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Probiotics are living bacteria that provide health benefits to the host when consumed in sufficient quantities. However, the protective effect of the bioactive peptides isolated from the probiotics against benzo(α)pyrene (BaP) induced gastrointestinal injury has never been investigated. The current work used a bio-assay guided technique to identify-four new cyclic peptides in BaP-induced Caco-2 cell culture and mouse colitis model. Lactobacillus rhamnosus cycle (Thr-His-Ala-Trp) peptide-1 (LRCP-1) effectively inhibited BaP-induced epithelial cytokine over-release and intracellular ROS over-production. Simultaneously, LRCP-1 attenuated BaP-induced NAD (P)H: oxidases (NOXs), Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) over-expression, respectively. Furthermore, increased NAD (P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway activation induced by the BaP-exposure were also inhibited after the LRCP-1 treatment. Notably, LRCP-1 is a promising agent protecting gastrointestinal epithelial cells from BaP-induced inflammatory and oxidative damages.

Re-programming of metabolic pathways is a hallmark of pathological changes in cancer cells. The expression of certain genes that directly control the rate of key metabolic pathways including glycolysis, lipogenesis and nucleotide synthesis is dysregulated for the adaptation and progression of tumor cells to become more aggressive phenotypes. The pentose phosphate pathway controlled by glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) has been appreciated largely to its role as a provider of reducing power and ribose phosphate to the cell for maintenance of redox balance and biosynthesis of nucleotides and lipids. Recently, G6PD has been revealed to be involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and the efficacy to anti-cancer therapy, making it as a promising target in cancer therapy. This review summarizes the information about the latest progress relating the activity of the G6PD to cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to therapy in cancer cells, and discusses the possibility of G6PD as a diagnostic biomarker of cancer and the therapeutic potentials of G6PD inhibitors in cancer treatment. The available data show that G6PD plays a critical role in survival, proliferation, and metastasis of cancer cells. Development of potent and selective G6PD inhibitors would provide novel opportunity for cancer therapy.

Selective killing of RPE cells in vivo by sodium iodate develops cardinal phenotypes of atrophic age-related macular degeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms are elusive. We tried to search for small cyto-protective molecules against sodium iodate and explore their mechanisms of action. Sodium iodate-mediated RPE cell death was associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-8. Resveratrol, a natural occurring polyphenol compound, was found to strongly protect RPE cells from sodium iodate with inhibition of production of ROS and IL-8. Resveratrol activated all isoforms of PPARs. Treatment with PPARα and PPARδ agonists inhibited sodium iodate-induced ROS production and protected RPE cells from sodium iodate. A PPARα antagonist significantly reduced resveratrol's protection of RPE cells from sodium iodate. Paradoxically, knocking down PPARδ also rendered RPE cells resistant to sodium iodate. Moreover, PPAR agonists reversed sodium iodate-induced production of IL-8. However, neutralizing extracellular IL-8 failed to protect RPE cells from sodium iodate. Taken together, these observations show that resveratrol protects RPE cells from sodium iodate injury through the activation of PPARα and alteration of PPARδ conformation. PPARα and δ modulators might ameliorate stress-induced RPE degeneration in vivo.

Suofu Qin, Gerard A RodriguesRetinal Disease Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USAAbstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. The etiology of AMD remains poorly understood and no treatment is currently available for the atrophic form of AMD. Atrophic AMD has been proposed to involve abnormalities of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which lies beneath the photoreceptor cells and normally provides critical metabolic support to these light-sensing cells. Cumulative oxidative stress and local inflammation are thought to represent pathological processes involved in the etiology of atrophic AMD. Studies of tissue culture and animal models reveal that oxidative stress-induced injury to the RPE results in a chronic inflammatory response, drusen formation, and RPE atrophy. RPE degeneration in turn causes a progressive degeneration of photoreceptors, leading to the irreversible loss of vision. This review describes some of the potential major molecular and cellular events contributing to RPE death and inflammatory responses. In addition, potential target areas for therapeutic intervention will be discussed and new experimental therapeutic strategies for atrophic AMD will be presented.Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, danger signals, complement, inflammation, retinal pigment epithelial cells

Damage to the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is an early and crucial event in the molecular pathways leading to clinically relevant age-related macular degeneration (AMD) changes. Oxidative stress, the major environmental risk factor for atrophic AMD, causes RPE injury that results in a chronic inflammatory response, drusen formation, and RPE atrophy. RPE degeneration ultimately leads to a progressive irreversible degeneration of photoreceptors. In vitro studies show that oxidant-treated RPE cells undergo apoptosis, a possible mechanism by which RPE cells are lost during the early phase of atrophic AMD. The main target of oxidative injury appears to be mitochondria, an organelle known to accumulate genomic damage during aging. Addition of GSH, the most abundant intracellular thiol antioxidant, protects RPE cells from oxidant-induced apoptosis. Similar protection occurs with dietary enzyme inducers that increase GSH synthesis. In addition, enhancing survival signaling preserves RPE cells under oxidative stress. These results indicate that therapeutic or nutritional intervention to enhance the antioxidant capacity and survival signaling of RPE may provide an effective way to prevent or treat AMD. This review describes major molecular and cellular events leading to RPE death, and presents currently used and new experimental, forthcoming therapeutic strategies. Drug Dev Res 68:213–225, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Timely removal of shed photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) plays a key role in biological renewal of these highly peroxidizable structures and in maintenance of retina health. How environmental stress cause RPE cell dysfunction is undefined however. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimer of a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits, maintains energy homeostasis by limiting energy utilization and/or promoting energy production when energy supply is compromised. Intriguingly, AMPK has been shown to be important in functions of RPE cells. In this mini-review, the role and mechanisms of AMPK in controlling RPE cell phagocytosis are discussed.

Timely removal of shed photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) plays a key role in biological renewal of these highly peroxidizable structures and in maintenance of retina health. How environmental stress cause RPE cell dysfunction is undefined however. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimer of a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits, maintains energy homeostasis by limiting energy utilization and/or promoting energy production when energy supply is compromised. Intriguingly, AMPK has been shown to be important in functions of RPE cells. In this mini-review, the role and mechanisms of AMPK in controlling RPE cell phagocytosis are discussed.

Screening of synthetic retinoids for activity against prostate carcinoma cell lines has identified antagonists of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) as potent growth inhibitors (Hammond et al, 2001, Br J Cancer 85, 453-462). Here we report that 5 days of exposure to a high-affinity pan-RAR antagonist (AGN194310) abolished growth of prostate carcinoma cells from 14 out of 14 patients, with half-maximal inhibition between 200 and 800 nM. It had similar effects (at approximately 250 nM) on the prostate carcinoma lines LNCaP, DU-145 and PC-3. AGN194310 inhibited the growth of normal prostate epithelium cells less potently, by 50% at approximately 1 microM. The growth of tumour cells was also inhibited more than that of normal cells when RARbeta together with RARgamma, but not RARalpha alone, were antagonised. Treatment of LNCaP cells with AGN194310 arrested them in G1 of cell cycle within 12 h, with an accompanying rise in the level of p21(waf1). The cells underwent apoptosis within 3 days, as indicated by mitochondrial depolarisation, Annexin V binding and DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis was caspase-independent: caspases were neither cleaved nor activated, and DNA fragmentation was unaffected by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. The ability of AGN 194310 to induce apoptosis of prostate cancer cells and its differential effect on malignant and normal prostate epithelial cells suggests that this compound may be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Agonists of retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which include the natural 9-cis-retinoic acid and synthetic analogs, are potent inducers of growth arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells. As such, they are being used in clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of solid tumors and are used to treat cutaneous T cell lymphoma. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the anti-cancer effects of RXR agonists remain unclear. Here, we show that a novel pro-apoptotic pathway that is induced by RXR agonist is negatively regulated by casein kinase 1alpha (CK1alpha). CK1alpha associates with RXR in an agonist-dependent manner and phosphorylates RXR. The ability of an RXR agonist to recruit CK1alpha to a complex with RXR in cells correlates inversely with its ability to inhibit growth. Remarkably, depletion of CK1alpha in resistant cells renders them susceptible to RXR agonist-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Our study shows that CK1alpha can promote cell survival by interfering with RXR agonist-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of CK1alpha may enhance the anti-cancer effects of RXR agonists.

The effect of tyrosine phosphorylation of PI3K on its enzymatic activity is quite controversial, and the molecular mechanism by which ROS trigger PI3K membrane relocation is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of hydrogen peroxide-induced PI3K activation in DT40 cells, utilizing genetic and pharmacological approaches. Our results revealed that hydrogen peroxide induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the p110 but not the p85 subunit of PI3K in DT40 cells. This phosphorylation was intact in Btk- and Cbl-deficient DT40 cells, but was drastically suppressed in Lyn, Syk, or BCAP-deficient DT40 cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of p110 did not alter its catalytic activity, and hydrogen peroxide stimulation did not cause an increase in the intrinsic PI3K activity; however, hydrogen peroxide stimulation did induce PI(3,4,5)P 3 accumulation and activate Akt. The activation of Akt, as monitored by its ability to phosphorylate GSK-3α/β and by its S 4 7 3 phosphorylation, was strictly dependent on PI3K activity. Under our conditions, hydrogen peroxide-induced PI3K and Akt activation was independent of Lyn, Syk, Cbl, BCAP, or Ras when each was eliminated individually either by mutation or by a specific inhibitor. In comparison, Akt activation by B cell receptor cross-linking was dependent on BCAP. In addition, hydrogen peroxide treatment caused an increase in the amount of p85 PI3K associated with the particulate fraction. Together, these results indicate that the hydrogen peroxide-induced PI3K and Akt activation in DT40 cells was achieved through PI3K membrane recruitment to its substrate site, thereby enabling PI3K to maximize its catalytic efficiency.

By taking advantage of the established chicken B cell line, DT40 cells, which do not express tyrosine kinase Syk or Lyn, functional roles of Syk and Lyn in apoptotic response elicited by cellular stress were investigated. DT40 cells underwent apoptosis after hyperosmotic stress. In Syk-deficient DT40 cells, this apoptotic process was significantly enhanced. Ectopic expression of wild type, but not kinase-inactive, porcine Syk in Syk-deficient cells rescued cells from osmotic stress-induced apoptosis, demonstrating that the presence of functionally active Syk is necessary to protect cells from osmotic stress-induced apoptosis. In comparison, there was no effect on osmotic stress-induced apoptosis in Lyn-deficient DT40 cells. Interestingly, while Syk was not involved in ultraviolet C (UVC)-induced apoptosis, a deficiency of Lyn rendered cells resistant to UVC irradiation. These observations defined Syk and Lyn as important mediators of apoptosis in DT40 cells in response to osmotic stress and UVC irradiation, respectively. Furthermore, osmotic stress, but not UVC irradiation, could activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in DT40 cells. A deficiency in either Syk or Lyn did not affect the osmotic stress-induced activation of JNK. We, therefore, concluded that Syk and Lyn regulate the apoptotic responses to osmotic stress and UVC irradiation independently of the JNK pathway in DT40 cells.

Following induction of cell differentiation in vitro, an increase in Syk activity was observed only in HL60 cells differentiation into granulocytes induced by all trans retinoic acid (RA) but not into macrophages induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or monocytes induced by sodium butyrate. This elevation of Syk activity was the specific increase in kinase activity because the Syk amount was not altered before and after differentiation. Anti-phosphotyrosine blot revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk was significantly increased as the function of induction time by RA, but not by TPA and sodium butyrate, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation might account for Syk activation. More importantly, Syk tyrosine phosphorylation and Syk activity were not altered in U937 and K562 cells which undergo monocyte differentiation and no differentiation, respectively, in response to RA induction. Taken together, Syk might exert a unique role in directing HL60 cells toward granulocyte differentiation.

A chicken B cell line DT40 and its syk-negative or lyn-negative mutants were used to investigate the roles of protein-tyrosine kinases in oxidant stress signaling. The data presented here for wild-type cells demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide stimulates p53/56lyn-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of p72syk, and induces a rapid and prolonged elevation of intracellular calcium, which consists of calcium release from intracellular stores and influx from the extracellular space. Hydrogen-peroxide-triggered calcium mobilization was impaired in both syk -negative and lyn -negative cells, which was mainly due to the loss of calcium release from intracellular stores. Further studies indicated that inositol trisphosphate production was also abolished in both syk -negative and lyn -negative cells, which is consistent with the loss of calcium release. Taken together, these observations suggest that the defect of p72syk or p53/56lyn was responsible for the abnormality of calcium mobilization in both lyn -negative and syk -negative cells, and that both p72syk and p53/56lyn might regulate calcium mobilization through the phospha-tidylinositol pathway in B cell oxidant stress signaling.

Here we investigated the involvement of the non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinase p72syk in formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) receptor signaling. The activity of p72syk began to rise from 15 s and reached to maximum within 2-5 min after 5 μM fMLP stimulation in porcine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-elevating agents, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and forskolin, or dibutyryl cAMP partially suppressed p72syk activities stimulated by fMLP in PMNs. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase abolished the suppression of the fMLP-induced p72syk activation by these cAMP-elevating agents. It was also observed that cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates p72syk on serine residues in vitro. These results indicate a possibility that cAMP-dependent protein kinase negatively regulates the activation of p72syk in fMLP-receptor signaling.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimer, comprising a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits, that senses cellular energy levels. When energy supply is compromised, activated AMPK limits energy utilization and promotes energy production to ensue cell survival. Intriguingly, recent findings show that AMPK is important in functions that go beyond the maintenance of energy homeostasis. In this mini-review, the role of AMPK in controlling retinal pigment epithelium cell phagocytosis, permeability, immune response, and survival under oxidative stress is discussed.

Dying cells release pro-inflammatory molecules, functioning as cytokines to trigger cell/tissue inflammation that is relevant to disease pathology. Heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) is believed to act as a danger signal for tissue damage once released extracellularly. Potential roles of HSP90 were explored in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) inflammatory responses to necrosis. Cellular extracts can trigger ARPE-19 cell inflammatory responses, producing cytokines that lead to an increase in ARPE-19 cell monolayer permeability. Addition of recombinant HSP90β mimics the induction of chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 in cultured RPE cells, suggesting that released HSP90 can incite RPE cell sterile inflammatory responses. Consistent with this, classical HSP90 inhibitors were shown to substantially reduce necrosis-induced cytokine production and permeability increases in ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, a cell-impermeable inhibitor, 17-N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin-N-oxide, also efficiently inhibited necrosis-induced cytokine production and TNF-α/IL-1β-induced increase in ARPE-19 cell permeability in vitro and endotoxin-induced development of uveitis in vivo, suggesting that HSP90 can contribute to necrosis-induced RPE inflammatory responses. Collectively, our data identify HSP90 as a pro-inflammatory molecule in RPE cell sterile inflammatory responses.

Efficient phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) by retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) plays a key role in biological renewal of these highly peroxidizable structures and in maintenance of retina health. Here, we used an in vitro RPE cell phagocytosis assay to investigate how sub-lethal oxidative stress modifies the key components of the cell phagocytic machinery leading to severe impairment of phagocytosis. Sub-lethal oxidative treatment, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), significantly inhibited binding and uptake of POS by RPE cells. However, sub-lethal oxidative stress did not affect cell surface expression of αvβ5 or RPE cell adhesion to αvβ5. Similarly, the enzymatic activity of mature cathepsin D was not altered upon challenge by oxidative stress. In contrast, studies of signaling molecules in the RPE cell phagocytic machinery revealed that sub-lethal oxidative stress inhibits POS-induced activation of FAK and MerTK. Our data demonstrate that sub-lethal oxidative treatment with H 2 O 2 inhibits phagocytic activity of ARPE-19 cells, in part by inhibiting FAK and MerTK.

Lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) cause dysfunction and death of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells, thereby leading to retinal degeneration. The molecular mechanisms underlying their action remain elusive however. In this study, the roles of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in 4-HNE-induced RPE cell dysfunction and viability were addressed. 4-HNE caused RPE cell death and down-regulated basal activity of AMPK as evidenced by decreased Thr(172) phosphorylation of AMPKα. Exposure of RPE cells to the AMPK inhibitor, compound C also led to cell death, indicating that RPE cell death is correlated with 4-HNE modulation of AMPK activity. ARPE19 cells express both AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 with predominant expression of the AMPKα1 isoform. siRNA studies revealed that knockdown of AMPKα1 expression sensitized RPE cells to 4-HNE. Intriguingly, knockdown of AMPKα2 protected RPE cells from 4-HNE injury. Sub-lethal doses of 4-HNE induced an increase in RPE monolayer permeability, as measured by reduction in trans-epithelial resistance (TER). Knockdown of AMPKα2 but not AMPKα1 significantly restored RPE cell barrier function. No further protection was observed by knockdown of both AMPKα1 and AMPKα2. In contrast, knockdown of AMPKα1 and/or AMPKα2 did not reverse the 4-HNE's inhibitory effects on production of IL-8 and MCP-1. These data demonstrate that AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 play distinct roles in regulating 4-HNE effects on RPE function and viability. Therefore, selective modulation of AMPKα activity may benefit patients with retinal degeneration associated with RPE cell atrophy.

Oxidative stress causes retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell dysfunction and is a major risk factor leading to the development of dry-type age-related macular degeneration. Taking pharmacological and genetic approaches, we address the mechanisms by which sublethal oxidative stress inhibits RPE cell phagocytosis. Sublethal oxidative stress dose-dependently inhibited RPE cell phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as determined by increased Thr172 and Ser79 phosphorylation of AMPKalpha and its substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase, respectively. Similar to oxidative stress, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), a pharmacological activator of AMPK, inhibited RPE cell phagocytosis of POS in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by AICAR was fully reversed by blockade of AICAR translocation into cells by dipyridamole or inhibition of AICAR conversion to ZMP by adenosine kinase inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin. In agreement, AICAR-induced activation of AMPK was abolished by preincubation with dipyridamole or 5-iodotubercidin. Knock-out experiments further revealed that alpha2 but not alpha1 AMPK was involved in RPE cell phagocytosis and that activation of alpha2 AMPK contributed to the inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by oxidative stress. Inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by activation of alpha2 AMPK was associated with a dramatic increase in acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation. In comparison, AMPK had no role in oxidative stress-induced breakdown of RPE barrier function. Taken together, reduction in POS load under oxidative stress might direct RPE cells to a self-protected status. Thus, activating AMPK could have therapeutic potential in treating dry macular degeneration.

Here we have delineated regions of the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) that are required for rexinoid (RXR agonist)-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Stable over-expression of RXRalpha in DT40 B lymphoma cells dramatically increased sensitivity to rexinoid-induced growth inhibition. By contrast, DT40 cells that over-expressed RXRalpha with a deletion of either the A/B or DNA binding domain (C domain) were resistant. We confirmed the importance of C domain integrity by point-mutating Cys(135) to Ser (C135S) to disrupt zinc-finger formation. Point mutating RXR Lys(201) to Thr and Arg(202) to Ala (KTRA) impairs RXR homodimer formation and does not affect RXR heterodimerization. When these mutated RXRs were over-expressed in DT40 cells, they failed to increase sensitivity to rexinoid. Over-expression did sensitize to growth inhibition by RAR and PPARgamma agonists. Over-expression of C135S mutated RXRalpha did not sensitize to RAR and PPARgamma agonists. Inhibitors of caspase-3 and/or caspase-9 blocked rexinoid-induced apoptosis, and activations of these caspases correlated with the ability of RXR mutants to induce cell death. These data show that the A/B and C domains of RXR and the ability of RXR to form homodimers are required for rexinoid-driven growth inhibition, caspase activation and subsequent apoptosis.

Synthetic retinoid-related molecules, such as N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide) and 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437) induce apoptosis in a variety of malignant cells. The mechanism(s) of action of these compounds does not appear to involve retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), although some investigators disagree with this view. To clarify whether some retinoid-related molecules can induce apoptosis without involving RARs and/or RXRs, we used 4-[3-(1-heptyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl)-3-oxo-E-propenyl] benzoic acid (AGN193198) that neither binds effectively to RARs and RXRs nor transactivates in RAR- and RXR-mediated reporter assays. AGN193198 potently induced apoptosis in prostate, breast, and gastrointestinal carcinoma cells and in leukemia cells. AGN193198 also abolished growth (by 50% at 130–332 nm) and induced apoptosis in primary cultures established from prostatic carcinoma (13 patients) and gastrointestinal carcinoma (1 patient). Apoptosis was induced rapidly, as indicated by mitochondrial depolarization and DNA fragmentation. Molecular events provoked by AGN193198 included activation of caspase-3, -8, -9, and -10 (by 4–6 h) and the production of BID/p15 (by 6 h). These findings show that caspase-mediated induction of apoptosis by AGN193198 is RAR/RXR-independent and suggest that this compound may be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer.

By taking advantage of established CD45-deficient DT40 cells, the roles of CD45 in oxidative stress signaling were investigated. Using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate, it was found that CD45 constituted nearly 40% of the total protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity. Almost 90% of the phosphatase activity was rapidly inactivated upon hydrogen peroxide treatment. Hydrogen peroxide-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation were markedly enhanced in CD45-deficient cells relative to that in its parental cells. In comparison, hydrogen peroxide-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and Ca(2+) mobilization were impaired in CD45-deficient DT40 cells. However, hydrogen peroxide-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity precipitated by anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, and activation of Bruton's tyrosine kinase appeared intact in CD45-deficient DT40 cells. This suggests that CD45 mediates the ability of hydrogen peroxide-activated PLCgamma2 to hydrolyze its substrate via a mechanism independent of both tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCgamma2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, as well as activation of Bruton's tyrosine kinase. Taken together, our observations demonstrated that, in addition to its negative regulatory or phosphatase activity, CD45 has a positive role in oxidative stress signaling.

Syk has been shown to be activated by osmotic stress, however, the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that cell shrinkage, rather than osmolarity, was responsible for osmotic stress-induced Syk activation. Osmotic stress-induced Syk activation depended partly upon aggregation of surface receptors. Moreover, intracellular reactive oxygen species were involved in mediating osmotic stress-induced Syk activation, with osmotic stress-induced Syk activation being inhibited by the pretreatment of cells with N-acetyl-cysteine and reduced glutathione. When cells were treated with the combination of sodium chloride and hydrogen peroxide, there was a synergistic activation of Syk. In conclusion, osmotic stress-induced Syk activation required suramin-inhibitable surface receptor aggregation and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Syk, a nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase, is activated by both oxidative and osmotic stress and plays different roles in the transduction of stress signals. In this study, the regulation of oxidative and osmotic stress induced Syk activation was investigated utilizing Syk-negative DT40 cells, expressing various Syk mutants. Phosphorylation of Y518Y519 was demonstrated to be required for both oxidative and osmotic stress induced Syk activation. Syk activation by these two types of stress stimuli was a combination of both autophosphorylation and the activities of additional tyrosine kinases. Oxidative stress induced Syk tyrosine phosphorylation was almost completely attributed to autophosphorylation, whereas other tyrosine kinases were largely responsible for osmotic stress induced Syk tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of Syk differentially regulated Syk activation. Both mSH2(N) Syk and mSH2(C) Syk, in which the phosphotyrosine-dependent binding motif within the SH2 domains contained point mutations, showed a significantly higher activity than that observed in wild-type Syk, following osmotic stress treatment. In comparison, in response to oxidative stress, only mSH2(N) Syk demonstrated a stronger activation than wild-type Syk. Therefore, differential activation and regulation of Syk may give an insight into the distinctive functions of Syk in oxidative and osmotic stress signaling.

It was found that Syk protein-tyrosine kinase is rapidly activated in B cells after H2O2 treatment (oxidative stress) or increased extracellular NaCl concentration (osmotic stress) as well as in response to B cell receptor activation. In this study we examined the involvement of Syk in responses elicited by these types of extracellular stress, particularly Ca2+ responses and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, using a chicken B cell line, DT40, as well as the DT40-derived mutant DT40/Syk(-), which does not express Syk. Osmotic stress evokes increases in [Ca2+]i by stimulating an extracellular Ca2+ influx in both DT40 and DT40/Syk(-) cells. In comparison, oxidative stress elicits an increase in [Ca2+]i by stimulating both an extracellular Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from internal stores in DT40 cells, but this Ca2+ response is partially abolished in DT40/Syk(-) cells, indicating that the oxidative stress-induced Ca2+ response is at least partly dependent on Syk. Interestingly, the depletion of Ca2+ results in a significantly decreased level of Syk activation in DT40 cells stimulated by oxidative but not osmotic stress. Furthermore, JNK is activated to different extents by these two types of stress. The extent of JNK activation in DT40/Syk(-) cells in response to osmotic stress is comparable to that observed in DT40 cells. Intriguingly, oxidative stress-induced JNK activation is significantly compromised in DT40/Syk(-) cells. Collectively, these results indicate that both the Ca2+ response and JNK activity induced by oxidative stress are partly dependent on Syk, whereas those induced by osmotic stress are independent of Syk.

Purpose AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been suggested to be a novel signaling pathway in regulating inflammation. The role of AMPK in retinal pigment epithelial cell inflammatory response is addressed using AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR). Methods Protein expression and activation of signaling molecules were detected by immunoblotting. Cytokines were determined by ELISA kits. AMPKalpha expression was knockdown by siRNAs. Results AICAR inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha- or interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in human RPE cells. The inhibitory effect on cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression persisted in the RPE cells in which AMPK was knocked down by AMPK siRNA. Moreover, an adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-iodotubercidin, which effectively abolished AMPK activation caused by AICAR, did not reverse the anti-inflammatory effect of AICAR. In comparison, anti-inflammatory effects of AICAR were mimicked by adenosine but not inosine, the metabolites of AICAR. Finally, with the exception of TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 production, adenosine dialdehyde, an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, was found to block cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression. Conclusions Regardless of the ability of AICAR to activate AMPK, the inhibitory effects of AICAR on cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression were not associated with AMPK. The mechanism of AICAR inhibition may be attributed to the interference of adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation.

Purpose The goal of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (dPGJ(2)) protects RPE cells from oxidative injury. Methods Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Protein expression and activation of signaling molecules were detected by Western blot. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined by a colorimetric assay kit. PPARgamma expression was knockdown by small interfering (si)RNA technique. Results dPGJ(2) protected ARPE19 cells from oxidative injury, whereas the synthetic PPARgamma agonists AGN195037 and rosiglitazone had no effect. PPARgamma knockdown also did not affect dPGJ(2)'s protective activity. dPGJ(2) upregulated GSH synthesis via induction of glutamylcysteine ligase. GSH depletion sensitized cells to oxidative stress and completely reversed the protective effect of dPGJ(2). dPGJ(2) activated ERK, JNK, and p38; GSH induction by dPGJ(2) depended partially on JNK and p38. In addition, dPGJ(2) significantly extended hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of JNK and p38, but not of Akt. Inhibition of MEK, JNK, and p38 abolished dPGJ(2)'s protection of ARPE19 cells from oxidative injury, whereas inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway failed to affect dPGJ(2)'s protective effect. Heme oxygenase-1 was strongly induced by dPGJ(2) but was not associated with protection. Conclusions Independent of its PPARgamma activity, dPGJ(2) protected cells from oxidative stress by elevating GSH and enhancing MAPK activation. Thus, dPGJ(2) may delay the development of dry-type age-related macular degeneration.

Syk deficiency significantly enhanced ceramide-induced apoptosis. Ectopic expression of wild-type or kinase-inactive Syk rendered Syk-negative cells resistant to ceramide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, ceramide could not activate Syk, indicating that Syk protected DT40 cells from ceramide-induced apoptosis, via a mechanism independent of its activity. In addition, a deficiency in Lyn also resulted in the cells becoming susceptible to ceramide-induced apoptosis. However, no difference of Ara-C-induced apoptosis between wild-type and mutant cells was observed. c-Jun N-terminal kinases appeared not to be important in mediating the enhanced apoptosis, as they were still activated in mutant cells following ceramide treatment.

The ability of interleukin 2 (IL-2) to stimulate p72 syk activity in intact porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined. We demonstrated that IL-2 activated p72 syk in a time- and dose-dependent number, for which its peak time and maximum responsive dose were 5 min and 100 U/ml, respectively. This activation was observed only in cytosolic fractions and not in membrane ones. However, IL-2 failed to induced calcium mobilization. Moreover, IL-2-inducible p72 syk activation was not affected when extra and intracellular calcium was depleted. These data suggest that the IL-2 signaling pathways through p72 syk in peripheral blood lymphocytes is different, at least in part, from other agonist, such as concanavalin A in polymorphonuclear neutrophils which can trigger both the activation of p72 syk and intracellular calcium mobilization.

To determine the regulatory role of p72syk in lymphocyte activation, peripheral blood lymphocytes were treated with 10 mM hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide induced a rapid elevation of p72syk activity (4-6-fold) and a dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular proteins, including phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) and p72syk. Monoclonal antibodies to PLC gamma 1 co-precipitated p72syk from hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cell lysates, but not from unstimulated cell lysates. Furthermore, we observed a rise in intracellular Ca2+, corresponding to the combination of extracellular Ca2+ influx and the release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Extracellular Ca2+ influx was necessary for the sustenance of p72syk activity, but not for the initiation of p72syk activation induced by hydrogen peroxide. Taken together, these data suggested that one possible role of p72syk was to activate PLC gamma 1, at least in part through tyrosine phosphorylation, and then to trigger calcium mobilization in pig peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to hydrogen peroxide stimulation.