Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.3.16 (calcineurin)
 17,112 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Differentiation of developing T cells into the type 1 (IFN-gamma-producing) or type 2 (IL-4-producing) subsets is a central theme of immune regulation. The balance of IL-4 and IL-12 present during T cell activation has been considered the major influence on type 1 versus type 2 development. Here we show that CD4 T cells can become biased towards type 1 or type 2 phenotypes during their initial activation in the absence of IL-4 or IL-12. This type of regulation is dependent on the balance of MAPkinase, protein kinase C, and calcineurin signaling after TCR engagement. Later maturation of Th1 or Th2 effectors is dependent on IL-12 or IL-4. However Tc1 CD8 effector development is independent of IL-12, and Tc2 cell generation requires both appropriate TCR signals and IL-4 early in effector development. Using an altered peptide ligand to stimulate TCR transgenic T cells, we show that altered signaling regulates the numbers of CD8 cells capable of developing into Tc2 effectors, and also their responsiveness to IL-4. Together, the results support a two-stage model of differentiation in which intermediate cells biased towards the type 1 or type 2 pathways after activation, are subsequently matured in response to IL-12 or IL-4, respectively.
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PMID:Early Th1/Th2 cell polarization in the absence of IL-4 and IL-12: T cell receptor signaling regulates the response to cytokines in CD4 and CD8 T cells. 1144 77

Cabin1 binds calcineurin and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) through its COOH-terminal region. In cell lines, these interactions were shown to inhibit calcineurin activity after T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and transcriptional activation of Nur77 by MEF2. The role of these interactions under physiological conditions was investigated using a mutant mouse strain that expresses a truncated Cabin1 lacking the COOH-terminal calcineurin and MEF2 binding domains. T and B cell development and thymocyte apoptosis were normal in mutant mice. In response to anti-CD3 stimulation, however, mutant T cells expressed significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and interferon gamma than wild-type T cells. The enhanced cytokine gene expression was not associated with change in nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT)c or NF-ATp nuclear translocation but was preceded by the induction of a phosphorylated form of MEF2D in mutant T cells. Consistent with the enhanced cytokine expression, mutant mice had elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2b, and IgE and produced more IgG1 in response to a T cell-dependent antigen. These findings suggest that the calcineurin and MEF2 binding domain of Cabin1 is dispensable for thymocyte development and apoptosis, but is required for proper regulation of T cell cytokine expression probably through modulation of MEF2 activity.
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PMID:Deletion of calcineurin and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) binding domain of Cabin1 results in enhanced cytokine gene expression in T cells. 1171 52

IL-9 is a Th2 cytokine that exerts pleiotropic activities on T cells, B cells, mast cells, hematopoietic progenitors, and lung epithelial cells, but no effect of this cytokine has been reported so far on mononuclear phagocytes. Human blood monocytes preincubated with IL-9 for 24 h before LPS or PMA stimulation exhibited a decreased oxidative burst, even in the presence of IFN-gamma. The inhibitory effect of IL-9 was specifically abolished by anti-hIL-9R mAb, and the presence of IL-9 receptors was demonstrated on human blood monocytes by FACS. IL-9 also down-regulated TNF-alpha and IL-10 release by LPS-stimulated monocytes. In addition, IL-9 strongly up-regulated the production of TGF-beta1 by LPS-stimulated monocytes. The suppressive effect of IL-9 on the respiratory burst and TNF-alpha production in LPS-stimulated monocytes was significantly inhibited by anti-TGF-beta1, but not by anti-IL-10Rbeta mAb. Furthermore, IL-9 inhibited LPS-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases in monocytes through a TGF-beta-mediated induction of protein phosphatase activity. In contrast, IL-4, which exerts a similar inhibitory effect on the oxidative burst and TNF-alpha release by monocytes, acts primarily through a down-regulation of LPS receptors. Thus, IL-9 deactivates LPS-stimulated blood mononuclear phagocytes, and the mechanism of inhibition involves the potentiation of TGF-beta1 production and extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibition. These findings highlight a new target cell for IL-9 and may account for the beneficial activity of IL-9 in animal models of exaggerated inflammatory response.
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PMID:IL-9 inhibits oxidative burst and TNF-alpha release in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes through TGF-beta. 1193 70

By virtue of its binding to cyclophilin, the cellular receptor for cyclosporine (CsA), we could identify a new compound D-43787 [N-[(1-tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-indolin-2-(S)-carbonyl]-indolin-2-(S)-carbonacid-[N-epsilon-benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-(S)-lysin methylester]-amide] exhibiting immunomodulating properties. It inhibited cell proliferation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)/ionomycin and anti-CD3/CD28 with an IC(50) of 0.3 microM. The protein phosphatase calcineurin, which is the target of the CsA-cyclophilin complex, is not inhibited by D-43787. It inhibited T helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, -5, and -13 more effectively than the Th1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma in human primary T cells. The IC(50) for IL-5 and IL-13 in TPA/ionomycin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is 0.7 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively, whereas the IC(50) for IFN-gamma is 2.0 +/- 0.4 microM. When PBMC were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28, the IC(50) for IL-4, -5, and -13 were 1.5 +/- 0.2, 1.8 +/- 0.2, and 1.9 +/- 0.4 microM, respectively. IFN-gamma was only partially inhibited under these conditions. This effect was even more pronounced in pure CD4(+) T cells. Pretreatment of human monocytes with D-43787 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFalpha with an IC(50) of 1.2 +/- 0.1 and 4.7 +/- 0.9 microM, respectively. In vivo, D-43787 potently inhibited late-phase eosinophilia in actively sensitized and challenged guinea pigs (10 mg/kg, i.p.: 51%) and Brown-Norway rats (1 mg/kg, intrapulmonary: 66% 30 mg/kg, i.p.: 50%). In adjuvant-induced arthritis, D-43787 (10-40 mg/kg, b.i.d., i.p.) dose dependently reduced edema development on both hind paws. The potency of D-43787 was comparable with that of indomethacin and dexamethasone. In conclusion, we characterized a novel Th2 selective immunosuppressive drug with possible anti-asthmatic/anti-inflammatory effects. Its mode of action is distinct from that of CsA.
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PMID:Anti-inflammatory effects of a cyclosporine receptor-binding compound, D-43787. 1196 Oct 80

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe pruritus, typical morphology and distribution of skin lesions, and personal and family history of atopy. The management of atopic dermatitis is directed at preventing the inflammation, itch, and secondary lesions. Therapy relies on general management measures, anti-inflammatory agents, antiprurites, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. Treatment options for patients with severe or longstanding disease, extensive body surface area involvement of facial lesions are limited. Tacrolimus ointment is the first in the class of topical immunomodulators that has been formulated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children (2 to 15 years of age) and adult patients. The mechanism of action of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis seems to involve T-cells, Langerhans cells, mast cells and basophiles. Experimental evidence suggests that tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocytes activation by binding to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. This binding phenomenon inhibits the ability of calcineurin to activate the promotor region of the gene for IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, all of which participate in the early immune response and play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus ointment is not atrophogenic, and is associated with minimal systemic absorption. There were no consistent changes in any laboratory variable during topical tacrolimus therapy. The most common adverse events associated with its use were transient skin burning and pruritus at the site of application. Tacrolimus ointment is safe and efficacious therapy for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis on all skin regions including the face, neck and intertriginous areas. An overview is given of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis.
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PMID:Tacrolimus ointment: a new therapy for atopic dermatitis--review of the literature. 1213 28

Rapamycin (RAP), tacrolimus (FK506), cyclosporin A, and glucocorticoids represent modern and classic immunosuppressive agents being used clinically. Although these agents have distinct molecular mechanisms of action and exhibit different immunoregulatory profiles, their direct influences on Ag presentation processes remain relatively unknown. Here we report quantitative and qualitative differences among the above four immunosuppressants in their impact on Ag-specific, bidirectional interaction between dendritic cells (DC) and CD4(+) T cells. In the presence of relevant Ag, bone marrow-derived DC delivered activation signals to CD4(+) T cells isolated from the DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice, leading to clonal expansion; secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4; and surface expression of CD69. Conversely, DO11.10 T cells delivered maturation signals to DC, leading to IL-6 and IL-12 production and CD40 up-regulation. FK506 (10(-10)-10(-8) M) and cyclosporin A (10(-9)-10(-7) M) each blocked efficiently and uniformly all the changes resulting from intercellular signaling in both DC-->T cell and T cell-->DC directions. Dexamethasone (10(-9)-10(-6) M) suppressed all changes, except for CD69 up-regulation, rather incompletely. Remarkably, RAP (10(-10)-10(-8) M) efficiently inhibited DC-induced T cell proliferation and T cell-mediated CD40 up-regulation by DC without abrogating other changes. Interestingly, T cell-independent DC maturation triggered by LPS stimulation was inhibited by dexamethasone, but not by other agents. Our results demonstrate contrasting pharmacological effects of RAP vs calcineurin inhibitors on Ag presentation, thus forming a conceptual framework for rationale-based selection (and combination) of immunosuppressive agents for clinical application.
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PMID:Contrasting impacts of immunosuppressive agents (rapamycin, FK506, cyclosporin A, and dexamethasone) on bidirectional dendritic cell-T cell interaction during antigen presentation. 1224 45

Interleukin-25 (IL-25) is a recently described T helper 2 (T(H)2) cell-derived cytokine that belongs to the IL-17 family and induces the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 from an unidentified non-T-cell population. Here, we show that mast cells are also potent IL-25-producing cells. When bone marrow-derived mast cells were stimulated by immunoglobulin E cross-linking, IL-25 mRNA was induced within 30 minutes in a calcineurin-dependent manner, and the levels of IL-25 mRNA were comparable with those of activated T(H)2 cells. Production of IL-25 by mast cells was also detected at protein levels by immunoblotting. These results suggest that mast cells may enhance T(H)2-type immune response by producing IL-25.
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PMID:Mast cells produce interleukin-25 upon Fc epsilon RI-mediated activation. 1251 10

Graft rejections as well as tolerance are true representation of the specificity, sophistication and redundancy of an elegantly and meticulously designed immune system. Tolerance is in a way similar to the process of self-recognition where lymphoid clones, during development, baring self-reactive receptor are eliminated or rendered in active by "clonal deletion" leading to a state of accommodation and acceptance (anergic). On the other hand, both acute and chronic rejections are manifestation of the purpose of existence of the immune system, which is to defend the host against foreign invaders. Thus, in order to treat (control) graft rejection it is necessary to determine and understand the steps leading to recognition, stimulation, activation, and amplification of the immune system. The first step leading to the initiation of the immune system cascade is recognition. Which can either be direct where donor antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expressed on the donor cells (passenger leukocytes) or tissues are recognised by the host immune system. The direct recognition pathway initiates acute graft rejection. Alternatively processed donor MHC peptides presented by the recipient antigen presenting cells (APC) initiate the indirect pathway of immune response, which is as important as the direct recognition especially in chronic rejection. Recognition is followed by the ligation of a series of adhesion molecules starting with an antigen to its specific T-cell receptor (TCR)/cluster of differentiation (CD) complex, expressed on the surface of the T cell. In order for the activation to precede additional costimulatory signals, such as ligation of the CD28/B7, CD4/HLA class II and CD/HLA class I antigens are required. The activation process is accompanied by an increase of cytokines production such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon (INF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) by the primed T cell. The complexity and the polymorphic nature of the immune system have necessitated designing agents that inhibit the immune system at different levels. Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus, collectively known as calcineurin inhibitors, seems to act on the IL-2 by inhibiting its production thus leading to a decrease in the proliferation of the activated lymphocyte. Rapamycin, which is similar to Tacrolimus, inhibits graft rejection by blocking IL-2 activation and phosphorylation of 70 S6 kinase thus inhibiting the progression of T-cell from G to S phase. While Cellcept (MMF) reduce the proliferation of T cell by inhibiting purine synthesis and by its action on ionosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. Anti-lymphocyte antibodies (ATG) deplete circulating lymphocytes while selective monoclonal antibodies are directed against IL-2 receptor thus reducing the rate of proliferation of activated T cells. Recently, antibodies to the CD40/CD40 ligand have been shown to induce long-term graft survival with the inhibition of the Th1 cytokines (INF), IL-2 and IL-12 and upregulating the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Lastly graft rejection can be reduced by blockade of the B7/CD28 costimulation pathway with the fusion protein CTLA-4Ig. With the availability of such potent and diverse agents it is now possible to develop multi drug regiments that can depress the immune system at the different steps of the activation cascade, with minimal side effects, thus improving graft and patient survival rates.
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PMID:The mosaic of immunosuppressive drugs. 1283 79

Neuromedin U (NmU), originally isolated from porcine spinal cord and later from other species, is a novel peptide that potently contracts smooth muscle. NmU interacts with two G protein-coupled receptors designated as NmU-1R and NmU-2R. This study demonstrates a potential proinflammatory role for NmU. In a mouse Th2 cell line (D10.G4.1), a single class of high affinity saturable binding sites for (125)I-labeled NmU (K(D) 364 pM and B(max) 1114 fmol/mg protein) was identified, and mRNA encoding NmU-1R, but not NmU-2R, was present. Competition binding analysis revealed equipotent, high affinity binding of NmU isopeptides to membranes prepared from D10.G4.1 cells. Exposure of these cells to NmU isopeptides resulted in an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration (EC(50) 4.8 nM for human NmU). In addition, NmU also significantly increased the synthesis and release of cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13. Studies using pharmacological inhibitors indicated that maximal NmU-evoked cytokine release required functional phospholipase C, calcineurin, MEK, and PI3K pathways. These data suggest a role for NmU in inflammation by stimulating cytokine production by T cells.
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PMID:Neuromedin U elicits cytokine release in murine Th2-type T cell clone D10.G4.1. 1558 45

The transcription factor c-Maf plays a critical and selective role in IL-4 gene transcription. Little is known about the mechanism that guides c-Maf regulation during early T cell activation. We report that IL-6 but not IL-4 or other cytokines, rapidly up-regulates c-Maf transcription, as early as 3 h after TCR activation in naive CD4(+) T cells. c-Maf induction requires both IL-6- and TCR-initiated signals, and is independent of IL-4/Stat6 signals. Cyclosporin A and FK506, which target calcineurin and thereby inhibit TCR-mediated Ca(2+) signal pathways, block IL-6-mediated c-Maf expression. We show that Stat3 binds the c-maf promoter in CD4 T cells after IL-6 stimulation, and also transactivates the c-maf promoter in reporter gene assays. IL-6 induces similar c-Maf expression in protein kinase Ctheta-deficient CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, IL-6 enhances IL-4 gene expression very early after TCR activation in both wild-type and Stat6-deficient CD4(+) T cells. Our findings suggest that IL-6 plays a unique role in initiating c-Maf expression after TCR engagement, and may subsequently regulate early IL-4 production and Th2 commitment.
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PMID:IL-6 plays a unique role in initiating c-Maf expression during early stage of CD4 T cell activation. 1572 80


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