ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormone [L-thyroxine (T4)] rapidly induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation (activation) of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in HeLa and CV-1 cells in the absence of cytokine or growth factor. A pertussis toxin-sensitive and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-sensitive cell surface mechanism responsive to T4 and agarose-T4, suggesting a G protein-coupled receptor, was implicated. Cells depleted of MAPK or treated with MAPK pathway inhibitors showed reduced activation of MAPK and of the signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT1alpha by T4; they also showed reduced T4 potentiation of the antiviral action of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). T4 treatment caused tyrosine-phosphorylated MAPK-STAT1alpha nuclear complex formation and enhanced Ser-727 phosphorylation of STAT1alpha, in the presence or absence of IFN-gamma. STAT1alpha-deficient cells transfected with STAT1alpha containing an alanine-for-serine substitution at residue 727 (STAT1alphaA727) showed minimal T4-stimulated STAT1alpha activation. IFN-gamma induced the antiviral state in cells containing wild-type STAT1alpha (STAT1alphawt) or STAT1alphaA727; T4 potentiated IFN-gamma action in STAT1alphawt cells but not in STAT1alphaA727 cells. T4-directed STAT1alpha Ser-727 phosphorylation is MAPK mediated and results in potentiated STAT1alpha activation and enhanced IFN-gamma activity.
Subject(s)
Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism , Thyroxine/pharmacology , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases/genetics , Cell Line , Drug Synergism , Enzyme Activation , GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology , Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/pharmacology , HeLa Cells , Humans , Immunosorbent Techniques , Interferon-gamma/pharmacology , Oligonucleotides, Antisense/genetics , Pertussis Toxin , Phosphorylation , Phosphotyrosine/metabolism , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Transfection , Type C Phospholipases/metabolism , Virulence Factors, Bordetella/pharmacologyABSTRACT
We have investigated the mechanism by which thyroid hormone potentiates IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR expression. IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR expression requires activation of STAT1alpha and induction of the Class II trans-activator, CIITA. HeLa and CV-1 cells treated only with L-thyroxine (T4) demonstrated increased tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation (= activation) of STAT1alpha; this hormone effect on signal transduction, and T4 potentiation of IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR expression, were blocked by the inhibitors CGP 41251 (PKC) and genistein (tyrosine kinase). Treatment of cells with T4-agarose also caused activation of STAT1alpha. In the presence of IFN-gamma, T4 enhanced cytokine-induced STAT1alpha activation. Potentiation by T4 of IFN-gamma action was associated with increased mRNA for both CIITA and HLA-DR, with peak enhancement at 16 h (CIITA), and 2 d (HLA-DR). T4 increased IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR protein 2.2-fold and HLA-DR mRNA fourfold after 2 d. Treatment with actinomycin D after induction of HLA-DR mRNA with IFN-gamma, with or without T4, showed that thyroid hormone decreased the t(1/2) of mRNA from 2.4 to 1.1 h. HeLa and CV-1 cells lack functional nuclear thyroid hormone receptor. Tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) and 3,5,3'-triiodo-thyroacetic acid (triac) blocked T4 potentiation of IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR expression and T4 activation of STAT1alpha. These studies define an early hormone recognition step at the cell surface that is novel, distinct from nuclear thyroid hormone receptor, and blocked by tetrac and triac. Thus, thyroid hormone potentiation of IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DR transcription is mediated by a cell membrane hormone binding site, enhanced activation of STAT1alpha, and increased CIITA induction.
