Marco Pedrazzi

Cutting Edge: Extracellular High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein Is a Proangiogenic Cytokine

The chromosomal high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a proinflammatory cytokine when released in the extracellular environment by necrotic and inflammatory cells. In the present study, we show that HMGB1 exerts proangiogenic effects by inducing MAPK ERK1/2 activation, cell proliferation, and chemotaxis in endothelial cells of different origin. Accordingly, HMGB1 stimulates membrane ruffling and repair of a mechanically wounded endothelial cell monolayer and causes endothelial cell sprouting in a three-dimensional fibrin gel. In keeping with its in vitro properties, HMGB1 stimulates neovascularization when applied in vivo on the top of the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane whose blood vessels express the HMGB1 receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Accordingly, RAGE blockade by neutralizing Abs inhibits HMGB1-induced neovascularization in vivo and endothelial cell proliferation and membrane ruffling in vitro. Taken together, the data identify HMGB1/RAGE interaction as a potent proangiogenic stimulus.

High mobility group box 1 protein is released by neural cells upon different stresses and worsens ischemic neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo

High mobility group proteins are chromatin binding factors with key roles in maintenance of nuclear homeostasis. The evidence indicates that extracellularly released high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein behaves as a cytokine, promoting inflammation and participating to the pathogenesis of several disorders in peripheral organs. In this study, we have investigated the expression levels and relocation dynamics of HMGB1 in neural cells, as well as its neuropathological potential. We report that HMGB1 is released in the culture media of neurons and astrocytes challenged with necrotic but not apoptotic stimuli. Recombinant HMGB1 prompts induction of pro‐inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2, interleukin‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor α, and increases excitotoxic as well as ischemic neuronal death in vitro. Dexamethasone reduces HMGB1 dependent immune glia activation, having no effect on the protein’s neurotoxic effects. HMGB1 is expressed in the nucleus of neurons and astrocytes of the mouse brain, and promptly (1 h) translocates into the cytoplasm of neurons within the ischemic brain. Brain microinjection of HMGB1 increases the transcript levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators and sensitizes the tissue to the ischemic injury. Together, data underscore the neuropathological role of nuclear HMGB1, and point to the protein as a mediator of post‐ischemic brain damage.

Selective Proinflammatory Activation of Astrocytes by High-Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Signaling

Extracellular high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) triggers inflammatory events in the brain. We demonstrate that astrocytes, the main glial cells in the brain, acquire a specific reactive phenotype when exposed to HMGB1. This cell activation, which involves the receptor for advanced glycation end-products and the MAPK/ERK1/2 cascade, results in the transcriptional/translational induction of a restricted number of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and several chemokines of the CC and CXC families. The mixture of factors released by HMGB1-reactive astrocytes displays a potent chemotactic activity on human monocytic cells. This study is the first to suggest that HMGB1/astrocyte interaction plays a specific functional role in the progression of inflammatory processes in the CNS by facilitating local leukocyte infiltration.

Stimulation of excitatory amino acid release from adult mouse brain glia subcellular particles by high mobility group box 1 protein

The multifunctional protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is expressed in hippocampus and cerebellum of adult mouse brain. Our aim was to determine whether HMGB1 affects glutamatergic transmission by monitoring neurotransmitter release from glial (gliosomes) and neuronal (synaptosomes) re‐sealed subcellular particles isolated from cerebellum and hippocampus. HMGB1 induced release of the glutamate analogue [3H]d‐aspartate form gliosomes in a concentration‐dependent manner, whereas nerve terminals were insensitive to the protein. The HMGB1‐evoked release of [3H]d‐aspartate was independent of modifications of cytosolic Ca2+ , but it was blocked by dl‐threo‐β‐benzyloxyaspartate (dl‐TBOA), an inhibitor of glutamate transporters. HMGB1 also stimulated the release of endogenous glutamate in a Ca2+‐independent and dl‐TBOA‐sensitive manner. These findings suggest the involvement of carrier‐mediated release. Moreover, dihydrokainic acid, a selective inhibitor of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1), does not block the effect of HMGB1, indicating a role for the glial glutamate‐aspartate transporter (GLAST) subtype in this response. We also demonstrate that HMGB1/glial particles association is promoted by Ca2+. Furthermore, although HMGB1 can physically interact with GLAST and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), only its binding with RAGE is promoted by Ca2+. These results suggest that the HMGB1 cytokine could act as a modulator of glutamate homeostasis in adult mammal brain.

HMGB1 as an autocrine stimulus in human T98G glioblastoma cells: role in cell growth and migration

HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1 protein) is a nuclear protein that can also act as an extracellular trigger of inflammation, proliferation and migration, mainly through RAGE (the receptor for advanced glycation end products); HMGB1–RAGE interactions have been found to be important in a number of cancers. We investigated whether HMGB1 is an autocrine factor in human glioma cells. Western blots showed HMGB1 and RAGE expression in human malignant glioma cell lines. HMGB1 induced a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation, which was found to be RAGE-mediated and involved the MAPK/ERK pathway. Moreover, in a wounding model, it induced a significant increase in cell migration, and RAGE-dependent activation of Rac1 was crucial in giving the tumour cells a motile phenotype. The fact that blocking DNA replication with anti-mitotic agents did not reduce the distance migrated suggests the independence of the proliferative and migratory effects. We also found that glioma cells contain HMGB1 predominantly in the nucleus, and cannot secrete it constitutively or upon stimulation; however, necrotic glioma cells can release HMGB1 after it has translocated from the nucleus to cytosol. These findings provide the first evidence supporting the existence of HMGB1/RAGE signalling pathways in human glioblastoma cells, and suggest that HMGB1 may play an important role in the relationship between necrosis and malignancy in glioma tumours by acting as an autocrine factor that is capable of promoting the growth and migration of tumour cells.

Hmgb1 Promotes Wound Healing of 3T3 Mouse Fibroblasts via Rage-Dependent ERK1/2 Activation

HMGb1 is a nuclear protein playing a role in DNA architecture and transcription. This protein has also been shown to function as a cytokine and to stimulate keratinocyte scratch wound healing. Due to the importance of finding new wound healing molecules, we have studied the effects of HMGb1 on fibroblasts, another major skin cell type, using the NIH 3T3 line. HMGb1 expression in these cells was assessed by Western blot, while its nuclear localization was pointed out by confocal immunofluorescence. HMGb1-induced cell proliferation with a maximum at a concentration of 10 nM, and such a dose also stimulated cell migration and scratch wound healing. Western blot analysis showed that HMGb1 activates ERK1/2, while the use of an anti-RAGE receptor-blocking antibody and of the selective MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 blocked ERK1/2 activation and wound healing responses to HMGb1. Taken together data show that HMGb1 promotes 3T3 fibroblast wound healing by inducing cell proliferation and migration, and that this occurs through the activation of the RAGE/MEK/ERK pathway. In conclusion, HMGb1 seems a good candidate for the development of medical treatments to be used on chronic or severe wounds.

HMGb1 promotes scratch wound closure of HaCaT keratinocytes via ERK1/2 activation

HMGb1 is a DNA-binding protein whose role as an extracellular cytokine in inflammation and tissue regeneration has also been reported. Given the importance of keratinocytes in wound healing, we have studied the mechanism of action of HMGb1 on HaCaT keratinocytes during in vitro scratch wound repair. Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed that these cells express significant amounts of HMGb1, that the protein is prevalently localized in the nucleus, and that its release by cells is negligible. Western blot also showed that these cells express the HMGb1 receptor RAGE. Cell exposure to HMGb1 in the absence of serum resulted in a stimulation of cell proliferation and ERK1/2 activation. HMGb1 also accelerated the wound closure of scratch wounded cells and promoted cell migration, as evaluated by a transwell assay. The HMGb1-induced increases of cell proliferation, cell migration, and wound closure were abolished by the MEK inhibitor PD98059. Taken together, data show that, although HMGb1 is not released by HaCaT, when applied exogenously it can induce a marked increase of the wound repair of these cells. Data also suggest that HMGb1 acts via the RAGE/MEK/ERK pathway. These results bring scientific support to the potential application of HMGb1 in regenerative medicine.

RANTES Modulates the Release of Glutamate in Human Neocortex

The effects of the recombinant chemokine human RANTES (hRANTES) on the release of glutamate from human neocortex glutamatergic nerve endings were investigated. hRANTES facilitated the spontaneous release of d [3H]d-aspartate ([3H]dASP-) by binding Pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), whose activation caused Ca2+ mobilization from inositol trisphosphate-sensitive stores and cytosolic tyrosine kinase-mediated phosphorylations. Facilitation of release switched to inhibition when the effects of hRANTES on the 12 mm K+-evoked [3H]d-ASP exocytosis were studied. Inhibition of exocytosis relied on activation of Pertussis toxin-sensitive GPCRs negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. Both hRANTES effects were prevented by met-RANTES, an antagonist at the chemokine receptors (CCRs) of the CCR1, CCR3, and CCR5 subtypes. Interestingly, human neocortex glutamatergic nerve endings seem to possess all three receptor subtypes. Blockade of CCR1 and CCR5 by antibodies against the extracellular domain of CCRs prevented both the hRANTES effect on [3H]d-ASP release, whereas blockade of CCR3 prevented inhibition, but not facilitation, of release. The effects of RANTES on the spontaneous and the evoked release of [3H]d-ASP were also observed in experiments with mouse cortical synaptosomes, which may therefore represent an appropriate animal model to study RANTES-induced effects on neurotransmission. It is concluded that glutamate transmission can be modulated in opposite directions by RANTES acting at distinct CCR receptor subtypes coupled to different transduction pathways, consistent with the multiple and sometimes contrasting effects of the chemokine.

Adaptive modifications in the calpain/calpastatin system in brain cells after persistent alteration in Ca2+ homeostasis.

Persistent dysregulation in Ca2+ homeostasis is a pervasive pathogenic mechanism in most neurodegenerative diseases, and accordingly, calpain activation has been implicated in neuronal cells dysfunction and death. In this study we examined the intracellular functional state of the calpain-calpastatin system in −G93A(+) SOD1 transgenic mice to establish if and how uncontrolled activation of calpain can be prevented in vivo during the course of prolonged [Ca2+]i elevation. The presented data indicate that 1) calpain activation is more extensive in motor cortex, in lumbar, and sacral spinal cord segments compared with the lower or almost undetectable activation of the protease in other brain areas, 2) direct measurements of the variations of Ca2+ levels established that the degree of the protease activation is correlated to the extent of elevation of [Ca2+]i, 3) intracellular activation of calpain is always associated with diffusion of calpastatin from perinuclear aggregated forms into the cytosol and the formation of a calpain-calpastatin complex, and 4) a conservative fragmentation of calpastatin is accompanied by its increased expression and inhibitory capacity in conditions of prolonged increase in [Ca2+]i. Thus, calpastatin diffusion and formation of the calpain-calpastatin complex together with an increased synthesis of the inhibitor protein represent a cellular defense response to conditions of prolonged dysregulation in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Altogether these findings provide a new understanding of the in vivo molecular mechanisms governing calpain activation that can be extended to many neurodegenerative diseases, potentially useful for the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Stimulation of erythroleukaemia cell differentiation by extracellular high-mobility group-box protein 1 is independent of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products.

In several cell types the binding of extracellular high-mobility group-box protein 1 (HMGB1) with the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) induces cytoskeletal reorganization and cell motility. To establish whether RAGE is also involved in murine erythroleukaemia (MEL) cell differentiation stimulated by HMGB1, we have demonstrated that these cells express a 51 kDa protein identified as RAGE, and then we have produced stable transfectants overexpressing wild-type (wt) RAGE or a dominant negative (dn) RAGE mutant lacking the cytoplasmic domain to analyse the differentiation process in these cells. Several experimental findings indicated that RAGE was not involved in the MEL cell differentiation programme. This was also supported by the identical stimulatory effect exerted by HMGB1 on both wt- or dn-RAGE transfectants. We have also observed that HMGB1 binds a 65 kDa protein on the surface of MEL cells, supporting the hypothesis that alternative targets of HMGB1 are expressed on the MEL cell membrane and may be involved as mediators of its signalling.