Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) and Its Receptors Signal Regulate Cementoblasts Apoptosis through a Mechanism of ERK1/2 and Caspases Signaling.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) was identified as a survival factor in various types of peripheral and central neurons, glia and non-neural cells. At present, there is no available data on the expression and localization of CNTF-receptors in cementoblasts as well as on the role of exogenous CNTF on this cell line. The purpose of this study was to determine if cementoblasts express CNTF-receptors and analyze the mechanism of its apoptotic regulation effects on cementoblasts. OCCM-30 cementoblasts were cultivated and stimulated kinetically using CNTF protein (NBP2-35168, Novus Biologicals). Quantified transcriptional (RT-qPCR) and translational (WB) products of CNTFRα, IL-6Rα (CD126), LIFR, p-GP130, GP130, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, Caspase-8, -9, -3 and cleaved-caspase-3 were evaluated. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was applied to visualize the localization of the CNTF-receptors within cells. The apoptosis ratio was measured with an Annexin-V FITC/PI kit. The ERK1/2 antagonist (FR180204, Calbiochem) was added for further investigation by flow cytometry analysis. The CNTF-receptor complex (CNTFRα, LIFR, GP130) was functionally up-regulated in cementoblasts while cultivated with exogenous CNTF. CNTF significantly attenuated cell viability and proliferation for long-term stimulation. Flow cytometry analysis shows that CNTF enhanced the apoptosis after prolonged duration. However, after only a short-term period, CNTF halts the apoptosis of cementoblasts. Further studies revealed that CNTF activated phosphorylated GP130 and the anti-apoptotic molecule ERK1/2 signaling to participate in the regulation of the apoptosis ratio of cementoblasts. In conclusion, CNTF elicited the cellular functions through a notable induction of its receptor complex in cementoblasts. CNTF has an inhibitory effect on the cementoblast homeostasis. These data also elucidate a cellular mechanism for an exogenous CNTF-triggered apoptosis regulation in a mechanism of ERK1/2 and caspase signaling and provides insight into the complex cellular responses induced by CNTF in cementoblasts.

Modulation of matrix metalloproteases by ciliary neurotrophic factor in human placental development.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that signals through a receptor complex containing a specific subunit, CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα). The two molecules are constitutively expressed in key structures for human placental growth and differentiation. The possible role of CNTF in enhancing cell proliferation and/or invasion during placental development and remodelling was investigated using HTR-8/SVneo and BeWo cells, taken respectively as cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast models. In both cell lines, treatment with human recombinant (hr) CNTF activated JAK2/STAT3 signalling and inhibited the ERK pathway. Interestingly, in HTR-8/SVneo cells, 50 ng hrCNTF induced significant downregulation of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-1 and significant upregulation of MMP-9. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signalling by AG490 and curcumin resulted in MMP-9 downregulation; it activated the ERK signalling pathway and upregulated MMP-1 expression. Collectively, these data suggest a role for CNTF signalling in extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion through the modulation of specific MMPs.

Efficacy of PEGylated ciliary neurotrophic factor superagonist variant in diet-induced obesity mice.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic cytokine able to induce appetite reduction, weight loss and antidiabetic effects. However, its susceptibility to neutralizing anti-CNTF antibodies in patients hampered its use for treatment of human obesity and diabetes. In addition, CNTF has a very short plasma half-life, which limits its use as a therapeutic agent. Solutions, directed to prolong its in vivo effects, vary from the implantation of encapsulated secreting cells to identification of more active variants or chemical modification of the protein itself. PEGylation is a widely used modification for shielding proteins from circulating antibodies and for increasing their plasma half-life. Here, we have selected DH-CNTF, a CNTF variant which has a 40-fold higher affinity for the CNTF receptor α accompanied by an increased activity in cellular assays. The PEGylated DH-CNTF retained the biological activity of native protein in vitro and showed a significant improvement of pharmacokinetic parameters. In an acute model of glucose tolerance, the PEG-DH-CNTF was able to reduce the glycemia in diet-induced obese animals, with a performance equaled by a 10-fold higher dose of DH-CNTF. In addition, the PEGylated DH-CNTF analog demonstrated a more potent weight loss effect than the unmodified protein, opening to the use of CNTF as weight reducing agent with treatment regimens that can better meet patient compliance thanks to reduced dosing schedules.

BDNF is upregulated by androgen in the inguinal fat pad of immature mice and may regulate inguinoscrotal testicular descent.

BACKGROUND: Androgens control rodent inguinoscrotal testicular descent during a "programming window" (E12-17). It is proposed that androgen masculinises the genitofemoral nerve, but the mechanism remains unknown. We investigate androgen receptor (AR)-containing target organs: inguinal fat pad (IFP) and mammary bud (MB), supplied by the genitofemoral nerve, hypothesizing that neurotrophic factors may retrogradely masculinise the GFN. METHODS: The IFP, MB and bulbocavernosus (BC) muscle were collected at E12.5/E17.5 from androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates. Immunofluorescence and gene expression (RT-qPCR; n = 8/group) for Bdnf, active (TrkB) and inactive (truncated TrkB) receptors, Cntf and Cntf receptor were performed. RESULTS: In the IFP at E12.5, ARKO TrkB mRNA expression was significantly downregulated compared to WT males (p < 0.0026). By E17.5, there was increased Bdnf expression (p < 0.0233). The MB had no differences at E12.5 and had regressed in WT males by E17.5. The BC had no differences at E12.5, but at E17.5 had significant upregulation of Bdnf expression in ARKO, compared to WT males. There were no differences in CNTF or CNTF receptor expression. CONCLUSIONS: Androgen alters active TrkB and Bdnf expression in the IFP. IFP Bdnf signalling may regulate "masculinisation" of the GFN sensory nerves to indirectly control inguinoscrotal testicular descent. IMPACT: Androgen mediates neurotrophin release in the inguinal fat pad in mice, which may facilitate normal testicular descent by masculinising the GFN by peripheral uptake of neurotrophin. This is the first study to examine the role of neurotrophins in testicular descent. This suggests novel steps in the mechanical process of normal testicular descent that may be abnormal in some children with undescended testes.

microRNA-146a Promotes Growth of Acute Leukemia Cells by Downregulating Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor and Activating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling.

PURPOSE: Acute leukemia (AL) is classified as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-146a on childhood AL and its underlying molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone marrow samples were obtained from 39 AL children and 10 non-cancer controls. The expressions of miR-146a and ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in ALL and AML pediatric patients, as well as ALL (Jurkat) and AML (HL-60) cells. Correlations between miR-146a and clinical indicators were explored. A targeting relationship between miR-146a and CNTFR was detected by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of Jurkat and HL-60 cells were measured by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay, respectively. LIF expression was detected by qRT-PCR in Jurkat and HL-60 cells. The expression of p-JAK2, JAK2, p-STAT3, and STAT3 in HL-60 cells was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: miR-146a was increased in ALL and AML pediatric patients, while CNTFR was decreased. miR-146a expression was associated with immunophenotype, karyotype, fusion gene, and SIL-TAL1. CNTFR was a target gene of miR-146a. miR-146a could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as inhibit cell apoptosis in Jurkat and HL-60 cells by downregulating CNTFR. Meanwhile, miR-146a inhibited the expression of LIF and activated JAK2/STAT3 pathway by downregulating CNTFR. CONCLUSION: miR-146a could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibit the apoptosis of AL Jurkat and HL-60 cells by downregulating CNTFR and activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Inhibition of Microglia-Derived Oxidative Stress by Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Protects Dopamine Neurons In Vivo from MPP⁺ Neurotoxicity.

We demonstrated that capsaicin (CAP), an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), inhibits microglia activation and microglia-derived oxidative stress in the substantia nigra (SN) of MPP⁺-lesioned rat. However, the detailed mechanisms how microglia-derived oxidative stress is regulated by CAP remain to be determined. Here we report that ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) endogenously produced by CAP-activated astrocytes through TRPV1, but not microglia, inhibits microglial activation and microglia-derived oxidative stress, as assessed by OX-6 and OX-42 immunostaining and hydroethidine staining, respectively, resulting in neuroprotection. The significant increase in levels of CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFRα) expression was evident on microglia in the MPP⁺-lesioned rat SN and the observed beneficial effects of CNTF was abolished by treatment with CNTF receptor neutralizing antibody. It is therefore likely that CNTF can exert its effect via CNTFRα on microglia, which rescues dopamine neurons in the SN of MPP⁺-lesioned rats and ameliorates amphetamine-induced rotations. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed also a significantly increased expression of CNTFRα on microglia in the SN from human Parkinson's disease patients compared with age-matched controls, indicating that these findings may have relevance to the disease. These data suggest that CNTF originated from TRPV1 activated astrocytes may be beneficial to treat neurodegenerative disease associated with neuro-inflammation such as Parkinson's disease.

Maintenance of membrane organization in the aging mouse brain as the determining factor for preventing receptor dysfunction and for improving response to anti-Alzheimer treatments.

Although a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the "aging" parameter is not systematically considered in preclinical validation of anti-AD drugs. To explore how aging affects neuronal reactivity to anti-AD agents, the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)-associated pathway was chosen as a model. Comparison of the neuroprotective properties of CNTF in 6- and 18-month old mice revealed that CNTF resistance in the older animals is associated with the exclusion of the CNTF-receptor subunits from rafts and their subsequent dispersion to non-raft cortical membrane domains. This age-dependent membrane remodeling prevented both the formation of active CNTF-receptor complexes and the activation of prosurvival STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways, demonstrating that age-altered membranes impaired the reactivity of potential therapeutic targets. CNTF-receptor distribution and CNTF signaling responses were improved in older mice receiving dietary docosahexaenoic acid, with CNTF-receptor functionality being similar to those of younger mice, pointing toward dietary intervention as a promising adjuvant strategy to maintain functional neuronal membranes, thus allowing the associated receptors to respond appropriately to anti-AD agents.

Neurotrophin signaling in a genitofemoral nerve target organ during testicular descent in mice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been proposed that androgens control inguinoscrotal testicular descent via release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from a masculinised genitofemoral nerve (GFN). As there are androgen receptors in the inguinoscrotal fat pad (IFP) during the window of androgen sensitivity (E14-17 in mouse embryos), we tested the hypothesis that neurotrophins in the IFP may masculinise the sensory fibers of the GFN supplying the gubernaculum and IFP prior to gubernacular migration. METHODS: Androgen-receptor knockout (ARKO) and wild-type (WT) mouse embryos were collected at E17, with ethical approval (AEC 734). Sagittal sections of IFP, mammary area and bulbocavernosus (BC) muscle were processed for standard histology and fluorescent immunohistochemistry for ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) and cell nuclei (DAPI). RESULTS: In the ARKO mouse CNTFR immunoreactivity (CNTFR-IR) was increased in the IFP but decreased in BC. Perinuclear staining of CNTF-IR was seen in mouse sciatic nerve but only weakly in IFP. In the mammary area, also supplied by GFN, there were no differences in IR staining. CONCLUSION: This study found CNTFR-IR in the IFP was negatively regulated by androgen, suggesting that CNTF signaling may be suppressed in GFN sensory nerves to enable CGRP expression for regulating gubernacular migration in the male, but not the female. The indirect action of androgen via the GFN required for testicular descent may be one of the sites of anomalies in the putative multifactorial cause of cryptorchidism.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor reduces the proliferation and promotes the differentiation of TH- MYCN transformed sympathoadrenal progenitors.

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer caused by the transformation of sympathoadrenal progenitors. By following the formation of tumors in homozygous TH-MYCN mice, an established mouse model of neuroblastoma, we were able to capture transformed cells prior to the formation of large, vascularized tumors in order to determine the responsiveness of cells to neurotrophic factors. We discovered that the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor is abundantly expressed in tumor cells from these mice. Furthermore, CNTF - but not nerve growth factor, brain-derived nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3, or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor - promoted neuronal differentiation and withdrawal from the cell cycle. Thus, the transformation of sympathoadrenal progenitors by MYCN overexpression differentially affects responsiveness to neurotrophic molecules.

The amino acid exchange R28E in ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) abrogates interleukin-6 receptor-dependent but retains CNTF receptor-dependent signaling via glycoprotein 130 (gp130)/leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR).

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic factor with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, therapeutic application of CNTF reduced body weight in mice and humans. CNTF binds to high or low affinity receptor complexes consisting of CNTFR·gp130·LIFR or IL-6R·gp130·LIFR, respectively. Clinical studies of the CNTF derivative Axokine revealed intolerance at higher concentrations, which may rely on the low-affinity binding of CNTF to the IL-6R. Here, we aimed to generate a CNTFR-selective CNTF variant (CV). CV-1 contained the single amino acid exchange R28E. Arg(28) is in close proximity to the CNTFR binding site. Using molecular modeling, we hypothesized that Arg(28) might contribute to IL-6R/CNTFR plasticity of CNTF. CV-2 to CV-5 were generated by transferring parts of the CNTFR-binding site from cardiotrophin-like cytokine to CNTF. Cardiotrophin-like cytokine selectively signals via the CNTFR·gp130·LIFR complex, albeit with a much lower affinity compared with CNTF. As shown by immunoprecipitation, all CNTF variants retained the ability to bind to CNTFR. CV-1, CV-2, and CV-5, however, lost the ability to bind to IL-6R. Although all variants induced cytokine-dependent cellular proliferation and STAT3 phosphorylation via CNTFR·gp130·LIFR, only CV-3 induced STAT3 phosphorylation via IL-6R·gp130·LIFR. Quantification of CNTF-dependent proliferation of CNTFR·gp130·LIFR expressing cells indicated that only CV-1 was as biologically active as CNTF. Thus, the CNTFR-selective CV-1 will allow discriminating between CNTFR- and IL-6R-mediated effects in vivo.

Myokines (muscle-derived cytokines and chemokines) including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) inhibit osteoblast differentiation.

Muscle and bone are intimately linked by bi-directional signals regulating both muscle and bone cell gene expression and proliferation. It is generally accepted that muscle cells secrete factors (myokines) that influence adjacent bone cells, but these myokines are yet to be identified. We have previously shown that osteocyte-specific deletion of the co-receptor subunit utilized by IL-6 family cytokines, glycoprotein 130 (gp130), resulted in impaired bone formation in the trabecular bone, but enhanced periosteal expansion, suggesting a gp130-dependent periosteum-specific inhibition of osteoblast function, potentially induced by the local muscle fibres. We report here that differentiated primary calvarial osteoblasts cultured in myotube-conditioned media (CM) from myogenic C2C12 cells show reduced mRNA levels of genes associated with osteoblast differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase protein activity and all mRNA markers of osteoblast differentiation in the tested panel (runx2, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, sclerostin) were reduced following culture with myotube CM. The exception was RANKL, which was significantly elevated in differentiated primary osteoblast cultures expressing osteocytic genes. A cytokine array of the C2C12 myotube-conditioned media identified TIMP-1 and MCP-1 as the most abundant myokines, but treatment with recombinant TIMP-1 or MCP-1 did not inhibit osteoblast gene expression. Rather, the IL-6 family cytokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), which we found abundantly expressed by mouse muscle at the transcript and protein level, reduced osteoblast gene expression, although not to the same extent as the myotube-conditioned media. These data indicate that muscle cells secrete abundant TIMP-1, MCP-1, and CNTF, and that of these, only CNTF has the ability to suppress osteoblast function and gene expression in a similar manner to myotube-conditioned medium. This suggests that CNTF is an inhibitory myokine for osteoblasts.

The cytokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) activates hypothalamic urocortin-expressing neurons both in vitro and in vivo.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induces neurogenesis, reduces feeding, and induces weight loss. However, the central mechanisms by which CNTF acts are vague. We employed the mHypoE-20/2 line that endogenously expresses the CNTF receptor to examine the direct effects of CNTF on mRNA levels of urocortin-1, urocortin-2, agouti-related peptide, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotensin. We found that treatment of 10 ng/ml CNTF significantly increased only urocortin-1 mRNA by 1.84-fold at 48 h. We then performed intracerebroventricular injections of 0.5 mg/mL CNTF into mice, and examined its effects on urocortin-1 neurons post-exposure. Through double-label immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against c-Fos and urocortin-1, we showed that central CNTF administration significantly activated urocortin-1 neurons in specific areas of the hypothalamus. Taken together, our studies point to a potential role for CNTF in regulating hypothalamic urocortin-1-expressing neurons to mediate its recognized effects on energy homeostasis, neuronal proliferaton/survival, and/or neurogenesis.

Expression of interleukin-6 family receptors in NK92 cells is regulated by cytokines and not through direct interaction with Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

A balanced proinflammatory cytokine response to Plasmodium ssp. infection is crucial to control the disease outcome. To elucidate the effect of cytokines and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes on the regulation of interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (IL-6R), ciliary neurotrophic factor alpha (CNTFR-α) and glycoprotein (gp)130 in natural killer (NK) cells in the context of malaria, we assessed their gene expression and surface expression in NK92 cells. P. falciparum alone did not alter gene expression of the investigated receptors in NK92 cells. Analysis revealed a low effect of IL-6 on IL-6R surface expression in NK92 cells. However, at transcriptional level, a downregulation of IL-6R was observed following IL-6 stimulation. Thus, IL-6 might act within a negative feedback loop to terminate signal transduction by downregulating IL-6R expression. Additionally, we observed that IL-6R and CNTFR-α surface expression were regulated by a combination of IL-2, 12, and 18, and gp130 was influenced by interferon-α. Our results show that the IL-6 family receptors in NK92 cells are not directly influenced by P. falciparum. However, cytokines usually derived from accessory cells during malaria episodes may regulate IL-6 receptor signaling pathways. This finding encourages future studies in a more physiological context and with primary cells isolated from humans with and without malaria.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor regulation of adult forebrain neurogenesis.

Appropriately targeted manipulation of endogenous neural stem progenitor (NSP) cells may contribute to therapies for trauma, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease. A prerequisite to such therapies is a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating adult NSP cells in vivo. Indirect data suggest that endogenous ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor signaling may inhibit neuronal differentiation of NSP cells. We challenged subventricular zone (SVZ) cells in vivo with low concentrations of CNTF to anatomically characterize cells containing functional CNTF receptors. We found that type B "stem" cells are highly responsive, whereas type C "transit-amplifying" cells and type A neuroblasts are remarkably unresponsive, as are GFAP(+) astrocytes found outside the SVZ. CNTF was identified in a subset of type B cells that label with acute BrdU administration. Disruption of in vivo CNTF receptor signaling in SVZ NSP cells, with a "floxed" CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα) mouse line and a gene construct driving Cre recombinase (Cre) expression in NSP cells, led to increases in SVZ-associated neuroblasts and new olfactory bulb neurons, as well as a neuron subtype-specific, adult-onset increase in olfactory bulb neuron populations. Adult-onset receptor disruption in SVZ NSP cells with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV-Cre) also led to increased neurogenesis. However, the maintenance of type B cell populations was apparently unaffected by the receptor disruption. Together, the data suggest that endogenous CNTF receptor signaling in type B stem cells inhibits adult neurogenesis, and further suggest that the regulation may occur in a neuron subtype-specific manner.

Regulation of neurokine receptor signaling and trafficking.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are neurally active cytokines, or neurokines. LIF signals through a receptor consisting of gp130 and the low affinity LIF receptor (LIFR), while the CNTF receptor consists of gp130, LIFR, and the low affinity CNTF receptor (CNTFR). Ser1044 of the LIFR is phosphorylated by Erk1/2 MAP kinase. Stimulation of neural cells with growth factors which strongly activate Erk1/2 decreases LIF-mediated signal transduction due to increased degradation of the LIFR as a consequence of Erk1/2-dependent phosphorylation of the receptor at Ser1044. The gp130 receptor subunit is phosphorylated, at least in part by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, at Ser782, which is adjacent to a dileucine internalization motif. Ser782 appears to negatively regulate cytokine receptor expression, as mutagenesis of Ser782 results in increased gp130 expression and cytokine-induced neuropeptide gene transcription. The LIFR and gp130 are transmembrane proteins, while CNTFR is a peripheral membrane protein attached to the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol tail. In unstimulated cells, CNTFR but not LIFR and gp130 is localized to detergent-resistant lipid rafts. Stimulation of cells with CNTFR causes translocation of LIFR and gp130 into the lipid rafts, while stimulation with LIF does not induce receptor translocation, raising the possibility that CNTF could induce different patterns of signaling and/or receptor trafficking than caused by LIF. We used a compartmentalized culture system to examine the mechanisms for retrograde signaling by LIF and CNTF from distal neurites to the cell bodies of mouse sympathetic neurons. Stimulation with neurokines of the distal neurites of sympathetic neurons grown in a compartmentalized culture system resulted in the activation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Stat3. Retrograde signaling required Jak kinase activity in the cell body but not the distal neurites, and could be blocked by inhibitors of microtubule but not microfilament function. The results are consistent with a signaling endosomes model in which the ctyokine/receptor complex is transported back to the cell body where Stat3 is activated. While both LIF and CNTF mediate retrograde activation of Stat3, the kinetics for retrograde signaling differ for the two neurokines.

Developmentally regulated IL6-type cytokines signal to germ cells in the human fetal ovary.

Fetal ovarian development and primordial follicle formation are imperative for adult fertility in the female. Data suggest the interleukin (IL)6-type cytokines, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL6, oncostatin M (OSM) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), are able to regulate the survival, proliferation and differentiation of fetal murine germ cells (GCs) in vivo and in vitro. We postulated that these factors may play a similar role during early human GC development and primordial follicle formation. To test this hypothesis, we have investigated the expression and regulation of IL6-type cytokines, using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Expression of transcripts encoding OSM increased significantly across the gestational range examined (8-20 weeks), while expression of IL6 increased specifically between the first (8-11 weeks) and early second (12-16 weeks) trimesters, co-incident with the initiation of meiosis. LIF and CNTF expression remained unchanged. Expression of the genes encoding the LIF and IL6 receptors, and their common signalling subunit gp130, was also found to be developmentally regulated, with expression increasing significantly with increasing gestation. LIF receptor and gp130 proteins localized exclusively to GCs, including oocytes in primordial follicles, indicating this cell type to be the sole target of IL6-type cytokine signalling in the human fetal ovary. These data establish that IL6-type cytokines and their receptors are expressed in the human fetal ovary and may directly influence GC development at multiple stages of maturation.

Neuronal activity and axonal sprouting differentially regulate CNTF and CNTF receptor complex in the rat supraoptic nucleus.

We demonstrated previously that the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) undergoes a robust axonal sprouting response following unilateral transection of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial tract. Concomitant with this response is an increase in ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFRα) expression in the contralateral non-uninjured SON from which the axonal outgrowth occurs. While these findings suggest that CNTF may act as a growth factor in support of neuronal plasticity in the SON, it remained to be determined if the observed increase in neurotrophin expression was related to the sprouting response per se or more generally to the increased neurosecretory activity associated with the post-lesion response. Therefore we used immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis to examine the expression of CNTF and the components of the CNTF receptor complex in sprouting versus osmotically-stimulated SON. Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in CNTF, CNTFRα, and gp130, but not LIFRß, protein levels in the sprouting SON at 10days post lesion in the absence of neuronal loss. In contrast, osmotic stimulation of neurosecretory activity in the absence of injury resulted in a significant decrease in CNTF protein levels with no change in CNTFRα, gp130, or LIFRß protein levels. Immunocytochemical analysis further demonstrated gp130 localization on magnocellular neurons and astrocytes while the LIFRß receptor was found only on astrocytes in the SON. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that increased CNTF and CNTFR complex in the sprouting, metabolically active SON are related directly to the sprouting response and not the increase in neurosecretory activity.

CNTF mediates neurotrophic factor secretion and fluid absorption in human retinal pigment epithelium.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) protects photoreceptors and regulates their phototransduction machinery, but little is known about CNTF's effects on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) physiology. Therefore, we determined the expression and localization of CNTF receptors and the physiological consequence of their activation in primary cultures of human fetal RPE (hfRPE). Cultured hfRPE express CNTF, CT1, and OsM and their receptors, including CNTFRα, LIFRß, gp130, and OsMRß, all localized mainly at the apical membrane. Exogenous CNTF, CT1, or OsM induces STAT3 phosphorylation, and OsM also induces the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p44/42 MAP kinase). CNTF increases RPE survivability, but not rates of phagocytosis. CNTF increases secretion of NT3 to the apical bath and decreases that of VEGF, IL8, and TGFß2. It also significantly increases fluid absorption (J(V)) across intact monolayers of hfRPE by activating CFTR chloride channels at the basolateral membrane. CNTF induces profound changes in RPE cell biology, biochemistry, and physiology, including the increase in cell survival, polarized secretion of cytokines/neurotrophic factors, and the increase in steady-state fluid absorption mediated by JAK/STAT3 signaling. In vivo, these changes, taken together, could serve to regulate the microenvironment around the distal retinal/RPE/Bruch's membrane complex and provide protection against neurodegenerative disease.

Cytokine-like factor 1 (CLF1): life after development?

Cytokine-like factor 1 (CLF1) is a secreted receptor belonging to the interleukin-6 family of cytokines. CLF1 and its physiologic partner, cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC) are secreted as a heterodimer and engage the tripartite signaling complex of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIFR) and gp130. Ligation of this receptor complex leads to activation of the STAT3 and MAPK pathways and mediates survival pathways in neurons. Mutations in CLF1, CLC, or CNTFR in mice lead to the birth of mice that die on post-natal day 1 because of an inability to nurse. These animals exhibit significant decreases in the number of motor neurons in the facial nucleus and the spinal cord. CLF1 or CLC deficiency is associated with the development of the human cold-induced sweating syndromes. A growing body of research suggests that CLF1 expression may be associated with several post-natal disease processes. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of CLF1 expression and suggest future studies to understand the potentially important role of CLF1 in postnatal life and disease.

Characterization of two putative cytokine receptors, gp130 and ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor, from terrestrial salamanders.

Cytokines of the gp130 family are fundamental regulators of immune responses and signal through multimeric receptors to initiate intracellular second-messenger cascades. Here, we provide the first characterization of two full-length gp130 cytokine receptors from the cDNA of the red-legged salamander (Plethodon shermani). The first, gp130 (2745 bp), is a common signaling receptor for several multi-functional cytokines in vertebrates. We also isolated the full-length (1104 bp) sequence of the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR), which forms a heteromeric signaling complex with gp130. The open reading frames of both receptors were predicted to contain many of the conserved features found in mammalian gp130s, such as cytokine binding homology regions and residues known to form disulfide bonds. Finally, we used RT-PCR to show that gp130 and CNTFR were expressed in most P. shermani tissues, including brain, intestine and muscle. The expression profiles, along with the structural predictions, show that gp130, CNTFR, and their cytokine ligands are parts of the immune system of P. shermani and other caudate amphibians.