Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The immunomodulation of Narcissus tazetta lectin (NTL) on the induction of gene expression of cytokines in the mouse was studied using specific cytokine primers, total RNA isolated from mouse splenocytes and macrophages, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For comparison, a fungal antimitogenic lectin from Agaricus bisporus (ABL) was used to test and compare the acute (kinetic) induction of cytokine gene expression. NTL was able to induce the expression of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and immunoreactive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in both splenocytes and macrophages in vivo after 10-day consecutive peritoneal injections of 5 mg NTL x kg(-1) x day(-1) in the mouse. Nevertheless, the expression levels of IFN-gamma and TGF-beta were markedly increased in macrophages, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 were up-regulated only in splenocytes. From the kinetic pattern of cytokine induction and gene expression, ABL appeared to induce the up-regulation of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in splenocytes up to 24 h, whereas NTL showed a more sustained effect on the expression of these cytokines in macrophages. While NTL manifested TGF-beta expression at the onset of 12 and 24 h in macrophages and splenocytes, respectively, ABL induced TGF-beta in neither splenocytes nor macrophages. After injection of NTL, stem-cell factor was clearly down-regulated in macrophages at 24 and 48 h but up-regulated in splenocytes at the end of 24 h. The immunopotentiating effect of NTL is quite similar to that of LZ-8, a fungal immunomodulatory lectin isolated from the Chinese premier medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidium. However, the mechanism of immunomodulation of NTL still awaits to be elucidated.
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PMID:Gene expression of immunomodulatory cytokines induced by Narcissus tazetta lectin in the mouse. 1198 21

To explore the role of FAK in TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptos is of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, the FAK antisense plasmid was constructed and transfected into SMMC-7721 cells. Western blot assay was adopted to examine PKB level. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect apoptosis. It was shown that the SMMC-7721 cells were insensitive to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity, but they entered apoptosis quickly in the presence of cycloheximide and TNF-alpha. PKB was decreased during TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis. No significant change of PKB level was found in the presence of TNF-alpha or cycloheximide, respectively, seeming that PKB level was closely correlated with apoptosis. When FAK was 60% reduced as a result of the transfection of SMMC-7721 cells with FAK antisense construct, the percentage of TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis was enhanced at lower dose of TNF-alpha but decreased at higher dose of TNF-alpha, compared with the control. Correspondingly, the PKB level in FAK-down-regulated transfectants was lower at lower dose of TNF-alpha, but higher at higher dose of it. Therefore, FAK regulated TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis in a biphase manner. This function might be related with PKB level.
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PMID:Role of FAK in TNF-alpha/Cycloheximide-induced Apoptosis of SMMC-7721 Cells. 1205 89

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and lymphotoxin (LT) alpha/beta play multiple roles in the development and function of the immune system. This article focuses on three important aspects of the effects of these cytokines on the immune response and on autoimmunity. In several experimental systems (Jurkat T cells, murine T-cell hybridomas), TNF-alpha appears to cause a downregulation of signaling through the TCR, revealed by changes in calcium flux, activation of p21, p23 and ZAP70, and a decrease in nuclear activation of NF-kappaB. Previous and present results suggest that TNF-alpha interferes in some manner with signaling through the TCR, at a locus yet to be delineated. Transgenic expression of LTbetaR-Fc in nonobese diabetic (NOD) transgenic mice results in prevention of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice as long as the level of expression of the fusion protein (under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter) remains above a level of 2-3 microg/ml. Once the expression levels of the fusion protein have dropped below this critical level, the diabetic process resumes and the animals become diabetic at 40-50 weeks of age, whereas nontransgenic littermates develop diabetes by 25-30 weeks of age. The paradoxical effects of neonatal TNF-alpha administration in NOD mice in increasing incidence of and hastening onset of type 1 diabetes, while neonatal anti-TNF administration completely prevents all signs of islet cell autoimmunity, are due partly to the low levels of CD4+CD25+ T cells in NOD mice. These low levels are reduced by a further 50% on neonatal administration of nontoxic levels of TNF-alpha. In contrast, neonatal administration of anti-TNF-alpha results in a dramatic increase in the levels of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, to levels beyond those seen in wild-type untreated NOD mice. TNF-alpha and LTalpha/beta thus have pleomorphic regulatory effects on the development and expression of autoimmunity.
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PMID:Multiple roles for tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lymphotoxin alpha/beta in immunity and autoimmunity. 1211 Jan 33

CD40 is a type I membrane-bound molecule belonging to the TNFR superfamily that is expressed on various immune cells including macrophages and microglia. The aberrant expression of CD40 is involved in the initiation and maintenance of various human diseases including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Inhibition of CD40 signaling has been shown to provide a significant beneficial effect in a number of animal models of human diseases including the aforementioned examples. We have previously shown that IFN-gamma induces CD40 expression in macrophages and microglia. IFN-gamma leads to STAT-1alpha activation directly and up-regulation of NF-kappaB activity due to the secretion and subsequent autocrine signaling of TNF-alpha. However, TNF-alpha alone is not capable of inducing CD40 expression in these cells. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 protein (SOCS-1) is a cytokine-inducible Src homology 2-containing protein that regulates cytokine receptor signaling by inhibiting STAT-1alpha activation via a specific interaction with activated Janus kinase 2. Given the important role of CD40 in inflammatory events in the CNS as well as other organ systems, it is imperative to understand the molecular mechanisms contributing to both CD40 induction and repression. We show that ectopic expression of SOCS-1 abrogates IFN-gamma-induced CD40 protein expression, mRNA levels, and promoter activity. Additionally, IFN-gamma-induced TNF-alpha secretion, as well as STAT-1alpha and NF-kappaB activation, are inhibited in the presence of SOCS-1. We conclude that SOCS-1 inhibits cytokine-induced CD40 expression by blocking IFN-gamma-mediated STAT-1alpha activation, which also then results in suppression of IFN-gamma-induced TNF-alpha secretion and subsequent NF-kappaB activation.
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PMID:Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 inhibits cytokine induction of CD40 expression in macrophages. 1219 1

Little is known about the distinct roles of the two types of IL-4R on DC. Here we report that IL-4 and IL-13 are able to promote DC maturation, as evaluated by up-regulation of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, when the concentration of GM-CSF is relatively lower than the dose of IL-4 or IL-13. In addition, under these conditions both cytokines enable DC to respond to maturation stimuli such as bacterial products or proinflammatory cytokines. Both IL-4 and IL-13 act synergistically with weak maturation stimuli such as TNF-alpha or CD40. The IL-4R signaling for DC maturation requires the IL-4R alpha-chain and STAT6, but not Janus kinase 3, indicating that IL-4R type II signaling is preferentially responsible for these effects. In contrast, the production of IL-12 p70, but not IL-10 and TNF, induced by microbial products was enhanced only by IL-4, not by IL-13 or Y119D, a selective type II IL-4R agonist, in vitro and in vivo. This enhancement was dependent on the presence of Janus kinase 3, indicating that this function is exclusively mediated by the type I IL-4R. In short, we discerned the individual roles of the two IL-4R types on DC function, showing that IL-4R type I promotes IL-12 secretion independently of GM-CSF concentration, while IL-4R type II promotes the up-regulation of MHC class II and costimulatory surface markers in a GM-CSF concentration-dependent manner.
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PMID:Differential functions of IL-4 receptor types I and II for dendritic cell maturation and IL-12 production and their dependency on GM-CSF. 1224 47

Induction of apoptosis by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in murine macrophage involves TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) production and caspase cascade activation; however, the intracellular signaling pathways implicated remain to be established. Our results indicate that infection of the B10R murine macrophage line with M. tuberculosis induces apoptosis independent of mycobacterial phagocytosis and that M. tuberculosis induces protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity, JAK2/STAT1-alpha phosphorylation, and STAT1-alpha nuclear translocation. Inhibitors of PTK (AG-126), or JAK2 (AG-490) inhibited TNF-alpha and NO production, caspase 1 activation and apoptosis, suggesting that M. tuberculosis-induction of these events depends on JAK2/STAT1-alpha activation. In addition, we have obtained evidence that ManLAM capacity to inhibit M. tuberculosis-induced apoptosis involves the activation of the PTP SHP-1. The finding that M. tuberculosis infection activate JAK2/STAT1-alpha pathway suggests that M. tuberculosis might mimic macrophage-activating stimuli.
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PMID:Activation of JAK2/STAT1-alpha-dependent signaling events during Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced macrophage apoptosis. 1242 1

Leupaxin is a cytoskeleton adaptor protein that was first identified in human macrophages and was found to share homology with the focal adhesion protein, paxillin. Leupaxin possesses several protein-binding domains that have been implicated in targeting proteins such as focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) to focal adhesions. Leupaxin can be detected in monocytes and osteoclasts, both cells of hematopoietic origin. We have identified leupaxin to be a component of the osteoclast podosomal signaling complex. We have found that leupaxin in murine osteoclasts is associated with both PYK2 and pp125FAK in the osteoclast. Treatment of osteoclasts with TNF-alpha and soluble osteopontin were found to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of both leupaxin and leupaxin-associated PYK2. Leupaxin was found to co-immunoprecipitate with the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST. The cellular distribution of leupaxin, PYK2, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation-PEST co-localized at or near the osteoclast podosomal complex. Leupaxin was also found to associate with the ARF-GTPase-activating protein, paxillin kinase linker p95PKL, thereby providing a link to regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics in the osteoclast. Overexpression of leupaxin by transduction into osteoclasts evoked numerous cytoplasmic projections at the leading edge of the cell, resembling a motile phenotype. Finally, in vitro inhibition of leupaxin expression in the osteoclast led to a decrease in resorptive capacity. Our data suggest that leupaxin may be a critical nucleating component of the osteoclast podosomal signaling complex.
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PMID:Leupaxin is a critical adaptor protein in the adhesion zone of the osteoclast. 1267 28

In our present study we focused on soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1)/alpha(4) integrin-induced angiogenesis and found that this type of angiogenesis was mediated through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). HUVEC expressed both alpha(4) and beta(1) integrins, and it was reported that expression of alpha(4) integrin and its counterreceptor, sVCAM-1/VCAM-1, was enhanced in response to an inflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha. In endothelial cells phosphorylation of p38 and FAK, but not that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was induced by sVCAM-1. Migration of endothelial cells was stimulated in response to sVCAM-1 at similar levels as those induced by vascular endothelial growth factor, and sVCAM-1-induced migration was almost completely blocked by neutralizing Ab against alpha(4) integrin, by either an inhibitor of p38 (SB203580), or by adenovirus containing FAK-related nonkinase. sVCAM-1 also induced the formation of blood vessels in Matrigel plug assay in vivo, and this neovascularization was blocked by SB203580 or neutralizing Ab against alpha(4) integrin. Moreover, we also confirmed that both TNF-alpha and sVCAM-1 could synergistically induce angiogenesis in the corneas of mice when each factor at used dose could not induce. This angiogenesis by TNF-alpha and sVCAM-1 was almost completely blocked by coadministration of SB203580 and also by neutralizing Ab against alpha(4) integrin. These results suggest that sVCAM-1/alpha(4) integrin induces angiogenesis through p38 and FAK signaling pathways.
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PMID:Synergistic effect of TNF-alpha in soluble VCAM-1-induced angiogenesis through alpha 4 integrins. 1275 53

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main producers of extracellular matrix in the fibrotic liver and are involved in the regulation of hepatic inflammation. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed, and presumably secreted (RANTES) in activated HSCs. RANTES mRNA and protein secretion were strongly induced after stimulating HSCs with TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, or CD40L. RANTES production was NF-kappaB dependent, because inhibitor-kappaB (IkappaB) superrepressor and dominant-negative IkappaB kinase-2 almost completely blocked RANTES expression. NF-kappaB activation was sufficient to drive RANTES expression as demonstrated by the strong induction of RANTES in HSCs expressing NF-kappaB-inducing kinase. The JNK/activator protein-1 pathway also contributed to RANTES expression as demonstrated by the blocking effects of the JNK inhibitor SP600125. HSCs responded to stimulation with recombinant human (rh)RANTES with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration and a rapid increase in free radical formation. Furthermore, rhRANTES induced ERK phosphorylation, ERK-dependent [3H]thymidine incorporation, and HSC proliferation. Additionally, rhRANTES induced focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and a substantial increase in HSC migration. HSCs functionally expressed chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5), as shown by flow-cytometric analysis and RT-PCR, and the inhibitory effects of a blocking CCR5 antibody on rhRANTES-induced ERK activation, proliferation, and migration. Diphenylene iodonium and N-acetylcysteine inhibited rhRANTES-induced ERK activation and HSC proliferation, indicating that NADPH oxidase-dependent production of reactive oxygen species was required. In conclusion, RANTES and CCR5 represent potential mediators of 1) HSC migration and proliferation and 2) a cross-talk between HSCs and leukocytes during fibrogenesis.
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PMID:Human hepatic stellate cells express CCR5 and RANTES to induce proliferation and migration. 1282 40

Numerous reports suggest that IL-6 promotes survival and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells through the phosphorylation of a cell signaling protein, STAT3. Thus, agents that suppress STAT3 phosphorylation have potential for the treatment of MM. In the present report, we demonstrate that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a pharmacologically safe agent in humans, inhibited IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and consequent STAT3 nuclear translocation. Curcumin had no effect on STAT5 phosphorylation, but inhibited the IFN-alpha-induced STAT1 phosphorylation. The constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 found in certain MM cells was also abrogated by treatment with curcumin. Curcumin-induced inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation was reversible. Compared with AG490, a well-characterized Janus kinase 2 inhibitor, curcumin was a more rapid (30 min vs 8 h) and more potent (10 micro M vs 100 micro M) inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation. In a similar manner, the dose of curcumin completely suppressed proliferation of MM cells; the same dose of AG490 had no effect. In contrast, a cell-permeable STAT3 inhibitor peptide that can inhibit the STAT3 phosphorylation mediated by Src blocked the constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 and also suppressed the growth of myeloma cells. TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin also induced the proliferation of MM cells, but through a mechanism independent of STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, dexamethasone-resistant MM cells were found to be sensitive to curcumin. Overall, our results demonstrated that curcumin was a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation, and this plays a role in the suppression of MM proliferation.
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PMID:Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) inhibits constitutive and IL-6-inducible STAT3 phosphorylation in human multiple myeloma cells. 1450 Jun 88


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