cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) regulates cyclosporine-A-mediated down-regulation of cathepsin B and L synthesis

Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth—Molecular Aspects of Drug Actions

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) is one of the side effects produced by therapeutic agents, most commonly phenytoin, nifedipine and cyclosporin A. However, the precise mechanism of DIGO is not entirely understood. A literature search of the MEDLINE/PubMed databases was conducted to identify the mechanisms involved in DIGO. The available information suggests that the pathogenesis of DIGO is multifactorial, but common pathogenic sequelae of events emerge, i.e., sodium and calcium channel antagonism or disturbed intracellular handling of calcium, which finally lead to reductions in intracellular folic acid levels. Disturbed cellular functions, mainly in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, result in increased collagen and glycosaminoglycans accumulation in the extracellular matrix. Dysregulation of collagenase activity, as well as integrins and membrane receptors, are key mechanisms of reduced degradation or excessive synthesis of connective tissue components. This manuscript describes the cellular and molecular factors involved in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix remodeling triggered by agents producing DIGO.

Biological Roles of Fibroblasts in Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal diseases include periodontitis and gingival overgrowth. Periodontitis is a bacterial infectious disease, and its pathological cascade is regulated by many inflammatory cytokines secreted by immune or tissue cells, such as interleukin-6. In contrast, gingival overgrowth develops as a side effect of specific drugs, such as immunosuppressants, anticonvulsants, and calcium channel blockers. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) are the most abundant cells in gingival connective tissue, and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs) are located between the teeth and alveolar bone. HGFs and HPLFs are both crucial for the remodeling and homeostasis of periodontal tissue, and their roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases have been examined for 25 years. Various responses by HGFs or HPLFs contribute to the progression of periodontal diseases. This review summarizes the biological effects of HGFs and HPLFs on the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Cathepsin L-mediated resistance of paclitaxel and cisplatin is mediated by distinct regulatory mechanisms

Background

Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a cysteine protease known to have important roles in regulating cancer cellular resistance to chemotherapy. However mechanism underlying which regulates CTSL-mediated drug resistance remain largely unknown.

Methods

We used NSCLC cell lines: A549, A549/TAX (paclitaxel-resistant), A549/DDP (cisplatin-resistant), H460 and PC9 cells, to evaluate CTSL and drug resistance changes. Tumor specimens from 53 patients with NSCLC and Xenograft models was also utilized to explore the regulatory relationship of CTSL, TGF-β, Egr-1 and CREB.

Results

TGF-β and smad3 were overexpressed only in A549/TAX cells, silencing TGF-β or smad3 in A549/TAX cells decreased the expression of CTSL and enhanced their sensitivity to paclitaxel. Smad3 binds to the Smad-binding-element(SBE) of the CTSL promoter, resulting in increased activity of the CTSL promoter and subsequent CTSL. Egr-1 and CREB were overexpressed only in A549/DDP cells, and silencing Egr-1 or CREB reduced the expression of CTSL and increased cisplatin cytotoxicity. CREB could affect the activity of the CTSL promoter by binding to it. And the potential regulatory factors of CTSL were consistent in vivo and in human lung cancer. These different regulatory mechanisms of CTSL-mediated drug resistance exist in two other NSCLC cell lines.

Conclusion

CTSL-mediated drug resistance to paclitaxel and cisplatin may be modulated by different mechanisms. The results of our study identified different mechanisms regulating CTSL-mediated drug resistance and identified smad3 as a novel regulator of CTSL.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1299-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Enhancement of gingival inflammation induced by synergism of IL-1β and IL-6

Internleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 are the most potent proinflammatory cytokines being involved in inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis. The objective of this study was to examine the synergistic effects of IL-1β and IL-6 on gingival inflammation by targeting cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). HGFs were treated with IL-1β or IL-6/soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R), and total RNA and total cell lysate were collected to examine expression of gp130 known as a signal transducer of IL-6 using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. IL-1β-mediated IL-6 productivity in HGFs was examined using ELISA method. Likewise, after HGFs and THP-1 macrophages were treated with IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, sIL-6R productivity was examined. Next, HGFs were treated with IL-6/ sIL-6R after pretreatment of IL-1β, and the intracellular signals were examined using Western blotting. Finally, various mRNA/protein expressions in HGFs treated with IL-6/sIL-6R after pretreatment of IL-1β were examined using qRT-PCR and ELISA method. IL-1β increased significantly both gp130 and IL-6 expression in HGFs. IL-6 increased significantly sIL-6R production in THP-1 macrophages but not HGFs. Co-stimulation with IL-1β and IL-6/sIL-6R induced dramatically the phosphorylation of Stat3, ERK and JNK in HGFs. Interestingly, expression of various inflammation- related molecules such as MMP-1, MCP-1, IL-1ra, bFGF and VEGF were enhanced by co-stimulation with IL-1β and IL-6/sIL-6R in HGFs. Gingival inflammation is regulated by HGFs affected by both IL-1β and IL-6/sIL-6R synergistically through induction of gp130 expression, resulting in progression of periodontitis.

Adenosine A2A receptor deficiency up-regulates cystatin F expression in white matter lesions induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

In previous studies, we have shown that the inactivation of the adenosine A2A receptor exacerbates chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced white matter lesions (WMLs) by enhancing neuroinflammatory responses. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of the adenosine A2A receptor remains unknown. Recent studies have demonstrated that cystatin F, a potent endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, is selectively expressed in immune cells in association with inflammatory demyelination in central nervous system diseases. To understand the expression of cystatin F and its potential role in the effect of A2A receptor on WMLs induced through chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, we investigated cystatin F expression in the WMLs of A2A receptor gene knockout mice, the littermate wild-type mice and wild-type mice treated daily with the A2A receptor agonist CGS21680 or both CGS21680 and A2A receptor antagonist SCH58261 after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The results of quantitative-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that cystatin F mRNA and protein expression were significantly up-regulated in the WMLs after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. In addition, cystatin F expression in the corpus callosum was significantly increased in A2A receptor gene knockout mice and markedly decreased in mice treated with CGS21680 on both the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, SCH58261 counteracted the attenuation of cystatin F expression produced by CGS21680 after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Moreover, double immunofluorescence staining revealed that cystatin F was co-localized with the activated microglia marker CD11b. In conclusion, the cystatin F expression in the activated microglia is closely associated with the effect of the A2A receptors, which may be related to the neuroinflammatory responses occurring during the pathological process.

Different effects of CsA and FK506 on aquaporin-2 abundance in rat primary cultured collecting duct cells

Calcineurin (Cn) inhibitors (CnI) such as cyclosporine A (CsA) and FK506 are nephrotoxic immunosuppressant drugs, which decrease tubular function. Here, we examined the direct effect of CnI on aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression in rat primary cultured inner medullary collecting duct cells. CsA (0.5-5 μM) but not FK 506 (0.01-1 μM) decreased expression of AQP2 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) in a concentration and time dependent manner, without affecting mRNA stability. This effect was observed despite similar inhibition of Cn activity by both CnI, thereby suggesting that the CsA-dependent decrease in AQP2 expression was Cn independent. Another inhibitor of cyclophilin A, the primary intracellular target of CsA, had no effect on AQP2 expression. In order to investigate the mechanism of decreased AQP2 transcription, we studied activation status of two suggested transcriptional regulators of AQP2, cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), and tonicity enhancer binding protein (TonEBP). Localization of TonEBP, as well as TonEBP-mediated gene transcription, was not affected by CsA. Phosphorylation of CREB at an activating phosphorylation site (S133) was decreased by CsA, but not by FK506. However, both CnI did not affect cellular cAMP levels. We show that CsA decreases transcription of AQP2, a process that is in part independent of Cn or cyclophilin A and suggests dependence on decreased activity of CREB.