The LIM domain protein nTRIP6 modulates the dynamics of myogenic differentiation

The process of myogenesis which operates during skeletal muscle regeneration involves the activation of muscle stem cells, the so-called satellite cells. These then give rise to proliferating progenitors, the myoblasts which subsequently exit the cell cycle and differentiate into committed precursors, the myocytes. Ultimately, the fusion of myocytes leads to myofiber formation. Here we reveal a role for the transcriptional co-regulator nTRIP6, the nuclear isoform of the LIM-domain protein TRIP6, in the temporal control of myogenesis. In an in vitro model of myogenesis, the expression of nTRIP6 is transiently up-regulated at the transition between proliferation and differentiation, whereas that of the cytosolic isoform TRIP6 is not altered. Selectively blocking nTRIP6 function results in accelerated early differentiation followed by deregulated late differentiation and fusion. Thus, the transient increase in nTRIP6 expression appears to prevent premature differentiation. Accordingly, knocking out the Trip6 gene in satellite cells leads to deregulated skeletal muscle regeneration dynamics in the mouse. Thus, dynamic changes in nTRIP6 expression contributes to the temporal control of myogenesis.

Protein-Functionalized DNA Nanostructures as Tools to Control Transcription in Zebrafish Embryos

The unique structure-directing properties of DNA origami nanostructures (DONs) show great potential to specifically manipulate intracellular processes. We report an innovative concept to selectively activate the transcription of a single gene in the developing zebrafish embryo. We reason that engineering a designer transcription factor in which a rigid DON imposes a fixed distance between the DNA-binding domain (DBD) and the transactivation domain (TAD) would allow the selective activation of a gene harboring the same distance between the corresponding transcription factor binding site and the core promoter. As a test case, a rigid tubular DON was designed to separate the DBD of the GAL4 transcription factor and the VP16 viral protein as a TAD. This construct was microinjected in the yolk of one-cell-stage zebrafish embryos, together with a reporter plasmid to assess its functionality. The large DON was efficiently distributed to cells of the developing embryo and showed no signs of toxicity. However, because the DON showed only a cytosolic localization, it did not activate transcription of the reporter gene. Although this work clearly demonstrates that DON microinjection enables the intracellular distribution of multi-protein architectures in most of the cells of the developing zebrafish embryo, further refinements are necessary to enable selective gene activation in vivo.

The LIM domain protein nTRIP6 acts as a co-repressor for the transcription factor MEF2C in myoblasts

The transcription factor Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) plays a key role in the late differentiation of skeletal muscle progenitor cells, the so-called myoblasts. During myoblast differentiation, both MEF2C expression and transcriptional activity are regulated. We have reported that nTRIP6, the nuclear isoform of the focal adhesion LIM domain protein TRIP6, acts as an adaptor transcriptional co-activator for several transcription factors. It interacts with the promoter-bound transcription factors and consequently mediates the recruitment of other co-activators. Based on a described interaction between MEF2C and TRIP6 in a yeast-two-hybrid screen, we hypothesised a co-regulatory function of nTRIP6 for MEF2C. In proliferating myoblasts, nTRIP6 interacted with MEF2C and was recruited together with MEF2C to the MEF2-binding regions of the MEF2C target genes Myom2, Mb, Tnni2 and Des. Silencing nTRIP6 or preventing its interaction with MEF2C increased MEF2C transcriptional activity and increased the expression of these MEF2C target genes. Thus, nTRIP6 acts as a co-repressor for MEF2C. Mechanistically, nTRIP6 mediated the recruitment of the class IIa histone deacetylase HDAC5 to the MEF2C-bound promoters. In conclusion, our results unravel a transcriptional co-repressor function for nTRIP6. This adaptor co-regulator can thus exert either co-activator or co-repressor functions, depending on the transcription factor it interacts with.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Trim7 mediates c-Jun/AP-1 activation by Ras signalling

The c-Jun/AP-1 transcription factor controls key cellular behaviours, including proliferation and apoptosis, in response to JNK and Ras/MAPK signalling. While the JNK pathway has been well characterized, the mechanism of activation by Ras was elusive. Here we identify the uncharacterized ubiquitin ligase Trim7 as a critical component of AP-1 activation via Ras. We found that MSK1 directly phosphorylates Trim7 in response to direct activation by the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway, and this modification stimulates Trim7 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Trim7 mediates Lys63-linked ubiquitination of the AP-1 co-activator RACO-1, leading to RACO-1 protein stabilization. Consequently, Trim7 depletion reduces RACO-1 levels and AP-1-dependent gene expression. Moreover, transgenic overexpression of Trim7 increases lung tumour burden in a Ras-driven cancer model, and knockdown of Trim7 in established xenografts reduces tumour growth. Thus, phosphorylation-ubiquitination crosstalk between MSK1, Trim7 and RACO-1 completes the long sought-after mechanism linking growth factor signalling and AP-1 activation.

Participation of myosin Va and Pka type I in the regeneration of neuromuscular junctions

Background

The unconventional motor protein, myosin Va, is crucial for the development of the mouse neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in the early postnatal phase. Furthermore, the cooperative action of protein kinase A (PKA) and myosin Va is essential to maintain the adult NMJ. We here assessed the involvement of myosin Va and PKA in NMJ recovery during muscle regeneration.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To address a putative role of myosin Va and PKA in the process of muscle regeneration, we used two experimental models the dystrophic mdx mouse and Notexin-induced muscle degeneration/regeneration. We found that in both systems myosin Va and PKA type I accumulate beneath the NMJs in a fiber maturation-dependent manner. Morphologically intact NMJs were found to express stable nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and to accumulate myosin Va and PKA type I in the subsynaptic region. Subsynaptic cAMP signaling was strongly altered in dystrophic muscle, particularly in fibers with severely subverted NMJ morphology.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data show a correlation between the subsynaptic accumulation of myosin Va and PKA type I on the one hand and NMJ regeneration status and morphology, AChR stability and specificity of subsynaptic cAMP handling on the other hand. This suggests an important role of myosin Va and PKA type I for the maturation of NMJs in regenerating muscle.

CD24 interacts with and promotes the activity of c-src within lipid rafts in breast cancer cells, thereby increasing integrin-dependent adhesion

Expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein CD24 correlates with a poor prognosis for many human cancers, and in experimental tumors can promote metastasis. However, the mechanism by which CD24 contributes to tumor progression remains unclear. Here we report that in MTLy breast cancer cells CD24 interacts with and augments the kinase activity of c-src, a protein strongly implicated in promoting invasion and metastasis. This occurs within and is dependent upon intact lipid rafts. CD24-augmented c-src kinase activity increased formation of focal adhesion complexes, accelerated phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and consequently enhanced integrin-mediated adhesion. Loss and gain of function approaches showed that c-src activity is necessary and sufficient to mediate the effects of CD24 on integrin-dependent adhesion and cell spreading, as well as on invasion. Together these results indicate that c-src is a CD24-activated mediator that promotes integrin-mediated adhesion and invasion, and suggest a mechanism by which CD24 might contribute to tumor progression through stimulating the activity of c-src or another member of the Src family.

The nuclear isoform of the LIM domain protein Trip6 integrates activating and repressing signals at the promoter-bound glucocorticoid receptor

Trip6 belongs to a family of cytosolic LIM domain proteins involved in cell adhesion and migration. Recent findings show that these proteins also regulate transcription. We have previously reported that nTrip6, a nuclear isoform of Trip6, acts as a co-activator for AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcription factors. Here we report that nTrip6 is an essential regulator of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcriptional activity. nTrip6 is recruited to GR-bound promoters through an interaction with GR, and increases GR-mediated transcription. nTrip6 is also essential for the transrepression of GR by NF-kappaB and AP-1. The interaction of nTrip6 with NF-kappaB and AP-1 at a GR-bound promoter is required for the repression. Thus, nTrip6 serves as the molecular mediator of the crosstalk between nuclear receptors and other transcription factors in that it assembles these factors at promoters. Our results reveal an essential role for LIM domain proteins in the integration of positive and negative signals at target promoters.

Restriction to Fos family members of Trip6-dependent coactivation and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent trans-repression of activator protein-1

The term activator protein (AP)-1 describes homodimeric and heterodimeric transcription factors composed of members of the Jun, Fos, and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) families of proteins. Distinct AP-1 dimers, for instance the prototypical c-Jun:c-Fos and c-Jun:ATF2 dimers, are differentially regulated by signaling pathways and bind related yet distinct response elements in the regulatory regions of AP-1 target genes. Little is known about the dimer-specific regulation of AP-1 activity at the promoter of its target genes. We have previously shown that nTrip6, the nuclear isoform of the LIM domain protein Trip6, acts as an AP-1 coactivator. Moreover, nTrip6 is an essential component of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated trans-repression of AP-1, in that it mediates the tethering of GR to the promoter-bound AP-1. We have now discovered a striking specificity of nTrip6 actions determined by the binding preference of its LIM domains. We show that nTrip6 interacts only with Fos family members. Consequently, nTrip6 is a selective coactivator for AP-1 dimers containing Fos. nTrip6 also assembles activated GR to c-Jun:c-Fos-driven promoters. Neither nTrip6 nor GR are recruited to a promoter occupied by c-Jun:ATF2. Thus, only Fos-containing dimers are trans-repressed by GR. Thus, the dimer composition of AP-1 determines the mechanism of both the positive and negative regulation of AP-1 transcriptional activity. Interestingly, on a second level of action, GR represses the increase in transcriptional activity of c-Jun:ATF2 induced by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent phosphorylation. This repression depends on GR-mediated induction of MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression, which results in c-Jun N-terminal kinase inactivation.

Crosstalk between the glucocorticoid receptor and other transcription factors: molecular aspects

Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate cell fate by altering gene expression via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Ligand-bound GR can activate the transcription of genes carrying the specific GR binding sequence, the glucocorticoid response element (GRE). In addition, GR can modulate, positively or negatively, directly or indirectly, the activity of other transcription factors (TFs), a process referred to as "crosstalk". In the indirect crosstalk, GR interferes with transduction pathways upstream of other TFs. In the direct crosstalk, GR and other TFs modulate each other's activity when bound to the promoters of their target genes. The multiplicity of molecular actions exerted by TFs, particularly the GR, is not only fascinating in terms of molecular structure, it also implies that the TFs participate in a wide range of regulatory processes, broader than anticipated. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the crosstalk, on both current ideas and unresolved questions, and discusses the possible significance of the crosstalk for the physiologic and therapeutic actions of GCs.

A nuclear isoform of the focal adhesion LIM-domain protein Trip6 integrates activating and repressing signals at AP-1- and NF-kappaB-regulated promoters

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated transrepression of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB, responsible for most of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, is initiated by the tethering of GR to the promoters of target genes. We report that this tethering is mediated by a nuclear isoform of the focal adhesion LIM domain protein Trip6. Trip6 functions as a coactivator for both AP-1 and NF-kappaB. As shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation, Trip6 is recruited to the promoters of target genes together with AP-1 or NF-kappaB. In the presence of glucocorticoids, GR joins the Trip6 complex. Reducing the level of Trip6 by RNA interference or abolishing its interaction with GR by dominant-negative mutation eliminates transrepression. We propose that GR tethering to the target promoter through Trip6 forms the basis of transrepression, and that Trip6 exerts its nuclear functions by acting as a molecular platform, enabling target promoters to integrate activating or repressing signals.

Paradoxical early glucocorticoid induction of stem cell factor (SCF) expression in inflammatory conditions

1. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a major growth factor for mast cells, promoting their differentiation and chemotaxis. Its expression is regulated by glucocorticoids in inflammatory conditions, showing an early increased protein expression, before the expected anti-inflammatory decrease (Da Silva et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 2002:135,1634). 2. We here evaluated the early kinetic of SCF expression regulated by interleukin (IL)-1beta, budesonide and the combination of both in human lung fibroblasts in culture. 3. Budesonide potentiated the IL-1beta-enhanced expression of SCF mRNA (+103%) and protein (+98%) very shortly after treatment (at 30 min and 1 h, respectively). A gentle downregulation followed. This potentiating effect of budesonide was related to increased SCF mRNA stability and SCF gene transcription. 4. Deletion of a kappaB-like site that we identified in the first intron of the SCF gene, in a luciferase reporter system, abolished the potentiation by budesonide, as well as the effect of IL-1beta alone, as compared to the wild-type construction activity. 5. All budesonide-induced effects were glucocorticoid-receptor dependent, since they were reproduced by dexamethasone and blocked by RU486. 6. IL-1beta+budesonide did not affect the relative expression of the soluble and membrane-bound forms of SCF. 7. In conclusion, our results clearly show that glucocorticoids act very early to adversely increase the expression of SCF mRNA and protein in the inflammatory conditions created by IL-1beta, and that this effect involves increased mRNA stability and increased gene expression through activation of the NF-kappaB-like responsive element.

Transcription of stem cell factor (SCF) is potentiated by glucocorticoids and interleukin‐1β through concerted regulation of a GRE‐like and an NF‐κB response element

Expression of stem cell factor SCF, a major mast cell growth factor, is potentiated shortly after co-treatment with interleukin (IL)-1beta and glucocorticoids. SCF promoter contains a GRE-like sequence and a putative kappaB site. We assessed the mechanisms of the regulation of SCF transcription in human lung fibroblasts in culture. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that co-treatment with IL-1beta and the glucocorticoid budesonide increased the SCF promoter occupancy by NF-kappaB and GR, as compared with IL-1beta and budesonide alone. In reporter gene assays, IL-1beta time-dependently increased the promoter activity, which was abolished by either pre-treatment with the MAP kinase inhibitors PD98059 (MEK) and SB203580 (p38), pre-treatment with the NF-kappaB inhibitor PDTC, or deletion of the kappaB site. Budesonide time-dependently decreased the promoter activity, an effect requiring the GRE-like element. Co-treatment with IL-1beta and budesonide potentiated the promoter activity at 30 min, an effect blocked by PD98059 and SB203580, PDTC, or deletion of the kappaB or GRE-like element. In conclusion, the GRE-like sequence mediating the repression of SCF expression, thus acting as a negative-responsive element, is turned into a positive element in an NF-kappaB site-dependent manner, indicating a concerted action of these two regulatory elements in the potentiation of SCF gene expression.

Nerve growth factor levels and localisation in human asthmatic bronchi

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has recently been suggested to be an important mediator of inflammation. In support of this, serum levels of NGF have been shown to be enhanced in asthmatics. However, it has not yet been shown whether the levels of NGF are also altered locally in asthmatic airways, when compared with healthy subjects, and the localisation of potential sources of NGF in the human bronchus have not yet been described. The aim of the present study was to assess NGF levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from asthmatics and to compare them to those of control subjects. Furthermore, the authors wanted to localise potential sources of NGF in bronchial tissue, and to number NGF-immunopositive infiltrating cells in the bronchial submucosa. BALF and bronchial biopsies were obtained from seven control subjects and seven asthmatic patients by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. NGF protein levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in BALF. NGF localisation was examined by immunohistochemistry on bronchial biopsy sections. The asthmatics exhibited significantly enhanced NGF levels in BALF. Intense NGF-immunoreactivity was observed in bronchial epithelium, smooth muscle cells and infiltrating inflammatory cells in the submucosa, and to a lesser extent in the connective tissue. The asthmatics exhibited a higher number of NGF-immunoreactive infiltrating cells in the bronchial submucosa than control subjects. This study provides evidence that nerve growth factor is locally produced in the airways, and shows that this production is enhanced in asthmatics. These findings suggest that nerve growth factor is produced by both structural cells and infiltrating inflammatory cells in human bronchus in vivo, and the authors suggest that the increase in nerve growth factor protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid observed in asthmatic patients may originate both from structural cells, producing increased nerve growth factor levels in inflammatory conditons, and from the increase in nerve growth factor-immunopositive cells determined in the bronchial submucosa.

Inhibition by glucocorticoids of the interleukin-1beta-enhanced expression of the mast cell growth factor SCF

1. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a major mast cell growth factor that promotes differentiation and chemotaxis of mast cells and inhibits their apoptosis. 2. We evaluated the effect of interleukin (IL)-1beta, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, on the constitutive expression of SCF and studied the effects of two glucocorticoids, budesonide and dexamethasone, on the IL-1beta-enhanced SCF expression. 3. Human lung fibroblasts in culture were serum-starved for 48 h and treated with IL-1beta, budesonide and/or RU486. SCF cDNA was quantified after total RNA reverse transcription by on-line fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. SCF protein was quantified by ELISA. 4. IL-1beta induced an increase in SCF mRNA (+91% at 2.5 h) and protein production (+32%) by human lung fibroblasts in culture (P<0.001). 5. Budesonide inhibited IL-1beta-induced SCF mRNA expression (-68%) at 2.5 h and even more so at 10 h (-192%) (P<0.001). The expression of SCF protein also decreased by 3.5-fold at 10 h. Results were similar with dexamethasone. The glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 cancelled the effects induced by the glucocorticoids. 6. Increased SCF mRNA levels were associated with increased stability of this mRNA as measured after treatment with actinomycin D (1.9-fold at 2.5 h). Budesonide decreased this IL-1beta-enhanced stability by about 1.5-fold (P<0.001). 7. We conclude that in 'inflammatory' conditions, mimicked in vitro by IL-1beta, glucocorticoid treatment inhibits expression of the mast cell growth factor SCF. The reduced number and activation of mast cells observed in the bronchi of asthmatic patients treated by glucocorticoids may be due in part to this effect.

Glucocorticoids inhibit MAP kinase via increased expression and decreased degradation of MKP-1

Glucocorticoids inhibit the proinflammatory activities of transcription factors such as AP-1 and NF-kappa B as well as that of diverse cellular signaling molecules. One of these signaling molecules is the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk-1/2) that controls the release of allergic mediators and the induction of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in mast cells. The mechanism of inhibition of Erk-1/2 activity by glucocorticoids is unknown. Here we report a novel dual action of glucocorticoids for this inhibition. Glucocorticoids increase the expression of the MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) gene at the promoter level, and attenuate proteasomal degradation of MKP-1, which we report to be triggered by activation of mast cells. Both induction of MKP-1 expression and inhibition of its degradation are necessary for glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of Erk-1/2 activation. In NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, although glucocorticoids up-regulate the MKP-1 level, they do not attenuate the proteasomal degradation of this protein and consequently they are unable to inhibit Erk-1/2 activity. These results identify MKP-1 as essential for glucocorticoid-mediated control of Erk-1/2 activation and unravel a novel regulatory mechanism for this anti-inflammatory drug.

Local increase in the number of mast cells and expression of nerve growth factor in the bronchus of asthmatic patients after repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose

BACKGROUND

Repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose induces an increase in bronchial hyper-responsiveness, without any associated symptom. The concomitant events in the bronchus have not been described.

OBJECTIVE

We have studied the dynamic number of mast cells in the airways of patients with mild asthma before and after repeated inhalation of allergen at low-dose and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is reported to promote growth and survival of mast cells.

METHODS

Twelve patients with mild asthma to cat allergen were enrolled at random in a blind placebo-controlled study, and submitted to repeated low-dose allergen exposure (1/5 of the provocative dose). Mast cells were immunolocalized using an antibody against mast cell tryptase. NGF and its high affinity receptor, TrkA, were immunolocalized using anti-NGF and anti-TrkA antibodies, respectively. NGF mRNA was quantified by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after reverse transcription of total RNA extracted from bronchial biopsy. NGF protein levels were measured by ELISA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid.

RESULTS

Bronchial mast cell number was increased significantly after allergen exposure as compared with before. NGF expression in the bronchus was immunolocalized mainly to epithelial cells, but also to fibroblasts, blood vessels, and a few infiltrated cells. NGF mRNA levels in bronchial biopsies were increased significantly after allergen exposure. The high affinity receptor for NGF, TrkA, was immunolocalized to the infiltrated mast cell membrane.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the increase in the number of mast cells and in the expression of NGF induced by allergen exposure in the bronchus of asthmatic patients is occurring before the onset of symptoms. In addition, our finding of the presence of the TrkA receptor on the membrane of the infiltrated mast cell in situ brings evidence of the mast cell as a target cell for the growth factor activity of NGF in the airways in asthma.

Repeated inhalation of low doses of cat allergen that do not induce clinical symptoms increases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil cationic protein levels

The aim of this study was to investigate whether repeated exposure to subclinical doses of cat allergens, not inducing asthma symptoms, could affect eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or in peripheral blood, without the appearance of clinical symptoms. Twelve patients with mild asthma, all sensitized to cats and not exposed to cat allergen at home, underwent a series of inhalations of cat allergen or placebo for 8 days over 2 weeks. A methacholine challenge was performed before and after the allergen and saline exposures, and BAL and blood were sampled for ECP measurements and eosinophil counts. No patients experienced asthma symptoms. However, PD20 methacholine (geometric mean) decreased significantly from 263 microg before to 126 microg after inhalation of allergen. Inhalation of saline did not induce any significant change in PD20. The change in log PD20 before and after cat allergen exposure was statistically different from the change in log PD20 before and after saline. Median ECP levels in BAL and serum increased significantly after allergen exposure, from 0.8 to 3.1 microg/l (p<0.02) and from 15.9 to 31.4 microg/l (p<0.05), respectively. No change was observed after saline inhalations. The change in BAL and serum ECP levels was statistically significant compared to that in the control group. The number of eosinophils did not change, however, nor did IL-5 and RANTES levels in BAL and serum. In conclusion, our results show that (1) exposure of asthma patients to repeated low doses of allergen, which did not provoke any clinical symptoms, is capable of inducing a local eosinophil activation associated with an increase in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and (2) the increase in serum ECP levels due to eosinophil activation precedes the occurrence of asthma symptoms and may thus be a marker of allergen exposure in allergic asthma.

Human bronchial smooth muscle cells in culture produce stem cell factor

A mast cell infiltration of the bronchial smooth muscle layer has been reported in patients sensitized to common allergens. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a chemotactic and survival factor for mast cells. SCF is expressed as a soluble (sSCF) and a membrane-bound (mSCF) form, after alternative splicing of the exon encoding the proteolytic cleavage site. SCF expression by human bronchial smooth muscle cells in culture was evaluated, comparing it to that of human lung fibroblasts in culture. sSCF released in the culture supernatant was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total SCF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was measured by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after reverse transcription. Expression of the two forms of SCF mRNA was assessed by PCR, with primers spanning the alternatively spliced exon. Smooth muscle cells produced sSCF (21.9+/-2.6 pg x mL(-1)), although at lower levels than fibroblasts (35.9+/-3.5 pg x mL(-1)); the expression of total SCF mRNA was also at lower levels than in fibroblasts (8.6+/-0.2 and 19.0+/-2.0 amol x fmol glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase complementary deoxyribonucleic acid(-1), respectively). However, smooth muscle cells expressed proportionally more (1.7-fold) mSCF mRNA than did fibroblasts. In conclusion, this study shows that bronchial smooth muscle cells express stem cell factor, with a relatively high expression of membrane-bound stem cell factor. This might be related to the presence of mast cells within the bronchial smooth muscle layer, i.e. at the site of bronchoconstriction, with possible implications in the pathophysiology of asthma.

Glucocorticoids increase bradykinin B2 receptor gene transcription in cultured guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells

We investigated the effect of the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone on the modulation of the expression of the bradykinin B2 receptors in cultured, guinea-pig, tracheal, smooth muscle cells. These receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of human asthma. Untreated cells expressed a single population of binding sites for [3H]bradykinin with a dissociation constant, Kd, of 87.7+/-12.0 pM and a maximum binding site density, Bmax, of 245.4+/-71 fmol/mg protein. Treatment of the cultured guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells with methylprednisolone 10(-5) M for 6 h increased the number of bradykinin receptors; this response reached a maximum of 78% and returned to the basal value after 12 h. Bradykinin (10(-12) M) elicited a six-fold higher calcium level in treated cells than in control cells. To investigate bradykinin B2 receptor mRNA expression in guinea-pig cells, we used the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to synthesize a specific bradykinin B2 cDNA probe of 296 bp corresponding to nucleotides 456-751 of the human sequence. This guinea-pig cDNA had 88%, 86% and 83% homology with the corresponding human, mouse and rat sequences, respectively, but no homology with any other known sequences. Following methylprednisolone treatment, Northern blot hybridization indicated that mRNA increased fourfold after 3 h compared with control cells, and returned to basal level within 7 h. The rate of gene transcription, assessed by nuclear run-on assays, increased fourfold after 3 h treatment with 10(-5) M methylprednisolone. These results indicate that glucocorticoids induce early up-regulation of bradykinin B2 receptors in cultured guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells by increasing the rate of transcription of the bradykinin B2 receptor gene.

Up- and down-regulation by glucocorticoids of the constitutive expression of the mast cell growth factor stem cell factor by human lung fibroblasts in culture

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a major mast cell growth factor that promotes differentiation and chemotaxis of mast cells and inhibits their apoptosis. SCF therefore may be involved in diseases associated with an increased number of tissue mast cells such as asthma, for which the major treatment is glucocorticoids. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the glucocorticoid budesonide on the constitutive expression of SCF by human lung fibroblasts in primary culture. Budesonide (0.1 microM) induced a time-dependent biphasic effect on SCF mRNA and protein production. A short treatment (2.5-10 hr) induced an inhibition of SCF protein accumulation (-58% at 2.5 hr) and mRNA expression (-69% at 2.5 hr), associated with an accelerated decay of SCF mRNA and with a decrease in SCF gene transcription observed by nuclear run-on assay. Longer treatment (24-72 hr) led to increases in SCF protein accumulation (+64% at 48 hr) and mRNA expression (+125% at 24 hr) as a consequence of transcriptional activation. Similar effects of a decrease followed by an increase in SCF production were observed using another glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. Overall, our results show that glucocorticoids potently regulate SCF expression in human lung fibroblasts, successively decreasing and increasing SCF mRNA levels according to treatment duration. Such time-dependent modulation of SCF levels may explain some current discrepant findings about the effects of glucocorticoids on SCF production and may have functional consequences during glucocorticoid treatment, such as asthma therapy.

[New hypotheses in asthma: the mastocytes]

Increasing progress has been made in the understanding of the biology of mast cells. The precursors of mast cells leave the bone marrow in a non-differentiated form as CD34+ cells. The presence of mast cells growth and differentiation factors controls in tissues maturation of different mast cells phenotypes. The main factors are the mast cell growth factor SCF (stem cell factor), NGF (Nerve Growth Factor), and IL-3 (Interleukin-3). The potential role of each of these factors in the airways is discussed. An altered production of these growth factors in the airways of asthmatic patients might be the cause of the presence of an increased number of mast cells and of phenotypic modifications in the bronchi of these patients.

Mast cell activation involves plasma membrane potential- and thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular calcium pools

The regulation and role of the intracellular Ca2+ pools were studied in rat peritoneal mast cells. Cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored in fura-2 loaded mast cells. In the presence of Ca2+ and K+, compound 48/80 induced a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i composed of a fast transient phase and an apparent sustained phase. The sustained phase was partially inhibited by the addition of Mn2+. DTPA, a cell-impermeant chelator of Mn2+, reversed this inhibition, suggesting that a quenching of fura-2 fluorescence occurs in the extracellular medium. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the transient phase, but not the sustained one, could be preserved, provided that mast cells were depolarized. The transient phase was completely abolished by thapsigargin, a microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor. Maximum histamine release induced by either compound 48/80 or antigen was obtained in the absence of added Ca2+ only when mast cells were depolarized. These histamine releases were inhibited by low doses (< 30 nM) of thapsigargin. Thapsigargin at higher doses induced histamine release which was unaffected by changing the plasma membrane potential, but was completely dependent on extracellular Ca2+, showing that a Ca2+ influx is required for thapsigargin-induced exocytosis. Together, these results suggest that the mobilization of Ca2+ from thapsigargin sensitive-intracellular pools induced by compound 48/80 or antigen is sufficient to trigger histamine release. The modulation of these pools by the plasma membrane potential suggest their localization is close to the plasma membrane.

IgE-dependent expression of mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5 in human lung mast cells

By using the reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and in situ hybridization we have studied the expression of mRNA for IL-5 and IL-4 in human lung mast cells induced by cross-linkage of high affinity Fc epsilon Rs. Lung mast cells were purified using affinity magnetic selection with mAb YB5.B8 against c-kit to achieve a final mast cell purity &gt; 93%. Purified mast cells were precultured with stem cell factor (SCF) (10 ng/ml) and myeloma IgE (3 micrograms/ml) for 16 h before challenge with anti-IgE (1 or 10 micrograms/ml). IgE-dependent activation of lung mast cells caused expression of IL-5 mRNA, which was evident by 2 h and persisted for up to 48-72 h in all of 12 experiments, whereas IL-4 mRNA expression was of a shorter duration and was demonstrable in 6 of 13 experiments. We confirmed that mast cells, and not T cells, were the source of these cytokine messages by using reverse transcriptase-PCR in cell preparations containing known numbers of mast cells and T cells, in situ hybridization in enriched mast cell preparations, and double in situ hybridization-immunocytochemical staining. IL-5 mRNA expression did not require the pretreatment of cells with SCF, whereas expression of IL-4 mRNA seemed to require both anti-IgE and SCF. The strength of IL-5 mRNA signal was related to anti-IgE concentration. Immunoreactive IL-5 was detectable 8 h after anti-IgE challenge, and 10(6) mast cells generated a mean of 731 +/- 400 pg of IL-5 into the supernatant during 48-h culture, but no IL-4 product was detectable. These findings demonstrate the capacity of human lung mast cells to transcribe IL-4 and IL-5 after IgE-dependent activation and to synthesize and release immunoreactive IL-5.

IgE-dependent expression of mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5 in human lung mast cells

By using the reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and in situ hybridization we have studied the expression of mRNA for IL-5 and IL-4 in human lung mast cells induced by cross-linkage of high affinity Fc epsilon Rs. Lung mast cells were purified using affinity magnetic selection with mAb YB5.B8 against c-kit to achieve a final mast cell purity > 93%. Purified mast cells were precultured with stem cell factor (SCF) (10 ng/ml) and myeloma IgE (3 micrograms/ml) for 16 h before challenge with anti-IgE (1 or 10 micrograms/ml). IgE-dependent activation of lung mast cells caused expression of IL-5 mRNA, which was evident by 2 h and persisted for up to 48-72 h in all of 12 experiments, whereas IL-4 mRNA expression was of a shorter duration and was demonstrable in 6 of 13 experiments. We confirmed that mast cells, and not T cells, were the source of these cytokine messages by using reverse transcriptase-PCR in cell preparations containing known numbers of mast cells and T cells, in situ hybridization in enriched mast cell preparations, and double in situ hybridization-immunocytochemical staining. IL-5 mRNA expression did not require the pretreatment of cells with SCF, whereas expression of IL-4 mRNA seemed to require both anti-IgE and SCF. The strength of IL-5 mRNA signal was related to anti-IgE concentration. Immunoreactive IL-5 was detectable 8 h after anti-IgE challenge, and 10(6) mast cells generated a mean of 731 +/- 400 pg of IL-5 into the supernatant during 48-h culture, but no IL-4 product was detectable. These findings demonstrate the capacity of human lung mast cells to transcribe IL-4 and IL-5 after IgE-dependent activation and to synthesize and release immunoreactive IL-5.

Biphasic increase in cytosolic free calcium induced by bradykinin and histamine in cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells: is the sustained phase artifactual?

The effects of bradykinin (BK) and histamine on intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were studied in fura-2-loaded guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells in culture. BK, at 10 nM, and histamine, at 100 microM, induced a rise in [Ca2+]i which was inhibited by the B2 antagonist Hoe 140 and by the H1 antagonist triprolidine, respectively. This rise in [Ca2+]i is biphasic, consisting of a rapid transient phase followed by a sustained phase. The transient phase, induced by either BK or histamine, was strongly inhibited by thapsigargin, a microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, usually used to deplete certain intracellular Ca(2+)-stores. Ni2+ (4 mM) did not affect the transient phase but abolished the sustained phase when cells were stimulated by BK, further supporting the fact that the transient phase was only dependent on intracellular Ca2+ pools. The sustained phase was partially (for BK) and completely (for histamine) inhibited by 30 microM Mn2+. This effect could be completely reversed by the addition of DTPA, a cell-impermeant chelator of Mn2+, indicating that the Mn2+ exerted its effect extracellularly. The presence of 1 mM probenecid (an inhibitor of a membrane organic anion transporter that extrudes fura-2) drastically inhibited the sustained phase by more than 77% for BK and 88% for histamine. Our results suggest that the effects of BK and histamine on airway smooth muscle cells are mediated via bradykinin B2 receptors and histamine H1 receptors, respectively whose activation allows the rapid transient rise in [Ca2+]i from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools. The sustained phase is proposed to be drastically influenced by an acceleration of fura-2 extrusion during the increase of [Ca2+]i via a probenecid-sensitive mechanism.

Assessment of the anti-c-kit monoclonal antibody YB5.B8 in affinity magnetic enrichment of human lung mast cells

The monoclonal antibody, YB5.B8 binds to the second domain of the c-kit proto-oncogene product on human mast cells, a receptor associated with tyrosine kinase activity. This molecule is involved with cell proliferation, maturation and viability as well as cell activation and its natural ligand is stem cell factor (SCF). We have used this antibody coupled to Dynabeads to perform positive affinity enrichment of human lung mast cells. This procedure results in enrichment of mast cells from 2.6 +/- 0.3% to 85.0 +/- 1.6% purity (n = 29) with yields of 41.9 +/- 3.7% (n = 29). As YB5.B8 interacts with the same receptor domain as does SCF, it is important to demonstrate that this procedure does not modify mast cell function. Incubation of mast cells with 1-5000 ng/ml YB5.B8 for 30 min neither induced histamine release nor modulated histamine release induced by anti-IgE. Furthermore, incubation with YB5.B8 did not alter prolonged culture with SCF. Examination of cells enriched using YB5.B8 showed that they had a normal histamine content (3.8 +/- 0.3 pg/cell compared with 3.9 +/- 0.7 pg/cell unpurified, n = 20) and had unchanged behaviour in both histamine secretion and cell survival studies. These studies indicate that YB5.B8 does not influence mast cell function and thus its use in magnetic affinity purification procedures offers a simple and effective method for enriching human mast cell preparations.