ERK5 suppression overcomes FAK inhibitor resistance in mutant KRAS-driven non-small cell lung cancer.

Mutated KRAS serves as the oncogenic driver in 30% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and is associated with metastatic and therapy-resistant tumors. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) acts as a mediator in sustaining KRAS-driven lung tumors, and although FAK inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical development, clinical data indicated that their efficacy in producing long-term anti-tumor responses is limited. Here we revealed two FAK interactors, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), as key players underlying FAK-mediated maintenance of KRAS mutant NSCLC. Inhibition of ERK5 and CDK5 synergistically suppressed FAK function, decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis owing to exacerbated ROS-induced DNA damage. Accordingly, concomitant pharmacological inhibition of ERK5 and CDK5 in a mouse model of KrasG12D-driven lung adenocarcinoma suppressed tumor progression and promoted cancer cell death. Cancer cells resistant to FAK inhibitors showed enhanced ERK5-FAK signaling dampening DNA damage. Notably, ERK5 inhibition prevented the development of resistance to FAK inhibitors, significantly enhancing the efficacy of anti-tumor responses. Therefore, we propose ERK5 inhibition as a potential co-targeting strategy to counteract FAK inhibitor resistance in NSCLC.

Conserved gatekeeper methionine regulates the binding and access of kinase inhibitors to ATP sites of MAP2K1, 4, and 7: Clues for developing selective inhibitors.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MAP2Ks) 1, 4, and 7 are potential targets for treating various diseases. Here, we solved the crystal structures of MAP2K1 and MAP2K4 complexed with covalent inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol (5Z7O). The elucidated structures showed that 5Z7O was non-covalently bound to the ATP binding site of MAP2K4, while it covalently attached to cysteine at the DFG-1 position of the deep ATP site of MAP2K1. In contrast, we previously showed that 5Z7O covalently binds to MAP2K7 via another cysteine on the solvent-accessible edge of the ATP site. Structural analyses and molecular dynamics calculations indicated that the configuration and mobility of conserved gatekeeper methionine located at the central ATP site regulated the binding and access of 5Z7O to the ATP site of MAP2Ks. These structural features provide clues for developing highly potent and selective inhibitors against MAP2Ks. Abbreviations: ATP, adenosine triphosphate; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; MAP2Ks, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases; MD, molecular dynamics; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; 5Z7O, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol; PDB, protein data bank; RMSD, root-mean-square deviation.

ERK5 Activity Prevention Improves the Antitumor Efficacy of Fluvastatin on Thymic Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Thymic carcinoma is a rare cancer type with limited treatment options. Our previous study demonstrated that statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, can prevent thymic carcinoma. However, the mechanisms through which statins affect intracellular events in cancer cells are not well understood. The aim of the study was to determine how thymic carcinoma modulates the intracellular signals in response to statin administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed statin-induced protein phosphorylation in Ty82 human thymic carcinoma cells, which were cultured with fluvastatin, and protein phosphorylation was examined using western blotting. RESULTS: Treating Ty82 with fluvastatin led to ERK5 phosphorylation via protein prenylation attenuation. The antitumor effects of fluvastatin on thymic carcinoma were enhanced when combined with an ERK5 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Statin therapy in combination with ERK5 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic approach for treating thymic carcinoma.

ERK5 inhibitor BIX02189 attenuates methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity by modulating microglial activation in the striatum.

Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5) has various physiological functions. However, the physiological role of ERK5 in the treatment of mice with an illicit drug such as methamphetamine (METH) remains unknown. We revealed that mice treated with METH showed hyperactivity, and increased p-ERK5 and Iba1 (a microglia marker) levels in the striatum. Additionally, these changes were inhibited by pretreatment with the ERK5 inhibitor BIX02189. The results suggest that METH-induced hyperactivity is associated with the activation of microglia via p-ERK5 in the striatum. Thus, the ERK5 pathway components in the central nervous system are potential therapeutic targets for preventing METH addiction.

ERK5 modulates IL-6 secretion and contributes to tumor-induced immune suppression.

Tumors exhibit a variety of strategies to dampen antitumor immune responses. With an aim to identify factors that are secreted from tumor cells, we performed an unbiased mass spectrometry-based secretome analysis in lung cancer cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as a prominent factor secreted by tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts isolated from cancer patients. Incubation of dendritic cell (DC) cultures with tumor cell supernatants inhibited the production of IL-12p70 in DCs but not the surface expression of other activation markers which is reversed by treatment with IL-6 antibody. Defects in IL-12p70 production in the DCs inhibited the differentiation of Th1 but not Th2 and Th17 cells from naïve CD4+ T cells. We also demonstrate that the classical mitogen-activated protein kinase, ERK5/MAPK7, is required for IL-6 production in tumor cells. Inhibition of ERK5 activity or depletion of ERK5 prevented IL-6 production in tumor cells, which could be exploited for enhancing antitumor immune responses.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 2 (Erk2) and Erk5 in the central nervous system differentially contribute to central sensitization in male mice.

Nervous systems are designed to become extra sensitive to afferent nociceptive stimuli under certain circumstances such as inflammation and nerve injury. How pain hypersensitivity comes about is key issue in the field since it ultimately results in chronic pain. Central sensitization represents enhanced pain sensitivity due to increased neural signaling within the central nervous system (CNS). Particularly, much evidence indicates that underlying mechanism of central sensitization is associated with the change of spinal neurons. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases have received attention as key molecules in central sensitization. Previously, we revealed the isoform-specific function of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (Erk2) in spinal neurons for central sensitization using mice with Cre-loxP-mediated deletion of Erk2 in the CNS. Still, how extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (Erk5) in spinal neurons contributes to central sensitization has not been directly tested, nor is the functional relevance of Erk5 and Erk2 known. Here, we show that Erk5 and Erk2 in the CNS play redundant and/or distinct roles in central sensitization, depending on the plasticity context (cell types, pain types, time, etc.). We used male mice with Erk5 deletion specifically in the CNS and found that Erk5 plays important roles in central sensitization in a formalin-induced inflammatory pain model. Deletion of both Erk2 and Erk5 leads to greater attenuation of central sensitization in this model, compared to deletion of either isoform alone. Conversely, Erk2 but not Erk5 plays important roles in central sensitization in neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain caused by nerve damage. Our results suggest the elaborate mechanisms of Erk signaling in central sensitization.

Design of a dual ERK5 kinase activation and autophosphorylation inhibitor to block cancer stem cell activity.

The importance of ERK5 kinase signaling in tumorigenicity, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been recognized recently, and we report a unique dual inhibitor that blocks binding of the ERK5 activator and ERK5 autophosphorylation simultaneously. The conventional ATP-binding site inhibitors have not yet yielded expected level of anti-cancer effects, due to complexities in converting ERK5 activation into CSC biological effects. We designed the first ERK5-targeted anti-CSC dual active hetero-bivalent inhibitor that blocks the regulatory peptide interaction involved in ERK5 kinase activation and that simultaneously inhibits the conventional ATP-binding pocket as well. We utilized two assay systems to independently prove disruption of these two ERK5 activities via a single compound. We also showed that this compound inhibited CSC activities, such as colony formation, cell proliferation, and migration.

Small molecule ERK5 kinase inhibitors paradoxically activate ERK5 signalling: be careful what you wish for .

ERK5 is a protein kinase that also contains a nuclear localisation signal and a transcriptional transactivation domain. Inhibition of ERK5 has therapeutic potential in cancer and inflammation and this has prompted the development of ERK5 kinase inhibitors (ERK5i). However, few ERK5i programmes have taken account of the ERK5 transactivation domain. We have recently shown that the binding of small molecule ERK5i to the ERK5 kinase domain stimulates nuclear localisation and paradoxical activation of its transactivation domain. Other kinase inhibitors paradoxically activate their intended kinase target, in some cases leading to severe physiological consequences highlighting the importance of mitigating these effects. Here, we review the assays used to monitor ERK5 activities (kinase and transcriptional) in cells, the challenges faced in development of small molecule inhibitors to the ERK5 pathway, and classify the molecular mechanisms of paradoxical activation of protein kinases by kinase inhibitors.

Extracellular-Regulated Protein Kinase 5-Mediated Control of p21 Expression Promotes Macrophage Proliferation Associated with Tumor Growth and Metastasis.

The presence of immunosuppressive macrophages that become activated in the tumor microenvironment constitutes a major factor responsible for tumor growth and malignancy. In line with this knowledge, we report here that macrophage proliferation is a significant feature of advanced stages of cancer. Moreover, we have found that a high proportion of proliferating macrophages in human tumors express ERK5. ERK5 was required for supporting the proliferation of macrophages in tumor grafts in mice. Furthermore, myeloid ERK5 deficiency negatively impacted the proliferation of both resident and infiltrated macrophages in metastatic lung nodules. ERK5 maintained the capacity of macrophages to proliferate by suppressing p21 expression to halt their differentiation program. Collectively, these data provide insight into the mechanism underpinning macrophage proliferation to support malignant tumor development, thereby strengthening the value of ERK5-targeted therapies to restore antitumor immunity through the blockade of protumorigenic macrophage activation. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings offer a new rationale for anti-ERK5 therapy to improve cancer patient outcomes by blocking the proliferative activity of tumor macrophages.

Increased expression of EGR1 and KLF4 by polysulfide via activation of the ERK1/2 and ERK5 pathways in cultured intestinal epithelial cells.

Sodium trisulfide (Na2S3) releases hydrogen polysulfide (H2Sn) and is useful for the investigation of the effects of H2Sn on the cell functions. In the present study, we first examined the effects of Na2S3 on the gene expression of IEC-6 cells, a rat intestinal epithelial cell line. Microarray analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Na2S3 increased the gene expression of early growth response 1 (EGR1) and Kruppel-like transcription factor 4 (KLF4). It was interesting that U0126, an inhibitor of the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1), ERK2, and ERK5, inhibited the Na2S3-induced gene expression of EGR1 and KLF4. Na2S3 activated ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK1/2) within 15 min. In addition to ERK1/2, Na2S3 activated ERK5. We noticed that the electrophoretic mobility of ERK5 was decreased after Na2S3 treatment. Phos-tag analysis and in vitro dephosphorylation of the cell extracts indicated that the gel-shift of ERK5 was due to its phosphorylation. The gel-shift of ERK5 was inhibited completely by both U0126 and ERK5-IN-1, a specific inhibitor of ERK5. From these results, we concluded that the gel-shift of ERK5 was induced through autophosphorylation by activated ERK5 after Na2S3 treatment. The present study suggested that H2Sn affected various functions of intestinal epithelial cells through the activation of the ERK1/2 and ERK5 pathways.

Efficient Suppression of NRAS-Driven Melanoma by Co-Inhibition of ERK1/2 and ERK5 MAPK Pathways.

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly malignant tumor typically driven by somatic mutation in the oncogenes BRAF or NRAS, leading to uncontrolled activation of the MEK/ERK MAPK pathway. Despite the availability of immunotherapy, MAPK pathway‒targeting regimens are still a valuable treatment option for BRAF-mutant melanoma. Unfortunately, patients with NRAS mutation do not benefit from such therapies owing to the lack of targetable BRAF mutations and a high degree of intrinsic and acquired resistance toward MEK inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that concomitant inhibition of ERK5 removes this constraint and effectively sensitizes NRAS-mutant melanoma cells for MAPK pathway‒targeting therapy. Using approved MEK inhibitors or a pharmacologic ERK inhibitor, we demonstrate that MAPK inhibition triggers a delayed activation of ERK5 through a PDGFR inhibitor-sensitive pathway in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells, resulting in sustained proliferation and survival. ERK5 phosphorylation also occurred naturally in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells and correlated with nuclear localization of its stem cell-associated effector KLF2. Importantly, MEK/ERK5 co-inhibition prevented long-term growth of human NRAS-mutant melanoma cells in vitro and effectively repressed tumor progression in a xenotransplant mouse model. Our findings suggest MEK/ERK5 cotargeting as a potential treatment option for NRAS-mutant melanoma, which currently is not amenable for targeted therapies.

Modulating Pluripotency Network Genes with Omega-3 DHA is followed by Caspase- 3 Activation and Apoptosis in DNA Mismatch Repair-Deficient/KRAS-Mutant Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells.

BACKGROUND: Targeting DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells (CRCSCs) with chemical compounds remains challenging. Modulating stemness factors Bmi-1, Sox-2, Oct-4 and Nanog in CRCSCs which are direct downstream targets of carcinogenesis pathways may lead to the reactivation of caspase-3 and apoptosis in these cells. Omega-3 DHA modulates different signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. However, little is known, whether in vitro concentrations of DHA equal to human plasma levels are able to modulate pluripotency genes expression, caspase-3 reactivation and apoptosis in DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells. METHODS: DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells (LS174T cells) were treated with DHA, after which, cell number and proliferation-rate, Bmi-1, Sox-2, Nanog and Oct-4 expression, caspase-3 activation and apoptosis were evaluated with different cellular and molecular techniques. RESULTS: DHA changed the morphology of cells to apoptotic forms and disrupted cell connections. After 48h treatment with 50- to 200µM DHA, cell numbers and proliferation-rates were measured to be 86%-35% and 93.6%-45.7% respectively. Treatment with 200 µM DHA dramatically decreased the expression of Bmi-1, Sox- 2, Oct-4 and Nanog by 69%, 70%, 97.5% and 53% respectively. Concurrently, DHA induced caspase-3 activation by 1.8-4.7-fold increases compared to untreated cells. An increase in the number of apoptotic cells ranging from 9.3%-38.4% was also observed with increasing DHA concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: DHA decreases the high expression level of pluripotency network genes suggesting Bmi-1, Sox-2, Oct-4 and Nanog as promising molecular targets of DHA. DHA reactivates caspase-3 and apoptosis in DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells, representing the high potential of this safe compound for therapeutic application in CRC.

Reversal of ABCB1-related multidrug resistance by ERK5-IN-1.

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of ABC transporters is considered the most effective way to circumvent multidrug resistance (MDR). In the present study, we evaluated the MDR modulatory potential of ERK5-IN-1, a potent extracelluar signal regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) inhibitor. METHODS: The cytotoxicity and MDR reversal effect of ERK5-IN-1 were assessed by MTT assay. The KBv200-inoculated nude mice xenograft model was used for the in vivo study. Doxorubicin efflux and accumulation were measured by flow cytometry. The modulation of ABCB1 activity was measured by colorimetric ATPase assay and [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) photolabeling assay. Effect of ERK5-IN-1 on expression of ABCB1 and its downstream markers was measured by PCR and/or Western blot. Cell surface expression and subcellular localization of ABCB1 were tested by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Our results showed that ERK5-IN-1 significantly increased the sensitivity of vincristine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin in KBv200, MCF7/adr and HEK293/ABCB1 cells, respectively. This effect was not found in respective drug sensitive parental cell lines. Moreover, in vivo combination studies showed that ERK5-IN-1 effectively enhanced the antitumor activity of paclitaxel in KBv200 xenografts without causing addition toxicity. Mechanistically, ERK5-IN-1 increased intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin dose dependently by directly inhibiting the efflux function of ABCB1. ERK5-IN-1 stimulated the ABCB1 ATPase activity and inhibited the incorporation of [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) into ABCB1 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ERK5-IN-1 treatment neither altered the expression level of ABCB1 nor blocked the phosphorylation of downstream Akt or Erk1/2. No significant reversal effect was observed on ABCG2-, ABCC1-, MRP7- and LRP-mediated drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results indicated that ERK5-IN-1 efficiently reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by competitively inhibiting the ABCB1 drug efflux function. The use of ERK5-IN-1 to restore sensitivity to chemotherapy or to prevent resistance could be a potential treatment strategy for cancer patients.

Discovery of a Novel Dual-Target Inhibitor of ERK1 and ERK5 That Induces Regulated Cell Death to Overcome Compensatory Mechanism in Specific Tumor Types.

ERK1 and ERK5 are proposed to have pivotal roles in several types of cancer. Under some circumstance, ERK5 may provide a common bypass route, which rescues proliferation upon abrogation of ERK1 signaling. Thus, we accurately classified the tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) based on the expression levels of ERK1 and ERK5. We proposed a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome the above-mentioned compensatory mechanism in specific tumor types by co-targeting both ERK1 and ERK5. On the basis of the idea of overcoming ERK5 compensation mechanism, 22ac (ADTL-EI1712) as the first selective dual-target inhibitor of ERK1 and ERK5 was discovered to have potent antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, this compound was found to induce regulated cell death accompanied by autophagy in MKN-74 cells. Taken together, our results warrant the potential of this dual-target inhibitor as a new candidate drug that conquers compensatory mechanism in certain tumor types.

Identification and characterization of fragment binding sites for allosteric ligand design using the site identification by ligand competitive saturation hotspots approach (SILCS-Hotspots).

BACKGROUND: Fragment-based ligand design is used for the development of novel ligands that target macromolecules, most notably proteins. Central to its success is the identification of fragment binding sites that are spatially adjacent such that fragments occupying those sites may be linked to create drug-like ligands. Current experimental and computational approaches that address this problem typically identify only a limited number of sites as well as use a limited number of fragment types. METHODS: The site-identification by ligand competitive saturation (SILCS) approach is extended to the identification of fragment bindings sites, with the method termed SILCS-Hotspots. The approach involves precomputation of the SILCS FragMaps following which the identification of Hotspots, performed by identifying of all possible fragment binding sites on the full 3D structure of the protein followed by spatial clustering. RESULTS: The SILCS-Hotspots approach identifies a large number of sites on the target protein, including many sites not accessible in experimental structures due to low binding affinities and binding sites on the protein interior. The identified sites are shown to recapitulate the location of known drug-like molecules in both allosteric and orthosteric binding sites on seven proteins including the androgen receptor, the CDK2 and Erk5 kinases, PTP1B phosphatase and three GPCRs; the ß2-adrenergic, GPR40 fatty-acid binding and M2-muscarinic receptors. Analysis indicates the importance of considering all possible fragment binding sites, and not just those accessible to experimental methods, when identifying novel binding sites and performing ligand design versus just considering the most favorable sites. The approach is shown to identify a larger number of known binding sites of drug-like molecules versus the commonly used FTMap and Fpocket methods. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present results indicate the potential utility of the SILCS-Hotspots approach for fragment-based rational design of ligands, including allosteric modulators.

Pharmacological inhibition of the MEK5/ERK5 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways synergistically reduces viability in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent 15% to 20% of all breast cancers and are often associated with poor prognosis. The lack of targeted therapies for TNBCs contributes to higher mortality rates. Aberrations in the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways have been linked to increased breast cancer proliferation and survival. It has been proposed that these survival characteristics are enhanced through compensatory signaling and crosstalk mechanisms. While the crosstalk between PI3K and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathways has been characterized in several systems, new evidence suggests that MEK5/ERK5 signaling is a key component in the proliferation and survival of several aggressive cancers. In this study, we examined the effects of dual inhibition of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) and MEK5/ERK5 in the MDA-MB-231, BT-549, and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell lines. We used the Akt inhibitor ipatasertib, ERK5 inhibitors XMD8-92 and AX15836, and the novel MEK5 inhibitor SC-1-181 to investigate the effects of dual inhibition. Our results indicated that dual inhibition of PI3K/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 signaling was more effective at reducing the proliferation and survival of TNBCs than single inhibition of either pathway alone. In particular, a loss of Bad phosphorylation at two distinct sites was observed with dual inhibition. Furthermore, the inhibition of both pathways led to p21 restoration, decreased cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. In addition, the dual inhibition strategy was determined to be synergistic in MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells and was relatively nontoxic in the nonneoplastic MCF-10 cell line. In summary, the results from this study provide a unique prospective into the utility of a novel dual inhibition strategy for targeting TNBCs.

Identification of a novel orally bioavailable ERK5 inhibitor with selectivity over p38α and BRD4.

Extracellular regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) signalling has been implicated in driving a number of cellular phenotypes including endothelial cell angiogenesis and tumour cell motility. Novel ERK5 inhibitors were identified using high throughput screening, with a series of pyrrole-2-carboxamides substituted at the 4-position with an aroyl group being found to exhibit IC50 values in the micromolar range, but having no selectivity against p38α MAP kinase. Truncation of the N-substituent marginally enhanced potency (∼3-fold) against ERK5, but importantly attenuated inhibition of p38α. Systematic variation of the substituents on the aroyl group led to the selective inhibitor 4-(2-bromo-6-fluorobenzoyl)-N-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide (IC50 0.82 µM for ERK5; IC50 > 120 µM for p38α). The crystal structure (PDB 5O7I) of this compound in complex with ERK5 has been solved. This compound was orally bioavailable and inhibited bFGF-driven Matrigel plug angiogenesis and tumour xenograft growth. The selective ERK5 inhibitor described herein provides a lead for further development into a tool compound for more extensive studies seeking to examine the role of ERK5 signalling in cancer and other diseases.

Identification of Novel RAS Signaling Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are incurable brain tumors with an aggressive onset. Apart from irradiation, there are currently no effective therapies available for patients with DIPG, who have a median survival time of less than one year. Most DIPG cells harbor mutations in genes encoding histone H3 (H3K27M) proteins, resulting in a global reduction of H3K27 trimethylation and activation of oncogenic signaling pathways. Here we show that the H3K27M mutations contribute to RAS pathway signaling, which is augmented by additional RAS activators including PDGFRA. H3K27M mutation led to increased expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). A RAS pathway functional screen identified ERK5, but not ERK1/2, as a RAS pathway effector important for DIPG growth. Suppression of ERK5 decreased DIPG cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, depletion or inhibition of ERK5 significantly increased survival of mice intracranially engrafted with DIPG cells. Mechanistically, ERK5 directly stabilized the proto-oncogene MYC at the protein level. Collectively, our data demonstrate an underappreciated role of H3K27M in RAS activation and reveal novel therapeutic targets for treating DIPG tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify the H3K27M mutation as an enhancer of RAS activation in DIPG and ERK5 as a novel, immediately actionable molecular target. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/16/4026/F1.large.jpg.

Specific Features of Fibrotic Lung Fibroblasts Highly Sensitive to Fibrotic Processes Mediated via TGF-ß-ERK5 Interaction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lung fibrosis is associated with lung tissue contraction due to abnormal accumulation of myofibroblasts, which aggressively promote the fibrotic process. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling in fibroblasts promotes extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and fibroblast migration and differentiation into myofibroblasts. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)5 blocks lung fibroblast activation by suppressing TGF-ß signaling. Here, we examined the effects of an ERK5 inhibitor on TGF-ß1-induced fibrosis in lung fibroblasts. METHODS: The effects of ERK5 inhibition following TGF-ß1 exposure were evaluated in lung fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic human lung tissues. Fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction and fibroblast migration towards fibronectin were assessed. Phenotypic differences in fibrotic fibroblasts were examined using the cap analysis gene expression method for genome-wide quantification of promoter activity. RESULTS: TGF-ß1stimulated contraction of collagen gels, fibroblast migration, and α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin expression, and Smad3 phosphorylation were increased in fibrotic fibroblasts as compared to normal lung fibroblasts. Treatment with the ERK5 inhibitor blocked these responses to a greater extent in fibroblasts from patients with usual interstitial pneumonia as compared to nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, independent of bone morphogenetic protein/Smad1 regulation. Moreover, 223 genes including fibulin-5 -which is involved in the TGF-ß1-ERK5 signaling network- were upregulated in fibrotic fibroblasts, and ECM regulation was found to be enriched in the Reactome analysis. CONCLUSION: ERK5 inhibition attenuated the high sensitivity of fibrotic fibroblasts to TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling. Thus, the ERK5 pathway components and fibulin-5 are potential therapeutic targets to prevent lung fibrosis progression.

Chronic hyperglycemia regulates microglia polarization through ERK5.

Diabetic patients are prone to developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which microglia play a critical role. However, the direct effect of high glucose (HG) on microglia and the role of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) signaling in this interaction have not been examined before. Here, these questions were addressed in microglia cultured in HG versus normal glucose (NG) conditions. Initially, HG induced microglial differentiation into the M2a phenotype with concomitant ERK5 activation. However, longer exposure to HG further induced differentiation of microglia into the M2b-like phenotype, followed by the M1-like subtype, concomitant with a gradual loss of ERK5 activation. BIX021895, a specific inhibitor of ERK5 activation, prevented M2a- differentiation of microglia, but induced earlier M2b-like polarization followed by M1-like polarization. Transfection of microglia with a sustained activated form of MEK5 (MEK5DD) prolonged the duration of the M2a phenotype, and prevented later differentiation into the M2b/M1 subtype. Conditioned media from the M2a-polarized microglia reduced neuronal cell apoptosis in hypoxic condition, while media from M2b-like or M1-like microglia enhanced apoptosis. Together, our data suggest that chronic hyperglycemia may induce a gradual alteration of microglia polarization into an increasingly proinflammatory subtype, which could be suppressed by sustained activation of ERK5 signaling.