CD73/ecto-5'-nucleotidase protects against vascular inflammation and neointima formation.

BACKGROUND: Although CD73/ecto-5'-nucleotidase has been implicated in maintaining vasoprotection, its role in regulating endothelial adhesion molecule or inflammatory monocyte recruitment (eg, in the context of vascular injury) remains to be defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Compared with wild-type mice, CD73-deficient (CD73(-/-)) mice exhibit increased luminal staining and protein and transcript expression for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in carotid arteries. In vitro, aortic endothelial cells (ECs) from CD73(-/-) mice display an upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of VCAM-1, associated with increased nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activity, as determined by chromatin cross-linking and immunoprecipitation or quantitative p65 binding assays. CD73(-/-) ECs and carotid arteries perfused ex vivo supported increased monocyte arrest under flow conditions, which was mediated by alpha(4beta1) integrin. After wire injury of carotid arteries, CD73 expression and activity were upregulated in wild-type mice, whereas neointimal plaque formation and macrophage content were increased in CD73(-/-) mice versus wild-type mice, concomitant with elevated NF-kappaB activation, luminal VCAM-1 expression, and soluble VCAM-1 concentrations. In contrast, reconstitution of wild-type mice with CD73(-/-) versus CD73(+/+) BM did not significantly exacerbate neointima formation. Treatment with the specific A2A receptor agonist ATL-146e reversed the increased VCAM-1 transcript and protein expression in CD73(-/-) ECs and inhibited monocyte arrest on CD73(-/-) ECs. Continuous infusion of ATL-146e prevented neointima formation in CD73(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data epitomize the importance of vascular CD73 in limiting endothelial activation and monocyte recruitment via generation of adenosine acting through the A2A receptor, providing a molecular basis for therapeutic protection against vascular inflammation and neointimal hyperplasia.

Regulation of the transcription factor FOXM1c by Cyclin E/CDK2.

The FOXM1 forkhead proteins, originally identified as M-phase phosphoproteins, are proliferation-associated transcriptional regulators involved in cell cycle progression, genetic stability and tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate that Cyclin-dependent kinases regulate the transcriptional activity of FOXM1c. This is independent of an N-terminal negative regulatory domain and of the forkhead DNA binding domain. Instead we mapped the responsive sites in the transactivation domain. A combination of three phosphorylation sites mediates the Cyclin E and Cyclin A/CDK2 effects. Our findings provide evidence for a novel Cyclin E/CDK2 substrate that functions in cell cycle control.

Y-box protein 1 mediates PDGF-B effects in mesangioproliferative glomerular disease.

The pivotal role of PDGF-B for mesangioproliferative glomerular disease is well established. Here, Y-box protein-1 (YB-1) was identified as a downstream signaling target of PDGF-B. In healthy kidney cells, YB-1 was located predominantly within the nuclear compartment. Subsequent to PDGF-B infusion and in the course of anti-Thy1.1-induced mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, relocalization of YB-1 into the cytoplasm was observed. In experimental models that lack profound mesangial cell proliferation (e.g., Puromycin-nephrosis, passive Heyman nephritis, spontaneous normotensive nephrosclerosis, hyperlipidemic diabetic nephropathy), YB-1 remained nuclear. This translocation coincided with upregulation of YB-1 protein levels within the mesangial compartment. Increased YB-1 expression and subcellular shuttling was dependent on PDGF-B signaling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway because these alterations were prevented by specific PDGF aptamers and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibitor U0126. Furthermore, PDGF-B strongly induced YB-1 expression in vitro. This induction was important because RNAi-dependent knockdown of YB-1 abolished the mitogenic PDGF-B effect. Taken together, YB-1 seems to represent a specific and necessary PDGF-B target in mesangioproliferative glomerular disease.

Stimulation of c-MYC transcriptional activity and acetylation by recruitment of the cofactor CBP.

The c-MYC oncoprotein regulates various aspects of cell behaviour by modulating gene expression. Here, we report the identification of the cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CBP) as a novel c-MYC binding partner. The two proteins interact both in vitro and in cells, and CBP binds to the carboxy-terminal region of c-MYC. Importantly, CBP, as well as p300, is associated with E-box-containing promoter regions of genes that are regulated by c-MYC. Furthermore, c-MYC and CBP/p300 function synergistically in the activation of reporter-gene constructs. Thus, CBP and p300 function as positive cofactors for c-MYC. In addition, c-MYC is acetylated in cells. This modification does not require MYC box II, suggesting that it is independent of TRRAP complexes. Instead, CBP acetylates c-MYC in vitro, and co-expression of CBP with c-MYC stimulates in vivo acetylation. Functionally, this results in a decrease in ubiquitination and stabilization of c-MYC proteins. Thus, CBP and p300 are novel functional binding partners of c-MYC.