Defensins are a family of secreted antimicrobial peptides proposed to directly interfere with bacterial membranes. Here we show a functional analysis of the novel beta-defensin DEFB123. A peptide comprising the beta-defensin core region was synthesized and used for our analysis. Like other beta-defensins, DEFB123 exerted antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which was assessed by microbroth dilution assay and radial diffusion zone assay. In addition, the peptide showed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding activity in a Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Moreover, DEFB123 prevented LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion in a murine monocyte cell line (RAW264.7). Accordingly, DEFB123 abolished LPS-mediated MAPK induction in these cells. Protection against LPS-mediated effects was then investigated in a murine model of acute sepsis. Our experiments show that synthetic beta-defensin DEFB123 prevents LPS-induced mortality in C57BL/6 mice in a therapeutic approach. We propose that the physiological role of beta-defensins may include interference with LPS-action on macrophages, a function formerly thought to be restricted to the family of cathelicidins, a structurally unrelated group of antimicrobial peptides.
CCR3 is responsible for tissue infiltration of eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, and Th2 cells, particularly in allergic diseases. In this context, CCR3 has emerged as a target for the treatment of allergic asthma. It is well known that the N-terminal domain of chemokines is crucial for receptor binding and, in particular, its activation. Based on this background, we investigated a number of N-terminally truncated or modified peptides derived from the chemokine CCL14/hemofiltrate CC chemokine-1 for their ability to modulate the activity of CCR3. Among 10 derivatives tested, n-nonanoyl (NNY)-CCL14[10–74] (NNY-CCL14) was the most potent at evoking the release of reactive oxygen species and inducing chemotaxis of human eosinophils. In contrast, NNY-CCL14 has inactivating properties on human eosinophils, because it is able to induce internalization of CCR3 and to desensitize CCR3-mediated intracellular calcium release and chemotaxis. In contrast to naturally occurring CCL11, NNY-CCL14 is resistant to degradation by CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Because inhibition of chemokine receptors through internalization is a reasonable therapeutic strategy being pursued for HIV infection, we tested a potential inhibitory effect of NNY-CCL14 in two murine models of allergic airway inflammation. In both OVA- and Aspergillus fumigatus-sensitized mice, i.v. treatment with NNY-CCL14 resulted in a significant reduction of eosinophils in the airways. Moreover, airway hyper-responsiveness was shown to be reduced by NNY-CCL14 in the OVA model. It therefore appears that an i.v. administered agonist internalizing and thereby inhibiting CCR3, such as NNY-CCL14, has the potential to alleviate CCR3-mediated diseases.
In the present study, we investigate the coherence of signaling pathways leading to lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We observe two linear signaling pathways: one well known, acting via cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) activation, and a second one induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment involving protein kinase C (PKC) and MAPK. We demonstrate that both the PKA regulatory subunits RIalpha and RIIbeta are expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and are responsible for the lipolytic effect mediated via the cAMP/PKA pathway. Inhibition of the PKA pathway by the selective PKA inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS does not impair lipolysis induced by PKC activation, and neither PD98059 nor U0126, as known MAPK kinase inhibitors, changes the level of glycerol release caused by PKA activation, indicating no cross-talk between these two pathways when only one is activated. However, when both are activated, they act synergistically on glycerol release. Additional experiments focusing on this synergy show no involvement of MAPK phosphorylation and cAMP formation. Phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase is similar upon stimulation of either pathway, but we demonstrate a difference in the ability of both PKA and the PKC pathway activation to phosphorylate perilipin, which in turn may be an explanation for the different maximal lipolytic effect of both pathways.
The results indicate a role for C-type natriuretic polypeptide and its receptor in the induction of penile erection and its possible future therapeutic use for erectile dysfunction.
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