Fas/CD95/Apo-I activates the acidic sphingomyelinase via caspases.

Fas/CD95/Apo-I has been shown to stimulate a variety of molecules including several members of the caspase family and the acidic sphingomyelinase (Martin and Green 1995; Gulbins et al, 1995). Here, we demonstrate that Fas receptor-triggered activation of the acidic sphingomyelinase, consumption of sphingomyelin, release of ceramide, and subsequent activation of JNK and p38-K are regulated by caspases. Inhibition of caspases by Ac-YVAD-chloromethylketone or transient CrmA transfection prevented stimulation of acidic sphingomyelinase, release of ceramide and activation of JNK and p38-K upon Fas-receptor crosslinking. Likewise, Fas triggered apoptosis was almost completely blocked by Ac-YVAD-chloromethylketone or CrmA mediated inhibition of caspases. The results suggest a new signalling cascade from the Fas receptor via caspases to acidic sphingomyelinase, ceramide and JNK/p38-K.

Fas or ceramide induce apoptosis by Ras-regulated phosphoinositide-3-kinase activation.

We demonstrate a rapid and transient activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3-K) by Fas receptor triggering or cellular treatment with synthetic C6-ceramide. The stimulation of PI-3-K is critical for Fas or C6-ceramide-induced programmed cell death because transfection with a transdominant inhibitory PI-3-K construct or pre-treatment with the PI-3-K inhibitor wortmannin almost completely prevented Fas or C6-ceramide-mediated apoptosis. Treatment with the caspase inhibitor Ac-YVAD-cmk or cellular transfection with transdominant inhibitory N17Ras prevented PI-3-K stimulation by Fas, suggesting that Fas activates PI-3-K via caspases and Ras. N17Ras expression also prevented C6-ceramide-initiated PI-3-K stimulation. The notion of a PI-3-K regulation by Ras upon Fas receptor ligation or ceramide treatment is supported by co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealing an activation-dependent association of PI-3-K and Ras.

The CD40-ligand stimulates T-lymphocytes via the neutral sphingomyelinase: a novel function of the CD40-ligand as signalling molecule.

Recent results suggest an activation of T-lymphocytes via the CD40L implying a dual function of this ligand involved in the activation of both B- and T-lymphocytes [1-4]. Here, we provide evidence that activation of T-lymphocytes via CD40L results in activation of a neutral but not an acidic sphingomyelinase correlating with a consumption of sphingomyelin and a release of ceramide. Activation of the neutral sphingomyelinase by the CD40L seems to involve a novel signalling cascade since it is independent of CD40L induced protein kinase activation or association of the neutral sphingomyelinase with the CD40L.

Evidence for a novel function of the CD40 ligand as a signalling molecule in T-lymphocytes.

The interaction of the CD40 receptor with its ligand has been shown to be crucial for the activation of B-lymphocytes. Here, we provide evidence that the pg39 molecule/CD40 ligand (gp39/CD40L) also functions as a stimulatory molecule for T-lymphocytes. Activation of T-lymphocytes via gp39/CD40L induced a strong activation of Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38-K. Activation of these kinases correlates with a stimulation of Rac1 and inhibition of Rac1 prevents gp39/CD40L triggered JNK/p38-K activation. Further, cellular stimulation via the CD40 ligand results in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins and the activation of p56(lck). Inhibition of src-like kinases inhibits Rac1 as well as JNK/p38-K stimulation suggesting a signalling cascade from the gp39/CD40L via p56(lck) and Rac1 to JNK/p38-K.

Fas- or ceramide-induced apoptosis is mediated by a Rac1-regulated activation of Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 kinases and GADD153.

In the present study, we show that Fas receptor ligation or cellular treatment with synthetic C6-ceramide results in activation or phosphorylation, respectively, of the small G-protein Rac1, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 kinases (p38-K), and the transcription factor GADD153. A signaling cascade from the Fas receptor via ceramide, Ras, Rac1, and JNK/p38-K to GADD153 is demonstrated employing transfection of transdominant inhibitory N17Ras, N17Rac1, c-Jun, or treatment with a specific p38-K inhibitor. The critical function of this signaling cascade is indicated by prevention of Fas- or C6-ceramide-induced apoptosis after inhibition of Ras, Rac1, or JNK/p38-K.

L-selectin regulates actin polymerisation via activation of the small G-protein Rac2.

L-selectin mediated adhesion to endothelial cells is a crucial step in the immune response to pathogens (1, 2) and in lymphocyte homing (3, 4). Selectin molecules mediate leukocyte rolling on endothelial cells, the initial step of adhesion (5, 6). We have previously shown that stimulation of Jurkat T-lymphocytes via L-selectin results in activation of the p21Ras pathway and synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates (7). Here, we show that cellular stimulation via L-selectin induces a change of cytoskeleton organisation demonstrated by a tenfold increase of actin filament polymerisation. This actin polymerisation is mediated by a Ras and Rac2 regulated pathway, since inhibition of Ras by transient transfection of transdominant inhibitory N17Ras or suppression of Rac2 protein expression by antisense oligonucleotides prevents L-selectin triggered actin polymerisation. Our results point to a signaling cascade from L-selectin via Ras and Rac2 to actin filaments, which might be important for leukocyte adhesion.

Activation of the Ras signaling pathway by the CD40 receptor.

The CD40 receptor is an important molecule regulating B lymphocyte proliferation, maturation, Ab class switching, and cell survival. In the present study, we identified signal transduction events triggered by cross-linking the CD40 receptor. Stimulation of Daudi B cells with anti-CD40 resulted in activation of p21ras, an important switch point in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Ras activation correlated with a stimulation of Rac1 and MEK-1 as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Inhibition of endogenous Ras by transfection of transdominant inhibitory Ras prevented tyrosine phosphorylation or stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Rac1, or MEK-1 upon CD40 receptor triggering, proving an activation of the Ras pathway by CD40. Ras activation was partially inhibited by either herbimycin A or calphostin pretreatment and completely inhibited by preincubation with a combination of both inhibitors, indicating a synergistic role for protein tyrosine kinases and diglycerides in Ras activation after CD40 stimulation. In support of a role for diglycerides, we detected a 30 +/- 5% decrease of cellular phosphatidylcholine content, correlating with a threefold increase of diacylglycerol synthesis induced by CD40. Supporting a role for protein tyrosine kinase, we measured a five- to eightfold stimulation of p56lyn and p58blk kinase activity. These results suggest the activation of the Ras pathway via an additive function of src kinases and phospholipases that may be important in the mediation of biologic effects after CD40 receptor engagement.

The CD40 ligand directly activates T-lymphocytes via tyrosine phosphorylation dependent PKC activation.

The activation of B-lymphocytes depends critically on the interaction of the CD40 receptor with its ligand. Here, we provide evidence that the CD40 ligand (CD40L) also functions as a direct stimulatory molecule for T-lymphocytes. Activation of T-lymphocytes via CD40L induces tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including PLC gamma. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma correlates with an IP3- and Ca(2+)-release and an activation of PKC. Inhibition of src-like tyrosine kinases by Herbimycin A prevents these activation events suggesting a crucial role of tyrosine phosphorylation in T-lymphocyte activation via CD40L.

L-selectin activates the Ras pathway via the tyrosine kinase p56lck.

Selectins mediate rolling, the initial step of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells [Springer, T. A. (1995) Annu. Rev. Physiol. 57, 827-872 and Butcher, E. C. (1991) Cell 67, 1033-1036]. In this study we show that L-selectin triggering of Jurkat cells using different antibodies or glycomimetics resulted in activation of the src-tyrosine kinase p56lck; tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins, in particular mitogen-activating protein kinase and L-selectin; and association of Grb2/Sos with L-selectin. This association correlated with an activation of p21Ras, mitogen-activating protein kinase, Rac2, and a transient increase of 2-O synthesis. Stimulation of the Ras pathway by L-selectin requires functional p56lck, since p56lck-deficient Jurkat cells (JCaM1.6) do not show tyrosine phosphorylation, association of L-selectin with Grb2/Sos, and activation of Ras upon L-selectin triggering. Transfection of JCaM1.6 cells with p56lck reconstitutes the observed signaling events. Genetic inhibition of Ras or Rac2 prevented Rac2 stimulation and 2-O synthesis, respectively. The specificity and the physiological significance of the observed signaling cascade is indicated by stimulation of L-selectin-transfected P815, L-selectin-positive CEM or peripheral blood lymphocytes resulting in the same activation events as in Jurkat cells. Our results point to a signaling cascade from L-selectin via p56lck, Grb2/Sos, Ras, and Rac2 to 2-O.

Fas-induced programmed cell death is mediated by a Ras-regulated O2- synthesis.

Fas induces apoptosis in lymphocytes via a poorly defined intracellular signalling cascade. Previously, we have demonstrated the involvement and significance of a signalling cascade from the Fas receptor via sphingomyelinases and ceramide to Ras in Fas-induced apoptosis. Here we demonstrate rapid and transient synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) via activation of Ras after Fas. Genetic inhibition of Ras by transfection of transdominant inhibitory N17Ras blocked Fas-mediated ROI synthesis and programmed cell death. Likewise, the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine and N-t-butyl-phenylnitrone abolished Fas-induced cell death, pointing to an important role for Ras-triggered ROI synthesis in Fas-mediated programmed cell death.