MEK is a negative regulator of Stat5b in PDGF-stimulated cells

Heparanase induces signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) protein phosphorylation: preclinical and clinical significance in head and neck cancer

Activity of heparanase is implicated strongly in dissemination of metastatic tumor cells and cells of the immune system. In addition, heparanase enhances the phosphorylation of selected signaling molecules, including SRC and EGFR, in a manner that requires secretion but not enzymatic activity of heparanase and is mediated by its C-terminal domain. Clinically, heparanase staining is associated with larger tumors and increased EGFR phosphorylation in head and neck carcinoma. We hypothesized that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins mediate the protumorigenic function of heparanase downstream of the EGFR. We provide evidence that heparanase enhances the phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5b but not STAT5a. Moreover, enhanced proliferation of heparanase transfected cells was attenuated by STAT3 and STAT5b siRNA, but not STAT5a or STAT1 siRNA. Clinically, STAT3 phosphorylation was associated with head and neck cancer progression, EGFR phosphorylation, and heparanase expression and cellular localization. Notably, cytoplasmic rather than nuclear phospho-STAT3 correlated with increased tumor size (T-stage; p = 0.007), number of metastatic neck lymph nodes (p = 0.05), and reduced survival of patients (p = 0.04).

Attenuated expression of episodic growth hormone-induced CYP2C11 in female rats associated with suboptimal activation of the Jak2/Stat5B and other modulating signaling pathways

Inherent sex differences in various parameters of growth, musculoskeletal function, metabolism, and cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent drug metabolism have been reported in rats and humans administered typical intermittent/episodic growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy. Having infused and monitored the identical physiologic masculine (episodic) growth hormone profile to both hypophysectomized male and female rats, we observed that induction levels of hepatic CYP2C11 were 35 to 40% lower in females. Associated with the reduced expression of the P450 isoform in the episodic GH-treated females were dramatically lower activation levels of Janus kinase (Jak2), signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat5A and 5B) as well as 50% less binding of Stat5B to the CYP2C11 promoter. Because the Jak2/Stat5B signaling pathway mediates the effects of the masculine GH profile on its target cells, we conclude that the lower induction level of CYP2C11 in females exposed to the masculine GH profile is probably due, at least in part, to the suboptimum activation of the Jak2/Stat5B pathway. In addition to the reduced activation of the Jak2/Stat5B pathway, we observed lower activational levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/p42) and, indirectly, nuclear factor-kappaB in the episodic GH-treated females that may be involved in attenuating the activity of the Jak2/Stat5B pathway diminishing CYP2C11 expression levels.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 bind Stat5a and suppress its transcriptional activity

Germline mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are thought to account for a large portion of familial breast cancer. The increased risk of breast cancer in women carrying such mutations suggests that these proteins play a critical role in the growth regulation of mammary epithelial cells. Another protein, Stat5a, is known to be essential for growth and terminal differentiation of breast epithelial cells. Here we show that Stat5a forms a complex with both BRCA1 and BRCA2 in breast epithelial cells upon stimulation with prolactin. In addition, we show that the activity of Stat5a on the beta-casein promoter is modulated by both BRCA1 and BRCA2. This interaction may be important during the expansion and terminal differentiation of breast epithelial cells, as happens during pregnancy and lactation.

Expression of interferon alfa signaling components in human alcoholic liver disease

Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) is currently the only well-established therapy for viral hepatitis. However, its effectiveness is much reduced (<10%) in alcoholic patients. The mechanism underlying this resistance is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the expression of IFN-alpha signaling components and its inhibitory factors in 9 alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and 8 healthy control liver tissues. In comparison with normal control livers, expression of IFN-beta, IFN-alpha receptor 1/2, Jak1, and Tyk2 remained unchanged in ALD livers, whereas expression of IFN-alpha, signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1 (STAT1), and p48 were up-regulated and expression of STAT2 was down-regulated. Expression of antiviral MxA a karyophilic 75 kd protein induced by IFN in mouse cells carrying the influenza virus resistance allele Mx(+) and 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) proteins was not regulated, whereas expression of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) was decreased by 55% in ALD livers. Three families of inhibitory factors for the JAK-STAT signaling pathway were examined in ALD livers. Members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family, including SOCS 1, 2, 3, and CIS, and the protein tyrosine phosphatases, including Shp-1, Shp-2, and CD45, were not up-regulated in ALD livers, whereas the phosphorylation of and protein levels of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/44MAP kinase) were increased about 3.9- and 3.2-fold in ALD livers in comparison with normal control livers, respectively. In conclusion, these findings suggest that chronic alcohol consumption down-regulates STAT2 and PKR, but up-regulates p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/44MAP kinase), which may cause down-regulation of IFN-alpha signaling in the liver of ALD patients.

Fluid Shear Stress Reduces 11ss-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2

-In pregnancy, invading trophoblasts represent the inner vascular border of maternal spiral arteries and are exposed to elevated shear stress (ss) in hypertensive disorders. Intracellular cortisol availability is regulated by 11ss-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11ss-HSDs), thus determining body fluid volume and vascular responses. The impact of ss on 11ss-HSD2 activity was studied in the human JEG-3 cell line, a model for trophoblasts. JEG-3 cells do not express 11ss-HSD1; however, 11ss-HSD2 message and activity are measured via cortisol/cortisone conversion in cell lysates, and both are reduced by ss. The reduction in 11ss-HSD2 activity via ss is dose dependent and completely reversible after the discontinuation of ss. cAMP-dependent protein kinase A activation increased the 11ss-HSD2 activity yet did not prevent the ss response. The ss response was completely protein kinase C independent. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD-098059 enhanced 11ss-HSD2 activity in static conditions yet only ameliorated the ss effect. Cytochalasin D disrupts focal adhesion (FA)-cytoskeleton interactions and abolished the ss-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FA kinase dose-dependently, thus maintaining 11ss-HSD2 activity. The 11ss-HSD2 activity was only partially restored by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein; however, herbimycin A almost completely abolished the ss effect on 11ss-HSD2 activity. In conclusion, JEG-3 cells express 11ss-HSD2, which is downregulated by ss. Regulatory mechanisms involve transcriptional control and require intact FA-cytoskeleton signaling and phosphorylation of FA kinase. Thus, ss adds to an enhanced intracellular availability of cortisol, which may ultimately support a vasoconstrictive vascular response.