Cytokine production through PKC/p38 signaling pathways, not through JAK/STAT1 pathway, in mast cells stimulated with IFNgamma

Anaphylactoid reactions induced by Shuanghuanglian injection and Shenmai injection and metabolomics analysis

Introduction: Shuanghuanglian injection (lyophilized) (SHLI) is commonly used to treat respiratory tract infection. Shenmai injection (SMI) is mainly used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Despite their widespread clinical use, anaphylactoid reactions (ARs) induced by SHLI and SMI have been reported, which have attracted broad attention. However, the impact of ARs on metabolic changes and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Methods: ICR mice were used as model animals and were treated with normal saline, C48/80, SHLI and SMI, respectively. The behavior of mice, auricle blue staining and Evans Blue exudation were used as indexes to evaluate the sensitization of SHLI and SMI and determine the optimal sensitization dose. Anaphylactoid mice model was established based on the optimal dose and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to model verification. Afterwards, plasma samples of administered mice were profiled by LC-MS metabolomics and analyzed to evaluate the changes in metabolites. Results: High doses of both SHLI and SMI can induce severe anaphylactoid reactions while the reaction induced by SMI was weaker. A Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) score plot indicated that following administration, significant metabolic changes occurred in mice. 23 distinct metabolites, including deoxycholic acid, histamine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, were identified in the SHLI groups. 11 distinct metabolites, including androsterone, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetate, were identified in the SMI groups. Meanwhile, different metabolic pathways of SHLI and SMI were predicted by different metabolites. The associated metabolic pathways include steroid hormone biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, histidine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. Conclusion: Study showed that both SHLI and SMI can induce varying degrees of anaphylactoid reactions, a positive correlation between response intensity and dose was observed. Metabolomics showed that SHLI and SMI may promote the simultaneous release of hormones and inflammatory factors by disturbing relevant metabolic pathways, while SMI may also inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, indicating both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This study will serve as a reference for developing a new approach to evaluate the safety of SHLI and SMI from perspective of susceptible drug varieties. However, ARs mechanism requires further verification.

Secretoglobin 3A2 protects lung from developing cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema

Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2 is a bioactive molecule exhibiting various functions such as improving allergic airway inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis and promoting bronchial branching and proliferation during lung development. To determine if and how SCGB3A2 is involved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a multifactorial disease with both airway and emphysematous lesions, a COPD mouse model was created by exposing Scgb3a2-deficient (KO), Scgb3a2-lung-specific overexpressing (TG), and wild type (WT) mice to cigarette smoke (CS) for 6 months. The KO mice showed loss of lung structure under control condition, and CS exposure resulted in more expansion of airspace and destruction of alveolar wall than WT mouse lungs. In contrast, TG mouse lungs showed no significant changes after CS exposure. SCGB3A2 increased the expression and phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1 and STAT3, and the expression of α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in mouse lung fibroblast-derived MLg cells and mouse lung epithelial-derived MLE-15 cells. In MLg cells, A1AT expression was decreased in Stat3-knockdown cells, and increased upon Stat3 overexpression. STAT3 formed a homodimer when cells were stimulated with SCGB3A2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays demonstrated that STAT3 binds to specific binding sites on the Serpina1a gene encoding A1AT and upregulates its transcription in lung tissues of mice. Furthermore, nuclear localization of phosphorylated STAT3 upon SCGB3A2 stimulation was detected by immunocytochemistry. These findings demonstrate that SCGB3A2 protects the lungs from the development of CS-induced emphysema by regulating A1AT expression through STAT3 signaling.

The role of heparin/heparan sulphate in the IFN-γ-led Arena

IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine. It is often involved in a variety of physiological processes by binding to the cell surface transmembrane receptor (IFN-γR) to initiate a series of signalling pathways that transmit external signals from cell surface receptors to the cell nucleus. Heparan sulphate (HS), a highly sulphated linear polysaccharide, is ubiquitous on the mammalian cell surface and extracellular matrix. Electrostatic interactions can be generated between the highly sulphated HS region and specific basic amino acid residues in the IFN-γ structure, thereby detaining IFN-γ on the cell surface, and the concentration of IFN-γ on the cell surface is thus, changed. IFN-γ retained on the cell surface will optimize the binding of IFN-γ to the transmembrane receptor resulting in high efficiency signalling. Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan with a structure similar to HS. The structural similarity provides a basis for modelling exogenous heparin dependence for interference with IFN-γ function. This model can be summarized as follows: First, the competitive binding effect; heparin bound to cytokines by competing with membrane-associated HS, causes a decrease in cytokine concentration on the cell surface. Second, the principle of priority occupancy; heparin can occupy the receptor binding site on cytokines, partially preventing the IFN-γ-IFN-γR interaction. These two models interfere with IFN-γ signal transmission. To decipher the mechanism by which heparin influences IFN-γ activity, studies of the structure-activity relationship are in progress. This paper summarizes research progress on the IFN-γ signalling pathway, heparin interference with IFN-γ activity and the structure-activity relationship between heparin and IFN-γ.

The spleen is the site where mast cells are induced in the development of food allergy

It has been reported that splenic immune responses play pivotal roles in the development of allergic diseases; however, the precise role of the spleen remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated a novel role of the spleen in the pathogenesis of food allergy (FA). We found that mast cells (MCs) developed from progenitor cells present in spleen during an antigen-specific T-cell response in vitro. In a Th2 response-mediated FA model, significant expansion of MCs was also observed in spleen. The incidence of allergic diarrhea was profoundly reduced in splenectomized mice, whereas adoptive transfer of in vitro-induced splenic MCs into these mice restored allergic symptoms, suggesting that the splenic MCs functioned as the pathogenic cells in the development of FA. The in vitro-generated MCs required not only IL-3 but also IFN-γ, and treatment of FA-induced mice with anti-IFN-γ antibody suppressed expansion of MCs in spleen as well as diarrhea development, highlighting that IFN-γ in the spleen orchestrated the development of FA, which was followed by a Th2 response in the local lesion. Overall, we propose that the role of the spleen in the development of FA is to provide a unique site where antigen-specific T cells induce development of pathogenic MCs.

Interacting post-muscarinic receptor signaling pathways potentiate matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression and invasion of human colon cancer cells

M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) expression is increased in colon cancer; M3R activation stimulates colon cancer cell invasion via cross-talk with epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), post-EGFR activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and induction of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) expression. MMP1 expression is strongly associated with tumor metastasis and adverse outcomes. Here, we asked whether other MAPKs regulate M3R agonist-induced MMP1 expression. In addition to activating ERK1/2, we found that treating colon cancer cells with acetylcholine (ACh) stimulated robust time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Unlike ERK1/2 activation, ACh-induced p38 phosphorylation was EGFR-independent and blocked by inhibiting protein kinase C-α (PKC-α). Inhibiting activation of PKC-α, EGFR, ERK1/2, or p38-α/β alone attenuated, but did not abolish ACh-induced MMP1 expression, a finding that predicted potentiating interactions between these pathways. Indeed, ACh-induced MMP1 expression was abolished by incubating cells with either an EGFR or MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitor combined with a p38-α/β inhibitor. Activating PKC-α and EGFR directly with the combination of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and EGF potentiated MMP1 gene and protein expression, and cell invasion. PMA- and ACh-induced MMP1 expression were strongly diminished by inhibiting Src and abolished by concurrently inhibiting both p38-α/β and Src, indicating that Src mediates the cross-talk between PKC-α and EGFR signaling. Using siRNA knockdown, we identified p38-α as the relevant p38 isoform. Collectively, these studies uncover novel functional interactions between post-muscarinic receptor signaling pathways that augment MMP1 expression and drive colon cancer cell invasion; targeting these potentiating interactions has therapeutic potential.

Transcriptional Profiling of Host Gene Expression in Chicken Embryo Fibroblasts Infected with Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Strain HA1101

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), a member of the Gammaretrovirus genus in the Retroviridae family, causes an immunosuppressive, oncogenic and runting-stunting syndrome in multiple avian hosts. To better understand the host interactions at the transcriptional level, microarray data analysis was performed in chicken embryo fibroblast cells at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after infection with REV. This study identified 1,785 differentially expressed genes that were classified into several functional groups including signal transduction, immune response, biological adhesion and endocytosis. Significant differences were mainly observed in the expression of genes involved in the immune response, especially during the later post-infection time points. These results revealed that differentially expressed genes IL6, STAT1, MyD88, TLRs, NF-κB, IRF-7, and ISGs play important roles in the pathogenicity of REV infection. Our study is the first to use microarray analysis to investigate REV, and these findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the host antiviral response and the molecular basis of viral pathogenesis.

Could interferon-gamma be a therapeutic target for treating heart failure?

The cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is the only known member of the type II family of interferons, and as such, binds to its own distinct receptor. It is important in host defense against infection, as well as adaptive immune responses. While a wide array of cytokines are known to be involved in adverse remodeling of the heart and the progression to heart failure, the role of IFN-γ is unclear. Recent evidence from clinical studies, animal models of myocarditis and hypertension, as well as isolated cell studies, provide conflicting data as to whether IFN-γ is pathological or protective in the heart. Thus, it is important to highlight these discrepant findings so that areas of future investigation can be identified to more clearly determine the precise role of IFN-γ in the heart. Accordingly, this review will (1) discuss the source of IFN-γ in the diseased heart; (2) summarize the data from animal studies; (3) discuss the effects of IFN-γ on isolated cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes; (4) identify signaling mechanisms that may be invoked by IFN-γ in the heart; and (5) present the clinical evidence supporting a role for IFN-γ in heart failure.

Interferon receptor signaling in malignancy: a network of cellular pathways defining biological outcomes

IFNs are cytokines with important antiproliferative activity and exhibit key roles in immune surveillance against malignancies. Early work initiated over three decades ago led to the discovery of IFN receptor activated Jak-Stat pathways and provided important insights into mechanisms for transcriptional activation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) that mediate IFN biologic responses. Since then, additional evidence has established critical roles for other receptor-activated signaling pathways in the induction of IFN activities. These include MAPK pathways, mTOR cascades, and PKC pathways. In addition, specific miRNAs appear to play a significant role in the regulation of IFN signaling responses. This review focuses on the emerging evidence for a model in which IFNs share signaling elements and pathways with growth factors and tumorigenic signals but engage them in a distinctive manner to mediate antiproliferative and antiviral responses.

β-Adrenergic receptors stimulate interleukin-6 production through Epac-dependent activation of PKCδ/p38 MAPK signalling in neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE IL-6 plays crucial roles in cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. Activation of β-adrenoceptors induced IL-6 production in neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts (NMCFs) through a G(s) /adenylate cyclase/cAMP/p38 MAPK pathway but independent of PKA. However, how cAMP activates p38 MAPK is still not defined. In this study, we have assessed the role of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) and PKCδ in p38 MAPK activation and IL-6 production by stimulated by the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline in NMCFs. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The IL-6 concentration in cell culture supernatants was measured by ELISA. The levels of phosphorylated and total p38 MAPK and PKCδ were determined by Western blot analysis. The translocation of PKCδ was determined by immunoblotting the soluble and particulate fractions. Expression of Epac1 or PKCδ was knocked down by the corresponding, adenovirus-mediated, small hairpin RNA (shRNA). RESULTS In NMCFs, activation of β-adrenoceptors enhanced PKCδ phosphorylation and translocation. Furthermore, knock-down of the PKCδ isoform using an adenovirus-mediated shRNA markedly down-regulated IL-6 induction by NMCFs stimulated with isoprenaline. Moreover, knock-down of Epac1 confirmed that Epac1 was upstream of PKCδ in IL-6 production. Additionally, both Epac1 and PKCδ mediated the p38 MAPK activation induced by isoprenaline. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS β-Adrenoceptor agonists activate a cAMP/Epac/PKCδ/p38 MAPK pathway to produce IL-6 in NMCFs. This study identifies Epac as the link between cAMP and p38 MAPK signalling pathways and demonstrates that PKCδ can function as a novel downstream effector of this β-adrenoceptor/cAMP/Epac pathway.

Secretoglobin 3A2 suppresses bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by transforming growth factor beta signaling down-regulation

With increasing worldwide rates of morbidity and mortality of pulmonary fibrosis, the development of effective therapeutics for this disease is of great interest. Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2, a novel cytokine-like molecule predominantly expressed in pulmonary airways epithelium, exhibits anti-inflammatory and growth factor activities. In the current study SCGB3A2 was found to inhibit TGFβ-induced differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, a hallmark of the fibrogenic process, using pulmonary fibroblasts isolated from adult mice. This induction was through increased phosphorylation of STAT1 and expression of SMAD7 and decreased phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3. To demonstrate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the TGFβ signaling in vivo, a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was used. Mice were administered bleomycin intratracheally followed by intravenous injection of recombinant SCGB3A2. Histological examination in conjunction with inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids demonstrated that SCGB3A2 suppressed bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Microarray analysis was carried out using RNAs from lungs of bleomycin-treated mice with or without SCGB3A2 and normal mice treated with SCGB3A2. The results demonstrated that SCGB3A2 affects TGFβ signaling and reduces the expression of genes involved in fibrosis. This study suggests the potential utility of SCGB3A2 for targeting TGFβ signaling in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Signal pathways in astrocytes activated by cross-talk between of astrocytes and mast cells through CD40-CD40L

Background

Astrocytes, which play an active role in chronic inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, exist close to mast cells with which they share perivascular localization. We previously demonstrated the possibility that astrocytes and mast cells interact in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the signaling pathways and the role for astrocytes in the interaction of astrocytes and mast cells.

Methods

We co-cultured human U87 glioblastoma (U87) and human mast cell-1 (HMC-1) cell lines, and mouse cerebral cortices-derived astrocytes and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured by confocal microscopy; CD40 siRNA by Silencer Express Kit; small GTPases by GTP-pull down assay; PKCs, MAPKs, CD40, CD40L, Jak1/2, STAT1, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) by Western blot; NF-κB and AP-1 by EMSA; cytokines by RT-PCR. An experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) model was induced using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide and pertussis toxin in mice. Co-localization of TNFR1 and astrocytes in EAE brain tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Each astrocyte co-culture had increases in [Ca²⁺]_i levels, release of cytokines and chemokines; activities of Rho-family GTPases, NF-κB/AP-1/STAT1⁷²⁷, and Jack1/2, STAT1⁷⁰¹. These effects were inhibited by anti-CD40 antibody or CD40 siRNA, and signaling pathways for Jak1/2 were inhibited by anti-TNFR1 antibody. EAE score, expression of TNFR1, and co-localization of TNFR1 and astrocytes were enhanced in brain of the EAE model. Anti-CD40 antibody or 8-oxo-dG pretreatment reduced these effects in EAE model.

Conclusions

These data suggest that astrocytes activated by the CD40-CD40L interaction in co-culture induce inflammatory cytokine production via small GTPases, and the secreted cytokines re-activate astrocytes via Jak/STAT1⁷⁰¹ pathways, and then release more cytokines that contribute to exacerbating the development of EAE. These findings imply that the pro-inflammatory mediators produced by cell-to-cell cross-talk via interaction of CD40-CD40L may be as a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases like MS.

Host gene expression profiling in influenza A virus-infected lung epithelial (A549) cells: a comparative analysis between highly pathogenic and modified H5N1 viruses

Background

To understand the molecular mechanism of host responses to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection and to get an insight into the means through which virus overcomes host defense mechanism, we studied global gene expression response of human lung carcinoma cells (A549) at early and late stages of infection with highly pathogenic avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus and compared it with a reverse genetics modified recombinant A (H5N1) vaccine virus using microarray platform.

Results

The response was studied at time points 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours post infection (hpi). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the genes affected by both the viruses were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different. Significant differences were observed in the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and immune responses, specifically at 16 hpi.

Conclusion

We conclude that subtle differences in the ability to induce specific host responses like apoptotic mechanism and immune responses make the highly pathogenic viruses more virulent.