A designed cell-penetrating human SOCS2 protein suppresses GH-dependent cancer cell proliferation.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 2, a negative regulator of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is associated with acromegaly and cancers, is a promising candidate molecule for treating various diseases. To facilitate its use in protein therapy, we designed and constructed a human SOCS2 protein containing a membrane-permeable peptide sequence and expressed it in an Escherichia coli system. The partially purified recombinant protein was effectively delivered into several cancer cell lines and inhibited cell growth. Biochemical analysis showed that the recombinant SOCS2 protein interacted with growth hormone receptor (GHR) and downregulated GH-STAT5 signaling target genes. Our results suggest that the designed cell-penetrating SOCS2 protein will be useful in intercellular protein therapy to cure cancers. Abbreviations: SOCS: suppressor of cytokine signaling; GH: growth hormone; GHR: growth hormone receptor; IGF-1: insulin-like growth factor 1; CP: cell-penetrating; STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; JAK: Janus kinase; HNF: hepatocyte nuclear factor; MTM: membrane-translocating motif; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus.

Commensal microbiota-induced microRNA modulates intestinal epithelial permeability through the small GTPase ARF4.

The intestinal tract contains many commensal bacteria that modulate various physiological host functions. Dysbiosis of commensal bacteria triggers dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier, leading to the induction or aggravation of intestinal inflammation. To elucidate whether microRNA plays a role in commensal microbiome-dependent intestinal epithelial barrier regulation, we compared transcripts in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from conventional and germ-free mice and found that commensal bacteria induced the expression of miR-21-5p in IECs. miR-21-5p increased intestinal epithelial permeability and up-regulated ADP ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4), a small GTPase, in the IEC line Caco-2. We also found that ARF4 expression was up-regulated upon suppression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which are known miR-21-5p targets, by RNAi. Furthermore, ARF4 expression in epithelial cells of the large intestine was higher in conventional mice than in germ-free mice. ARF4 suppression in the IEC line increased the expression of tight junction proteins and decreased intestinal epithelial permeability. These results indicate that commensal microbiome-dependent miR-21-5p expression in IECs regulates intestinal epithelial permeability via ARF4, which may therefore represent a target for preventing or managing dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier.

TIPE2 (Tumor Necrosis Factor α-induced Protein 8-like 2) Is a Novel Negative Regulator of TAK1 Signal.

TIPE2 (TNF-α-induced protein 8-like 2) is a novel death effector domain protein and is a negative regulator of the innate and adaptive immune response. Although it has been demonstrated that caspase-8 contributes to the negative regulation of TIPE2, the negative regulatory mechanism is not entirely understood. Here, we demonstrate that TIPE2 interacts with TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a crucial regulatory molecule of inflammatory and immune signals, and consequently acts as a powerful negative regulator of TAK1. The interaction between endogenous TIPE2 and TAK1 was observed in RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse primary cells derived from spleen and thymus. The TIPE2 amino acid 101-140 region interacted with TAK1 by binding to the amino acid 200-291 region of the internal kinase domain of TAK1. TIPE2 interfered with the formation of the TAK1-TAB1-TAB2 complex and subsequently inhibited activation of TAK1 and its downstream molecules. Importantly, silencing TIPE2 through RNA interference attenuated the inhibitory action of TIPE2 on LPS- and TNF-α-stimulated TAK1 activity. Exogenous TIPE2 101-140, the region that interacts with TAK1, also inhibited LPS- and TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB reporter activity. Interestingly, cell-permeable TIPE2 protein maintained its binding ability with TAK1 and exhibited the same inhibitory action of native TIPE2 on TLR4 signaling in vitro Thus, cell-permeable TIPE2 protein is a potential candidate for intracellular protein therapy for TAK1-related diseases. The present study demonstrates that TIPE2 acts as a novel negative regulator of inflammatory and immune responses through TAK1 signaling.

α-Defensin 5 gene expression is regulated by gut microbial metabolites.

α-Defensin 5 is important to both maintenance of a gut microbiota and host immunity. While previous reports have shown that gut bacteria are able to upregulate α-defensin 5 through Toll-like receptor signaling, we demonstrate here that α-defensin 5 expression can also be regulated by microbial metabolites. Among these, lactate appeared to significantly suppress α-defensin 5 gene transcription. Actually, fractions of <3 kD compounds obtained from the ceca of SPF mice were suppressed α-defensin 5 gene transcription at specific concentrations. Our results also suggest that cecal content may include as yet unidentified factors that can enhance α-defensin 5 expression. Our data point to a novel function for the gut microbial metabolites in controlling the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the intestine.

Functional analysis of Protection of Telomeres 1a (Pot1a) in regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging.

Repeated cell divisions induce DNA damage accumulation, which impairs stem cell function during aging. However, the general molecular mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. Herein, we show that the expression of protection of telomeres 1a (Pot1a), a component of shelterin, is crucial for prevention of telomeric DNA damage response (DDR) and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity during aging. We observed that HSCs express high levels of Pot1a during development, and this expression declines with aging. Knockdown of Pot1a induced an age-related phenotype, characterized by increased telomeric DDR and reduced long-term reconstitution activity. In contrast, treatment with exogenous Pot1a protein prevented telomeric DDR, which decreased stem cell activity and partially rejuvenated HSC activity. These results highlight a general, reversible mechanism by which aging compromises mammalian stem cell activity, with widespread implications for regenerative medicine.

Gut microbiota-dependent adaptor molecule recruits DNA methyltransferase to the TLR4 gene in colonic epithelial cells to suppress inflammatory reactions.

The intestine is inhabited by a large number of commensal bacteria that are immunologically non-self, potentially causing inflammation. However, in a healthy intestine, inflammation is strictly controlled at low levels to maintain homeostasis. We previously reported that the gut microbiota induce DNA methylation of the gene encoding Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, a pattern recognition receptor that recognizes lipopolysaccharides of gram-negative bacteria, in colonic epithelial cells, suggesting its role in controlling intestinal inflammation. However, there remains a question of how gut microbiota cause methylation of only specific genes including TLR4, despite the fact that DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) is common to all genes targeted for methylation. Here, we identified RBM14 as an adaptor molecule that recruits DNMT to the TLR4 gene. RBM14 was shown to bind DNMT3 and be expressed at significantly higher levels in an intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) line with hypermethylated TLR4 gene than in an IEC line with hypomethylated TLR4 gene. In addition, RBM14 interacted with DNA regions of the TLR4 gene, and knockdown of RBM14 suppressed DNA methylation of the TLR4 gene in IECs. Furthermore, RBM14 expression was higher in colonic epithelial cells of conventional mice than in those of germ-free mice. Collectively, these results indicate that the gut microbiota induce methylation of the TLR4 gene in colonic epithelial cells by upregulating RBM14, which can recruit DNMT3 to the gene. The regulation of adaptor molecules such as RBM14, which bind to specific target genes and recruit DNMT, can explain, at least in part, how gut microbiota contribute to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis through epigenetic control of specific gene expression in IECs.

Post-translational suppression of the high affinity IgE receptor expression on mast cells by an intestinal bacterium.

Mast cells, which express the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on their surface, play a crucial role in inducing allergic inflammation. Since mast cells are activated by crosslinking of FcεRI with IgE and allergens, the cell surface expression level of FcεRI is an important factor in determining the sensitivity to allergens. Recently, the involvement of gut microbiota in the prevalence and regulation of allergy has attracted attention but the precise underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, the effect of intestinal bacteria on cell surface expression of FcεRI was examined. Bacteroides acidifaciens type A 43 specifically suppressed cell surface expression of FcεRI on mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) without reduction in FcεRI α and ß-chain mRNA and total protein expression. The suppressive effect required sustained exposure to this bacterium, with a corresponding reduction in Erk activation. Inhibition of Erk decreased cell surface distribution of FcεRI in BMMCs, at least in part, through facilitated endocytosis of FcεRI. These results indicate that B. acidifaciens type A 43 suppresses cell surface expression of FcεRI on mast cells in a post-translational manner via inhibition of Erk. The suppression of FcεRI expression on mast cells by specific bacteria might be the underlying mechanism involved in the regulation of allergy by gut microbiota.

Identification of significant regions of transcription factor DP-1 (TFDP-1) involved in stability/instability of the protein.

We previously reported the identification of DP-1 isoforms (alpha and beta), which are structurally C-terminus-deleted ones, and revealed the low-level expression of these isoforms. It is known that wild-type DP-1 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, but few details are known about the domains concerned with the protein stability/instability for the proteolysis of these DP-1 isoforms. Here we identified the domains responsible for the stability/instability of DP-1. Especially, the DP-1 "Stabilon" domain was a C-terminal acidic motif and was quite important for DP-1 stability. Moreover, we propose that this DP-1 Stabilon may be useful for the stability of other nuclear proteins when fused to them.

Adiponectin inhibits induction of TNF-alpha/RANKL-stimulated NFATc1 via the AMPK signaling.

We investigated here whether adiponectin can exhibit an inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)- and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis by using RAW264 cell D clone with a high efficiency to form osteoclasts. Globular adiponectin (gAd) strongly inhibited TNF-alpha/RANKL-induced differentiation of osteoclasts by interfering with TNF receptor-associated factor 6 production and calcium signaling; consequently, the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) was strongly inhibited. Moreover, we observed that inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase abrogated gAd inhibition for TNF-alpha/RANKL-induced NFATc1 expression. Our data suggest that adiponectin acts as a potent regulator of bone resorption observed in diseases associated with cytokine activation.

Adiponectin inhibits osteoclast formation stimulated by lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested that periodontal disease is closely related to obesity and glucose tolerance. As the level of adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, in plasma had been reported to decrease in obese and type 2 diabetes patients, we explored the role of adiponectin in the etiology of periodontitis using the D clone of RAW264, a clone that exhibits highly efficient osteoclast formation, to determine whether adiponectin acts as a regulatory molecule in osteoclast formation stimulated by lipopolysaccharide of periodontopathic bacteria. We observed that adiponectin acted as a potent inhibitor of osteoclast formation stimulated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Because NF-kappaB is an important transcription factor in osteoclast formation, we examined the effect of adiponectin on its transcriptional activity. A luciferase assay showed that adiponectin was able to inhibit the TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB activity in RAW264 cells. In addition, we observed that the cytokine was actually able to inhibit TLR4-mediated expression of the gene for inducible nitric oxide synthase and production of nitric oxide in the cells. These observations strongly suggest that adiponectin may function as a negative regulator of lipopolysaccharide/RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation in periodontal disease.

The telomere binding protein Pot1 maintains haematopoietic stem cell activity with age.

Repeated cell divisions and aging impair stem cell function. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not fully understood. Here we show that protection of telomeres 1A (Pot1a), a component of the Shelterin complex that protects telomeres, improves haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity during aging. Pot1a is highly expressed in young HSCs, but declines with age. In mouse HSCs, Pot1a knockdown increases DNA damage response (DDR) and inhibits self-renewal. Conversely, Pot1a overexpression or treatment with POT1a protein prevents DDR, maintained self-renewal activity and rejuvenated aged HSCs upon ex vivo culture. Moreover, treatment of HSCs with exogenous Pot1a inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species, suggesting a non-telomeric role for Pot1a in HSC maintenance. Consistent with these results, treatment with exogenous human POT1 protein maintains human HSC activity in culture. Collectively, these results show that Pot1a/POT1 sustains HSC activity and can be used to expand HSC numbers ex vivo.Repeated cell divisions induce DNA damage in haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and telomeres are sensitive to this damage. Here, the authors show in murine HSCs that the telomere binding protein POT1a inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species, and rejuvenated aged HSCs.

Manipulation of Cell Cycle and Chromatin Configuration by Means of Cell-Penetrating Geminin.

Geminin regulates chromatin remodeling and DNA replication licensing which play an important role in regulating cellular proliferation and differentiation. Transcription of the Geminin gene is regulated via an E2F-responsive region, while the protein is being closely regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Our objective was to directly transduce Geminin protein into cells. Recombinant cell-penetrating Geminin (CP-Geminin) was generated by fusing Geminin with a membrane translocating motif from FGF4 and was efficiently incorporated into NIH 3T3 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The withdrawal study indicated that incorporated CP-Geminin was quickly reduced after removal from medium. We confirmed CP-Geminin was imported into the nucleus after incorporation and also that the incorporated CP-Geminin directly interacted with Cdt1 or Brahma/Brg1 as the same manner as Geminin. We further demonstrated that incorporated CP-Geminin suppressed S-phase progression of the cell cycle and reduced nuclease accessibility in the chromatin, probably through suppression of chromatin remodeling, indicating that CP-Geminin constitutes a novel tool for controlling chromatin configuration and the cell cycle. Since Geminin has been shown to be involved in regulation of stem cells and cancer cells, CP-Geminin is expected to be useful for elucidating the role of Geminin in stem cells and cancer cells, and for manipulating their activity.

Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Toll-Interacting Protein in the Intestinal Epithelium.

Immune responses against gut microbiota should be minimized to avoid unnecessary inflammation at mucosal surface. In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns of Toll-interacting protein (Tollip), an inhibitor of TLRs and IL-1 family cytokine-related intracellular signaling, in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Comparable mRNA expression was observed in murine small and large IECs (S-IECs and L-IECs). However, Tollip protein was only detected in L-IECs, but not in S-IECs. Similar results were obtained in germ-free mice, indicating that L-IEC-specific TOLLIP expression does not depend on bacterial colonization. Next, to understand the mechanisms underlying the post-transcriptional repression of Tollip, 3´-UTR-mediated translational regulation was evaluated. The region +1876/+2398 was responsible for the repression of Tollip expression. This region included the target sequence of miR-31. The inhibition of miR-31 restored the 3´-UTR-meditaed translational repression. In addition, miR-31 expression was significantly higher in S-IECs than in L-IECs, suggesting that miR-31 represses the translation of Tollip mRNA in S-IECs. Collectively, we conclude that the translation of Tollip is inhibited in S-IECs, at least in part, by miR-31 to yield L-IEC-specific high-level expression of the Tollip protein, which may contribute to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.

Adiponectin inhibits Toll-like receptor family-induced signaling.

Recent studies have shown that adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, acts as a potent inhibitor of inflammatory responses. It has been also demonstrated that bacterial and viral signalings in host cells are triggered via Toll-like receptor (TLR) molecules. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether globular adiponectin (gAd) would be able to inhibit TLR-mediated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling in mouse macrophages (RAW264). gAd predominantly bound to the AdipoR1 receptor and suppressed TLR-mediated NF-kappaB signaling. gAd-mediated inhibition of TLR-mediated IkappaB phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation was eliminated by the pretreatment of cycloheximide. Also their inhibitions of gAd were blocked by preincubation of the cells with an antibody against AdipoR1, but not with an antibody against AdipoR2. Taken together, these findings indicate that adiponectin negatively regulates macrophage-like cell response to TLR ligands via an unknown endogenous product(s).

Interleukin-6 negatively regulates Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbria-stimulated fibronectin expression in human gingival fibroblasts.

Our previous study demonstrated that fibronectin (FN) is a negative regulator of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbria-induced pathogenesis in the initiation and development of chronic periodontal diseases. We show herein the regulatory action of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on FN expression in fimbria-treated human gingival fibroblasts. Interestingly, the decrease in FN expression in the cells treated with fimbriae at a high dose (8 microg of protein ml(-1)) was negated by treatment with anti-IL-6 antibody. Also, the increase in FN expression in cells treated with fimbriae at a low dose (1 microg of protein ml(-1)) was inhibited by exogenous IL-6. These results suggest that P. gingivalis fimbria-stimulated FN expression in human gingival fibroblasts is negatively regulated by endogenous IL-6.

Modulation of the EMT/MET process by pyrrole-imidazole polyamide targeting human transforming growth factor-ß1.

Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) is a potent induction factor for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), as the inverse process of EMT, has recently been reported to promote the induction of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We have developed pyrrole-imidazole (PI) polyamide, a novel gene regulator that targets human TGF-ß1, and investigated its effects on the EMT/MET process. PI polyamide targeted to TGF-ß1 significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of TGF-ß1 and SNAI1 as an EMT marker and increased mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin in human epithelial cells. To enhance the induction of iPSCs by the MET process, PI polyamide targeted to TGF-ß1 was applied to human fibroblasts transfected with exogenous reprogramming factors by Sendai virus vector and grown in human iPSCs. The PI polyamide significantly increased the number of alkaline phosphatase-positive colonies. The expression of undifferentiated markers was also observed in these colonies. These results suggest that PI polyamide targeted to human TGF-ß is a novel compound that can control the EMT/MET process of human epithelial cells and enhance the induction of human fibroblasts to iPSCs.

Preventive effect of bis-eugenol, a eugenol ortho dimer, on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nuclear factor kappa B activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages.

Eugenol exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but at higher concentrations acts as an oxidant and potent allergen. It was earlier shown that bis-eugenol synthesized by the oxidation of eugenol was less cytotoxic and more highly antioxidative than eugenol. But its anti-inflammatory mechanism remains yet unclear. Since nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a key transcriptional factor in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, we examined whether eugenol and bis-eugenol are inhibitors of NF-kappa B activation. We observed that bis-eugenol, but not eugenol, clearly inhibited the degradation of inhibitory kappa B-alpha in RAW264.7 murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and, consequently, the transcriptional activity of the stimulated NF-kappa B in the cells. In addition, bis-eugenol actually inhibited LPS-stimulated expression of inflammatory cytokines at both gene and protein levels. These findings suggest that bis-eugenol acts as a potent inhibitor of NF-kappa B.

Antiviral protection mechanisms mediated by ginbuna crucian carp interferon gamma isoforms 1 and 2 through two distinct interferon gamma-receptors.

Fish genomes possess three type II interferon (IFN) genes, ifnγ1, ifnγ2 and ifnγ-related (ifnγrel). The IFNγ-dependent STAT signalling pathway found in humans and mice had not been characterized in fish previously. To identify the antiviral functions and signalling pathways of the type II IFN system in fish, we purified the ifnγ1, ifnγ2 and ifnγrel proteins of ginbuna crucian carp expressed in bacteria and found them to elicit high antiviral activities against crucian carp hematopoietic necrosis virus. We also cloned two distinct ifnγ receptor alpha chain (ifngr1) isoforms, 1 and 2, and stably expressed them in HeLa cells by transfecting the cells with ifngr1-1 or ifngr1-2 cDNA. When receptor transfectants were treated with the ligands in a one-ligand-one-receptor manner (ifnγ1 and ifngr1-2 or ifnγ2 and ifngr1-1), the stat1 protein was phosphorylated at both serine-727 and tyrosine-701 residues. Gel shift mobility analysis and reporter assay clearly showed that the specific ligand-receptor interaction resulted in the binding of the stat1 protein to the GAS element and enhanced transcription. Therefore, the actions of ifnγ1 and ifnγ2 were found to be mediated by a specific receptor for each signalling pathway via a stat1-dependent mechanism.

SOCS-3 inhibits E2F/DP-1 transcriptional activity and cell cycle progression via interaction with DP-1.

Recent studies using SOCS family knock-out mice have suggested that SOCS proteins have multiple biological functions in addition to their role as negative regulators of JAK-STAT signaling. To explore these other functions of this family of proteins, we used yeast two-hybrid screening to find proteins interacting with human SOCS-3. We identified the transcriptional factor DP-1 as a SOCS-3-interacting protein involved in regulation of the cell cycle. Immunoprecipitation-Western blot assay showed that this interaction between these endogenous proteins occurred in cells both in vitro and in vivo. SOCS-3 interacted with the C-terminal region of DP-1, and amino acids 156-172 of SOCS-3 were required for this interaction. Confocal microscopy revealed that SOCS-3 and DP-1 were primarily colocalized in the cytoplasm. SOCS-3 inhibited E2F/DP-1 transcriptional activity under the cyclin-E promoter and actually inhibited cell cycle progression and cell growth under E2F/DP-1 control. In contrast, DP-1 almost completely eliminated the inhibitory action of SOCS-3 on LIF-stimulated STAT-3 transcriptional activity in JAK-STAT signaling. Interestingly, the alternative regulatory action of SOCS-3 and DP-1 was dramatically eliminated by each siRNA. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that SOCS-3 acts as a negative regulator of the cell cycle progression under E2F/DP-1 control by interfering with heterodimer formation between DP-1 and E2F and also that DP-1 plays an important role in controlling JAK-STAT signaling.

An ortho dimer of butylated hydroxyanisole inhibits nuclear factor kappa B activation and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae.

Butylated hydroxyanisole, BHA, is widely used as a potent antioxidant, but its adverse effects such as carcinogenesis and proinflammatory activity have been reported, which are possibly due to the prooxidant property of this compound. We recently demonstrated that the dimer of 2-methoxyphenols exhibits cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition, because of lessening of its prooxidant property caused by the dimerization. In the present study, toward our goal of developing a chemopreventive agent for chronic periodontal diseases, we examined whether 2-BHA (2-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol) and its synthetic ortho dimer, bis-BHA (3,3'-di-tert-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) could inhibit the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbria-stimulated inflammatory reaction. The fimbria-induced expression of interleukin-1beta and neutrophil chemoattractant KC genes in RAW264.7 murine macrophages was strongly inhibited by bis-BHA. In contrast, 2-BHA showed only slight inhibition. bis-BHA also significantly inhibited the fimbria-stimulated phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the alpha inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB and the transcriptional activity of this factor in the cells. These findings suggest that bis-BHA possesses anti-inflammatory activity against chronic periodontal diseases.