Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P05412 (c-Jun)
 11,453 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory response of the arterial wall to "injury", which is prominently driven by cytokines. The inflammatory mediator macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a unique cytokine that was recently associated with atherogenesis. Here, we have investigated whether MIF has a role in spontaneous atherosclerosis by studying apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice treated with neutralizing anti-MIF monoclonal antibody and comparison with isotype IgG-treated controls. After 14 weeks, the aortas and heart valves were analyzed for inflammatory status, macrophage content and plaque areas. MIF expression in the aortic wall was elevated upon spontaneous atherogenesis, with foam cells representing a major source. Of note, MIF blockade led to a marked reduction in intimal Mac-1-positive macrophages. Similarly, treatment with anti-MIF antibody led to a reduction of a variety of inflammatory mediators typically associated with atherosclerosis including the circulating levels of fibrinogen, MIF and IL-6. Importantly, the local aortic expression of ICAM-1, MMP-2, TNF, IL-12, and CD40L was reduced by MIF blockade, as were the levels of the phospho-c-Jun and C/EBPbeta transcription factors. The observed strong reduction of inflammatory parameters by anti-MIF treatment was associated with a small, yet non-significant, reduction in aortic plaque area. Thus, although MIF's role is not directly linked to plaque volume expansion, in this mouse model of spontaneous atherogenesis, MIF plays an important role in intimal inflammation.
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PMID:Reduction of the aortic inflammatory response in spontaneous atherosclerosis by blockade of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). 1592 87

The heterophil is the major polymorphonuclear cell in birds with a functional capacity akin to that of the mammalian neutrophil. Herein, we demonstrate that heterophils constitutively express TLR1/6/10, TLR2 type 1, TLR2 type 2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7 mRNA. Furthermore, TLR agonists, including flagellin (from Salmonella typhimurium, FGN), peptidoglycan (from Staphylococcus aureus, PGN), ultra-pure lipopolysaccharide (from Salmonella minnesota, LPS), the synthetic double stranded RNA analog [poly(I:C)], and the guanosine analog, loxoribine (LOX) directly induced both an oxidative burst and a degranulation response. Interestingly, the synthetic bacterial lipoprotein Pam3CSK4 (palmitoyl-3-cysteine-serine-lysine-4, PAM) induced degranulation, but no oxidative burst. The bacterial TLR agonists (PAM, PGN, LPS, and FGN) all induced an up-regulation of expression of mRNA of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8; whereas both poly(I:C) and LOX induced a down-regulation of these cytokine mRNAs. Stimulation of heterophils with each specific TLR agonist led to a differential increase in the phosphorylation of both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activation, but not the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). The broad TLR expression profile in heterophils reflects their principal role as first line effector cells in avian host defense against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. The results demonstrate the differential involvement of TLR-induced signals in the stimulation of transduction pathways that regulate the oxygen-dependent and -independent antimicrobial defense mechanisms of avian heterophils.
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PMID:Expression and function of Toll-like receptors in chicken heterophils. 1593 35

In testicular Sertoli cells, IL-1beta regulates steroid, lactate, and transferrin secretion; although each influences germ cell development and spermatogenesis, little is known about the signaling mechanisms involved. In other cell types, IL-1beta potently induces reactive oxygen species and/or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In contrast, in Sertoli cells, IL-1beta does not generate reactive oxygen species, but rapidly phosphorylates c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p44/42 or p38 MAPK. Phosphorylated JNK stimulates COX-2 activity, mediating the expression of ILs and steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR)-related (StAR-related lipid transfer protein domain containing) proteins D1 and D5, but not D4. In a time- and dose-dependent manner, IL-1beta rapidly increases levels of COX-2 mRNA (2-fold); induction of COX-2 protein (50-fold) requires de novo protein synthesis. Concomitantly, increases in IL-1alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta mRNAs (1-3 h) are observed. As StAR-related lipid transfer protein domain containing protein 1 (StARD1) mRNA decreases, StARD5 mRNA increases; substantial recovery phase induction of StARD1 mRNA above control is noted (24 h). Inhibition of JNK or COX-2 activities prevents IL-1beta induction of IL and StARD5 mRNAs and subsequent increases in StARD1 mRNA (24 h), indicating that these effects depend on the activation of both enzymes. StARD1 and D5 protein levels are significantly altered, consistent with posttranscriptional and posttranslational regulation. IL-1beta rapidly decreases levels of precursor and mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, changes not altered by cycloheximide, suggesting coordinate regulation of StARD1 and -D5, but not StARD4, expression. These data demonstrate that JNK and COX-2 activities regulate Sertoli cytokines and particularly START domain-containing proteins, suggesting protective stress responses, including transcription and protein and lipid regulation, within this specialized epithelium.
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PMID:Sertoli cell expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer 1 and 5 domain-containing proteins and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 are interleukin-1beta regulated by activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and cyclooxygenase-2 and cytokine induction. 1612 65

The expression of the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1, TRPV1) was detected in human dental pulp fibroblasts (PF-10) using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemical analysis. As revealed by ELISA, capsaicin induced IL-6 expression in PF-10 cells, and the VR1 antagonist capsazepine dose-dependently inhibited capsaicin-induced IL-6 production, indicating that capsaicin-induced IL-6 expression is related to VR1 activation. The interaction between capsaicin and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was investigated. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) were detected after capsaicin stimulation. p38 MAPK is involved in capsaicin-induced IL-6 production, as shown by the use of specific inhibitors of this kinase. The result of EMSA showed that capsaicin inhibited tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in PF-10 cell cultures. These results suggest that the activation of VR1 plays an important role in dental pulp inflammation.
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PMID:Expression and characterization of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 in human dental pulp cell cultures. 1612

Proinflammatory cytokines are recently reported to inhibit insulin signaling causing insulin resistance. IL-1alpha is also one of the proinflammatory cytokines; however, it has not been clarified whether IL-1alpha may also cause insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the effects of IL-1alpha treatment on insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. IL-1alpha treatment up to 4 h did not alter insulin-stimulated insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and the association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase were partially inhibited with the maximal inhibition in around 15 min. IRS-1 was transiently phosphorylated on some serine residues around 15 min after IL-1alpha stimulation, when several serine kinases, IkappaB kinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, ERK, and p70S6K were activated. Chemical inhibitors for these kinases inhibited IL-1alpha-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS-1. Tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was recovered only by the IKK inhibitor or JNK inhibitor, suggesting specific involvement of these two kinases. Insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and 2-deoxyglucose uptake were not inhibited only by IL-1alpha. Interestingly, Akt phosphorylation was synergistically inhibited by IL-1alpha in the presence of IL-6. Taken together, short-term IL-1alpha treatment transiently causes insulin resistance at IRS-1 level with its serine phosphorylation. IL-1alpha may suppress insulin signaling downstream of IRS-1 in the presence of other cytokines, such as IL-6.
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PMID:Interleukin-1alpha inhibits insulin signaling with phosphorylating insulin receptor substrate-1 on serine residues in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 1615 Aug 68

Septic shock is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, genetic factors predisposing to septic shock are not fully understood. Excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and the resultant severe hypotension play a central role in the pathophysiological process. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades are crucial in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 is an archetypal member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase family that dephosphorylates MAP kinase. Thus, we hypothesize that knockout of the Mkp-1 gene results in prolonged MAP kinase activation, augmented cytokine production, and increased susceptibility to endotoxic shock. Here, we show that knockout of Mkp-1 substantially sensitizes mice to endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. We demonstrate that upon LPS challenge, Mkp-1-/- cells exhibit prolonged p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation as well as enhanced TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 production compared with wild-type cells. After LPS challenge, Mkp-1 knockout mice produce dramatically more TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 than do wild-type mice. Consequently, Mkp-1 knockout mice develop severe hypotension and multiple organ failure, and exhibit a remarkable increase in mortality. Our studies demonstrate that MKP-1 is a pivotal feedback control regulator of the innate immune responses and plays a critical role in suppressing endotoxin shock.
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PMID:MAP kinase phosphatase 1 controls innate immune responses and suppresses endotoxic shock. 1638 May 13

Hepatic ischemia occurs in the settings of trauma, transplantation, and elective liver resections. The initiating events that account for local organ damage are only partially understood. Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of a number of genes involved in both innate and acquired immunity; however, its function in liver injury is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IRF-1 in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. In C57BL/6 mice undergoing 60 min of hepatic ischemia, IRF-1 protein expression increased as early as 1 h after reperfusion. IRF-1 knockout mice were significantly protected from hepatic I/R-induced damage compared with their wild-type controls. Hepatic I/R injury resulted in marked activation of the MAP kinase c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) in wild-type mice but not IRF-1 knockout mice. IRF-1 knockout mice also exhibited significantly lower hepatic expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, ICAM-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA. Adenoviral delivery of IRF-1 into C57BL/6 mice resulted in increased liver damage even without an ischemic insult. This injury was associated with increased JNK activation and hepatic iNOS expression. Because IRF-1 contributed to liver injury, we also examined for inflammatory signals that regulated IRF-1 gene expression in cultured hepatocytes. Whereas IFN-gamma and IFN-beta were strong inducers of IRF-1 mRNA (>10-fold) in a time- and dose-dependent manner, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta also induced IRF-1 mRNA to a lesser extent (2- to 3-fold). IL-6 and lipopolysaccharide had no effect on IRF-1 expression. This study demonstrates that IRF-1 exerts a harmful role in hepatic I/R injury by modulating the expression of multiple inflammatory mediators. We further show that IRF-1-mediated injury involves the activation of JNK and that hepatocellular IRF-1 expression itself is regulated by specific cytokines.
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PMID:The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-1 mediates liver damage during ischemia-reperfusion injury. 1641 Mar 67

Essential fatty acids are not only energy-rich molecules; they are also an important component of the membrane bilayer and recently have been implicated in induction of fatty acid synthase and other genes. Using gene chip analysis, we have found that arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, induced 11 genes that are regulated by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). We verified gene induction by omega-6 fatty acid, including COX-2, IkappaBalpha, NF-kappaB, GM-CSF, IL-1beta, CXCL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, LTA, IL-8, PPARgamma, and ICAM-1, using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis was increased within 5 minutes of addition of arachidonic acid. Analysis of upstream signal transduction showed that within 5 minutes of fatty acid addition, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was significantly activated followed by activation of Akt at 30 minutes. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2, p38 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun-NH(2)-kinase were not phosphorylated after omega-6 fatty acid addition. Thirty minutes after fatty acid addition, we found a significant 3-fold increase in translocation of NF-kappaB transcription factor to the nucleus. Addition of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) caused a decrease in COX-2 protein synthesis, PGE(2) synthesis, as well as inhibition of PI3K activation. We have previously shown that NSAIDs cause an inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced proliferation; here, we have shown that arachidonic acid-induced proliferation is also blocked (P < 0.001) by PI3K inhibitor LY294002. LY294002 also significantly inhibited the arachidonic acid-induced gene expression of COX-2, IL-1beta, GM-CSF, and ICAM1. Taken together, the data suggest that arachidonic acid via conversion to PGE(2) plays an important role in stimulation of growth-related genes and proliferation via PI3K signaling and NF-kappaB translocation to the nucleus.
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PMID:Arachidonic acid activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and induces gene expression in prostate cancer. 1645 98

Inflammation is emerging as an important mechanism for micro- and macrovascular complication of diabetes. The macrophage plays a key role in the chronic inflammatory response in part by generating particular cytokines. IL-1beta, IL-6, IL12, IL-18, TNFalpha, and interferon-gamma are produced primarily in macrophages and have been associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and altered vascular wall function. In this study, we evaluated the effect and mechanism of high glucose (HG) on gene expression of these cytokines in mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM). HG led to a 2-fold increase in the mRNA expression of these cytokines, with IL-12 showing the highest activation (5.4-fold) in a time-dependent (3-12 h) and dose-dependent (10, 17.5, and 25 mmol/liter) manner. The effects were specific to HG because mannitol and 3-O-methyl-glucose had no effect on cytokine mRNA expression. HG also increased IL-12 protein accumulation from MPM. We also explored the role of induced and spontaneous diabetes on inflammatory cytokine expression in MPM. Increases in expression in MPM of multiple inflammatory cytokines, including a 20-fold increase in IL-12 mRNA, were observed in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice as well as type 2 diabetic db/db mice, suggesting that cytokine gene expression is increased by hyperglycemia in vivo. We next explored potential mechanisms of HG-induced increases in IL-12 mRNA. HG increased the activity of protein kinase C, p38 MAPK (p38), c-Jun terminal kinase, and inhibitory-kappaB kinase in MPM. Furthermore, inhibitors of these signaling pathways significantly reduced HG-induced IL-12 mRNA expression in MPM. These results provide evidence for a potentially important mechanism linking elevated glucose and diabetes to inflammation.
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PMID:Elevated glucose and diabetes promote interleukin-12 cytokine gene expression in mouse macrophages. 1645 83

Although Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of pulmonary infection, the role played by this bacterium in the induction of inflammation of human airway epithelial cells (HAEC) is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the inflammatory response of HAEC to S. aureus soluble virulence factors and demonstrate that the combination of a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist (salmeterol) with a glucocorticoid (fluticasone propionate) has an anti-inflammatory effect on HAEC. First, we demonstrate increased expression at both the mRNA and protein levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha following incubation of HAEC in the presence of S. aureus soluble virulence factors and the increase of 1) the free nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activities and 2) the phosphorylated (P-) extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2), the P-c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and the P-isoform-alpha of the NF-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB alpha). Next, when HAEC were preincubated with the combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, the inflammatory response of HAEC was markedly attenuated in that levels of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaB, AP-1, P-ERK1/ERK2, P-JNK, and P-IkappaB alpha decreased significantly. These data emphasize the deleterious effect of S. aureus soluble virulence factors and suggest that the combination of a beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist with a glucocorticoid may attenuate the associated airway epithelial inflammation.
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PMID:Downregulation by a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist and corticosteroid of Staphylococcus aureus-induced airway epithelial inflammatory mediator production. 1648 15


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