A lymphoid cell-specific nuclear factor containing c-Rel-like proteins preferentially interacts with interleukin-6 kappa B-related motifs whose activities are repressed in lymphoid cells

Both basal and enhancer κB elements are required for full induction of the mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase gene

The transcriptional regulatory region of the mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene has two KB elements, one enhancer-linked (KBII) and the other (KBI) proximal to its core promoter. Mutation of κBII substantially reduced the extent to which the iNOS promoter could be induced by LPS and interfered with augmented responsiveness of the promoter to LPS+IFN-γ. Mutation of KBI had a quantitatively less dramatic negative effect on LPS responsiveness and this construct still showed augmented responsiveness to LPS+IFN-γ. When both KB elements were mutated, inducibility by LPS and, in particular, by LPS+IFN-γ was paradoxically restored, compared with the mutated KBII alone, suggesting cooperative interactions among the transcription factors that trans-activate the iNOS gene. In vivo footprint analysis showed that both KB elements were bound by protein complexes when macrophages were stimulated with LPS ± IFN-γ. Furthermore, KBI was bound even in untreated cells, suggesting that KB binding proteins might also have a negative influence on expression of the gene. Both KBI and KBII were bound by NF-KB/Rel proteins found in nuclear extracts prepared from macrophages treated with LPS ± IFN-γ, although the specificity of binding to each element was different. Our results show that, while NF-KB/Rel proteins are required for maximal expression of the iNOS gene, alone they are not alone sufficient. Furthermore, the results reported here show that the augmentative effect of IFN-γ on the LPS-induced expression of the iNOS gene is not mediated through increased activation of NF-KB/Rel.

The glutaredoxin/S-glutathionylation axis regulates interleukin-17A-induced proinflammatory responses in lung epithelial cells in association with S-glutathionylation of nuclear factor κB family proteins

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a newly emerging player in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases that amplifies inflammatory responses and promotes tissue remodeling. Stimulation of lung epithelial cells with IL-17A leads to activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), a key player in the orchestration of lung inflammation. We have previously demonstrated the importance of the redox-dependent posttranslational modification S-glutathionylation in limiting activation of NF-κB and downstream gene induction. Under physiological conditions, the enzyme glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) acts to deglutathionylate NF-κB proteins, which restores functional activity. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of S-glutathionylation on IL-17A-induced NF-κB activation and expression of proinflammatory mediators. C10 mouse lung alveolar epithelial cells or primary mouse tracheal epithelial cells exposed to IL-17A show rapid activation of NF-κB and the induction of proinflammatory genes. Upon IL-17A exposure, sulfenic acid formation and S-glutathionylated proteins increased. Assessment of S-glutathionylation of NF-κB pathway components revealed S-glutathionylation of RelA (RelA-SSG) and inhibitory κB kinase α (IKKα-SSG) after stimulation with IL-17A. SiRNA-mediated ablation of Grx1 increased both RelA-SSG and IKKα-SSG and acutely increased nuclear content of RelA and tended to decrease nuclear RelB. SiRNA-mediated ablation or genetic ablation of Glrx1 decreased the expression of the NF-κB-regulated genes KC and CCL20 in response to IL-17A, but conversely increased the expression of IL-6. Last, siRNA-mediated ablation of IKKα attenuated nuclear RelA and RelB content and decreased expression of KC and CCL20 in response to IL-17A. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for the S-glutathionylation/Grx1 redox axis in regulating IKKα and RelA S-glutathionylation and the responsiveness of epithelial cells to IL-17A.

Tacrolimus treatment of plasmacytoid dendritic cells inhibits dinucleotide (CpG-)-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion

Tacrolimus is a widely used immunosuppressive agent. Although T cells are the main targets of these pharmacological drugs, antigen presentation may also be affected. Among antigen-presenting cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are the main source of type I interferons upon microbial challenge, and are involved in several diseases and autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether tacrolimus can modulate the function of PDCs in vitro. Maturation and function of PDCs was determined using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cytometry bead arrays. The effect of tacrolimus on PDCs was observed mainly when the cells were pretreated with the immunosuppressive agent before activation. Upon dinucleotide-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) activation, tacrolimus pretreated PDCs showed a significant reduction in the surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules and human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) and secreted reduced levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. These results show that tacrolimus treatment of PDCs impairs CpG-induced activation, which could affect the outcome of the immune response.

Lymphoid B cells induce NF-κB activation in high endothelial cells from human tonsils

Immune surveillance depends on still poorly understood lymphocyte-endothelium interactions required for lymphocyte transendothelial migration into secondary lymphoid organs. The nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) regulatory system and its inhibitory IkappaB proteins control the inducible expression of adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines involved in endothelial activation and lymphocyte transmigration. Here we present results showing the activation of this system in response to the interaction of high endothelial cells from human tonsils (HUTEC) with human B and T lymphoid cell lines and primary tonsillar lymphocytes. Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that adhesion of different lymphoid cells induce varying levels of NF-kappaB activation in HUTEC, with Daudi cells, tonsil-derived B cell line 10 (TBCL-10) and primary tonsillar B lymphocytes causing the strongest activation. The main NF-kappaB protein complexes translocated to the nucleus were p65/p50 and p50/p50. Results from reverse transcription-PCR and flow cytometry analysis of HUTEC indicate that the interaction with Daudi cells induce an increased expression of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA and cell-surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, all of which were prevented by sodium salicylate, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation. Transwell experiments show that NF-kappaB activation and the response of HUTEC to the interaction of Daudi cells does not depend on direct cell-cell contact but rather on the production of soluble factors that require the presence of both cell types. These results suggest that lymphocytes and high endothelium establish a cross talk leading to NF-kappaB-mediated expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, inducing endothelial cell activation.

Glutathione enhances fibroblast collagen contraction and protects keratinocytes from apoptosis in hyperglycaemic culture

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous wound healing is relatively slow in patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that this defect in healing of wounds in patients with diabetes results from dysfunction of skin fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes and that this dysfunction is related to disrupted intracellular glutathione (GSH) homeostasis.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of esterified GSH on the contraction of fibroblasts in a fibroblast-populated collagen lattice and on keratinocyte apoptosis.

RESULTS

High glucose medium (hyperglycaemia) reduced the contraction ability of fibroblasts (P < 0.05). The normalization of glucose medium concentrations for hyperglycaemic fibroblasts did not restore the contraction capacity. The percentage of apoptotic keratinocytes was statistically higher in hyperglycaemic cells (P < 0.05). GSH media concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 micromol L(-1) restored the ability of hyperglycaemic fibroblasts to contract the gels in a concentration-dependent manner. Primary human keratinocytes grown in hyperglycaemic medium were more susceptible to apoptosis, and treatment with esterified GSH rescued the keratinocytes from apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that intracellular GSH can normalize skin cell functions disrupted by in vitro cell growth under hyperglycaemic conditions.

Multiple POU-binding motifs, recognized by tissue-specific nuclear factors, are important for Dll1 gene expression in neural stem cells

We cloned the 5'-flanking region of the mouse homolog of the Delta gene (Dll1) and demonstrated that the sequence between nucleotide position -514 and -484 in the 5'-flanking region of Dll1 played a critical role in the regulation of its tissue-specific expression in neural stem cells (NSCs). Further, we showed that multiple POU-binding motifs, located within this short sequence of 30bp, were essential for transcriptional activation of Dll1 and also that multiple tissue-specific nuclear factors recognized these POU-binding motifs in various combinations through differentiation of NSCs. Thus, POU-binding factors may play an important role in Dll1 expression in developing NSCs.

Studies on the molecular pathogenesis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma-cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and cDNA microarray analyses

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas (EMCs) are characterized by recurrent chromosome translocations resulting in fusions of the nuclear receptor TEC to various NH(2)-terminal partners. Here we describe the phenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic characteristics of a series of 10 EMCs. Using spectral karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization, clonal chromosome abnormalities were detected in all but one tumor. A t(9;22)(q22;q12) translocation was found in three cases; a del(22)(q12-13)in one case; and variant translocations, including t(9;17)(q22;q11-12), t(7;9;17)(q32;q22;q11), and t(9;15)(q22;q21), were detected in one case each. Recurrent, secondary abnormalities, including trisomy 1q, 7, 8, 12, and 19, were found in seven tumors. All tumors contained translocation-generated or cryptic gene fusions, including EWS-TEC (five cases, of which one was a novel fusion), TAF2N-TEC (four cases), and TCF12-TEC (one case). cDNA microarray analysis of the gene expression patterns of two EMCs and a myxoid liposarcoma reference tumor revealed a remarkably distinct and uniform expression profile in both EMCs despite the fact that they had different histologies and expressed different fusion transcripts. The most differentially expressed gene in both tumors was CHI3L1, which encodes a secreted glycoprotein (YKL-40) previously implicated in various pathological conditions of extracellular matrix degradation as well as in cancer. Our findings suggests that EMC exhibits a tumor-specific gene expression profile, including overexpression of several cancer-related genes as well as genes implicated in chondrogenesis and neural-neuroendocrine differentiation, thus distinguishing it from other soft tissue sarcomas.

Mechanisms of constitutive NF-kappaB activation in human prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Activation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor has been previously demonstrated in two androgen receptor negative prostate cancer cell lines. We wished to extend this work to additional prostate cancer cells and to characterize the mechanisms responsible for constitutive NF-kappaB activation.

METHODS

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to measure NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in prostate cancer cell lines, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect nuclear localization of NF-kappaB in prostate cancer tissues. Western blot analysis was used to study the status of IkappaBalpha. Transient transfection assays were employed to characterize the contributions of IkappaB kinase (IKK), MAPK kinase kinases (MAPKKKs), androgen receptor (AR), and tyrosine phosphorylation to the constitutive activation of NF-kappaB in the prostate cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

Constitutive NF-kappaB activity was observed in AR-negative cell lines as well as in the prostate cancer patient samples, but was not present in AR positive cells. A "super-repressor" IkappaBalpha, as well as dominant negative forms of IKKbeta and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK), and tyrosine kinase inhibition were able to suppress NF-kappaB activity in the cells with constitutive activation.

CONCLUSIONS

The constitutive activation of NF-kappaB observed in prostate cancer cells is likely due to a signal transduction pathway involving tyrosine kinases, NIK, and IKK activation.

p300/CBP-dependent and -independent transcriptional interference between NF-kappaB RelA and p53

p53 and NF-kappaB RelA are activated by various genotoxic agents and mutually suppress each other's ability to activate transcription, most likely through competition for transcriptional coactivators such as CBP or p300. However, we found that the inhibition by RelA of p53 transcriptional activity is not completely restored by CBP/p300 overexpression and that a p53 mutant can not suppress RelA activity despite of its ability to bind CBP/p300. In the present study, we further present evidence that these two transcriptional factors directly interact both in vivo and in vitro. These results therefore indicate that the cross transcriptional interference between p53 and RelA is partly caused by the direct interaction between these two transcription factors which is mediated by their dimerization/tetramerization domains and results in inhibition of each other's transcriptional activity. Finally, cells derived from RelA knockout mice showed enhanced p53 transcriptional activity, suggesting that this cross transcriptional interference is physiologically important in cellular response to genotoxic stress.

N-terminal determinants of I kappa B alpha necessary for the cytoplasmic regulation of c-Rel

I kappa B alpha is a dual regulator of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors. I kappa B alpha retains inactive NF-kappa B dimers in the cytoplasm, and inhibits their DNA-binding and transcriptional activities in the nucleus. Our previous studies identified discrete functional domains in I kappa B alpha responsible for the cytoplasmic and nuclear regulation of c-Rel. Determinants necessary for regulating c-Rel in the nucleus mapped to the central ankyrin domain of I kappa B alpha and a few negatively-charged amino acids that follow in the C-terminal PEST region. In contrast, sequences involved in the cytoplasmic regulation of c-Rel reside in the N-terminal and central ankyrin domains of I kappa B alpha. Here, we present a refined mapping of the N-terminal determinants of I kappa B alpha necessary for the cytoplasmic regulation of c-Rel homodimers. We demonstrate that amino acids 48 - 58 in p40/I kappa B alpha are essential to block the nuclear localization of c-Rel dimers. These data define a region of I kappa B alpha that may be required for optimal masking of the c-Rel NLS, or for the nuclear export of c-Rel/I kappa B alpha complexes. These findings highlight a novel function for the N-terminus of I kappa B alpha in the control of the subcellular localization of Rel/NF-kappa B dimers. Given the implication of deregulated NF-kappa B activity in hematopoietic and solid tumors, our findings predict that certain alterations in this domain of I kappa B alpha may have severe biological repercussions.

Casein kinase 2 as a potentially important enzyme in the nervous system

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic seryl/threonyl protein kinase which is highly conserved in evolution indicating a vital cellular role for this kinase. The holoenzyme is generally composed of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory (beta) subunits, but the free alpha/alpha' subunits are catalytically active by themselves and can be present in cells under some circumstances. Special attention has been devoted to phosphorylation status and structure of these enzymic molecules, however, their regulation and roles remain intriguing. Until recently, CK2 was believed to represent a kinase especially required for cell cycle progression in non-neural cells. At present, with respect to recent findings, four essential features suggest potentially important roles for this enzyme in specific neural functions: (1) CK2 is much more abundant in brain than in any other tissue; (2) there appear to be a myriad of substrates for CK2 in both synaptic and nuclear compartments that have clear implications in development, neuritogenesis, synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, information storage and survival; (3) CK2 seems to be associated with mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation in hippocampus; and (4) neurotrophins stimulate activity of CK2 in hippocampus. In addition, some data are suggestive that CK2 might play a role in processes underlying progressive disorders due to Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, chronic alcohol exposure or immunodeficiency virus HIV. The present review focuses mainly on the latest data concerning the regulatory mechanisms and the possible neurophysiological functions of this enzyme.

c-Rel and p65 trans-activate the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene in interleukin-1 stimulated mesangial cells

BACKGROUND

The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is secreted by human glomerular mesangial cells in response to interleukin-1 (IL-1) and has a central role in amplifying the inflammatory response during glomerulonephritis. However, the mechanism by which IL-1 regulates its transcription is not understood. Specific members of the nuclear factor kappaB/rel (NF-kappaB) proteins may regulate MCP-1 expression in a stimulus- and tissue-specific manner.

METHODS

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Western blot analysis characterized the members of the NF-kappaB family that bound the two NF-kappaB sites of the MCP-1 enhancer (A1 and A2) in vitro. Trans-activation of the MCP-1 gene was investigated by transfer of the MCP-1 enhancer DNA to mesangial cells.

RESULTS

Primary human mesangial cells contained in addition to p50 (NF-kappaB1) and p65 (Rel A) NF-kappaB proteins, the oncoprotein c-rel, and Rel B, but not p52 (NF-kappaB2). IL-1 induced c-rel to form a complex with p65, which bound the MCP-1 A2 site but not the A1 or IL-6 NF-kappaB sites in vitro. IL-1 up-regulated transfected MCP-1 enhancer activity. Cotransfer of the MCP-1 enhancer together with individual members of the NF-kappaB family showed that the heterodimer c-relp65 or (p65)2 can selectively trans-activate the MCP-1 gene via its A1 and A2 sites in mesangial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates for the first time that the c-rel oncoprotein can enhance MCP-1 transcription in mesangial cells and suggests that it may have an important role in amplifying gene expression in the inflamed glomerulus.

Cooperative interaction of NF-kappaB and C/EBP binding sites is necessary for manganese superoxide dismutase gene transcription mediated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma

Expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. We investigated the cis-acting elements within a tumor necrosis factor-responsive element (TNFRE) which was identified in the second intron of the murine Mn-SOD gene. Site-directed mutagenesis, reporter plasmid transfection studies and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that inducible transcription factors enhanced the transcriptional activity of the Mn-SOD gene through the TNFRE. The cooperation between proteins binding to the newly identified NF-kappaB and C/EBP sites led to synergistic gene transcription. This report provides the first evidence that cooperation between two distinct cis-acting elements may be required for induction of Mn-SOD gene expression mediated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.

Expression of IkappaBalpha in the nucleus of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes

According to current models the inhibitory capacity of I(kappa)B(alpha) would be mediated through the retention of Rel/NF-kappaB proteins in the cytosol. However, I(kappa)B(alpha) has also been detected in the nucleus of cell lines and when overexpressed by transient transfection. To gain better insight into the potential role of nuclear I(kappa)B(alpha) in a physiological context we have analysed its presence in the nucleus of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBL). We demonstrate the nuclear localization of I(kappa)B(alpha) in PBL by different techniques: Western blot, indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Low levels of nuclear I(kappa)B(alpha) were detected in resting cells whereas a superinduction was obtained after PMA activation. The nuclear pool of I(kappa)B(alpha) showed a higher stability than cytosolic I(kappa)B(alpha) and was partially independent of the resynthesis of the protein. Unexpectedly, the presence of nuclear I(kappa)B(alpha) did not inhibit NF-kappaB binding to DNA and this phenomenon was not due to the presence of IkappaBbeta at the nuclear level. Immunoprecipitation experiments failed to demonstrate an association between nuclear I(kappa)B(alpha) and NF-kappaB proteins. Our results demonstrate that in resting and PMA-activated human PBL, I(kappa)B(alpha) is present in the nucleus in an apparently inactive form unable to disrupt NF-kappaB binding from DNA.

Nuclear factor kappa B dependent induction of gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase by ionizing radiation in T98G human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant of all neoplasms, and often shows resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Ionizing radiation activates transcriptional factors, such as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa B). Previously we found that glutathione (GSH) synthesis is induced by cytokines mediated by NF-kappa B (Urata et al. J. Biol. Chem., 1996). Here, we present direct evidence that NF-kappa B activated by ionizing radiation induces the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), the rate limiting enzyme of GSH synthesis, using T98G human glioblastoma cells. T98G cells have approximately 14-times the level of intracellular GSH of NB9 cells, radiation-sensitive neuroblastoma cells. In T98G cells, 30-Gy of ionizing radiation was required for the activation of NF-kappa B on an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and the induction of gamma-GCS mRNA on Northern blots and a nuclear run-on assay. However, when T98G cells were treated with buthionine sulfoximine, 3-Gy of ionizing radiation stimulated the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappa B and the expression of gamma-GCS. We constructed chimeric genes containing various regions of gamma-GCS promoter gene and the coding region for Luciferase. T98G cells transiently transfected with a plasmid containing the gamma-GCS promoter-luciferase construct showed increased luciferase activity when treated with ionizing radiation. The luciferase activity stimulated by ionizing radiation was found in the gamma-GCS promoter containing the NF-kappa B binding site, whereas not in that containing its mutated site. These results suggest that GSH synthesis is upregulated by ionizing radiation mediated by NF-kappa B and a high concentration of GSH in T98G cells causes downregulation of the NF-kappa B-DNA binding activity in response to ionizing radiation. The irresponsiveness of the intracellular signal transduction cascade to irradiation may be a factor in the resistance of T98G cells to radiation therapy.

Use of phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxynucleotides to inhibit NF-kappaB expression and lymphocyte function

NF-kappaB is a potential target for immunosuppressive therapy. Two methods were evaluated to inhibit NF-kappaB: the antisense (AS) approach in which single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) bind the mRNA for the RelA subunit of NF-kappaB and the transcription factor decoy (TFD) approach in which double-stranded ODNs bind the NF-kappaB protein. AS and TFD inhibited NF-kappaB binding and decreased total IgG and anti-dsDNA antibody production in splenocytes from the BXSB/Yaa autoimmune mouse strain. TNF-alpha expression was reduced by AS and TFD, as were the levels of IL-2. But AS effects did not last beyond 24 h, whereas TFD inhibited cytokine production after 72 h. AS had no effect upon IL-6, while the TFD reduced the secretion of IL-6. Therefore, the suppression of immune response mediators by AS or TFD, through inhibition of NF-kappaB, is substantial. These inhibitors can serve as novel choices for therapy in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Hypoxia, but not reoxygenation, induces interleukin 6 gene expression through NF-kappa B activation

Interleukin (IL) 6 is one of major mediators of inflammation, and IL-6 gene activation during hypoxia/reoxygenation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, molecular events involved in IL-6 gene expression during hypoxia/reoxygenation remain to be identified. We have previously shown that NF-kappa B plays an essential and indispensable role in the transcriptional activation of the IL-6 gene induced by various stimuli, including IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. We show here that hypoxia, but not reoxygenation, induces the activation of NF-kappa B through the degradation of a major inhibitor of NF-kappa B, I kappa B alpha. This hypoxia-induced NF-kappa B activation resulted in the kappa B-dependent transcriptional activation of the IL-6 gene. Interestingly, the time course of hypoxia-induced NF-kappa B activation was rather slow as compared with those of NF-kappa B activation induced by other stimuli, such as IL-1: a significant NF-kappa B activation was not observed before 1 hr of hypoxia treatment and persisted for up to 7 hr of hypoxia treatment. However, hypoxia-induced NF-kappa B activation was not inhibited by cycloheximide, which indicates that hypoxia directly triggers NF-kappa B activation. Furthermore, while hypoxia is unlikely to generate reactive oxygen intermediates, pretreatment of cells with antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine and alpha-tocopherol inhibited NF-kappa B activation induced by hypoxia. Thus, we discuss possible implications of these results for a postulated role of reactive oxygen intermediates in NF-kappa B activation.

The Rel subunit of NF-kappaB-like transcription factors is a positive and negative regulator of macrophage gene expression: distinct roles for Rel in different macrophage populations

The role of Rel in the monocyte/macrophage lineage was examined in mice with an inactivated c-rel gene. Although the frequency of monocytic cells was normal in Rel-/- mice, we show that Rel serves distinct roles in regulating gene expression and immune effector function in different mature macrophage populations. Stimulated Rel-/- resident peritoneal macrophages produced higher than normal levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), but tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was not induced. Diminished cytotoxic activity exhibited by resident Rel-/- macrophages was consistent with reduced nitric oxide production resulting from impaired up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. While a similar altered pattern of IL-6 and TNF-alpha expression was observed in stimulated Rel-/- peritoneal effusion macrophages, cytotoxic activity, nitric oxide, GM-CSF and G-CSF production by these cells was normal. The alternate regulation of certain genes in the two macrophage populations coincided with different patterns of nuclear Rel/NF-kappaB complexes expressed in normal resident and elicited cells. Collectively, these results establish that Rel is a positive or negative regulator of transcription in macrophages and that Rel has distinct roles in different macrophage populations.

Long exposure to high glucose concentration impairs the responsive expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase by interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in mouse endothelial cells

To elucidate the pathological metabolism of glutathione synthesis in diabetic endothelial cells, we studied the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) using a mouse vascular endothelial cell line. Exposing normoglycemic endothelial cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) increased the activity and the mRNA expression of gamma-GCS. The addition of inhibitors for nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) to the cells caused a loss of the gamma-GCS mRNA expression in response to TNF-alpha. A shift of the concentration of glucose in the medium from 5.5 to 28 mM glucose and a following incubation for 7 days decreased the expression of gamma-GCS mRNA. These cells showed no apparent responses of gamma-GCS mRNA or the activity of NF-kappaB to TNF-alpha or IL-beta. Increase in the GSH concentration of the cells treated with 28 mM glucose restored the expression of gamma-GCS mRNA and its response to TNF-alpha or IL-beta, suggesting that redox regulation is involved in the expression of gamma-GCS. In summary, the expression of gamma-GCS is regulated by TNF-alpha or IL-1beta in endothelial cells mediated by NF-kappaB stimulation, and impairment of the regulation of gamma-GCS in hyperglycemic cells may be a cause of medical complications that develop in diabetes mellitus.

A role for phosphorylation in the proteolytic processing of the human NF-kappa B1 precursor

A precursor, p105, for one of the subunits (p50) of the NF-kappa B transcription factor, plays an important role in inducible expression of diverse cellular genes. p105 also functions as a cytoplasmic inhibitor for NF-kappa B, and the proteolytic processing of its inhibitory C-terminal region is required for generation of active NF-kappa B. Here, it is reported that the human p105 C-terminal region is phosphorylated in vivo on Ser894 and Ser908, which are potential phosphorylation sites in vitro for proline-directed serine/threonine kinases such as cyclin-dependent kinase. Furthermore, the mutation of these in vivo phosphorylation sites retards p105 processing in vivo, suggesting that p105 processing is regulated in a phosphorylation-dependent manner.

Members of the nuclear factor kappa B family transactivate the murine c-myb gene

Expression of the c-myb proto-oncogene is primarily detected in normal tissue and tumor cell lines of immature hematopoietic origin, and the down-regulation of c-myb expression is associated with hematopoietic maturation. Cell lines that represent mature, differentiated hematopoietic cell types contain 10-100-fold less c-myb mRNA than immature hematopoietic cell types. Differences in steady-state c-myb mRNA levels appear to be primarily maintained by a conditional block to transcription elongation that occurs in the first intron of the gene. The block to transcription elongation has been mapped, using nuclear run-on analysis, to a region of DNA sequence that is highly conserved between mouse and man. Two sets of DNA-protein interactions, flanking the site of the block to transcription elongation, were detected that exhibited DNA-binding activities that strongly correlated with low steady-state c-myb mRNA levels. Several criteria demonstrated that members of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) family of transcription factors were involved in the DNA-protein interactions identified in these two sets. Surprisingly, cotransfection experiments demonstrated that coexpression of members of the NF-kappa B family, specifically p50 with p65 and p65 with c-Rel, transactivated a c-myb/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter construct that contained 5'-flanking sequences, exon I, intron I, and exon II of the c-myb gene. Transactivation by these heterodimer combinations was dependent on regions of the c-myb first intron containing the NF-kappa B-binding sites. These findings suggest that NF-kappa B family members may be involved in either modifying the efficiency of transcription attenuation or acting as an enhancer-like activity to increase transcription initiation. Thus, the regulation of c-myb transcription may be quite complex, and members of the NF-kappa B family likely play an important role in this regulation.

Nuclear factor kappa B functions as a negative regulator for the rat androgen receptor gene and NF-kappa B activity increases during the age-dependent desensitization of the liver

Transcriptional regulation of the steroid hormone receptor genes plays a central role in temporal changes of target cell sensitivity during development, maturation, and aging. Sequence-specific DNA-protein interactions mediate these regulatory functions. Progressive 5' deletion of the rat androgen receptor (rAR) gene immediately beyond the -572 base pair (bp) region causes a marked increase in its promoter activity. DNase I footprinting with nuclear proteins revealed a protected area encompassing -574- to -554-bp positions that begins with a perfectly palindromic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) motif. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses (EMSA) showed that the decameric rAR NF-kappa B site at positions -574 to -565 cross-competes with the authentic kappa immunoglobulin light chain enhancer for specific protein binding. Supershift with specific antibodies to NF-kappa B subunits confirmed that the two retarded bands observed in the EMSA with the labeled rAR probe are due to p50/p65 and p50/p50 dimers of the NF-kappa B/Rel proteins. Fragments of rAR promoter with either deletion or point mutation of the NF-kappa B site are found to be about 2- to 3-fold more effective as compared to the wild type control in driving a heterologous reporter gene in cellulo. Thus, unlike most other known cases, NF-kappa B acts as a negative regulator for the rAR gene. The physiological relevance of this repressor function is evident from a 10-fold increase in the p50/p50 form of the NF-kappa B activity in the liver of aged rats exhibiting hepatic androgen desensitization. The newly identified repressor element is a rare example of a naturally occurring perfect palindromic binding motif for the NF-kappa B/Rel family of transcription factors. This repressor factor and the positively acting age-dependent factor, ADF, described earlier (Supakar, P. C., Song, C. S., Jung, M. H., Slomczynska, M. A., Kim, J.-M., Vellanoweth, R. L., Chatterjee, B. & Roy, A. K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26400-26408) function to coordinate the tissue-specific down-regulation of the rAR gene during aging.

NF-kappa B and C/EBP transcription factor families synergistically function in mouse serum amyloid A gene expression induced by inflammatory cytokines

Mouse serum amyloid A proteins (SAA) are encoded by multiple genes and the expression of these SAA genes is highly induced during inflammation. We demonstrate that the expression of one of SAA genes (SAA3) is induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), and that other inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor, while they themselves are without any effects, enhanced IL-1 induced SAA3 gene expression. The results of mutational analysis on the SAA3 promoter indicate that both the NF-kappa B and C/EBP transcription factor-binding motifs are essential for cytokine-induced SAA3 gene expression in Hep3B cells. To study further roles of NF-kappa B and C/EBP transcription factor family members in SAA3 gene activation, expression vectors for NF-kappa B subunits (p50 and p65) and C/EBP family members (C/EBP-alpha and NFIL-6, also called C/EBP-beta) were co-transfected into Hep3B hepatoma and F9 embryonic carcinoma cells. The results show that, while the expression of p65 alone strongly transactivated a SAA3 gene, p50 did not induce a significant transactivation, and NFIL-6 and C/EBP-alpha induced only a marginal transactivation when expressed alone. However, the co-expression of p50 or p65 with C/EBP family members did result in the efficient induction of SAA3 gene expression, indicating that the synergy between NF-kappa B and C/EBP transcription factor families is essential for SAA3 gene expression during inflammation.

Developmental expression of the mouse c-rel proto-oncogene in hematopoietic organs

We have studied the expression of the c-rel proto-oncogene during mouse embryonic development and adult animals using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical analysis. c-rel transcripts were detected late in development with an expression pattern that parallels the emergence and diversification of hematopoietic cells. In the embryo, c-rel is expressed first in the mesoderm-derived hematopoietic cells of the liver and later also in other hematopoietic tissues such as thymus and spleen. This correlation between c-rel expression and places of hematopoietic infiltration is conserved in the postnatal period, with expression of c-rel mRNA in the medullary region of the thymus and in splenic B cell areas, including the marginal zone and the outer region of the periarterial sheath. High levels of c-rel transcripts were also detected in the splenic germinal centers, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Using double immunofluorescence and cell preparations from different embryonic and adult hematopoietic organs, we have defined the pattern and cell types of c-rel expression in different hematopoietic cell lineages and in the stromal cell content of the thymus. By using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we have also correlated c-Rel expression in spleen with kappa B-binding activity in the form of c-Rel/p50 and c-Rel/p52 heterodimers. The timing and pattern of expression of the c-rel proto-oncogene in the different cell lineages suggest that temporally regulated changes in c-Rel expression may be required for vertebrate hematopoiesis.

Two different cellular redox systems regulate the DNA-binding activity of the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B in vitro

The NF-kappa B/Rel/Dorsal (NRD) transcription factor family binds target DNA sequences through their conserved N-terminal basic region that contains a single cysteine residue flanked by basic residues. This cysteine residue plays a critical role in the regulation of the DNA-binding activity of NRD members, since chemical modifications of this residue modulate the DNA-binding activity of NRD members. Here we show that cellular factors regulate the DNA-binding activity of NRD members in vitro by reduction-oxidation (redox) mechanisms. Two cellular redox systems, thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (also called Redox factor-1), independently, as well as, synergistically stimulate the DNA-binding activity of bacterially synthesized (recombinant) p50, one of the subunits of NF-kappa B that is a major NRD factor inducible in various types of cells. Since the mutation of the conserved residue (Cys61) in the N-terminal basic region of p50 impairs the stimulation of p50 DNA-binding activity by these redox factors, the regulation of p50 DNA-binding activity by these redox factors is mediated through this cysteine residue. It is, therefore, possible that these two cellular redox systems could play independent, as well as synergistic roles in the regulation of NF-kappa B functions in vivo through the redox control of their DNA-binding activity.

Prodynorphin gene expression relates to NF-kappa B factors

The prodynorphin gene contains several kappa B motifs, suggesting that kappa B-specific DNA-binding factors may regulate its expression. Prodynorphin is known to be expressed in human tumor cell lines [Geiger et al., Regul. Peptides, 34 (1991) 181-188] and we report here that several DNA-binding factors of the NF-kappa B/c-Rel-family are present in the same cells. Three main kappa B-specific factors, presumably a p50 homodimer, NF-kappa B which is a p50/p65 heterodimer and a p65/c-Rel heterodimer were identified using an electromobility shift assay (EMSA), immunoabsorption and UV cross-linking experiments. Minor factors consisting of a novel kappa B-specific protein of about 125 kDa (p125) or being hetero-oligomeric, composed of p125 and either of three other subunits, namely p50, p65 and c-Rel, were also identified. The homo-oligomer of p125 may be identical to the kappa B-specific factor BETA, previously found only in brain [Korner et al., Neuron, 3 (1989) 563-572]. Comparison of prodynorphin mRNA levels with levels of the kappa B-specific DNA-binding factors revealed a negative correlation with the level of p50 homodimer, and a positive correlation with the ratio of the levels of p65/c-Rel to NF-kappa B. No association was found with proenkephalin mRNA levels which were significant in only one cell line. The p50 homodimer, but not p65/c-Rel and NF-kappa B, bound specifically to a DNA-motif within the dynorphin A-encoding gene sequence. This sequence is located in exon 4 and similar to the consensus kappa B-sequence. The dynorphin A-encoding sequence may represent an intragenic target for the p50 homodimer, which when bound to the sequence suppresses transcription.

Evolution of the oncogenic potential of v-rel: rel-induced expression of immunoregulatory receptors correlates with tumor development and in vitro transformation

v-rel is a viral oncogene that evolved from turkey c-rel, an NF-kappa B-related transcription factor. Numerous structural alterations record the evolutionary selection of v-rel and distinguish it from c-rel. To evaluate the biological significance of these alterations, we constructed a set of five c/v-rel hybrids in which three mutation clusters (c-Rel amino acids 1 to 97,222 to 302, and 328 to 598) were differentially distributed. These constructs, in addition to parental v-rel and c-rel and two C-terminal deletion mutants of c-rel, were expressed from a retroviral vector. An analysis of cells infected with each of the nine viruses revealed that mutations in all three domains contributed to the ability of v-rel to induce two endogenous c-rel target genes, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II, in the B-cell line DT95 as well as MHC class II in normal splenocytes. The analysis revealed a strong nonlinear correlation between the ability of a Rel protein to induce expression of MHC proteins and its capacity to produce splenic tumors and establish in vitro transformation. This correlation is consistent with the hypothesis that v-rel transforms by constitutively altering expression of genes regulated by c-rel and in this way simulates events associated with immune response-linked proliferation of cells of hematopoietic origin. Further, the 16 carboxy-terminal amino acids of c-Rel were identified as a domain responsible for producing a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic effect in DT95. Because this effect is likely to differentially influence induction of MHC expression and tumorigenesis/transformation, it may represent one factor that contributes to the nonlinearity of their correlation.

v-rel induces expression of three avian immunoregulatory surface receptors more efficiently than c-rel

The c-rel gene is a member of NF-kappa B/rel family of transcription factors that regulate expression of a variety of immunoregulatory molecules. The viral oncogene, v-rel, is a truncated and mutated form of the turkey c-rel gene expressed by reticuloendotheliosis virus, strain T. In this study, we demonstrated that three avian immunoregulatory receptors, major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens class I and class II as well as the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), were induced on the surface of splenic tumor cells isolated from chickens infected with reticuloendotheliosis virus, strain T. All cell lines derived from splenic tumors expressed these three proteins. Their expression also correlated with the appearance of endogenous c-rel during a graft-versus-host reaction. In vitro, both c-rel and v-rel induced MHC class I, MHC class II, and IL-2R on an avian B-lymphoid cell line, DT95, and a T-lymphoid cell line, MSB-1. Quantitative kinetic analysis demonstrated both the accumulation of MHC class II mRNA and the appearance of surface MHC class II protein in response to the synthesis of either v-rel or c-rel. We show that v-rel induced the expression of MHC class II in the avian B-cell lines DT40 and DT95 more rapidly than c-rel and that, several weeks after infection, v-rel induced MHC class II as much as 50-fold more efficiently than c-rel. Finally, in vitro infection of splenocytes with retroviruses that express v-rel or c-rel induced MHC class I, MHC class II, and IL-2R expression. Quantitative analysis confirmed that p59v-rel was consistently more efficient at inducing expression of all three immunoregulatory receptors than exogenous p68c-rel. These data suggest that during tumor development, v-rel functions to induce (or suppress) the expression of genes similarly induced (or suppressed) by c-rel. The observations reported in this study are not in agreement with a model in which v-rel promotes tumor development by functioning as a dominant negative mutant of c-rel. In contrast, these findings support the hypothesis that lymphocyte immortalization and tumor development are the result, at least in part, of the capacity of v-rel to function as a dominant positive mutant that induces expression of genes normally regulated by c-rel.

High levels of c-rel expression are associated with programmed cell death in the developing avian embryo and in bone marrow cells in vitro

To determine the physiological processes in which the transcription factor c-Rel may act, we have examined its pattern of expression in the avian embryo by in situ hybridization. These studies showed that c-rel is expressed ubiquitously at low levels and at high levels in isolated cells undergoing programmed cell death by apoptosis or autophagocytosis. To further establish a functional link between expression of c-rel and cell death, we examined the biological consequences of c-rel overexpression in vitro. In primary avian fibroblasts, overexpression of c-rel leads to transformation and dramatic life span extension. In contrast, bone marrow cells expressing high levels of c-rel undergo a process of programmed cell death displaying features of both apoptosis and autophagocytic cell death. Thus, these experiments suggest a critical role for c-rel not only in the control of cell proliferation, but also in the induction of cell death.

NF-kappa B-like factors in the murine brain. Developmentally-regulated and tissue-specific expression

NF-kappa B and related factors are important transducers of external signals to the cell nucleus. They are abundant in the brain, where they may be significant for the regulation of gene transcription in plasticity-related processes for instance, via activation of protein kinase C. The subunit composition and levels of these factors in the mouse and rat brain and other tissues, using an assay based on gel retardation of the oligonucleotides corresponding to the kappa B DNA-element, are reported here. Three major kappa B-binding factors were observed. Factors I and II were activated by the dissociating agent deoxycholate. DNA protein cross-linking and antibody neutralization experiments suggest that factor I is a heterodimer of c-Rel and p65; factor II is a heterodimer of p50 and p65 (authentic NF-kappa B), and of p50 and c-Rel; factor III is the p50 homodimer (KBF1). All three factors were generally expressed in the 17-day-old rat embryo and 5-day-old pup, whereas in the adult rat, expression was more limited and showed certain tissue specificity. Factor II was the most generally expressed and the only factor observed in adult brain. Factor I was only detected in the adult testis whereas factor III was observed in the adult spleen and, in small amounts, in the liver and lung. Two minor kappa B-specific factors (A and B), distinctive to the brain and spleen, respectively, showed very slow gel mobility. Their estimated molecular weights were about 125 kDa and 95 kDa, respectively. Expression of factor A was stable in the rat brain during development. Factor A may be identical to a previously described brain-specific factor, BETA (Korner et al., Neuron, 3 (1989) 563-572). Thus, the expression pattern of kappa B-binding activities is apparently developmentally regulated and tissue-specific particularly in the adult. In the adult mouse and rat brain, only factors II (probably NF-kappa B and p50/c-Rel heterodimer) and A (probably BETA) could be observed.

Chronic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection stimulates distinct NF-kappa B/rel DNA binding activities in myelomonoblastic cells

The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and the induction of NF-kappa B binding activity was examined in a myeloid cell model of HIV-1 infection derived from the PLB-985 cell line. Chronic infection of PLB-985 cells led to increased monocyte-specific surface marker expression, increased c-fms gene transcription, and morphological alterations consistent with differentiation along the monocytic pathway. PLB-IIIB cells displayed a constitutive NF-kappa B-like binding activity that was distinct from that induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment of the parental PLB-985 cell line. This unique DNA binding activity consisted of proteins of 70, 90, and 100 kDa with a high degree of binding specificity for the NF-kappa B site within the PRDII domain of beta interferon. In this report, we characterize the nature of these proteins and demonstrate that binding of these proteins is also induced following Sendai paramyxovirus infection. The 70-kDa protein corresponds to the NF-kappa B RelA (p65) subunit, which is activated in response to an acute paramyxovirus infection or a chronic HIV-1 infection. Virus infection does not appear to alter the amount of RelA (p65) or NFKB1 (p50) but rather affects the capacity of I kappa B alpha to sequester RelA (p65), therefore leading to constitutive levels of RelA DNA binding activity and to increased levels of NF-kappa B-dependent gene activity. The virally induced 90- to 100-kDa proteins have a distinct binding specificity for the PRDII domain and an AT-rich sequence but do not cross-react with NF-kappa B subunit-specific antisera directed against NFKB1 (p105 or p50), NFKB2 (p100 or p52), RelA (p65), or c-rel. DNA binding of the 90- to 100-kDa proteins was not inhibited by recombinant I kappa B alpha/MAD-3 and was resistant to tryptic digestion, suggesting that these proteins may not be NF-kappa B related. Transient cotransfection experiments demonstrated that RelA and NFKB1 expression maximally stimulated HIV-1 LTR- and NF-kappa B-dependent reporter genes; differences in NF-kappa B-like binding activity were also reflected in higher constitutive levels of NF-kappa B-regulated gene expression in HIV-1-infected myeloid cells.

Transcriptional activation of the interleukin-6 gene by HTLV-1 p40tax through an NF-kappa B-like binding site

The interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene is expressed by various stimuli including cytokines or viral infections, such as human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1). However, it has not been well established how HTLV-1 induces the expression of the IL-6 gene. In the present study, we demonstrated that HTLV-1-derived transactivator protein, p40tax, could stimulate endogenous IL-6 gene expression. Furthermore, we showed that the NF-kappa B binding site (IL-6 kappa B site) located between -74 and -62 upstream of the cap site of the IL-6 gene was an essential cis-acting element for p40tax-mediated transactivation of the IL-6 gene expression by utilizing a series of 5' deletion mutants of the IL-6 5' flanking region as well as a construct with a mutated IL-6 kappa B site. We identified the presence of two nuclear factor complexes that bound to the IL-6 kappa B site. One was constitutively expressed, and the other was inducible by p40tax. Taken together, HTLV-1 p40tax directly induces IL-6 gene expression through the IL-6 kappa B site, indicating the close association between IL-6 overproduction and HTLV-1 infection.

Regulation of the NF-kappa B/rel transcription factor and I kappa B inhibitor system

The interplay between proteins of the NF-kappa B/rel and I kappa B families is a tightly regulated process that ensures appropriate responses to specific environmental and developmental signals. Various mechanisms are utilized in regulating NF-kappa B/rel and I kappa B activities, some unique to this transcription factor system. All of these regulatory strategies converge towards one purpose, namely the controlled nuclear translocation of activated NF-kappa B/rel protein complexes. The variety of rel-related and ankyrin repeat containing subunits makes regulation of this system both rich and complicated.

Activation of the nuclear factor kappa B is not sufficient for regulation of tumor necrosis factor-induced interleukin-6 gene expression

After treatment of L929 cells, a murine fibrosarcoma line, with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a nuclear kappa B-like transcription factor is rapidly induced as identified by gel shift mobility assays using the kappa B-responsive sequence of the immunoglobulin or interleukin-6 (IL-6) genes as a DNA probe. When induction was carried out under conditions of increased or decreased cytotoxicity, which correlates with altered IL-6 gene expression, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation was also demonstrated, but the abundance of the protein/DNA complex observed remained unchanged. Also activation of NF-kappa B as a function of time following TNF treatment did not reveal a correlation between the abundance of the protein/DNA complex and the TNF-induced IL-6 mRNA levels. Moreover, in L929 cells resistant to TNF cytotoxicity, the kappa B-like factor still became fully activated by TNF, although the IL-6 gene was only marginally expressed. In conclusion, discrepancies between the abundance of the activated NF-kappa B-like factor and the IL-6 mRNA production upon treatment with TNF indicate that (an) additional transcription factor(s) and/or (a) regulating mechanism(s) is (are) necessary for fine regulation of the level of IL-6 gene expression in response to cytokine stimulation.