Hiroshi Itoh

Distinct Pathways of Cell Migration and Antiapoptotic Response to Epithelial Injury: Structure-Function Analysis of Human Intestinal Trefoil Factor

ABSTRACT The trefoil peptide intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) plays a critical role in the protection of colonic mucosa and is essential to restitution after epithelial damage. These functional properties are accomplished through coordinated promotion of cell migration and inhibition of apoptosis. ITF contains a unique three-looped trefoil motif formed by intrachain disulfide bonds among six conserved cysteine residues, which is thought to contribute to its marked protease resistance. ITF also has a seventh cysteine residue, which permits homodimer formation. A series of cysteine-to-serine substitutions and a C-terminally truncated ITF were made by PCR site-directed mutagenesis. Any alteration of the trefoil motif or truncation resulted in loss of protease resistance. However, neither an intact trefoil domain nor dimerization was required to promote cell migration. This pro-restitution activity correlated with the ability of the ITF mutants to activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase independent of phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. In contrast, only intact ITF retained both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the EGF receptor-dependent antiapoptotic effect in HCT116 and IEC-6 cells. The inability to block apoptosis correlated with a loss of trefoil peptide-induced transactivation of the EGF receptor or Akt kinase in HT-29 cells. In addition to defining structural requirements for the functional properties of ITF, these findings demonstrate that distinct intracellular signaling pathways mediate the effects of ITF on cell migration and apoptosis.

Selective effector mechanisms for the expulsion of intestinal helminths

In the middle of the era of molecular biology, much less attention is paid to in vivo phenomena. However, carefully designed experimental systems in vivo still can provide valuable information as to the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of host‐parasite relationships. In this review we describe the advantage of using concurrent infections with appropriately chosen combinations of different genera or different maturation stages of parasites to segregate the cellular responses of the host. By means of simple experimental approaches we have found that mucosal mast cells and goblet cells, both of which have long been considered as non‐specific effectors, are in fact highly selective and specific effector cells of the host defence mechanisms capable of acting on the establishment and the expulsion of intestinal helminths.

Activation of p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase by Signaling through G Protein-coupled Receptors INVOLVEMENT OF Gβγ AND Gαq/11 SUBUNITS

Various extracellular stimuli activate three classes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK. In mammalian cells, p38 MAPK is activated by endotoxins, inflammatory cytokines, and environmental stresses. We show here that p38 MAPK is also activated upon stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors (Gq/G11-coupled m1 and Gi-coupled m2 muscarinic acetylcholine and Gs-coupled β-adrenergic receptors) in human embryonal kidney 293 cells. The activation of p38 MAPK through the m2 and β-adrenergic receptors was completely inhibited by coexpression of Gαo, whereas the activation by the m1 receptor was only partially inhibited. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of Gβγ or a constitutively activated mutant of Gα11, but not Gαs and Gαi, can stimulate p38 MAPK. These results suggest that the signal from the m2 and β-adrenergic receptors to p38 MAPK is mediated by Gβγ, whereas the signal from the m1 receptor is mediated by both Gβγ and Gαq/11.

Involvement of Protein Kinase C and Src Family Tyrosine Kinase in Gαq/11-induced Activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase and p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by various extracellular stimuli. The signaling pathways from G protein-coupled receptors to extracellular signal-regulated kinase have been partially elucidated, whereas the mechanisms by which G protein-coupled receptors stimulate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK activities remain largely unknown. We have recently demonstrated that the signal from Gq/11-coupled m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor to p38 MAPK is mediated by both Gαq/11 and Gβγ in HEK-293 cells (Yamauchi, J., Nagao, M., Kaziro, Y., and Itoh, H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem.272, 27771–27777). In the present study, we report that a constitutively activated mutant of Gα11(Gα11 Q209L) activated not only p38 MAPK, but also JNK, and the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK by Gα11 Q209L was partially inhibited by prolonged treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calphostin C. In addition, the Gα11Q209L-stimulated activation of both kinases was blocked by a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PP2) and Csk (C-terminal Src kinase). Furthermore, we demonstrated that Gα11 Q209L stimulated Src family kinase activity and induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in HEK-293 cells. These results suggest that Gαq/11 stimulates JNK and p38 MAPK activities through protein kinase C- and Src family kinase-dependent signaling pathways.

Roles of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator and HGF activator inhibitor in the pericellular activation of HGF/scatter factor

The activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/ scatter factor (SF) in an extracellular milieu is a critical limiting step in HGF/SF-induced signaling that is believed to have important roles in invasive growth of tumor cells and regeneration of injured tissue. This activation is caused by a proteolytic cleavage at the bond between Arg494-Val495 in the single-chain HGF/SF precursor, generating an active two-chain heterodimeric form. The HGF activator (HGFA) is a coagulation factor XII-like serine proteinase critically involved in this process in injured tissues including tumor tissues. In the past several years, the identification of endogenous HGFA inhibitors (HAIs) has provided detailed knowledge of the regulation of HGFA activity. Currently, two types of HAIs, namely HAI-1 and HAI-2, have been reported. Both are Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitors and inhibit not only HGFA but also other serine proteinases, such as membrane-type serine protease 1 (matriptase), plasmin, trypsin and kallikreins. HAIs are of particular interest because they are synthesized as type-I transmembrane proteins. Therefore, HAIs must have important regulatory roles in a cell surface proteolytic reaction, which has emerged as an important mechanism for the generation of biologically active proteins mediating a diverse range of cellular functions. This review is a summary and interpretation of recent data regarding the regulation of pericellular HGF/SF activation mediated by HGFA and HAIs and includes a discussion of the possible role of the type I transmembrane Kunitz-type inhibitor in pericellular proteolysis.

Distribution of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator Inhibitor Type 1 (HAI-1) in Human Tissues: Cellular Surface Localization of HAI-1 in Simple Columnar Epithelium and Its Modulated Expression in Injured and Regenerative Tissues

We used a specific monoclonal antibody to human hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI-1) in immunohistochemical procedures to determine the distribution and localization of HAI-1 in human tissues. In normal adult tissues, HAI-1 was predominantly expressed in the simple columnar epithelium of the ducts, tubules, and mucosal surface of various organs. In all cases, HAI-1 was localized predominantly on the cellular lateral (or basolateral) surface. By contrast, hepatocytes, acinar cells, endocrine cells, stromal mesenchymal cells, and inflammatory cells were hardly stainable with the antibody, and stratified squamous epithelium showed only faint immunoreactivity on the surface of cells of the basal layer. In the gastrointestinal tract, the surface epithelium was strongly stained. RNA blot analysis confirmed the presence of specific mRNA transcript in the gastrointestinal mucosa, and in situ hybridization revealed that HAI-1 mRNA showed a similar cellular distribution pattern. Although HAI-1 was not expressed in normal hepatocytes, strong immunoreactivity was observed on the epithelium of pseudo-bile ducts and on the surface of scattered hepatocytes in fulminant hepatitis. The enhanced expression was also noted in regenerating tubule epithelial cells of the kidney after infarction. We conclude that HAI-1 is preferentially expressed in the simple columnar epithelium of the mucosal surface and duct, that the predominant localization of HAI-1 is the cell surface, and that the expression of HAI-1 can be modulated by tissue injury and regeneration.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator Inhibitor Type 1 (HAI-1) Is Required for Branching Morphogenesis in the Chorioallantoic Placenta

ABSTRACT Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI-1) is a membrane-associated Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor that was initially identified as a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte growth factor activator. HAI-1 is also a cognate inhibitor of matriptase, a membrane-associated serine proteinase. HAI-1 is expressed predominantly in epithelial cells in the human body. Its mRNA is also abundant in human placenta, with HAI-1 specifically expressed by villous cytotrophoblasts. In order to address the precise roles of HAI-1 in vivo, we generated HAI-1 mutant mice by homozygous recombination. Heterozygous HAI-1+/− mice underwent normal organ development. However, homozygous HAI-1−/− mice experienced embryonic lethality which became evident at embryonic day 10.5 postcoitum (E10.5). As early as E9.5, HAI-1−/− embryos showed growth retardation that did not reflect impaired cell proliferation but resulted instead from failed placental development and function. Histological analysis revealed severely impaired formation of the labyrinth layer, in contrast all other placental layers, such as the spongiotrophoblast layer and giant cell layer, which were formed. Our results indicate that mouse HAI-1 is essential for branching morphogenesis in the chorioallantoic placenta and lack of HAI-1 function may result in placental failure.

A NOTCH3-Mediated Squamous Cell Differentiation Program Limits Expansion of EMT-Competent Cells That Express the ZEB Transcription Factors

Zinc finger E-box-binding (ZEB) proteins ZEB1 and ZEB2 are transcription factors essential in TGF-β-mediated senescence, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell functions. ZEBs are negatively regulated by members of the miR-200 microRNA family, but precisely how tumor cells expressing ZEBs emerge during invasive growth remains unknown. Here, we report that NOTCH3-mediated signaling prevents expansion of a unique subset of ZEB-expressing cells. ZEB expression was associated with the lack of cellular capability of undergoing NOTCH3-mediated squamous differentiation in human esophageal cells. Genetic inhibition of the Notch-mediated transcriptional activity by dominant-negative Mastermind-like 1 (DNMAML1) prevented squamous differentiation and induction of Notch target genes including NOTCH3. Moreover, DNMAML1-enriched EMT-competent cells exhibited robust upregulation of ZEBs, downregulation of the miR-200 family, and enhanced anchorage-independent growth and tumor formation in nude mice. RNA interference experiments suggested the involvement of ZEBs in anchorage-independent colony formation, invasion, and TGF-β-mediated EMT. Invasive growth and impaired squamous differentiation were recapitulated upon Notch inhibition by DNMAML1 in organotypic three-dimensional culture, a form of human tissue engineering. Together, our findings indicate that NOTCH3 is a key factor limiting the expansion of ZEB-expressing cells, providing novel mechanistic insights into the role of Notch signaling in the cell fate regulation and disease progression of esophageal squamous cancers.

Ras oncoprotein induces CD44 cleavage through phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase and the rho family of small G proteins

CD44 is a cell surface adhesion molecule for several extracellular matrix components. We previously showed that CD44 expressed in cancer cells is proteolytically cleaved at the ectodomain through membrane-anchored metalloproteases and that CD44 cleavage plays a critical role in cancer cell migration. Therefore, cellular signals that promote the migration and metastatic activity of cancer cells may regulate the CD44 ectodomain cleavage. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of the dominant active mutant of Ha-Ras (Ha-RasVal-12) induces redistribution of CD44 to the newly generated membrane ruffling area and CD44 ectodomain cleavage. The migration assay revealed that the CD44 cleavage contributes to the Ha-RasVal-12-induced migration of NIH3T3 cells on hyaluronate substrate. Treatment with LY294002, an inhibitor for phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K), significantly inhibits Ha-RasVal-12-induced CD44 cleavage, whereas that with PD98059, an inhibitor for MEK, does not. The active mutant p110 subunit of PI3K has also been shown to enhance the CD44 cleavage, suggesting that PI3K mediates the Ras-induced CD44 cleavage. Moreover, the expression of dominant negative mutants of Cdc42 and Rac1 inhibits the Ha-RasVal-12-induced CD44 cleavage. These results suggest that Ras > PI3K > Cdc42/Rac1 pathway plays an important role in CD44 cleavage and may provide a novel molecular basis to explain how the activated Ras facilitates cancer cell migration.

Activation of Stat1 and subsequent transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene in C6 glioma cells is independent of interferon-γ-induced MAPK activation that is mediated by p21ras

Rat C6 glioma cells have been used to characterize molecular events involved in the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression stimulated by interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IFNs induce a signaling event which involves activation of Stat1 transcription factor. Previous studies have shown that IFNs also induce extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) activation. However, the mechanisms by which IFNs stimulate MAPK activation remain elusive. Here we show that in C6 glioma cells, transiently expressing the dominant‐negative form of c‐Ha‐Ras (Asn‐17) abrogated IFN‐γ‐induced ERK1 and ERK2 activation. Furthermore, PD98059, a specific MEK1 inhibitor, also blocked this activation. These results indicate that p21 ras and MEK1 are required for IFN‐γ‐induced ERK1 and ERK2 activation. Recent studies have reported that MAPK is responsible for serine phosphorylation of Stat1 which is required for Stat1s DNA binding and maximal transcriptional activity. Thus, we examined the role of the Ras‐MAPK pathway in Stat1 activation and subsequent iNOS induction in C6 glioma cells. Further experiments showed that neither Asn‐17 Ras expression nor concentrations of PD98059, which completely abrogated IFN‐γ‐induced ERK1 and ERK2 activation, affected Stat1 DNA binding activity or iNOS induction, indicating that the Ras‐MAPK pathway does not appear to be involved in the activation of Stat1 and subsequent iNOS induction in C6 glioma cells.