Differential regulation of collagenase gene expression by retinoic acid receptors--alpha, beta and gamma

Skin ageing and topical rejuvenation strategies

Skin ageing is a complex process involving the additive effects of skin's interaction with its external environment, predominantly chronic sun exposure, upon a background of time-dependent intrinsic ageing. Skin health and beauty is considered one of the principal factors perceived to represent overall 'health and wellbeing'; thus, the demand for skin rejuvenation strategies has rapidly increased, with a worldwide annual expenditure expected to grow from $US24.6 billion to around $US44.5 billion by 2030 (https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-facial-rejuvenation-market). Skin rejuvenation can be achieved in several ways, ranging from laser and device-based treatments to chemical peels and injectables; however, topical skin care regimes are a mainstay treatment for ageing skin and all patients seeking skin rejuvenation can benefit from this relatively low-risk intervention. While the most efficacious topical rejuvenation treatment is application of tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) - a prescription-only medicine considered to be the clinical 'gold standard' - a hybrid category of 'cosmeceutical' products at the midpoint of the spectrum of cosmetics and pharmaceutical has emerged. This article reviews the clinical manifestations of skin ageing and the available topical treatments for skin rejuvenation, including retinoids, peptides and antioxidants.

Retinoic acid disrupts osteogenesis in pre-osteoblasts by down-regulating WNT signaling

The skull bones are formed by osteoblasts by intramembranous ossification. WNT signaling is a regulator of bone formation. Retinoic Acid (RA) act as a teratogen affecting craniofacial development. We evaluated the effects of RA on the differentiation and mineralization of MC-3T3 cells, and on the expression of WNT components. MC-3T3 were cultured with or without 0.5 μM RA in osteogenic medium and mineralization was assessed by alizarin red staining. The expression of osteogenic marker genes and WNT genes was evaluated at several time points up to 28 days. RA significantly inhibited MC-3T3 mineralization (p < 0.01), without affecting ALP activity or Alp gene expression. Both parameters gradually increased in time. During culture, RA stimulated Runx2 expression at 14 and 28 days compared to the respective controls (p < 0.05). Also, RA significantly reduced Sp7 expression at days 14 and 21 (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, RA significantly reduced the expression of the WNT genes cMyc, Lef1, Lrp5, Lrp6 and Wnt11 compared to the controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, RA increased the expression of the WNT inhibitors Dkk1 at day 21 and Dkk2 at days 14 and 21 (p < 0.01). Our data indicate that RA disrupts osteogenic differentiation and mineralization by inhibiting WNT signaling.

Nuclear hormone receptors inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression through diverse mechanisms

Agents like retinoids, thyroid hormone, glucocorticoids, progesterone, androgens, which bind to members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, inhibit the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in many cell types. These Zn2(+)- and Ca2(+)-dependent MMPs degrade components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and precise regulation of their expression is crucial in many normal processes. However, inappropriate expression of MMPs contributes to a variety of invasive and erosive diseases, and inhibition of MMP synthesis provides an important mechanism for controlling such aberrant or dysregulated responses. Nuclear receptors control MMPs through a variety of seemingly redundant mechanisms. First, nuclear receptors act on the promoters of MMP genes to enhance or suppress trans-activation. Ironically, in a family of genes that exhibits substantial regulation by nuclear receptors, few consensus hormone responsive elements (HREs) have been deomonstrated in MMP promoters. Rather, inhibition of MMPs occurs primarily, but not exclusively, at AP-1 sites. Here, nuclear receptors form complexes on the DNA through interactions with AP-1 proteins, sequester Fos/Jun and/or decrease the mRNAs for these transcription factors. Second, nuclear receptors and their ligands can indirectly inhibit MMPs. For instance, both retinoids and glucocorticoids induce the transcription of TIMPs (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases), which complex with MMPs and inhibit enzymatic activity, and progesterone stimulates production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which in turn suppresses MMP-7 (matrilysin). Finally, nuclear receptors bind to coactivators, corepressors, and components of the general transcriptional apparatus, but the potential role of these interactions in MMP regulation remains to be determined. We conclude that nuclear receptors utilize multiple, apparently redundant, mechanisms to inhibit MMP gene expression, assuring precise control of ECM degradation under a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions.

Paracrine regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression in endometriosis

Following retrograde menstruation, shed endometrial tissue fragments attach to and invade the peritoneal surface to form established endometriotic lesions. With disease progression, the biochemically active lesions undergo remodeling and become fibrotic. Matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a significant role in normal endometrial remodeling during menses. Anomalous expression of MMPs and TIMPs has been identified in endometriotic lesions as compared to their highly regulated expression in eutopic endometrium. The paracrine mechanisms regulating misexpression of MMPs and TIMPs by endometriotic lesions are, however, not well defined. Misexpression of the MMPs and TIMPs may be due to innate anomalies in the eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, in the resident immune cells and peritoneal cells that juxtapose the ectopic endometrium, and/or numerous substances present in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. The majority of MMPs are under strict transcriptional regulation. Steroid hormones and cytokines appear to act on the MMP promoter, either independently or in consort, to provide both positive and negative regulation of these genes. Misregulated expression of MMPs and TIMPs is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and a cascade of events facilitating peritoneal extracellular matrix degradation and establishment or remodeling of endometriotic lesions. The mechanisms by which MMP and TIMP expression are misregulated warrant further investigation as such information may provide insight into novel therapeutic modalities for endometriosis.

Deletion of RAR carboxyl terminus reveals promoter- and receptor-specific AF-1 effects

Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are transcription factors with both amino-terminal ligand-independent and carboxyl-terminal ligand-dependent activation functions (AF-1 and AF-2, respectively). RAR-dependent gene activation in keratinocytes was investigated via expression of varied RARalpha and RARgamma carboxyl terminal truncation mutants lacking the AF-2 domain. Overexpression of the AF-1 domain of RARalpha or RARgamma was sufficient to decrease transcriptional activation of retinoid-dependent genes in keratinocytes. Conversely, expression of the same constructs was associated with an increase in expression of endogenous and synthetic reporter genes otherwise negatively regulated by RARs. These effects on transcription driven by some but not all retinoid-sensitive promoters tested could be alleviated by mutation of a serine phosphorylation site in the A/B domain. These results further support the promoter-specificity previously attributed to the RAR AF-1 region and functionally define a particular amino acid residue likely to contribute to the regulation of RARs and other proteins in the transcription complex.

Mechanisms of induction of human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) gene expression by all-trans retinoic acid in combination with basic fibroblast growth factor

The addition of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to human fibroblasts results in a synergistic induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) protein production. The synergistic stimulation of TIMP-1 protein by ATRA and bFGF increased across 72 h. An incubation of 10 min to 12 h with bFGF alone followed by ATRA gave a similar synergistic induction of TIMP-1 protein to that seen with both agents together. Treatment of cells with ATRA first followed by bFGF was ineffective. Expression of RARbeta mRNA was induced by ATRA alone, but not further induced by ATRA and bFGF; expression of RARgamma mRNA was induced by both ATRA or bFGF alone, and further induced by both reagents together; expression of RXRgamma was repressed by ATRA alone, but not by ATRA in combination with bFGF. Steady-state levels of TIMP-1 mRNA were induced 14 to 40-fold above control by ATRA and bFGF. Treatment with ATRA and bFGF did not alter the stability of TIMP-1 mRNA. The induction of TIMP-1 mRNA by ATRA and bFGF was greatly diminished by cycloheximide and therefore required new protein synthesis. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein caused a dose-dependent inhibition of TIMP-1 protein induction by ATRA and bFGF. A MEK1 inhibitor (PD98059) inhibited both basal and induced levels of TIMP-1. At high concentrations, p38 MAP kinase inhibitors further enhanced the synergistic stimulation of TIMP-1 protein by ATRA and bFGF, but at these concentrations, p42/44 MAP kinase was strongly activated. These data begin to elucidate the mechanisms by which TIMP-1 gene expression can be upregulated.

Transcriptional repression of the human collagenase-1 (MMP-1) gene in MDA231 breast cancer cells by all-trans-retinoic acid requires distal regions of the promoter

In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms controlling constitutive transcription of collagenase-1 and its repression by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in the highly invasive metastatic and oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer cell line MDA231. A combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments that include DNAase I hypersensitivity assays, transient transfection of collagenase-1 promoter constructs, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays implicate several PEA3 sites, binding sites for Ets-related transcription factors, in the constitutive expression of the human collagenase-1 promoter. Transient transfection of promoter constructs linked to the luciferase reporter, along with gel retardation assays, revealed that repression of collagenase-1 transcription by RA is not dependent on the proximal AP-1 site, but, rather, requires sequences located in distal regions of the promoter. Transcriptional analyses and electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggest that the PEA3 site located at -3108 bp facilitates, at least in part, the transcriptional repression of the human collagenase-1 gene in MDA231 cells. We conclude that collagenase-1 repression in MDA231 cells occurs by a novel regulatory pathway that does not depend on the proximal AP-1 site at -73 bp, but does depend on distal regions in the collagenase-1 promoter.

ETS sites in the promoters of the matrix metalloproteinases collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin (MMP-3) are auxiliary elements that regulate basal and phorbol-induced transcription

The matrix metalloproteinases collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin (MMP-3) are often coordinately expressed, and their promoters contain similar regulatory elements, including an AP-1 site at about -70. There are, however, additional sequences including an adjacent ETS site at about -90 in both promoters, and a NIP (nuclear inhibitory protein) binding site in the stromelysin promoter. In this paper, we have investigated the role of these elements in transcriptional activation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Using mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that in the collagenase promoter, PMA induction requires the binding of nuclear proteins to the ETS site as well as to the adjacent AP-1 element. In the stromelysin promoter, we used mutational analysis and DNA/protein interactions to illustrate a role for a single ETS site and for the NIP element in phorbol induction. These data suggest that ETS elements interact with other cis-acting sequences in these promoters to elicit transcriptional activation, and that the placement of the ETS sites in these promoters may influence transcriptional activity.

The nuclear receptor corepressor SMRT inhibits interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) transcription through an HRE-independent mechanism

Nuclear receptors inhibit synthesis of collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1; MMP-1), an enzyme that degrades interstitial collagens and contributes to joint pathology in rheumatoid arthritis. SMRT (Silencing Mediator for Retinoid and Thyroid hormone receptors) mediates the repressive effect of nuclear receptors at hormone responsive elements (HREs), prompting us to investigate whether this co-repressor could also regulate transcription of MMP-1, which lacks any known HREs. We find that primary synovial fibroblasts express SMRT. When over-expressed by transient transfection, SMRT inhibits MMP-1 promoter activity induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), phorbol phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or v-Src. SMRT apparently inhibits MMP-1 gene expression by interfering with one or more transcriptional elements clustered in a region between -321 and +63. We conclude that SMRT negatively regulates MMP-1 synthesis through a novel, HRE-independent mechanism that involves proximal regions of the MMP-1 promoter.

The AP-1 site and MMP gene regulation: what is all the fuss about?

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression occurs under tightly regulated mechanisms that lead to cell and tissue-specific expression of the individual genes. Despite this differential expression, there exists a high degree of similarity among the cis-acting elements in the MMP promoters. The Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) site at approximately -70 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site has long been thought to play a dominant role in the transcriptional activation of the MMP promoters, particularly in response to stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). However, more recent data indicate that basal transcription, as well as transactivation by PMA, cytokines, and growth factors requires the specific interaction of AP-1 with other cis-acting elements. Particularly important are PEA3 sites, located either adjacent to this AP-1 site or more distally. On the otherhand, the AP-1 site plays a dominant role in repression of MMPs by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), retinoids and glucocorticoids, although some AP-1 independent mechanisms may also contribute. While the AP-1 site is involved in tissue-specific expression of MMPs, the presence of one or more AP-2 elements appears critical. Thus, the AP-1 site, alone, does not regulate transcription of MMPs. Rather, there is an essential interaction with other cis-acting sequences in the promoters and with certain transcription factors that bind to these sequences. Together, these complex interactions control the transcription of the MMPs in response to particular inducers and repressors.

Inhibition of rabbit collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1; MMP-1) transcription by retinoid receptors: evidence for binding of RARs/RXRs to the -77 AP-1 site through interactions with c-Jun

Treatment of synovial fibroblasts with retinoic acid (RA) decreases their expression of collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1 or MMP-1), an enzyme that degrades interstitial collagens and contributes to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis. This inhibition results, at least in part, from RA-induced decreases in the mRNA for the transactivators Fos and Jun (with concominant increases in RAR mRNA) and by sequestration of Fos/Jun by RARs/RXRs. Previously, we provided evidence that retinoid receptors are also present in complexes that bind to fragments of rabbit MMP-1 promoter DNA containing an AP-1 site at -77 (Pan et al., 1995, J. Cell. Biochem., 57:575-589). However, it was unclear whether RARs and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) were binding directly to the DNA or indirectly through another protein. We now use a sensitive MMP-1 promoter/luciferase reporter construct to confirm the transcriptional role of the AP-1 site at -77. In addition, with electrophoretic mobility shift analyses (EMSAs), antibody "supershifts" and DNAase 1 footprinting, we examine the interaction of retinoid receptors and AP-1 protein on the MMP-1 promoter. We demonstrate that RARs, RXRs, and c-Jun form a complex at the AP-1 site in which c-Jun binds directly to the DNA and apparently tethers the retinoid receptors to the complex. We conclude that retinoid receptors/AP-1 protein interactions at the DNA may provide an additional means of controlling collagenase gene transcription by retinoids.

Novel regulation of keratin gene expression by thyroid hormone and retinoid receptors

Expression of keratin proteins, markers of epidermal differentiation and pathology, is uniquely regulated by the nuclear receptors for retinoic acid (RAR) and thyroid hormone (T3R) and their ligands: it is constitutively activated by unliganded T3R, but it is suppressed by ligand-occupied T3R or RAR. This regulation was studied using gel mobility shift assays with purified receptors and transient transfection assays with vectors expressing various receptor mutants. Regulation of keratin gene expression by RAR and T3R occurs through direct binding of these receptors to receptor response elements of the keratin gene promoters. The DNA binding "C" domain of these receptors is essential for both ligand-dependent and -independent regulation. However, the NH2-terminal "A/B" domain of T3R is not required for either mode of regulation of keratin gene expression. Furthermore, v-ErbA, an oncogenic derivative of cT3R, also activates keratin gene expression. In contrast to the previously described mechanism of gene regulation by T3R, heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor is not essential for activation of keratin gene expression by unliganded T3R. These findings indicate that the mechanism of regulation of keratin genes by RAR and T3R differs significantly from the mechanisms described for other genes modulated by these receptors.

Effect of retinoic acid in combination with platelet-derived growth factor-BB or transforming growth factor-beta on tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and collagenase secretion from human skin and synovial fibroblasts

This report shows for the first time that platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) can interact in a synergistic manner with retinoic acid to stimulate the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) from human skin and synovial fibroblasts. When cells are treated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml of either of these growth factors in combination with 10(-5) M retinoic acid, this results in a dose-dependent synergistic induction of TIMP protein secretion which is greater than the additive effect of the agents by up to fourfold. These responses can be inhibited by the presence of specific neutralising antibodies to the growth factors, demonstrating that they are not the result of an experimental artefact such as contamination with bacterial endotoxin. The mechanisms of these synergistic responses may involve the induction of receptors for retinoic acid, PDGF, or TGF-beta or may result from synergistic effects on TIMP gene transcription. We have also found that retinoic acid potently down-regulates PDGF-BB-stimulated collagenase in both types of fibroblast and that the effect of PDGF-BB alone on collagenase secretion from skin fibroblasts is biphasic. Finally, this study reports that retinoic acid and TGF-beta do not act in an additive fashion to inhibit the production of collagenase from skin fibroblasts.

Two activator protein-1 elements in the matrix metalloproteinase-1 promoter have different effects on transcription and bind Jun D, c-Fos, and Fra-2

Collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1, MMP-1) plays a central role in connective tissue metabolism as the only enzyme capable of degrading interstitial collagens at neutral pH. We used fragments of the rabbit collagenase promoter ranging from 1800 to 182 bp to measure transcriptional activity of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) site at -77. Mutation at -77 in this sequence greatly reduced basal transcription in all constructs. However, mutant constructs with at least 321 bp of promoter responded to phorbol myristate acetate, similar to their native counterparts, implicating upstream regions in mediating this response. Through mutagenesis and analysis of DNA-protein interactions, we also identified and characterized a novel AP-1 site at -186. Mutation at -186 in 321 bp of promoter modestly lowered basal activity but, in contrast to mutation at -77, reduced phorbol responsiveness by 50%. Mobility shift assays demonstrated specific inducible binding at both sites. DNA/protein complexes at both AP-1 sites contain c-Fos and Jun D proteins, while Fra-2 is present only at the -77 site. These studies (1) demonstrate cooperativity between these two AP-1 sites, (2) implicate the -186 site in phorbol inducibility and (3) identify specific members of the Fos and Jun families binding to these sites.

Repression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase expression by all-trans-retinoic acid in rat bone cell populations: comparison with transforming growth factor-beta 1

Retinoids and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) reduce the transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and increase the expression of the specific tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1) in fibroblasts. In contrast, all-trans-retinoic acid (retinoic acid) increases MMP expression in osteoblasts. Therefore, the mechanistic aspects of TIMP-1 regulation by retinoic acid in primary cultures of rat calvarial bone cell populations were studied and compared with those of TGF-beta 1 to determine if modulation of TIMP-1 would augment MMP expression. Retinoic acid was found to reduce TIMP-1 mRNA levels after 24 and 72 hr of culture by up to 60% in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition occurred at 10(-6) M retinoic acid with half maximal repression at approximately 5 x 10(-8) M. To determine the half life of TIMP-1 mRNA, the specific RNA polymerase II inhibitor DRB was added to cultures and the chase RNA analyzed by slot blots. TIMP-1 mRNA had a half life of approximately 14 hr and this was unaltered by retinoic acid treatment, suggesting that retinoic acid exerts its effects on TIMP-1 transcriptionally. When retinoic acid was added to cycloheximide-treated cultures TIMP-1 mRNA levels were reduced at 5 hr compared with controls. This showed that ongoing protein synthesis was not required to mediate the retinoic acid repression of TIMP-1 mRNA levels and supports the evidence that retinoic acid acts at the transcriptional level to reduce TIMP-1 expression. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 increased TIMP-1 mRNA levels by 3.5-fold at 24 hr to > 10-fold at 72 hr without alterations in mRNA stability indicating that transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 also acts at the transcriptional level to upregulate TIMP-1 expression in bone cells. Thus, these studies have revealed that TIMP-1 regulation by retinoic acid is different in osteoblasts from other cells and that retinoic acid has the property of generating resorptive and formative cell phenotypes in a tissue-specific manner. In bone, reduced TIMP-1 expression would favor bone matrix degradation and bone resorption that is a characteristic action of retinoids.

Suppression of collagenase gene expression by all-trans and 9-cis retinoic acid is ligand dependent and requires both RARs and RXRs

Retinoic acids (RA) are active metabolites of vitamin A which affect the expression of many genes involved in embryonic development, cell differentiation, and homeostasis. One important target gene for RA is matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1, collagenase), the only enzyme active at neutral pH that can degrade interstitial collagen, a major component of extracellular matrix. Using a cell line of normal rabbit synovial fibroblasts, HIG82 cells, as a model, we report that both all-trans- and 9-cis-RA inhibit collagenase synthesis. This inhibition occurs at a transcriptional level and is ligand-dependent. Constitutive levels of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mRNA levels are low, but are increased by all-trans and by 9-cis RA. In contrast, constitutive levels of retinoid X receptor (RXR) mRNA are higher and are not affected by RA. To measure DNA/protein interactions, we used a gel mobility shift assay with oligonucleotides containing either an AP-1 site or a 40 bp region between -182/-141, nuclear extracts from RT-treated cells, and antibodies to RARs and RXRs. We found that both RARs and RXRs interact with these regions of the collagenase promoter, perhaps as part of a complex with other proteins. Our results suggest that heterodimers between RARs and RXRs mediate suppression of the collagenase gene by RA, and that RAR is a limiting factor in this negative regulation.

RAR-specific agonist/antagonists which dissociate transactivation and AP1 transrepression inhibit anchorage-independent cell proliferation

Using retinoic acid receptor (RAR) reporter cells specific for either RAR alpha, beta or gamma, we have identified synthetic retinoids which specifically induce transactivation by RAR beta, while antagonizing RA-induced transactivation by RAR alpha and RAR gamma. Like RA, these synthetic retinoids allow all three RAR types to repress AP1 (c-Jun/c-Fos) activity, demonstrating that the transactivation and transrepression functions of RARs can be dissociated by properly designed ligands. Using AP1 reporter cells, we also show that glucocorticoids or vitamin D3, together with either RA or these 'dissociating' synthetic retinoids, can synergistically repress phorbol ester-induced AP1 activity. RA, but not these 'dissociating' retinoids, induced transcription of an interleukin-6 promoter-based reporter gene transiently transfected into HeLa cells together with RARs. Using Ki-ras-transformed 3T3 cells as a model system, we show that both RA and the 'dissociating' retinoids inhibit anchorage-independent cell proliferation, suggesting that retinoid-induced growth inhibition may be related to AP1 transrepression.

Genesis and prevention of spinal neural tube defects in the curly tail mutant mouse: involvement of retinoic acid and its nuclear receptors RAR-beta and RAR-gamma

A role for all-trans-retinoic acid in spinal neurulation is suggested by: (1) the reciprocal domains of expression of the retinoic acid receptors RAR-beta and RAR-gamma in the region of the closed neural tube and open posterior neuropore, respectively, and (2) the preventive effect of maternally administered retinoic acid (5 mg/kg) on spinal neural tube defects in curly tail (ct/ct) mice. Using in situ hybridisation and computerised image analysis we show here that in ct/ct embryos, RAR-beta transcripts are deficient in the hindgut endoderm, a tissue whose proliferation rate is abnormal in the ct mutant, and RAR-gamma transcripts are deficient in the tail bud and posterior neuropore region. The degree of deficiency of RAR-gamma transcripts is correlated with the severity of delay of posterior neuropore closure. As early as 2 hours following RA treatment at 10 days 8 hours post coitum, i.e. well before any morphogenetic effects are detectable, RAR-beta expression is specifically upregulated in the hindgut endoderm, and the abnormal expression pattern of RAR-gamma is also altered. These results suggest that the spinal neural tube defects which characterise the curly tail phenotype may be due to interaction between the ct gene product and one or more aspects of the retinoic acid signalling pathway.

The A/B domain of truncated retinoic acid receptors can block differentiation and promote features of malignancy

Recently, we discovered that stable introduction of a carboxyl-terminally truncated retinoic acid receptor gamma (tRAR gamma) into an epidermal keratinocyte line blocked the ability of these cells to differentiate, as judged by their failure to express late markers of squamous differentiation. We now demonstrate a correlation between the level of residual endogenous RAR activity of tRAR gamma-expressing keratinocyte lines and degree of terminal differentiation. Mutagenesis studies localize the effects to the A/B subdomain of the truncated receptor. Despite tRAR gamma's capacity to interfere with RAR-mediated transactivation of retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in keratinocytes, the effects of the truncated receptor are independent of its ability to bind DNA and directly interact with endogenous RARs. tRAR alpha also inhibits RARE-mediated gene expression in keratinocytes, even though its full-length counterpart enhances RARE activity in these cells. Intriguingly, both tRAR gamma and RAR gamma suppress keratin promoter activity in epidermal cells, although for tRAR gamma, the effect is mediated through the A/B domain whereas for RAR gamma, the effects require DNA binding. Taken together, these findings suggest that the truncation allows for new and aberrant interactions with transcriptional proteins/cofactors that participate in governing RARE activity. This discovery may have relevance in tumorigenesis, where genetic lesions can result in mutant RARs or in loss of receptor expression.

Using inhibitors of metalloproteinases to treat arthritis. Easier said than done?

Collagenase and stromelysin have a premier role in the irreversible degradation of the extracellular matrix seen in rheumatic disease. It is therefore no surprise that considerable attention has been devoted to developing strategies to reduce their levels in diseased joints. Most efforts have focused on inhibiting the activity of the enzymes, either by increasing the concentration of natural inhibitors such as the TIMPs or by introducing into the joint synthetic compounds that will complex with the enzymes and inactivate them. There have also been studies directed at inhibiting enzyme synthesis. These preclinical studies have been carried out in cell-free and/or cell culture systems and in animal models. Despite promising preclinical data, there have been no stunning successes in the clinical arena. The reasons for this are several. In part, they are rooted in the technical difficulties associated with designing inhibitors of enzyme activity that are of high affinity, and then delivering them to the affected joints while still maintaining specificity and efficacy. The complicated structure of the proteoglycan and collagen that comprise articular cartilage, along with the biochemistry of inflamed synovial tissue, only compound the difficulties. In addition to these technical problems, the lack of fundamental knowledge about the biochemistry and molecular biology of the enzymes has handicapped our efforts. We are just resolving the crystal structure of the metalloproteinases (108) and beginning to understand the mechanisms controlling gene expression (67, 68, 70-72). These advances represent significant achievements in metalloproteinase enzymology and biology and should form the scientific basis for a new generation of effective therapies. For example, knowledge of the active site as derived from the crystal structure of the enzymes may facilitate the development of tightly-binding specific inhibitors which function well in vivo. Similarly, based on our current understanding of mechanisms controlling the regulation of both the TIMP genes and the MMP genes, we are beginning to elucidate how to turn these genes on or off, and hopefully, to modulate disease accordingly. Indeed, although some studies are still at a preclinical level, these possible approaches are becoming a reality (109). Arthritic diseases in general, and rheumatoid arthritis in particular, represent a complicated multifaceted set of clinical disorders. The clinical symptoms and pathologic features result from a cascade of biologic pathways that involve acute and chronic inflammation, the immune response, and metalloproteinase biochemistry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Regulation of proteolytic activity in tissues

Degradation of tissue proteins is controlled by multiple means. These include regulation of the synthesis of proteinases, activation of the zymogen forms, the activity of the mature proteinase, and the degradation of these enzymes and the substrates. Mature proteinases can be controlled by pH, calcium ions, ATP, lipids and the formation of complexes with other proteinases, proteoglycans, and inhibitors.

Induction of collagenase and stromelysin gene expression by mechanical injury in a vascular smooth muscle-derived cell line

We describe a novel system for studying the production of matrix metalloproteinases types I and III (collagenase and stromelysin) by a vascular smooth muscle cell line (Rb-1 cells) in response to mechanical injury. Highly confluent Rb-1 cells are disrupted by passing a plastic comb around the plate to clear a series of circumferential paths, which are bordered by two ridges of displaced cells. Over the next 24 hours, cells migrate into the cleared areas. Northern blot analysis demonstrates the accumulation of mRNAs for collagenase and stromelysin during this process, although they are undetectable prior to injury. Cotreatment with all-trans-retinoic acid (10(-6) M) markedly decreases the level of mRNAs induced by injury, whereas dexamethasone (10(-7) M) causes only a slight reduction. In situ hybridization studies for stromelysin mRNA and immunohistochemical staining for collagenase protein on plates of injured cells showed the highest levels of stromelysin mRNA in cells in the ridges left by the injury; lower levels were observed in some cells migrating into the clear region. The same pattern of expression was observed when cells were stained with antiserum to collagenase protein. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated increases in transcription of stromelysin and collagenase genes following injury. Transient transfection of cells with a vector containing the luciferase gene driven by a wild-type promoter comprising 1.8 kb of the 5'-flanking region of the rabbit collagenase gene showed increased activity associated with injury. We conclude that: (1) mechanical injury is associated with induction of mRNAs for the metalloproteinases collagenase and stromelysin, (2) retinoic acid effectively antagonizes this responses, and (3) the increase in steady-state mRNA levels is, at least in part, transcriptionally mediated. Thus our data suggest a role for mechanical forces in initiating the changes in gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells following arterial injury in vivo.

Novel phorbol ester response region in the collagenase promoter binds Fos and Jun

In rabbit fibroblasts the AP-1 sequence (5'-ATGAGTCAC-3') is necessary but not sufficient for induction of collagenase transcription by phorbol esters (PMA) (Auble and Brinckerhoff: Biochemistry 30(18):4629-4635, 1991). In this study we identified additional sequences involved in PMA-induced transcription. Using fibroblasts transiently transfected with chimeric constructs containing fragments of the rabbit collagenase 5'-flanking DNA linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene, we found that deletion of nucleotides -182 to -141 in a 380 bp promoter construct resulted in about a 7-fold loss of induction by PMA. Mobility shift assays revealed that nuclear proteins from fibroblasts specifically bound to 20-bp at -182 to -161. Binding was competed completely by self and only partially by the AP-1 sequence, implying that proteins binding to the AP-1 sequence could also bind to this region. In vitro transcribed and translated c-Fos and c-Jun bound to both the AP-1 site and to the sequences from -182 to -141. DNAase I footprinting of the collagenase promoter with purified c-Jun or c-Fos/c-Jun protected the AP-1 sequence at -77 to -69 in addition to a region from -189 to -178 which overlaps a putative AP-1-like site, 5'-ATTAATCAT-3'. Finally, deletion of the -182 to -161 region in a 380-bp CAT construct resulted in a substantial reduction of PMA responsiveness. Thus, we have identified a novel phorbol-responsive region that binds c-Fos and c-Jun, and we suggest that these or similar proteins may regulate transcription of the collagenase gene by binding to sequences within and adjacent to the -182 to -161 region.

The synthetic retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases collagen expression in vitro and in the tight-skin mouse

OBJECTIVE

We documented the effect of the retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide on collagen expression in a tissue culture and in an animal model of scleroderma.

METHODS

We used RNA analysis, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays, organ culture, and histologic evaluation.

RESULTS

We showed that (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases alpha 1(I) collagen messenger RNA and transcription in cultured cells, and decreases collagen levels in the dermis of tight-skin mice.

CONCLUSION

These results provide a basis for further experiments to address the efficacy of (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide in the treatment of scleroderma.

A 25 kDa alpha 2-microglobulin-related protein is a component of the 125 kDa form of human gelatinase

Besides the monomeric mammalian 95 kDa progelatinase, two additional forms, a disulfide-bridged 220 kDa dimer and a 125 kDa form were isolated from human PMN leukocytes. The 125 kDa progelatinase was identified as a covalently linked, disulfide-bridged heterodimer formed of the monomer with a 25 kDa protein. This 25 kDa protein was isolated from gelatinase bound to the affinity support of gelatin-Sepharose and eluted by DTE-containing buffer. The amino acid sequence of tryptic peptides of this protein revealed homology with an alpha 2-microglobulin-related protein from rats, a protein so far unknown in humans.