SummaryTransforming growth factor b-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key regulator of the innate immunity and the proinflammatory signaling pathway. In response to interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-a, and toll-like receptor agonists, it mediates the activation of the nuclear factor jB (NF-jB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 pathways. In addition, TAK1 plays a central role in adaptive immunity, in which it mediates signaling from T-and B-cell receptors. This review will focus on recent developments and also examine the regulation of TAK1 in response to a diverse range of other stimuli including DNA damage, transforming growth factor-b, Wnt, osmotic stress, and hypoxia.2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(10): [825][826][827][828][829][830][831][832][833][834] 2012

Mammalian Pellino isoforms are phosphorylated by IRAK (interleukin receptor associated kinase) 1/IRAK4 in vitro, converting them into active E3 ubiquitin ligases. In the present paper we report a striking enhancement in both transcription of the gene encoding Pellino 1 and Pellino 1 protein expression when murine BMDMs (bone-marrow-derived macrophages) are stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide) or poly(I:C). This induction occurs via a TRIF [TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor)-domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-β]-dependent IRAK-independent pathway and is prevented by inhibition of the IKK [IκB (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB) kinase]-related protein kinases, TBK1 {TANK [TRAF (tumour-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated factor)-associated nuclear factor κB activator]-binding kinase 1} and IKKε. Pellino 1 is not induced in IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3)-/- BMDMs, and its induction is only reduced slightly in type 1 interferon receptor-/- BMDMs, identifying Pellino 1 as a new IRF3-dependent gene. We also identify Pellino 1 in a two-hybrid screen using IKKε as bait, and show that IKKε/TBK1 activate Pellino 1 in vitro by phosphorylating Ser76, Thr288 and Ser293. Moreover, we show that the E3 ligase activity of endogenous Pellino 1 is activated in LPS- or poly(I:C)-stimulated macrophages. This occurs more rapidly than the increase in Pellino 1 mRNA and protein expression, is prevented by the inhibition of IKKε/TBK1 and is reversed by phosphatase treatment. Thus IKKε/TBK1 mediate the activation of Pellino 1's E3 ligase activity, as well as inducing the transcription of its gene and protein expression in response to TLR3 and TLR4 agonists.

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Background and Purpose: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with both innate and adaptive immune responses. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein engages in sensing of cytosolic DNA to initiate dsDNA-driven immune responses. In vitro and in vivo anti-psoriasis effects of STING antagonist H-151 were explored.Experimental Approach: We analysed the gene expression profile of STING and related downstream targets in the skin samples of healthy people and psoriasis patients from the GEO database. Cellular inhibitory activity of H-151 on STING pathway was confirmed via qPCR and western blotting. The preventive effect of topical application of H-151 on imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice was examined through histological, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent, flow cytometric analysis, ELISA Kits and other approaches. Preliminary mechanistic studies were also performed.Key Results: Gene expressions of STING and its downstream target were upregulated in lesional skin samples from psoriasis patients. Topical administration of H-151 attenuated the skin lesions in imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model, while the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-23 and IL-6), infiltration of M1 macrophages and differentiation of Th17 cells were significantly suppressed by H-151 treatment. Mechanistically, H-151 inhibited STING/NF-κB signalling in both keratinocytes and immune cells. Conclusion andImplications: H-151 displayed anti-inflammatory activity in both keratinocytes and immune cells, and decreased the severity of psoriatic response in vivo. Inhibition of STING signalling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic approach to psoriasis and related complications.

The role of flavivirus-cross-reactive T lymphocytes in recovery from and pathogenesis of flavivirus infections is not known. In the present paper, we have defined a flavivirus-cross-reactive epitope recognized by two CD4 + CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones, JK4 and JK43. The T cell clones were established from the peripheral blood T lymphocytes of a dengue-4-immune donor, using a limiting-dilution method with dengue-4 antigen. These two T cell clones were cross-reactive for dengue virus types 1, 2, 3 and 4, yellow fever virus and West Nile virus, and recognized NS3 protein. The smallest synthetic peptide recognized by these T cell clones was an identical 9 amino acid peptide which contains amino acids 146 to 154 (VIGLYGNGV) of dengue-4 NS3. HLA-DR15 was the restriction allele for recognition of this epitope by JK4 and JK43. JK4 and JK43 both used T cell receptor V~8, but JK4 used Vfl8 and JK43 used Vfl2. This result indicates that this epitope is recognized by two flavivirus-cross-reactive CD4 ÷ T cell clones which originated from different T cells in vivo.