The role of nuclear factor-kappaB in the development of autoimmune diseases: a link between genes and environment.

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Kuryłowicz ◽  
Janusz Nauman

Although autoimmune diseases are relatively common, mechanisms that lead to their development remain largely unknown. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of immune responses and apoptosis, appears to be a good candidate for studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. This review presents how perturbations of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway may contribute to self-tolerance failure, initiation of autoimmune inflammatory response as well as its persistent maintenance and therefore to the development of common autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus as well as inflammatory bowel diseases and psoriasis. A special emphasis is put on the genetic variations in the NF-kappaB related genes and their possible association with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, as well as on the therapeutic potential of the NF-kappaB targeted strategies in the treatment of autoimmunity.

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (18) ◽  
pp. 3147-3155
Author(s):  
N.A. Callejas ◽  
M. Casado ◽  
L. Bosca ◽  
P. Martin-Sanz

Recently isolated trophoblasts express nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), decreasing the levels of the corresponding mRNAs when the cells were maintained in culture. The sustained expression of COX-2 and NOS-2 in trophoblasts was dependent on the activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) since proteasome inhibitors and antioxidants that abrogated NF-kappaB activity suppressed the induction of both genes. The time-dependent fall of the mRNA levels of NOS-2 and COX-2 paralleled the inhibition of NF-kappaB, determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and the increase of the IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta inhibitory proteins. Isolated trophoblasts synthesized reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), a process impaired after culturing the cells, and that might be involved in the NF-kappaB activation process. Moreover, treatment of recently isolated cells with ROI scavengers suppressed the expression of COX-2 and NOS-2. Challenge of trophoblasts with interleukin-1beta up-regulated the expression of both proteins, an effect that was potentiated by lipopolysaccharide. These results indicate that the physiological expression of NOS-2 and COX-2 in trophoblasts involves a sustained activation of NF-kappaB which inhibition abrogates the inducibility of both genes.


1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1535-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
C S Duckett ◽  
R W Gedrich ◽  
M C Gilfillan ◽  
C B Thompson

CD30 is a lymphoid cell-specific surface receptor which was originally identified as an antigen expressed on Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. Activation of CD30 induces the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factor. In this study, we define the domains in CD30 which are required for NF-kappaB activation. Two separate elements of the cytoplasmic domain which were capable of inducing NF-kappaB independently of one another were identified. The first domain (domain 1) mapped to a approximately 120-amino-acid sequence in the membrane-proximal region of the CD30 cytoplasmic tail, between residues 410 and 531. A second, more carboxy-terminal region (domain 2) was identified between residues 553 and 595. Domain 2 contains two 5- to 10-amino-acid elements which can mediate the binding of CD30 to members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family of signal transducing proteins. Coexpression of CD30 with TRAF1 or TRAF2 but not TRAF3 augmented NF-kappaB activation through domain 2 but not domain 1. NF-kappaB induction through domain 2 was inhibited by coexpression of either full-length TRAF3 or dominant negative forms of TRAF1 or TRAF2. In contrast, NF-kappaB induction by domain 1 was not affected by alterations in TRAF protein levels. Together, these data support a model in which CD30 can induce NF-kappaB by both TRAF-dependent and -independent mechanisms. TRAF-dependent induction of NF-kappaB appears to be regulated by the relative levels of individual TRAF proteins in the cell.


2002 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
WY Almawi ◽  
OK Melemedjian

Glucocorticoids (GCs) exert their anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects principally by inhibiting the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Mechanistically, GCs diffuse through the cell membrane, and bind to their inactive cytosolic receptors (GRs), which then undergo conformational modifications that allow for their nuclear translocation. In the nucleus, activated GRs modulate transcriptional events by directly associating with DNA elements, compatible with the GCs response elements (GRE) motif, and located in variable copy numbers and at variable distances from the TATA box, in the promoter region of GC-responsive genes. In addition, activated GRs also acted by antagonizing the activity of transcription factors, in particular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), by direct and indirect mechanisms. GCs induced gene transcription and protein synthesis of the NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaB. Activated GR also antagonized NF-kappaB activity through protein-protein interaction involving direct complexing with, and inhibition of, NF-kappaB binding to DNA (Simple Model), or association with NF-kappaB bound to the kappaB DNA site (Composite Model). In addition, and according to the Transmodulation Model, GRE-bound GR may interact with and inhibit the activity of kappaB-bound NF-kappaB via a mechanism involving cross-talk between the two transcription factors. Lastly, GR may compete with NF-kappaB for nuclear coactivators, including CREB binding protein and p300, thereby reducing and inhibiting transcriptional activation by NF-kappaB. It should be noted that, in exerting its effect, activated GR did not affect the correct assembly of the pre-initiation (DAB) complex, but acted rather more proximally in inhibiting the correct assembly of transcription factors in the promoter region, and thus transcriptional initiation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuto Araki ◽  
Toshihide Mimura

Autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders caused by a loss of self-tolerance, which is characterized by the appearance of autoantibodies and/or autoreactive lymphocytes and the impaired suppressive function of regulatory T cells. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is extremely complex and remains largely unknown. Recent advances indicate that environmental factors trigger autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals. In addition, accumulating results have indicated a potential role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications, in the development of autoimmune diseases. Histone modifications regulate the chromatin states and gene transcription without any change in the DNA sequence, possibly resulting in phenotype alteration in several different cell types. In this paper, we discuss the significant roles of histone modifications involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and type 1 diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Sheng He ◽  
Yu-Qian Hu ◽  
Kun Xiang ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
Ya-Ting Feng ◽  
...  

: Galectins are a highly conserved protein family that binds to β-galactosides. Different members of this family play a variety of biological functions in physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis, regulation of immune cell activity, and cell adhesion. Galectins are widely distributed and play a vital role both inside and outside cells. It can regulate homeostasis and immune function in vivo through mechanisms such as apoptosis. Recent studies indicate that galectins exhibit pleiotropic roles in inflammation. Furthermore, emerging studies have found that galectins are involved in the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 1 diabetes (T1D) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) by regulating cell adhesion, apoptosis, and other mechanisms. This review will briefly discuss the biological characteristics of the two most widely expressed and extensively explored members of the galectin family, galectin-1 and galectin-3, as well as their pathogenetic and therapeutic roles in autoimmune diseases. These information may provide a novel and promising therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Rosenzwajg ◽  
Roberta Lorenzon ◽  
Patrice Cacoub ◽  
Hang Phuong Pham ◽  
Fabien Pitoiset ◽  
...  

ObjectiveRegulatory T cells (Tregs) prevent autoimmunity and control inflammation. Consequently, any autoimmune or inflammatory disease reveals a Treg insufficiency. As low-dose interleukin-2 (ld-IL2) expands and activates Tregs, it has a broad therapeutic potential.AimWe aimed to assess this potential and select diseases for further clinical development by cross-investigating the effects of ld-IL2 in a single clinical trial treating patients with 1 of 11 autoimmune diseases.MethodsWe performed a prospective, open-label, phase I–IIa study in 46 patients with a mild to moderate form of either rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, Behcet’s disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Takayasu’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune hepatitis and sclerosing cholangitis. They all received ld-IL2 (1 million IU/day) for 5 days, followed by fortnightly injections for 6 months. Patients were evaluated by deep immunomonitoring and clinical evaluation.Resultsld-IL2 was well tolerated whatever the disease and the concomitant treatments. Thorough supervised and unsupervised immunomonitoring demonstrated specific Treg expansion and activation in all patients, without effector T cell activation. Indication of potential clinical efficacy was observed.ConclusionThe dose of IL-2 and treatment scheme used selectively activate and expand Tregs and are safe across different diseases and concomitant treatments. This and preliminary indications of clinical efficacy should licence the launch of phase II efficacy trial of ld-IL2 in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Trial registration numberNCT01988506.


Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Wium ◽  
Juliano Paccez ◽  
Luiz Zerbini

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate cellular processes by converting signals from the extracellular environment to the cytoplasm and nucleus. Tyro3, Axl, and Mer (TAM) receptors form an RTK family that plays an intricate role in tissue maintenance, phagocytosis, and inflammation as well as cell proliferation, survival, migration, and development. Defects in TAM signaling are associated with numerous autoimmune diseases and different types of cancers. Here, we review the structure of TAM receptors, their ligands, and their biological functions. We discuss the role of TAM receptors and soluble circulating TAM receptors in the autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Lastly, we discuss the effect of TAM receptor deregulation in cancer and explore the therapeutic potential of TAM receptors in the treatment of diseases.


1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1628
Author(s):  
R B Auwardt ◽  
S J Mudge ◽  
C G Chen ◽  
D A Power

Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is one of the most important proinflammatory transcription factors. The anti-inflammatory activity of steroids in leukocytes is partly due to inhibition of signaling by NF-kappaB, but it is not known whether steroids inhibit NF-kappaB in kidney cells. Since the mesangial cell is important in several kidney diseases, especially mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, the aims of this study were: (1) to define the mechanism of NF-kappaB activation in rat glomerular mesangial cells; and (2) to determine whether steroids inhibit activation of NF-kappaB in these cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) showed that interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha activated NF-kappaB from 15 min to 48 h after stimulation. Supershift EMSA demonstrated that p65 and p50 were the predominant subunits involved. Degradation of the inhibitory subunit IkappaB-alpha was first observed 15 min after stimulation by Western blot, was maximal at 15 to 30 min (>90% by densitometry), and had returned to near normal levels at 90 min. In contrast, IkappaB-beta was maximally degraded at 60 to 120 min and was still reduced at 48 h (<50% of the untreated level). Although treatment of mesangial cells with dexamethasone increased IkappaB-alpha mRNA by 1.92x and protein by 1.45x over controls, pretreatment did not inhibit degradation of IkappaB-alpha or -beta in response to stimulation, or prevent the increase in NF-kappaB binding activity shown by EMSA. However, dexamethasone significantly inhibited the increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA seen after stimulation with interleukin 1beta, although this was not complete. It did not reduce transcription of an NF-kappaB reporter. In comparison, the pyrrolidine derivative of dithiocarnamate (PDTC), a known inhibitor of NF-kappaB, prevented the increase in NF-kappaB binding activity and significantly reduced transcription of the NF-kappaB reporter. These studies suggest that steroids can partially inhibit transcriptional activation by NF-kappaB in mesangial cells but not through an increase in IkappaB-alpha protein alone. Their effect must occur at the promoter and may be restricted to some NF-kappaB-responsive genes. Therapies that block NF-kappaB more effectively than steroids in mesangial cells, therefore, may be useful in the treatment of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.


2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L Yates ◽  
Dariusz C Górecki

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factors regulate a plethora of cellular pathways and processes including the immune response, inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis and calcium homeostasis. In addition to the complexity of its physiological roles, the composition and function of this family of proteins is very complicated. While the basic understanding of NF-kappaB signalling is extensive, relatively little is know of the in vivo dynamics of this pathway or what controls the balance between various outcomes. Although we know a large number of NF-kappaB-responsive genes, the contribution of these genes to a specific response is not always clear. Finally, the involvement of NF-kappaB in pathological processes is only now beginning to be unravelled. In addition to cancer and immunodeficiency disorders, altered regulation of NF-kappaB has been associated with several inherited diseases. These findings indicate that modulation of the NF-kappaB pathways may be beneficial. However, our limited knowledge of NF-kappaB signalling hinders therapeutic approaches: in many situations it is not clear whether the enhancement or inhibition of NF-kappaB activity would be beneficial or which pathways to interfere with and what the required level of activation is. Further studies of the role of NF-kappaB are needed as these may result in novel therapeutic strategies for a wide variety of diseases.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document