Interferon-α resistance in renal carcinoma cells is associated with defective induction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 which can be restored by a supernatant of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Therapy of selected human malignancies with interferon-α is widely accepted but often complicated by the emergence of interferon-α resistance. Interferon is a pleiotropic cytokine with antiproliferative, antitumour, antiviral and immunmodulatory effect; it signals through the Jak-STAT signal transduction pathway where signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 plays an important role. Here we report both, a lack of signal transducer and activator of transcription induction in interferon-α resistant renal cell carcinoma cells and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 reinduction of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells supernatant. Preliminary experiments on the identification of the molecules that reinducing signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 indicate that interferon-γ may be the responsible candidate cytokine, but several others may be involved as well. This work provides the basis for therapeutic strategies directed at the molecular modulation of interferon-α resistance in human neoplasms

HIV-1 Nef Induces Proinflammatory State in Macrophages through Its Acidic Cluster Domain: Involvement of TNF Alpha Receptor Associated Factor 2

Background: HIV-1 Nef is a virulence factor that plays multiple roles during HIV replication. Recently, it has been described that Nef intersects the CD40 signalling in macrophages, leading to modification in the pattern of secreted factors that appear able to recruit, activate and render T lymphocytes susceptible to HIV infection. The engagement of CD40 by CD40L induces the activation of different signalling cascades that require the recruitment of specific tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (i.e. TRAFs). We hypothesized that TRAFs might be involved in the rapid activation of NF-kappa B, MAPKs and IRF-3 that were previously described in Nef-treated macrophages to induce the synthesis and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and IFN beta to activate STAT1, -2 and -3. Methodology/Principal Findings: Searching for possible TRAF binding sites on Nef, we found a TRAF2 consensus binding site in the AQEEEE sequence encompassing the conserved four-glutamate acidic cluster. Here we show that all the signalling effects we observed in Nef treated macrophages depend on the integrity of the acidic cluster. In addition, Nef was able to interact in vitro with TRAF2, but not TRAF6, and this interaction involved the acidic cluster. Finally silencing experiments in THP-1 monocytic cells indicate that both TRAF2 and, surprisingly, TRAF6 are required for the Nef-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2. Conclusions: Results reported here revealed TRAF2 as a new possible cellular interactor of Nef and highlighted that in monocytes/macrophages this viral protein is able to manipulate both the TRAF/NF-kappa B and TRAF/IRF-3 signalling axes, thereby inducing the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as IFN beta

Role of interferon and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in erythroid differentiation of Friend leukemia cells. Studies with interferon-sensitive and -resistant variants.

International audienceIt has been suggested that the interferon (IFN)-induced 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase, which polymerizes ATP into a series of 2',5'-linked oligomers with the general formula pppA(2'p5'A)n, plays a general role in cell growth and terminal differentiation. For instance, an increase in 2-5A synthetase activity has been described during dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)-induced erythroid differentiation of Friend leukemia cells (FLC). 2-5A synthetase has been measured in two Friend leukemia cell sublines by various techniques including a radioimmunoassay of its products which would detect 10(-16) mol of 2-5A cores. Although cells of both sublines fully differentiate (as measured by benzidine staining), only in one subline was there an increase in 2-5A synthetase activity upon treatment with Me2SO. Hexamethylenebisacetamide, another potent agent of differentiation in this system, did not increase 2-5A synthetase activity in either of these two sublines. An IFN-resistant FLC variant differentiated normally upon treatment with Me2SO or hexamethylenebisacetamide while it was noninducible for 2-5A synthetase activity by exogenous IFN or by the inducers themselves. A similar situation has been observed with regard to the level of phosphorylation of the IFN-induced Mr = 67,000 protein band. In addition, treatment of IFN-sensitive and resistant FLC sublines with mouse alpha beta IFN antiserum did not affect differentiation. Even though we have duplicated previous findings on the increase of 2-5A synthetase activity in Me2SO-induced FLC, the lack of any such increase with other inducers or other sublines indicates that there is no causal relationship between the enzyme activation and FLC differentiation

An emerging interplay between extracellular vesicles and cytokines

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound particles that are naturally released from cells. They are recognized as potent vehicles of intercellular communication both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Because of their capacity to carry biological macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, EVs influence different physiological and pathological functions of both parental and recipient cells. Although multiple pathways have been proposed for cytokine secretion beyond the classical ER/Golgi route, EVs have recently recognized as an alternative secretory mechanism. Interestingly, cytokines/chemokines exploit these vesicles to be released into the extracellular milieu, and also appear to modulate their release, trafficking and/or content. In this review, we provide an overview of the cytokines/chemokines that are known to be associated with EVs or their regulation with a focus on TNFα, IL-1β and IFNs