Differential binding to and regulation of JAK2 by the SH2 domain and N-terminal region of SH2-bbeta.

SH2-Bbeta has been shown to bind via its SH2 (Src homology 2) domain to tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 and strongly activate JAK2. In this study, we demonstrate the existence of an additional binding site(s) for JAK2 within the N-terminal region of SH2-Bbeta (amino acids 1 to 555) and the ability of this region of SH2-B to inhibit JAK2. Four lines of evidence support the existence of this additional binding site(s). In a glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay, wild-type SH2-Bbeta and SH2-Bbeta(R555E) with a defective SH2 domain bind to both tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from growth hormone (GH)-treated cells and non-tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from control cells, whereas the SH2 domain of SH2-Bbeta binds only to tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from GH-treated cells. Similarly, JAK2 is present in alphaSH2-B immunoprecipitates in the absence and presence of GH, with GH substantially increasing the coprecipitation of JAK2 with SH2-B. When coexpressed in COS cells, SH2-Bbeta coimmunoprecipitates not only wild-type, tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 but also kinase-inactive, non-tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2(K882E), although to a lesser extent. DeltaC555 (amino acids 1 to 555 of SH2-Bbeta) that lacks most of the SH2 domain binds similarly to wild-type JAK2 and kinase-inactive JAK2(K882E). Experiments using a series of N- and C-terminally truncated SH2-Bbeta constructs indicate that the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain (amino acids 269 to 410) and amino acids 410 to 555 are necessary for maximal binding of SH2-Bbeta to inactive JAK2, but neither region alone is sufficient for maximal binding. The SH2 domain of SH2-Bbeta is necessary and sufficient for the stimulatory effect of SH2-Bbeta on JAK2 and JAK2-mediated tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat5B. In contrast, DeltaC555 lacking the SH2 domain, and to a lesser extent the PH domain alone, inhibits JAK2. DeltaC555 also blocks JAK2-mediated tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat5B in COS cells and GH-stimulated nuclear accumulation of Stat5B in 3T3-F442A cells. These data indicate that in addition to the SH2 domain, SH2-Bbeta has one or more lower-affinity binding sites for JAK2 within amino acids 269 to 555. The interaction via this site(s) in SH2-B with inactive JAK2 seems likely to increase the local concentration of SH2-Bbeta around JAK2, thereby facilitating binding of the SH2 domain to ligand-activated JAK2. This would result in a more rapid and robust cellular response to hormones and cytokines that activate JAK2. This interaction between inactive JAK2 and SH2-B may also help prevent abnormal activation of JAK2.

Estradiol/progesterone implants increase food intake, reduce hyperglycemia and increase insulin resistance in endotoxic steers.

High doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce transient hyperglycemia, then chronic hypoglycemia and increased insulin resistance. In addition, appetite is reduced, while body temperature and concentrations of cortisol and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) are elevated. Furthermore, concentrations of GH and IGF-I are reduced in cattle. The objectives of this study were to determine whether a gonadal steroid implant (20 mg estrogen and 200 mg progesterone) given to endotoxemic steers would: (1) reduce hyperglycemia, reduce hypoglycemia, reduce insulin resistance, (2) reduce changes in concentrations of GH and IGF-I, (3) reduce inappetence and reduce concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and (4) reduce fever and concentrations of TNFalpha and cortisol. Holstein steers were assigned within a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments as follows (n=5 per group): C/C, no steroid and vehicle; S/C, steroid and vehicle; C/E, no steroid and LPS (1 microg/kg body weight (BW), i.v.); S/E, steroid and endotoxin. Steroid implants were given at 20 weeks of age (day 0) and serial blood samples (15 min) were collected on day 14 for 8 h, with vehicle or LPS injected after 2 h. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (100 mg/kg BW) were carried out at 6 h and 24 h. Hyperglycemia was 67% lower (P<0.05) in S/E- compared with C/E-treated steers between 30 and 150 min after i.v. injection of LPS. Hypoglycemia developed after 4 h and insulin resistance was greater in S/E- compared with C/E-treated steers (P<0. 05) at 6 and 24 h. Concentrations of IGF-I were restored earlier in steroid-treated steers than in controls. Concentrations of GH were not affected by steroids, but increased 1 h after injection of LPS, then were reduced for 2 h. Appetite was greater (P<0.05) in S/E- (2.1% BW) compared with C/E-treated steers (1.1% BW) (pooled s.e.m.=0.3). Concentrations of NEFA increased after injecting LPS, but concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in S/E- compared with C/E-treated steers. LPS did not affect concentrations of BUN, but concentrations were lower in steroid-treated steers. Steroids did not affect body temperature or concentrations of TNFalpha and cortisol. In summary, gonadal steroids reduce hyperglycemia, reduce inappetence and tissue wasting, but increase insulin resistance. Furthermore, concentrations of IGF-I are restored earlier in steroid-treated than in non-steroid-treated steers injected with LPS. It is concluded that gonadal steroids reduce severity of some endocrine and metabolic parameters associated with endotoxemia. However, it is unlikely that gonadal steroids acted via anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions of glucocorticoids or through reducing concentrations of cytokines.

Neuropeptide Y restores appetite and alters concentrations of GH after central administration to endotoxic sheep.

The objective of this study was to determine whether neuropeptide Y (NPY) and recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) would: first, increase food intake; secondly, decrease concentrations of GH; thirdly, reduce GHRH-induced release of GH; and fourthly, reduce changes to concentrations of IGF-I in plasma during experimental endotoxemia in sheep. Six treatments were given to six castrated male sheep in a 6x6 Latin square treatment order. Osmotic mini-pumps were implanted at 0 h and a jugular vein was cannulated. Each sheep was continuously infused with saline (0.9%) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 micrograms/kg per 24 h, s.c.) at 10 microliters/h for 72 h via the osmotic mini-pumps. Blood samples (3 ml) were collected at 15-min intervals from 24 to 33 h. At 26 h, one of three treatments (artificial cerebrospinal fluid, NPY or IL-1ra) was injected i.c.v. within 30 s (0.3 microgram/kg), then infused i.c.v. from 26 to 33 h (600 microliters/h) at 0.3 microgram/kg per h. GHRH was injected i.v. (0.075 microgram/kg) at 32 h after which blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. Feed intake was reduced up to 50% for 48 h in LPS-treated compared with non-LPS-treated sheep. NPY restored feed intake in LPS-treated sheep and induced hyperphagia in non-LPS-treated sheep from 24 to 48 h. In contrast, IL-1ra did not affect appetite. Injection of NPY increased concentrations of GH from 26 to 27 h, while IL-1ra had no effect. Infusion of NPY suppressed GHRH-induced release of GH. However, no treatment altered pulse secretion parameters of GH. Concentrations of IGF-I were 20% higher at 72 h in LPS-treated sheep given NPY than in sheep treated with LPS alone, and this may reflect increased appetite from 24 to 48 h. We concluded that reduced appetite during endotoxemia is due to down-regulation of an NPY-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, NPY stimulates release of GH in healthy sheep, does not reduce pulse secretion parameters of GH, but does suppress GHRH-induced release of GH in endotoxic sheep. Therefore, NPY may be an important neurotransmitter linking appetite with regulation of GH during endotoxemic and healthy states in sheep.

Endocrine modulation of physiological responses to catabolic disease.

Disease or endotoxemia alters the plasma concentrations of anabolic hormones, particularly growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth-factor I (IGF-I). In general, these hormones are inhibited during the catabolic disease state. A hypothesis has evolved that anabolic hormones might be useful in patients' recovery under these and other catabolic circumstances. The treatment of cattle with GH has provided significant improvement in the physiological response of the animals to the subsequent injection of bacterial lypopolysaccharide (LPS), perhaps via inhibition of tumor necrisis factor (TNF) release. However, this improved response to disease was not observed with animals treated with GH and infected with one of two parasitic organisms, Sarcocystis cruzi or Eimeria bovis. Recent attempts with other anabolic hormones, estradiol and progesterone, have proven remarkably effective in improving the adaptive physiological responses of calves to either E. bovis infection or to the injection of LPS. All animals displayed signs of infection, but the intensity and duration of symptoms were reduced. Although a mechanism is not yet known, there were no effects on TNF; cortisol; the percentages of lymphocytes expressing CD2, 4, or 8 antigens; or the production of antibodies.

SH2-B is required for growth hormone-induced actin reorganization.

The Src homology-2 (SH2) domain-containing protein SH2-Bbeta is a substrate of the growth hormone (GH) receptor-associated tyrosine kinase JAK2. Here we tested whether SH2-Bbeta is involved in GH regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Based on cell fractionation and confocal microscopy, we find SH2-Bbeta present at the plasma membrane and in the cytosol. SH2-Bbeta colocalized with filamentous actin in GH and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced membrane ruffles. To test if SH2-Bbeta is required for actin reorganization, we transiently overexpressed wild-type or mutant SH2-Bbeta in 3T3-F442A cells and assayed for GH- and PDGF-induced membrane ruffling and fluid phase pinocytosis. Overexpression of wild-type SH2-Bbeta enhanced ruffling and pinocytosis produced by submaximal GH but not submaximal PDGF. Point mutant SH2-Bbeta (R555E) and truncation mutant DeltaC555, both lacking a functional SH2 domain, inhibited membrane ruffling and pinocytosis induced by GH and PDGF. Mutant DeltaN504, which possesses a functional SH2 domain and enhances JAK2 kinase activity in overexpression systems, also inhibited GH-stimulated membrane ruffling. DeltaN504 failed to inhibit GH-induced nuclear localization of Stat5B, indicating JAK2 is active in these cells. Taken together, these results show that SH2-Bbeta is required for GH-induced actin reorganization by a mechanism discrete from the action of SH2-Bbeta as a stimulator of JAK2 kinase activity.

Cytokine-mediated growth hormone release from cultured ovine pituitary cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) will increase concentrations of growth hormone (GH). One possible explanation for this may reside in the response of the pituitary to specific cytokines. This study sought to determine the effects of recombinant bovine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), recombinant ovine (ro) interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), roIL-1beta, ro interleukin-2 (IL-2), and ro gamma-interferon (INT) on GH release from cultured sheep pituitary cells. Sheep were sacrificed and pituitary cells cultured in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum for 3 days. On day 4, cells were washed and serum-free DMEM added to cells. IL-1alpha and IL-1beta were used at 0.2, 2 and 20 ng/ml and the remaining cytokines at 2, 20 and 200 ng/ml. Neither IL-2 nor INT had effects on basal or on GH-releasing hormone (GRH)-stimulated GH release. TNF inhibited GRH-stimulated GH release (p < 0.05). Both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta stimulated GH release from cultured pituitary cells at all doses tested (p < 0.01). Neither IL-1alpha nor IL-1beta had an effect on GRH-stimulated GH release. IL-1 effects were inhibited by H-89 (p < 0.05; a protein kinase A inhibitor) and by nifedipine (p < 0.05; a calcium channel blocker). Both of these mechanisms are central signal transduction mechanisms mediating GRH-stimulated GH release. IL-1-stimulated GH release is partially inhibited (p < 0.05) by lipoxygenase pathway blockers. Phorbol myristate acetate downregulation of protein kinase C did not alter IL-1-stimulated GH release. IL-1beta increased the content of both GH and GH mRNA in cultured sheep pituitary cells. We conclude that IL-1 produces a strong stimulus to GH release, which is mediated by calcium entry and protein kinase A activation. IL-1 also activates lipoxygenase pathways. This latter pathway as well as calcium entry were shown to mediate LPS stimulation of GH release from cultured pituitary cells. The similarity between IL-1 and LPS signal transduction suggests that LPS may activate pituitary production of IL-1 to produce the stimulus to GH. The lack of inhibitory effects of INT, TNF and IL-2 as opposed to what is seen in the rat may suggest a partial mechanism to explain the different effects of LPS on GH release between sheep and that seen in cattle and rats.