Jens-Gustav Iversen

Coagulation factors VIIa and Xa induce cell signaling leading to up-regulation of the egr-1 gene.

Intracellular signaling induced by the coagulation factors (F) VIIa and Xa is poorly understood. We report here studies on these processes in a human keratinocyte line (HaCaT), which is a constitutive producer of tissue factor (TF) and responds to both FVIIa and FXa with elevation of cytosolic Ca2+, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2, p38MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and up-regulation of transcription of the early growth response gene-1 (egr-1). Using egr-1 as end point, we observed with both agonists that phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and the mitogen-activated protein kinase/Erk kinase/Erk pathway were mediators of the responses. The responses to FVIIa were TF-dependent and up-regulation of egr-1 mRNA did not require presence of the TF cytoplasmic domain. Antibodies to EPR-1 and factor V had no effect on the response to FXa. We have provided evidence that TF is not the sole component of the FVIIa receptor. The requirement for proteolytic activity of both FVIIa and FXa suggests that protease-activated receptors may be involved. We now report evidence suggesting that protease-activated receptor 2 or a close homologue may be a necessary but not sufficient component of this particular signal transduction pathway. The up-regulation of egr-1 describes one way by which the initiation of blood coagulation may influence gene transcription. The ability of these coagulation proteases to induce intracellular signals at concentrations at or below the plasma concentrations of their zymogen precursors suggests that these processes may occur also in vivo.

Coagulation Factors VII and X Induce Ca2+ Oscillations in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells Only When Proteolytically Active

We have recently reported that the activated serine protease and blood coagulation Factor VII (FVIIa) can induce Ca2+ oscillations in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. We now demonstrate a similar response by Madin-Darby canine kidney cells to the active coagulation Factor X (FXa), which is also a serine protease and a substrate of the tissue factor (TF)·FVIIa complex in the initiation of the coagulation cascade. The phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibited the signals elicited by both FVIIa and FXa. Lack of sensibility to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A, genistein, and the tyrphostin AG18 and discordance between TF expression and FVIIa responsiveness argued against TF acting as a cytokine-like receptor, with tyrosine kinase-mediated activation by FVIIa. As demonstrated using the protease inhibitor benzamidine and by specific active site inhibition with 1,5-dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg chloromethyl ketone, both FVIIa and FXa lost their ability to elicit a calcium response when devoid of their proteolytic activity. Consistent with this, the native (zymogen) form of Factor X did not induce Ca2+ transients. Homologous but not heterologous inhibition of FVIIa- and FXa-evoked Ca2+ signals by 1,5-dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg chloromethyl ketone-inactivated FVIIa and FXa suggested that each factor had its own specific cell surface anchoring receptor. The two coagulation factors did not show homologous desensitization as seen for thrombin stimulation. Studies with hirudin excluded involvement of the established activation pathway through thrombin itself. Lack of desensitization of the response to FVIIa or FXa by thrombin ruled out any involvement of proteinase activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), the thrombin receptor. We speculate that FXa and FVIIa may work via a receptor (possibly common) analogous to PAR-1 or its functional homologue PAR-2. Although TF is essential for the FVIIa-induced signaling event, its role in the phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C-mediated Ca2+ signal may be in anchoring FVIIa to the cell surface rather than in transmembrane signal mediation.

Cutting Edge: Link Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity: Toll-Like Receptor 2 Internalizes Antigen for Presentation to CD4+ T Cells and Could Be an Efficient Vaccine Target

An ideal vaccine for induction of CD4+ T cell responses should induce local inflammation, maturation of APC, and peptide loading of MHC class II molecules. Ligation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 provides the first two of these three criteria. We have studied whether targeting of TLR2 results in loading of MHC class II molecules and enhancement of CD4+ T cell responses. To dissociate MHC class II presentation from APC maturation, we have used an antagonistic, mouse anti-human TLR2 mAb (TL2.1) as ligand and measured proliferation of a mouse Cκ-specific human CD4+ T cell clone. TL2.1 mAb was 100-1000 times more efficiently presented by APC compared with isotype-matched control mAb. Moreover, TL2.1 mAb was internalized into endosomes and processed by the conventional MHC class II pathway. This novel function of TLR2 represents a link between innate and adaptive immunity and indicates that TLR2 could be a promising target for vaccines.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide and peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine increase prolactin secretion in cultured rat pituitary cells (GE4C1) via a cAMP-dependent mechanism which involves transient elevation of intracellular Ca2+

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide (P) with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine (PHI) stimulated prolactin (PRL) secretion from GH4C1 cells equipotent with ED50 values of 30-50 nM. In a parafusion system optimized to give high time resolution both VIP and PHI increased PRL secretion with a delay of about 60 s and subsequent to the activation of the adenylate cyclase. Thyroliberin (TRH) increased PRL secretion within 4 s. The dose-response curves for VIP- and PHI-stimulated cAMP accumulation were superimposable on those for PRL secretion. At submaximal concentrations the effects of VIP and PHI on both cAMP accumulation and PRL secretion were additive, whereas the effects were not additive at concentrations giving maximal effects. VIP and PHI increased [Ca2+]i measured by quin-2 in a different way than TRH, without inducing changes in the electrophysiological membrane properties of the GH4C1 cells. We conclude that both VIP and PHI stimulate PRL secretion via a cAMP-dependent process involving an increase in [Ca2+]i.

Thapsigargin reveals evidence for fMLP-insensitive calcium pools in human leukocytes.

To investigate the relationship between different intracellular Ca2+ pools, cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was surveyed by means of a Fura-2 fluorescence ratio method on single isolated human leukocytes. Both monocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN) displayed long lasting spontaneous [Ca2+]i transient changes (1-2 min). In PMN stimulated with the bacterial peptide fMLP we observed transients with shorter duration (10-30 s) and smaller amplitude often superimposed on the long lasting transients. The time course of changes in [Ca2+]i was recorded in a large number (149) of single leukocytes prestimulated for 5 min with fMLP and then challenged with thapsigargin (a blocker of Ca2+ uptake in intracellular pools). Statistical analysis of [Ca2+]i responses revealed that fMLP-sensitive pools contributed to the long lasting [Ca2+]i transients seen in both leukocyte types. However, the existence of fMLP-insensitive calcium pools may explain the superimposed transients seen in PMN. Thapsigargin was also added together with EGTA (to impede contribution from extracellular Ca2+) to 198 fMLP prestimulated and 153 unstimulated PMN. Based on Ca2+ registrations in these cells and a mathematical model (supposing two separate first order responses) the amount of Ca2+ stored in the various pools and their release kinetics were estimated. The results indicate that fMLP-insensitive calcium pools exist in PMN but not in monocytes. Since the digital imaging technique also depicts cellular motility, an additional finding was that the leukocytes ability to sequestrate the Ca2+ from the cytosol seemed important to locomotion.

Growth‐promoting effects of Ca2+‐mobilizing agents in hepatocytes: Lack of correlation between the acute activation of phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C and the stimulation of DNA synthesis by angiotensin II, vasopressin, norepinephrine, and prostaglandin F2α

Although several hormones that promote hepatocyte proliferation also activate phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC) and mobilize Ca2+, the role of PI‐PLC in the growth‐stimulating effect of these agents is not clear. We have investigated this issue further, by exposing freshly isolated adult rat hepatocytes to vasopressin, angiotensin II, norepinephrine (in the presence of the β‐adrenoceptor blocker timolol) or PGF2α, and examined both acute responses and the subsequent DNA synthesis when the cells were grown in monolayer culture. All the agonists elevated the level of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) and enhanced the DNA synthesis, amplifying the response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), and this comitogenic effect could be exerted by a single exposure of the cells 24 h prior to the addition of EGF. The acute activation of PI‐PLC, measured as the early rise (peak 15–60 s) in InsP3, was 8–10‐fold with vasopressin or angiotensin II, 3–4‐fold with norepinephrine, and ∼︁2‐fold with PGF2α. For all the agonists, a rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ in 100% of the cells and a maximal increase in glycogen phosphorylase activity were evoked at concentrations that approximately doubled the level of InsP3. However, the growth‐stimulatory effects of these agonists showed a different order of efficacy as compared to the activation of PI‐PLC; in terms of the maximal stimulation of DNA synthesis, the effects were: norepinephrine ≈︂ PGF2α > angiotensin II > vasopressin. Also, norepinephrine, PGF2α, and angiotensin II, but not vasopressin, further enhanced the DNA synthesis when their concentrations were increased above those yielding maximal elevation of InsP3. In experiments where vasopressin and angiotensin II were combined, their effects on the DNA synthesis were additive while the InsP3 responses were not. The results show that the extent of the initial activation of PI‐PLC is not the determinant for the magnitude of the growth effects of Ca2+‐mobilizing hormones in hepatocytes. This suggests either (a) that the proliferative response to these agents is determined by the activity of PI‐PLC at a later time, or its integral over an extended part of the prereplicative period, rather than by the acute activation, or (b) that additional, PI‐PLC‐independent, mechanisms are required.

Ca2+-mediated activation of ERK in hepatocytes by norepinephrine and prostaglandin F2α: role of calmodulin and src kinases

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that several agents that stimulate heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors activate the extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1 (p44mapk) and ERK2 (p42mapk) in hepatocytes. The molecular pathways that convey their signals to ERK1/2 are only partially clarified. In the present study we have explored the role of Ca2+ and Ca2+-dependent steps leading to ERK1/2 activation induced by norepinephrine and prostaglandin (PG)F2α.ResultsPretreatment of the cells with the Ca2+ chelators BAPTA-AM or EGTA, as well as the Ca2+ influx inhibitor gadolinium, resulted in a partial decrease of the ERK response. Furthermore, the calmodulin antagonists W-7, trifluoperazine, and J-8 markedly decreased ERK activation. Pretreatment with KN-93, an inhibitor of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, had no effect on ERK activation. The Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2 partially diminished the ERK responses elicited by both norepinephrine and PGF2α.ConclusionThe present data indicate that Ca2+ is involved in ERK activation induced by hormones acting on G protein-coupled receptors in hepatocytes, and suggest that calmodulin and Src kinases might play a role in these signaling pathways.

Interferon-γ Elicits a G-Protein-Dependent Ca2+ Signal in Human Neutrophils after Depletion of Intracellular Ca2+ Stores

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has multiple effects on Ca2+ signalling in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), including evoked cytosolic Ca2+ transients, increased capacitative calcium influx and increased sequestration of Ca2+ in intracellular stores. The present study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind the Ca2+ transients. As observed before, the IFN-gamma-evoked Ca2+ signals were apparent when extracellular Ca2+ was removed. A new finding was that the proportion of responding cells and the extent of calcium release increased with increasing time in EGTA buffer. As assessed by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated Ca2+ release, the intracellular stores were depleted during this incubation period, and the extent of depletion correlated well with the appearance of IFN-gamma-induced Ca2+ signals. This store dependence of the IFN-gamma-induced Ca2+ signals was confirmed by the appearance of IFN-gamma-evoked Ca2+ signals in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ after store depletion by thapsigargin. The appearance of IFN-gamma-mediated Ca2+-signals in the presence of EGTA indicates that IFN-gamma stimulates Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. This was confirmed by the inability of the calcium transportation blocker La3+ to abolish the IFN-gamma response and the total abrogation of the response by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Although these latter results imply a role for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate(IP3) in IFN-gamma signalling, comparison of IFN-gamma-evoked responses with fMLP responses revealed clear differences that suggest different signal-transduction pathways. However, responses to fMLP and IFN-gamma were both depressed by pertussis toxin, and the IFN-gamma responses were, in addition, inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Further evidence of the involvement of tyrosine kinase was a slight stimulatory effect of the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate. The PI-3K activity was of minor importance. In conclusion, we present evidence of a novel signal-transduction mechanism for IFN-gamma in PMNs, dependent on tyrosine kinase activity, a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein and phospholipase C activity.

On the role of extracellular Ca2+ for prolactin release and adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate formation induced by thyroliberin in cultured rat pituitary cells.

Abstract In cultured rat pituitary tumour cells (GH3 cells) the absence of extracellular Ca++ or addition of NaEGTA reduced spontaneous prolactin (PRL) release and abolished the stimulatory effect of thyroliberin (TRH). Readdition of CaCl2, but not of equimolar concentrations of MgCl2 increased spontaneous hormone release, and restored the effect of TRH. The calcium ionophore, A-23187, induced PRL release during normal calcium conditions, but not when an excess NaEGTA was present. TRH increased cyclic AMP accumulation in the presence and the absence of extracellular calcium. The effect of TRH on PRL release and cyclic AMP formation occured concomitantly with an increased efflux of 45Ca2+. Intracellular electrophysiological recordings from the same single cells before and after TRH activation showed increased frequency and duration of the Ca2+ dependent action potentials. We conclude that TRH elevates the Ca2+ influx which depends on the depolarizing action current, and this effect is probably linked to formation of cyclic AMP and PRL release.

Phytohemagglutinin response of recirculating and non-recirculating rat lymphocytes

Abstract Rat lymphocytes of two types were obtained and their response to PHA was studied in cultures. Lymphocytes which recirculate between blood and lymph were collected from a thoracic duct fistula, and non-recirculating lymphocytes were obtained from the blood of rats that had been depleted of thoracic duct lymph for three days. Only recirculating lymphocytes could be stimulated by PHA to increase their RNA and DNA synthesis, although the presence of non-recirculating lymphocytes in the culture was necessary to obtain a maximal response. Non-recirculating lymphocytes had a high basal RNA synthesis in unstimulated cultures, and they seemed to survive better in three-day cultures than did recirculating lymphocytes. It is concluded that recirculating and non-recirculating lymphocytes behave different in vitro, and probably represent functionally separate cell groups.