scholarly journals MIF Signal Transduction Initiated by Binding to CD74

2003 ◽  
Vol 197 (11) ◽  
pp. 1467-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Leng ◽  
Christine N. Metz ◽  
Yan Fang ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Seamas Donnelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Expression Cloning ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Natural Ligand ◽  
Extracellular Signal

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) accounts for one of the first cytokine activities to have been described, and it has emerged recently to be an important regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. MIF is an upstream activator of monocytes/macrophages, and it is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of septic shock, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. The protein is encoded by a unique but highly conserved gene, and X-ray crystallography studies have shown MIF to define a new protein fold and structural superfamily. Although recent work has begun to illuminate the signal transduction pathways activated by MIF, the nature of its membrane receptor has not been known. Using expression cloning and functional analysis, we report herein that CD74, a Type II transmembrane protein, is a high-affinity binding protein for MIF. MIF binds to the extracellular domain of CD74, and CD74 is required for MIF-induced activation of the extracellular signal–regulated kinase–1/2 MAP kinase cascade, cell proliferation, and PGE2 production. A recombinant, soluble form of CD74 binds MIF with a dissociation constant of ∼9 × 10−9 Kd, as defined by surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore analysis), and soluble CD74 inhibits MIF-mediated extracellular signal–regulated kinase activation in defined cell systems. These data provide a molecular basis for MIF's interaction with target cells and identify it as a natural ligand for CD74, which has been implicated previously in signaling and accessory functions for immune cell activation.

scholarly journals Pref-1 (Preadipocyte Factor 1) Activates the MEK/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway To Inhibit Adipocyte Differentiation

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 2294-2308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Ah Kim ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Yuhui Wang ◽  
Hei Sook Sul
Keyword(s):  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Null Mouse ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Extracellular Signal

ABSTRACT Preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) is found in preadipocytes but is absent in adipocytes. Pref-1 is made as a transmembrane protein but is cleaved to generate a biologically active soluble form. Although Pref-1 inhibition of adipogenesis has been well studied in vitro and in vivo, the signaling pathway for Pref-1 is not known. Here, by using purified soluble Pref-1 in Pref-1 null mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), we show that Pref-1 increases MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared to wild-type MEF, differentiation of Pref-1 null MEF into adipocytes is enhanced, as judged by lipid accumulation and adipocyte marker expression. Both wild-type and Pref-1 null MEF show a transient burst of ERK phosphorylation upon addition of adipogenic agents. Wild-type MEF show a significant, albeit lower, second increase in ERK phosphorylation peaking at day 2. This ERK phosphorylation, corresponding to Pref-1 abundance, is absent during differentiation of Pref-1 null MEF. Prevention of this second increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in wild-type MEF by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 or by transient depletion of ERK1/2 via small interfering RNA-enhanced adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, treatment of Pref-1 null MEF with Pref-1 restores this ERK phosphorylation, resulting in inhibition of adipocyte differentiation primarily by preventing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 induction. However, in the presence of PD98059 or depletion of ERK1/2, exogenous Pref-1 cannot inhibit adipocyte differentiation in Pref-1 null MEF. We conclude that Pref-1 activates MEK/ERK signaling, which is required for Pref-1 inhibition of adipogenesis.

scholarly journals The Serine Protease CD26/DPP4 in Non-Transformed and Malignant T Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 5947
Author(s):  
Guranda Chitadze ◽  
Ulrike Wehkamp ◽  
Ottmar Janssen ◽  
Monika Brüggemann ◽  
Marcus Lettau
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Interaction Partners

CD26/Dipeptidylpeptidase 4 is a transmembrane serine protease that cleaves off N-terminal dipeptides. CD26/DPP4 is expressed on several immune cell types including T and NK cells, dendritic cells, and activated B cells. A catalytically active soluble form of CD26/DPP4 can be released from the plasma membrane. Given its wide array of substrates and interaction partners CD26/DPP4 has been implicated in numerous biological processes and effects can be dependent or independent of its enzymatic activity and are exerted by the transmembrane protein and/or the soluble form. CD26/DPP4 has been implicated in the modulation of T-cell activation and proliferation and CD26/DPP4-positive T cells are characterized by remarkable anti-tumor properties rendering them interesting candidates for T cell-based immunotherapies. Moreover, especially in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma CD26/DPP4 expression patterns emerged as an established marker for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Surprisingly, besides a profound knowledge on substrates, interaction partners, and associated signal transduction pathways, the precise role of CD26/DPP4 for T cell-based immune responses is only partially understood.

scholarly journals Nonameric Peptide Orchestrates Signal Transduction in the Activating HLA-E/NKG2C/CD94 Immune Complex as Revealed by All-Atom Simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6670
Author(s):  
Eva Prašnikar ◽  
Andrej Perdih ◽  
Jure Borišek
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Activating Receptors ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Bond Network

The innate immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells exert their cytolytic function against a variety of pathological challenges, including tumors and virally infected cells. Their activation depends on net signaling mediated via inhibitory and activating receptors that interact with specific ligands displayed on the surfaces of target cells. The CD94/NKG2C heterodimer is one of the NK activating receptors and performs its function by interacting with the trimeric ligand comprised of the HLA-E/β2m/nonameric peptide complex. Here, simulations of the all-atom multi-microsecond molecular dynamics in five immune complexes provide atomistic insights into the receptor–ligand molecular recognition, as well as the molecular events that facilitate the NK cell activation. We identify NKG2C, the HLA-Eα2 domain, and the nonameric peptide as the key elements involved in the molecular machinery of signal transduction via an intertwined hydrogen bond network. Overall, the study addresses the complex intricacies that are necessary to understand the mechanisms of the innate immune system.

scholarly journals Negative regulation of mTOR activation by diacylglycerol kinases

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (15) ◽  
pp. 4022-4031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balachandra K. Gorentla ◽  
Chi-Keung Wan ◽  
Xiao-Ping Zhong
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Multiple Characteristic ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Constitutively Active

Abstract The engagement of TCR induces T-cell activation, which initiates multiple characteristic changes such as increase in cell size, cell division, and the production of cytokines and other effector molecules. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates protein synthesis, transcription, cell survival, and autophagy. Critical roles of mTOR in T-cell activation and effector/memory differentiation have been revealed using chemical inhibitors or by genetic ablation of mTOR in T cells. However, the connection between mTOR signaling and other signaling cascades downstream of TCR is unclear. We demonstrate that diacylglycerol (DAG) and TCR engagement activate signaling in both mTOR complexes 1 and 2 through the activation of the Ras–mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (Mek1/2)–extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2)–activator protein 1 (AP-1), known collectively as the Ras-Mek1/2-Erk1/2-AP-1 pathway. Deficiency of RasGRP1 or inhibition of Mek1/2 activity drastically decreases TCR-induced mTOR activation, whereas constitutively active Ras or Mek1 promotes mTOR activation. Although constitutively active Akt promotes TCR-induced mTOR activation, such activation is attenuated by Mek1/2 inhibition. We demonstrated further that DAG kinases (DGKs) α and ζ, which terminate DAG-mediated signaling, synergistically inhibit TCR-induced mTOR activation by inhibiting the Ras-Mek1/2-Erk/12 pathway. These observations provide novel insights into the regulation of mTOR activation.

scholarly journals Apamin Suppresses LPS-Induced Neuroinflammatory Responses by Regulating SK Channels and TLR4-Mediated Signaling Pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihyun Park ◽  
Kyung Mi Jang ◽  
Kwan-Kyu Park
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Microglial Cell ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Sk Channels ◽  
Neuroinflammatory Response ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Light Chain Enhancer ◽  
Small Conductance

Neuroinflammation plays a vital role in neurodegenerative conditions. Microglia are a key component of the neuroinflammatory response. There is a growing interest in developing drugs to target microglia and thereby control neuroinflammatory processes. Apamin (APM) is a specifically selective antagonist of small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels. However, its effect on neuroinflammation is largely unknown. We examine the effects of APM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 and rat primary microglial cells. Regarding the molecular mechanism by which APM significantly inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production and microglial cell activation, we found that APM does so by reducing the expression of phosphorylated CaMKII and toll-like receptor (TLR4). In particular, APM potently suppressed the translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, the correlation of NF-κB/STAT3 and MAPK-ERK in the neuroinflammatory response was verified through inhibitors. The literature and our findings suggest that APM is a promising candidate for an anti-neuroinflammatory agent and can potentially be used for the prevention and treatment of various neurological disorders.

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