title: Enhancement of gp130-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and its DNA-binding activity in dexamethasone-treated AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma cells: selective synergy between dexamethasone and gp130-related growth factors in Kaposi's sarcoma cell proliferation.
abstract: The soluble IL-6R (slL-6R alpha)/IL-6 complex and oncostatin M (OM), which exert biologic activities through the signal-transducing protein gp130, are potent growth factors for AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells. Clinical observations indicate that glucocorticoid therapy is a possible risk factor in KS; however, little is known of specific interactions in KS cells between glucocorticoid and gp130-related growth factors. We obtained evidence that dexamethasone (Dex), in a synergistic manner, enhances gp130-mediated growth of KS cells. Anti-gp130 Abs or the glucocorticoid antagonist RU-486 abolished this synergistic effect. In addition, Dex had additive but not synergistic effects on stimulation of KS cell growth with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha, the signals of which are not mediated through gp130. Immunoblot analysis revealed sIL-6R alpha/IL-6- or OM-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a similar set of proteins in KS cells, and which was augmented significantly in Dex-treated KS cells. Stimulation of KS cells with sIL-6R alpha/IL-6 or OM induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT3, and Dex significantly enhanced the accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT3. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed sIL-6R alpha/IL-6- or OM-induced DNA-binding activity of STAT3 in KS cells, and Dex further increased this activity. Thus, Dex appears to participate in the gp130-STAT3 signaling and transcriptional events by enhancing STAT3 activation, thereby leading to selective synergistic stimulation of KS cell growth with Dex and the gp130-related growth factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami-Mori
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taga
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C494199:IL6ST protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D014443:Tyrosine; D003907:Dexamethasone