Downregulation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) by cord blood stem cells inhibits angiogenesis in glioblastoma

Angiogenesis involves the formation of new blood vessels by rerouting or remodeling existing ones and is believed to be the primary method of vessel formation in gliomas. To study the mechanisms by which angiogenesis of glioma cells can be inhibited by human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSC), we studied two glioma cell lines (SNB19, U251) and a glioma xenograft cell line (5310) alone and in co-culture with hUCBSC. Conditioned media from co-cultures of glioma cells with hUCBSC showed reduced angiogenesis as evaluated by in vitro angiogenesis assay using HMEC cells. Reduction in angiogenesis was associated with downregulation of FAK and integrin αvβ3 in the co-cultures of glioma cells. Downregulation of FAK gene is correlated with downregulation of many angiogenesis-related genes, including Ang1, VEGFA and Akt. Under in vivo conditions, neovascularization by glioma cells was inhibited by hUCBSC. Further, intracranial tumor growth was inhibited by hUCBSC in athymic nude mice. Similar to in vitro results, we observed downregulation of FAK, VEGF and Akt molecules to inhibit angiogenesis in the hUCBSC-treated nude mice brains. Taken together, our results suggest that hUCBSC have the potential to inhibit the angiogenesis of glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo.     

Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase on Hepatic Stellate-cell Adhesion and Migration

Objective

Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signals participate in the activation of HSCs. We evaluated the effect of FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK) on the adhesion and migration of HSCs.

Salicylate Inhibits Phosphorylation of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases, Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 and c-Src

-The anti-inflammatory effects of salicylate are well known, but the intracellular mechanisms underlying those effects remain to be clarified and are not explained solely by an influence on cyclooxygenase activity. In the present study, we have used cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by either angiotensin II (Ang II) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of salicylate on the phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and c-Src, by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting methods. This inhibition was dose dependent, with a clear effect observed at concentrations between 5 and 20 mmol/L salicylate. Intracellular Ca(2+) chelation and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition reduced Ang II and PDGF-induced PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation. Salicylate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of both of the tyrosine kinases activated by either ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin treatment, which led to an elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+). Activation of PKC by phorbol ester phosphorylated both PYK2 and Src, and this effect also was attenuated by salicylate. In contrast, salicylate had no effect on either the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by Ang II or the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma by PDGF. These studies indicate a novel site of action for salicylate on PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation and suggest that this inhibitory effect on these important signaling intermediates may be through a Ca(2+)- and PKC-dependent mechanism.     

Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins including pp125(FAK) suggests endogenous activation and aggregation in pulmonary hypertension.

Despite of several lines of evidence indicating a pathophysiologic role of platelets in pulmonary hypertension, the occurrence of chronic endogenous platelet activation has been a matter of debate. It was hypothesized that the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins examined ex vivo could provide information on the state of platelet activation. This was examined in 10 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension aged 18 to 53 years. Phosphotyrosine density and the amounts of specific proteins were analyzed in resting platelets after reaction with anti-phosphotyrosine, anti-pp60(s-src), anti-pp125(FAK), and anti-alphaIIbbeta3 antibodies. There was a 79% increase in protein-associated phosphotyrosine in patients in comparison to levels in controls (p<0.05). In particular, phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of pp120 and pp125(FAK) increased 24% and 57%, respectively (p<0.05). Although pp60(s-src)-associated phosphotyrosine was not altered in the patient group as a whole, it was clearly decreased in three subjects. Platelet content of beta3 integrin, pp60(s-src), and pp125(FAK), was not altered. This pattern of phosphorylation suggests an ongoing process of platelet activation. Because phosphorylation of pp125(FAK) is a late, integrin-dependent event, results suggest that platelet activation and aggregation occur in vivo in these patients.     

Role of Titanium Surface Topography and Surface Wettability on Focal Adhesion Kinase Mediated Signaling in Fibroblasts

Changes of titanium surface roughness and surface free energy may influence protein absorption that increases cell differentiation through activation of focal adhesion kinase related pathways. However, the influence of titanium surface roughness and hydrophilicity on fibroblast behavior is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of topography and hydrophilicity on fibroblast attachment, spreading, morphology, intracellular signaling, proliferation, and collagen I mRNA levels. Using a cellular FAK knockout (FAK^−/−) model and wild-type (WT) controls, we also investigated the contribution of adhesion in fibroblasts cultured on smooth (PT), sand-blasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) and hydrophilic SLA topographies. Loss of FAK did not significantly affect fibroblast attachment to any surface, but SLA and hydrophilic SLA surface attenuated spreading of WT cells significantly more than FAK^−/− fibroblasts. Both FAK^−/− and WT cells formed numerous focal adhesions on PT surfaces, but significantly less on SLA and hydrophilic SLA surfaces. In WT cells, phosphorylation levels of FAK were lower on SLA and hydrophilic SLA in comparison with PT 24 h post seeding. Labeling of cells with antibodies to cortactin showed that FAK^−/− cells contained significantly more cortactin-rich focal adhesion in comparison with WT cells on PT surfaces, but not on SLA or hydrophilic SLA. ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was highest in WT cells on all surfaces which correlated with collagen I expression levels. We conclude that fibroblasts are sensitive to changes in surface roughness and hydrophilicity, with adhesive interactions mediated through FAK, an important modulator of fibroblast response.     

Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulation of DNA Synthesis and its Inhibition by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells from SHR

Structural cardiovascular proliferative changes associated with hypertension not only may result from the effects of elevated blood pressure levels but may also take part in their development and maintenance through a positive feedback process. Genetically determined characteristics of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) may be responsible for the observations showing that VSMC derived from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), grow in culture, nearly twice as fast as cells derived from the normotensive counterpart strains such as the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) or the NIH Black wistar (NBR) rat. The SHR derived VSMC in culture exhibit this characteristic of rapid growth, not only when derived from adult animals (24 weeks) with established hypertension, but also from young animals (5 weeks) before the onset of overtly elevated blood pressure levels. We examined the effects of several peptide growth factors on the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in VSMC from SHR and NBR rats. Nerve growth factor and endothelial derived growth factors were not mitogenic in either cell line. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated DNA synthesis to an equal degree in cells from hypertensive or normotensive models. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the other hand, caused in a dose response manner 3 to 7 fold increase in stimulation of thymidine incorporation into the VSMC from SHR compared to a one to two fold increase observed in NBR cells. The selective enhancement of EGF mediated DNA synthesis in VSMC from SHR was observed both in the young and adult animals. This enhanced stimulatory response to EGF in the SHR derived cells may be related to the observations of several investigators showing an increased density of EGF binding sites or EGFR receptors (EGFR) numbers on VSMC from SHR compared with WKY or NBR rats. In order to demonstrate that the increased EGFR numbers in VSMC from SHR are functionally active, we employed genistein, a specific inhibitor of EGFR mediated tyrosine kinase activity (RTK). The inhibitor concentrations required to inhibit DNA synthesis in VSMC from SHR was significantly higher (IC50, 29 ug/ml) than needed for VSMC from NBR (IC50, 23 ug/ml). These observations taken together suggest that alterations in the EGF/EGFR mediated VSMC growth stimulation through RTK activity, may contribute to the genetically determined trait responsible for early and enhanced hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the vasculature of the SHR.     

Screening of the Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Gene Mutations in 13 Iranian Patients with Presumed X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is an immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. In order to identify the mutations in Btk gene in Iranian patients with antibody deficiency, 13 male patients with an XLA phenotype from 11 unrelated families were enrolled as the subjects of investigation for Btk mutation analysis using PCR-SSCP followed by sequencing. Five different mutations were identified in 5 patients from 5 unrelated families. Three mutations had been reported previously including TTTG deletion in intron 15 (4 bps upstream of exon 16 boundary), nonsense point mutation (1896G>A) that resulted in a premature stop codon (W588X) in kinase domain, and nucleotide alteration in invariant splice donor site of exon12 (IVS12+1G>A). While 2 novel missense mutations (2084A>G, 1783T>C) were identified leading to amino acid changes (I651T, Y551H). The results of this study further support the notion that molecular genetic testing represents an important tool for definitive and early diagnosis of XLA and may allow accurate carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.     

Similar Time-Course of Interleukin-1 Beta Production and Extracellular-Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) Activation in Permanent Focal Brain Ischemic Injury

The present study investigated the activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the potential role of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) in the brain's response to focal brain ischemia in the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model. Phosphorylated ERK p44 and p42 were increased time-dependently and significantly 18- and 28-fold, respectively, at 24-h post-pMCAO. Similarly, IL-1 protein levels were significantly increased with the peak at 24 h in the lesioned core of the ischemic hemisphere compared to the contralateral side. Previous studies using various stimuli have shown ERK-dependent IL-1 induction. The results from our study suggest that this relation may also exist in vivo in ischemic brain tissue. Based on the progressive nature of IL-1 induction, we hypothetized that inhibition of interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE) could provide an extended time-window for neuroprotection. Therefore, we applied N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD·fmk), an ICE blocker 3 or 6 h after pMCAO. Reductions of infarct volume, however, were not observed. Taken together with previous results, where we showed protective activity of zVAD·fmk when given immediately after pMCAO, we conclude that the time window for zVAD·fmk is less than 3 h.     

Studies on Phosphorylation by Phosphoroguanidinates. The Mechanism of Action of Creatine: ATP Transphosphorylase (Creatine Kinase)

The solvolyses of phosphorocreatine (creatine phosphate) and models for phosphorocreatine have been investigated and the results are applied to the mechanism of action of creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2). A metaphosphate intermediate appears to be involved.     

Chronic Alcohol Intoxication Enhances the Expression of CD18 Adhesion Molecules on Rat Neutrophils and Release of a Chemotactic Factor by Kupffer Cells

Chronic alcohol intoxication has been associated with increased migration of inflammatory leukocytes to the liver that may contribute to the development of alcoholic hepatitis in susceptible individuals. Thus, this work was performed to examine the mechanism by which neutrophils [polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs)] are sequestered in the liver during prolonged consumption of alcohol. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with Sustacal supplemented by 36% alcohol, or isocaloric diet for 16 weeks. Circulating blood PMNs were collected and examined for CD18 ( β ₂-integrin) adhesion molecule expression. Monoclonal antibody 1F12, an anti-CD18 antibody and potent neutropenic agent, was used to detect CD18 on PMNs. More than 97% of neutrophils obtained from pair and ethanol-fed rats were positive for the antibody. Fluorescence intensity of fluorescein iso-thiocyanate-1F12 binding to PMNs from ethanol-fed rat was significantly enhanced 2-fold compared with the pair-fed controls. The release of chemoattractant and free radical-generating activity in culture supernatants of Kupffer cells was also examined. Twenty-four hr culture supernatants of Kupffer cells from chronic alcoholic rats enhanced the migration and superoxide anion generation by normal PMNs, compared with those of the pair-fed rats. Antirat interleukin-8 antiserum inhibited chemotactic activity and superoxide generating capacity of culture supernatants. These results suggest that upregulation of adhesion molecules on PMNs and chemotactic factor release from Kupffer cells may contribute, at least in part, to enhanced migration of inflammatory leukocytes to the liver during chronic alcohol intoxication.     

Stimulation of human monocytes with macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces a Grb2-mediated association of the focal adhesion kinase pp125FAK and dynamin.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is required for the growth and differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes. In the present studies using human monocytes, we show that M-CSF induces interaction of the Grb2 adaptor protein with the focal adhesion kinase pp125FAK. The results demonstrate that tyrosine-phosphorylated pp125FAK directly interacts with the SH2 domain of Grb2. The findings indicate that a pYENV site at Tyr-925 in pp125FAK is responsible for this interaction. We also demonstrate that the Grb2-FAK complex associates with the GTPase dynamin. Dynamin interacts with the SH3 domains of Grb2 and exhibits M-CSF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation in association with pp125FAK. These findings suggest that M-CSF-induced signaling involves independent Grb2-mediated pathways, one leading to Ras activation and another involving pp125FAK and a GTPase implicated in receptor internalization.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor induces activation and subcellular translocation of focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) in cultured rat cardiac myocytes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been proposed to be among the candidate factors with the most potential to play a role in ischemia-induced collateral vessel formation. Recently, we found that VEGF activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in cultured rat cardiac myocytes. To elucidate how VEGF affects adhesive interaction of cardiac myocytes with the extracellular matrix (ECM), one of the important cell functions, we investigated the molecular mechanism of activation of focal adhesion-related proteins, especially focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)), in cultured rat cardiac myocytes. We found that the 2 VEGF receptors, KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-1, were expressed in cardiac myocytes and that KDR/Flk-1 was significantly tyrosine phosphorylated on VEGF stimulation. VEGF induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of p125(FAK) as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin; this was accompanied by subcellular translocation of p125(FAK) from perinuclear sites to the focal adhesions. This VEGF-induced activation of p125(FAK) was inhibited partially by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin. Activation of p125(FAK) was accompanied by its increased association with adapter proteins GRB2, Shc, and nonreceptor type tyrosine kinase p60(c-src). Furthermore, we confirmed that VEGF induced a significant increase in adhesive interaction between cardiac myocytes and ECM using an electric cell-substrate impedance sensor. These results strongly suggest that p125(FAK) is one of the most important components in VEGF-induced signaling in cardiac myocytes, playing a critical role in adhesive interaction between cardiac myocytes and ECM.