Cytokine-induced monocyte MMP-1 is negatively regulated by GSK-3 through a p38 MAPK-mediated decrease in ERK1/2 MAPK activation.

Elucidation of the signal transduction events leading to the production of MMPs by monocytes/macrophages may provide insights into the mechanisms involved in the destruction of connective tissue associated with chronic inflammatory lesions. Here, we show that GSK-3 is a negative regulator of cytokine-induced MMP-1 production by monocytes. Inhibition of monocyte GSK-3 pharmacologically with SB216763 or GSK-3ß siRNA caused a significant enhancement of MMP-1 by TNF-α- and GM-CSF-activated monocytes, indicating that induction of MMP-1 by TNF-α and GM-CSF involved phosphorylation/inactivation of GSK-3. TNF-α- and GM-CSF-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3 and subsequent MMP-1 production was blocked with the PKC inhibitor Gö6976 but not by the AKT1/2 inhibitor AKT VIII, showing that cytokine phosphorylation of GSK-3 occurs primarily through a PKC pathway. Inhibition of GSK-3 resulted in decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK with a corresponding increase in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK. Enhanced MMP-1 production by treatment with SB216763 was a result of increased ERK1/2 activation, as demonstrated by inhibition of MMP-1 by PD98059, a specific ERK1/2 inhibitor. Conversely, the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 enhanced cytokine activation of ERK1/2 and the production of MMP-1 similar to that of SB216763. These findings demonstrate that the degree of cytokine-mediated phosphorylation/inhibition of GSK-3 determines the level of MMP-1 production through a mechanism involving decreased activation of p38 MAPK, a negative regulator of ERK1/2 required for cytokine-induced production of MMP-1 by monocytes.

Heme oxygenase-1 induction alters chemokine regulation and ameliorates human immunodeficiency virus-type-1 infection in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.

We have elucidated a putative mechanism for the host resistance against HIV-1 infection of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show that LPS-activated MDM both inhibited HIV-1 entry into the cells and were refractory to post-entry productive viral replication. LPS-treated cells were virtually negative for mature virions as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. LPS activation of MDM markedly enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent inducible cytoprotective enzyme. Increased HO-1 expression was accompanied by elevated production of macrophage inflammatory chemokines (MIP1α and MIP1ß) by LPS-activated MDM, significantly decreased surface chemokine receptor-5 (CCR-5) expression, and substantially reduced virus replication. Treatment of cells with HO-1 inhibitor SnPP IX (tin protoporphyrin IX) attenuated the LPS-mediated responses, HIV-1 replication and secretion of MIP1α, MIP1ß, and LD78ß chemokines with little change in surface CCR-5 expression. These results identify a novel role for HO-1 in the modulation of host immune response against HIV infection of MDM.

Endotoxin tolerance impairs IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) 4 and TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 activation, K63-linked polyubiquitination and assembly of IRAK1, TNF receptor-associated factor 6, and IkappaB kinase gamma and increases A20 expression.

Endotoxin tolerance reprograms Toll-like receptor 4 responses by impairing LPS-elicited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines without inhibiting expression of anti-inflammatory or anti-microbial mediators. In septic patients, Toll-like receptor tolerance is thought to underlie decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in response to LPS and increased incidence of microbial infections. The impact of endotoxin tolerance on recruitment, post-translational modifications and signalosome assembly of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) 4, IRAK1, TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6, TGF-ß-activated kinase (TAK) 1, and IκB kinase (IKK) γ is largely unknown. We report that endotoxin tolerization of THP1 cells and human monocytes impairs LPS-mediated receptor recruitment and activation of IRAK4, ablates K63-linked polyubiquitination of IRAK1 and TRAF6, compromises assembly of IRAK1-TRAF6 and IRAK1-IKKγ platforms, and inhibits TAK1 activation. Deficiencies in these signaling events in LPS-tolerant cells coincided with increased expression of A20, an essential deubiquitination enzyme, and sustained A20-IRAK1 associations. Overexpression of A20 inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and ablated NF-κB reporter activation driven by ectopic expression of MyD88, IRAK1, IRAK2, TRAF6, and TAK1/TAB1, while not affecting the responses induced by IKKß and p65. A20 shRNA knockdown abolished LPS tolerization of THP1 cells, mechanistically linking A20 and endotoxin tolerance. Thus, deficient LPS-induced activation of IRAK4 and TAK1, K63-linked polyubiquitination of IRAK1 and TRAF6, and disrupted IRAK1-TRAF6 and IRAK1-IKKγ assembly associated with increased A20 expression and A20-IRAK1 interactions are new determinants of endotoxin tolerance.

Involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 in cell responses to Rickettsia akari.

A better understanding of the pathogenesis of rickettsial disease requires elucidation of mechanisms governing host defense during infection. TLRs are primary sensors of microbial pathogens that activate innate immune cells, as well as initiate and orchestrate adaptive immune responses. However, the role of TLRs in rickettsia recognition and cell activation remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 in recognition of Rickettsia akari, a causative agent of rickettsialpox. Transfection-based complementation of TLR2/4-negative HEK293T cells with human TLR2 or TLR4 coexpressed with CD14 and MD-2 enabled IκB-α degradation, NF-κB reporter activation, and IL-8 expression in response to heat-killed (HK) R. akari. The presence of the R753Q TLR2 or D299G TLR4 polymorphisms significantly impaired the capacities of the respective TLRs to signal HK R. akari-mediated NF-κB reporter activation in HEK293T transfectants. Blocking Ab against TLR2 or TLR4 markedly inhibited TNF-α release from human monocytes stimulated with HK R. akari, and TNF-α secretion elicited by infection with live R. akari was reduced significantly only upon blocking of TLR2 and TLR4. Live and HK R. akari exerted phosphorylation of IRAK1 and p38 MAPK in 293/TLR4/MD-2 or 293/TLR2 stable cell lines, whereas only live bacteria elicited responses in TLR2/4-negative HEK293T cells. These data demonstrate that HK R. akari triggers cell activation via TLR2 or TLR4 and suggest use of additional TLRs and/or NLRs by live R. akari.

Endotoxin tolerance dysregulates MyD88- and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-beta-dependent pathways and increases expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling.

Endotoxin tolerance reprograms cell responses to LPS by repressing expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while not inhibiting production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial effectors. Molecular mechanisms of induction and maintenance of endotoxin tolerance are incompletely understood, particularly with regard to the impact of endotoxin tolerization on signalosome assembly, activation of adaptor-kinase modules, and expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in human cells. In this study, we examined LPS-mediated activation of MyD88-dependent and Toll-IL-1R-containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta (TRIF)-dependent pathways emanating from TLR4 and expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in control and endotoxin-tolerant human monocytes. Endotoxin tolerization suppressed LPS-inducible TLR4-TRIF and TRIF-TANK binding kinase (TBK)1 associations, induction of TBK1 kinase activity, activation of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3, and expression of RANTES and IFN-beta. Tolerance-mediated dysregulation of the TLR4-TRIF-TBK1 signaling module was accompanied by increased levels of suppressor of IkappaB kinase-epsilon (SIKE) and sterile alpha and Armadillo motif-containing molecule (SARM). LPS-tolerant cells showed increased expression of negative regulators Toll-interacting protein (Tollip), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1, IL-1R-associated kinase-M, and SHIP-1, which correlated with reduced p38 phosphorylation, IkappaB-alpha degradation, and inhibited expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8. To examine functional consequences of increased expression of Tollip in LPS-tolerized cells, we overexpressed Tollip in 293/TLR4/MD-2 transfectants and observed blunted LPS-inducible activation of NF-kappaB and RANTES, while TNF-alpha responses were not affected. These data demonstrate dysregulation of TLR4-triggered MyD88- and TRIF-dependent signaling pathways and increased expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in endotoxin-tolerant human monocytes.

Stimulated stromal cells induce gamma-globin gene expression in erythroid cells via nitric oxide production.

OBJECTIVE: We have previously shown that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the hydroxyurea-induced increase of gamma-globin gene expression in cultured human erythroid progenitor cells and that hydroxyurea increases NO production in endothelial cells via endothelial NO synthase (NOS). We have now expanded those studies to demonstrate that stimulation of gamma-globin gene expression is also mediated by NOS induction in stromal cells within the bone marrow microenvironment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using NO analyzer, we measured NO production in endothelial and macrophage cell cultures. In coculture studies of erythroid and stromal cells, we measured globin gene expression during stimulation by NO inducers. RESULTS: Hydroxyurea (30-100 microM) induced NOS-dependent production of NO in human macrophages (up to 1.2 microM). Coculture studies of human macrophages with erythroid progenitor cells also resulted in induction of gamma-globin mRNA expression (up to threefold) in the presence of hydroxyurea. NOS-dependent stimulation of NO by lipopolysaccharide (up to 0.6 microM) has been observed in human macrophages. We found that lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma together increased gamma-globin gene expression (up to twofold) in human macrophage/erythroid cell cocultures. Coculture of human bone marrow endothelial cells with erythroid progenitor cells also induced gamma-globin mRNA expression (2.4-fold) in the presence of hydroxyurea (40 microM). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate an arrangement by which NO and fetal hemoglobin inducers may stimulate globin genes in erythroid cells via the common paracrine effect of bone marrow stromal cells.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of MyD88 adapter-like (Mal) is critical for signal transduction and blocked in endotoxin tolerance.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognition of lipopolysaccharide triggers signalosome assembly among TLR4, sorting (e.g. MyD88 adapter-like (Mal)) and signaling (e.g. MyD88) adapters, initiating recruitment and activation of kinases, activation of transcription factors, and production of inflammatory mediators. In this study we examined whether tyrosine phosphorylation of Mal regulates its interactions with TLR4, MyD88, interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-2, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)-6 and is important for signaling. Overexpression of wild-type Mal in human embryonic kidney 293T cells induced its constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation and led to activation of p38, NF-kappaB, and IL-8 gene expression. Mutagenesis of Tyr-86, Tyr-106, and Tyr-159 residues within the Toll-IL-1 receptor domain impaired Mal tyrosine phosphorylation, interactions with Bruton tyrosine kinase, phosphorylation of p38, and NF-kappaB activation. Lipopolysaccharide triggered tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous Mal and initiated Mal-Bruton-tyrosine kinase interactions in 293/TLR4/MD-2 cells and human monocytes that were suppressed in endotoxin-tolerant cells. Compared with wild-type Mal, Y86A-, Y06A-, and Y159A-Mal variants exhibited higher interactions with TLR4 and MyD88, whereas associations with IRAK-2 and TRAF-6 were not affected. Overexpression of Y86A- and Y106A-Mal in 293/TLR4/MD-2 cells exerted dominant-negative effects on TLR4-inducible p38 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB reporter activation to the extent comparable with P125H-Mal-mediated suppression. In contrast, tyrosine-deficient Mal species did not affect NF-kappaB activation when signaling was initiated at the post-receptor level by overexpression of MyD88, IRAK-2, or TRAF-6. Thus, tyrosine phosphorylation of Mal is required for adapter signaling, regulates Mal interactions with TLR4 and receptor signaling, and is inhibited in endotoxin tolerance.

The broad antibacterial activity of the natural antibody repertoire is due to polyreactive antibodies.

Polyreactive antibodies bind to a variety of structurally unrelated antigens. The function of these antibodies, however, has remained an enigma, and because of their low binding affinity their biological relevance has been questioned. Using a panel of monoclonal polyreactive antibodies, we showed that these antibodies can bind to both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and acting through the classical complement pathway can inhibit bacterial growth by lysis, generate anaphylatoxin C5a, enhance phagocytosis, and neutralize the functional activity of endotoxin. Polyreactive antibody-enriched, but not polyreactive antibody-reduced, IgM prepared from normal human serum displays antibacterial activity similar to that of monoclonal polyreactive IgM. We conclude that polyreactive antibodies are a major contributor to the broad antibacterial activity of the natural antibody repertoire.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator stimulation of monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-1 production is mediated by plasmin-dependent signaling through annexin A2 and inhibited by inactive plasmin.

Chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with connective tissue turnover that involves a series of proteases, which include the plasminogen activation system and the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasmin, in addition to their role in fibrinolysis and activation of pro-MMPs, have been shown to transduce intracellular signals through specific receptors. The potential for uPA and plasmin to also contribute to connective tissue turnover by directly regulating MMP production was examined in human monocytes. Both catalytically active high m.w. uPA, which binds to the uPAR, and low m.w. uPA, which does not, significantly enhanced MMP-1 synthesis by activated human monocytes. In contrast, the N-terminal fragment of uPA, which binds to uPAR, but lacks the catalytic site, failed to induce MMP-1 production, indicating that uPA-stimulated MMP-1 synthesis was plasmin dependent. Endogenous plasmin generated by the action of uPA or exogenous plasmin increased MMP-1 synthesis by signaling through annexin A2, as demonstrated by inhibition of MMP-1 production with Abs against annexin A2 and S100A10, a dimeric protein associated with annexin A2. Interaction of plasmin with annexin A2 resulted in the stimulation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2, and PGE(2), leading to increased MMP-1 production. Furthermore, binding of inactive plasmin to annexin A2 inhibited plasmin induction of MMP-1, suggesting that inactive plasmin may be useful in suppressing inflammation.

Role of TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation in signal transduction and endotoxin tolerance.

In this study, we examined whether tyrosine phosphorylation of the Toll-IL-1 resistance (TIR) domain of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 is required for signaling and blocked in endotoxin tolerance. Introduction of the P712H mutation, responsible for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) unresponsiveness of C3H/HeJ mice, into the TIR domain of constitutively active mouse DeltaTLR4 and mutation of the homologous P714 in human CD4-TLR4 rendered them signaling-incompetent and blocked TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation. Mutations of tyrosine residues Y674A and Y680A within the TIR domains of CD4-TLR4 impaired its ability to elicit phosphorylation of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases, IkappaB-alpha degradation, and activation of NF-kappaB and RANTES reporters. Likewise, full-length human TLR4 expressing Y674A or Y680A mutations showed suppressed capacities to mediate LPS-inducible cell activation. Signaling deficiencies of the Y674A and Y680A TLR4s correlated with altered MyD88-TLR4 interactions, increased associations with a short IRAK-1 isoform, and decreased amounts of activated IRAK-1 in complex with TLR4. Pretreatment of human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293/TLR4/MD-2 cells with protein tyrosine kinase or Src kinase inhibitors suppressed LPS-driven TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation, p38 and NF-kappaB activation. TLR2 and TLR4 agonists induced TLR tyrosine phosphorylation in HEK293 cells overexpressing CD14, MD-2, and TLR4 or TLR2. Induction of endotoxin tolerance in HEK293/TLR4/MD-2 transfectants and in human monocytes markedly suppressed LPS-mediated TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of Lyn kinase to TLR4, but did not affect TLR4-MD-2 interactions. Thus, our data demonstrate that TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation is important for signaling and is impaired in endotoxin-tolerant cells, and suggest involvement of Lyn kinase in these processes.

A monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene polymorphism is associated with occult ischemia in a high-risk asymptomatic population.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) recruits monocytes into atherosclerotic plaques. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene promoter (-2578A>G) results in greater production of MCP-1 protein. We examined the association of this polymorphism with occult coronary artery disease (CAD) and its interaction with CAD risk factor burden, as assessed by the Framingham risk score (FRS) for hard events. We genotyped 679 apparently healthy 24-59-year-old siblings (SIBS) of people with premature CAD, tested for occult ischemia with exercise treadmill tests and thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography, and assessed CAD risk factors to calculate the FRS. Occult ischemia occurred in 18% of SIBS and overall was somewhat more prevalent in those with the G allele (20.6%) compared to those without (15.6%), p=0.095. In SIBS at higher risk (highest quartile of FRS, >or=6.8%), occult ischemia occurred significantly more frequently in those with the G allele (44.4% versus 26.1%, p=0.017), while there was no significant difference in SIBS with lower FRS. After adjusting for individual risk factors included in the FRS, multivariate logistic regression modeling demonstrated that the G allele independently predicted occult ischemia in the entire study population (p=0.014, OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.14-3.04). This study demonstrates for the first time that the MCP-1 gene -2578A>G polymorphism is associated with an excess risk of coronary atherosclerosis in an asymptomatic population and demonstrates an apparent interaction with CAD risk factor burden.

An adenoviral vector for probing promoter activity in primary immune cells.

Functional analysis of the DNA regulatory regions that control gene expression has largely been performed through transient transfection of promoter-reporter constructs into transformed cells. However, transformed cells are often poor models of primary cells. To directly analyze DNA regulatory regions in primary cells, we generated a novel adenoviral luciferase reporter vector, pShuttle-luciferase-GFP (pSLUG) that contains a promoterless luciferase cassette (with an upstream cloning site) for probing promoter activity, and a GFP expression cassette that allows for the identification of transduced cells. Recombinant adenoviruses generated from this vector can transduce a wide range of primary immune cells with high efficiency, including human macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells; and mouse T cells transgenic for the coxsackie and adenoviral receptor (CAR). In primary T cells, we show inducible nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) activity using a recombinant pSLUG adenovirus containing a consensus NF-AT promoter. We further show inducible IL-12/23 p40 promoter activity in primary macrophages and dendritic cells using a recombinant pSLUG adenovirus containing the proximal human IL-12/23 p40 promoter. The pSLUG system promises to be a powerful tool for the analysis of DNA regulatory regions in diverse types of primary immune cells.

Synergistic enhancement of cytokine-induced human monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-1 by C-reactive protein and oxidized LDL through differential regulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and prostaglandin E2.

C-reactive protein (CRP) and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) are associated with inflammatory lesions, such as coronary artery disease, in which monocytes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play a major role in the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Monocytes are recruited to inflammation sites by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which may also participate in the activation of monocytes. The objective of this study was to compare the individual and combined effect of CRP and ox-LDL on human monocyte MMP-1 and the role of MCP-1 in this effect. Although CRP or ox-LDL failed to induce MMP-1 in control monocytes, these molecules enhanced MMP-1 production induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) with a synergistic increase in MMP-1 occurring in the presence of both mediators. Enhancement of MMP-1 by CRP and ox-LDL was attributable to a differential increase in MCP-1 and prostaglandin E2(PGE2). CRP, at physiological concentrations, induced high levels of MCP-1 and relatively low levels of PGE2, whereas ox-LDL caused a significant enhancement of PGE2 with little affect on MCP-1. Accordingly, CRP- and ox-LDL-induced MMP-1 production by monocytes was inhibited by anti-MCP-1 antibodies and indomethacin, respectively. Moreover, addition of exogenous MCP-1 or PGE2 enhanced MMP-1 production by TNF-alpha- and GM-CSF-stimulated monocytes. These results show that the combination of CRP and ox-LDL can cause a synergistic enhancement of the role of monocytes in inflammation, first, by increasing MCP-1, which attracts more monocytes and directly enhances MMP-1 production by activated monocytes, and second, by elevating PGE2 production, which also leads to higher levels of MMP-1.

Selective side-chain modification of cysteine and arginine residues blocks pathogenic activity of HIV-1-Tat functional peptides.

Extracellular Tat protein of HIV-1 activates virus replication in HIV-infected cells and induces a variety of host factors in the uninfected cells, some of which play a critical role in the progression of HIV infection. The cysteine-rich and arginine-rich basic domains represent key components of the HIV-Tat protein for pathogenic effects of the full-length Tat protein and, therefore, could be ideal candidates for the development of a therapeutic AIDS vaccine. The present study describes selective modifications of the side-chain functional groups of cysteine and arginine amino acids of these HIV-Tat peptides to minimize the pathogenic effects of these peptides while maintaining natural peptide linkages. Modification of cysteine by introducing either a methyl or t-butyl group in the free sulfhydryl group and replacing the guanidine group with a urea linkage in the side chain of arginine in the cysteine-rich and arginine-rich Tat peptide sequences completely blocked the ability of these peptides to induce HIV replication, chemokine receptor CCR-5 expression, and NF-kappaB activity in monocytes. Such modifications also inhibited angiogenesis and migration of Kaposi's sarcoma cells normally induced by Tat peptides. Such chemical modifications of the cysteine-rich and arginine-rich peptides did not affect their reactivity with antibodies against the full-length Tat protein. With an estimated 40 million HIV-positive individuals worldwide and approximately 4 million new infections emerging every year, a synthetic subunit HIV-Tat vaccine comprised of functionally inactive Tat domains could provide a safe, effective, and economical therapeutic vaccine to reduce the progression of HIV disease.

Isolation of human monocyte populations.

This unit describes the isolation of monocytes from lymphocytes by adherence, gradient sedimentation on colloidal silica particles, and flow cytometry. Because the first two methods can result in cell activation (induction of gene expression or protein secretion), and the third is technically difficult, a fourth protocol is presented which describes counterflow centrifugal elutriation. This latter procedure can be used to isolate large numbers of purified, nonactivated monocytes.

Isolation and purification of human intestinal macrophages.

The gastrointestinal mucosa contained within the lamina propria is the largest reservoir of macrophages in the human body. The isolation and study of this population of cells is important for understanding host defense and the pathogenesis of inflammation in the gastrointestinal mucosa. This unit describes methods that can be used to isolate and purify intestinal macrophages. Sources of intestinal tissue that can be used for this isolation include human subjects undergoing gastrojejunostomy for obesity, organ-transplantation donors, or the noninflamed margin of resected segments of small intestine from subjects undergoing resection for surgically indicated reasons.

Oxidative stress augments the production of matrix metalloproteinase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 through enhancement of NF-kappa B activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated human primary monocytes.

The excessive production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) associated with inflammation leads to a condition of oxidative stress. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), PGE(2), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important mediators during the process of inflammation. In this paper we report on studies examining how the ROS hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) affects the production of MMP-1, COX-2, and PGE(2). Addition of H(2)O(2) to LPS-activated monocytes, but not naive monocytes, caused a significant enhancement of the LPS-induced production of MMP-1, COX-2, and PGE(2). The mechanism by which H(2)O(2) increased these mediators was through enhancement of IkappaBalpha degradation, with subsequent increases in NF-kappaB activation and NF-kappaB p50 translocation to the nucleus. The effects of H(2)O(2) on IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB activation, and NF-kappaB p50 localization to the nucleus were demonstrated through studies of coimmunoprecipitation of IkappaBalpha with p50, ELISA of NF-kappaB p65 activity, and Western blot analysis of the nuclear fraction extract for p50. The key role for NF-kappaB in this process was demonstrated by the ability of MG-132 or lactacystin (proteasome inhibitors) to block the enhanced production of MMP-1, COX-2, and PGE(2). In contrast, indomethacin, which inhibited PGE(2) production, partially blocked the enhanced MMP-1 production. Moreover, although PGE(2) restored MMP-1 production in indomethacin-treated monocyte cultures; it failed to significantly restore MMP-1 production in proteasome inhibitor-treated cultures. Thus, in the presence of LPS and H(2)O(2), NF-kappaB plays a dominate role in the regulation of MMP-1, COX-2, and PGE(2) expression.

Production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 by activated human monocytes involves a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt/IKKalpha/NF-kappaB pathway.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is considered to be an important component in the progression of inflammation. Monocytes/macrophages are prominent at inflammation sites, and activation of these cells by stimulants, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor alpha and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, leads to the production of significant amounts of MMP-9. Here, we show that LPS stimulation of monocytes results in MMP-9 production through a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K)/Akt/inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB) kinase-alpha (IKKalpha)/nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway. This new role for Akt in signaling leading to MMP-9 production was demonstrated by inhibitor and immunoprecipitation studies. LY294002 or wortmannin, inhibitors of PI-3K, suppressed LPS-induced Akt activity and MMP-9 production. Evidence for the participation of Akt in monocyte MMP-9 synthesis was demonstrated by the inhibition of MMP-9 by SH-5, a specific inhibitor of Akt. The mechanism by which Akt regulates MMP-9 is through the activation of NF-kappaB, as shown by coimmunoprecipitation of the phosphorylated form of IKKalpha and Akt as well as the SH-5 suppression of the dissociation of IkappaB from NF-kappaB and the activation of NF-kappaB p65. The role of NF-kappaB in regulation of MMP-9 was demonstrated further by the inhibition of MMP-9 production by proteasome inhibitors, lactacystin and MG-132, which prevented the ubiquitination and dissociation of IkappaB from NF-kappaB. This is the first demonstration that Akt is involved in the signaling pathway leading to the production of monocyte MMP-9 and provides an additional approach in the regulation of this enzyme in human primary monocytes.

Angiotensin II increases human monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-1 through the AT2 receptor and prostaglandin E2: implications for atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated hypertension increases the risk for acute coronary syndrome, a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, which may be caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here, we show that human primary monocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) release Ang II, which is an integral component of the signal transduction pathway that leads to MMP-1 production. An Ang II-mediated increase in MMP-1 synthesis occurred only in conjunction with cytokine stimulation. Moreover, Ang II mediated its effect through the Ang II type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, as demonstrated by enhancement of MMP-1 production by an AT(2) agonist, CGP-42112A, and inhibition of MMP-1 production by PD1233319, an AT(2) antagonist. Additionally, exogenous Ang II caused a significant enhancement in MMP-1 production by cytokine-stimulated monocytes, and the most effective enhancement occurrred when Ang II was added 6 h after stimulation. Furthermore, Ang II and the AT(2) agonist increased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which in turn mediated the increase in MMP-1, as shown by the inhibition of MMP-1 by indomethacin or aspirin. In contrast, the AT(2) antagonist inhibited the PGE(2) production induced by TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. Ang II, through its interaction with the AT(2) receptor, has a central role in mediating the PGE(2)-dependent production of MMP-1 by monocytes stimulated with TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. These observations provide insight into the association between hypertension and acute coronary syndrome and a possible mechanism by which Ang-converting enzyme inhibitor and aspirin may reduce the risk for heart attacks.

TNF receptor-associated factor 6 is an essential mediator of CD40-activated proinflammatory pathways in monocytes and macrophages.

The interaction between CD40 and its ligand, CD154, has been shown to play a role in the onset and maintenance of inflammatory disease. Contributing to this process is the ability of CD40 to signal monocyte and macrophage inflammatory cytokine production. We have shown that this event is dependent on Src family tyrosine kinase activity and the subsequent activation of ERK1/2. To address the role of TNFR-associated factor (TRAF) family members in facilitating this signaling pathway, we transfected a CD40-deficient macrophage cell line with wild-type human CD40, or with CD40 containing disrupted TRAF binding sites. Ligation of either wild-type CD40, or a CD40 mutant unable to bind TRAF2/3/5, resulted in the stimulation of inflammatory cytokine production. However, ligation of a CD40 mutant lacking a functional TRAF6 binding site did not initiate inflammatory cytokine production, and this mutant was found to be defective in CD40-mediated activation of ERK1/2, as well as IkappaB kinase (IKK) and NF-kappaB. Likewise, introduction of a dominant-negative TRAF6 into a wild-type (CD40(+)) macrophage cell line resulted in abrogation of CD40-mediated induction of inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Finally, treatment of monocytes with a cell-permeable peptide corresponding to the TRAF6-binding motif of CD40 inhibited CD40 activation of ERK1/2, IKK, and inflammatory cytokine production. These data demonstrate that TRAF6 acts as a critical adapter of both the Src/ERK1/2 and IKK/NF-kappaB proinflammatory signaling pathways in monocytes and macrophages.