S100B potently activates p65/c-Rel transcriptional complexes in hippocampal neurons: Clinical implications for the role of S100B in excitotoxic brain injury

NF-kappaB dimers in the regulation of neuronal survival

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a dimeric transcription factor composed of five members, p50, RelA/p65, c-Rel, RelB, and p52 that can diversely combine to form the active transcriptional dimer. NF-kappaB controls the expression of genes that regulate a broad range of biological processes in the central nervous system such as synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and differentiation. Although NF-kappaB is essential for neuron survival and its activation may protect neurons against oxidative-stresses or ischemia-induced neurodegeneration, NF-kappaB activation can contribute to inflammatory reactions and apoptotic cell death after brain injury and stroke. It was proposed that the death or survival of neurons might depend on the cell type and the timing of NF-kappaB activation. We here discuss recent evidence suggesting that within the same neuronal cell, activation of diverse NF-kappaB dimers drives opposite effects on neuronal survival. Unbalanced activation of NF-kappaB p50/RelA dimer over c-Rel-containing complexes contributes to cell death secondary to the ischemic insult. While p50/RelA acts as transcriptional inducer of Bcl-2 family proapoptotic Bim and Noxa genes, c-Rel dimers specifically promote transcription of antiapototic Bcl-xL gene. Changes in the nuclear content of c-Rel dimers strongly affect the threshold of neuron vulnerability to ischemic insult and agents, likewise leptin, activating a NF-kappaB/c-Rel-dependent transcription elicit neuroprotection in animal models of brain ischemia.

Tempering the wrath of RAGE: an emerging therapeutic strategy against diabetic complications, neurodegeneration, and inflammation

The multiligand receptor RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) is emerging as a central mediator in the immune/inflammatory response. Epidemiological evidence accruing in the human suggests upregulation of RAGE's ligands (AGEs, S100/calgranulins, high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), and amyloid beta-peptide and beta-sheet fibrils) and the receptor itself at sites of inflammation and in chronic diseases such as diabetes and neurodegeneration. The consequences of ligand-RAGE interaction include upregulation of molecules implicated in inflammatory responses and tissue damage, such as cytokines, adhesion molecules, and matrix metalloproteinases. In this review, we discuss the localization of RAGE and its ligand families and the biological impact of this axis in multiple cell types implicated in chronic diseases. Lastly, we consider findings from animal model studies suggesting that although tissue-damaging effects ensue from recruitment of the ligand-RAGE interaction, in distinct settings, adaptive and repair/regeneration outcomes appear to override detrimental effects of RAGE. As RAGE blockade moves further into clinical development, clarifying the biology of RAGE garners ever-increasing importance.

Binding of S100 proteins to RAGE: an update

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is a multi-ligand receptor of the immunoglobulin family. RAGE interacts with structurally different ligands probably through the oligomerization of the receptor on the cell surface. However, the exact mechanism is unknown. Among RAGE ligands are members of the S100 protein family. S100 proteins are small calcium binding proteins with high structural homology. Several members of the family have been shown to interact with RAGE in vitro or in cell-based assays. Interestingly, many RAGE ligands appear to interact with distinct domains of the extracellular portion of RAGE and to trigger various cellular effects. In this review, we summarize the modes of S100 protein-RAGE interaction with regard to their cellular functions.

S100B's double life: intracellular regulator and extracellular signal

The Ca2+-binding protein of the EF-hand type, S100B, exerts both intracellular and extracellular functions. Recent studies have provided more detailed information concerning the mechanism(s) of action of S100B as an intracellular regulator and an extracellular signal. Indeed, intracellular S100B acts as a stimulator of cell proliferation and migration and an inhibitor of apoptosis and differentiation, which might have important implications during brain, cartilage and skeletal muscle development and repair, activation of astrocytes in the course of brain damage and neurodegenerative processes, and of cardiomyocyte remodeling after infarction, as well as in melanomagenesis and gliomagenesis. As an extracellular factor, S100B engages RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) in a variety of cell types with different outcomes (i.e. beneficial or detrimental, pro-proliferative or pro-differentiative) depending on the concentration attained by the protein, the cell type and the microenvironment. Yet, RAGE might not be the sole S100B receptor, and S100B's ability to engage RAGE might be regulated by its interaction with other extracellular factors. Future studies using S100B transgenic and S100B null mice might shed more light on the functional role(s) of the protein.

Serum markers support disease-specific glial pathology in major depression

BACKGROUND

Recently, it was shown by histopathological studies that mood disorders are characterized by disease-specific glial pathology.

METHODS

To validate this hypothesis in vivo we measured weekly and simultaneously serum levels of the neuronal marker neuron-specific enolase and S100B, a protein expressed in astro- and oligodendroglia in the human brain, in 10 patients with major depressive disorder and 10 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Furthermore, we conducted a systematic, quantitative meta-analysis of all published studies on S100B involving 193 patients suffering from mood disorders and 132 healthy control subjects by calculating effect sizes.

RESULTS

S100B was elevated at admission and discharge in our patients with major depression compared with control subjects, whereas there were no significant differences for neuron-specific enolase. During treatment S100B decreased slightly, although this effect was not significant. It had no significant impact on neuron-specific enolase. The meta-analysis revealed that serum levels of S100B are consistently elevated in mood disorders during acute major depressive or manic episodes. Additionally, it demonstrated that serum S100B decreases during antidepressive treatment reliably if clinical improvement is sufficient.

LIMITATIONS

As the study measured only serum S100B, future (cell culture) studies have to elucidate molecular mechanisms of this protein in mood disorders. Moreover, results have to be replicated in a larger patient group.

CONCLUSIONS

S100B may represent a biomarker for mood disorders, particularly major depression, and their treatment. Together with unaltered levels of neuron-specific enolase, our results support in vivo the histopathologically generated hypothesis of disease-specific glial pathology in mood disorders.

Serum S100B Levels and Major Depressive Disorder: Its Characteristics and Role in Antidepressant Response

OBJECTIVE

S100B is a neurotrophic factor that is involved in neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is disrupted in depression; however, treatment with antidepressants can restore neuroplasticity. S100B has previously been used as a biological marker for neuropathology and neuroplasticity; therefore, in this study, we compared serum S100B levels in depressive patients to those of normal controls. In addition, we compared the serum S100B levels of antidepressant responders to those of nonresponders.

METHODS

Thirty five normal controls and 59 depressive patients were enrolled in this study. Depressive patients entered a 6 week clinical trial that included treatment with antidepressants. The serum S100B levels and clinical assessments, which included Hamilton depression rating scores, were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment with antidepressants. The difference in the serum S100B levels between depressive patients and normal controls and between antidepressant responders and nonresponders was then compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the serum S100B levels of normal controls and depressive patients. In addition, 30 of the depressive patients responded to antidepressant treatment while 29 did not. Finally, the responders had significantly higher baseline serum S100B levels than the nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that the baseline serum S100B level is associated with the subsequent response to antidepressants. In addition, the high baseline serum S100B level that was observed in depressive patients may enhance neuroplasticity, which results in a favorable therapeutic response to antidepressants.

Large scale hippocampal cellular distress may explain the behavioral consequences of repetitive traumatic experiences--a proteomic approach

Early life traumatic experiences are associated with psychopathology in adulthood. This may be due in part to the effects of trauma on hippocampal development and protein expression. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of early life trauma and adult re-stress on ventral hippocampal protein expression. Adolescent rats (n = 19) were subjected to a triple stressor on post-natal day 28 followed 7 days later by the first re-stress session and 25 days later (post-natal day 60 = adulthood) by the second re-stress session. Ventral hippocampi were collected on post-natal day 68 for protein expression determinations using protein arrays and 2D-gel electrophoresis with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Compared to controls, traumatized animals showed an increase in Ca(2+) homeostatic proteins, dysregulated signaling pathways and energy metabolism enzymes, cytoskeletal protein changes, a decrease in neuroplasticity regulators, energy metabolism enzymes and an increase in apoptotic initiator proteins. These results indicate the extensive impact of trauma on adult brain development and behavior.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 mediates neuronal expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products following hypoxia/ischemia

Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) by its multiple ligands can trigger diverse signaling pathways with injurious or pro-survival consequences. In this study, we show that Rage mRNA and protein levels were stimulated in the mouse brain after experimental stroke and systemic hypoxia. In both cases, RAGE expression was primarily associated with neurons. Activation of RAGE-dependent pathway(s) post-ischemia appears to have a neuroprotective role because mice genetically deficient for RAGE exhibited increased infarct size 24 h after injury. Up-regulation of RAGE expression was also observed in primary neurons subjected to hypoxia or oxygen-glucose deprivation, an in vitro model of ischemia. Treatment of neurons with low concentrations of S100B decreased neuronal death after oxygen-glucose deprivation, and this effect was abolished by a neutralizing antibody against RAGE. Conversely, high concentrations of exogenous S100B had a cytotoxic effect that seems to be RAGE-independent. As an important novel finding, we demonstrate that hypoxic stimulation of RAGE expression is mediated by the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1. This conclusion is supported by the finding that HIF-1alpha down-regulation by Cre-mediated excision drastically decreased RAGE induction by hypoxia or desferrioxamine. In addition, we showed that the mouse RAGE promoter region contains at least one functional HIF-1 binding site, located upstream of the proposed transcription start site. A luciferase reporter construct containing this RAGE promoter fragment was activated by hypoxia, and mutation at the potential HIF-1 binding site decreased hypoxia-dependent promoter activation. Specific binding of HIF-1 to this putative HRE in hypoxic cells was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.

S100B-mediated protection against the pro-apoptotic effects of ethanol on fetal rhombencephalic neurons

Previously, this laboratory demonstrated that ethanol treatment significantly reduces the number of developing serotonin (5-HT) and other fetal rhombencephalic neurons in rats by augmenting apoptosis. Using a 5-HT(1A) agonist we were able to attenuate the ethanol-associated reduction and apoptosis of 5-HT and rhombencephalic neurons. The downstream pro-survival effects of 5-HT(1A) stimulation were associated with the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3'kinase (PI-3K) and its subsequent up-regulation of specific NF-kappaB-dependent pro-survival genes. Using an in vitro model, we investigated the hypothesis that S100B, a protein which is released from astrocytes following 5-HT(1A) agonist stimulation, can reduce apoptosis in ethanol-treated rat fetal rhombencephalic neurons. We also evaluated whether the anti-apoptotic effects of S100B on fetal rhombencephalic neurons were linked to the activation of the PI-3K-->pAkt pro-survival pathway and the expression of two NF-kappaB-dependent pro-survival genes: XIAP and Bcl-2. Moreover, we determined whether S100B's pro-survival effects were associated with mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK)-->p42/p44 MAPK. The results of these investigations demonstrated that S100B treatment prevented ethanol-associated apoptosis of fetal rhombencephalic neurons. In addition, it appears that these neuroprotective effects are linked to activation of the PI-3K pathways, because the PI-3K inhibitor LY294002 blocks the neuroprotective effects of S100B. Moreover, S100B increases the formation of pAkt and the up-regulation of two downstream NF-kappaB-dependent pro-survival genes: XIAP and Bcl-2. Although the MAPKK inhibitor PD98059 reduced the number of surviving neurons in S100B-treated cultures, S100B did not activate MAPKK.

S100A1-deficient male mice exhibit increased exploratory activity and reduced anxiety-related responses

S100 proteins comprise a family of Ca(2+) binding proteins of at least 21 members. They are distinctly expressed in a variety of cell types and tissues and are thought to play unique roles, although they share a high degree of sequence homology and expression overlap. S100A1 is prominently expressed in the heart, where it takes part in Ca(2+)-cycling. Its role in the central nervous system (CNS) is largely unknown. We have generated S100A1-deficient mice by gene trap mutagenesis to study the involvement of S100A1 in the cytoarchitecture of the brain, in learning and memory, and in avoidance-approach behavior. S100A1 knock out (KO) mice develop well and their brains present with normal morphology. In wild type (Wt) mice, S100A1 protein was found in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and amygdala, and partially co-localized with the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampus. Astrocytes and neurons of S100A1KO mice did not differ from those of Wt mice regarding shape, distribution and density. In the water maze, S100A1KO mice performed equally well as Wt, implying that S100A1 is not involved in spatial learning and memory. In avoidance-approach tests, predominantly male S100A1KO mice showed reduced anxiety-like responses and enhanced explorative activities. We conclude that S100A1 plays a role in modulating innate fear and exploration of novel stimuli.

Resveratrol increases glutamate uptake and glutamine synthetase activity in C6 glioma cells

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found mainly in grapes, is a promising natural product with anti-cancer and cardio-protective activities. Here, we investigated, in C6 glioma cells, the effect of resveratrol on some specific parameters of astrocyte activity (glutamate uptake, glutamine synthetase and secretion of S100B, a neurotrophic cytokine) commonly associated with the protective role of these cells. Cell proliferation was significantly decreased by 8% and 26%, following 24h of treatment with 100 and 250 microM resveratrol. Extracellular S100B increased after 48 h of resveratrol exposure. Short-term resveratrol exposure (from 1 to 100 microM) induced a linear increase in glutamate uptake (up to 50% at 100 microM resveratrol) and in glutamine synthetase activity. Changes in these glial activities can contribute to the protective role of astrocytes in brain injury conditions, reinforcing the putative use of this compound in the therapeutic arsenal against neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic disorders.

High Glutamate Decreases S100B Secretion by a Mechanism Dependent on the Glutamate Transporter

Several molecules have been shown to be involved in glial-neuronal communication, including S100B, an astrocyte-derived neurotrophic cytokine. Extracellular S100B protects hippocampal neurons from excitotoxic damage, whilst toxic levels of glutamate to neurons have been shown to reduce S100B secretion in astrocytes and brain slices, by an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigate which mechanisms are possibly involved in this effect in primary cultures of hippocampal astrocytes using glutamate agonists and glutamate uptake inhibitors. DCG-IV, an agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors, caused a smaller decrease in S100B secretion when compared to 1 mM glutamate. D: -aspartate partially reverted the glutamate effect on S100B release and two other inhibitors, PDC and DIDS, reverted it completely. These findings suggest that S100B secretion is inversely coupled to glutamate uptake. Decrease in S100B secretion may be considered as direct excitotoxic damage, but a beneficial mechanism effect cannot be ruled out, because S100B elevation could cause an additional cell death.

Distinct roles of diverse nuclear factor-kappaB complexes in neuropathological mechanisms

The nuclear transcription factors kappaB (NF-kappaB) function as key regulators of physiological processes in the central nervous system. Aberrant regulation of NF-kappaB can underlie neurological disorders associated with neurodegeneration. A large number of studies have reported a dual role of NF-kappaB in regulating neuron survival in pathological conditions. A recent progress in understanding the mechanisms responsible for opposite effects elicited by NF-kappaB in brain dysfunctions arises from the identification of diverse NF-kappaB complexes specifically involved in the mechanism of neuronal cell death or cell survival. We here discuss the latest findings and consider the therapeutic potential of targeting distinct NF-kappaB complexes for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and memory dysfunctions.

S100B protects LAN-5 neuroblastoma cells against Abeta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity via RAGE engagement at low doses but increases Abeta amyloid neurotoxicity at high doses

At the concentrations normally found in the brain extracellular space the glial-derived protein, S100B, protects neurons against neurotoxic agents by interacting with the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). It is known that at relatively high concentrations S100B is neurotoxic causing neuronal death via excessive stimulation of RAGE. S100B is detected within senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, where its role is unknown. The present study was undertaken to evaluate a putative neuroprotective role of S100B against Abeta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity. We treated LAN-5 neuroblastoma cultures with toxic amounts of Abeta25-35 amyloid peptide. Our results show that at nanomolar concentrations S100B protects cells against Abeta-mediated cytotoxicity, as assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-fluorescein isothiocyanate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) experiments, by countering the Abeta-mediated decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. This effect depends on S100B binding to RAGE because S100B is unable to contrast Abeta-mediated neurotoxicity in neurons overexpressing a signaling-deficient RAGE mutant lacking the cytosolic and transducing domain. Our data suggest that at nanomolar doses S100B counteracts Abeta peptide neurotoxicity in a RAGE-mediated manner. However, at micromolar doses S100B is toxic to LAN-5 cells and its toxicity adds to that of the Abeta peptide, suggesting that additional molecular mechanisms may be involved in the neurotoxic process.

Acute and chronic electroconvulsive shock in rats: Effects on peripheral markers of neuronal injury and glial activity

Electroconvulsive therapy is considered one of the most effective treatments of major depression, but controversy still exists on whether it may be brain damaging. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE), protein S100B and lactate of rats submitted to acute and chronic models of ECS. Rats were submitted to either one shock (acute) or a series of eight shocks, applied one at every 48 h (chronic). CSF samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the shock in the acute model and at these same time intervals after the last shock in the chronic model. Both models did not produce significant alterations in the levels of NSE. S100B levels were significantly increased at 6 h in the chronic model (p<0.0001). There was a significant increase in the levels of lactate at 0 h in both models (p<0.001). These results support the proposition that ECS does not produce neural damage, and suggest that the alterations in the levels of S100B and lactate may reflect an astrocytic activity of a protective nature.

Glutamate uptake is stimulated by extracellular S100B in hippocampal astrocytes

1.S100B is a calcium-binding protein expressed and secreted by astrocytes, which has been implicated in glial-neuronal communication. Extracellular S100B appears to protect hippocampal neurons against toxic concentrations of glutamate. Here we investigated a possible autocrine role of S100B in glutamate uptake activity. 2. Astrocyte cultures were prepared of hippocampi from neonate Wistar rats. [(3)H] Glutamate uptake was measured after addition of S100B protein, antibody anti-S100B or TRTK-12, a peptide that blocks S100B activity mediated by the C-terminal region. 3.Antibody anti-S100B addition decreased glutamate uptake measured 30 min after medium replacement, without affecting cell integrity or viability. Moreover, low levels of S100B (less than 0.1 ng/mL) stimulated glutamate uptake measured immediately after medium replacement. 4. This finding reinforces the importance of astrocytes in the glutamatergic transmission, particularly the role of S100B neuroprotection against excitotoxic damage.

Could treatment with arundic acid (ONO-2506) increase vulnerability for depression?

Arundic acid (ONO-2506) is believed to be neuroprotective because of its actions on glia cells; i.e., its inhibitory effects on the synthesis of a calcium-binding protein S100B. ONO-2506 is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of patients with stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Recent clinical studies point to a pervasive comorbidity of depression with stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Previously, S100B has been implicated in the pathobiological mechanisms of depression. Preclinical studies have shown that antidepressant treatment significantly increases brain S100B. Here we hypothesize that available data that link S100B with depression, along with the proposed inhibitory action of ONO-2506 on S100B synthesis, indicate that this compound could increase vulnerability for depression in patients at risk for this disorder, and we propose that evaluation of patients with stroke and Alzheimer's disease for the presence of depression should be routine in clinical trials employing ONO-2506. Although it may be open for discussion whether the neuroprotective effects of ONO-2506 are exclusively due to its inhibition of S100B synthesis, the latter action of ONO-2506 warrants studies of the effects of this drug in the pathobiology of depression.

Active secretion of S100B from astrocytes during metabolic stress

In patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases and traumatic brain damage, increases in serum levels of protein S100B are positively correlated with the severity of the insult. Since high concentrations of S100B have been shown to exert neurotoxic effects, the objective of this study was to characterize the regulatory mechanisms underlying control of S100B release from astrocytes. To that end, we analyzed the kinetics and amount of S100B release in correlation with regulation of S100B gene expression in an in vitro ischemia model. Astrocyte cultures were treated with combined oxygen, serum and glucose deprivation, serum and glucose deprivation or hypoxia alone for 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. While oxygen, serum and glucose deprivation triggered the most rapid release of S100B, serum and glucose deprivation provoked comparable levels of released S100B at the later time points. In contrast to oxygen, serum and glucose deprivation and serum and glucose deprivation, hypoxia alone elicited only marginal increases in secreted S100B. Parallel analysis of extracellular lactate dehydrogenase and the number of viable cells revealed only moderate cell death in the cultures, indicating that S100B was actively secreted during in vitro ischemia. Interestingly, S100B mRNA expression was potently downregulated after 12 and 24 h of oxygen, serum and glucose deprivation, and prolonged oxygen, serum and glucose deprivation for 48 h was associated with a significant reduction of S100B release at later time intervals, whereas lactate dehydrogenase levels remained constant. Our data suggest that secretion of S100B during the glial response to metabolic injury is an early and active process.

Role of astrocytic S100β in behavioral hypersensitivity in rodent models of neuropathic pain

S100beta is a calcium-binding peptide produced mainly by astrocytes that exerts paracrine and autocrine effects on neurons and glia. We have previously shown that S100beta is markedly elevated at the mRNA level in the spinal cord following peripheral inflammation, intraplantar administration of complete Freund's adjuvant in the rat. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate the role of astrocytic S100beta in mediating behavioral hypersensitivity in rodent models of persistent pain. First, we assessed the lumbar spinal cord expression of S100beta at the mRNA and protein level using real-time RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis following L5 spinal nerve transection in rats, a rodent model of neuropathic pain. Second, we assessed behavioral hypersensitivity (mechanical allodynia) in wild type and genetically modified mice lacking or overexpressing S100beta following L5 spinal nerve transection. Third, we assessed the expression level of S100beta protein in the CD1 wild type mice after nerve injury. We report that lumbar spinal S100beta mRNA steadily increased from days 4-28 after nerve injury. S100beta protein in the lumbar spinal cord was significantly increased in both rats and mice at day 14 following nerve injury as compared with sham control groups. S100beta genetically deficient mice displayed significantly increased tactile thresholds (reduced response to non-noxious stimuli) after nerve injury as compared with the wild type group. S100beta overexpressing mice displayed significantly decreased tactile threshold responses (enhanced response to non-noxious stimuli). Together, these results from both series of experiments using a peripheral nerve injury model in two different species implicate the involvement of glial-derived S100beta in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain.

TGF-{beta}1 activates two distinct type I receptors in neurons: implications for neuronal NF-{kappa}B signaling

Transforming growth factor-βs (TGF-βs) are pleiotropic cytokines involved in development and maintenance of the nervous system. In several neural lesion paradigms, TGF-β1 exerts potent neuroprotective effects. Neurons treated with TGF-β1 activated the canonical TGF-β receptor I/activin-like kinase receptor 5 (ALK5) pathway. The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a fundamental role in neuroprotection. Treatment with TGF-β1 enhanced NF-κB activity in gelshift and reporter gene analyses. However, ectopic expression of a constitutively active ALK5 failed to mimic these effects. ALK1 has been described as an alternative TGF-β receptor in endothelial cells. Interestingly, we detected significant basal expression of ALK1 and its injury-induced up-regulation in neurons. Treatment with TGF-β1 also induced a pronounced increase in downstream Smad1 phosphorylation. Overexpression of a constitutively active ALK1 mimicked the effect of TGF-β1 on NF-κB activation and neuroprotection. Our data suggest that TGF-β1 simultaneously activates two distinct receptor pathways in neurons and that the ALK1 pathway mediates TGF-β1–induced NF-κB survival signaling.