Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.11.24 (mitogen-activated protein kinase)
 95,810 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Despite the importance of glucocorticoids in suppressing immune and inflammatory responses, their role in enhancing host immune and defense response against invading bacteria is poorly understood. We have demonstrated recently that glucocorticoids synergistically enhance nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi)-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), an important TLR family member that has been shown to play a critical role in host immune and defense response. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the glucocorticoid-mediated enhancement of TLR2 induction still remain unknown. Here we show that glucocorticoids synergistically enhance NTHi-induced TLR2 expression via specific up-regulation of the MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) that, in turn, leads to dephosphorylation and inactivation of p38 MAPK, the negative regulator for TLR2 expression. Moreover, increased expression of TLR2 in epithelial cells greatly enhances the NTHi-induced expression of several key cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins 1beta and 8, thereby contributing significantly to host immune and defense response. These studies may bring new insights into the novel role of glucocorticoids in orchestrating and optimizing host immune and defense responses during bacterial infections and enhance our understanding of the signaling mechanisms underlying the glucocorticoid-mediated attenuation of MAPKs.
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PMID:Inhibition of p38 MAPK by glucocorticoids via induction of MAPK phosphatase-1 enhances nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced expression of toll-like receptor 2. 1235 55

Although tremendous effort has been put towards identifying the surface molecules of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) for vaccine development over the past decades, it is only recently that we have begun to appreciate the intricate host epithelial signaling networks activated by NTHi, an important human pathogen causing respiratory infections. From what has been reported, it is evident that NTHi activates multiple signaling pathways in host epithelial cells that, in turn, inadvertently contribute to the pathogenesis. Among those signaling pathways, activation of NF-kappaB leads to up-regulation of IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha, mucin MUC2 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), whereas activation of p38 MAP kinase mediates not only up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and mucin MUC5AC but also down-regulation of TLR2. Interestingly, NTHi-induced activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway, however, leads to inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Moreover, the TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway cooperates with NF-kappaB to mediate up-regulation of mucin MUC2. Finally, glucocorticoids synergistically enhance NTHi-induced TLR2 expression via specific up-regulation of the MAP kinase phosphatase-1 that, in turn, leads to inactivation of p38 MAP kinase, the negative regulator for TLR2 expression. These studies may bring new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of NTHi-induced infections and open up novel therapeutic targets for these diseases.
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PMID:Exploitation of host epithelial signaling networks by respiratory bacterial pathogens. 1268 24

The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria contains several proteins, and some of these proteins, the porins, have numerous biological functions in the interaction with the host; porins are involved in the activation of signal transduction pathways and, in particular, in the activation of the Raf/MEK1-MEK2/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. The P2 porin is the most abundant outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae type b. A three-dimensional structural model for P2 was constructed based on the crystal structures of Klebsiella pneumoniae OmpK36 and Escherichia coli PhoE and OmpF. The protein was readily assembled into the beta-barrel fold characteristic of porins, despite the low sequence identity with the template proteins. The model provides information on the structural features of P2 and insights relevant for prediction of domains corresponding to surface-exposed loops, which could be involved in the activation of signal transduction pathways. To identify the role of surface-exposed loops, a set of synthetic peptides were synthesized according to the proposed model and were assayed for MEK1-MEK2/MAPK pathway activation. Our results show that synthetic peptides corresponding to surface loops of protein P2 are able to activate the MEK1-MEK2/MAPK pathways like the entire protein, while peptides modeled on internal beta strands are unable to induce significant phosphorylation of the MEK1-MEK2/MAPK pathways. In particular, the peptides corresponding to loops L5 (Lys206 to Gly219), L6B (Ser239 to Lys253), and L7 (Thr280 to Lys287) activate, as the whole protein, essentially JNK and p38.
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PMID:Role of surface-exposed loops of Haemophilus influenzae protein P2 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. 1270 54

In contrast to the extensive studies on the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis over the past decade, relatively little is known about the exact role of TGF-beta signaling in regulating host response in infectious diseases. Most of the recent studies have suggested that TGF-beta inhibits macrophage activation during infections with pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania, thereby favoring virulence. In certain situations, however, there is also evidence that TGF-beta has been correlated with enhanced resistance to microbes such as Candida albicans, thus benefiting the host. Despite these distinct observations that mainly focused on macrophages, little is known about how TGF-beta regulates host primary innate defensive responses, such as up-regulation of mucin, in the airway epithelial cells. Moreover, how the TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway negatively regulates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a key pathway mediating host response to bacteria, still remains largely unknown. Here we show that nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, a major human bacterial pathogen of otitis media and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, strongly induces up-regulation of MUC5AC mucin via activation of the Toll-like receptor 2-MyD88-dependent p38 path-way. Activation of TGF-beta-Smad signaling, however, leads to down-regulation of p38 by inducing MAPK phophatase-1, thereby acting as a negative regulator for MUC5AC induction. These studies may bring new insights into the novel role of TGF-beta signaling in attenuating host primary innate defensive responses and enhance our understanding of the signaling mechanism underlying the cross-talk between TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway and the p38 MAPK pathway.
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PMID:Transforming growth factor-beta-Smad signaling pathway negatively regulates nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced MUC5AC mucin transcription via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1-dependent inhibition of p38 MAPK. 1273 93

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is an important etiological agent of otitis media (OM) and of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Inflammation is a hallmark of both diseases. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), one of the important inflammatory mediators, is induced by NTHI and may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Our studies demonstrated that a soluble cytoplasmic fraction (SCF) from NTHI induced much greater IL-8 expression by human epithelial cells than did NTHI lipooligosaccharides and envelope proteins. The IL-8-inducing activity was associated with molecules of < or =3 kDa from SCF and was peptidase and lipase sensitive, suggesting that small lipopeptides are responsible for the strong IL-8 induction. Moreover, multiple intracellular signaling pathways were activated in response to cytoplasmic molecules. The results indicated that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Src-dependent Raf-1-Mek1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) pathways are required for NTHI-induced IL-8 production. In contrast, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway did not affect IL-8 expression, although this pathway was concomitantly activated upon exposure to NTHI SCF. The PI3K-Akt pathway was also directly activated by IL-8 and significantly inhibited by an antagonist of IL-8 receptors during NTHI stimulation. These results indicated that the PI3K-Akt pathway is activated in response to IL-8 that is induced by NTHI and may lead to other important epithelial cell responses. This work provides insight into essential molecular and cellular events that may impact on the pathogenesis of OM and COPD and identifies rational targets for anti-inflammatory intervention.
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PMID:Up-regulation of interleukin-8 by novel small cytoplasmic molecules of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae via p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways. 1450 Apr 70

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an important human pathogen causing otitis media in children and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. Like most other bacterial infections, NTHi infections are also characterized by inflammation, which is mainly mediated by cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Among a variety of transcription regulators, NF-kappaB has been shown to play a critical role in regulating the expression of large numbers of genes encoding inflammatory mediators. In review of the current studies on NF-kappaB regulation, most of them have focused on investigating how NF-kappaB is activated by a single inducer at a time. However, in bacteria-induced inflammation in vivo, multiple inducers including both exogenous and endogenous mediators are present simultaneously. A key issue that has yet to be addressed is whether the exogenous inducers such as NTHi and the endogenous factors such as TNF-alpha activate NF-kappaB in a synergistic manner. We show that NTHi and TNF-alpha, when present together, synergistically induce NF-kappaB activation via two distinct signaling pathways: NF-kappaB translocation-dependent and -independent pathways. The NF-kappaB translocation-dependent pathway involves NF-kappaB-inducing kinase-IkappaB kinase beta/gamma-dependent phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha, whereas the NF-kappaB translocation-independent pathway involves mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 1-dependent activation of MAPK kinase 3/6-p38 MAPK pathway. In addition, the same signaling pathways are also involved in synergistic induction of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-8. These studies should deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the combinatorial regulation of inflammation and lead to development of therapeutic strategies for NTHi-induced infections.
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PMID:Synergistic activation of NF-kappaB by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and tumor necrosis factor alpha. 1499 93

Hyperplasia of the middle ear mucosa contributes to the sequelae of acute otitis media. Understanding the signal transduction pathways that mediate hyperplasia could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for this disease and its sequelae. Endotoxin derived from bacteria involved in middle ear infection can contribute to the hyperplastic response. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is known to be activated by endotoxin as well as cytokines and other inflammatory mediators that have been documented in otitis media. We assessed the activation of p38 in the middle ear mucosa of an in vivo rat bacterial otitis media model. Strong activity of p38 was observed 1 to 6 h after bacterial inoculation. Activity continued at a lower level for at least 7 days. The effects of p38 activation were assessed using an in vitro model of rat middle ear mucosal hyperplasia in which mucosal growth is stimulated by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae during acute otitis media. Hyperplastic mucosal explants treated with the p38 alpha and p38 beta inhibitor SB203580 demonstrated significant inhibition of otitis media-stimulated mucosal growth. The results of this study suggest that intracellular signaling via p38 MAPK influences the hyperplastic response of the middle ear mucosa during bacterial otitis media.
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PMID:Role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in middle ear mucosa hyperplasia during bacterial otitis media. 1527 27

Mucin overproduction is a hallmark of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infections. The molecular mechanisms underlying up-regulation of mucin in NTHi infections especially during the initial phase remain unknown. Here we show that P6, a 16-kDa outer membrane lipoprotein well conserved in NTHi, up-regulates MUC5AC mucin gene transcription in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, P6 induces MUC5AC transcription via TLR2-MyD88-IRAK1-TRAF6-TAK1-dependent p38 MAPK-AP1 and IKKbeta-IkappaBalpha-NF-kappaB signaling pathways. This study may bring new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of NTHi-induced infections and lead to novel therapeutic intervention for inhibiting mucin overproduction in patients with NTHi infections.
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PMID:Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae lipoprotein P6 induces MUC5AC mucin transcription via TLR2-TAK1-dependent p38 MAPK-AP1 and IKKbeta-IkappaBalpha-NF-kappaB signaling pathways. 1548 66

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been shown to play important roles in regulating diverse biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration. Its role in regulating human Toll-like receptors (TLRs), key host defense receptors that recognize invading bacterial pathogens, however, remains unknown. Here we show for the first time that EGFR acts as a negative regulator for TLR2 induction by the bacterium nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in vitro and in vivo. The negative regulation of TLR2 induction by EGFR is mediated via an Src-MKK3/6-p38 alpha/beta MAP kinase-dependent mechanism. Moreover, direct activation of EGFR signaling by the bacterium NTHi-derived EGF-like factor appears to be responsible for triggering the downstream Src-MKK3/6-p38 MAPK signaling, which in turn leads to the negative regulation of TLR2 induction. Finally, exogenous EGF increases NTHi invasion of host epithelial cells, thereby demonstrating the biological significance of TLR2 regulation by EGFR signaling. The evidence we provided in the present study may suggest a novel strategy utilized by bacteria to attenuate host defensive and immune response by negatively regulating the expression of host defense receptor TLR2. These studies may bring new insight for fully understanding the important role of EGFR signaling in regulating host defense and immune response by tightly controlling TLR2 induction during bacterial infections.
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PMID:Epidermal growth factor receptor acts as a negative regulator for bacterium nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced Toll-like receptor 2 expression via an Src-dependent p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. 1611 66

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is one of the leading causes of invasive bacterial infection in young children, characterized by inflammation mainly mediated by cytokines and chemokines. One of the most abundant components of the Hib outer membrane is the P2 porin, which has been shown to induce the release of several inflammatory cytokines. Synthetic peptides corresponding to loops L5, L6, and L7 activate JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, L7 being the most active peptide. Therefore, sequence-activity relationships and key residues were identified by elongating sequence to different extents, designing cyclic peptides, and performing an alanine scan of L7. The ability of mutant peptides to induce activation of signal transduction pathways and release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 has been determined, and, in conjunction with CD spectra, bioinformatics analysis, and molecular dynamics data, showed that 6 out of 8 amino acids contribute significantly to the overall activity. Molecular dynamics showed that L7 modifications increased loop rigidity and helicity after Gly6 mutation, thus, providing a possible structural explanation for observed loss of bioactivity. This work provides insights into essential molecular details of P2 that may impact on the pathogenesis of Hib infections where interruption of the signaling cascade could represent an attractive therapeutic strategy.
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PMID:Structural requirements for proinflammatory activity of porin P2 Loop 7 from Haemophilus influenzae. 1658 85


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