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Biomedical subjects

F Bost

Publications and source records attributed to F Bost.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Role of MAPKs in development and differentiation: lessons from knockout mice.

The ERK, p38MAPK, JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are intracellular signaling pathways that play a pivotal role in many essential cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation. These cascades are activated by a large variety of stimuli and display a high degree of homology. So far, seven MAPK isoforms have been invalidated in mice leading to the discovery of their important functions in development and differentiation. As we could expect because of their multiple and specific properties in vitro, knockout (KO) of MAPK pathways leads to distinct phenotypes in mice. Surprisingly, into a given cascade, KOs of the various isoforms assign specific non-redundant biological functions to each isoform, without compensation by the others. These results emphasize the notion that, although initiated by the same external stimuli, these intracellular cascades activate kinase isoforms each with its own specific role.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The Lac repressor provides a reversible gene expression system in undifferentiated and differentiated embryonic stem cell.

Control of mammalian gene promoters by the bacterial LacI repressor provides reversible regulation and dose-response levels of derepressed expression by the lactose analog isopropyl thiogalactose (IPTG). Here, we show that insertion of LacI-binding sites in the ubiquitous beta-actin promoter confers a strong and dose-dependent IPTG-regulatable expression of transiently transfected reporter genes in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells expressing LacI. We established ES cell lines stably expressing reporter genes under inducible control and found a five- to tenfold IPTG induction of transgene expression. The kinetics of induction is rapid and stable, and can be rapidly reversed after IPTG removal. Importantly, this regulatable expression was maintained throughout the differentiation process of ES cells, and observed in individual differentiated cardiomyocyte-like cells and neuronal-like cells. This reversible system is the first to function from undifferentiated to individual well-differentiated ES cells, providing a very useful tool to understand molecular mechanisms underlying ES cell self-renewal, commitment and differentiation.

Actins↗
PubMed2005

The role of MAPKs in adipocyte differentiation and obesity.

The ERK, p38 and JNK mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are intracellular signalling pathways that play a pivotal role in many essential cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation. MAPKs are activated by a large variety of stimuli and one of their major functions is to connect cell surface receptors to transcription factors in the nucleus, which consequently triggers long-term cellular responses. This review focuses on their in vitro and in vivo roles in adipocyte differentiation and obesity. Hyperplasia of adipose tissue is a critical event for the development of obesity. Several studies have analysed the role of MAPKs in vitro in adipocyte differentiation of preadipocyte established cell lines. In the case of ERK, although the first data appeared contradictory, a consensus scenario arises: ERK would be necessary to initiate the preadipocyte into the differentiation process and, thereafter, this signal transduction pathway needs to be shut-off to proceed with adipocyte maturation. The limitation of these cellular models is that only terminal adipocyte differentiation can be analysed, eluding the early proliferative steps of adipogenesis. New insights are now emerging by investigations conducted either in vitro with the use of embryonic stem (ES) cells or in vivo with mice where these genes are invalidated. These studies not only confirm and/or precise the various functions of MAPKs in adipogenesis but, importantly, reveal unsuspected roles, for example JNK in obesity or ERK in adipogenesis of ES cells, and, for a given pathway, assign specific functions to each isoform. It appears now that a fine tuning of the MAPKs regulates both normal and pathological adipogenesis. The precise understanding of the cascade of these molecular events and the way to regulate them will be certainly crucial in order to efficiently fight obesity.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2001

The defective transforming phenotype of c-Jun Ala(63/73) is rescued by mutation of the C-terminal phosphorylation site.

Cotransfection of primary rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) with c-Jun and activated Ras leads to oncogenic transformation and this process requires the phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain of c-Jun. Ras augments this phosphorylation and, consequently activates the c-Jun transactivation property of TRE (TPA Responsive Element)-dependent promoters. To analyse the role of the c-Jun C-terminal phosphorylation site in oncogenic cooperation we tested the activities of N-terminal c-Jun Ala(63/73) (named Nt), C-terminal c-Jun Ala(234/242/246/252) (named Ct) and (Nt+Ct)-with both mutations-non-phosphorylatable c-Jun mutants. In cooperation with Ras, the Ct mutant and wt c-Jun display similar oncogenic properties whereas the Nt form was defective in transforming REF cells. Unexpectedly, the Nt+Ct mutant exhibited identical oncogenic properties to wt c-Jun, demonstrating that the Ct mutation rescues in cis the Nt mutation. The transcriptional activity and the capacity to bind the c-Jun coactivator CREB Binding Protein (CBP) were enhanced by Ras for the wt and Ct proteins but not for the Nt mutant. Interestingly, the Nt+Ct mutant presents identical transactivation and CBP binding activities to wt c-Jun. Therefore the rescue in cis of the defective Nt mutation by the Ct mutation seems to be due to the recovery of CBP binding. Our results revealed that the process of oncogenic cooperation can occur between Ras and the Nt+Ct non-phosphorylatable c-Jun protein.

Alanine↗
PubMed2000

c-Jun N-terminal kinase is essential for growth of human T98G glioblastoma cells.

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway is activated by numerous cellular stresses. Although it has been implicated in mediating apoptosis and growth factor signaling, its role in regulating cell growth is not yet clear. Here, the influence of JNK on basal (unstimulated) growth of human tumor glioblastoma T98G cells was investigated using highly specific JNK antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit JNK expression. Transient depletion of either JNK1 or JNK2 suppressed cell growth associated with an inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell cycle arrest in S phase. The growth-inhibitory potency of JNK2 antisense ((JNK)2 IC(50) = 0.14 micrometer) was greater than that of JNK1 antisense ((JNK)1 IC(50) = 0.37 micrometer), suggesting that JNK2 plays a dominant role in regulating growth of T98G cells. Indeed, JNK2 antisense-treated populations exhibited greater inhibition of DNA synthesis and accumulation of S-phase cells than did the JNK1 antisense-treated cultures, with a significant proportion of these cells detaching from the tissue culture plate. JNK2 (but not JNK1) antisense-treated cultures exhibited marked elevation in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(cip1/waf1) accompanied by inhibition of Cdk2/Cdc2 kinase activities. Taken together, these results indicate that JNK is required for growth of T98G cells in nonstress conditions and that p21(cip1/waf1) may contribute to the sustained growth arrest of JNK2-depleted T98G cultures.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed2000

Antisense methods for discrimination of phenotypic properties of closely related gene products: Jun kinase family.

Methods for the selection and characterization of antisense oligonucleotides for specifically eliminating closely related gene family members are available. High-throughput semiautomated methods using 96-well plate formats and array technology and improved assays are under active development that will streamline many steps and will likely merge. Second-generation 20-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing 2'-methoxyethyl groups at the first and last 6 nucleotides with improved nuclease resistance and RNA affinity are becoming available.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differential effect of retinoic acid on growth regulation by phorbol ester in human cancer cell lines.

Phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and all-trans-retinoic acid (trans-RA) are potent regulators of growth of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of TPA and trans-RA alone or their combination on proliferation of human breast cancer ZR75-1 and T47D and lung cancer H460 and H292 cell lines. trans-RA caused various degrees of growth inhibition of these cell lines. However, TPA showed inhibition of proliferation of H460 and H292 cells and induction of ZR75-1 cell growth. Although trans-RA did not significantly regulate the growth inhibitory effect of TPA, it completely prevented its growth stimulating function. The divergent effects of TPA were associated with specific disruption of cell cycle events, an induction of G(0)/G(1) arrest in H460 and H292 cells and inhibition of G(0)/G(1) arrest with increase of S phase in ZR75-1 cells. Induction of G(0)/G(1) arrest was accompanied by induction of p21(WAF1) and ERK activity, whereas inhibition of G(0)/G(1) arrest was associated with enhanced activity of JNK and AP-1 but not ERK. trans-RA did not affect TPA-induced p21(WAF1) expression. However, it inhibited TPA-induced AP-1 activity in ZR75-1 cells and the constitutive AP-1 activity in H460 and H292 cells. Thus, trans-RA modulates TPA activity through its interaction through TPA-induced JNK/AP-1 pathway but not TPA-induced ERK/p21(WAF1) pathway.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Functional expression of CD80 and CD86 allows immunogenicity of malignant B cells from non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

We analyzed the accessory function of malignant B cells from non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs). Among the 70 samples of malignant B cells included, four patterns of expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were distinguished (+/+, +/-, -/+ and -/-). In two-thirds of the cases, CD80, CD86, or both were expressed. To investigate the relevance of these molecules for tumor immunogenicity, mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) were performed with allogeneic responding T cells and malignant B cells from nine NHL patients. Regardless of the level of expression of CD80 and CD86, significant proliferation was induced in the responder cells. The addition of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD80 and CD86 at the beginning of MLR almost completely inhibited this proliferation. We show that, during MLR, a high level of expression of CD80 and CD86 was induced in NHL B cells. Thus, cooperation between responding and stimulator cells seems to occur during MLR, allowing induction of optimal accessory function of B cells. We investigated whether malignant B cells cultured with CD40-L-transfected L cells in the presence of IL-4 could augment their antigen-presenting cell (APC) functions. The culture of NHL B cells in this sytem induced strong upregulation of the expression of CD80 and CD86 as well as other molecules involved in accessory cell functions (HLA class I, CD54, and CD58). In half of the cases, this activation resulted in enhanced proliferation of allo-T cells as compared to the proliferation induced by nonactivated malignant B cells. Our results show that NHL B cells are able to express functional CD80 and CD86 and to be fully competent APC. This suggests that the absence of an efficient T cell-mediated antitumor response in vivo is not related to a deficiency in the APC functions of malignant B cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The Jun kinase 2 isoform is preferentially required for epidermal growth factor-induced transformation of human A549 lung carcinoma cells.

We have previously found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) mediates growth through the Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. As observed here, EGF treatment also greatly enhances the tumorigenicity of A549 cells, suggesting an important role for JNK in cancer cell growth (F. Bost, R. McKay, N. Dean, and D. Mercola, J. Biol. Chem. 272:33422-33429, 1997). Several isoforms families of JNK, JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, have been isolated; they arise from alternative splicing of three different genes and have distinct substrate binding properties. Here we have used specific phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeted against the two major isoforms, JNK1 and JNK2, to discriminate their roles in EGF-induced transformation. Multiple antisense sequences have been screened, and two high-affinity and specific candidates have been identified. Antisense JNK1 eliminated steady-state mRNA and JNK1 protein expression with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of <0.1 microM but did not alter JNK2 mRNA or protein levels. Conversely, antisense JNK2 specifically eliminated JNK2 steady-state mRNA and protein expression with an EC50 of 0.1 microM. Antisense JNK1 and antisense JNK2 inhibited by 40 and 70%, respectively, EGF-induced total JNK activity, whereas sense and scrambled-sequence control oligonucleotides had no effect. The elimination of mRNA, protein, and JNK activities lasted 48 and 72 h following a single Lipofectin treatment with antisense JNK1 and JNK2, respectively, indicating sufficient duration for examining the impact of specific elimination on the phenotype. Direct proliferation assays demonstrated that antisense JNK2 inhibited EGF-induced doubling of growth as well as the combination of active antisense oligonucleotides did. EGF treatment also induced colony formation in soft agar. This effect was completely inhibited by antisense JNK2 and combined-antisense treatment but not altered by antisense JNK1 alone. These results show that EGF doubles the proliferation (growth in soft agar as well as tumorigenicity in athymic mice) of A549 lung carcinoma cells and that the JNK2 isoform but not JNK1 is utilized for mediating the effects of EGF. This study represents the first demonstration of a cellular phenotype regulated by a JNK isoform family, JNK2.

Agar↗
PubMed1998

Human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 gene. Genomic organization, promoter analysis, and gene linkage.

To understand more about the human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (ITIH3) expression and the relationship between this gene and the family of other ITI heavy chain genes, an analysis of the structure of the ITIH3 gene and its promoter region was performed. This gene is a single copy gene, 14 kilobase pair in length and consists of 22 exons. ITIH3 shares highly conserved exon size and intron-exon borders with other ITI heavy chain genes. We determined that the human ITIH1, ITIH3, and ITIH4 genes are closely linked within a 45-kilobase pair. They are arranged in the order of H1-H3-H4, with the ITIH4 gene transcribed in the opposite direction. A model for the evolution of the ITI heavy chain gene family is presented that involves multiple rounds of gene duplication plus inversion events. The minimum promoter region (-135 to +75) is identified in HepG2 cells. The transient transfection study in various cell lines indicates that the activity of the ITIH3 promoter is not liver-specific. DNase I footprinting, mobility shift assays, and cotransfection experiments reveal a functional CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein site (C/EBP, -1344 to -1305) which interacts with C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta factors. The latter factors control the transcription of the ITIH3 gene positively.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1998

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor proteoglycan family--a group of proteins binding and stabilizing the extracellular matrix.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of several macromolecules associated in a complex network. This structure allows cells to adhere, migrate and interact. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and a major representative of ECM. HA-binding proteins such as CD44, aggrecan, and versican, have been implicated in structuring the ECM by stabilizing large macromolecular aggregates. They also play an important role in tumor metastasis and cell motility. Recently, further HA-binding proteins were identified: the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor(ITI)-related proteins. ITI is a glycoprotein composed of three polypeptides: two heavy chains (HC1 and HC2) and one light chain (bikunin). Bikunin confers the protease-inhibitor function. The heavy chains' function was unknown. Recent studies have shown that HC1 and HC2 are linked in vivo and in vitro to hyaluronic acid. This linkage greatly improves extracellular matrix stability. It also demonstrates that ITI-related proteins might be considered as HA-binding proteins (HABP). The ITI related proteins are composed of four polypeptides (HC1, HC2, HC3 and the bikunin) encoded by four genes H1, H2, H3 and L. Unlike the majority of plasma protein a non-disulfide covalent linkage exists between heavy chains and bikunin. This review presents the recent progress concerning the interactions between ITI and ECM showing that ITI-related proteins are HABP members. We will focus on the heavy chain linkage with HA, which represents the demonstration of covalent binding between proteins and HA.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1998

Molecular determinants of AHPN (CD437)-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines.

6-[3-(1-Adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (AHPN or CD437), originally identified as a retinoic acid receptor gamma-selective retinoid, was previously shown to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of AHPN/CD437 and its mechanism of action in human lung cancer cell lines. Our results demonstrated that AHPN/CD437 effectively inhibited lung cancer cell growth by inducing G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis, a process that is accompanied by rapid induction of c-Jun, nur77, and p21(WAF1/CIP1). In addition, we found that expression of p53 and Bcl-2 was differentially regulated by AHPN/CD437 in different lung cancer cell lines and may play a role in regulating AHPN/CD437-induced apoptotic process. On constitutive expression of the c-JunAla(63,73) protein, a dominant-negative inhibitor of c-Jun, in A549 cells, nur77 expression and apoptosis induction by AHPN/CD437 were impaired, whereas p21(WAF1/CIP1) induction and G0/G1 arrest were not affected. Furthermore, overexpression of antisense nur77 RNA in A549 and H460 lung cancer cell lines largely inhibited AHPN/CD437-induced apoptosis. Thus, expression of c-Jun and nur77 plays a critical role in AHPN/CD437-induced apoptosis. Together, our results reveal a novel pathway for retinoid-induced apoptosis and suggest that AHPN/CD437 or analogs may have a better therapeutic efficacy against lung cancer.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1997

The JUN kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway is required for epidermal growth factor stimulation of growth of human A549 lung carcinoma cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in non-small cell lung cancer cell autocrine growth and has been reported to activate the JUN kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway in model cells. Activation of JNK/SAPK leads to the phosphorylation of c-JUN protooncogene on serines 63 and 73. This mechanism is required for and cooperates in the transformation of rat embryo fibroblasts by Ha-RAS. However, the function of JNK/SAPK in human tumor growth is unknown. We have tested several lung carcinoma cell lines. All exhibited UV-C-inducible JNK/SAPK activity; two exhibited constitutive activity in low serum, and two (M103 and A549) exhibited EGF-inducible JNK/SAPK activity. In A549 cells, EGF induced a rapid and prolonged (up to 24 h) activation of the JNK/SAPK pathway that correlated with a 150-190% growth stimulation. Stably transfected clones of A549 cells expressing c-JUN(S63A,S73A), a transdominant inhibitor of c-JUN, completely blocked the EGF-stimulated proliferation effect but did not alter the basal proliferation rate. Consistent with these results JNK antisense oligonucleotides targeted to JNK1 and JNK2 entirely eliminated the EGF-stimulated JNK/SAPK activity and blocked EGF-stimulated growth but not basal growth. In contrast, specific inhibition of the RAF/ERK pathway by PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) completely blocked ERK activation by EGF and basal cell growth but not EGF-stimulated growth, thereby dissociating the growth-promoting roles of each pathway. Our observations indicate, for the first time, that JNK/SAPK may be a preferential effector pathway for the growth properties of EGF in A549 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The Jun kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway functions to regulate DNA repair and inhibition of the pathway sensitizes tumor cells to cisplatin.

We have studied the role of Jun/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway in DNA repair and cisplatin resistance in T98G glioblastoma cells. JUN/SAPK is activated by DNA damage and phosphorylates serines 63 and 73 in the N-terminal domain of c-Jun, which is known to increase its transactivation properties. We show that treatment of T98G glioblastoma cells with cisplatin but not the transplatin isomer activates JNK/SAPK about 10-fold. T98G cells, which are highly resistent to cisplatin (IC50 = 140 +/- 13 microM), modified to express a nonphosphorylatable dominant negative c-Jun (termed dnJun) exhibit decreased viability following treatment with cisplatin, but not transplatin, in proportion (rPearson = 0.98) to the level of dnJun expressed leading to a 7-fold decreased IC50. Similar effects are observed in U87 cells, PC-3 cells, and MCF-7 cells, as well as in T98G cells modified to express TAM-67, a known inhibitor of c-Jun function. In contrast, no sensitization effect was observed in cells modified to express wild-type c-Jun. Furthermore, through quantitative polymerase chain reaction-stop assays, we show that dnJun expressing cells were inhibited in repair of cisplatin adducts (p = 0.55), whereas repair is readily detectable (p = 0.003) in parental cells. These observations indicate that the JNK/SAPK pathway is activated by cisplatin-induced DNA damage and that this response is required for DNA repair and viability following cisplatin treatment. Regulation of DNA repair following genotoxic stress may be a normal physiological role of the JNK/SAPK pathway.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Myocardial localization of malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma responsive to chemotherapy].

Cardiac malignant non-hodgkinian lymphoma, which is usually asymptomatic, is observed in 15 to 25% of autopsy cases of this condition. The authors report an unusual case of myocardial lymphoma diagnosed during pulmonary oedema. Echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy with increased echogenicity of the myocardial walls and marked decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction. Myocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a high grade malignant lymphoma. The disease responded to chemotherapy. Early diagnosis of myocardial involvement of a lymphoma, presenting with non-specific electrocardiographic changes, requires investigation by histological study of a myocardial biopsy. This invasive technique is justified because of its therapeutic implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Case report: pseudotumoral brain lesion as the presenting feature of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis rarely presents as an intracranial mass lesion. We report the case of a patient presenting a disturbance of cognitive functions in whom CT and MRI demonstrated a large right fronto-temporal mass lesion with contrast enhancement and surrounding marked oedema, highly suggestive of a brain tumour. The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis was made after stereotactic biopsy of the lesion.

Biopsy↗