cFLIP-L Inhibits p38 MAPK Activation

Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) is a potent inducer of extracellular matrix protein synthesis and a key mediator of renal fibrosis. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms by which TGF-β1stimulates this process remain incompletely understood. In this report, we examined the role of a major stress-activated intracellular signaling cascade, belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily, in mediating TGF-β1 responses in rat glomerular mesangial cells, using dominant-negative inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling receptors. We first stably transfected rat glomerular mesangial cells with a kinase-deleted mutant TGF-β type II receptor (TβR-IIM) designed to inhibit TGF-β1 signaling in a dominant-negative fashion. Next, expression of TβR-IIM mRNA was confirmed by Northern analysis. Cell surface expression and ligand binding of TβR-IIM protein were demonstrated by affinity cross-linking with 125I-labeled-TGF-β1. TGF-β1 rapidly induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation in wild-type and empty vector (pcDNA3)-transfected control mesangial cells. Interestingly, transfection with dominant-negative TβR-IIM failed to block TGF-β1-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Moreover, dominant-negative TβR-IIMfailed to block TGF-β1-stimulated pro-α1(I) collagen mRNA expression and cellular protein synthesis, whereas TGF-β1-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/ERK2 activation and antiproliferative responses were blocked by TβR-IIM. In the presence of a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB-203580, TGF-β1 was unable to stimulate pro-α1(I) collagen mRNA expression in the control and TβR-IIM-transfected mesangial cells. Finally, we confirmed that both p38 MAPK activation and pro-α1(I) collagen stimulation were TGF-β1 effects that were abrogated by dominant-negative inhibition of TGF-β type I receptor. Thus we show first demonstration of p38 MAPK activation by TGF-β1 in mesangial cells, and, given the rapid kinetics, this TGF-β1 effect is likely a direct one. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway functions as a component in the signaling of pro-α1(I) collagen induction by TGF-β1 in mesangial cells.

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Acute adenosine preconditioning is mediated by p38 MAPK activation in discrete subcellular compartments

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.01006.2004 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 288 (3) ◽

pp. H1359-H1366 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Cherry Ballard-Croft ◽

Gentian Kristo ◽

Yukihiro Yoshimura ◽

Easton Reid ◽

Byron J. Keith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

P38 Mapk ◽

Adenosine Receptor ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Mitochondrial Fraction ◽

Control Group ◽

Mapk Activation ◽

Subcellular Compartments ◽

Sb 203580

Although acute adenosine preconditioning (PC) is well established, the signaling pathways mediating this cardioprotection remain unclear. Because adenosine receptor agonists activate p38 MAPK and this kinase has been implicated in ischemic and pharmacological PC, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of p38 MAPK in acute adenosine receptor PC. The role of p38 MAPK activation in discrete subcellular compartments during ischemia-reperfusion was also determined. The following groups were used in an in vivo rat ischemia-reperfusion model: 1) control (10% DMSO iv), 2) the A1/A2a adenosine receptor AMP-579 (50 μg/kg iv), 3) AMP-579 + the A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 100 μg/kg iv), 4) AMP-579 + the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 (1 mg/kg iv), and 5) SB-203580 alone. p38 MAPK activation was measured by Western blot analysis in cytosolic, mitochondrial, membrane, and nuclear/myofilament fractions obtained from hearts at preischemic, ischemic, and reperfusion time points. A significant reduction in infarct size was observed with AMP-579 PC, an effect blocked by DPCPX or SB-203580 pretreatment. AMP-579 treatment was associated with a significant increase in p38 MAPK activation in the nuclear/myofilament fraction before ischemia, whereas no activation of this kinase occurred during ischemia or reperfusion. In contrast, p38 MAPK was activated in the mitochondrial fraction by ischemia and in the cytosolic, mitochondrial, and membrane fractions by reperfusion in the control group. SB-203580 blocked the AMP-579-induced increase in phosphorylation of the downstream p38 substrate activating transcription factor-2. These results suggest a role for p38 MAPK activation in discrete subcellular compartments in acute adenosine A1 receptor PC.

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APPL1 mediates adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK activation by scaffolding the TAK1-MKK3-p38 MAPK pathway

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00427.2010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 300 (1) ◽

pp. E103-E110 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Xiaoban Xin ◽

Lijun Zhou ◽

Caleb M. Reyes ◽

Feng Liu ◽

Lily Q. Dong

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Mapk Pathway ◽

Adaptor Protein ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Scaffolding Protein ◽

Mapk Activation ◽

P38 Mapk Pathway ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

The adaptor protein APPL1 mediates the stimulatory effect of adiponectin on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that, in C2C12 cells, overexpression or suppression of APPL1 enhanced or suppressed, respectively, adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK upstream kinase cascade, consisting of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3). In vitro affinity binding and coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that TAK1 and MKK3 bind to different regions of APPL1, suggesting that APPL1 functions as a scaffolding protein to facilitate adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK activation. Interestingly, suppressing APPL1 had no effect on TNFα-stimulated p38 MAPK phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes, indicating that the stimulatory effect of APPL1 on p38 MAPK activation is selective. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the TAK1-MKK3 cascade mediates adiponectin signaling and uncovers a scaffolding role of APPL1 in regulating the TAK1-MKK3-p38 MAPK pathway, specifically in response to adiponectin stimulation.

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