Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The repertoire of thymic neuroendocrine precursors plays a dual role in T-cell differentiation as the source of either cryptocrine accessory signals in T-cell development or neuroendocrine self-antigens presented by the thymic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) machinery. Thymic neuroendocrine self-antigens usually correspond to peptide sequences highly conserved during the evolution of one family. The thymic presentation of some neuroendocrine self-antigens is not restricted by MHC alleles. Oxytocin (OT) is the dominant peptide of the neurohypophysial family. It is expressed by thymic epithelial and nurse cells (TEC/TNCs) of different species. Ontogenetic studies have shown that the thymic expression of the OT gene precedes the hypothalamic one. Both OT and VP stimulate the phosphorylation of p125FAK and other focal adhesion-related proteins in murine immature T cells. These early cell activation events could play a role in the promotion of close interactions between thymic stromal cells and developing T cells. It is established that such interactions are fundamental for the progression of thymic T-cell differentiation. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is the dominant thymic polypeptide of the insulin family. Using fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOCs), the inhibition of thymic IGF-2-mediated signaling was shown to block the early stages of T-cell differentiation. The treatment of FTOCs with an mAb anti-(pro)insulin had no effect on T-cell development. In an animal model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (BB rat), thymic levels of (pro)insulin and IGF-1 mRNAs were normal both in diabetes-resistant and diabetes-prone BB rats. IGF-2 transcripts were clearly identified in all thymuses from diabetes-resistant adult (5-week) and young (2- and 5-days) BB rats. In marked contrast, the IGF-2 transcripts were absent and the IGF-2 protein was almost undetectable in +/- 80% of the thymuses from diabetes-prone adult and young BB rats. These data show that a defect of the thymic IGF-2-mediated tolerogenic function might play an important role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune Type 1 diabetes.
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PMID:Thymic neuroendocrine self-antigens. Role in T-cell development and central T-cell self-tolerance. 1126 99

Glucocorticoids (GCs) affect peripheral immune responses by inhibiting T cell immunity at several stages of the activation cascade, causing impaired cytokine production and effector function. The recent demonstration that the thymic epithelium and possibly thymocytes themselves produce steroids suggests that endogenous GCs also play a role in the control of T cell development. As both peripheral responsiveness and thymic differentiation appear to be regulated by the quantity and quality of intracellular signals issued by antigen-major histocompatibility complex-engaged T cell receptor (TCR) complexes, we investigated the effects of GCs on the signaling properties of T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies or agonist peptides. We demonstrate in this work that dexamethasone, a synthetic GC, inhibits the early signaling events initiated upon TCR ligation, such as tyrosine phosphorylation of several TCR-associated substrates including the zeta chain, the ZAP70 kinase, and the transmembrane adapter molecule linker for activation of T cells. Hypophosphorylation was not a consequence of reduced kinase activity of src protein tyrosine kinases, but was correlated with an altered- membrane compartmentalization of these molecules. These observations indicate that in addition to their well-described ability to interfere with the transcription of molecules involved in peripheral responses, GCs inhibit T cell activation by affecting the early phosphorylating events induced after TCR ligation.
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PMID:Glucocorticoids attenuate T cell receptor signaling. 1128 53

To prevent the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in lethally irradiated C57BL/6 (H-2b) recipient mice transplanted with bone marrow-splenocyte grafts from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) disparate BALB/c mice (H-2d), recipient mice were treated with the rationally designed JAK3 inhibitor WHI-P131 [4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline] (20 mg/kg, 3 times a day [tid]) daily from the day of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) until the end of the 85-day observation period. Total body irradiation (TBI)-conditioned, vehicle-treated control C57BL/6 mice (n = 38) receiving bone marrow-splenocyte grafts from BALB/c mice survived acute TBI toxicity, but they all developed histologically confirmed severe multi-organ GVHD and died after a median survival time of 37 days. WHI-P131 treatment (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally, tid) prolonged the median survival time of the BMT recipients to 56 days. The probability of survival at 2 months after BMT was 11% +/- 5% for vehicle-treated control mice (n = 38) and 41% +/- 9% for mice treated with WHI-P131 (n = 32) (P <.0001). Notably, the combination regimen WHI-P131 plus the standard anti-GVHD drug methotrexate (MTX) (10 mg/m2 per day) was more effective than WHI-P131 or MTX alone. More than half the C57BL/6 recipients receiving this most effective GVHD prophylaxis remained alive and healthy throughout the 85-day observation period, with a cumulative survival probability of 70% +/- 10%. Taken together, these results indicate that targeting JAK3 in alloreactive donor lymphocytes with a chemical inhibitor such as WHI-P131 may attenuate the severity of GVHD after BMT.
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PMID:Targeting Janus kinase 3 to attenuate the severity of acute graft-versus-host disease across the major histocompatibility barrier in mice. 1152 Aug 14

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are heterodimeric cell surface glycoproteins important for antigen presentation to CD4+ T lymphocytes. Class II molecules of the pig MHC, termed SLA, identified so far include DR and DQ. Thus far, functional differences between products of different loci in SLalpha class II have not been well characterized. For detailed research on this issue, SLalpha-DRbeta1 and -DQbeta typings were newly developed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products. Using this method, several RFLP types were chosen from 13 CSK miniature pigs, and alloreactivities in two-way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) derived from these pigs were examined by cell proliferation assay using flow cytometry. The responses in MLC varied according to the degree of phenotype difference. In MLC from individuals of the same RFLP type in both SLA-DRbeta1 and -DQbeta, the proliferative responses showed slight reaction indicating that they were not so stimulated by each other. On the other hand, for the RFLP type-mismatching combination, the responses were strong indicating that they recognized each others alloantigens. The reactivity of only the DQbeta mismatching combination was as strong as those of only the DRbeta1 mismatching combination. These data indicate the important role of the DQ as well as DR molecule on alloreactivity in MLC.
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PMID:Differential alloreactivity at SLA-DR and -DQ matching in two-way mixed lymphocyte culture. 1186 69

While low avidity ligation of the T cell receptor (TCR) leads to positive selection and further maturation of developing thymocytes providing the immune system with mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) (single positive) T cells, high avidity ligation triggers negative selection by apoptotic cell death and therefore the TCR repertoire is purged of autoreactive T cells. On peripheral T cells, however, high avidity ligation of the TCR triggers activation and survival not death. In the present study we used concanavalin A (Con A) and alpha-CD3 epsilon antibody to investigate a possible survival mechanism in connection with TCR ligation. Con A and alpha-CD3 epsilon were used in the study for the following reasons: (1) they both mimic the effects of high avidity TCR ligation by activating peripheral T cells, and (2) they trigger distinctively different physiological changes in developing thymocytes. While Con A supports events associated with cellular survival, alpha-CD3 epsilon induces apoptotic cell death. In our experimental system the TCR was cross-linked by Con A and alpha-CD3 epsilon in thymocytes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) deficient thymus organ cultures, where signals from the TCR can be triggered on zero background signal level. We have found that TCR cross-linking by Con A and not by alpha-CD3 epsilon decreases the gene and protein expression of the pro-apoptotic molecule, Bad; and that Con A is capable of the activation of the survival signalling pathway including protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) independently of phosphatidyl inositol kinase (PI3K).
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PMID:Con A activates an Akt/PKB dependent survival mechanism to modulate TCR induced cell death in double positive thymocytes. 1274 8

Prolactin (PRL) is a versatile hormone that is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and various extrapituitary sites including immune cells. Furthermore, PRL has widespread influences on proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cells in the immune system and is, in effect, a cytokine. PRL-receptors (PRL-R) are distributed throughout the immune system and are included as members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. PRL-R signal transduction is mediated by a complex array of signaling molecules of which JAK2, Stat1 and Stat5 pathway have been well studied. In PRL-stimulated T cells, the transcription factor gene, interferon regulatory factor-1 provides a mechanism whereby PRL can regulate the immune response. The human PRL gene is situated on the short arm of chromosome 6 close to the major histocompatibility complex. Polymorphisms of the human PRL gene have implications for production of lymphocyte PRL in SLE. Mild and moderate hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) has been demonstrated in 20-30% of SLE patients and is associated with active disease. HPRL may have a role in lupus nephritis and central nervous system involvement of SLE patients. HPRL stimulated the production of autoantibodies. These evidences support the important role of PRL in autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, mainly SLE.
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PMID:Prolactin and autoimmunity. 1284 92

Anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (Ab) have long been implicated in the process of acute and chronic allograft rejection, yet their mechanism(s) of action is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether ligation of HLA class I molecules by anti-HLA Ab on the surface of human endothelial cells (EC) activates the PI3 Kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and downstream target proteins of the cell death apparatus. We report that Ab ligation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the surface of EC triggers phosphorylation of Akt, PI3K, and recruitment of PI3K and Akt into a signaling unit with focal adhesion kinase. Signaling through class I also stimulated phosphorylation of Bad and upregulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Pretreatment of EC with the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin blocked class I-mediated expression of Bcl-2, but not Bcl-xL, suggesting a role for the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in regulation of class I-induced Bcl-2 expression. The intracellular events initiated by class I ligation were influenced by the concentration of the anti-HLA Ab with the lowest tested concentrations of Ab stimulating the highest level of Akt phosphorylation, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 expression. Consistent with the in vitro experiments, analysis of biopsy samples from heart transplant recipients with evidence of Ab-mediated rejection exhibited increased Bcl-2 expression on the vascular endothelium. These results suggest that exposure of the graft endothelium to low concentrations of anti-HLA Ab may promote cell survival by transducing signals resulting in upregulation of cell survival genes.
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PMID:Anti-HLA class I antibody-mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and induction of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression in endothelial cells. 1512 Jan 84

Donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) can induce graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reactions in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) relapsing after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but the mechanisms of the antileukemic effect of DLI are unknown, and the procedure is complicated by graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft failure. Here, we adapted a murine retroviral BMT model of Philadelphia(+) leukemia by combining allogeneic bone marrow (BM) from C57Bl/6 (H-2(b)) mice with BCR-ABL-transduced Balb/c (H-2(d)) BM, inducing mixed chimerism and myeloproliferative disease in recipients resembling relapse of CML following allogeneic BMT. Infusions of allogeneic splenocytes eliminated BCR-ABL-induced CML-like disease in the majority of mixed chimeras, with significant GvL effects mediated by both CD4(+) and CD4(-) cells. BCR-ABL-induced acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia was also eradicated by DLI in major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched chimeras. Most DLI-treated mice converted to full allogeneic chimerism but succumbed frequently to GvHD or graft failure. When MHC-matched B10.D2 (H-2(d)) mice were the allogeneic donors, CML-like disease was more resistant to DLI. These results suggest that depletion of CD8(+) cells from DLI could impair GvL against CML, while increased MHC disparity between donor and recipient may improve the responsiveness of Philadelphia(+) B-lymphoblastic leukemia to DLI.
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PMID:Adoptive immunotherapy of BCR-ABL-induced chronic myeloid leukemia-like myeloproliferative disease in a murine model. 1530 67

The most common sub-variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the so-called follicular variant (FVPTC), which is a particularly problematic lesion and can be challenging from a diagnostic viewpoint even in resected lesions. Although fine needle aspiration cytology is very useful in the diagnosis of PTC, its accuracy and utility would be greatly facilitated by the development of specific markers for PTC and its common variants. We used the recently developed Applied Biosystems 1700 microarray system to interrogate a series of 11 benign thyroid lesions and conditions and 14 samples of PTC (six with classic morphology and eight with follicular variant morphology). TaqMan(R) reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the expression portfolios of 50 selected transcripts. Our data corroborates potential biomarkers previously identified in the literature, such as LGALS3, S100A11, LYN, BAX, and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44). However, we have also identified numerous transcripts never previously implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis, and many of which are not represented on other microarray platforms. Diminished expression of metallothioneins featured strongly among these and suggests a possible role for this family as tumour suppressors in PTC. Fifteen transcripts were significantly associated with FVPTC morphology. Surprisingly, these genes were associated with an extremely narrow repertoire of functions, including the major histocompatibility complex and cathepsin families.
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PMID:Expression microarray analysis of papillary thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid tissue: emphasis on the follicular variant and potential markers of malignancy. 1725 32

Janus kinase 3 (JAK-3) is a tyrosine kinase that has been shown to participate in the signaling of several cytokines that are believed to play a role in allergic airway disease, e.g. IL-2, 4 and 9. The current study describes the immunosuppressive effects of CP-690550, a novel, small molecule inhibitor of JAK-3, in a murine model of allergic pulmonary inflammation. In vitro, CP-690550 potently inhibited IL-4 induced upregulation of CD23 (IC(50)=57 nM) and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) expression (IC(50)=71 nM) on murine B cells. Repeat aerosol exposure to ovalbumin in wild-type mice sensitized to the antigen resulted in preferential recruitment of Th2-like cells (IL-4+ and IL-5+) into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). The importance of IL-4 in the development of pulmonary eosinophilia was supported by a marked (90%) reduction in the influx of these cells in IL-4KO mice similarly sensitized and ovalbumin exposed. Animals dosed with CP-690550 (15 mg/kg/d) during the period of antigen sensitization and boost demonstrated marked reductions in BAL eosinophils and levels of IL-13 and eotaxin following ovalbumin aerosol exposure. The JAK-3 inhibitor (1.5-15 mg/kg/d) also effectively reduced the same parameters when administered during the period of antigen challenge. In contrast, the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (10 mg/kg) was effective only when administered during the period of ovalbumin aerosol exposure. These data support the participation of JAK-3 in processes that contribute to pulmonary eosinophilia in the allergic mouse model. CP-690550 represents an intriguing novel therapy for treatment of allergic conditions associated with airway eosinophilia including asthma and rhinitis.
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PMID:The JAK-3 inhibitor CP-690550 is a potent anti-inflammatory agent in a murine model of pulmonary eosinophilia. 1824 96


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