Induction of PG G/H synthase-2 in bovine myometrial cells by interferon-tau requires the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway

Systematic review of p38 mitogen-activated kinase and its functional role in reproductive tissues

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a role in uterine tissue remodeling during pregnancy and parturition. While p38 MAPK is an OS-response kinase, a precise functional role is unknown. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of literature on p38 MAPK expression, activation, and function in reproductive tissues throughout pregnancy and parturition, published between January 1980 and August 2017, using four electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and CoCHRANE). We identified 418 reports; 108 were selected for full-text evaluation and 74 were included in final review. p38 MAPK was investigated using feto-maternal primary or immortalized cells, tissue explants, and animal models. Western blot was most commonly used to report phosphorylated (active) p38 MAPK. Human placenta (27), chorioamniotic membranes (14), myometrium (13), decidua (8), and cervix (1) were the studied tissues. p38 MAPK's functions were tissue and gestational age dependent. Isoform specificity was hardly reported. p38 MAPK activity was induced by ROS or proinflammatory cytokines to promote cell signaling linked to cell fate, primed uterus, ripened cervix, and proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine production. In 35 years, reports on p38 MAPK's role during pregnancy and parturition are scarce and current literature is insufficient to provide a comprehensive description of p38 MAPK's mechanistic role during pregnancy and parturition.

Changes of placental Kiss-1 mRNA expression and maternal/cord kisspeptin levels at preterm delivery

Kisspeptin, a placental polypeptide secreted throughout pregnancy, is suggested to play a role at parturition. Here we evaluated whether its placental mRNA expression and maternal/fetal plasma levels change at term and preterm delivery, and its effect on oxytocin secretion from placental explants. Samples were collected from 40 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent elective cesarean section at term (TNL), term vaginal delivery (TD), and preterm vaginal delivery (PTD). Plasma Kisspeptin and oxytocin levels were assessed by ELISA; placental mRNA expression by Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Placental expression was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in PTD than TNL and TD and significantly (P < 0.001) higher in TD than TNL. Maternal/fetal plasma concentrations did not differ among the groups, and maternal were significantly higher than fetal levels (P < 0.05). In placental explants increasing doses of kisspeptin did not modify oxytocin secretion. In conclusion, labor is associated with increased placental KiSS-1 expression without changes in maternal/fetal circulation.

Development and characterization of a simian virus 40 immortalized bovine endometrial stromal cell line

In ruminants, interferon-tau (IFNtau) is the maternal recognition signal inhibiting prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha production by endometrial epithelial cells and stimulating interferon-stimulated genes in the stroma. Stromal cells mediate the action of progesterone on epithelial cells during pregnancy. Our working hypothesis is that IFNtau acts as a molecular switch that turns on PGE(2) production in endometrial stromal cells while suppressing PGF2alpha production from epithelial cells. In this report we document immortalization and functional characterization of a bovine stromal cell line from the caruncular region of the endometrium [caruncular stromal cell (CSC)]. Primary stromal cells were immortalized by nucleofection with simian virus 40 large T antigen and integrase. The resulting cell line, CSC, expresses stromal cell-specific vimentin, estrogen, and progesterone receptors, and is amenable for transient transfection. Basal and stimulated production of PGE2 is higher than PGF2alpha and associated with cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 expression. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and IFNtau up-regulate COX2 and PG production in a dose-dependent manner. When added together, low concentrations of IFNtau inhibit PMA-induced COX2 expression; whereas this inhibition is lost at high concentrations. Expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 is induced by IFNtau at all concentrations studied but is not modulated by PMA. Because expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 does not exhibit the biphasic response to IFNtau, we investigated the p38 MAPK pathway using the selective inhibitor SB203580. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway abolishes IFNtau action on PG production. In summary, CSC appears as a good stromal cell model for investigating the molecular mechanisms related to IFNtau action and PG production in the bovine.

Mechanisms of type-I- and type-II-interferon-mediated signalling

Interferons are cytokines that have antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. Because of these important properties, in the past two decades, major research efforts have been undertaken to understand the signalling mechanisms through which these cytokines induce their effects. Since the original discovery of the classical JAK (Janus activated kinase)-STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway of signalling, it has become clear that the coordination and cooperation of multiple distinct signalling cascades - including the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 cascade and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase cascade - are required for the generation of responses to interferons. It is anticipated that an increased understanding of the contributions of these recently identified pathways will advance our current thinking about how interferons work.

The evolution of the Sin1 gene product, a little known protein implicated in stress responses and type I interferon signaling in vertebrates

Background

In yeast, birds and mammals, the SAPK-interacting protein 1 (Sin1) gene product has been implicated as a component of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) signal transduction pathway. Recently, Sin1 has also been shown to interact with the carboxyl terminal end of the cytoplasmic domain of the ovine type I interferon receptor subunit 2 (IFNAR2). However, the function of Sin1 remains unknown. Since SAPK pathways are ancient and the IFN system is confined to vertebrates, the organization of the Sin1 gene and the sequences of the Sin1 protein have been compared across a wide taxonomic range of species.

Results

Sin1 is represented, apparently as a single gene, in all metazoan species and fungi but is not detectable in protozoa, prokaryotes, or plants. Sin1 is highly conserved in vertebrates (79–99% identity at amino acid level), which possess an interferon system, suggesting that it has been subjected to powerful evolutionary constraint that has limited its diversification.

Sin1 possesses at least two unique sequences in its IFNAR2-interacting region that are not represented in insects and other invertebrates. Sequence alignment between vertebrates and insects revealed five Sin1 strongly conserved domains (SCDs I-V), but an analysis of any of these domains failed to identify known functional protein motifs. SCD III, which is approximately 129 amino acids in length, is particularly highly conserved and is present in all the species examined, suggesting a conserved function from fungi to mammals. The coding region of the vertebrate Sin1 gene encompasses 11 exon and 10 introns, while in C. elegans the gene consists of 10 exons and 9 introns organized distinctly from those of vertebrates. In yeast and insects, Sin1 is intronless.

Conclusions

The study reveals the phylogeny of a little studied gene which has recently been implicated in two important signal transduction pathways, one ancient (stress response), one relatively new (interferon signaling).

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 3 and MKK6 by type I interferons

There is accumulating evidence that the p38 MAP kinase pathway plays important roles in Type I interferon (IFN) signaling, but the mechanisms regulating p38 activation during engagement of the Type I IFN receptor remain to be defined. We sought to identify the events that lead to activation of the p38 MAP kinase in response to Type I IFNs. Our data demonstrate that treatment of sensitive cell lines with IFNalpha results in activation of both MAP kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and MAP kinase kinase 6 (MKK6). Such IFN-inducible activation of MKK3 and MKK6 is essential for downstream phosphorylation and activation of the p38 MAP kinase, as shown by studies using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with targeted disruption of the Mkk3 and Mkk6 genes (MKK3-/- MKK6-/-). Similarly, IFN-dependent activation of the downstream effectors of p38, MAPKAPK-2 and MAPKAPK-3, is not detectable in cells lacking Mkk3 and Mkk6, demonstrating that the function of these MAP kinase kinases is required for full activation of the p38 pathway. To define the functional relevance of MKK3/6 engagement in Type I IFN signaling, IFN-inducible gene transcription was evaluated in the MKK3/MKK6 double knock-out cells. IFNalpha- and IFNbeta-dependent transcription via either interferon-stimulated response element or IFNgamma activated site elements was defective in MKK3 -/-/MKK6 -/- MEFs in luciferase reporter assays. In addition, IFN-dependent induction of two genes known to be of importance in the generation of IFN responses, Isg15 and Irf-9, was diminished in the absence of Mkk3 and Mkk6. The effects of Mkk3 and Mkk6 on IFN-dependent transcription were unrelated to any effects on the phosphorylation and activation of STAT proteins, indicating the presence of a STAT-independent mechanism. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that MKK3 and MKK6 are rapidly activated during engagement of the Type I IFN receptor and play important roles in Type I IFN signaling and the generation of IFN responses.

Interaction of stress-activated protein kinase-interacting protein-1 with the interferon receptor subunit IFNAR2 in uterine endometrium

During early pregnancy in ruminants, a type I interferon (IFN-tau) signals from the conceptus to the mother to ensure the functional survival of the corpus luteum. IFN-tau operates through binding to the type I IFN receptor (IFNR). Here we have explored the possibility that IFNAR2, one of the two subunits of the receptor, might interact with hitherto unknown signal transduction factors in the uterus that link IFN action to pathways other than the well established Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways. A yeast two-hybrid screen of an ovine (ov) endometrial cDNA library with the carboxyl-terminal 185 amino acids of ovIFNAR2 as bait identified stress-activated protein kinase-interacting protein 1 (ovSin1) as a protein that bound constitutively through its own carboxyl terminus to the receptor. ovSin1 is a little studied, 522-amino acid-long polypeptide (molecular weight, 59,200) that is highly conserved across vertebrates, but has identifiable orthologs in Drosophila and yeast. It appears to be expressed ubiquitously in mammals, although in low abundance, in a wide range of mammalian tissues in addition to endometrium. Sin1 mRNA occurs in at least two alternatively spliced forms, the smaller of which lacks a 108-bp internal exon. ovSin1, although not exhibiting features of a membrane-spanning protein, such as IFNAR2, is concentrated predominantly in luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the uterine endometrium. When ovSin1 and ovIFNAR2 are coexpressed, the two proteins can be coimmunoprecipitated and colocalized to the plasma membrane and to perinuclear structures. Sin1 provides a possible link among type I IFN action, stress-activated signaling pathways, and control of prostaglandin production.

Interferon-τ Induces Degradation of Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 Messenger RNA in Bovine Endometrial Cells Through a Transcription-Dependent Mechanism1

A series of experiments were undertaken to examine the effects of interferon (IFN)-tau on regulation of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA in bovine endometrial (BEND) cells as a means to elucidate the actions of IFN-tau to maintain pregnancy. The objective was to determine if IFN-tau mediates posttranscriptional regulation of PGHS-2 mRNA. Cells were treated with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu) for 3 h to induce PGHS-2 mRNA expression. Actinomycin D (0 or 1 microg/ml) or the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580 (1 microM), were added at 3 h, followed by addition of IFN-tau (0 or 50 ng/ml) at 3.5 h and extraction of RNA at 4.5 h. The concentrations of PGHS-2 mRNA were stable between 3 and 4.5 h regardless of actinomycin D. Simultaneous treatment of PdBu-treated cells with actinomycin D and SB203580 (1 microM) decreased PGHS-2 mRNA. Addition of IFN-tau (50 ng/ml) reduced PGHS-2 mRNA, which was not observed when actinomycin D was present. Concurrent treatments of cells with SB203580 and IFN-tau (5 ng/ml) decreased concentrations of PGHS-2 mRNA in an additive manner. Although IFN-tau reduced PGHS-2 mRNA concentrations, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was induced by IFN-tau, PdBu, and PdBu combined with IFN-tau after 10 min of treatment. Both the p38 MAPK inhibitor and IFN-tau decreased prostaglandin F(2alpha) secretion, and decreases were additive when the two were given together. In summary, activation of p38 MAPK by PdBu is required for continued presence of PGHS-2 mRNA and secretion of prostaglandin F(2alpha) in BEND cells. Interferon-tau mediates a transcription-dependent mechanism, which induces degradation of PGHS-2 mRNA. However, the consequences of an IFN-tau-induced activation of p38 MAPK warrant further investigation, because inhibition of p38 MAPK caused a degradation of PGHS-2 mRNA.

Characterization of N-terminal interferon tau mutants: P26L affords enhanced activity and lack of toxicity

Interferon (IFN)-tau is a type I IFN that is responsible for the maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants. This protein also has classic IFN-like properties, including antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory functions. Using IFN-tau as a model, we examined the structural basis for the activity of type I IFNs, focusing on amino acids within helix A and the first section of the AB loop, which have been proposed as a site for receptor interaction. Six amino-acid substitutions were made that replaced a residue in ovine IFN-tau1mod with the corresponding residue in human IFN-alphaA. Receptor binding was enhanced by a P26L mutation and was reduced by a conservative lysine-to-histidine substitution at residue 34. Alterations in the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of the IFN-tau mutants were not always correlated, but both functions were maintained or enhanced relative to the wild-type IFN-tau by the proline-to-leucine mutation at residue 26. In contrast, this mutation did not affect the low in vitro cytotoxicity that is characteristic of ovine IFN-tau1mod. Thus, the IFN-tau P26L mutant may have potential as an improved IFN-based therapeutic.

Role of p38α Map Kinase in Type I Interferon Signaling

Multiple signaling pathways are activated during engagement of the Type I interferon (IFN) receptor to mediate biological responses, including the Jak-Stat and Rac1/p38 Map kinase signaling cascades. In the present study we sought to determine the functional relevance of the p38alpha isoform in IFN signaling, using cells from mouse embryos with targeted disruption of the p38alpha gene. Our data demonstrate that p38alpha activation is essential for Type I IFN-dependent transcriptional regulation via ISRE or GAS elements. On the other hand, the function of p38alpha is not required for IFN-dependent Ser727 or Tyr701 phosphorylation of Stat1 and does not impact on the formation of ISGF3 or SIF nuclear binding complexes. In efforts to identify downstream effectors of p38 that may mediate IFN-dependent transcriptional responses, we found that IFNalpha activates the kinase Msk1, a known regulator of histone phosphorylation and chromatin remodeling. In other studies, we demonstrate that Type I IFN-dependent activation of the kinases MapKapK-2 and MapKapK-3 is defective in the absence of p38alpha, while Type I IFN-dependent antiviral properties are decreased in cells with targeted disruption of the MapKapK-2 gene. Altogether, our data establish that the p38alpha Map kinase pathway regulates activation of downstream effectors that participate in the induction of IFN-dependent gene transcription, to mediate IFN-responses.