Effects of IGFBP3 knockdown on human endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells stress-induced senescence

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) is known for its pleiotropic ability to regulate various cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation etc. It has recently been shown that IGFBP3 is part of the secretome of senescent human endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells (MESCs) (Griukova et al., 2019) that takes part in paracrine propagation of senescence-like phenotype in MESCs (Vassilieva et al., 2020); however, mechanisms of pro-senescent IGFBP3 action in MESCs remain still unexplored. This study is aimed at elucidating the role of IGFBP3 upregulation in senescent MESCs. IGFBP3 knockdown in MESCs committed to H₂O₂-induced senescence led to partial abrogation of p21/Rb axis, to elevated ERK phosphorylation and to increase in SA-β-gal activity. Additionally, MESCs derived from various donors were found to demonstrate different IGFBP3 regulation during stress-induced senescence. Obtained results suggest ambiguous role of IGFBP3 in stress-induced senescence of MESCs.

Outcomes of Deferoxamine Action on H2O2-Induced Growth Inhibition and Senescence Progression of Human Endometrial Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are broadly applied in regenerative therapy to replace cells that are lost or impaired during disease. The low survival rate of MSCs after transplantation is one of the major limitations heavily influencing the success of the therapy. Unfavorable microenvironments with inflammation and oxidative stress in the damaged regions contribute to MSCs loss. Most of the strategies developed to overcome this obstacle are aimed to prevent stress-induced apoptosis, with little attention paid to senescence—another common stress reaction of MSCs. Here, we proposed the strategy to prevent oxidative stress-induced senescence of human endometrial stem cells (hMESCs) based on deferoxamine (DFO) application. DFO prevented DNA damage and stress-induced senescence of hMESCs, as evidenced by reduced levels of reactive oxygen species, lipofuscin, cyclin D1, decreased SA-β-Gal activity, and improved mitochondrial function. Additionally, DFO caused accumulation of HIF-1α, which may contribute to the survival of H₂O₂-treated cells. Importantly, cells that escaped senescence due to DFO preconditioning preserved all the properties of the initial hMESCs. Therefore, once protecting cells from oxidative damage, DFO did not alter further hMESCs functioning. The data obtained may become the important prerequisite for development of a new strategy in regenerative therapy based on MSCs preconditioning using DFO.

Senescence-messaging secretome factors trigger premature senescence in human endometrium-derived stem cells

Accumulating evidence suggests that the senescence-messaging secretome (SMS) factors released by senescent cells play a key role in cellular senescence and physiological aging. Phenomenon of the senescence induction in human endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MESCs) in response to SMS factors has not yet been described. In present study, we examine a hypothesis whether the conditioned medium from senescent cells (CM-old) may promote premature senescence of young MESCs. In this case, we assume that SMS factors, containing in CM-old are capable to trigger senescence mechanism in a paracrine manner. A long-term cultivation MESCs in the presence of CM-old caused deceleration of cell proliferation along with emerging senescence phenotype, including increase in both the cell size and SA-β-Gal activity. The phosphorylation of p53 and MAPKAPK-2, a direct target of p38MAPK, as well as the expression of p21Cip1 and p16Ink4a were increased in CM-old treated cells with senescence developing whereas the Rb phosphorylation was diminished. The senescence progression was accompanied by both enhanced ROS generation and persistent activation of DNA damage response, comprising protein kinase ATM, histone H2A.X, and adapter protein 53BP1. Thus, we suggest that a senescence inducing signal is transmitted through p16/MAPKAPK-2/Rb and DDR-mediated p53/p21/Rb signaling pathways. This study is the first to demonstrate that the SMS factors secreted in conditioned medium of senescent MESCs trigger a paracrine mechanism of premature senescence in young cells.

Calcium alterations signal either to senescence or to autophagy induction in stem cells upon oxidative stress

Intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) has been reported to play an important role in autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis, however, a little is known about its impact in senescence. Here we investigated [Ca²⁺]_i contribution to oxidative stress-induced senescence of human endometrium-derived stem cells (hMESCs). In hMESCs sublethal H₂O₂-treatment resulted in a rapid calcium release from intracellular stores mediated by the activation of PLC/IP3/IP3R pathway. Notably, further senescence development was accompanied by persistently elevated [Ca²⁺]_i levels. In H₂O₂-treated hMESCs, [Ca²⁺]_i chelation by BAPTA-AM (BAPTA) was sufficient to prevent the expansion of the senescence phenotype, to decrease endogenous reactive oxygen species levels, to avoid G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and finally to retain proliferation. Particularly, loading with BAPTA attenuated phosphorylation of the main DNA damage response members, including ATM, 53BP1 and H2A.X and reduced activation of the p53/p21/Rb pathway in H₂O₂-stimulated cells. Next, we revealed that BAPTA induced an early onset of AMPK-dependent autophagy in H₂O₂-treated cells as confirmed by both the phosphorylation status of AMPK/mTORC1 pathway and the dynamics of the LC3 lipidization. Summarizing the obtained data we can assume that calcium chelation is able to trigger short-term autophagy and to prevent the premature senescence of hMESCs under oxidative stress.

Tetraploidization or autophagy: The ultimate fate of senescent human endometrial stem cells under ATM or p53 inhibition

Previously we demonstrated that endometrium-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMESCs) via activation of the ATM/p53/p21/Rb pathway enter the premature senescence in response to oxidative stress. Down regulation effects of the key components of this signaling pathway, particularly ATM and p53, on a fate of stressed hMESCs have not yet been investigated. In the present study by using the specific inhibitors Ku55933 and Pifithrin-α, we confirmed implication of both ATM and p53 in H(2)O(2)-induced senescence of hMESCs. ATM or p53 down regulation was shown to modulate differently the cellular fate of H(2)O(2)-treated hMESCs. ATM inhibition allowed H(2)O(2)-stimulated hMESCs to escape the permanent cell cycle arrest due to loss of the functional ATM/p53/p21/Rb pathway, and induced bypass of mitosis and re-entry into S phase, resulting in tetraploid cells. On the contrary, suppression of the p53 transcriptional activity caused a pronounced cell death of H(2)O(2)-treated hMESCs via autophagy induction. The obtained data clearly demonstrate that down regulation of ATM or p53 shifts senescence of human endometrial stem cells toward tetraploidization or autophagy.

ROLE OF P38 MAP-KINASE IN THE STRESS-INDUCED SENESCENCE PROGRESSION OF HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

Our recent findings clearly demonstrate that human endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMESCs) respond to the sublethal oxidative stress by the premature senescence induction via ÀÒÌ/Chk2/p53/ p21/Rb pathway. Furthermore, based on the application of the SB203580 (SB) we suggested p38 MAP-kinase involvement in senescence progression. However, there are several disadvantages concerning this inhibitor: 1) using SB would not be suitable for in vivo experiments due to toxicity issue; 2) the poor kinase selectivity profile of SB complicates interpretation of the obtained data. Here, in order to confirm the implication of p38 in the H2O2-induced senescence of hMESCs, we applied another highly specific inhibitor of p38 — BIRB796 (BIRB). In presence of BIRB we revealed cell size decrease, reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species, partial restoration of proliferation and increase in Rb phosphorylation levels in comparison to H2O2-treated hMESCs. Summarizing the obtained results we can postulate p38 implication in H2O2-induced senescence of hMESCs, and suggest p38 inhibition as a promising approach in prevention of premature senescence.

[RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN p53/p21/Rb AND MAPK SIGNALING PATHWAYS IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM-DERIVED STEM CELLS UNDER OXIDATIVE STRESS]

Human endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMESC) under the sublethal oxidative stress induced by H2O2 activate both p53/p21/Rb and p38MAPK/MAPKAPK-2 pathways that are responsible for the induction of hMESC premature senescence (Borodkina et al., 2014). However the mutual relations between p53/p21/Rb and MAPK signaling pathways, including ERK, p38 and JNK remain unexplored as yet. Here, we used the specific inhibitors--pifithrin-α (PFT), U0126, SB203580 and SP600125 to "switch off" one of the proteins in these cascades and to evaluate the functional status alterations of the rest proteins. Suppression each of the MAPK significantly increased the p53 phosphorylation levels, as well as p21 protein expression followed by Rb hypophosphorylation. On the other hand, PFT-induced p53 inhibition enhanced mostly the ERK1/2 activation compared with p38 and JNK. These results suppose the existence of the reciprocal negative regulation between p53- and MAPK-dependent signaling pathways. Analyzing the possible interactions among the members of the MAPK family, we showed that p38 and JNK can function as the ERK antagonists: JNK is capable to activate ERK, while p38 may block the ERK activation. Together, these results demonstrate complex links between different signaling cascades in stressed hMESC, implicating ERK, p38 and JNK in regulation of the premature senescence via p53/p21/Rb pathway.

[OXIDATIVE STRESS-PROMOTED RESPONSES IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL STEM CELLS AND LUNG EMBRYONIC FIBROBLASTS]

Human mesenchymal stem cells are an attractive cell source for tissue engineering. During transplantation they may be subjected to oxidative stress due to unfavorable cellular microenvironment, which is characterized by increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Recently, we have demonstrated that oxidative stress responses of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from endometrium (hMESCs) depend upon the oxidizer concentration. Besides, the duration of the H2O2-treatment duration. The effects of the high H2O2 doses on hMESCs and human lung embryonic fibroblasts were compared. In both cell types, H2O2-treatment for 60 min was shown to promote the multiphase cell cycle arrest, as well as to the dose-dependent cell death that occurred equally from all phases of cell cycle. However, the cell death dynamics in hMESCs and fibroblasts were different. Interestingly, in both cell types, shortening of H2O2-treatment duration from 60 to 10 min induced growth retardation, G1-phase accumulation and the cell size increase. Together, these findings allow us to suggest an induction of the premature senescence as a result of the short cell exposure to the high H2O2 doses. Thus, regarding both human endometrial stem cells and human embryonic fibroblasts, shortening of oxidative stress duration induced by high H2O2 doses enables to avoid the cell death and to produce the features of the premature senescence.

Intracellular oxidation of hydroethidine: compartmentalization and cytotoxicity of oxidation products

Hydroethidine (HE) is a blue fluorescent dye that is intracellularly converted into red-emitting products on two-electron oxidation. One of these products, namely 2-hydroxyethidium, is formed as the result of HE superoxide anion-specific oxidation, and so HE is widely used for the detection of superoxide in cells and tissues. In our experiments we exploited three cell lines of different origin: K562 (human leukemia cells), A431 (human epidermoid carcinoma cells), and SCE2304 (human mesenchymal stem cells derived from endometrium). Using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, we showed that HE intracellular oxidation products accumulate mostly in the cell mitochondria. This accumulation provokes gradual depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, affects oxygen consumption rate in HE-treated cells, and causes cellular apoptosis in the case of high HE concentrations and/or long cell incubations with HE, as well as a high rate of HE oxidation in cells exposed to some stimuli.

[Differences in defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in both human embryonic and endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells]

Oxidative stress has been shown to induce either apoptosis or stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) in different cell types. At present, it is generally accepted that stem cells have high resistance to oxidative stress; however data reported by various authors are controversial. In this study, we investigated stress responses of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMESC) derived from desquamated endometrium to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. LD50 were determined as 300-350, 350-400 and 600-700 μM for hESC, human embryonic fibroblasts and hMESC, respectively. Thus, among the cell lines studied, hMESC demonstrated the most resistance to increased H2O2 concentration. We have found for the first time that sub-lethal doses of H2O2 induce premature senescence phenotype in hMESC, like in HEF, which is characterized by increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Waf1/Cip1), an irreversible cell cycle arrest, the permanent loss of proliferative potential, cell hypertrophy and SA-β-Gal staining. While a sub-lethal H2O2 dose (200 μM) promoted in hMESC only SIPS, the higher H2O2 doses induced also apoptosis in the part of the cell population. On the contrary, in hESC, H2O2 regardless of the doses tested (from 50 to 500 μM) triggered apoptosis, that was the only pronounced response of these cells to oxidative damage. The data obtained demonstrate that stem cells of various origins under oxidative stress utilize the different defense mechanisms: hESC rapidly eliminate damaged cells through apoptosis, whereas hMESC may enter SIPS.

[Comparison of human endometrial stem cells and fibroblasts resistance to oxidative stress]

The response of human endometrial stem cells (hESCs) to oxidative stress has been investigated by flow cytometry. Two terminally differentiated cell lines were used for the comparison: human embryonic lung fibroblasts and human dermal fibroblasts. The oxidative stress was designed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) action in the wide range of concentrations (50-1500 microM) during 24 h. It has been shown that the H2O2 amount per one cell (pM/cell), but not H2O2 concentration in the growth medium, should be taken into account for the accurate evaluation of H2O2 effect on different cell lines. Therefore, in our experiments LD50 reflects the amount of H2O2 per cell, at which 50% cells survived after 24 h. We have demonstrated that hESCs are more resistant to H2O2 than embryonic lung fibroblasts, but less resistant than dermal fibroblasts.

Inhibition of the EGF receptor and ERK1/2 signaling pathways rescues the human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth in vivo as well as proliferation of multiple types of cultured transformed cells. In this study, we showed that IFNγ promoted progressive death in A431 cells, overexpressing EGF receptor (EGFR). Based on the data provided by evaluating cell morphology, MTT assay, FACS analysis, and cleaved caspase-3 staining we concluded that the major cause of IFNγ-induced A431 cell growth inhibition was not cell cycle arrest, but apoptosis. We investigated a role for the EGFR and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways in IFNγ-induced apoptosis of A431 cells. IFNγ-induced cell death was accompanied by both an increase of the ERK1/2 MAPK activation and a simultaneous reduction of the EGFR activation. Activation of ERK1/2 was crucial for IFNγ-induced cell death because MEK1/2 inhibitors, PD0325901 and U0126 efficiently protected cells from apoptosis by suppressing caspase-3 activation. Even though EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 also rescued A431 cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis, unlike MEK1/2 inhibitors, it initiated G 1 arrest. Together, these results suggest that sustained inhibition of both EGFR and ERK1/2 leads to significant protection of the cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis, indicating important roles for the EGFR tyrosine kinase and ERK1/2 MAP-kinases in regulating A431 cell death.

Insulin receptor-related receptor as an extracellular alkali sensor

The insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR), an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor family, can be activated by alkaline media both in vitro and in vivo at pH >7.9. The alkali-sensing property of IRR is conserved in frog, mouse, and human. IRR activation is specific, dose-dependent and quickly reversible and demonstrates positive cooperativity. It also triggers receptor conformational changes and elicits intracellular signaling. The pH sensitivity of IRR is primarily defined by its L1F extracellular domains. IRR is predominantly expressed in organs that come in contact with mildly alkaline media. In particular, IRR is expressed in the cell subsets of the kidney that secrete bicarbonate into urine. Disruption of IRR in mice impairs the renal response to alkali loading attested by development of metabolic alkalosis and decreased urinary bicarbonate excretion in response to this challenge. We therefore postulate that IRR is an alkali sensor that functions in the kidney to manage metabolic bicarbonate excess.

[Effect of formaldehyde in low concentrations on the proliferation and organization of the cytoskeleton of cultured cells]

3-4% (1.07-1.42 M) formaldehyde is one of the most popular and well-known organs, tissues and cells fixer. In this manuscript we have shown that formaldehyde in concentrations of up to 60 microM (0.0002%) does not have any negative effect on the viability of cell lines A431, HEK293 and primary rat fibroblasts, but it is also increases the proliferative activity of A431. The influence on A431 cells might be explained by the activation of epidermal growth factor receptors as a result of their interaction with formaldehyde.

[Interferon gamma-mediated growth regulation of epithelial cells]

Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) is known to inhibit proliferation of certain transformed cell lines. Recently, we have demonstrated the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in response to IFNgamma (Burova et al., 2007) and provided direct evidence for the dependence of IFNgamma-induced EGFR transactivation upon EGFR expression level in epithelial cells (Gonchar et al., 2008). This study examines an antiproliferative effect of IFNgamma on human epithelial cells lines A431 and HeLa which express high levels of EGFR, as well as HEK293, which expresses low levels of EGFR. We characterized the IFNgamma-induced changes in these cells by studying cell growth, the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis. The response to IFNgamma differed in the tested cell lines: cell growth was inhibited in both A431 and HeLa cells, but not in HEK293 cells, as shown by cell counts and MTT. The cell cycle phases analyzed by flow cytometry were disturbed in A431 and HeLa cells in response to IFNgamma. In contrast, IFNgamma treatment did not alter distribution by cell cycle phases in HEK293. Our results indicate that IFNgamma exhibit an antiproliferative effect depending on the increased expression of EGFR in A431 and HeLa cells. Further, it was demonstrated that IFNgamma induced the caspase 3 activation in A431 cells, suggesting an involvement of active caspase 3 in IFNgamma-induced apoptosis.

[Metalloprotease-mediated HB-EGF release regulates EGF receptor transactivation in A431 cells under oxidative stress]

We have shown earlier that H2O2 induces EGF receptor transactivation in different cells overexpressing EGF receptor. Mechanism of H2O2-induced EGF receptor transactivation in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells was examined in this work. We have demonstrated autophosphorylation of Tyr1045, 1068, 1148, 1173 as well as phosphorylation of Tyr845 of EGF receptor in response to H2O2, as assessed by autophosphorylation specific antibody. Tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF receptor by H2O2 did not involve receptor autophosphorylation at Tyr992. Blocking functions of metalloproteases by broad-spectrum inhibitor GM6001 suppressed H2O2-induced phosphorylation of EGF receptor, suggesting dependence of the transactivation on metalloproteases activity. To elucidate the possible role of EGF receptor agonists in its activation we used HB-EGF and TGF-alpha neutralizing antibody. H2O2-induced EGF receptor phosphorylation was inhibited by HB-EGF, but not TGF-alpha, neutralizing antibody. Taken together, our data suggest that, in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, H2O2 stimulates EGF receptor transactivation via metalloprotease-dependent HB-EGF release and autophosphorylation.

[The level of EGF receptor expression effects its transactivation by IFN gamma in epithelial cells]

Earlier, we demonstrated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in response to interferon gamma (IFNgamma) in epidermal carcinoma A431 cells. It was shown that IFNgamma-induced EGFR transactivation is impossible in some cancer epithelial cells. Here, we hypothesize that IFNgamma-dependent EGFR transactivation in these cells correlates with EGFR quantity on the cell surface. To test this suggestion, a line of stably transfected HEK293 cells (HEK293delta99 cells) expressing high level of mutant EGFR lacking 99 C-terminal residues has been established. HEK293delta99 cells demonstrated EGFR transactivation in response to IFNgamma unlike the parent HEK293 cells, in which transactivation lacked. In HEK293delta99 and A431 cells, the time courses of EGFR activation induced by IFNgamma have the same pattern. In HEK293delta99 cells like A431, IFNgamma-induced EGFR transactivation requires EGFR kinase activity and occurs via autophosphorylation mechanism. Taken together, these data provide direct evidence of the dependence of IFNgamma-induced EGFR transactivation upon EGFR expression level in epithelial cells.

[Oxidized glutathione induces activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and MAP kinases ERK 1,2]

Ligand-independent activation ("transactivation") of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was demonstrated upon cell stimulation with cytokines, activators of G-protein-coupled receptors and various stressors. Recently, we showed transactivation of EGFR and activation of transcription factor STAT3, rather than STAT1, induced by glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and glutoxim in epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells (Burova et al., Dokl. Akad. Nauk., 2005, 404: 1-3). Glutoxim (PHARMA-VAM, Moscow) is a pharmacological synthetic analogue of GSSG, whose therapeutic use as an immunomodulator has been permitted. In this study, we investigated dynamics of EGFR activation upon A431 cell stimulation with GSSG and glutoxim. The time course of activation has a sinuous pattern. It has been shown that the intrinsic EGFR tyrosine kinase is responsible for the receptor phosphorylation induced by GSSG and glutoxim. Here, we also demonstrated the activation of ERK 1,2 upon treatment of A431 cells and HER14 cells (HIN 3T3 fibroblasts transfected with full-length EGFR) with these drugs. ERK 1,2 activation was abolished by AG1478, a pharmacological inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, implicating intrinsic EGFR tyrosine kinase in this process.

[Effect of nocodazole on the activation of transcription factors STAT1 and STAT3 in A431 cells]

The STAT transcription factors (signal transducers and activators of transcription), STAT1 and STAT3, are involved in signal transduction from growth factors and different cytokine receptors. STAT1 and STAT3 activation mechanisms are not sufficiently investigated, but they are known to depend upon both cell type and stimulus for either of them. Recently, we have shown that nocodazole blocked EGF-induced STAT1 transport to the nucleus. Here, we have compared STAT1 and STAT3 activation in response to IFNgamma, IFNalpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in A431 cells. We have shown the STAT1 activation by all these agents; unlike, STAT3 was activated by EGF only. STAT1 and STAT3 activation upon EGF is blocked by both nocodazole and Src-kinase family inhibitor. STAT1 activation upon IFNgamma influence is blocked by nocodazole, but does not depend on the activity of Src-family kinases. The increased STAT3 phosphorylation results from a combined action of Src-kinase inhibitor and IFNgamma. IFNalpha-induced activation of STAT1 was not inhibited by either nocodazole or Src-kinase inhibitor. Taken together, the data obtained suggest that the activation of both STAT1 and STAT3 in A431 cells is accomplished by different mechanisms.

[STAT1 and STAT3 activation by oxidative stress in A431 cells involves Src-dependent EGF receptor transactivation]

Different cellular signal transduction cascades are affected by environmental stressors (UV-radiation, gamma-irradiation, hyperosmotic conditions, oxidants). In this study, we examined oxidative stress-evoked signal transduction pathways leading to activation of STATs in A431 carcinoma cells. Oxidative stress, initiated by addition of H2O2 (1-2 mM) to A431 cells, activates STAT3 and, to a lesser extent, STAT1 in dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximum phosphorylation levels were observed after a 2 minutes stimulation at 1-2 mM H2O2. Phosphorylation was blocked by AG1478, a pharmacological inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, implicating intrinsic EGF receptor tyrosine kinase in this process. Consistent with this observation, H2O2-stimulated EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation was abolished by specific Src kinase family inhibitor CGP77675, implicating Src in H2O2-induced EGFR activation. An essential role for Src and JAK2 in STATs activation was suggested by three findings. 1. Src kinase family inhibitor CGP77675 blocked STAT3 and STAT1 activation by H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. 2. In Src-/-fibroblasts, activation of both STAT3 and STAT1 by H2O2 was significantly attenuated. 3. Inhibiting JAK2 activity with the specific inhibitor AG490 reduced the level of H2O2-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, but not STAT1 in A431 cells. These data show essential roles for Src and JAK2 inactivation of STAT3. In contrast, H2O2-mediated activation of STAT1 requires only Src kinase activity. Herein, we postulate also that H2O2-induced STAT activation in carcinoma cells involves Src-dependent EGFR transactivation.

[Dependence of EGF receptor and STAT factor activation on redox of A431 cells]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were established to play an important role in cellular signaling as second messengers by integrating different pathways. Recently, we showed that EGF initiated a rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of both EGF-receptor and STAT factors with simultaneous increase in the intracellular ROS level. Now, we have investigated the effect of intracellular red-ox state on EGF- and H2O2-induced activation of EGF receptor, STAT1 and STAT3. We demonstrated that the pretreatment of A431 cells with antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) partly reduced the level of EGF-induced phosphorylation of proteins under investigation. Besides, H2O2-induced activation of EGF receptor, and STAT factors was fully prevented by NAC pretreatment. The inhibition of ROS generation by DPI declined EGF-dependent activation of EGF receptor and STAT factors to basal level. Our results demonstrate the essential role of cellular red-ox status in the modulation of EGF-mediated activation of receptor and STAT factors. We have postulated that EGF-induced ROS generation is a very important initial event promoting physiological activation of EGF receptor and subsequent STAT factor activation.

[H2O2-induced activation of transcription factors STAT1 and STAT3: the role of EGF receptor and tyrosine kinase JAK2]

Reactive oxygen species initiate multiple signal transduction pathways including tyrosine kinase signaling. Here, we demonstrate tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF receptor, STAT3, and, to a lesser extent, STAT1 upon H2O2 treatment of HER14 cells (NIH3T3 fibroblasts transfected with full-length EGF receptor). Maximum phosphorylation levels were observed in 5 min of stimulation at 1-2 mM H2O2. It has been shown that the intrinsic EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase is responsible for the receptor phosphorylation upon H2O2 stimulation. STAT3 and STAT1 activation in HER14 cells was demonstrated to depend on EGF receptor kinase activity, rather than JAK2 activity, while in both K721A and CD126 cells (NIH3T3 transfected with kinase-dead EGF receptor, and EGF receptor lacking major autophosphorylation sites, respectively) STAT1 and STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation requires JAK2 kinase activity. Furthermore, STAT3 is constitutively phosphorylated in K721A and CD126 cells, and STAT1 H2O2-stimulated activation in these cells is much more prominent than in HER14. In all the cell lines used, Src-kinase activity was demonstrated to be unnecessary for ROS-initiated phosphorylation of STATs. Herein, we postulate that EGF receptor plays a role in H2O2-induced STAT activation in HER14 cells. Our data also prompted a hypothesis of constitutive inhibition of JAK2-dependent STAT activation in this cell line.

[Dynamics of the interaction of Stat1 transcription factor with the internalized EGF receptor and karyopherins alpha in response to stimulation of cells with epidermal growth factor]

The present paper deals with two aspects of EGF-induced signal transduction via transcriptional factor STAT1. Utilizing vesicle fractionation in Percoll density gradient followed by co-immunoprecipitation, we observed the association of STAT1 with EGF receptor internalized in early endosomes. Co-immunoprecipitation studies with antikaryopherin alpha antibody showed the binding of activated STAT1 to nuclear import factors--karyopherins alpha. Both complexes demonstrate similar dynamics upon EGF treatment: they are formed at the early times, cannot be detected within 15 min, and reappear in 20 min or later. The complex of STAT1 and karyopherin alpha is localized in the cytoskeletal fraction.

[Intact microtubule network is necessary for the EGF-induced transport of transcription factor STAT1 in the nucleus of A-431 cells]

The mechanism by which transcription factor STAT1 is translocated from the cytoplasm to the cell nucleus is not clear. We put forward a hypothesis suggesting an important role of the cytoskeleton in signal transduction. The results of the present work show that the treatment of cells with nocodazole, a microtubule-disrupting drug, inhibits completely STAT1 import to the nucleus. However, the treatment of cells with cytochalasin B, which is known to depolymerize microfilaments, exerted no detectable effect on the transport of STAT1. The sensitivity to nocodazole treatment suggests that STAT1 may utilize a transport pathway that involves the tubulin cytoskeleton. These data throw light on some mechanism of a rapid and effective nonvesicular transport of STAT1.

[EGF-dependent association of 20S-proteasome and alpha-RNP particles with the epidermal growth factor receptor in A-431 cells]

Here we demonstrate that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces association of prosomes (20S-proteasomes) with its receptor in A-431 cells. Additionally, ligand-dependent association of ribonucleoprotein particles (alpha-RNP), containing small ALU-like RNA, with the EGF receptor was demonstrated. A suggestion has been put forward on the involvement of prosomes and alpha-RNP in the EGF signal transmission to different stages of gene expression.

[Dynamics of EGF-induced nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of transcription factor STAT1 in A431 cells]

Dynamics of nuclear translocation of transcription factor Stat1 in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells in response to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy and in cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts by Western blot. In has been shown that a prolonged presence of EGF induces a rapid tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Stat1 (within 5 min). The maximum amount of this protein in the nucleus was reached 30 min after the cell treatment to be maintained at the same level for 5 h. To study the dynamics of the export of Stat1 from the nucleus, a gentle treatment of cells with acetate buffer, pH 4.5, was used for extracting the surface-bound EGF. In this case, a complete dephosphorylation of Stat1 in the cytoplasm was observed in 30 min and the export of the Stat1 from the nucleus lasted for 1-6 h. These studies suggest the existence of an EGF-dependent dynamic equilibrium between the import and export of Stat1 in A431 cells.