear export signal) of p65. Furthermore, unlike IκBα, IκBβ does not contribute to the nuclear export of p65. In fact, the cellular localization and degradation of IκBβ is controlled by the p65-specific NLS and NES. The results of our present study also reveal that, in addition to stimulus-induced redistribution of NF-κB, changes in the constitutive localization of p65 and IκBβ specifically modulate activation of inflammatory genes. This is a consequence of differences in the DNA-binding activity and signal responsiveness between the nuclear and cytoplasmic NF-κB–IκBβ complexes. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate that the p65 subunit controls transcriptional competence of NF-κB by regulating the NF-κB/IκBβ pathway.

MLK3 (mixed lineage kinase 3) is a MAP3K [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) kinase kinase] that activates multiple MAPK pathways, including the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) pathway. Immunoblotting of lysates from cells ectopically expressing active MLK3 revealed an additional immunoreactive band corresponding to a CTF (C-terminal fragment) of MLK3. In the present paper we provide evidence that MLK3 undergoes proteolysis to generate a stable CTF in response to different stimuli, including PMA and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α). The cleavage site was deduced by Edman sequencing as between Gln 251 and Pro 252 , which is within the kinase domain of MLK3. Based on our homology model of the kinase domain of MLK3, the region containing the cleavage site is predicted to reside on a flexible solvent-accessible loop. Site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed that Leu 250 and Gln 251 are required for recognition by the ‘MLK3 protease’, reminiscent of the substrate specificity of the coronavirus 3C and 3CL proteases. Whereas numerous mammalian protease inhibitors have no effect on MLK3 proteolysis, blockade of the proteasome through epoxomicin or MG132 abolishes PMA-induced production of the CTF of MLK3. This CTF is able to heterodimerize with full-length MLK3, and interact with the active form of the small GTPase Cdc42, resulting in diminished activation loop phosphorylation of MLK3 and reduced signalling to JNK. Thus this novel proteolytic processing of MLK3 may negatively control MLK3 signalling to JNK.

Phosphorylation of the RelA (p65) NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) subunit has been previously shown to modulate its ability to induce or repress transcription. In the present study we have investigated the consequences of Thr 435 phosphorylation within the C-terminal transactivation domain of RelA. We confirm that Thr 435 is phosphorylated in cells and is induced by TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) treatment. Mutational analysis of this site revealed gene-specific effects on transcription, with a T435D phosphomimetic mutant significantly enhancing Cxcl2 (CXC chemokine ligand 2) mRNA levels in reconstituted Rela −/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that this mutation results in enhanced levels of histone acetylation associated with decreased recruitment of HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1). Moreover, mutation of this site disrupted RelA interaction with HDAC1 in vitro . Thr 435 phosphorylation of promoter-bound RelA was also detected at NF-κB target genes following TNFα treatment in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Phosphorylation at this site therefore provides an additional mechanism through which the specificity of NF-κB transcriptional activity can be modulated in cells.

TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of many chronic inflammatory diseases. TNFα activation of the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling pathway particularly in macrophages has been implicated in many diseases. We demonstrate in the present study that GRK2 and GRK5 (G-protein-coupled-receptor kinases 2 and 5) regulate TNFα-induced NF-κB signalling in Raw 264.7 macrophages. RNAi (RNA interference) knockdown of GRK2 or GRK5 in macrophages significantly inhibited TNFα-induced IκBα (inhibitory κBα) phosphorylation and degradation, NF-κB activation and expression of the NF-κB-regulated gene MIP1β (macrophage inflammatory protein 1β). Consistent with these results, overexpression of GRK2 or GRK5 enhanced TNFα-induced NF-κB activity. In addition, we show that GRK2 and GRK5 interacted with IκBα via the N-terminal domain of IκBα and that IκBα is a substrate for GRK2 and GRK5 in vitro . Furthermore, we also found that GRK5, but not GRK2, phosphorylated IκBα at the same amino acid residues (Ser 32 /Ser 36 ) as that of IKKβ (IκB kinase β). Interestingly, associated with these results, knockdown of IKKβ in Raw 264.7 macrophages did not affect TNFα-induced IκBα phosphorylation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both GRK2 and GRK5 are important and novel mediators of a non-traditional IκBα/NF-κB signalling pathway.

During spermatogenesis, extensive restructuring of blood–testis barrier takes place to facilitate the migration of preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment in the seminiferous epithelium. However, the biochemical mechanisms involved in this event remain elusive. Recent studies have shown that pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) plays a crucial role in this event by inhibiting the expression of tight junction proteins in Sertoli cells. In the present study, we sought to examine the detailed mechanism on how TNFα affects the expression of CLMP (coxsackie- and adenovirus-receptor-like membrane protein), a newly identified tight junction transmembrane protein, in the testis. Addition of TNFα (10 ng/ml) to Sertoli cell culture (TM4 cells) significantly reduced the steady-state CLMP mRNA and protein levels. In an mRNA stability assay, it was shown that the rate of CLMP mRNA degradation was significantly increased when cells treated with TNFα were compared with vehicle. Blockage of the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signalling pathway by SP600125 significantly abolished the TNFα-mediated destabilization of CLMP mRNA. Activation of the JNK signalling pathway by TNFα up-regulated the expression of an RNA-binding protein, TTP (tristetraprolin). TTP was present in the RNA–protein complex in the RNA EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) and decreased the CLMP 3′-UTR (untranslated region)-dependent luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the TNFα-mediated mRNA degradation of the CLMP gene is controlled by TTP through the JNK signalling cascade.

The protein kinase TAK1 (transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1), which has been implicated in the activation of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades and the production of inflammatory mediators by LPS (lipopolysaccharide), IL-1 (interleukin 1) and TNF (tumour necrosis factor), comprises the catalytic subunit complexed to the regulatory subunits, termed TAB (TAK1-binding subunit) 1 and either TAB2 or TAB3. We have previously identified a feedback-control mechanism by which p38α MAPK down-regulates TAK1 and showed that p38α MAPK phosphorylates TAB1 at Ser 423 and Thr 431 . In the present study, we identified two IL-1-stimulated phosphorylation sites on TAB2 (Ser 372 and Ser 524 ) and three on TAB3 (Ser 60 , Thr 404 and Ser 506 ) in human IL-1R cells [HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) cells that stably express the IL-1 receptor] and MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts). Ser 372 and Ser 524 of TAB2 are not phosphorylated by pathways dependent on p38α/β MAPKs, ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) and JNK1/2 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2). In contrast, Ser 60 and Thr 404 of TAB3 appear to be phosphorylated directly by p38α MAPK, whereas Ser 506 is phosphorylated by MAPKAP-K2/MAPKAP-K3 (MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 and 3), which are protein kinases activated by p38α MAPK. Studies using TAB1 −/− MEFs indicate important roles for TAB1 in recruiting p38α MAPK to the TAK1 complex for the phosphorylation of TAB3 at Ser 60 and Thr 404 and in inhibiting the dephosphorylation of TAB3 at Ser 506 . TAB1 is also required to induce TAK1 catalytic activity, since neither IL-1 nor TNFα was able to stimulate detectable TAK1 activity in TAB1 −/− MEFs. Surprisingly, the IL-1 and TNFα-stimulated activation of MAPK cascades and IκB (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB) kinases were similar in TAB1 −/− , MEKK3 −/− [MAPK/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase kinase 3] and wild-type MEFs, suggesting that another MAP3K (MAPK kinase kinase) may mediate the IL-1/TNFα-induced activation of these signalling pathways in TAB1 −/− and MEKK3 −/− MEFs.

In the present study we investigated promoter regions of the PHGPx [phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx (glutathione peroxidase)] gene and transcription factors involved in TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced up-regulation of PHGPx in non-differentiated HL60 cells. Non-differentiated HL60 cells displayed up-regulation of non-mitochondrial and mitochondrial PHGPx mRNA in response to TNFα stimulation. The promoter activity was up-regulated by TNFα stimulation in cells transfected with a luciferase reporter vector encoding the region from −282 to −123 of the human PHGPx gene compared with the non-stimulated control. The up-regulated promoter activity was effectively abrogated by a mutation in the C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein)-binding sequence in this region. ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assays demonstrated that C/EBPϵ bound to the −247 to −34 region in HL60 cells, but C/EBPα, β, γ and δ did not. The binding of C/EBPϵ to the promoter region was increased in HL60 cells stimulated with TNFα compared with that of the non-stimulated control. An increased binding of nuclear protein to the C/EBP-binding sequence was observed by EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift assay) in cells stimulated with TNFα, and it was inhibited by pre-treatment with an anti-C/EBPϵ antibody, but not with other antibodies. The C/EBPϵ mRNA was expressed in PMNs (polymorphonuclear cells), non-differentiated HL60 cells and neutrophil-like differentiated HL60 cells displaying TNFα-induced up-regulation of PHGPx mRNA, but not in macrophage-like differentiated HL60 cells, HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney-293 cells) and other cell lines exhibiting no up-regulation. The up-regulation of PHGPx mRNA, however, was detected in HEK-293 cells overexpressing C/EBPϵ as a result of TNFα stimulation. These results indicate that C/EBPϵ is a critical transcription factor in TNFα-induced up-regulation of PHGPx expression.

Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase by DFMO (α-difluromethylornithine) and subsequent polyamine depletion increases p21Cip1 protein, induces cell cycle arrest and confers resistance to apoptosis on intestinal epithelial cells. However, the mechanism by which polyamines regulate p21Cip1 expression and apoptosis is unknown. On the basis of the involvement of p21Cip1 as an anti-apoptotic protein, we tested the role of p21Cip1 in providing protection from apoptosis. Simultaneously, we investigated the role of E47, a basic helix–loop–helix protein, in the regulation of p21Cip1 gene transcription. Gene-specific siRNA (small interfering RNA) decreased E47 protein levels, increased p21Cip1 promoter activity and protein levels and protected cells from TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced apoptosis. Knockdown of p21Cip1 protein by siRNA resulted in cells becoming more susceptible to apoptosis. In contrast, incubation with EGF (epidermal growth factor) stimulated p21Cip1 mRNA and protein levels and rescued cells from apoptosis. During apoptosis, the level of E47 mRNA increased, causing a concomitant decrease in p21Cip1 mRNA and protein levels. Polyamine depletion decreased E47 mRNA levels and cell survival. Caspase 3-mediated cleavage of p130Cas has been implicated in p21Cip1 transcription. The progression of apoptosis led to a caspase 3-dependent cleavage of p130Cas and generated a 31 kDa fragment, which translocated to the nucleus, associated with nuclear E47 and inhibited p21Cip1 transcription. Polyamine depletion inhibited all these effects. Transient expression of the 31 kDa fragment prevented the expression of p21Cip1 protein and increased apoptosis. These results implicate p21Cip1 as an anti-apoptotic protein and suggest a role for polyamines in the regulation of p21Cip1 via the transcription repressor E47. Caspase-mediated cleavage of p130Cas generates a 31 kDa fragment, inhibits p21Cip1 transcription and acts as an amplifier of apoptotic signalling.

HNF-4 (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4) is a key regulator of liver-specific gene expression in mammals. We have shown previously that the activity of the human APOC3 (apolipoprotein C-III) promoter is positively regulated by the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and its effectors Smad3 (similar to mothers against decapentaplegic 3) and Smad4 proteins via physical and functional interactions between Smads and HNF-4. We now show that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) antagonizes TGFβ for the regulation of APOC3 gene expression in hepatocytes. TNFα was a strong inhibitor of the activity of apolipoprotein promoters that harbour HNF-4 binding sites and this inhibition required HNF-4. Using specific inhibitors of TNFα-induced signalling pathways, it was shown that inhibition of the APOC3 promoter by TNFα involved NF-κB (nuclear factor κB). Latent membrane protein 1 of the Epstein–Barr virus, which is an established potent activator of NF-κB as well as wild-type forms of various NF-κB signalling mediators, also inhibited strongly the APOC3 promoter and the transactivation function of HNF-4. TNFα had no effect on the stability or the nuclear localization of HNF-4 in HepG2 cells, but inhibited the binding of HNF-4 to the proximal APOC3 HRE (hormone response element). Using the yeast-transactivator-GAL4 system, we showed that both AF-1 and AF-2 (activation functions 1 and 2) of HNF-4 are inhibited by TNFα and that this inhibition was abolished by overexpression of different HNF-4 co-activators, including PGC-1 (peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-γ co-activator 1), CBP [CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein) binding protein] and SRC3 (steroid receptor co-activator 3). In summary, our findings indicate that TNFα, or other factors that trigger an NF-κB response in hepatic cells, inhibit the transcriptional activity of the APOC3 and other HNF-4-dependent promoters and that this inhibition could be accounted for by a decrease in DNA binding and the down-regulation of the transactivation potential of the AF-1 and AF-2 domains of HNF-4.

Cytokines are implicated in the anaemia of chronic disease by reducing erythropoiesis and increasing iron sequestration in the reticuloendotheial system. However, the effect of cytokines, in particular TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), on small bowel iron uptake and iron-transporter expression remains unclear. In the present study, we subjected CD1 male mice to intraperitoneal injection with TNFα (10 ng/mouse) and then examined the expression and localization of DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1), IREG1 (iron-regulated protein 1) and ferritin in duodenum. Liver and spleen samples were used to determine hepcidin mRNA expression. Changes in serum iron and iron loading of duodenum, spleen and liver were also determined. We found a significant ( P <0.05) fall in serum iron 3 h post-TNFα exposure. This was coincident with increased iron deposition in the spleen. After 24 h of exposure, there was a significant decrease in duodenal iron transfer ( P <0.05) coincident with increased enterocyte ferritin expression ( P <0.05) and re-localization of IREG1 from the basolateral enterocyte membrane. Hepatic hepcidin mRNA levels remained unchanged, whereas splenic hepcidin mRNA expression was reduced at 24 h. In conclusion, we provide evidence that TNFα may contribute to anaemia of chronic disease by iron sequestration in the spleen and by reduced duodenal iron transfer, which seems to be due to increased enterocyte iron binding by ferritin and a loss of IREG1 function. These observations were independent of hepcidin mRNA levels.

Recent studies have described a biochemical pathway whereby lysosome disruption and the released proteases initiate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Irradiation of murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cells preloaded with the lysosomal photosensitizer NPe6 ( N -aspartyl chlorin e6) caused a rapid loss of Acridine Orange staining of acidic organelles, release of cathepsin D from late endosomes/lysosomes and the activation of procaspase-3. Pretreatment of NPe6-loaded cultures with 10–50 μM 3- O -MeSM (3- O -methylsphingomyelin) caused a concentration-dependent suppression of apoptosis following irradiation. This suppression reflected a stabilization of lysosomes/endosomes, as opposed to an inhibition of the accumulation of photosensitizer in these organelles. Exogenously added sphingomyelin, at comparable concentrations, offered some protection, but less than 3- O -MeSM. Fluorescence microscopy showed that 3- O -MeSM competed with NBD-C 6 -sphingomyelin (6-{[ N -(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]hexanoyl} sphingosyl phosphocholine) for co-localization with LysoTracker Red in acidic organelles. Pre-treatment of 1c1c7 cultures with 3- O -MeSM also suppressed the induction of apoptosis by TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), but offered no protection against HA14-1 [ethyl 2-amino-6-bromo-4-(1-cyano-2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)- 4 H-chromene-3-carboxylate], staurosporine, tunicamycin or thapsigargin. These results suggest that exogenously added 3- O -MeSM is trafficked to and stabilizes late endosomes/lysosomes against oxidant-induced damage, and further implicate a role for lysosomal proteases in the apoptotic processes initiated by TNFα and lysosomal photosensitizers.

The A 2A adenosine receptor (A 2A AR) mediates anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine in a variety of cell types. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) was reported to induce a small (<2-fold) increase in the expression of A 2A AR mRNA in human monocytes and monocytic cell lines. We investigated the effects of LPS on the expression of adenosine receptor mRNAs in primary mouse IPMΦ (intraperitoneal macrophages), human macrophages and Wehi-3 cells. Treatment with 10 ng/ml LPS for 4 h produced a >100-fold increase in A 2A AR mRNA. LPS-induced increases in mRNA for A 2A AR and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) are reduced by 90% in IPMΦ pretreated with the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 {(E)3-[(4-methylphenyl)sulphonyl]-2-propenenitrile; 10 μM}. In Wehi-3 cells exposed to LPS, A 2A AR and A 2B AR transcripts are elevated by 290- and 10-fold respectively, the A 1 AR transcript is unchanged and the A 3 AR transcript is decreased by 67%. The induction of A 2A AR mRNA by LPS is detectable after 1 h, reaches a peak at 6 h at 600 times control and remains elevated beyond 24 h. The ED 50 (effective dose) of LPS is 2.3 ng/ml. A 2A AR receptor number, measured by 125 I-ZM241385 binding to whole cells, is undetectable in naïve cells and increases linearly at a rate of 23 receptors·cell −1 ·min −1 to a B max of 348 fmol/mg (28000 receptors/cell) in 20 h. The increase in receptor number is correlated with an increase in the potency of an A 2A agonist (4-{3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester; referred to as ATL146e) to stimulate cAMP in these cells. After LPS pretreatment, the potency of the A 2A agonist, ATL146e, to reduce TNFα release from IPMΦ was increased by 200-fold. The results support the hypothesis that regulation of adenosine receptor expression, especially up-regulation of the A 2A AR, is part of a delayed feedback mechanism initiated through NF-κB to terminate the activation of human and mouse macrophages.

GSH synthesis occurs via two enzymatic steps catalysed by GCL [glutamate–cysteine ligase, made up of GCLC (GCL catalytic subunit), and GCLM (GCL modifier subunit)] and GSS (GSH synthetase). Co-ordinated up-regulation of GCL and GSS further enhances GSH synthetic capacity. The present study examined whether TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) influences the expression of rat GSH synthetic enzymes. To facilitate transcriptional studies of the rat GCLM, we cloned its 1.8 kb 5′-flanking region. TNFα induces the expression and recombinant promoter activities of GCLC, GCLM and GSS in H4IIE cells. TNFα induces NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and AP-1 (activator protein 1) nuclear-binding activities. Blocking AP-1 with dominant negative c-Jun or NF-κB with IκBSR (IκB super-repressor, where IκB stands for inhibitory κB) lowered basal expression and inhibited the TNFα-mediated increase in mRNA levels of all three genes. While all three genes have multiple AP-1-binding sites, only GCLC has a NF-κB-binding site. Overexpression with p50 or p65 increased c-Jun mRNA levels, c-Jun-dependent promoter activity and the promoter activity of GCLM and GSS. Blocking NF-κB also lowered basal c-Jun expression and blunted the TNFα-mediated increase in c-Jun mRNA levels. TNFα treatment resulted in increased c-Jun and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) nuclear binding to the antioxidant response element of the rat GCLM and if this was prevented, TNFα no longer induced the GCLM promoter activity. In conclusion, both c-Jun and NF-κB are required for basal and TNFα-mediated induction of GSH synthetic enzymes in H4IIE cells. While NF-κB may exert a direct effect on the GCLC promoter, it induces the GCLM and GSS promoters indirectly via c-Jun.

In vascular endothelial cells, cytokines induce genes that are expressed in inflammatory lesions partly through the activation of transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB). Among the members of the NF-κB/rel protein family, homodimers of the RelA subunit of NF-κB can also function as strong transactivators when expressed in cells. However, the functional role of endogenous RelA homodimers has not been clearly elucidated. We investigated whether RelA homodimers are induced in cytokine-treated vascular endothelial cells. Gel mobility-shift and supershift assays revealed that a cytokine TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) activated both NF-κB1/RelA heterodimers and RelA homodimers that bound to a canonical κB sequence, IgκB (immunoglobulin κB), in SV40 (simian virus 40) immortalized HMEC-1 (human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line 1). In HMEC-1 and HUVEC (human umbilical-vein endothelial cells), TNFα also induced RelA homodimers that bound to the sequence 65-2κB, which specifically binds to RelA homodimers but not to NF-κB1/RelA heterodimers in vitro . Deoxycholic acid, a detergent that can dissociate the NF-κB–IκB complex (where IκB stands for inhibitory κB), induced the binding of the RelA homodimers to 65-2κB from the cytosolic fraction of resting HMEC-1. Furthermore, TNFα induced the transcriptional activity of a reporter gene that was driven by 65-2κB in HMEC-1. These results suggest that in addition to NF-κB1/RelA heterodimers, TNFα also induces RelA homodimers that are functionally active. Thus RelA homodimers may actively participate in cytokine regulation of gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells.

We recently showed that targeting bSMase (bacterial sphingomyelinase) specifically to mitochondria caused accumulation of ceramide in mitochondria, and induced cytochrome c release and cell death [Birbes, El Bawab, Hannun and Obeid (2001) FASEB J., 15 , 2669–2679]. In the present study, we investigated the role of this mitochondrial pool of ceramide in response to a receptor-mediated event, namely TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α), and the involvement of this mitochondrial pool of ceramide in Bax translocation to mitochondria, an event that precedes cytochrome c release. Treatment of MCF7 cells with TNFα caused an increase in ceramide levels in the mitochondrial fraction which accompanied Bax translocation to mitochondria. Targeting bSMase to mitochondria specifically resulted in Bax translocation to mitochondria, suggesting that the mitochondrial ceramide pool is involved in Bax translocation. Moreover, in a reconstituted cell-free system, treatment of isolated mitochondria with bSMase enhanced Bax association with mitochondrial membranes. Collectively, these results suggest that the generation of ceramide in mitochondria in response to TNFα is sufficient to induce Bax translocation to mitochondria and subsequent cytochrome c release and cell death.