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)

Although hypoxia and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibit differentiation of adipocytes from preadipocytes and bone marrow-derived cells in several species, the relationship between hypoxia and TGF-beta signaling in adipocytogenesis is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms of inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by hypoxia and TGF-beta in human and murine marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and the role of TGF-beta/Smad signaling in the inhibition of adipocytogenesis by hypoxia. Both hypoxia-mimetic deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) and TGF-beta1 inhibited adipocyte differentiation (1.0% versus the control at 15 microm DFO and 1.4% versus the control at 1 ng/ml TGF-beta1) and adipocyte gene expression (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 and lipoprotein lipase) in human MSCs after 21 days of treatment. Hypoxia (2% O(2)) and DFO (but not TGF-beta1) increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha as shown by Western blotting. Macroarrays and Western and Northern blot analyses showed that hypoxia activated the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway and that both hypoxia and TGF-beta1 modulated adipocyte differentiation pathways such as the insulin-, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma-, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-, and MAPK-associated signaling pathways. Studies with mouse marrow stromal cell lines derived from Smad3(+/+) or Smad3(-/-) mice revealed that the TGF-beta type I receptor (ALK-5) and its intracellular signaling molecule Smad3 were necessary for the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by both TGF-beta and hypoxia-mimetic DFO. Thus, the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway is required for hypoxia-mediated inhibition of adipocyte differentiation in MSCs.
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PMID:Hypoxia inhibition of adipocytogenesis in human bone marrow stromal cells requires transforming growth factor-beta/Smad3 signaling. 1584 40

15-Deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) was initially identified as a high affinity natural ligand for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma. Recent studies have shown that it has a potent anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating the expression of proinflammatory mediators in activated macrophages, mainly through the inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent transcription of inflammatory genes. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on the expression of LPS-induced chemokine KC mRNA in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The time course of KC mRNA expression in cells stimulated with 15d-PGJ(2) plus LPS simultaneously (15d-PGJ(2)/LPS) showed similar patterns to the cells treated with LPS alone, and 15d-PGJ(2) had no effect on the stability of LPS-induced KC mRNA expression. Although NF-kappaB activity in cells treated with LPS was augmented by 15d-PGJ(2), pyrrolidone dithiocarbamate (PDTC) did not block the synergistic effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on LPS-induced KC mRNA expression. However, the synergistic effect of 15d-PGJ(2) was markedly inhibited when the macrophages were treated with a inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway, 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavine (PD98059). Therefore, the mechanism of synergistic action of 15d-PGJ(2) on the expression of LPS-induced KC mRNA in mouse peritoneal macrophages is possibly related to the MAPK signalling pathway, not to NF-kappaB activation. These data may contribute to unravelling some of the different mechanisms contrary to the anti-inflammatory effect of 15d-PGJ(2).
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PMID:Upregulation of LPS-induced chemokine KC expression by 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. 1587 7

Ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR(gamma)) are thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties mediated via both PPAR(gamma) dependent and independent mechanisms. This work investigates the effects of PPAR(gamma) ligands on the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the human lung epithelial cell line, A549. The synthetic ligand troglitazone activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK), whereas the endogenous ligand, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), only activated the PI3K pathway. 15d-PGJ2 had no detectable effects on COX-2, mPGES expression, or PGE2 production. However, troglitazone induced time-dependent COX-2 expression, which was insensitive to PPAR(gamma) antagonists, but was abrogated by inhibitors of PI3K and the ERK MAP kinase pathway. Furthermore, troglitazone induced mPGES expression and PGE2 production. Neither troglitazone nor 15d-PGJ2 was able to convincingly activate NF-kappaB in A549 cells. Further heterogeneity in the responses to troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2 was observed in the regulation of gene expression as assessed by microarray analysis. In summary, this study provides compelling evidence that troglitazone (like 15d-PGJ2) can exert functional effects independently of actions via PPAR(gamma). Moreover, we have identified unique biochemical and functional actions of troglitazone that are not shared by 15d-PGJ2, which may influence the therapeutic potential of this compound in inflammatory settings.
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PMID:Differential modulation of COX-2 expression in A549 airway epithelial cells by structurally distinct PPAR(gamma) agonists: evidence for disparate functional effects which are independent of NF-(kappa)B and PPAR(gamma). 1599 51

The recently discovered apolipoprotein AV (apoAV) gene has been reported to be a key player in modulating plasma triglyceride levels. Here we identify the hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha (HNF-4alpha) as a novel regulator of human apoAV gene. Inhibition of HNF-4alpha expression by small interfering RNA resulted in down-regulation of apoAV. Deletion, mutagenesis, and binding assays revealed that HNF-4alpha directly regulates human apoAV promoter through DR1 [a direct repeat separated by one nucleotide (nt)], and via a novel element for HNF-4alpha consisting of an inverted repeat separated by 8 nt (IR8). In addition, we show that the coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha was capable of stimulating the HNF-4alpha-dependent transactivation of apoAV promoter. Furthermore, analyses in human hepatic cells demonstrated that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the MAPK signaling pathway regulate human apoAV expression and suggested that this regulation may be mediated, at least in part, by changes in HNF-4alpha. Intriguingly, EMSAs and mice with a liver-specific disruption of the HNF-4alpha gene revealed a species-distinct regulation of apoAV by HNF-4alpha, which resembles that of a subset of HNF-4alpha target genes. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the binding properties and the modulation of HNF-4alpha and underscore the role of HNF-4alpha in regulating triglyceride metabolism.
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PMID:Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha regulates the human apolipoprotein AV gene: identification of a novel response element and involvement in the control by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha, AMP-activated protein kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. 1605 71

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in initiating and maintaining primary immune responses. However, mechanisms involved in the resolution of these responses are elusive. We analyzed the effects of 15d-PGJ2 and the synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma ligand troglitazone (TGZ) on the immunogenicity of human monocyte-derived DCs upon stimulation with toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Activation of PPAR-gamma resulted in a reduced stimulation of DCs via the TLR ligands 2, 3, 4, and 7, characterized by down-regulation of costimulatory and adhesion molecules and reduced secretion of cytokines and chemokines involved in T-lymphocyte activation and recruitment. MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1) production was increased due to PPAR-gamma activation. Furthermore, TGZ-treated DCs showed a significantly reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation, emphasizing the inhibitory effect of PPAR-gamma activation on TLR-induced DC maturation. Western blot analyses revealed that these inhibitory effects on TLR-induced DC activation were mediated via inhibition of the NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways while not affecting the PI3 kinase/Akt signaling. Our data demonstrate that inhibition of the MAP kinase and NF-kappaB pathways is critically involved in the regulation of TLR and PPAR-gamma-mediated signaling in DCs.
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PMID:PPAR-gamma agonists inhibit toll-like receptor-mediated activation of dendritic cells via the MAP kinase and NF-kappaB pathways. 1610 76

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a powerful predictor and risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The CXC- and CC-type chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are important chemokines for leukocyte trafficking identified in atheromatous plaque expressed mainly by macrophages in humans. We assessed whether C-reactive protein could induce MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion. In human peripheral blood monocytes, C-reactive protein (12.5-50 microg/mL) increased IL-8, but not MCP-1 secretion in a time- (6-24 hours) and dose-dependent manner as detected by ELISA. C-reactive protein could augment the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as measured by chemiluminescence and inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase (DPI and PAO) and ROS scavengers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and 1% dimethyl sulphoxide) abolished C-reactive protein-induced IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, relative quantity of IL-8 mRNA was significantly increased by C-reactive protein 50 microg/mLfor 12 hours, which could be inhibited by DPI 1 microM or superoxide dismutase (SOD) 250 U/mL. The inhibitors of ERK 1/2 (PD98059), p38 (SB203580) MAPK, and NF-kappaB (PDTC and MG132) significantly decreased C-reactive protein-induced IL-8 secretion in human monocytes. Also, agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha (WY14643) and PPARgamma (troglitazone) could largely inhibit C-reactive protein responses. Thus, our data indicate that C-reactive protein at pathologic levels increases IL-8 secretion and mRNA via enhancing ROS derived mainly from NAD(P)H oxidase and the subsequent activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB. The activation of PPARalpha/gamma can negatively regulate C-reactive protein-induced IL-8 production in human monocytes.
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PMID:C-reactive protein augments interleukin-8 secretion in human peripheral blood monocytes. 1622 77

15-Deoxy-Delta12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2), mainly produced by mast cells, is known as a potent lipid mediator derived from PGD2 in vivo. 15d-PGJ2 was thought to exert its effects on cells exclusively through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2), which are both expressed on human eosinophils. However, the physiological role of 15d-PGJ2 remains unclear, because the concentration generated in vivo is generally much lower than that required for its biological functions. In the present study we found that low concentrations (picomolar to low nanomolar) of 15d-PGJ2 and a synthetic PPARgamma agonist markedly enhanced the eosinophil chemotaxis toward eotaxin, and the effect was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, at a low concentration (10(-10) M), 15d-PGJ2 and troglitazone primed eotaxin-induced shape change and actin polymerization. These priming effects were completely reversed by a specific PPARgamma antagonist, but were not mimicked by CRTH2 agonist 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGD2, suggesting that the effects were mediated through PPARgamma ligation. The effect exerted by 15d-PGJ2 parallels the enhancement of Ca2+ influx, but is not associated with the ERK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB pathways. Furthermore, the time course and treatment of eosinophils with actinomycin D, an inhibitor of gene transcription, indicated that the transcription-independent pathway had a role in this process. PPARgamma might interact with an eotaxin-induced cytosolic signaling pathway, because PPARgamma is located in the eosinophil cytosol. Taken together with current findings, these results suggest that under physiological conditions, 15d-PGJ2 contributes to allergic inflammation through PPARgamma, which plays a role as a biphasic regulator of immune response.
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PMID:Physiological levels of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 prime eotaxin-induced chemotaxis on human eosinophils through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligation. 1623 65

It has been reported that treatment of cultured human skeletal muscle myotubes with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARdelta) activator GW-501516 directly stimulates glucose transport and enhances insulin action. Cultured myotubes are minimally responsive to insulin stimulation of glucose transport and are not a good model for studying skeletal muscle glucose transport. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of GW-501516 on glucose transport to determine whether the findings on cultured myotubes have relevance to skeletal muscle. Rat epitrochlearis and soleus muscles were treated for 6 h with 10, 100, or 500 nM GW-501516, followed by measurement of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. GW-501516 had no effect on glucose uptake. There was no effect on insulin sensitivity or responsiveness. Also, in contrast to findings on myotubes, treatment of muscles with GW-501516 did not result in increased phosphorylation or increased expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Treatment of epitrochlearis muscles with GW-501516 for 24 h induced a threefold increase in uncoupling protein-3 mRNA, providing evidence that the GW-501516 compound that we used gets into and is active in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, our results show that, in contrast to myotubes in culture, skeletal muscle does not respond to GW-501516 with 1) an increase in AMPK or p38 MAPK phosphorylation or expression or 2) direct stimulation of glucose transport or enhanced insulin action.
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PMID:PPARdelta activator GW-501516 has no acute effect on glucose transport in skeletal muscle. 1627 50

We have previously shown that the common feature of both pressure overload-induced hypertrophy and atrophy is a reactivation of the fetal gene program. Although gene expression profiles and signal transduction pathways in pressure overload hypertrophy have been well studied, little is known about the mechanisms underlying atrophic remodeling of the unloaded heart. Here, we induced atrophic remodeling by heterotopic transplantation of the rat heart. The activity parameters of three signal transduction pathways important in hypertrophy, i.e. mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), were interrogated. Gene expression of upstream stimuli--insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2)--and metabolic correlates, i.e. peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARalpha-regulated genes, of these pathways were also measured. In addition, we measured transcript levels of genes known to regulate skeletal muscle atrophy, all of which are negatively regulated by IGF-1 (Mafbx/Atrogin-1, MuRF-1). Atrophic remodeling of the heart was associated with increased expression of IGF-1 and FGF-2. Transcript levels of the nuclear receptor PPARalpha were decreased, as were the levels of PPARalpha-regulated genes. Furthermore, there was phosphorylation of ERK1, STAT3, and p70S6K with unloading. Consistent with the increase in IGF-1, we found a decrease in Mafbx/Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 transcript levels. Rapamycin administration at 0.8 mg/kg/day for 7 days resulted in enhanced atrophy and attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK1, STAT3, and p70S6K without altering gene expression. We conclude that there is significant crosstalk between the mTOR, MAP kinase, and JAK/STAT signaling cascades. Furthermore, ubiquitin ligases, known to be essential for skeletal muscle atrophy, decrease in unloading-induced cardiac atrophy.
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PMID:Atrophic remodeling of the transplanted rat heart. 1639 72

Formation of new adipocytes from precursor cells contributes to adipose tissue expansion and obesity. In this study, we asked whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates normal and pathological adipogenesis. In both dietary and genetically (ob/ob) obese mice, adipose tissues displayed a marked decrease in p38MAPK activity compared with the same tissues from lean mice. Furthermore, p38MAPK activity was significantly higher in preadipocytes than in adipocytes, suggesting that p38MAPK activity decreases during adipocyte differentiation. In agreement with an inhibitory role of p38MAPK in this process, we found that in vitro inhibition of p38MAPK, with the specific inhibitor PD169316, increased the expression of adipocyte markers in several cellular models, from embryonic to adult stages. Importantly, the expression of adipocyte markers was higher in p38MAPKalpha knockout cells than in their wild-type counterparts. Phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta, which enhances its transcriptional activity, is increased after p38MAPK inhibition. Finally, either inhibition or disruption of p38MAPK increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma expression and transactivation. Rescue of p38MAPK in knockout cells reduced PPARgamma activity to the low basal level of wild-type cells. We demonstrate here, by using multipronged approaches involving p38 chemical inhibitor and p38MAPKalpha knockout cells, that p38MAPK plays a negative role in adipogenesis via inhibition of C/EBPbeta and PPARgamma transcriptional activities.
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PMID:Inhibition of p38MAPK increases adipogenesis from embryonic to adult stages. 1644 58


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