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BackgroundMyc is a well known driver of lymphomagenesis, and Myc-activating chromosomal translocation is the recognized hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We developed a model that mimics this translocation event by inserting a mouse Myc cDNA gene into the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, just upstream of the intronic Eμ enhancer. These mice, designated iMycEμ, readily develop B-cell lymphoma. To study the mechanism of Myc-induced lymphoma, we analyzed signaling pathways in lymphoblastic B-cell lymphomas (LBLs) from iMycEμ mice, and an LBL-derived cell line, iMycEμ-1.ResultsNuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were constitutively activated in iMycEμ mice, not only in LBLs but also in the splenic B-lymphocytes of young animals months before tumors developed. Moreover, inhibition of either transcription factor in iMycEμ-1 cells suppressed growth and caused apoptosis, and the abrogation of NF-κB activity reduced DNA binding by both STAT3 and Myc, as well as Myc expression. Inhibition of STAT3 signaling eliminated the activity of both NF-κB and Myc, and resulted in a corresponding decrease in the level of Myc. Thus, in iMycEμ-1 cells NF-κB and STAT3 are co-dependent and can both regulate Myc. Consistent with this, NF-κB and phosphorylated STAT3 were physically associated with one another. In addition, LBLs and iMycEμ-1 cells also showed constitutive AKT phosphorylation. Blocking AKT activation by inhibiting PI3K reduced iMycEμ-1 cell proliferation and caused apoptosis, via downregulation of NF-κB and STAT3 activity and a reduction of Myc levels. Co-treatment with NF-κB, STAT3 or/and PI3K inhibitors led to additive inhibition of iMycEμ-1 cell proliferation, suggesting that these signaling pathways converge.ConclusionsOur findings support the notion that constitutive activation of NF-κB and STAT3 depends on upstream signaling through PI3K, and that this activation is important for cell survival and proliferation, as well as for maintaining the level of Myc. Together, these data implicate crosstalk among NF-κB, STAT3 and PI3K in the development of iMycEμ B-cell lymphomas.

Transcription factor C/EBPs are involved in the regulation of various cellular responses. Here, it was suggested that C/EBPdelta gene was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through transcription factors Sp1, c-Rel, and c-Jun. Assay of the luciferase reporter vectors containing a 5'-deletion of the C/EBPdelta gene promoter indicated that a LPS-responsive element was positioned between -345 and -35 bp of mouse C/EBPdelta gene promoter. Transcription factors Sp1, c-Rel, and c-Jun bound to this region were identified using both in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vitro DNA-protein binding assays. LPS enhanced the proteins and DNA binding capacities of c-Rel and c-Jun, and the downstream Sp1 site was essential for LPS-induced C/EBPdelta gene. Treatment of cells with ERK/JNK/p38 inhibitors or NF-kappaB inhibitor inhibited the LPS-induced C/EBPdelta gene expression by inhibiting c-Jun, c-Rel, and p300 binding to DNA. Our findings provide a better understanding of LPS-induced C/EBPdelta gene expression.

BackgroundInstillation of highly soluble nanoparticles (NPs) into the lungs of rodents can cause acute eosinophilia without any previous sensitizations by the role of dissolved ions. However, whether gradually dissolving NPs can cause the same type of eosinophilia remains to be elucidated. We selected nickel oxide (NiO) as a gradually dissolving NP and evaluated the time course pulmonary inflammation pattern as well as its mechanisms.MethodsNiO NPs were intratracheally instilled into female Wistar rats at various concentrations (50, 100, and 200 cm2/rat) and the lung inflammation was evaluated at various time-points (1, 2, 3, and 4 days). As positive controls, NiCl2 and the ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation model was applied. NiCl2 was instilled at 171.1 μg Ni/rat, which is equivalent nickel concentration of 200 cm2/rat of NiO NPs. Cytological analysis and biochemical analysis including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) were measured in BALF and serum. The levels of eotaxin were measured in the alveolar macrophages and normal lung tissue before and after addition of cell lysis buffer to evaluate whether the direct lysis of cells can release intracellular eotaxin.ResultsNiO NPs produced acute neutrophilic inflammation throughout the study. However, eosinophils were recruited at 3 and 4 days post-instillation of NiO NPs and the magnitude and pattern of inflammation was similar with NiCl2 at 24 h post-instillation. The eosinophil recruitment by NiO NPs was not related with either the levels of total IgE or anaphylatoxins. The lysis of alveolar macrophages and normal lung tissue showed high levels of intracellular eotaxin and the levels of LDH showed positive correlation with the levels of eotaxin.ConclusionsInstillation of NiO NPs produced neutrophilia at 1 and 2 days after instillation, while the mixed type of neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation was produced at 3 and 4 days post-instillation, which was consistent with NiCl2. The mechanism of the eosinophilia involves the direct release of intracellular eotaxin due to the rupture of cells by the accumulated solubilized nickel ions in the phagolysosome.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-016-0142-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.