Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor'

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine that is active on a wide variety of cells. Multiple LIF transcripts have been described. The transcripts LIF-D and LIF-M encode different signal peptides, which in mouse have been associated with differential localisation of the mature protein. LIF-D is associated with a freely diffusible protein, whereas the LIF-M is associated with the extracellular matrix. The polarity of LIF secretion has yet to be described and could illuminate the mechanisms of LIF localisation. Here the polarised endogenous secretion of human LIF and IL-6 in Caco-2 cells was characterised under normal culture conditions and following induction with IL-1b. Whether the apical or basolateral membrane was stimulated influenced the pattern of secretion (LIF: Unstimulated, 59% basolateral. Dual stimulation, 68% basolateral. Basolateral stimulation, 79% basolateral. Apical stimulation, 53% basolateral). IL-6 displayed a similar dependence on the site of stimulation but was predominantly secreted at the membrane that was stimulated. To determine the effect of the alternate signal peptides on the polarity of LIF secretion, LIF was epitope tagged with FLAG. Epitope-tagging with FLAG was used to separate endogenous from exogenous protein expression. However, despite the normal biological activity of LIF-FLAG and detection of the FLAG in a western blot, detection of the LIF-FLAG under non-reducing conditions was not observed, and therefore it was unsuitable for secretion studies. Untagged LIF was expressed exogenously in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells under the control of a tetracycline response promoter that allowed a variety of LIF expression levels to be tested. Exogenous murine LIF was secreted predominantly from the apical (60%) membrane of MDCK cells irrespective of the signal peptide expressed.

Addendum attached to back facing leaves. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-199). The findings establish leukemia inhibitory factor, and possibly oncostatin M, as new members of a small but growing class of cytokines produced in an intracellularly active form and also suggest that the production of alternate transcripts and intercellularly-retained proteins may be a common and important feature of cytokines of the IL-6 and other families.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) fonn a vital part of the innate immune response to infection through the recognition of diverse molecular patterns leading to the generation of an inflammatory reaction. The resulting cytokines act on both tissue and immune cells to coordinate the response to infection. Cytokine networks also play an important role in the modulation of an increasing number of diseases which we now understand to have an inflammatory basis. TLR activation has been implicated in both chronic and acute diseases, and understanding and modulation of these responses may be central to th'e manageinent of inflammatory disease. This thesis investigates the impact of an enigmatic early response cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor on the TLR response of human cells. I have shown that the role ofMIF as an inflammatory cytokine is not clear-cut. Recombinant MIF failed to induce a significant inflammatory response from either a monocytic THP-l cell line or primary human monocytes. Furthennore, it failed to modulate the dexamethasone induced suppression of TLR induced cytokine release, a classically described activity of MIF. In keeping with these observations, anti-MIF antibodies did not modulate the LPS induced cytokine release of monocytes or monocytelHUVEC cocultures, which suggests that MIF may not act as a classical autocrine cytokine. I have demonstrated using a specific, cell-penneable MIF antagonist, known as ISO-I, and MIF siRNA, that MIF modulated specific arms of the TLR response leading to the activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in monocytic cells. Cell-type spe~ific downstream effects on cytokine production were also seen. ISO-l potentiated LPS induced p38 phosphorylation and TNFa release from THP-I cells. Conversely, in primary monocytes, TNFa and CXCL8 production in response to LPS was significantly inhibited by both ISO-I and MIF siRNA, whilst TNFa but not CXCL8 production was maintained in response to TLR2 activation. LPS induced cytokine release from MDMs was unaffected by :NIIF inhibition. During the course of this thesis I have also observed differences in TLR2 induced inflammatory reactions in primary monocytes. This observation was explored further. These data suggest that whilst targeting MIF may be a useful therapeutic axis in disease, the roles of MIF are not straightforward. Further work will be needed to fully address the roles of this molecule in human biology.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-172). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Activities associated with, or interacting with, leukaemic cell populations were assayed for the ability to influence in vitro haematopoiesis. The first of these, the glycoprotein leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), has a role in aspects of murine, non human primate and human haematopoiesis. It is thought to be particularly important in the development of megakaryocytes and is also known to induce the terminal differentiation of certain leukaemic cell lines. LIF was assayed both for direct and indirect effects on the proliferation of haematopoietic precursor cell populations in vitro. As a direct acting agent in semi-solid agar culture of haematopoietic cell populations derived from normal bone marrow or 15 day foetal liver, LIF was unable to support colony formation. In cultures of cells derived from normal bone marrow stimulated with single, or combinations of, growth factors, the addition of LIF had no statistically significant effect on the level of colony formation. In cultures of cells derived from foetal liver, stimulated with particular growth factor combinations (medium conditioned by the Wehi3B leukaemic cell line + medium conditioned by the lung fibroblast cell line, L929); GM-CSF + M-CSF; IL-la + IL-3 + M-CSF), LIF, was shown to decrease the level of colony formation. LIF did not directly alter the proportion of the population in DNA synthesis in cell populations derived from normal femoral marrow, 15 day foetal liver or y- irradiated femoral marrow. As an indirect acting agent LIF failed to block the synthesis of a stem cell stimulator, or it's action, on a population of high proliferative potential colony forming cells derived from normal femoral marrow, cloned in the presence of Wehicm+L929cm. (HPP-CFC (Wehicm + L929cm)) LIF's actions on clones of a murine myeloid leukaemia (SA2JMB1) were also assessed. LIF had no statistically significant effect on colony formation or the level of DNA synthesis in populations of SA2JMB1 leukaemic cells. A second group of associated activities was produced by the X- irradiation induced murine myeloid leukaemia (SA2JMB1). Medium conditioned by the leukaemic cells was assayed in vitro both for direct and indirect effects on the proliferation of haematopoietic cells derived from femoral marrow. As a direct acting agent in 7 and 14-day semi-solid agar culture of femoral marrow, leukaemic conditioned medium alone stimulated limited colony formation. In 7 and 14 day cultures stimulated with single and combinations of specific colony stimulating factors: (rmGM-CSF, rhM-CSF, rhIL-1a) a significant increase in colony number was noted in all cases when cultures were supplemented with leukaemic conditioned medium. SA2JMBlcm was shown to support the proliferation of an IL-3 dependent cell line (FDCP-A4 cells). The colony enhancing ability of SA2JMBlcm was shown to be blocked by pretreatment with antibodies to IL-3. This suggested that SA2JMB1 conditioned medium contained IL-3 or an IL-3 like activity, as one of its components. The conditioned medium failed to directly alter the level of DNA synthesis in a population of HPP-CFC (Wehicm+L929cm) derived from normal bone marrow or y- irradiated bone marrow. As an indirect acting agent the conditioned medium did block the action of a stem cell proliferation stimulator on normal bone marrow derived HPP-CFC (Wehicm+L929cm). This leukaemia associated activity was shown to be larger than 50KD, sensitive to heat treatment and able to act in a different manner to the stem cell inhibitor MIP-1-a. Thus this novel activity may be important in blocking stimulator action in haematopoietic stem cells and thus contribute to the haematopoietic insufficiency seen in leukaemia.

<p>About 30 % of all infertile couples suffer from infertility of an unexplained cause. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a glycoprotein produced by the endometrium and is an important cytokine in the implantation process. LIF exerts its biological functions through heterodimerization of its two receptors: LIF receptor (LIFR) and gp130. Point mutations in the LIF gene have been associated with female infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of LIFR and gp130 could cause reduced fertility in women. To this end, 115 samples from women diagnosed with unexplained infertility and 191 samples from fertile women were studied. Three SNPs in the gp130 gene and two SNPs in the LIFR gene were analyzed using real-time PCR. One significant difference and a tendency to difference were detected in the gp130 gene for women with unexplained infertility. There were no differences in the LIFR gene variations. In conclusion, polymorphisms in gp130, and thereby disturbances in the LIF pathway, could be one cause for infertility in women diagnosed with unexplained infertility.</p>

Axonal degeneration is a major pathological feature of the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). This axonal degeneration has major consequences, as functional axonal regeneration in the CNS is largely absent. Cumulative axonal degeneration is the likely cause of the majority of progressive MS-related disability, and therefore, the need for novel neuroprotective therapies for MS exists. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS pathology, also produces axonal injury. In particular, the optic nerve and spinal cord are key sites of neuroinflammation in mouse EAE. By utilizing this model, the short term and long term effects of the putative neuroprotective cytokine, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), were investigated in the optic nerve and spinal cord utilising a number of outcome measures of axonal dysfunction. These included MRI measures of water diffusivity along (ADC ||) and across (ADC┴) the optic nerves, serum levels of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain subunit (pNF-H) and histological morphometric measures. LIF treatment reduced EAE grade and pNF-H plasma levels, decreased ADC┴, but had no effect on ADC ||, axon counts or inflammatory infiltration.<br>In contrast, genetic deletion of LIF and its sister cytokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), not only increased EAE grade and pNF-H levels, but also decreased optic nerve ADC|| and optic nerve and spinal cord axon densities. After reviewing current literature, we hypothesize that the target cell for endogenously upregulated LIF in EAE may be the neuron or axon, whereas the target cell for exogenously administered therapeutic LIF may be another cell type, possibly infiltrating macrophages and activated microglial cells. LIF antagonist treatment did not have any affect on EAE grade, pNF-H levels or MRI parameters. This lack of effect may be due to the inability of the LIF antagonist to enter the CNS, supporting the hypothesis that endogenous LIF has a centrally acting mechanism.

Peripheral nerve trauma is a common cause of considerable functional morbidity, and healthcare expenditure. Particularly in the ~15% of injuries unsuitable for primary repair, standard clinical management results in inadequate sensory restitution in the majority of cases, despite the rigorous application of complex microsurgical techniques. This can largely be explained by the failure of surgical management to adequately address the neurobiological hurdles to optimal regeneration. Most significant of these is the extensive sensory neuronal death that follows injury, and which is accompanied by a reduction in the regenerative potential of axotomised neurons, and in the supportive capacity of the Schwann cell population if nerve repair is delayed. The present study aimed to accurately delineate the timecourse of neuronal death, in order to identify a therapeutic window during which clinically applicable neuroprotective strategies might be adopted. It then proceeded to investigate means to increase the regenerative capacity of chronically axotomised neurons, and to augment the Schwann cells’ ability to promote that regenerative effort. Unilateral sciatic nerve transection in the rat was the model used, initially assessing neuronal death within the L4&amp;5 dorsal root ganglia by a combination of morphology, TdT uptake nick-end labelling (TUNEL), and statistically unbiased estimation of neuronal loss using the stereological optical disector technique. Having identified 2 weeks, and 2 months post-axotomy as the most biologically relevant timepoints to study, the effect upon neuronal death of systemic treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR 10, or 50mg/kg/day) or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC 30, or 150mg/kg/day) was determined. A model of secondary nerve repair was then adopted; either 2 or 4 months after unilateral sciatic nerve division, 1cm gap repairs were performed using either reversed isografts, or poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) conduits containing an alginate-fibronectin hydrogel. Six weeks later nerve regeneration and the Schwann cell population were quantified by digital image analysis of frozen section immunohistochemistry. Sensory neuronal death begins within 24 hours of injury, but takes 1 week to translate into significant neuronal loss. The rate of neuronal death peaks 2 weeks after injury, and neuronal loss is essentially complete by 2 months post-axotomy. Nerve repair is incompletely neuroprotective, but the earlier it is performed the greater the benefit. Two clinically safe pharmaceutical agents, ALCAR &amp; NAC, were found to virtually eliminate sensory neuronal death after peripheral nerve transection. ALCAR also enhanced nerve regeneration independently of its neuroprotective role. Plain PHB conduits were found to be technically simple to use, and supported some regeneration, but were not adequate in themselves. Leukaemia inhibitory factor enhanced nerve regeneration, though cultured autologous Schwann cells (SC’s) were somewhat more effective. Both were relatively more efficacious after a 4 month delay in nerve repair. The most profuse regeneration was found with recombinant glial growth factor (rhGGF-2) in repairs performed 2 months after axotomy, with results that were arguably better than were obtained with nerve grafts. A similar conclusion can be drawn from the result found using both rhGGF-2 and SC’s in PHB conduits 4 months after axotomy. In summary, these findings reinforce the significance of sensory neuronal death in peripheral nerve trauma, and the possibility of its` limitation by early nerve repair. Two agents for the adjuvant therapy of such injuries were identified, that can virtually eliminate neuronal death, and enhance regeneration. Elements in the creation of a bioartificial nerve conduit to replace, or surpass autologous nerve graft for secondary nerve repair are presented.

Le LIF est un facteur protéique dont l'action biologique est pléiotropique in vitro et in vivo. En effet, en fonction du type de cellules cibles, cette action varie de la survie et/ou la prolifération à la différenciation. En particulier, le LIF induit la survie et la prolifération des cellules souches embryonnaires de souris (les cellules es). La technologie de recombinaison homologue dans ces cellules nous a permis d'obtenir une lignée de souris mutantes pour le LIF, appelées souris LIF-/-, dans laquelle le gène LIF n'est plus fonctionnel. Plusieurs fonctions biologiques différentes sont altérées dans cette lignée. En effet, le taux de cellules souches hématopoïétiques y est significativement réduit et le fonctionnement des cellules t, de neurones sympathiques et l'implantation à la surface de l'utérus maternel y sont défectueux. Nous pensons que le LIF participe au maintien en survie des cellules souches hématopoïétiques in vivo. Par ailleurs, le LIF agit sur ses cellules cibles par le truchement d'un récepteur composé du LIFR et de la gp 130. La gp 130 transmet le signal LIF à l'intérieur de la cellule. Afin d'élucider la nature du signal intracellulaire active par la gp 130 dans les cellules souches, nous inactivons le gène gp 130 dans les cellules es, et ceci de façon totale et conditionnelle par recombinaison homologue.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide and particularly in the developed World. The search for new therapeutic approaches for improving the functions of the damaged heart is therefore a critical endeavour. Myocardial infarction, which can lead to heart failure, is associated with irreversible loss of functional cardiomyocytes. The loss of cardiomyocytes poses a major difficulty for treating the damaged heart since terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes have very limited regeneration potential. Currently, the only effective treatment for severe heart failure is heart transplantation but this option is limited by the acute shortage of donor hearts. The high incidence of heart diseases and the scarcity donor hearts underline the urgent need to find alternative therapeutic approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases. Pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes. Therefore the engraftment of ES cell-derived functional cardiomyocytes or cardiac progenitor cells into the damaged heart to regenerate healthy myocardial tissues may be used to treat damaged hearts. Stem cell-based therapy therefore holds a great potential as a very attractive alternative to heart transplant for treating heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. A major obstacle to the realisation of stem cell-based therapy is the lack of donor cells and this in turn is due to the fact that, currently, the molecular mechanisms or the regulatory signal transduction mechanisms that are responsible for mediating ES cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes are not well understood. Overcoming this huge scientific challenge is absolutely necessary before the use of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to treat the damaged heart can become a reality. Therefore the aim of this thesis was to investigate the signal transduction pathways that are involved in the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The first objective was the establishment and use of cardiomyocyte differentiation models using H9c2 cells and P19 stem cells to accomplish the specific objectives of the thesis. The specific objectives of the thesis were, the investigation of the roles of (i) nitric oxide (ii) protein kinase C (PKC), (iii) p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) (vi) phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and (vi) nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signalling pathways in the differentiation of stem cells to cardiomyocytes and, more importantly, to identify where possible any points of convergence and potential cross-talk between pathways that may be critical for differentiation to occur. P19 cells were routinely cultured in alpha minimal essential medium (α-MEM) supplemented with 100 units/ml penicillin /100 μg/ml streptomycin and 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS). P19 cell differentiation was initiated by culturing the cells in microbiological plates in medium containing 0.8 % DMSO to form embryoid bodies (EB). This was followed by transfer of EBs to cell culture grade dishes after four days. H9c2 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS. Differentiation was initiated by incubating the cells in medium containing 1% FBS. In both models, when drugs were employed, they were added to cells for one hour prior to initiating differentiation. Cell monolayers were monitored daily over a period of 12 or 14 days. H9c2 cells were monitored for morphological changes and P19 cells were monitored for beating cardiomyocytes. Lysates were generated in parallel for western blot analysis of changes in cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC), ventricular myosin chain light chain 1(MLC-1v) or troponin I (cTnI) using specific monoclonal antibodies. H9c2 cells cultured in 1% serum underwent differentiation as shown by the timedependent formation of myotubes, accompanied by a parallel increase in expression of both MHC and MLC-1v. These changes were however not apparent until 4 to 6 days after growth arrest and increased with time, reaching a peak at day 12 to 14. P19 stem cells cultured in DMSO containing medium differentiated as shown by the timedependent appearance of beating cardiomyocytes and this was accompanied by the expression of cTnI. The differentiation of both P19 stem cells and H9c2 into cardiomyocytes was blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, PKC inhibitor BIM-I and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB2035800. However when LY294002, BIM-I or SB2035800 were added after the initiation of DMSO-induced P19 stem cell differentiation, each inhibitor failed to block the cell differentiation into beating cardiomyocytes. The NF-kB activation inhibitor, CAPE, blocked H9c2 cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Fast nitric oxide releasing donors (SIN-1 and NOC-5) markedly delayed the onset of differentiation of H9c2 cells into cardiomyocytes while slow nitric oxide releasing donors (SNAP and NOC-18) were less effective in delaying the onset of differentiation or long term differentiation of H9c2 cells into cardiomyocytes. Akt (protein kinase B) is the key downstream target of PI3K. Our cross-talk data also showed that PKC inhibition and p38 MAPK inhibition respectively enhanced and reduced the activation of Akt, as determined by the phosphorylation of Akt at serine residue 473. In conclusion, PKC, PI3K, p38 MAPK and NF-kB are relevant for the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Our data also show that the PKC, PI3K and p38 MAPK signalling pathways are activated as very early events during the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Our data also suggest that PKC may negatively regulate Akt activation while p38 MAPK inhibition inhibits Akt activation. Our fast NO releasing donor data suggest that nitric oxide may negatively regulate H9c2 cell differentiation.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), oncostatin M (OSM), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are members of the IL-6-type cytokine family that is characterised by sharing the common receptor subunit gp130. While the involvement of these polypeptides in cell differentiation, cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, haematopoiesis, immune response and acute phase reaction has already been demonstrated, the description of their role in development and progression of cardiac hypertrophy is still rather limited. A model has been postulated that declares the transient expression of IL-6-type cytokines as protective, while a continuous cardiac secretion of these proteins seems to be rather harmful for the heart. Within the first part of the study (results 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3) it was shown that OSM induces hypertrophy of primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM), just as its related cytokines LIF, CT-1 and hIL-6/hsIL-6R (hsIL-6R, human soluble IL-6 receptor). Regarding the hypertrophic potentials the LIFR/gp130 utilising cytokines (hLIF, hOSM and hCT-1) are stronger inducers than the OSMR/gp130 utilising mOSM. Human IL-6/hsIL-6R which signals via a gp130 homodimer has the weakest hypertrophic effect. The thorough analysis of typical signalling pathways initiated by IL-6-type cytokines revealed that STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705 seems to be the most important hypertrophy promoting pathway. In addition and in contrast to published work, we clearly demonstrate that classical IL-6 signalling (upon pure IL-6 treatment) has no hypertrophic effect on cardiomyocytes, because they lack sufficient amounts of the membrane-bound IL-6R. This is also true for neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFB). Since these cells can also influence cardiac hypertrophy, signalling pathways and target genes were additionally examined in NRCFB in response to OSM, LIF and IL-6/sIL-6R. One of the key findings of this thesis is the selective change in expression of cytokines and receptors of the IL-6 family in both cell types upon IL-6-type cytokine stimulation. A striking difference between NRCM and NRCFB is the fact that the target gene induction in NRCM is of similar duration upon mOSM and hIL-6/hsIL-6R treatment, while hIL-6/hsIL-6R is capable of promoting the induction of OSMR and IL-6 significantly longer in NRCFB. By searching for transcription factors or intermediate cytokines which could be responsible for this difference, a strong correlation between increased Il6 transcription and amount of mRNA levels for C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ was observed in response to IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation. Interestingly, mOSM also mediates the induction of C/EBPβ and δ, but the initiation is significantly less efficient than in response to IL-6/sIL-6R. Therefore, we assume that mOSM stimulation fails to reach threshold values required for a prolonged IL-6 secretion. Since we additionally observe a slight IL-6R mRNA upregulation in NRCFB, we assume that the combination of IL-6, LIF, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ and IL-6R expression might be responsible for the observed different kinetics with which IL-6 and OSM stimulate NRCFB. In addition to the aforementioned proteins, members of the renin-angiotensin system seem to support the IL-6-type cytokine mediated hypertrophy. Since it has already been shown that angiotensin II vice versa induces IL-6 expression in NRCM and NRCFB, this enhanced expression of AT1α and ACE could be of crucial interest for the hypertrophy supporting phenotype. The second part of the presented work dealt with the characterisation of the receptor complexes of rat OSM. The central question of this analysis was, whether rOSM, just like mOSM, only binds the type II (OSMR/gp130) receptor complex or is able to utilise the type II and type I (LIFR/gp130) receptor complex. Using different experimental approaches (knock-down of the OSMR expression by RNA interference, blocking of the LIFR by LIF-05, an antagonistic LIF variant, and generation of stably transfected Ba/F3 cells expressing the newly cloned rat OSMR/gp130 or LIFR/gp130 receptor complex) we can clearly show that rat OSM surprisingly utilises both, the type I and type II receptor complex. Therefore it closely mimics the human situation. Furthermore, rOSM displays cross-species activities and stimulates cells of human as well as murine origin. Its signaling capacities closely mimic those of human OSM in cell types of different origin in the way that strong activation of the JAK/STAT, the MAP kinase as well as the PI3K/Akt pathways can be observed. Therefore, the results obtained in the last section of this thesis clearly suggest that rat disease models would allow evaluation of the relevance of OSM for human biology much better than murine models<br>Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Oncostatin M (OSM), Leukämie inhibierender Faktor (LIF) und Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) sind Mitglieder der IL-6-Typ Zytokin-Familie, welche durch die gemeinsame Nutzung der Rezeptoruntereinheit gp130 charakterisiert ist. Während eine Beteiligung dieser Proteine bei Zelldifferenzierung, Zellüberleben, Proliferation, Apoptose, Entzündung, Hämatopoese, Immunantwort und Akut-Phase-Reaktion bereits gezeigt wurde, ist die Beschreibung ihrer Rolle bei der Entstehung und dem Fortschreiten der kardialen Hypertrophie deutlich limitierter. Es wurde bereits ein Modell postuliert, nach dem die kurzzeitige Expression dieser Zytokine schützend wirkt, während eine andauernde kardiale Sekretion eher schädlich für das Herz zu sein scheint. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit (Ergebnisse 4.1, 4.2 und 4.3) konnte gezeigt werden, dass OSM wie auch seine verwandten Zytokine LIF, CT-1 und hIL-6/hsIL-6R (hsIL-6R, humaner löslicher IL-6 Rezeptor) Hypertrophie-induzierend auf primäre neonatale Ratten-Kardiomyozyten (NRCM) wirkt. Hinsichtlich ihres hypertrophen Potentials sind die Zytokine, welche über LIFR/gp130 signalisieren (hLIF, hOSM und hCT-1), die stärkeren Induktoren im Vergleich zu mOSM, welches den OSMR/gp130 Rezeptorkomplex bindet. Die Stimulation mit humanem IL-6/hsIL-6R hatte hingegen die schwächste hypertrophe Wirkung. Unsere genaue Analyse der typischen IL-6-Typ Zytokin vermittelten Signalwege enthüllte die Phosphorylierung von STAT3 an Y705 als offenkundig wichtigsten hypertrophen Weg. Zusätzlich dazu konnten wir auch zeigen, dass klassisches IL-6 Signalling (ohne sIL-6R) keinen hypertrophen Einfluss auf NRCM hat, da diesen Zellen ausreichende Mengen des membranständigen IL-6R fehlen. Diese Beobachtung steht in klarem Kontrast zu bereits publizierten Arbeiten. In den ebenfalls untersuchten neonatalen Ratten-Kardiofibroblasten (NRCFB) verhält es sich, was den IL-6R angeht, genauso wie in NRCM. Da auch diese Zellen eine kardiale Hypertrophie mit beeinflussen können, wurden in ihnen die gleichen Signalwege und Zielgene nach Stimulation mit OSM, LIF und IL-6/sIL-6R untersucht. Die selektive Expressionsregulation von Zytokinen und Rezeptoren der IL-6-Familie in beiden Zelltypen nach IL-6-Typ Zytokin Stimulation ist hierbei einer unserer wichtigsten Befunde. Ein gravierender Unterschied zwischen NRCM und NRCFB besteht darin, dass die mOSM und hIL-6/hsIL-6R vermittelte Geninduktion in NRCM von vergleichbarer Dauer ist, wohingegen sie sich in NRCFB unterscheidet. Bei der Suche nach Transkriptionsfaktoren oder intermediären Zytokinen, welche für diesen Unterschied verantwortlich sein könnten, beobachteten wir nach IL-6/sIL-6R Stimulation eine deutliche Korrelation zwischen der Il6-Transkription und den mRNA Mengen von C/EBPβ und C/EBPδ. Auch OSM ist in der Lage beide Transkriptionsfaktoren zu induzieren, jedoch viel ineffizienter als IL-6/sIL-6R. Wir vermuten, dass mOSM einen bestimmten Schwellenwert, der für die verlängerte IL-6 Sekretion benötigt wird, nicht erreicht. Da wir zusätzlich noch eine schwache Zunahme der IL-6R mRNA in NRCFB beobachten konnten, gehen wir davon aus, dass die Expression von IL-6, LIF, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ und IL-6R für die unterschiedlichen Kinetiken, mit denen IL-6 und OSM NRCFB stimulieren, verantwortlich sein dürfte. Es scheinen auch Mitglieder des Renin-Angiotensin-Systems die IL-6-Typ Zytokin vermittelte Hypertrophie zu unterstützen. Da schon gezeigt wurde, dass Angiotensin II reziprok die IL-6 Expression induziert, könnte diese verstärkte Synthese von AT1α und ACE von größter Bedeutung für den Hypertrophie-unterstützenden Phänotyp sein. Der zweite Teil der Arbeit (4.4) beschäftigte sich mit der Charakterisierung der Rezeptorkomplexe des Ratten-OSM. Die zentrale Frage hierbei bestand darin, ob rOSM wie mOSM nur den Typ II (OSMR/gp130) Rezeptorkomplex bindet, oder wie das hOSM sowohl den Typ II als auch den Typ I (LIFR/gp130) Rezeptorkomplex benutzen kann. Mit Hilfe unterschiedlicher experimenteller Strategien (knock-down der OSMR Expression durch RNA-Interferenz, LIFR-Blockade durch antagonistisches LIF-05, und die Generierung von stabil transfizierten Ba/F3-Zellen, welche die hierzu klonierten OSMR/gp130 oder LIFR/gp130 Rezeptorkomplexe der Ratte exprimieren) konnten wir eindeutig zeigen, dass Ratten-OSM überraschenderweise beide Rezeptorkomplexe benutzt. In dieser Hinsicht verhält sich es sich wie das humane Homolog. Des Weiteren besitzt Ratten-OSM Kreuz-Spezies-Aktivität und stimuliert humane und murine Zellen. Das Signal-Potential von rOSM ist dem von humanem OSM auf Zellen unterschiedlichen Ursprungs sehr ähnlich. Das Zytokin ist befähigt JAK/STAT, MAP Kinase und PI3K/Akt Signalwege potent zu aktivieren. Deshalb deuten die Daten des zweiten Teils dieser Arbeit darauf hin, dass Krankheitsmodelle in Ratten die Evaluierung der Relevanz des OSM für die humane Biologie deutlich besser widerspiegeln würden als murine Modelle

Das Implantationsversagen stellt die häufigste Ursache für den Misserfolg der menschlichen Reproduktion dar und spielt wahrscheinlich eine bedeutende Rolle bei wiederholt erfolgloser assistierter Reproduktion (IVF/ICSI und ET). Die hormonell eingeleitete Regulation der Implantation beinhaltet eine komplexe Folge von Signalen zwischen Embryo und Endometrium, deren regelrechter Ablauf für die erfolgreiche Einrichtung einer Schwangerschaft entscheidend ist. Eine Fülle von Faktoren wie Zytokine und Wachstumsfaktoren spielen hier eine bedeutende Rolle. Unter diesen Mediatoren ist auch Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) am Implantationsvorgang beteiligt. Bei weiblichen Mäusen mit einer homozygoten Inaktivierung des LIF-Gens bleibt nach erfolgreicher Befruchtung ihrer Oozyten die Implantation aus, obwohl ihre Blastozysten lebensfähig sind. Die mütterliche LIF-Produktion ist also essentiell für eine erfolgreiche Schwangerschaft bei Mäusen. Für die Beteiligung LIFs an der Kontrolle des Implantationsvorgangs auch beim Menschen gibt es eine Reihe von Hinweisen. Das LIF-Protein wird im menschlichen Endometrium zyklusabhängig mit einem Maximum zum Zeitpunkt der Implantation produziert. Menschliche Blastozysten exprimieren zum Zeitpunkt der Implantation mRNA für LIF-Rezeptoren, so dass sie als Ziel der Zytokinwirkung gelten. Ein Mangel an LIF könnte im Zusammenhang mit einigen Formen von Infertilität stehen. In uteriner Spülflüssigkeit idiopathisch infertiler Frauen wurden reduzierte LIF-Konzentrationen nachgewiesen, endometriale Zellen infertiler Frauen, sezernierten signifikant weniger LIF als die fertiler Frauen. Als Grundlage dieser Veränderungen werden Mutationen im LIF-Gen vermutet, die zu reduzierter endometrialer Produktion oder verminderter biologischer Aktivität des Zytokins führen und eine gestörte Implantation der Blastozyste im menschlichen Endometrium zur Folge haben. Im Vorfeld konnte bereits eine signifikant erhöhte Prävalenz von heterozygoten Mutationen im menschlichen LIF-Gen in einer Population von Frauen mit unterschiedlichen Infertilitätsursachen nachgewiesen werden. Bislang liegen nur unzureichende Daten zur Prävalenz von Mutationen im LIF-Gen als mögliche Ursache für ein Implantationsversagen vor. Der Nachweis von Mutationen im LIF-Gen könnte einerseits diagnostisch zur Beurteilung der endometrialen Rezeptivität und der Prognose eines IVF/ICSI-Behandlungsversuches genutzt werden. Andererseits hätte der Nachweis eines LIF-Mangels auf dem Boden einer LIF-Gen-Mutation auch therapeutische Konsequenzen, wenn in Zukunft die Substitution LIFs möglich wäre. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Häufigkeit und Art der Mutationen im LIF-Gen bei Frauen mit wiederholt erfolgloser IVF/ICSI-Behandlung zu untersuchen, um ihre Bedeutung für das Implantationsversagen bei der assistierten Reproduktion beurteilen zu können, und zu prüfen, ob der Einsatz eines geeigneten Screeningverfahrens auf LIF-Gen-Mutationen bei diesen Patientinnen sinnvoll erscheint. Zu diesem Zweck wurden 50 Patientinnen mit wiederholtem IVF/ICSI-Versagen und 105 fertile Frauen als Kontrollgruppe auf das Vorliegen von Mutationen im LIF-Gen untersucht. Zum diesem Screening dienten die standardisierte DNA-Extraktion, deren Amplifikation durch Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) und die Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism-Analyse (SSCP). Zeigte sich bei der SSCP-Analyse ein abnormes Laufverhalten in den Elektrophoresebanden, erfolgte anschließend die Sequenzierung des DNA-Abschnittes zur Bestätigung und Identifizierung der genetischen Alteration als Mutation oder Polymorphismus. Eine Patientin wies im Exon 3 des LIF-Gens eine heterozygote Transversion (G3453T) auf, welche die Struktur und Funktion des LIF-Proteins jedoch nicht beeinflusst, so dass es sich nicht um eine Mutation, sondern um einen funktionell unbedeutenden Polymorphismus handelt. In einem Fall der Kontrollgruppe fand sich ebenfalls ein Polymorphismus, eine Transition (C3235T) im Intron zwischen Exon 2 und 3. Mutationen mit Auswirkungen auf das Expressionsniveau oder die Bioaktivität LIFs konnten nicht aufgedeckt werden. Die Mutationsrate bei Frauen mit wiederholtem Implantationsversagen nach IVF/ICSI-Therapie ist demnach sehr niedrig und gegenüber fertilen Frauen nicht signifikant erhöht. Damit stehen die Resultate dieser Arbeit im Einklang mit Ergebnissen früherer Studien, wonach LIF beim Menschen zwar eine wichtige Teilfunktion bei der Steuerung des komplexen Implantationsvorganges einnimmt, aber nicht essentiell für seinen Erfolg ist. Aufgrund der niedrigen Prävalenz funktioneller Mutationen im LIF-Gen bei Frauen mit wiederholtem Implantationsversagen nach einer IFV/ICSI-Behandlung erscheint ein Screening der betroffenen Patientinnen als Routinemaßnahme zu diagnostischen und therapeutischen Zwecken nicht gerechtfertigt<br>Implantation failure is considered as a major cause of recurrent failure of IVF/ICSI and embryo transfer. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a glycoprotein that plays an important role in reproduction, and particularly in the regulation of implantation. It is normally produced by the endometrium with maximum levels at time of implantation. Decreased concentrations in uterine flushings have been reported to be associated with unexplained infertility. In this study, we have analysed the prevalence of functional LIF gene mutations in women with recurrent IVF/ICSI failure. 50 women with recurrent failure of implantation after IVF/ICSI and 105 controls were screened for LIF gene mutations. Standard genomic DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the LIF gene and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis were performed to screen for gene alterations which were subsequently confirmed by DNA sequencing. In the study group, one heterozygous LIF gene polymorphism (G3453T) in exon 3 without affecting protein conformation was identified. In the control subjects, one polymorphism (C3235T) in the intron between exon 2 and 3 was found. Mutations with effect on production or biological activity of LIF protein in the endometrium couldn’t be detected. Our study showed a low prevalence of LIF gene mutations in women with recurrent failure of implantation after IVF/ICSI and no difference in frequency of LIF gene alterations when compared with fertile control subjects. Routine screening of LIF gene mutations in this group of women is not justified for the low prevalence of functional mutations. LIF may play a partial role in human implantation, but in contrast to animals it isn’t a crucial factor in successful human implantation