Ezra Burstein

Differential Role for TLR3 in Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Induced Chemokine Expression

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in young infants worldwide. Previous studies have reported that the induction of interleukin-8/CXCL8 and RANTES/CCL5 correlates with disease severity in humans. The production of these chemokines is elicited by viral replication and is NF-κB dependent. RSV, a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus, requires full-length positive-sense RNA for synthesis of new viral RNA. The aim of our studies was to investigate whether active viral replication by RSV could evoke chemokine production through TLR3-mediated signaling pathways. In TLR3-transfected HEK 293 cells, live RSV preferentially activated chemokines in both a time- and dose-dependent manner compared to vector controls. RSV was also shown to upregulate TLR3 in human lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells (MRC-5 and A549). Targeting the expression of TLR3 with small interfering RNA decreased synthesis of IP-10/CXCL10 and CCL5 but did not significantly reduce levels of CXCL8. Blocking the expression of the adapter protein MyD88 established a role for MyD88 in CXCL8 production, whereas CCL5 synthesis was found to be MyD88 independent. Production of CCL5 by RSV was induced directly through TLR3 signaling pathways and did not require interferon (IFN) signaling through the IFN-α/β receptor. TLR3 did not affect viral replication, since equivalent viral loads were recovered from RSV-infected cells despite altered TLR3 expression. Taken together, our studies indicate that TLR3 mediates inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in RSV-infected epithelial cells.

The gene product Murr1 restricts HIV-1 replication in resting CD4 + lymphocytes

Although human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infects quiescent and proliferating CD4+ lymphocytes, the virus replicates poorly in resting T cells. Factors that block viral replication in these cells might help to prolong the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection; however, the molecular mechanisms that control this process are not fully understood. Here we show that Murr1, a gene product known previously for its involvement in copper regulation, inhibits HIV-1 growth in unstimulated CD4+ T cells. This inhibition was mediated in part through its ability to inhibit basal and cytokine-stimulated nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity. Knockdown of Murr1 increased NF-κB activity and decreased IκB-α concentrations by facilitating phospho-IκB-α degradation by the proteasome. Murr1 was detected in CD4+ T cells, and RNA-mediated interference of Murr1 in primary resting CD4+ lymphocytes increased HIV-1 replication. Through its effects on the proteasome, Murr1 acts as a genetic restriction factor that inhibits HIV-1 replication in lymphocytes, which could contribute to the regulation of asymptomatic HIV infection and the progression of AIDS.

COMMD1 promotes the ubiquitination of NF‐κB subunits through a cullin‐containing ubiquitin ligase

NF‐κB is a pleiotropic transcription factor involved in multiple processes, including inflammation and oncogenesis. We have previously reported that COMMD1 represses κB‐dependent transcription by negatively regulating NF‐κB–chromatin interactions. Recently, ubiquitination of NF‐κB subunits has been similarly implicated in the control of NF‐κB recruitment to chromatin. We report here that COMMD1 accelerates the ubiquitination and degradation of NF‐κB subunits through its interaction with a multimeric ubiquitin ligase containing Elongins B and C, Cul2 and SOCS1 (ECSSOCS1). COMMD1‐deficient cells demonstrate stabilization of RelA, greater nuclear accumulation of RelA after TNF stimulation, de‐repression of several κB‐responsive genes, and enhanced NF‐κB‐mediated cellular responses. COMMD1 binds to Cul2 in a stimulus‐dependent manner and serves to facilitate substrate binding to the ligase by stabilizing the interaction between SOCS1 and RelA. Our data uncover that ubiquitination and degradation of NF‐κB subunits by this COMMD1‐containing ubiquitin ligase is a novel and critical mechanism of regulation of NF‐κB‐mediated transcription.

A novel role for XIAP in copper homeostasis through regulation of MURR1

XIAP is a potent suppressor of apoptosis that directly inhibits specific members of the caspase family of cysteine proteases. Here we demonstrate a novel role for XIAP in the control of intracellular copper levels. XIAP was found to interact with MURR1, a factor recently implicated in copper homeostasis. XIAP binds to MURR1 in a manner that is distinct from that utilized by XIAP to bind caspases, and consistent with this, MURR1 did not affect the antiapoptotic properties of XIAP. However, cells and tissues derived from Xiap‐deficient mice were found to contain reduced copper levels, while suppression of MURR1 resulted in increased intracellular copper in cultured cells. Consistent with these opposing effects, XIAP was observed to negatively regulate MURR1 protein levels by the formation of K48 polyubiquitin chains on MURR1 that promote its degradation. These findings represent the first described phenotypic alteration in Xiap‐deficient mice and demonstrate that XIAP can function through MURR1 to regulate copper homeostasis.

Natural Proteasome Inhibitor Celastrol Suppresses Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Progression by Modulating Apoptotic Proteins and NF-kappaB

BACKGROUND Celastrol is a natural proteasome inhibitor that exhibits promising anti-tumor effects in human malignancies, especially the androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) with constitutive NF-κB activation. Celastrol induces apoptosis by means of proteasome inhibition and suppresses prostate tumor growth. However, the detailed mechanism of action remains elusive. In the current study, we aim to test the hypothesis that celastrol suppresses AIPC progression via inhibiting the constitutive NF-κB activity as well as modulating the Bcl-2 family proteins. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We examined the efficacy of celastrol both in vitro and in vivo, and evaluated the role of NF-κB in celastrol-mediated AIPC regression. We found that celastrol inhibited cell proliferation in all three AIPC cell lines (PC-3, DU145 and CL1), with IC₅₀ in the range of 1-2 µM. Celastrol also suppressed cell migration and invasion. Celastrol significantly induced apoptosis as evidenced by increased sub-G1 population, caspase activation and PARP cleavage. Moreover, celastrol promoted cleavage of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and activated the pro-apoptotic protein Noxa. In addition, celastrol rapidly blocked cytosolic IκBα degradation and nuclear translocation of RelA. Likewise, celastrol inhibited the expression of multiple NF-κB target genes that are involved in proliferation, invasion and anti-apoptosis. Celastrol suppressed AIPC tumor progression by inhibiting proliferation, increasing apoptosis and decreasing angiogenesis, in PC-3 xenograft model in nude mouse. Furthermore, increased cellular IκBα and inhibited expression of various NF-κB target genes were observed in tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our data suggest that, via targeting the proteasome, celastrol suppresses proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis by inducing the apoptotic machinery and attenuating constitutive NF-κB activity in AIPC both in vitro and in vivo. Celastrol as an active ingredient of traditional herbal medicine could thus be developed as a new therapeutic agent for hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Uncoupling of the Signaling and Caspase-inhibitory Properties of X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis

In addition to its well described function as an enzymatic inhibitor of specific caspases, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (X-linked IAP or XIAP) can function as a cofactor in Smad, NF-κB, and JNK signaling pathways. However, caspases themselves have been shown to regulate the activity of a number of signaling cascades, raising the possibility that the effect of XIAP in these pathways is indirect. Here we examine this question by introducing point mutations in XIAP predicted to disrupt the ability of the molecule to bind to and inhibit caspases. We show that whereas these mutant variants of XIAP lost caspase-inhibitory activity, they maintained their ability to activate Smad, NF-κB, and JNK signaling pathways. Indeed, the signaling properties of the molecule were mapped to domains not directly involved in caspase binding and inhibition. The activation of NF-κB by XIAP was dependent on the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of the RING domain. On the other hand, the ability of XIAP to activate Smad-dependent signaling was mapped to the third baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) and loop regions of the molecule. Thus, the anti-apoptotic and signaling properties of XIAP can be uncoupled.

GCN5 is a required cofactor for a ubiquitin ligase that targets NF-κB/RelA

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is a critical regulator of inflammatory and cell survival signals. Proteasomal degradation of NF-kappaB subunits plays an important role in the termination of NF-kappaB activity, and at least one of the identified ubiquitin ligases is a multimeric complex containing Copper Metabolism Murr1 Domain 1 (COMMD1) and Cul2. We report here that GCN5, a histone acetyltransferase, associates with COMMD1 and other components of the ligase, promotes RelA ubiquitination, and represses kappaB-dependent transcription. In this role, the acetyltransferase activity of GCN5 is not required. Interestingly, GCN5 binds more avidly to RelA after phosphorylation on Ser 468, an event that is dependent on IKK activity. Consistent with this, we find that both GCN5 and the IkappaB Kinase (IKK) complex promote RelA degradation. Collectively, the data indicate that GCN5 participates in the ubiquitination process as an accessory factor for a ubiquitin ligase, where it provides a novel link between phosphorylation and ubiquitination.

COMMD1 disrupts HIF-1α/β dimerization and inhibits human tumor cell invasion

The gene encoding COMM domain-containing 1 (COMMD1) is a prototypical member of the COMMD gene family that has been shown to inhibit both NF-kappaB- and HIF-mediated gene expression. NF-kappaB and HIF are transcription factors that have been shown to play a role in promoting tumor growth, survival, and invasion. In this study, we demonstrate that COMMD1 expression is frequently suppressed in human cancer and that decreased COMMD1 expression correlates with a more invasive tumor phenotype. We found that direct repression of COMMD1 in human cell lines led to increased tumor invasion in a chick xenograft model, while increased COMMD1 expression in mouse melanoma cells led to decreased lung metastasis in a mouse model. Decreased COMMD1 expression also correlated with increased expression of genes known to promote cancer cell invasiveness, including direct targets of HIF. Mechanistically, our studies show that COMMD1 inhibits HIF-mediated gene expression by binding directly to the amino terminus of HIF-1alpha, preventing its dimerization with HIF-1beta and subsequent DNA binding and transcriptional activation. Altogether, our findings demonstrate a role for COMMD1 in tumor invasion and provide a detailed mechanism of how this factor regulates the HIF pathway in cancer cells.

Characterization of COMMD protein–protein interactions in NF-κB signalling

COMMD [copper metabolism gene MURR1 (mouse U2af1-rs1 region 1) domain] proteins constitute a recently identified family of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)-inhibiting proteins, characterized by the presence of the COMM domain. In the present paper, we report detailed investigation of the role of this protein family, and specifically the role of the COMM domain, in NF-κB signalling through characterization of protein–protein interactions involving COMMD proteins. The small ubiquitously expressed COMMD6 consists primarily of the COMM domain. Therefore COMMD1 and COMMD6 were analysed further as prototype members of the COMMD protein family. Using specific antisera, interaction between endogenous COMMD1 and COMMD6 is described. This interaction was verified by independent techniques, appeared to be direct and could be detected throughout the whole cell, including the nucleus. Both proteins inhibit TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-induced NF-κB activation in a non-synergistic manner. Mutation of the amino acid residues Trp24 and Pro41 in the COMM domain of COMMD6 completely abolished the inhibitory effect of COMMD6 on TNF-induced NF-κB activation, but this was not accompanied by loss of interaction with COMMD1, COMMD6 or the NF-κB subunit RelA. In contrast with COMMD1, COMMD6 does not bind to IκBα (inhibitory κBα), indicating that both proteins inhibit NF-κB in an overlapping, but not completely similar, manner. Taken together, these data support the significance of COMMD protein–protein interactions and provide new mechanistic insight into the function of this protein family in NF-κB signalling.

Colitis and cancer: a tale of inflammatory cells and their cytokines

Chronic inflammatory disorders are often associated with an increased cancer risk. A particularly striking example of the chronic inflammation-cancer link is seen in inflammatory bowel disease, in which chronic colitis or persistent inflammation in the colon is associated with elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Animal models exploring the mechanisms by which inflammation increases the risk of colon cancer have shown that inflammatory cells, through the effects of the cytokines they produce, have a major role in promoting neoplastic transformation. In this issue of the JCI, Popivanova and colleagues demonstrate that TNF-alpha, through its effects on the immune system, plays a critical role in promoting neoplastic transformation in this setting (see the related article beginning on page 560). Importantly, the study also provides evidence that anti-TNF-alpha therapies, which are currently in clinical use, may interrupt the process.