Local insulin-like growth factor I prevents sepsis-induced muscle atrophy.

The present study tests the hypotheses that local bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is capable of regulating muscle protein balance and that muscle-directed IGF-I can selectively maintain muscle mass during bacterial infection. Initial studies in C57BL/6 mice demonstrated that increasing or decreasing bioavailable IGF-I within muscle by local administration of either Leu(24) Ala(31) IGF-I or IGF binding protein 1, respectively, produced proportional changes in surrogate markers (eg, phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1) of protein synthesis. We next examined the ability of a sustained local administration of IGF-I to prevent sepsis-induced muscle atrophy over a 5-day period. At the time of cecal ligation and puncture or sham surgery, mice had a time-release pellet containing IGF-I implanted next to the gastrocnemius and a placebo pellet placed in the contralateral limb. Data indicated that IGF-I released locally only affected the adjacent muscle and was not released into the circulation. Gastrocnemius from septic mice containing the placebo pellet was atrophied and had a reduced IGF-I protein content. In contrast, locally directed IGF-I increased IGF-I protein within adjacent muscle to basal control levels. This change was associated with a proportional increase in muscle weight and protein, as well as increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and the redistribution of eIF4E from the inactive eIF4E4EBP1 complex to the active eIF4EeIF4G complex. Local IGF-I also prevented the sepsis-induced increase in atrogin-1 messenger RNA in the exposed muscle. Finally, local IGF-I prevented the sepsis-induced increase in muscle interleukin-6 messenger RNA. Thus, muscle-directed IGF-I attenuates the sepsis-induced atrophic response apparently by increasing muscle protein synthesis and potentially decreasing proteolysis. Collectively, our data suggest that agents that increase the bioavailability of IGF-I within muscle per se might be effective in ameliorating the sepsis-induced loss of muscle mass without having undesirable effects on metabolic processes in distant organs.

Endotoxin and interferon-gamma inhibit translation in skeletal muscle cells by stimulating nitric oxide synthase activity.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that endogenous NO negatively affects translation in skeletal muscle cells after exposure to a combination of endotoxin (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Individually, LPS and IFN-gamma did not alter protein synthesis, but in combination, they inhibited protein synthesis by 80% in C2C12 myotubes. The combination of LPS and IFN-gamma dramatically downregulated the autophosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin and its substrates S6K1 and 4EBP-1. The phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 was decreased, whereas phosphorylation of elongation factor 2 and raptor was enhanced, consistent with defects in both translation initiation and elongation. Reduced S6 phosphorylation occurred 8 to 18 h after LPS/IFN-gamma and coincided with a prolonged upregulation of NOS2 messenger RNA and protein. NOS2 protein expression and the LPS/IFN-gamma-induced fall in phosphorylated S6 were prevented by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. The general NOS inhibitor, L-NAME, and the specific NOS2 inhibitor, 1400W, also prevented the LPS/IFN-gamma-induced decrease in protein synthesis and restored translational signaling. LPS/IFN-gamma downregulated the phosphorylation of multiple Akt substrates, including the proline-rich Akt substrate 40, while enhancing the phosphorylation of raptor on a 5'-AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)-regulated site. The negative effects of LPS/IFN-gamma were blunted by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. The data suggest that, in combination, LPS and IFN-gamma induce a prolonged expression of NOS2 and excessive production of NO that reciprocally alter Akt and AMPK activity and consequently downregulate translation via reduced mammalian target of rapamycin signaling.

Alcohol-induced decrease in muscle protein synthesis associated with increased binding of mTOR and raptor: Comparable effects in young and mature rats.

BACKGROUND: Acute alcohol (EtOH) intoxication decreases muscle protein synthesis via inhibition of mTOR-dependent translation initiation. However, these studies have been performed in relatively young rapidly growing rats in which muscle protein accretion is more sensitive to growth factor and nutrient stimulation. Furthermore, some in vivo-produced effects of EtOH vary in an age-dependent manner. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that young rats will show a more pronounced decrement in muscle protein synthesis than older mature rats in response to acute EtOH intoxication. METHODS: Male F344 rats were studied at approximately 3 (young) or 12 (mature) months of age. Young rats were injected intraperitoneally with 75 mmol/kg of EtOH, and mature rats injected with either 75 or 90 mmol/kg EtOH. Time-matched saline-injected control rats were included for both age groups. Gastrocnemius protein synthesis and the activity of the mTOR pathway were assessed 2.5 h after EtOH using [³H]-labeled phenylalanine and the phosphorylation of various protein factors known to regulate peptide-chain initiation. RESULTS: Blood alcohol levels (BALs) were lower in mature rats compared to young rats after administration of 75 mmol/kg EtOH (154 ± 23 vs 265 ± 24 mg/dL). However, injection of 90 mmol/kg EtOH in mature rats produced BALs comparable to that of young rats (281 ± 33 mg/dL). EtOH decreased muscle protein synthesis similarly in both young and high-dose EtOH-treated mature rats. The EtOH-induced changes in both groups were associated with a concomitant reduction in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, and redistribution of eIF4E between the active eIF4E.eIF4G and inactive eIF4E.4EBP1 complex. Moreover, EtOH increased the binding of mTOR with raptor in a manner which appeared to be AMPK- and TSC-independent. In contrast, although muscle protein synthesis was unchanged in mature rats given low-dose EtOH, compared to control values, the phosphorylation of rpS6 and eIF4G was decreased. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that muscle protein synthesis is equally sensitive to the inhibitory effects of EtOH in young rapidly growing rats and older mature rats which are growing more slowly, but that mature rats must be given a relatively larger dose of EtOH to achieve the same BAL. Based on the differential response in mature rats to low- and high-dose EtOH, the decreased protein synthesis was associated with a reduction in mTOR activity which was selectively mediated via a reduction in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and an increase in mTOR.raptor formation.

Sepsis and AMPK Activation by AICAR Differentially Regulate FoxO-1, -3 and -4 mRNA in Striated Muscle.

Although much is known regarding the posttranslational regulation of the FoxO transcription factors, there is little appreciation of how stressors which regulate cellular energy status effect the various FoxO family members at the mRNA level. The hypothesis of the present study was that exposure of differentiated muscle cells to agonists of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) would increase the mRNA content of various FoxO mRNA transcripts. Stimulation of AMPK in vivo by the injection of AICAR into mice increased FoxO1 and FoxO3 (but not FoxO4) mRNA in skeletal muscle. A comparable increase in these FoxO mRNAs was seen in skeletal muscle in response to sepsis which also increased AMPK phosphorylation. In contrast to the in vivo data, FoxO1, 3 and 4 mRNA content was decreased dose-dependently, with the decrement in FoxO1 being the largest, in C(2)C1(2) myotubes incubated with the AMPK agonists AICAR or metformin. Treatment of myotubes with 2-deoxyglucose or reducing the media glucose concentration also decreased mRNA content for FoxO1 and FoxO4. All stressors increased AMPK phosphorylation under in vitro conditions. Incubation of myotubes with AICAR decreased the rate of protein synthesis and increased protein degradation. Finally, treatment with the AMPK inhibitor compound C prevented both the AICAR-induced changes in FoxO mRNA and changes in protein metabolism. Our data indicate FoxO mRNA expression is down-regulated by AMPK activation and energy depletion in cultured myotubes, but that a contrasting increase in FoxO1 and FoxO3 mRNA is observed in vivo with the agent (and in response to sepsis) suggesting the expression of these FoxOs may be controlled by other hormonal or energy sensing cues under in vivo conditions.

Beta-adrenergic blockade exacerbates sepsis-induced changes in tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 in skeletal muscle and is associated with impaired translation initiation.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. The resultant elevation in plasma catecholamines, both norepinephrine and epinephrine (Epi), might be expected to alter the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which may directly or indirectly influence muscle protein balance. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) determine whether Epi per se increases cytokine expression in skeletal muscle, and (2) determine whether beta-adrenergic blockade alters the sepsis-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators of protein balance in skeletal muscle. METHODS: In the first study, rats were infused with Epi for 2 hour to increase the circulating Epi concentration to levels seen in septic animals. In the second study, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture and a nonspecific beta-adrenergic blockade produced with a continuous infusion of propranolol (PP). Tissues were obtained 24 after induction of sepsis and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 mRNA and protein content. In addition, the tissue content of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and various regulators of protein synthesis were assessed. RESULTS: Epi acutely increased TNF-alpha IL-6 and IL-1beta mRNA content in muscle (3- to 40-fold). However, only the TNF-alpha and IL-6 protein content was increased in muscle by Epi. In the second study, beta-adrenergic blockade with PP exacerbated the sepsis-induced increase in muscle IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA but did not alter the increment in IL-1beta or HMGB1. Propranolol also accentuated the sepsis-induced increase in both IL-6 and TNF-alpha protein in muscle. The exaggerated muscle cytokine response in septic rats treated with PP was associated with a reduction in muscle IGF-I protein that was greater than detected in saline-infused septic rats. Finally, the combination of sepsis + PP also accentuated the sepsis-induced decrease in the phosphorylation of 4E-binding protein-1, ribosomal protein S6, and mTOR, which are key proteins controlling protein synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that although Epi is capable of increasing tissue cytokines in naive rats, inhibition of the beta-adrenergic effects of catecholamines exacerbates the sepsis-induced increase of selected inflammatory cytokines. This exaggerated tissue response is associated with alterations in muscle IGF-I protein and translation initiation, which would be expected to impair tissue protein synthesis.

AMP-activated protein kinase agonists increase mRNA content of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases MAFbx and MuRF1 in C2C12 cells.

The hypothesis of the present study was that exposure of differentiated muscle cells to agonists of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) would increase the mRNA content of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1). C(2)C(12) cells were incubated with incremental doses of 5-aminoimidazol-4-carboximide ribonucleoside (AICAR) or metformin for 24 h. Both MAFbx and MuRF1 mRNA increased dose dependently in response to these AMPK activators. AICAR, metformin, and 2-deoxy-d-glucose produced time-dependent alterations in ubiquitin ligase expression, typified by a biphasic pattern of expression marked by an acute repression followed by a sustained induction. AMPK-activating treatments in conjunction with dexamethasone produced a pronounced synergistic effect on ligase mRNA expression at later time points. This cooperative response occurred in the absence of a dexamethasone-dependent increase in AMPK expression or activity, as determined by immunoblotting for phosphorylation and expression of AMPKalpha and its downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). These responses elicited by AMPK activation singly or in combination with dexamethasone did not extend to the mRNA expression of the UBR box family E3s UBR1/E3alphaI and UBR2/E3alphaII. Treatment with the AMPK inhibitor compound C prevented increases in MAFbx and MuRF1 mRNA in response to serum deprivation, as well as AICAR and dexamethasone treatment individually or jointly. Stimulation of AMPK activity in vivo via AICAR injection increased both MAFbx and MuRF1 mRNA in murine skeletal muscle. These data suggest that activation of AMPK in skeletal muscle results in a specific upregulation of MAFbx and MuRF1, responses that are reminiscent of the proposed atrophic transcriptional program executed under various conditions of skeletal muscle wasting. Therefore, AMPK may be a critical component of the intercalated network of signaling pathways governing skeletal muscle atrophy, where its input acts to modify anti- and proatrophic signals to influence gene expression in reaction to catabolic perturbations.

Hormone, cytokine, and nutritional regulation of sepsis-induced increases in atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle.

Various atrophic stimuli increase two muscle-specific E3 ligases, muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1, and knockout mice for these "atrogenes" display resistance to denervation-induced atrophy. The present study determined whether increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA are mediated by overproduction of endogenous glucocorticoids or inflammatory cytokines in adult rats and whether atrogene expression can be downregulated by anabolic agents such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and the nutrient-signaling amino acid leucine. Both atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA in gastrocnemius was upregulated dose and time dependently by endotoxin. Additionally, peritonitis produced by cecal ligation and puncture increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA in gastrocnemius (but not soleus or heart) by 8 h, which was sustained for 72 and 24 h, respectively. Whereas the sepsis-induced increase in atrogin-1 expression was completely prevented by IGF-I, the increased MuRF1 was not altered. In contrast to the IGF-I effect, the sepsis-induced increased mRNA of both atrogenes was unresponsive to either acute or repetitive administration of leucine. Whereas exogenous infusion of TNF-alpha increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in gastrocnemius, pretreatment of septic rats with the TNF antagonist TNF-binding protein did not prevent increased expression of either atrogene. Similarly, whereas dexamethasone increased atrogene expression, pretreatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486 failed to ameliorate the sepsis-induced increase in atrogin-1 and MuRF1. Thus, under in vivo conditions in mature adult rats, the sepsis-induced increase in muscle atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA appears both glucocorticoid and TNF independent and is unresponsive to leucine.

Multiple Toll-like receptor ligands induce an IL-6 transcriptional response in skeletal myocytes.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) comprise a critical sentinel that monitors body compartments for the presence of pathogens. Skeletal muscle expresses TLRs and responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by mounting an innate immune response. In the present study, we used C2C12 myocytes as a model system for skeletal muscle during infection. C2C12 cells responded to LPS in a time frame and with a pattern of gene expression that faithfully mimicked the response of skeletal muscle to LPS in vivo. LPS from a variety of Escherichia coli serotypes stimulated IL-6 synthesis. C2C12 cells expressed TLR1-7, but not TLR8 or TLR9, mRNA by RT-PCR. A synthetic tripalmitoylated cysteine-, serine-, and lysine-containing peptide (Pam) and LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis, two TLR2 ligands, also stimulated IL-6 expression. LPS and Pam stimulated luciferase activity driven from NF-kappaB and IL-6 promoter-containing plasmids, and this response was blunted when the NF-kappaB binding site was mutated. LPS- and Pam-stimulated IL-6 expression was inhibited by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and the IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK2) inhibitor 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-thiophenecarboxamide (TPCA-1). Pam-stimulated NF-kappaB and IL-6 promoter activities were disrupted by a dominant-negative form of TLR2, but not TLR4. Local injection of LPS or Pam into the gastrocnemius muscle stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression in the injected, but not the contralateral, muscle. The LPS- but not Pam-stimulated expression of IL-6 mRNA was blunted in skeletal muscle of mice carrying an inactivating mutation in TLR4. The data suggest that skeletal muscle and muscle cells recognize pathogen-associated molecules with specific TLRs to initiate an IL-6 transcriptional response.

Temporal differences in the ability of ethanol to modulate endotoxin-induced increases in inflammatory cytokines in muscle under in vivo conditions.

BACKGROUND: Acute alcohol (EtOH) intoxication may both antagonize and potentiate the ability of monocytes/macrophages to respond to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). The suppressive effects of EtOH predominate when the duration between EtOH and LPS administration is relatively short, whereas sensitization is observed under conditions when there is a relatively longer delay between EtOH and LPS exposure. Striated muscle is now recognized to possess components of both the afferent and efferent limbs of the innate immune system. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the interval between EtOH and LPS administration differentially affects the mRNA content for selected elements of the innate immune response in skeletal and cardiac muscle and to compare such changes with those occurring in liver and spleen. METHODS: The content of mRNA for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and high-mobility group box (HMGB)-1, as well as toll-like receptors (TLRs)-2 and -4, were measured in gastrocnemius, heart, liver and spleen from rats orally gavaged with EtOH and then injected with LPS either two or 24 hr thereafter. RESULTS: EtOH intoxication two hr before LPS acutely suppressed the increased IL-6 mRNA in all tissues and antagonized the increase in plasma and tissue IL-6 protein concentration. Similarly, EtOH blunted the LPS-induced increase in tissue mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. In contrast, when LPS was given 24 hr after EtOH, the increased IL-6 in striated muscle, but not in liver or spleen, was selectively potentiated. An enhanced LPS responsiveness was also observed for the late-phase cytokine HMGB1 in all tissues; however, the increased tissue expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced by LPS was not augmented. TLR4 mRNA was decreased in both heart and spleen (but unaltered in skeletal muscle and liver) of rats injected with LPS, and this change was prevented by pretreatment with EtOH. In contrast, EtOH alone increased TLR-2 mRNA content of heart, liver, and spleen but not muscle. LPS also markedly increased TLR2 mRNA in the same three tissues under control conditions, but this increase was attenuated by EtOH administered either two or 24 hr before LPS. CONCLUSIONS: Under in vivo conditions, the interval between EtOH exposure and LPS differentially affected the synthesis of various cytokines. In this regard, EtOH administered within two hr of LPS generally suppressed IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha mRNAs in muscle, heart, liver, and spleen. Delaying the exposure of animals to LPS for 24 hr after EtOH, however, accentuated the increase in IL-6 and HMGB1, and for IL-6, this increased sensitivity appeared localized to striated muscle.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates nitric oxide synthase-2 expression in murine skeletal muscle and C(2)C(12) myoblasts via Toll-like receptor-4 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase pathways.

The inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) catalyzes the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) from arginine in response to injury and infection. NOS2 is expressed predominantly by macrophages and lymphocytes. However, skeletal muscle also expresses NOS2 in response to inflammatory stimuli. The present study sought to determine whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates NOS2 in skeletal muscle via Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4). Intraperitoneal injection of LPS in wild-type mice (C3H/HeSnJ) increased NOS2 mRNA fourfold in skeletal muscle, while no change in NOS2 mRNA was observed in C3H/HeJ mice that harbored a mutation in the LPS receptor. NOS2 coimmunoprecipitated with the muscle-specific caveolin-3 protein, suggesting that myofibers per se respond to LPS in vivo. LPS stimulated NOS2 mRNA expression in C(2)C(12) myocytes, and the regulation of NOS2 mRNA was comparable in myoblasts and differentiated myotubes. LPS transiently stimulated the phosphorylation of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK-1) in C(2)C(12) cells and decreased the total amount of IRAK-1 both in vitro and in vivo over time. LPS stimulated the expression of an NF-kappabeta reporter plasmid, and this was inhibited by the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132. Both myoblasts and myotubes expressed TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA. Expression of a dominant negative form of TLR4 in C(2)C(12) cells blocked LPS-induced NF-kappabeta reporter activity. SP-600125 [a c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor] also prevented LPS stimulation of NOS2 expression. Moreover, the JNK inhibitor prevented the LPS-induced increase in NO synthesis. These data indicate that LPS increases NOS2 mRNA expression in muscle via a TLR4-dependent mechanism.

Epinephrine stimulates IL-6 expression in skeletal muscle and C2C12 myoblasts: role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and histone deacetylase activity.

Although an individual's genetic makeup is a major determinant of muscle mass, other influences, such as hormones, cytokines, nutrition, and exercise can also modulate muscle size. IL-6 is an important inflammatory cytokine. Mice that overexpress IL-6 fail to thrive and/or have reduced skeletal muscle mass. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the stress hormone epinephrine increases inflammatory cytokine expression in skeletal muscle and muscle cells. Infusion of epinephrine in vivo for 2 h increased IL-6 protein (15-fold) and mRNA (40-fold) in skeletal muscle but not in liver. Epinephrine had a similar effect in C2C12 muscle cells, where the hormone increased IL-6 protein and mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Epinephrine-stimulated IL-6 expression was attenuated by the alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist phentolamine and completely blocked by either the beta1/2-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranalol or the beta2-antagonist ICI-118551. The transcriptional inhibitor DRB and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone also blocked epinephrine-induced IL-6. SP-600125 (a JNK inhibitor) and SB-202190 (a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor) completely blocked epinephrine-induced IL-6 synthesis. Endotoxin and epinephrine given together had a synergistic affect on IL-6 mRNA and protein expression. Trichostatin A (a histone deacetylase inhibitor) blocked both endotoxin- and epinephrine-induced IL-6 expression. These data suggest that epinephrine induces IL-6 synthesis in skeletal muscle in vivo and myocytes in vitro. Epinephrine utilizes predominantly the beta1/2-adrenergic receptors to stimulate IL-6 synthesis. Endotoxin and epinephrine synergize to increase IL-6 mRNA expression. Optimal IL-6 synthesis may require both stress kinase and histone deacetylase activity.

Lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines stimulate interleukin-6 expression in C2C12 myoblasts: role of the Jun NH2-terminal kinase.

IL-6 is a major inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in coordinating the acute-phase response to trauma, injury, and infection in vivo. Although IL-6 is synthesized predominantly by macrophages and lymphocytes, skeletal muscle is a newly recognized source of this cytokine. IL-6 from muscle spills into the circulation, and blood-borne IL-6 can be elevated >100-fold due to exercise and injury. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta, could increase IL-6 expression in skeletal muscle and C2C12 myoblasts. Second, we investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and the Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in particular, as a mediator of this response. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS in mice increased the circulating concentration of IL-6 from undetectable levels to 4 ng/ml. LPS also increased IL-6 mRNA 100-fold in mouse fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Addition of LPS, IL-1beta, or TNF-alpha directly to C2C12 myoblasts increased IL-6 protein (6- to 8-fold) and IL-6 mRNA (5- to 10-fold). The response to all three stimuli was completely blocked by the JNK inhibitor SP-600125 but not as effectively by other MAP kinase inhibitors. SP-600125 blocked LPS-stimulated IL-6 synthesis dose dependently at both the RNA and protein level. SP-600125 was as effective as the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone at inhibiting IL-6 expression. SP-600125 inhibited IL-6 synthesis when added to cells up to 60 min after LPS stimulation, but its inhibitory effect waned with time. LPS stimulated IL-6 mRNA in both myoblasts and myotubes, but myoblasts showed a proportionally greater LPS-induced increase in IL-6 protein expression compared with myotubes. SP-600125 and the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132 blocked LPS-induced degradation of IkappaB-alpha/epsilon and LPS-stimulated expression of IkappaB-alpha mRNA. Yet, only SP-600125 and not MG-132 blocked LPS-induced IL-6 mRNA expression. This suggests that IL-6 gene expression is a downstream target of JNK in C2C12 myoblasts.

Endotoxin stimulates in vivo expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, -6, and high-mobility-group protein-1 in skeletal muscle.

The presence of increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood is associated with decreased muscle protein synthesis and the erosion of lean body mass in many catabolic conditions. However, little is known regarding the role of endogenous cytokine synthesis in muscle per se. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the cytokine expression profile of skeletal muscle in response to an in vivo injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Intraperitoneal injection of a nonlethal dose of LPS (1,000 microg/kg Escherichia coli) into male rats increased the mRNA content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-1beta in gastrocnemius muscle as early as 1 h; IL-6 mRNA was not increased until 2 h post-LPS. Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta peaked at 2 h (10- and 80-fold, respectively), whereas the increased IL-6 mRNA content (150-fold) peaked later at 4 h. The abundance of all measured cytokine mRNAs in skeletal muscle declined thereafter. The LPS-induced increase in muscle mRNA content for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta was dose-dependent with elevations being seen with as little as 10 microg/kg of LPS (2.5-, 8-, and 9-fold, respectively). In general, pretreatment of rats with dexamethasone attenuated but did not completely prevent the LPS-induced increase in muscle cytokine mRNA. LPS increased muscle TNF-alpha protein content approximately 2-fold and this increase was prevented by pretreatment with dexamethasone. LPS-induced increases in muscle IL-1beta and IL-6 protein were not detected. LPS also produced a 2-fold increase in the mRNA content of the high-mobility-group protein-1, a late-phase cytokine, in muscle at 12-24 h. Finally, although skeletal muscle was found to contain both the toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR4, LPS did not alter the mRNA content of TLR4 and produced a small (50%) but significant increase in TLR2 mRNA. These changes in TLRs were less dramatic than those observed for liver, spleen or cardiac muscle. Collectively these data indicate that skeletal muscle possesses many of the components of the innate immune system, including increases in both early- and late-phase cytokines and the presence of toll-like receptors.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha decreases insulin-like growth factor-I messenger ribonucleic acid expression in C2C12 myoblasts via a Jun N-terminal kinase pathway.

IGF-I is a major anabolic hormone for skeletal muscle in vivo. Yet the mechanisms by which GH and cytokines regulate IGF-I expression remain obscure. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dramatically alters the circulating concentration of both TNF alpha and IGF-I, and TNF alpha in part mediates the cachectic activity of LPS. Little is known about the local synthesis of IGF-I and TNF alpha in skeletal muscle per se. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether LPS alters the expression of TNF alpha and IGF-I in mouse skeletal muscle and whether TNF alpha directly inhibits IGF-I mRNA expression in C2C12 myoblasts. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS in C3H/SnJ mice increased the expression of TNF alpha protein in plasma (16-fold) and TNF alpha mRNA in skeletal muscle (8-fold). LPS also decreased the plasma concentration of IGF-I (30%) and IGF-I mRNA in skeletal muscle (50%, between 6 and 18 h after LPS administration). Addition of LPS or TNF alpha directly to C2C12 myoblasts decreased IGF-I mRNA by 50-80%. The TNF alpha-induced decrease in IGF-I mRNA was both dose and time dependent and occurred in both myoblasts and differentiated myotubes. TNF alpha selectively decreased IGF-I but not IGF-II mRNA levels, and the effect of TNF alpha was blocked by a specific TNF-binding protein. TNF alpha did not alter IGF-I mRNA levels in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. TNF alpha did not change the half-life of IGF-I mRNA. TNF alpha completely prevented GH-inducible IGF-I mRNA expression, but this GH resistance was not attributable to impairment in signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 or -5 phosphorylation. TNF alpha increased both nitric oxide synthase-II mRNA and protein, and the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside decreased IGF-I mRNA levels in C2C12 cells. Yet inhibitor studies indicate that nitric oxide did not mediate the effect of TNF alpha on IGF-I mRNA expression. TNF alpha stimulated the phosphorylation of c-Jun and specific inhibition of the Jun N-terminal kinase pathway, but not other MAPK pathways, completely prevented the TNF alpha-induced drop in IGF-I mRNA. These data suggest that LPS stimulates TNF alpha expression in mouse skeletal muscle and autocrine-derived cytokines may contribute to the reduced expression of IGF-I in this tissue.

Alcohol-induced increases in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 are partially mediated by TNF.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol (EtOH) alters the plasma and tissue content of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, an important anabolic hormone. However, the bioavailability and bioactivity of IGF-I can also be modulated by changes in soluble proteins that bind IGF-I (IGFBPs). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether EtOH intoxication in rats alters the plasma concentration and tissue mRNA content of various IGFBPs. Based on initial results subsequent studies were performed to assess potential mechanisms by which EtOH increased IGFBP-1. METHODS: Rats were administered EtOH (75 mmol/kg) and blood and tissues collected at various times thereafter. Separate groups of rats were also pretreated with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP; alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor), cyanamide (inhibitor of acetaldehyde metabolism), RU486 (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) or the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist (TNF(BP)) prior to EtOH administration. RESULTS: Acute EtOH intoxication did not alter the mRNA content of IGFBP-3, -4 or -5 in liver or kidney. However, EtOH increased IGFBP-1 in blood (5-fold), which was associated with an up-regulation of IGFBP-1 mRNA content in liver and kidney (2- to 3-fold). Likewise, the injection of the nonmetabolizable alcohol -butanol also increased IGFBP-1 in plasma, liver, and kidney. The increased IGFBP-1 in blood and tissues was not prevented by inhibiting alcohol metabolism with 4-MP. However, pretreatment with cyanamide markedly accentuated the EtOH-induced increase in IGFBP-1 in blood (20-fold), liver (3.5-fold), and kidney (12-fold), indicating that accumulation of acetaldehyde can enhance IGFBP-1 synthesis. A time course study indicated that EtOH increased plasma IGFBP-1 levels as early as 0.5-1 hr, and that this response was associated with elevated IGFBP-1 mRNA in liver but not kidney. Pretreatment with RU486 did not prevent or attenuate the EtOH-induced increase in IGFBP-1. However, the alcohol-induced increase in IGFBP-1 was attenuated by TNF(BP). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the acute alcohol-induced increase in IGFBP-1 is mediated, at least in part, by TNF and is independent of EtOH metabolism and increases in endogenous glucocorticoids.

Lipopolysaccharide regulates proinflammatory cytokine expression in mouse myoblasts and skeletal muscle.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C2C12 myoblasts and mouse skeletal muscle. LPS produced dose- and time-dependent increases in TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA content in C2C12 myoblasts. The LPS-induced cytokine response could be mimicked by peptidoglycan from the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus but not by zymosan A, a cell wall component from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ongoing protein synthesis was not necessary for the increase in the two cytokine mRNAs. The transcriptional inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole blocked LPS-stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression without changing its mRNA half-life. The anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone selectively blocked LPS-stimulated IL-6 mRNA accumulation but not TNF-alpha. In contrast, the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132 blocked TNF-alpha mRNA expression but not IL-6. Exposure of myoblasts to LPS was associated with a rapid decrease in the inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (I kappaB, alpha, and epsilon), and this response was also blocked by MG-132. Treatment of myocytes with IL-1 or TNF-alpha also increased IL-6 mRNA content, but the increase in IL-6 mRNA due to LPS could not be prevented by pretreatment with antagonists to either IL-1 or TNF. Under in vivo conditions, LPS increased the plasma concentration of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and stimulated the accumulation of their mRNAs in multiple tissues including skeletal muscle from wild-type mice. In contrast, the ability of LPS to stimulate the same cytokines was markedly decreased in mice that harbor a mutation in the Toll-like receptor 4. Our data suggest that LPS stimulates cytokine expression not only in classical immune tissues but also in skeletal muscle.

Regulation of IGF-I mRNA and signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 and -5 (Stat-3 and -5) by GH in C2C12 myoblasts.

GH and IGF-I are critical hormones for the regulation of longitudinal growth and the maintenance of lean body mass in humans. The regulation of IGF-I expression by GH in hepatocytes is well documented; however less is known about the regulation of IGF-I in peripheral tissues such as muscle. We have examined the regulation of IGF-I mRNA by GH and IGF-I in C2C12 myoblasts. GH stimulated the accumulation of IGF-I mRNA dose- and time-dependently. An elevation of IGF-I mRNA was observed with GH doses as low as 0.75 ng/ml and after exposure to GH for as little as 1 h, and the increase required ongoing transcription and translation. GH applied in a pulsatile fashion for 10 min followed by an 8-h interpulse interval increased IGF-I mRNA to a greater extent than continuous exposure. GH stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the GH receptor, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3), and Stat5. Stat5 was resistant to additional phosphorylation if cells were given a GH pulse within 2 h of a previous GH exposure. The refractory period lasted for 4 h, and cells could be maximally stimulated again after 6 h. Stat3 phosphorylation was also enhanced in cells that were allowed to recover from a previous application of GH. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, PP1, and AG-490, and the MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, did not block Stat3 or Stat5 phosphorylation. In contrast, WHI-P154, a Janus kinase-3 inhibitor, dose-dependently prevented Stat3, but not Stat5, phosphorylation. GH-inducible nuclear transport of Stat3 was likewise inhibited by WHI-P154. Most importantly, GH-dependent IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by WHI-P154. In contrast, IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by IGF-I peptide, and the effect of IGF-I was dominant over that of GH. IGF-I mRNA was regulated by both PI3K and MAPK signal transduction pathways, but IGF-I peptide signaled predominantly through a wortmannin-sensitive pathway to down-regulate its own mRNA. Our data suggest that Janus kinases (Jak2 or Jak3) and their downstream targets (Stat3 and Stat5) may play important roles in the expression of IGF-I mRNA and the myoblast response to GH. In addition, C2C12 cells appear to be a good model system to examine GH regulation of Janus kinase/Stat signaling and the regulation of IGF-I mRNA.

Burn-induced changes in IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins are partially glucocorticoid dependent.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether burn-induced changes in various components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system are mediated by the actions of endogenous glucocorticoids or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). To address this aim, a 30% total body surface area full-thickness scald burn was produced in anesthetized rats, and the animals were studied 24 h later. Separate groups of time-matched control and burned rats were pretreated with either an antagonist to glucocorticoids (RU-486) or to TNF (TNF-binding protein; TNFBP). Thermal injury decreased the plasma concentration of IGF-I (38%) as well as the IGF-I mRNA abundance in muscle and kidney (31 and 48%, respectively). While RU-486 prevented the burn-induced decrease in plasma IGF-I, it did not ameliorate the reduction in tissue IGF-I mRNA. Burn increased the plasma concentration of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1 as well as the mRNA content of IGFBP-1 in liver and kidney (15- to 20-fold). These burn-induced increases were partially or largely prevented by RU-486. In contrast, burn decreased the plasma concentration of IGFBP-3 (30%). Burn concomitantly decreased hepatic IGFBP-3 mRNA abundance (42%) but increased IGFBP-3 mRNA in kidney and muscle (50% and 10-fold, respectively). RU-486 largely prevented the burn-induced changes in IGFBP-3 mRNA in kidney and muscle but failed to attenuate the decreases in plasma and liver. Finally, burn injury decreased hepatic acid-labile subunit (ALS) mRNA by 80% and increased the mRNA content of IGFBP-related protein-1 (mac25) in liver by twofold, and these changes were not modified by pretreatment with RU-486. The above-mentioned changes in the IGF system were associated with a burn-induced decrease in muscle protein content that was prevented by RU-486. TNFBP failed to completely ameliorate any of the burn-induced changes in the IGF system. These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids, but not TNF, mediate many but not all of the burn-induced changes in the IGF system.