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Query: EC:2.7.11.24 (
mitogen-activated protein kinase
)
95,810
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
IL-2 stimulates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (
MAPK
) in various immune cell populations. The functional roles that these kinases play are still unclear. In this study, we examined whether
MAPK
kinase (MKK)/ERK and p38
MAPK
pathways are necessary for IL-2 to activate NK cells. Using freshly isolated human NK cells, we established that an intact MKK/ERK pathway is necessary for IL-2 to activate NK cells to express at least four known biological responses: LAK generation,
IFN-gamma
secretion, and CD25 and CD69 expression. IL-2 induced ERK activation within 5 min. Treatment of NK cells with a specific inhibitor of MKK1/2, PD98059, during the IL-2 stimulation blocked in a dose-dependent manner each of four sequelae, with inhibition of lymphokine-activated killing induction being least sensitive to MKK/ERK pathway blockade. Activation of p38
MAPK
by IL-2 was not detected in NK cells. In contrast to what was observed by others in T lymphocytes, SB203850, a specific inhibitor of p38
MAPK
, did not inhibit IL-2-activated NK functions. This data indicate that p38
MAPK
activation was not required for IL-2 to activate NK cells for the four functions examined. These results reveal selective signaling differences between NK cells and T lymphocytes; in NK cells, the MKK/ERK pathway and not p38
MAPK
plays a critical positive regulatory role during activation by IL-2.
...
PMID:IL-2 activation of NK cells: involvement of MKK1/2/ERK but not p38 kinase pathway. 1084 77
Interferons (IFNs) have been used in the treatment of viral hepatitis. However, their effectiveness is much reduced (<10%) in alcoholics. The mechanism underlying this resistance remains unknown. Here, we report that IFN-alpha/beta and
IFN-gamma
rapidly activate the JAK-STAT1 (Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator transcription factor 1) and p42/44
mitogen-activated protein kinase
(p42/44
MAPK
) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Treatment of hepatocytes with 25-100 mM ethanol for 30 min inhibited IFN-beta- or
IFN-gamma
-induced STAT1 activation and tyrosine phosphorylation. The inhibitory effect of ethanol was not reversed by pretreatment with either sodium vanadate, a non-selective tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, or with MG132, a specific proteasome inhibitor. This suggests that protein tyrosine phosphatases or the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway are not involved in the inhibitory action of ethanol. In contrast with the JAK-STAT signalling pathway, acute ethanol exposure significantly potentiated IFN-beta or
IFN-gamma
-induced activation of p42/44
MAPK
, and caused marked activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Inhibition of PKC partially antagonized ethanol attenuation of IFN-induced STAT1 activation, suggesting that PKC may be involved. Taken together, these findings suggest that the ability of biologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (less than 100 mM) to markedly inhibit IFN-activated STAT1 is one of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the observed resistance of IFN therapy in alcoholics.
...
PMID:Interferons activate the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator transcription factor) signalling pathways in hepatocytes: differential regulation by acute ethanol via a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. 1088 Mar 41
IL-12 is a central immunoregulatory cytokine that promotes cell-mediated immune responses and the differentiation of naive CD4+ cells into Th1 cells. We and others have demonstrated that the Stat4 is critical for
IFN-gamma
production by activated T cells and Th1 cells. However, several studies have suggested that other pathways may be involved in IL-12-stimulated
IFN-gamma
expression. In this report we demonstrate that IL-12 activates mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3/6 (MKK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (
MAPK
), but not p44/42 (ERK) or
stress-activated protein kinase
/
c-Jun N-terminal kinase
MAPK
. The activation of p38
MAPK
is required for normal induction of IFN-gamma mRNA and
IFN-gamma
secretion by IL-12 in activated T cells and Th1 cells. Importantly, IL-12-stimulated p38
MAPK
effector functions occur through a Stat4-independent mechanism and correlate with increased serine phosphorylation of activating transcription factor-2. The requirement for p38
MAPK
in IL-12 function suggests that this pathway may be an important in vivo target for the anti-inflammatory actions of p38
MAPK
inhibitors.
...
PMID:The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for IL-12-induced IFN-gamma expression. 1090 40
The serine-threonine
mitogen-activated protein kinase
(
MAPK
) family includes extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 kinases. In NK cells, spontaneous or Ab-mediated recognition of target cells leads to activation of an ERK-2
MAPK
-dependent biochemical pathway(s) involved in the regulation of NK cell effector functions. Here we assessed the roles of p38 and JNK
MAPK
in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our data indicate that p38 is activated in primary human NK cells upon stimulation with immune complexes and interaction with NK-sensitive target cells. FcgammaRIIIA-induced granule exocytosis and both spontaneous and Ab-dependent cytotoxicity were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in cells pretreated with either of two specific inhibitors of this kinase. Target cell-induced
IFN-gamma
and FcgammaRIIIA-induced TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation was similarly affected under the same conditions. Lack of inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity in cells overexpressing an inactive form of JNK1 indicates that this kinase, activated only upon FcgammaRIIIA ligation, does not play a significant role in cytotoxicity. These data underscore the involvement of p38, but not JNK1, in the molecular mechanisms regulating NK cell cytotoxicity.
...
PMID:Differential role of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 mitogen-activated protein kinases in NK cell cytotoxicity. 1092 55
The protozoan parasite Leishmania fails to activate naive macrophages for proinflammatory cytokines production, and selectively impairs signal transduction pathways in infected macrophages. Because mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)- and NF-kappaB-dependent signaling pathways regulate proinflammatory cytokines release, we investigated their activation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) exposed to Leishmania donovani promastigotes. In naive BMM, the parasite failed to induce the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK,
c-Jun N-terminal kinase
(JNK), and
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
)1/2, as well as the degradation of IkappaB-alpha. The use of L. donovani mutants defective in the biosynthesis of lipophosphoglycan revealed that evasion of
ERK1
/2 activation requires surface expression of the repeating unit moiety of this virulence determinant. In
IFN-gamma
-primed BMM, L. donovani promastigotes strongly induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and
ERK1
/2, and the use of selective inhibitors for
ERK
(PD98059) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) revealed that both kinases are required for L. donovani-induced TNF-alpha but not NO(2)(-) release. Collectively, these data suggest that both p38 MAPK and
ERK1
/2 pathways participate in some Leishmania-induced responses in
IFN-gamma
-primed BMM. The ability of L. donovani promastigotes to avoid MAPK and NF-kappaB activation in naive macrophages may be part of the strategy evolved by this parasite to evade innate immune responses.
...
PMID:Leishmania donovani promastigotes evade the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 during infection of naive macrophages. 1094 Sep 15
Genetic lack of interleukin 12 receptor beta1 (IL-12Rbeta1) surface expression predisposes to severe infections by poorly pathogenic mycobacteria or Salmonella and causes strongly decreased, but not completely abrogated, interferon (IFN)-gamma production. To study IL-12Rbeta1-independent residual
IFN-gamma
production, we have generated mycobacterium-specific T cell clones (TCCs) from IL-12Rbeta1-deficient individuals. All TCCs displayed a T helper type 1 phenotype and the majority responded to IL-12 by increased
IFN-gamma
production and proliferative responses upon activation. This response to IL-12 could be further augmented by exogenous IL-18. IL-12Rbeta2 was found to be normally expressed in the absence of IL-12Rbeta1, and could be upregulated by IFN-alpha. Expression of IL-12Rbeta2 alone, however, was insufficient to induce signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)4 activation in response to IL-12, whereas IFN-alpha/IFN-alphaR ligation resulted in Stat4 activation in both control and IL-12Rbeta1-deficient cells. IL-12 failed to upregulate cell surface expression of IL-18R, integrin alpha6, and IL-12Rbeta2 on IL-12Rbeta1-deficient cells, whereas this was normal on control cells. IL-12-induced
IFN-gamma
production in IL-12Rbeta1-deficient T cells could be inhibited by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (
MAP
) kinase inhibitor SB203580 and the MAP kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2 inhibitor U0126, suggesting involvement of
MAP
kinases in this alternative, Stat4-independent, IL-12 signaling pathway.Collectively, these results indicate that IL-12 acts as a partial agonist in the absence of IL-12Rbeta1. Moreover, the results reveal the presence of a novel IL-12Rbeta1/Stat4-independent pathway of IL-12 responsiveness in activated human T cells involving
MAP
kinases. This pathway is likely to play a role in the residual type 1 immunity in IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency.
...
PMID:Residual type 1 immunity in patients genetically deficient for interleukin 12 receptor beta1 (IL-12Rbeta1): evidence for an IL-12Rbeta1-independent pathway of IL-12 responsiveness in human T cells. 1095 21
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of mammalian homologues of Drosophila Toll and play important roles in host defense. Two of the TLRs, TLR2 and TLR4, mediate the responsiveness to LPS. Here the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was analyzed in mouse macrophages. Mouse splenic macrophages responded to an intraperitoneal injection or in vitro treatment of LPS by increased gene expression of TLR2, but not TLR4. Treatment of a mouse macrophage cell line with LPS, synthetic lipid A, IL-2, IL-15, IL-1beta,
IFN-gamma
, or TNF-alpha significantly increased TLR2 mRNA expression, whereas TLR4 mRNA expression remained constant. TLR2 mRNA increase in response to synthetic lipid A was severely impaired in splenic macrophages isolated from TLR4-mutated C3H/HeJ mice, suggesting that TLR4 plays an essential role in the process. Specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein/
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
kinase and p38 kinase did not significantly inhibit TLR2 mRNA up-regulation by LPS. In contrast, LPS-mediated TLR2 mRNA induction was abrogated by pretreatment with a high concentration of curcumin, suggesting that NF-kappaB activation may be essential for the process. Taken together, our results indicate that TLR2, in contrast to TLR4, can be induced in macrophages in response to bacterial infections and may accelerate the innate immunity against pathogens.
...
PMID:Gene expressions of Toll-like receptor 2, but not Toll-like receptor 4, is induced by LPS and inflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophages. 1106 35
4-1BB is a costimulatory member of the TNFR family, expressed on activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Previous results showed that 4-1BB-mediated T cell costimulation is CD28-independent and involves recruitment of TNFR-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and activation of the
stress-activated protein kinase
cascade. Here we describe a role for the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (
MAPK
) pathway in 4-1BB signaling. Aggregation of 4-1BB alone induces p38 activation in a T cell hybridoma, whereas, in normal T cells, p38
MAPK
is activated synergistically by immobilized anti-CD3 plus immobilized 4-1BB ligand. 4-1BB-induced p38
MAPK
activation is inhibited by the p38-specific inhibitor SB203580 in both a T cell hybridoma and in murine T cells. T cells from TRAF2 dominant-negative mice are impaired in 4-1BB-mediated p38
MAPK
activation. A link between TRAF2 and the p38 cascade is provided by the
MAPK
kinase kinase, apoptosis-signal-regulating kinase 1. A T cell hybrid transfected with a kinase-dead apoptosis-signal-regulating kinase 1 fails to activate p38
MAPK
in response to 4-1BB signaling. To assess the role of p38 activation in an immune response, T cells were stimulated in an MLR in the presence of SB203580. In a primary MLR, SB203580 blocked IL-2,
IFN-gamma
, and IL-4 secretion whether the costimulatory signal was delivered via 4-1BB or CD28. In contrast, following differentiation into Th1 or Th2 cells, p38 inhibition blocked IL-2 and
IFN-gamma
without affecting IL-4 secretion. Nevertheless, IL-4 secretion by Th2 cells remained costimulation-dependent. Thus, critical T cell signaling events diverge following Th1 vs Th2 differentiation.
...
PMID:Role of TNF receptor-associated factor 2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during 4-1BB-dependent immune response. 1108 53
Bone resorption is regulated by the immune system, where T-cell expression of RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand), a member of the tumour-necrosis factor family that is essential for osteoclastogenesis, may contribute to pathological conditions, such as autoimmune arthritis. However, whether activated T cells maintain bone homeostasis by counterbalancing the action of RANKL remains unknown. Here we show that T-cell production of interferon (IFN)-gamma strongly suppresses osteoclastogenesis by interfering with the RANKL-RANK signalling pathway.
IFN-gamma
induces rapid degradation of the RANK adapter protein, TRAF6 (tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6), which results in strong inhibition of the RANKL-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and
JNK
. This inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is rescued by overexpressing TRAF6 in precursor cells, which indicates that TRAF6 is the target critical for the
IFN-gamma
action. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the accelerated degradation of TRAF6 requires both its ubiquitination, which is initiated by RANKL, and
IFN-gamma
-induced activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Our study shows that there is cross-talk between the tumour necrosis factor and IFN families of cytokines, through which
IFN-gamma
provides a negative link between T-cell activation and bone resorption. Our results may offer a therapeutic approach to treat the inflammation-induced tissue breakdown.
...
PMID:T-cell-mediated regulation of osteoclastogenesis by signalling cross-talk between RANKL and IFN-gamma. 1111 29
NO, produced from l-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by NO synthase, is an endogenous free radical with multiple functions in mammalian cells. Here, we demonstrate that endogenously produced NO can suppress
c-Jun N-terminal kinase
(JNK) activation in intact cells. Treatment of BV-2 murine microglial cells with
IFN-gamma
induced endogenous NO production, concomitantly suppressing JNK1 activation. Similarly,
IFN-gamma
induced suppression of JNK1 activation in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells and rat alveolar macrophages. The
IFN-gamma
-induced suppression of JNK1 activation in BV-2, RAW264.7, or rat alveolar macrophage cells was completely prevented by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine, a NO synthase inhibitor. Interestingly, the
IFN-gamma
-induced suppression of JNK1 activation was not affected by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase. 8-Bromo-cGMP, a membrane-permeant analogue of cGMP, did not change JNK1 activation in intact cells either. In contrast, S-nitro-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor, inhibited JNK1 activity in vitro. Furthermore, a thiol reducing agent, DTT, reversed not only the in vitro inhibition of JNK1 activity by SNAP but also the in vivo suppression of JNK1 activity by
IFN-gamma
. Substitution of serine for cysteine-116 in JNK1 abolished the inhibitory effect of
IFN-gamma
or SNAP on JNK1 activity in vivo or in vitro, respectively. Moreover,
IFN-gamma
enhanced endogenous S-nitrosylation of JNK1 in RAW264.7 cells. Collectively, our data suggest that endogenous NO mediates the
IFN-gamma
-induced suppression of JNK1 activation in macrophage cells by means of a thiol-redox mechanism.
...
PMID:Nitric oxide negatively regulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase by means of S-nitrosylation. 1112 Oct 10
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