Tristetraprolin is required for full anti-inflammatory response of murine macrophages to IL-10.

IL-10 is essential for inhibiting chronic and acute inflammation by decreasing the amounts of proinflammatory cytokines made by activated macrophages. IL-10 controls proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production indirectly via the transcription factor Stat3. One of the most physiologically significant IL-10 targets is TNF-alpha, a potent proinflammatory mediator that is the target for multiple anti-TNF-alpha clinical strategies in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Recruitment of Stat1 to chromatin is required for interferon-induced serine phosphorylation of Stat1 transactivation domain.

The transcription factor Stat1 plays an essential role in responses to interferons (IFNs). Activation of Stat1 is achieved by phosphorylation on Y701 that is followed by nuclear accumulation. For full transcriptional activity and biological function Stat1 must also be phosphorylated on S727.

Molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory functions of interferons.

Interferons are pleiotropic cytokines with important proinflammatory functions required in defence against infections with bacteria, viruses and multicellular parasites. In recent years, fundamental functions of interferons in other processes such as cancer immunosurveillance, immune homeostasis and immunosuppression have been established. In addition, anti-inflammatory roles of interferons are well-documented in several inflammatory disease models in the mouse, most importantly in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis that resembles multiple sclerosis in humans.

Dipalmitoylation of a cellular uptake-mediating apolipoprotein E-derived peptide as a promising modification for stable anchorage in liposomal drug carriers.

Liposomes equipped with cellular uptake-mediating peptidic vector compounds have attracted much attention as target-specific drug delivery systems. Aside from the development of the target recognition motif itself, vector coupling to liposomes while conserving the active conformation constitutes an important element in carrier development. To elucidate the most efficient way for adsorptive peptide binding to liposomes, we synthesized and characterized two-domain peptides comprising a cationic sequence derived from the binding domain of apolipoprotein E (apoE) for the low-density lipoprotein receptor and different lipid-binding motifs, that is, an amphipathic helix, a transmembrane helix, single fatty acids or two palmitoyl chains.

Interferons limit inflammatory responses by induction of tristetraprolin.

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines with pronounced proinflammatory properties. Here we provide evidence that IFNs also play a key role in decline of inflammation by inducing expression of tristetraprolin (Ttp). TTP is an RNA-binding protein that destabilizes several AU-rich element-containing mRNAs including TNFalpha.

An apolipoprotein E-derived peptide mediates uptake of sterically stabilized liposomes into brain capillary endothelial cells.

A promising strategy to solve the problems of insufficient membrane penetration of drugs and low target specificity is the localization of targeting and uptake-facilitating ligands on the surface of drug-carrier systems. This study investigated the role of a peptide derived from the LDL receptor (LDLr)-binding domain of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in initiating endocytosis in brain capillary endothelial cells. The highly cationic tandem dimer of apoE residues (141-150) was coupled covalently onto poly(ethylene glycol)-derivatized liposomes.