Yoshiteru Hanai

National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Aichi-ken, Japan

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Publications (23)64.91 Total impact

  • Article: Involvement of Rho-kinase in sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated HSP27 induction in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that sphingosine 1-phosphate induces heat shock protein 27 (HSP 27) via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Rho-kinase is implicated in sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated induction of HSP27 in MC3T3-E1 cells. Sphingosine 1-phosphate time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT-1), a Rho-kinase substrate. Y27632, a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated HSP27 induction, as well as MYPT-1 phosphorylation. Fasudil, another inhibitor of Rho-kinase, also suppressed sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated HSP27 induction. Y27632, as well as fasudil, attenuated sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. However, Akt phosphorylation induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate was not affected by either Rho-kinase inhibitor. These results strongly suggest that Rho-kinase regulates sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated induction of HSP27 at a point upstream of p38 MAP kinase in osteoblasts.
    International Journal of Molecular Medicine 08/2009; 24(1):77-82. · 1.98 Impact Factor
  • Article: Collagen-induced p38 MAP kinase activation is a biomarker of platelet hyper-aggregation in patients with diabetes mellitus.
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    ABSTRACT: We developed a novel method for diagnosing platelet hyper-aggregation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). By measuring the dose response of platelet aggregation to collagen, an individual ED(50) was determined. Based on the normal range identified in non-DM controls (mean+/-two SEM=0.460+/-0.082 microg/ml, n=47), type 2 DM patients were divided into high ED(50) (ED(50)>0.542 microg/ml; n=32: group I) or low ED(50) groups (ED(50)<0.378 microg/ml; n=32; group II). In these patients, collagen-induced levels of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-p44/p42 MAPK were measured using Western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In group II, the collagen (0.3 and 1 microg/ml)-induced levels of both phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-p44/p42 MAPK measured by western blot analysis were found to be significantly higher than those in group I. The individual ED(50) was found to be significantly correlated with the collagen-induced levels of phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-p44/p42 MAPK. This correlation was also observed when ELISA was used to measure phospho-p38 MAPK levels in a different population of DM patients (n=90). These results strongly suggest that the phosphorylation levels of collagen-induced p38 MAPK and p44/p42 MAPK represent the hyperaggregability of platelets and that the quantification of phospho-p38 MAPK can be a new and useful diagnostic biomarker of platelet hyper-aggregation in DM patients.
    Life sciences 07/2009; 85(9-10):386-94. · 2.56 Impact Factor
  • Article: Function of Rho-kinase in prostaglandin D2-induced interleukin-6 synthesis in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We have previously reported that prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) stimulates interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent bone resorptive agent, in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Rho-kinase is implicated in the PGD2-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. PGD2 time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT-1), a Rho-kinase substrate. Y27632, a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced the PGD2-stimulated IL-6 synthesis as well as the MYPT-1 phosphorylation. Fasudil, another inhibitor of Rho-kinase, suppressed the PGD2-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. The PGD2-stimulated IL-6 synthesis was reduced by PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, but not SP600125, an inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). However, Y27632 and fasudil failed to affect the PGD2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase. On the other hand, Y27632 as well as fasudil markedly attenuated the PGD2-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. In addition, PGD2 additively induced IL-6 synthesis in combination with endothelin-1 which induces IL-6 synthesis through p38 MAP kinase regulated by Rho-kinase. These results strongly suggest that Rho-kinase regulates PGD2-stimulated IL-6 synthesis via p38 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.
    Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 10/2008; 79(1-2):41-6. · 3.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate reduces transforming growth factor beta-stimulated HSP27 induction through the suppression of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) induction through p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol found in green tea, affects the TGF-beta-stimulated induction of HSP27 in these cells, and its underlying mechanism. EGCG significantly suppressed the HSP27 induction stimulated by TGF-beta in a dose-dependent manner between 10 and 30 microM without affecting the HSP70 levels. TGF-beta with or without EGCG did not affect the advanced oxidation protein products. The TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and ERK1/2 was not affected by EGCG. SP600125, a specific inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), markedly reduced the HSP27 expression induced by TGF-beta. EGCG significantly suppressed the TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK without affecting the phosphorylation of Smad2. EGCG attenuated the phosphorylation of both MKK4 and TAK1 induced by TGF-beta. These results strongly suggest that EGCG suppresses the TGF-beta-stimulated induction of HSP27 via the attenuation of the SAPK/JNK pathway in osteoblasts, and that this effect is exerted at a point upstream from TAK1.
    Life Sciences 06/2008; 82(19-20):1012-7. · 2.53 Impact Factor
  • Article: Involvement of Rho-kinase in prostaglandin F2alpha-stimulated interleukin-6 synthesis via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We have previously reported that prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) stimulates interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent bone resorptive agent, through p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Rho-kinase is implicated in the PGF(2alpha)-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. PGF(2alpha) time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT-1), a Rho-kinase substrate. Y27632, a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced the PGF(2alpha)-stimulated IL-6 synthesis as well as the MYPT-1 phosphorylation. Fasudil, another inhibitor of Rho-kinase, suppressed the PGF(2alpha)-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. Y27632 and fasudil failed to affect the PGF(2alpha)-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase. SB203580 and BIRB0796, potent inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, suppressed the IL-6 synthesis induced by PGF(2alpha). While SP600125, an inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), failed to reduce the synthesis. Y27632 as well as fasudil attenuated the PGF(2alpha)-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. These results strongly suggest that Rho-kinase regulates PGF(2alpha)-stimulated IL-6 synthesis via p38 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.
    Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 06/2008; 291(1-2):27-32. · 4.19 Impact Factor
  • Article: Potentiation by platelet-derived growth factor-BB of FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) stimulates the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on FGF-2-induced VEGF release in MC3T3-E1 cells. PDGF-BB significantly enhanced the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release. The amplifying effect of PDGF-BB was dose dependent in the range between 0.1 and 30 ng/ml. AG1295, a selective inhibitor of PDGF receptor kinase, which reduced the autophosphorylation of PDGF receptor-(R), suppressed the enhancement by PDGF-BB without affecting the FGF-2 effect. PDGF-BB failed to strengthen the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase or SAPK/JNK. The amplification by PDGF-BB of FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release was reduced by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK, or SP600125, a specific inhibitor of SAPK/JNK. These results strongly suggest that PDGF-BB potentiates FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release at a point downstream from p44/p42 MAP kinase and SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts.
    Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism 02/2008; 26(4):335-41. · 2.27 Impact Factor
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    Article: Raloxifene-induced acceleration of platelet aggregation.
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    ABSTRACT: A 59-year-old postmenopausal woman diagnosed to have primary osteoporosis began to take 60 mg daily of oral raloxifene. The platelet aggregation induced by 1 microM adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the alpha2-antiplasmin activity were accelerated significantly after 8 weeks from the beginning of raloxifene-treatment, and gradually deteriorated up to 24 weeks. ADP markedly caused the phosphorylation of Akt in the platelets obtained at 24 weeks. Although there were no subjective complaints at 24 weeks, the medication was stopped with her consent to avoid any adverse effects due to thrombus formation. The platelet hyper-aggregability and Akt phosphorylation induced by ADP disappeared at 4 weeks after the cessation of medication. These results strongly suggest that raloxifene caused the acceleration of platelet aggregation and subclinical thrombus formation through the Akt signal pathway in this case.
    Internal Medicine 02/2008; 47(17):1523-8. · 0.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Rho-kinase regulates endothelin-1-stimulated IL-6 synthesis via p38 MAP kinase in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We have previously reported that endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent bone resorptive agent, through p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and p38 MAP kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of Rho-kinase in the ET-1-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. ET-1 time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT-1), a Rho-kinase substrate. Y27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho-kinase, significantly suppressed the IL-6 synthesis induced by ET-1 as well as the MYPT-1 phosphorylation. Fasudil, another inhibitor of Rho-kinase, reduced the ET-1-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. Y27632 as well as fasudil attenuated the ET-1-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase but not p44/p42 MAP kinase. These results strongly suggest that Rho-kinase regulates ET-1-stimulated IL-6 synthesis through p38 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 12/2007; 362(4):799-804. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Limitation by p70 S6 kinase of platelet-derived growth factor-BB-induced interleukin 6 synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: It has been reported that platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) stimulates interleukin 6 (IL-6) in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of IL-6 synthesis induced by PDGF-BB in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, p38 MAP kinase, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and p70 S6 kinase. PD98059 (an inhibitor of MAP kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase [MEK]), SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase), or SP600125 (an inhibitor of SAPK/JNK) suppressed the IL-6 synthesis induced by PDGF-BB. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70 S6 kinase, significantly enhanced the PDGF-BB-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. The PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase was suppressed by rapamycin. Rapamycin failed to affect the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase, p38 MAP kinase, or SAPK/JNK. These results strongly suggest that PDGF-BB stimulates IL-6 synthesis through activation of 3 MAP kinases in osteoblasts and that p70 S6 kinase negatively regulates the IL-6 synthesis.
    Metabolism 05/2007; 56(4):476-83. · 2.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate suppresses endothelin-1-induced interleukin-6 synthesis in osteoblasts: inhibition of p44/p42 MAP kinase activation.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously showed that endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates the synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent bone resorptive agent, in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase plays a part in the IL-6 synthesis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the major flavonoids containing in green tea, on ET-1-induced IL-6 synthesis in osteoblasts and the underlying mechanism. EGCG significantly reduced the synthesis of IL-6 stimulated by ET-1 in MC3T3-E1 cells as well primary cultured mouse osteoblasts. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, but not SP600125, a specific SAPK/JNK inhibitor, suppressed ET-1-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. ET-1-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was not affected by EGCG. On the other hand, EGCG suppressed the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase induced by ET-1. Both the IL-6 synthesis and the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of PKC, were markedly suppressed by EGCG. The phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and Raf-1 induced by ET-1 or TPA were also inhibited by EGCG. These results strongly suggest that EGCG inhibits ET-1-stimulated synthesis of IL-6 via suppression of p44/p42 MAP kinase pathway in osteoblasts, and the inhibitory effect is exerted at a point between PKC and Raf-1 in the ET-1 signaling cascade.
    FEBS Letters 05/2007; 581(7):1311-6. · 3.54 Impact Factor
  • Article: (--)-epigallocatechin gallate enhances prostaglandin F2alpha-induced VEGF synthesis via upregulating SAPK/JNK activation in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: Catechin, one of the major flavonoids presented in plants such as tea, reportedly suppresses bone resorption. We previously reported that prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) stimulates the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. To clarify the mechanism of catechin effect on osteoblasts, we investigated the effect of (--)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the major green tea flavonoids, on the VEGF synthesis by PGF(2alpha) in MC3T3-E1 cells. The PGF(2alpha)-induced VEGF synthesis was significantly enhanced by EGCG. The amplifying effect of EGCG was dose dependent between 10 and 100 microM. EGCG did not affect the PGF(2alpha)-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, and SP600125, a specific inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), reduced the PGF(2alpha)-induced VEGF synthesis. EGCG markedly enhanced the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK induced by PGF(2alpha) without affecting the PGF(2alpha)-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. SP600125 markedly reduced the amplification by EGCG of the SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. In addition, the PGF(2alpha)-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun was amplified by EGCG. These results strongly suggest that EGCG upregulate PGF(2alpha)-stimulated VEGF synthesis resulting from amplifying activation of SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts.
    Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 05/2007; 100(5):1146-53. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt limits FGF-2-induced VEGF release in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) activates stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, resulting in the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of Akt/protein kinase B in the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release in these cells. FGF-2 time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta, a downstream element of Akt. The Akt inhibitor, 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate, significantly amplified the FGF-2-induced VEGF release, in a dose-dependent manner between 1 and 70microM, while it suppressed the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3beta. The phosphorylation of Akt induced by FGF-2 was markedly attenuated by wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Both wortmannin and LY294002 enhanced the FGF-2-induced VEGF release. In addition, Akt inhibitor had no significant effect on the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and SAPK/JNK. Furthermore, the FGF-2-induced Akt phosphorylation was not affected by PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, or SP600125, a SAPK/JNK inhibitor. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that PI3-kinase/Akt plays an inhibitory role in FGF-2-induced VEGF release in osteoblasts.
    Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 04/2007; 267(1-2):46-54. · 4.19 Impact Factor
  • Article: Negative regulation by p70 S6 kinase of FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release through stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: To clarify the mechanism of VEGF release in osteoblasts, we studied whether p70 S6 kinase is involved in basic FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In this study, we show that p70 S6 kinase activated by FGF-2 negatively regulates VEGF release through SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in bone metabolism. We have previously reported that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates the release of VEGF through p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that FGF-2-activated p38 MAP kinase negatively regulates VEGF release. However, the mechanism behind VEGF release in osteoblasts is not precisely known. The levels of VEGF released from MC3T3-E1 cells were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The phosphorylation of each protein kinase was analyzed by Western blotting. To knock down p70 S6 kinase in MC3T3-E1 cells, the cells were transfected with siRNA to target p70 S6 kinase. FGF-2 time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase. Rapamycin significantly enhanced the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release and VEGF mRNA expression. The FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase was suppressed by rapamycin. Rapamycin markedly enhanced the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK without affecting the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase or p38 MAP kinase. SP600125, a specific inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, suppressed the amplification by rapamycin of the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release similar to the levels of FGF-2 with SP600125. Finally, downregulation of p70 S6 kinase by siRNA significantly enhanced the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release and phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. These results strongly suggest that p70 S6 kinase limits FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release through self-regulation of SAPK/JNK, composing a negative feedback loop, in osteoblasts.
    Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 04/2007; 22(3):337-46. · 6.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: Up-regulation by zinc of FGF-2-induced VEGF release through enhancing p44/p42 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) activates stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase resulting in the stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether zinc affects the VEGF release by FGF-2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The FGF-2-induced VEGF release was significantly enhanced by ZnSO(4) but not Na(2)SO(4). The enhancing effect of ZnSO(4) was dose-dependent between 1 and 100 muM. ZnSO(4) markedly enhanced the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase while having little effect on the SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. PD98059 significantly reduced the amplification by ZnSO(4) of the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that zinc enhances FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release resulting from up-regulating activation of p44/p42 MAP kinase in osteoblasts.
    Life Sciences 01/2007; 80(3):230-4. · 2.53 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt auto-regulates PDGF-BB-stimulated interleukin-6 synthesis in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: It has been reported that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB stimulates the synthesis of interleukin (IL)-6 in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated whether the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt is involved in the PDGF-BB-induced IL-6 synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PDGF-BB markedly induced the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta. Akt inhibitor, 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate, significantly amplified the synthesis of IL-6 by PDGF-BB. The PDGF-BB-induced GSK-3beta phosphorylation was suppressed by the Akt inhibitor. The IL-6 synthesis stimulated by PDGF-BB was markedly enhanced by LY294002 and wortmannin, inhibitors of PI3K. Wortmannin and LY294002 suppressed the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PI3K/Akt negatively regulates the PDGF-BB-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in osteoblasts.
    Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 01/2007; 99(6):1564-71. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Modulation by the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily of TGF-beta-stimulated VEGF release from vascular smooth muscle cells.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from aortic smooth muscle A10 cells via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. In the present study, we investigated whether nuclear hormone receptor superfamily members affect TGF-beta-stimulated VEGF release from A10 cells. Retinoic acid or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced TGF-beta-induced VEGF release in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas dexamethasone or corticosterone suppressed TGF-beta-induced VEGF release. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and TGF-beta stimulated phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase in an additive manner. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, decreased the VEGF release induced by TGF-beta or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. However, retinoic acid, dexamethasone, or corticosterone did not affect phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. These results indicate that retinoic acid, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and glucocorticoids affect TGF-beta-stimulated VEGF release from aortic smooth muscle cells. The stimulatory effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 occurs, in part, via modification of TGF-beta-induced activation of p38 MAP kinase.
    Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 10/2006; 99(1):187-95. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt plays a role in sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated HSP27 induction in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase plays a part in sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) induction in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) is involved in the induction of HSP27 in these cells. Sphingosine 1-phosphate time dependently induced the phosphorylation of Akt. Akt inhibitor, 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate, reduced the HSP27 induction stimulated by sphingosine 1-phosphate. The sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3beta was suppressed by Akt inhibitor. The sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced HSP27 levels were attenuated by LY294002 or wortmannin, PI3K inhibitors. Furthermore, LY294002 or Akt inhibitor did not affect the sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, had little effect on the phosphorylation of Akt. These results suggest that PI3K/Akt plays a part in the sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated induction of HSP27, maybe independently of p38 MAP kinase, in osteoblasts.
    Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 09/2006; 98(5):1249-56. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Involvement of p44/p42 MAP kinase in insulin-like growth factor-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like-MC3T3-E1 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: It has been shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates the activity of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of mature osteoblast phenotype, in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity dose dependently in the range between 1 nM and 0.1 microM. IGF-I induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase but not stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). PD98059 and U0126, specific inhibitors of the upstream kinase that activates p44/p42 MAP kinase, significantly suppressed the IGF-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity. On the contrary, SB203580 and PD169316, specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, failed to affect the activity induced by IGF-I. Specific inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway (LY294002 and wortmannin) also had no significant effect on IGF-I-induced p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase induced by IGF-I was reduced by U0126. These results strongly suggest that p44/p42 MAP kinase among the MAP kinase superfamily plays a role in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.
    Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 07/2006; 251(1-2):42-8. · 4.19 Impact Factor
  • Article: PPAR-gamma ligands up-regulate basic fibroblast growth factor-induced VEGF release through amplifying SAPK/JNK activation in osteoblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) activates stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase resulting in the stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that FGF-2-activated p38 MAP kinase negatively regulates the VEGF release. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ciglitazone and pioglitazone, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) ligands, on the VEGF release by FGF-2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The FGF-2-induced VEGF release was significantly enhanced by ciglitazone. The amplifying effect of ciglitazone was dose-dependent between 0.1 and 10 microM. Pioglitazone had a similar effect on the VEGF release. GW9662, an antagonist of PPAR-gamma, reduced the effects of ciglitazone and pioglitazone. Ciglitazone or pioglitazone markedly enhanced the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK induced by FGF-2 without affecting both the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase. GW9662 markedly reduced the amplification by ciglitazone of the SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands up-regulate FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release resulting from amplifying activation of SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 04/2005; 328(1):137-43. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB amplifies PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis in osteoblasts: function of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
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    ABSTRACT: We have reported that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) stimulates the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, we recently showed that phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase activated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) negatively regulates the interleukin-6 synthesis in these cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PDGF-BB on the PGF2alpha-induced VEGF synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. PDGF-BB, which alone did not affect the levels of VEGF, significantly enhanced the PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis. The amplifying effect of PDGF-BB was dose dependent in the range between 10 and 70 ng/ml. LY294002 or wortmannin, specific inhibitors of PI3-kinase, which by itself failed to affect the PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis, significantly suppressed the amplification by PDGF-BB. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1/2, suppressed the amplification by PDGF-BB of the PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis similar to the levels of PGF2alpha with PD98059. PDGF-BB itself induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase in these cells, and the effects of PDGF-BB and PGF2alpha on the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase were additive. Moreover, LY294002 had little effect on the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase induced by PGF2alpha with PDGF-BB. These results strongly suggest that PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis is amplified by PI3-kinase-mediating PDGF-BB signaling in osteoblasts, and that the effect is exerted at a point downstream from p44/p42 MAP kinase.
    Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 77(3-4):187-93. · 3.37 Impact Factor