Induction of pro-inflammatory genes by fibronectin DAMPs in three fibroblast cell lines: Role of TAK1 and MAP kinases.

Changes in the organization and structure of the fibronectin matrix are believed to contribute to dysregulated wound healing and subsequent tissue inflammation and tissue fibrosis. These changes include an increase in the EDA isoform of fibronectin as well as the mechanical unfolding of fibronectin type III domains. In previous studies using embryonic foreskin fibroblasts, we have shown that fibronectin's EDA domain (FnEDA) and the partially unfolded first Type III domain (FnIII-1c) function as Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) molecules to stimulate the induction of inflammatory cytokines by serving as agonists for Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4). However, the role of signaling molecules downstream of TLR-4 such as TGF-ß Activated Kinase 1 (TAK1) and Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) in regulating the expression of fibronectin DAMP induced inflammatory genes in specific cell types is not known. In the current study, we evaluate the molecular steps regulating the fibronectin driven induction of inflammatory genes in three human fibroblast cell lines: embryonic foreskin, adult dermal, and adult kidney. The fibronectin derived DAMPs each induce the phosphorylation and activation of TAK1 which results in the activation of two downstream signaling arms, IKK/NF-κB and MAPK. Using the specific inhibitor 5Z-(7)-Oxozeanol as well as siRNA, we show TAK1 to be a crucial signaling mediator in the release of cytokines in response to fibronectin DAMPs in all three cell types. Finally, we show that FnEDA and FnIII-1c induce several pro-inflammatory cytokines whose expression is dependent on both TAK1 and JNK MAPK and highlight cell-type specific differences in the gene-expression profiles of the fibroblast cell-lines.

Fibronectin Functions as a Selective Agonist for Distinct Toll-like Receptors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

The microenvironment of tumors is characterized by structural changes in the fibronectin matrix, which include increased deposition of the EDA isoform of fibronectin and the unfolding of the fibronectin Type III domains. The impact of these structural changes on tumor progression is not well understood. The fibronectin EDA (FnEDA) domain and the partially unfolded first Type III domain of fibronectin (FnIII-1c) have been identified as endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), which induce innate immune responses by serving as agonists for Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). Using two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231, we show that FnEDA and FnIII-1c induce the pro-tumorigenic cytokine, IL-8, by serving as agonists for TLR5 and TLR2, the canonical receptors for bacterial flagellin and lipoprotein, respectively. We also find that FnIII-1c is not recognized by MDA-MB-468 cells but is recognized by MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a cell type rather than ligand specific utilization of TLRs. As IL-8 plays a major role in the progression of TNBC, these studies suggest that tumor-induced structural changes in the fibronectin matrix promote an inflammatory microenvironment conducive to metastatic progression.

Identification of hydroxycinnamic acid-maillard reaction products in low-moisture baking model systems.

The chemistry and fate of hydroxycinnamic acids (ferulic, p-coumeric, caffeic, sinapic, and cinnamic acid) in a glucose/glycine simulated baking model (10% moisture at 200 degrees C for 15 min) were investigated. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of glucose/glycine and glucose/glycine/hydroxycinnamic acid model systems confirmed the phenolics reacted with Maillard intermediates; two main reaction product adducts were reported. On the basis of isotopomeric analysis, LC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy, structures of two ferulic acid-Maillard reaction products were identified as 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one (adduct I) and 2-(6-(furan-2-yl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-3-oxo-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-yl)acetic acid (adduct II). In addition, a pyrazinone-type Maillard product, 2-(5-(furan-2-yl)-6-methyl-2-oxopyrazin-1(2H)-yl) acetic acid (IIa), was identified as an intermediate for reaction product adduct II, whereas 3-deoxy-2-hexosulose was identified as an intermediate of adduct I. Both adducts I and II were suggested to be generated by pericyclic reaction mechanisms. Quantitative gas chromatography (GC) analysis and liquid chromatography (LC) also indicated that the addition of ferulic acid to a glucose/glycine model significantly reduced the generation of select Maillard-type aroma compounds, such as furfurals, methylpyrazines, 2-acetylfuran, 2-acetylpyridine, 2-acetylpyrrole, and cyclotene as well as inhibited color development in these Maillard models. In addition, adducts I and II suppressed the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated expression of two prototypical pro-inflammatory genes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, in an in vitro murine macrophage model; ferulic acid reported negligible activity.