Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Bradykinin (BK) is a major kinin with well-documented pharmacological properties including vascular leakage and induction of a variety of cytokines. However, the intracellular signalling mechanisms by which BK induced proinflammatory cytokine production have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the role of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the BK-induced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production by human lung fibroblasts. Lung fibroblasts were stimulated with BK in the presence or in the absence of PD98059, a specific MAPK/ERK kinase-1 inhibitor, or SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, and IL-6 or IL-8 production and their gene expression was examined. BK-induced ERK 1/2 or p38 MAPK phosphorylation was also analysed by Western blot analysis. BK at nanomolar concentrations stimulated lung fibroblasts to produce IL-6 and IL-8 along with increased ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. BK-induced IL-6 and IL-8 synthesis was inhibited by a B2-type BK receptor antagonist. Furthermore, PD98059 or SB203580 significantly suppressed BK-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production and their gene expression. These results indicate that bradykinin-induced interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production are at least partly mediated through the extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-dependent activation in human lung fibroblasts, and suggest that bradykinin appears to be involved in the inflammatory reaction leading to acute lung injury through stimulating interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production by lung fibroblasts.
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PMID:Bradykinin stimulates IL-6 and IL-8 production by human lung fibroblasts through ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent mechanisms. 1102 59

Peripheral nerve injury induces a specific pattern of expression of growth factors and cytokines, which regulate injury responses and regeneration. Distinct classes of growth factors and cytokines signal through specific intracellular phosphorylation cascades. For example, the ERK phosphorylation cascade mediates signaling through transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors and the JAK/STAT cascade mediates signaling through the GP130 receptor complex. We tested whether specific phosphorylation patterns of ERK and STAT3 result from nerve injury and whether such phosphorylation correlates with the expression of specific growth factors and cytokines. At sites adjacent to a nerve transection, we observed that ERK phosphorylation peaked early, persisted throughout 16 days, and was equally intense at proximal and distal sites. In contrast, STAT3 phosphorylation peaked later than ERK but did not persist as long and was stronger in the proximal than in the distal segment adjacent to the injury. In addition, in distal segments further away from the injury site, ERK became phosphorylated with a delayed time course, while STAT3 remained unphosphorylated. These patterns of phosphorylation correlated well with the expression of neurotrophin and interleukin-6 mRNAs in the distal stump. In addition, we found that the pattern of SAPK phosphorylation is similar to the pattern observed for STAT3, while the pattern of macrophage infiltration into the transected nerve was distinct from all the phosphorylation patterns observed. Together, these observations suggest that ERK activation is important in the establishment of a regeneration-promoting extracellular environment in the far distal stump of transected nerves and that STAT3 activation is important in the control of cellular responses close to the site of injury.
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PMID:Differential patterns of ERK and STAT3 phosphorylation after sciatic nerve transection in the rat. 1108 4

Expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in Schwann cells is modulated by external stimuli. To study possible interactions of both factors we have analyzed mutual effects of exogenous IL-6 and FGF-2 on the expression of each other and the corresponding receptor (R) molecules IL-6R and FGFR1 after peripheral nerve lesion in vivo and in vitro using cultured Schwann cells. Using rat Schwann cells we found that IL-6 did not exert any effects on the expression of FGF-2 and FGF receptor type 1 (R1) whereas exogenously applied 18-kD FGF-2 strongly increased the expression of the mRNAs of IL-6 and its receptor. In addition, immortalized Schwann cells over-expressing the 18-kD FGF-2 isoform showed elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-6R whereas immortalized Schwann cells over-expressing the high-molecular-weight isoforms (21 kD and 23 kD) displayed unaltered IL-6 and IL-6R expression levels. According to in situ hybridization studies of intact and crushed sciatic nerves in vivo, Schwann cells seems to be the main source of IL-6 and IL-6R. Following sciatic nerve crush, the FGF-2 and the IL-6 system are upregulated after the first hours. Furthermore, we showed that the early increase of the FGF-2 protein is mainly confined to the 18-kD isoform. These results are consistent with the idea of a functional coupling of FGF-2 and the IL-6 system in the early reaction of Schwann cells to nerve injury.
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PMID:Expression of interleukin-6 and its receptor in the sciatic nerve and cultured Schwann cells: relation to 18-kD fibroblast growth factor-2. 1110 71

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell neoplasm characterized by bone marrow infiltration with malignant plasma cells, which synthesize and secrete monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) fragments. Despite the considerable progress in the understanding of MM biology, the molecular basis of the disease remains elusive. The initial transformation is thought to occur in a postgerminal center B-lineage cell, carrying a somatically hypermutated Ig heavy chain (IGH) gene. This plasmablastic precursor cell colonizes the bone marrow, propagates clonally and differentiates into a slowly proliferating myeloma cell population, all under the influence of specific cell adhesion molecules and cytokines. Production of interleukin-6 by stromal cells, osteoblasts and, in some cases, neoplastic cells is an essential element of myeloma cell growth, with the cytokine stimulus being delivered intracellularly via the Jack-STAT and ras signaling pathways. While karyotypic changes have been identified in up to 50% of MM patients, recent molecular cytogenetic techniques have revealed chromosomal abnormalities in the vast majority of examined cases. Translocations mostly involve illegal switch rearrangements of the IGH locus with various partner genes (CCND1, FGFR3, c-maf). Such events have been assigned a critical role in MM development. Mutations in coding and regulatory regions, as well as aberrant expression patterns of several oncogenes (c-myc, ras) and tumor suppressor genes (p16, p15) have been reported. Key regulators of programmed cell death (BCL-2, Fas), tumor expansion (metalloproteinases) and drug responsiveness (topoisomerase II alpha) have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of this hematologic malignancy. A tumorigenic role for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) was postulated recently, following the detection of viral sequences in bone marrow dendritic cells of MM patients. However, since several research groups were unable to confirm this observation, the role of HHV8 remains unclear. Translation of the advances in MM molecular biology into novel therapeutic strategies is essential in order to improve disease prognosis.
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PMID:Molecular aspects of multiple myeloma. 1110 9

We have explored the regulatory roles played by Ca2+-dependent signaling on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release in mouse peritoneal macrophages. To elevate intracellular Ca2+, we used thapsigargin (TG) and UTP. Although LPS alone cannot stimulate NO synthesis, co-addition with TG, which sustainably increased [Ca2+]i, resulted in NO release. UTP, via acting on P2Y6 receptors, can stimulate phosphoinositide (PI) turnover and transient [Ca2+]i increase, however, it did not possess the NO priming effect. LPS alone triggered the release of PGE2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6; all of which were potentiated by the presence of TG, but not of UTP. The stimulatory effect of LPS plus TG on NO release was inhibited by the presence of Ro 31-8220, Go6976, KN-93, PD 098059, or SB 203580, and abolished by BAPTA/AM and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor, PDTC. PGE2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 release by LPS alone were attenuated by Ro 31-8220, Go6976, PD 098059, SB 203580, and PDTC. Using L-NAME, soluble TNF-alpha receptor, IL-6 antibody, NS-398, and indomethacin, we performed experiments to understand the cross-regulation by the four mediators. The results revealed that TNF-alpha up-regulated NO, PGE2, and IL-6 synthesis; PGE2 up-regulated NO, but down-regulated TNF-alpha synthesis; and PGE2 and IL-6 mutually up-regulated reciprocally. Taken together, murine peritoneal macrophages required a sustained [Ca2+]i increase, which proceeds after TG, but not UTP, stimulation, to enhance LPS-mediated release of inflammatory mediators, particularly for NO induction. Activation of PKC-, ERK-, and p38 MAPK-dependent signaling also are essential for LPS action. The positive regulatory interactions among these mediators might amplify the inflammatory response caused by endotoxin.
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PMID:Involvement of protein kinases in the potentiation of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediator formation by thapsigargin in peritoneal macrophages. 1127 79

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleitrophic cytokine that not only regulates growth and differentiation of many cell types, but also induces production of acute phase proteins (AAP) in hepatocytes. Our previous works have demonstrated that both PI 3-K/Akt and STAT3 pathways were concomitantly activated and cooperatively mediated the anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6. This investigation reports that IL-6 protected cells against apoptosis induced by a variety of agents including, TGF-beta, UV and retinoic acid (RA) in Hep3B cells, suggesting that IL-6 is a fundamental determinant of hepatic cell survival. Mcl-1, but not other Bcl-2 family members, was rapidly up-regulated by IL-6, with a peak (approximately 3-4-fold) appearing at 4 h. Transient transfection of cells with a mcl-1 antisense vector, resulting in a 50-60% reduction of the anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6, indicating that Mcl-1 is a downstream effector of IL-6. Which signaling pathway transduced by IL-6 responsible for the Mcl-1 up-regulation was further investigated. In Hep3B cells, the JAK/STAT3, ERK, and PI 3-K/Akt pathways were activated by IL-6 stimulation. Blocking JAK/STAT3 activation with a dominant-negative mutant STAT3F or a JAK inhibitor AG490 could not influence IL-6-mediated Mcl-1 up-regulation. Similarly, PD98059 treatment, a MEK specific inhibitor, also failed to inhibit Mcl-1 expression. However, the IL-6-induced Mcl-1 up-regulation was effectively attenuated in the presence of PI 3-K inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin. Expression of dominant-negative Akt, but not Etk, could abrogate the IL-6-induced increase of Mcl-1. In conclusion, our results suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6 is mediated, at least in part, by Mcl-1 expression and that is mainly through the PI 3-K/ Akt-dependent pathway.
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PMID:The involvement of PI 3-K/Akt-dependent up-regulation of Mcl-1 in the prevention of apoptosis of Hep3B cells by interleukin-6. 1131 1

Many cell types mount elaborate, compensatory responses to stress that enhance survival; however, the intracellular signals that govern these responses are poorly understood. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a stress-induced cytokine, belongs to the interleukin-6/glycoprotein 130 receptor-coupled cytokine family. CT-1 is released from the heart in response to hypoxic stress, and it protects cardiac myocytes from hypoxia-induced apoptosis, thus establishing a central role for this cytokine in the cardiac stress response. In the present study, CT-1 activated p38 and ERK MAPKs as well as Akt in cultured cardiac myocytes; these three pathways were activated in a parallel manner. CT-1 also induced the degradation of the NF-kappa B cytosolic anchor, I kappa B, as well as the translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B to the nucleus and increased expression of an NF-kappa B-dependent reporter gene. Inhibitors of the p38, ERK, or Akt pathways each partially reduced CT-1-mediated NF-kappa B activation, as well as the cytoprotective effects of CT-1 against hypoxic stress. Together, the inhibitors completely blocked CT-1-dependent NF-kappa B activation and cytoprotection. A cell-permeable peptide that selectively disrupted NF-kappa B activation also completely inhibited the cytoprotective effects of CT-1. These results indicate that CT-1 signals through p38, ERK, and Akt in a parallel manner to activate NF-kappa B and that NF-kappa B is required for CT-1 to mediate its full cytoprotective effects in cardiac myocytes.
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PMID:The cytoprotective effects of the glycoprotein 130 receptor-coupled cytokine, cardiotrophin-1, require activation of NF-kappa B. 1144 59

The cytokine receptor subunits gp130, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha (LIFRalpha), and oncostatin M receptor beta (OSMRbeta) transduce OSM signals that regulate gene expression and cell proliferation. After ligand binding and activation of the Janus protein-tyrosine kinase/STAT and mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways, negative feedback processes are recruited. These processes attenuate receptor action by suppression of cytokine signaling and by down-regulation of receptor protein expression. This study demonstrates that in human fibroblasts or epithelial cells, OSM first decreases the level of gp130, LIFRalpha, and OSMRbeta by ligand-induced receptor degradation and then increases the level of the receptors by enhanced synthesis. The transcriptional induction of gp130 gene by OSM involves STAT3. Various cell lines expressing receptor subunits to the different interleukin-6 class cytokines revealed that only LIFRalpha degradation is promoted by activated ERK and that degradation of gp130, OSMRbeta, and a fraction of LIFRalpha involves mechanisms that are separate from signal transduction. These mechanisms include ligand-mediated dimerization, internalization, and endosomal/lysosomal degradation. Proteosomal degradation appears to involve a fraction of receptor subunit proteins that are ubiquitinated independently of ligand binding.
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PMID:Oncostatin M regulates the synthesis and turnover of gp130, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor alpha, and oncostatin M receptor beta by distinct mechanisms. 1160 99

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a multifunctional protein that is able to function as a negative regulator of solid tumor progression and angiogenesis, is normally present at a very low level but rapidly elevated in pathological tissues. To understand the cellular regulation of TSP-1 expression, the mode of it's expression in Hep3B, SK-HEP-1, and porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells was examined in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). ATRA or IL-6 induced a dose-dependent increase of TSP-1 protein and mRNA levels in PAE cells, while they negatively regulated TSP-1 expression in the Hep3B and SK-HEP-1 cells. In contrast, PMA showed just the opposite effects on the TSP-1 expression in the same cells. IFN-gamma had little effect on TSP-1 level in Hep3B and PAE cells. The TSP-1 expression in SK-HEP-1 cells by these agents showed a close resemblance to that of liver cells rather than that of the endothelial cell line. Possible TSP-1 promoter-mediated responses by ATRA, IL-6, IFN-gamma, or PMA in Hep3B and PAE cells examined with luciferase activity of TSP-LUC reporter plasmid showed that levels of TSP-1 promoter activity were lower than that of the expressed TSP-1 protein and mRNA levels. Transfection of c-Jun and/or RARalpha expression vectors into Hep3B and PAE cells resulted in the enhanced TSP-1 promoter activity as well as the increments of of its protein and mRNA level. These results suggest that regulatory agents-induced TSP-1 expression may be attributed to mRNA stability and/or translational activation in concert with transcriptional activation and TSP-1 expression may be independently controlled via each signal pathway stimulated by PMA or ATRA.
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PMID:Cell-type specific regulation of thrombospondin-1 expression and its promoter activity by regulatory agents. 1164 46

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic peptide with biologic effects that include regulation of hematopoietic stem cell development, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory cytokine generation. The importance of angiogenic factors such as VEGF, while clearly established in solid tumors, has not been fully elucidated in human hematopoietic neoplasms. Human hematopoietic tumor cell lines, representing multiple lineages and diseases, produce and secrete VEGF and express at least one of its two receptors. Exposure of human vascular endothelial cells to VEGF increased the expression of several hematopoietic growth factors known to be involved in myeloma including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bone marrow samples from patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma were examined for expression of VEGF and its receptors. VEGF protein production was detected in malignant plasma cells from 78% of the myeloma patients studied. While expression of the Flt-1 and KDR receptors was not observed in the malignant plasma cells, both were markedly elevated in the normal marrow myeloid and monocytic cells surrounding the tumor. In bone marrow clot sections from normal allogeneic donors, low-intensity cytoplasmic VEGF expression was detected infrequently in isolated myelocytes, macrophages, and megakaryocytes. In vitro colony-forming assays using patient-derived material revealed that antibody neutralization of VEGF resulted in an inhibition of colony growth, whereas the addition of recombinant human VEGF stimulated colony formation. Neutralization of VEGF activity also suppressed the generation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) from bone marrow mononuclear cells. These data raise the possibility that VEGF may play a role in the growth of hematopoietic neoplasms such as multiple myeloma through paracrine and perhaps autocrine mechanisms.
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PMID:Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in multiple myeloma and other hematopoietic malignancies. 1174 Aug 8


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