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Query: UNIPROT:P05412 (c-Jun)
 11,453 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previously we reported that the administration of human (h) lymphotoxin (h-LT) markedly protected NOD mice from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) partly by affecting the generation phase of anti-islet effector cells, probably in the thymus. In this study, we investigated the effect of h-LT on the signal transduction of the mouse thymocytes by observing c-Fos expression in the thymocytes by using a flow cytometer. The intensity of c-Fos expression in whole thymocytes was significantly lower in the female NOD with a high incidence of diabetes than that in the male NOD mice with a low incidence of diabetes and than that in normal mice (P < 0.0001). The low c-Fos expression in the female NOD thymocytes was most prominent in CD3low thymocytes. c-Jun expression of the CD3low thymocytes was also lower in the female NOD mice. Administrations of h-LT, h-TNF, and h-IL-2, which has been reported to prevent IDDM in NOD mice by systemic administration, significantly up-regulated c-Fos expression in CD3low thymocytes. From these results, it is assumed that a relationship may exist between the high diabetes incidence and the defective c-Fos expression in female NOD mice and between the prevention of IDDM and the amelioration of the defective c-Fos expression with h-LT in female NOD mice.
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PMID:Reduced expression of c-Fos in female NOD mouse thymocytes and up-regulation with human lymphotoxin. 765 36

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) regulates cytokine gene expression in T cells through cis-acting elements located in the promoters of cytokine genes. Here, we report the cDNA cloning, chromosomal localization, and initial characterization of a transcription factor related to NFATp and NFATc. The novel molecule, designated NFATx, exhibits in its middle a region very similar to the Rel homology domain in NFATc and NFATp. The amino-terminal region of NFATx also shows significant similarities to corresponding sequences in NFATc and NFATp and contains three copies of a conspicuous 17-residue motif of unknown function. We provide evidence showing that NFATx can reconstitute binding to the NFAT-binding site from the interleukin 2 promoter when combined with AP1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) polypeptides and that NFATx is capable of activating transcription of the interleukin 2 promoter in COS-7 cells when stimulated with phorbol ester and calcium ionophore. NFATx mRNA is preferentially and remarkably found in the thymus and at lower levels in peripheral blood leukocytes. The expression pattern of NFATx, together with its functional activity, strongly suggests that NFATx plays a role in the regulation of gene expression in T cells and immature thymocytes.
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PMID:NFATx, a novel member of the nuclear factor of activated T cells family that is expressed predominantly in the thymus. 773 50

The transcription factor AP-1, made up of dimers of Fos and Jun proto-oncogene products, is involved in distinct cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In this study, we have used mice in which both copies of the c-fos gene were disrupted by targeted mutagenesis in order to analyze how the apoptotic response was affected in these mice. We prepared primary cultures from the lymphoid organs, spleen and thymus, obtained from both wild-type and c-fos -/- mice and analyzed the induction of apoptosis in these cultures in the absence and presence of etoposide, an inducer of apoptosis in distinct cell types. Primary cultures from both organs, spleen and thymus, isolated from wild-type mice underwent apoptosis after 3 and 6 h of culture, respectively. Addition of etoposide enhanced the apoptotic response and c-fos mRNA levels in both spleen and thymic cells. Nevertheless, we found that induction of apoptosis in primary cultures of cells obtained from spleen and thymus of c-Fos-deficient mice was practically identical to that observed in wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that c-Fos is not essential for apoptosis and that cells lacking c-Fos may undergo normal apoptosis.
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PMID:C-Fos is not essential for apoptosis. 857 44

We have previously described the patterns of stress kinase activation in rat kidney and heart in response to ischemia/reperfusion (Yin et al., 1997, J. Biol. Chem. 272, 19943-19950). During the course of these studies, we observed the activation of a novel kinase capable of phosphorylating c-Jun on serines 63 and 73. The molecular weight of this kinase is approximately 37 kD, significantly below the molecular weight of all previously identified Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) isoforms. The pattern of activation of this 37 kD kinase in response to ischemia/reperfusion in both kidney and heart is distinct from that of known JNK isoforms. Western analysis of human renal proximal tubular epithelial (RPTE) cells, using a non-isoform specific phospho-JNK antibody, revealed the phosphorylation (activation) of a 37 kD protein in response to hypoxia. The 37 kD protein in RPTE cells is phosphorylated by other stress stimuli capable of activating JNK. Western analysis of tissues, using a non-isoform specific JNK antibody, identifies a cross-reactive 37 kD protein expressed in the liver, thymus and lymph node which is likely to correspond to the 37 kDa stress-activated kinase. The results of this study have led to the identification of a potentially novel kinase closely related to JNK but showing a distinct pattern of activation.
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PMID:Identification of a novel stress activated kinase in kidney and heart. 978

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase pathways are triggered upon ligation of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR). During the development of T cells in the thymus, the ERK pathway is required for differentiation of CD4(-)CD8(-) into CD4(+)CD8(+) double positive (DP) thymocytes, positive selection of DP cells, and their maturation into CD4(+) cells. However, the ERK pathway is not required for negative selection. Here, we show that JNK is activated in DP thymocytes in vivo in response to signals that initiate negative selection. The activation of JNK in these cells appears to be mediated by the MAP kinase kinase MKK7 since high levels of MKK7 and low levels of Sek-1/MKK4 gene expression were detected in thymocytes. Using dominant negative JNK transgenic mice, we show that inhibition of the JNK pathway reduces the in vivo deletion of DP thymocytes. In addition, the increased resistance of DP thymocytes to cell death in these mice produces an accelerated reconstitution of normal thymic populations upon in vivo DP elimination. Together, these data indicate that the JNK pathway contributes to the deletion of DP thymocytes by apoptosis in response to TCR-derived and other thymic environment- mediated signals.
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PMID:The JNK pathway regulates the In vivo deletion of immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes. 981 59

The biological function of CD30 in the thymus has been only partially elucidated, although recent data indicate that it may be involved in negative selection. Because CD30 is expressed only by a small subpopulation of medullary thymocytes, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing CD30 in T lymphocytes to further address its role in T cell development. CD30 Tg mice have normal thymic size with a normal number and subset distribution of thymocytes. In vitro, in the absence of CD30 ligation, thymocytes of CD30 Tg mice have normal survival and responses to apoptotic stimuli such as radiation, dexamethasone, and Fas. However, in contrast to controls, CD30 Tg thymocytes are induced to undergo programmed cell death (PCD) upon cross-linking of CD30, and the simultaneous engagement of TCR and CD30 results in a synergistic increase in thymic PCD. CD30-mediated PCD requires caspase 1 and caspase 3, is not associated with the activation of NF-kappaB or c-Jun, but is totally prevented by Bcl-2. Furthermore, CD30 overexpression enhances the deletion of CD4+/CD8+ thymocytes induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B superantigen and specific peptide. These findings suggest that CD30 may act as a costimulatory molecule in thymic negative selection.
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PMID:CD30 overexpression enhances negative selection in the thymus and mediates programmed cell death via a Bcl-2-sensitive pathway. 1038 16

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) has been implicated in modulation of lymphocyte activation and cytoskeletal reorganization. To address the mechanisms whereby WASp subserves such functions, we have examined WASp roles in lymphocyte development and activation using mice carrying a WAS null allele (WAS(-)(/)(-)). Enumeration of hemopoietic cells in these animals revealed total numbers of thymocytes, peripheral B and T lymphocytes, and platelets to be significantly diminished relative to wild-type mice. In the thymus, this abnormality was associated with impaired progression from the CD44(-)CD25(+) to the CD44(-)CD25(-) stage of differentiation. WASp-deficient thymocytes and T cells also exhibited impaired proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 production in response to T cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation, but proliferated normally in response to phorbol ester/ionomycin. This defect in TCR signaling was associated with a reduction in TCR-evoked upregulation of the early activation marker CD69 and in TCR-triggered apoptosis. While induction of TCR-zeta, ZAP70, and total protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and stress-activated protein/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) activation appeared normal in TCR-stimulated WAS(-)(/)(-) cells, TCR-evoked increases in intracellular calcium concentration were decreased in WASp-deficient relative to wild-type cells. WAS(-)(/)(-) lymphocytes also manifested a marked reduction in actin polymerization and both antigen receptor capping and endocytosis after TCR stimulation, whereas WAS(-)(/)(-) neutrophils exhibited reduced phagocytic activity. Together, these results provide evidence of roles for WASp in driving lymphocyte development, as well as in the translation of antigen receptor stimulation to proliferative or apoptotic responses, cytokine production, and cytoskeletal rearrangement. The data also reveal a role for WASp in modulating endocytosis and phagocytosis and, accordingly, suggest that the immune deficit conferred by WASp deficiency reflects the disruption of a broad range of cellular behaviors.
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PMID:Antigen receptor-induced activation and cytoskeletal rearrangement are impaired in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-deficient lymphocytes. 1054 4

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members, which include the extracellular response kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK), play a role in mediating signals triggered by cytokines, growth factors, and environmental stress. JNK and p38 MAP kinases have been involved in inflammatory processes induced by a variety of stimuli, such as oxidative stress. Here, we describe the role of the JNK and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in the development of T cells in the thymus, and activation and differentiation of T cells in the peripheral immune system.
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PMID:The JNK and P38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in T cell-mediated immune responses. 1092 52

The c-Jun aminoterminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways have been associated with cell death, differentiation and proliferation. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have different effector functions after antigen stimulation and control specific aspects of the immune response. The studies carried out in our group indicate that the role of JNK and p38 MAP kinases in CD4+ T cells is different from their role in CD8+ T cells. Moreover, these two pathways are not redundant in either T cell population. We have also shown that p38 MAP kinase regulates early stages of T cell development in the thymus. It is therefore important to consider the specific function of these kinases in each T cell population when pharmacological inhibitors of JNK and p38 MAP kinases are used for therapeutic purposes to control the immune response.
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PMID:JNK and p38 MAP kinases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. 1267 Apr 1

Mice lacking activity of the kinase MEKK1 ('Map3k1(deltaKD)' mice) have defective activation of the kinase Jnk and increased production of T helper type 2 cytokines after T cell receptor ligation. Here we show that Map3k1(deltaKD) mice had defective germinal center formation and diminished production of antibodies recognizing thymus-dependent antigens. Those defects were B cell intrinsic, as MEKK1 was necessary for CD40-mediated activation of the kinases Jnk and p38 and transcription factor c-Jun, as well as for expression of cyclin D2 and activation-induced deaminase. MEKK1 was recruited to CD40 and adaptor molecule TRAF2 after CD40 ligation, and Map3k1(deltaKD) B cells were hypoproliferative after CD40 stimulation. Our data emphasize that MEKK1 is an essential component of signaling cascades needed for thymus-dependent antigen-induced B cell proliferation and antibody production.
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PMID:Kinase MEKK1 is required for CD40-dependent activation of the kinases Jnk and p38, germinal center formation, B cell proliferation and antibody production. 1714 73


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