To clarify the role of PDGF A-chain in hypertensive vascular hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), we studied levels of PDGF A-chain gene expression and transcription factors related to the gene in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of SHRs in vivo. RNase protection assay and in situ hybridization showed that PDGF A-chain mRNA levels in VSMCs of SHRs were twofold higher than in those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Gel retardation assays showed that levels of Spl and AP-2 in VSMCs of SHRs were twofold more abundant than in those of WistarKyoto rats. Treatment with four pharmacologically different species of antihypertensive drugs for 2 wk decreased the levels of both PDGF A-chain mRNA and Spl, but not AP-2 level in VSMCs of SHRs with regression of aortic hypertrophy, indicating that increases in levels of both PDGF Achain mRNA and Spl in VSMCs of SHRs were associated with high blood pressure. These results suggest that high blood pressure is a stimulus which upregulates PDGF Achain gene expression in VSMCs of SHRs, resulting in an autocrine enhancement in hypertensive vascular hypertrophy, and that the activation of the gene may be mediated through increases in Spl in these cells. (J. Clin. Invest. 1995Invest. . 95:1140Invest. -1150

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Transmembrane protein 160 (TMEM160) was recently reported to be localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane, but mitochondrial function was noted to be unaffected by loss of TMEM160. In contrast to these previously published findings, we report here that the absence of TMEM160 influences intracellular responses. After confirming that TMEM160 is localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane, we knocked down TMEM160 in human cultured cells and analyzed the changes in cellular responses. TMEM160 depletion led to an upregulation of the mitochondrial chaperone HSPD1, suggesting that depletion induced the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR mt ). Indeed, the expression of key transcription factors that induce the UPR mt (ATF4, ATF5, and DDIT3) was increased following TMEM160 depletion. Expression of the mitochondrial protein import-receptors TOMM22 and TOMM20 was also enhanced. In addition, we observed a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation following TMEM160 depletion. Glutathione S-transferases, which detoxify the products of oxidative stress, were also upregulated in TMEM160-depleted cells. Immunoblot analysis was performed to detect proteins modified by 4-hydroxynonenal (which is released after the peroxidation of lipids by ROS): the expression patterns of 4-hydroxynonenalmodified proteins were altered after TMEM160 depletion, suggesting that depletion enhanced degradation of these proteins. HSPD1, TOMM22, ATF4, ATF5, and DDIT3 remained upregulated after ROS was scavenged by N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that once the UPR mt is induced by TMEM160 depletion, it is not suppressed by the subsequent detoxification of ROS. These findings suggest that TMEM160 may suppress ROS generation and stabilize mitochondrial protein(s).

The central mediators of the adaptive immune response are T cells. The clonal expansion of T cells required for adaptive immunity results from the innate immune response, which is triggered by the stimulation of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). The adaptive immune response can cause autoimmune diseases, and Th17 cells are known to contribute to several autoimmune diseases. Pathogenic Th17 cells are induced by Interleukin 23 (IL-23) and IL-1Β. Resiquimod (a TLR7/8 agonist) significantly enhances IL-23 production by human macrophages, and lipopolysaccharide (a TLR4 agonist) slightly enhances it. Interestingly, IL-23 levels are significantly attenuated after sequential stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and resiquimod, indicating cross-talk between the TLR4 and TLR7/8 signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the pivotal role of TLRs in triggering innate immunity and inducing adaptive immunity, leading to autoimmune diseases.

The IL-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases, but the mechanism regulating IL-23 production is mainly unknown. We investigated how TNFAIP3 and Sp1 affect IL-23 production by human macrophages after exposure to resiquimod, a TLR7/8 agonist.IL-23 production was significantly upregulated by resiquimod but only slightly by LPS (a TLR4 agonist). Interestingly, IL-23 levels were significantly attenuated after sequential stimulation with LPS and resiquimod, but IL-12p40 and IL-18 levels were not. TLR4-related factors induced by LPS may regulate IL-23 expression via TLR7/ 8 signaling. LPS significantly enhanced TNFAIP3 and IRAK-M levels but reduced Sp1 levels. After exposure to resiquimod, RNA interference of TNFAIP3 upregulated IL-23 significantly more than siRNA transfection of IRAK-M did. In contrast, knockdown of Sp1 by RNA interference significantly attenuated IL-23 production. Transfection with siRNA for TNFAIP3 enhanced IL-23 expression significantly. After stimulation with resiquimod, GW7647-an agonist for PPARα (an inducer of NADHP oxidase)-and siRNA for UCP2 (a negative regulator of mitochondrial ROS generation) enhanced TNFAIP3 and reduced IL-23. siRNA for p22phox and gp91phox slightly increased Sp1 levels. However, after exposure to resiquimod siRNA-mediated knockout of DUOX1/2 significantly enhanced Sp1 and IL-23 levels, and decreased TNFα-dependent COX-2 expression. Concomitantly, TNFAIP3 levels was attenuated by DUOX1/2 siRNA. TNFAIP3 and Sp1 levels are reciprocally regulated through ROS generation.In conclusion, after stimulation of the TLR7/8 signaling pathway IL-23 production in human macrophages is regulated negatively by TNFAIP3.