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Endocrinology Vol. 142, No. 5 1786-1794
Copyright © 2001 by The Endocrine Society


ARTICLES

Interferon-{tau} (IFN{tau}) Regulation of IFN-Stimulated Gene Expression in Cell Lines Lacking Specific IFN-Signaling Components1

M. David Stewart2, Greg A. Johnson2, Fuller W. Bazer and Thomas E. Spencer

Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2471

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Thomas E. Spencer, Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, 442 Kleberg Center, 2471 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2471. E-mail: tspencer{at}ansc.tamu.edu


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Interferon-{tau} (IFN{tau}) is a unique type I IFN secreted by the ruminant conceptus that acts in a paracrine manner on the endometrial epithelium to signal pregnancy recognition. In the ovine endometrium, IFN{tau} suppresses estrogen receptor {alpha} and oxytocin receptor gene expression, but increases or induces expression of IFN-simulated genes (ISGs), including signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1), STAT2, ISG factor-3{gamma} (ISGF3{gamma})/p48/IFN regulatory factor-9, and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS). Human fibroblast cell lines lacking specific IFN signaling components were employed to determine the roles of STAT1, STAT2, and ISGF3{gamma} in the effects of IFN{tau} on ISG protein expression. Results indicated that STAT1{alpha} or STAT1ß is required for IFN{tau} effects on STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, and OAS (40/46, 69/71, and 100 kDa). STAT2 is required for effects on STAT1, ISGF3{gamma}, and all OAS forms. ISGF3{gamma} is required for effects of IFN{tau} on STAT2 and 40/46- and 69/71-kDa OAS and plays a role in the effects of IFN{tau} on 100-kDa OAS and STAT1. Mutation of Tyr701, but not Ser727, of STAT1 abolished the effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression. Mutation of the SH2 domain of STAT1 abolished the effects of IFN{tau} on all ISGs and reduced increases in 100-kDa OAS. These data illustrate the importance of transcription factors composed of STAT1, STAT2, and ISGF3{gamma} in the signaling pathway mediating the effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
INTERFERON-{tau} (IFN{tau}), the pregnancy recognition signal in ruminants, is secreted by trophectoderm of ovine conceptuses (embryo and associated membranes) between days 11 and 23 of pregnancy (1). IFN{tau} is a unique member of the type I IFN family and possesses antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities similar to those of other type I IFNs (2, 3, 4, 5). IFN{tau} binds to classical type I IFN receptors in the ovine endometrium (6) to prevent uterine release of luteolytic pulses of PGF2{alpha} from the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) and superficial glandular epithelium (GE) (7, 8). Available evidence indicates that IFN{tau} inhibits transcription of estrogen receptor {alpha} and oxytocin receptor genes to block development of the uterine luteolytic mechanism (9, 10).

In addition to negative effects on gene expression, IFN{tau} increases or induces the expression of a number of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the endometrial stroma and GE. In the ovine endometrium in vivo or endometrial cells in vitro, IFN{tau} induces or increases the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and -2 (11, 12), ß-microglobulin (13), IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) (10, 11, 12), ubiquitin cross-reactive protein [UCRP; also known as IFN-stimulated gene 17 (ISG17)] (11, 12, 14, 15), Mx (16), and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) (17, 18). In the endometrium of early pregnant or cyclic ewes receiving intrauterine injections of recombinant ovine IFN{tau}, these ISGs are specifically up-regulated in the stroma and GE (14, 18). The precise role of these proteins and the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) by which IFN{tau} regulates increases in their expression are not known.

The results of recent studies indicate that IFN{tau} activates a signal transduction pathway similar to that of IFN{alpha} in an ovine endometrial LE cell line (11, 12). Within 30 min of IFN{tau} stimulation, STAT1, -2, -3, -5a/b, and -6 become phosphorylated on tyrosine and translocate to the nucleus. However, in response to stimulation with IFN{tau} for more than 30 min, STAT1 and -2 remain tyrosine phosphorylated, whereas STAT3, -5a/b, and -6 are rapidly dephosphorylated. IFN{tau} induces formation of STAT1 homodimers [{gamma}-activated factor (GAF)], as well as IFN-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF3), which is composed of STAT1, STAT2, and ISGF3{gamma} (12). GAF regulates transcription through {gamma}-activated sequence (GAS) elements in the promoter region of many ISGs such as IRF-1 (19). ISGF3 binds to IFN-stimulated response elements (ISREs) to drive transcription of ISGs such as UCRP (20) and OAS (21). The precise roles of ISGF3 and GAF in the activation of ISGs by IFN{tau} have not been investigated.

This study tested the hypotheses that 1) ISGF3 mediates positive effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression; 2) STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation, serine phosphorylation, and Src homology 2 (SH2) domain are required for effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression; and 3) STAT1ß is sufficient to mediate the effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression. To test these hypotheses, we determined the effects of IFN{tau} on STAT1, STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, and OAS protein expression in human fibroblast cell lines deficient in STAT1{alpha}/ß, STAT2, or ISGF3{gamma} or STAT1-deficient cells complemented with various mutants of STAT1 (Tyr701, Ser727, SH2, and STAT1ß/p84).


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Cell culture and reagents
The 2fTGH, U2A, U3A, U6A, U3A-701, U3A-727, U3A-SH2, U3A-p84, and U3A-p91 cells have been described previously (22, 23, 24). The characteristics of these cells are summarized in Table 1Go. The 2fTGH cells were maintained in basal medium containing DMEM with F-12 salts (DMEM-F12; Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, MO) supplemented with 10% FBS and penicillin/streptomycin/amphotericin solution (Life Technologies, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD). The U2A, U3A, and U6A cells were maintained in basal medium with hygromycin B (250 µg/ml; Sigma-Aldrich Corp.). The U3A-701, U3A-727, U3A-SH2, U3A-p84, and U3A-p91 cells were maintained in basal medium with hygromycin B and G418 sulfate (400 µg/ml; Geneticin, Life Technologies, Inc.). Recombinant ovine IFN{tau} was prepared and assayed for biological activity as described previously (25).


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Table 1. Characteristics of human fibroblast cell lines lacking specific IFN signaling components

 
Antibodies used in these experiments were mouse anti-STAT1 (S21120), mouse anti-STAT3 (S21320), and mouse anti-ISGF3{gamma} (I29320) from Transduction Laboratories (Lexington, KY); rabbit anti-STAT2 (sc-476) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (Santa Cruz, CA); rabbit antihuman OAS (26); and peroxidase-conjugated goat antirabbit and antimouse IgG (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD).

Western blot analysis
Monolayer cultures were grown in culture medium to 80% confluence on 100-mm tissue culture plates. Cells were then left untreated as a control or treated with recombinant ovine IFN{tau} (104 antiviral units/ml) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. This design was replicated in three independent experiments.

To harvest total cellular protein for Western blot analyses, cells were then rinsed with cold Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution and lysed by incubation in immunoprecipitation lysis buffer (1% Triton X-100, 0.5% Nonidet P-40, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM Tris, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 0.2 mM Na3VO4, 0.2 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, 50 mM NaF, 30 mM Na4P2O7, 1 µg/ml leupeptin, and 1 µg/ml pepstatin) for 30 min at 4 C. Cell lysates were passed through a 26-gauge needle and then clarified by centrifugation (16,000 x g, 15 min, 4 C). The protein concentration of the supernatant was determined by Bradford assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, CA) using BSA as the standard. Twenty micrograms of whole cell extract protein from each sample were separated by 10% SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose as described previously (11). Blots were blocked for 1 h at room temperature with 5% (wt/vol) nonfat milk-TBST (Tris-buffered saline and 0.1% Tween-20). Primary antibodies were diluted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations in 2% milk-TBST. The OAS antibody was used at a 1:1000 dilution. Blots were incubated with primary antibody overnight at 4 C, rinsed for 30 min at room temperature with TBST, incubated with the appropriate peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody for 1 h at room temperature, and then rinsed again for 30 min at room temperature with TBST. Immunoreactive proteins were detected by chemiluminescence (SuperSignal West Pico, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, IL) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations using X-OMAT AR x-ray film (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY). Multiple exposures of each Western blot were performed to ensure linearity of chemiluminescent signals. Western blots were quantified by scanning densitometry using a GS-690 Imaging Densitometer and MultiAnalyst software (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, CA).

Statistical analysis
Integrated optical density measurements were subjected to least squares ANOVA using the General Linear Models procedures of Statistical Analysis System version 8.1 for Windows (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). The model used in the least squares ANOVA included time (hour post-IFN{tau} treatment) and replicate as sources of variation. The initial measurement of band optical density at time zero was used as a covariate. For analyses of U3A (STAT1-deficient) complement cell lines, the STAT1 data were also used as a covariate. The least square means (LSM) and SE illustrated in scatterplot graphs were derived from this analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. If an effect of IFN{tau} was detected, the data for each individual protein were then analyzed by least squares regression analysis. In these analyses, time was considered a continuous independent source of variation, with replicate as a dependent source. The initial measurement of band optical density at time zero was used as a covariate. For analyses of U3A (STAT1-deficient) complement cell lines, the STAT1 data were also used as a covariate to increase the fit of the regression.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in parental (2fTGH) fibroblasts
In the 2fTGH parental human fibroblast cell line (Fig. 1Go), IFN{tau} increased the expression of STAT1{alpha}/ß, STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, and all forms of OAS. STAT1{alpha} and -2 were present at 0 h and increased in response to IFN{tau} (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.89 and 0.80, respectively). IFN{tau} induced STAT1ß protein by 12 h of treatment. ISGF3{gamma} was induced between 3 and 6 h of IFN{tau} treatment, and expression decreased between 24 and 48 h (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.79). IFN{tau} treatment did not affect (P = 0.60) the expression of STAT3 protein.



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Figure 1. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in parental (2fTGH) fibroblasts. Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
Five different OAS proteins have been identified in other human cell types, including 100-, 69/71-, and 40/46-kDa forms. The affinity-purified rabbit antihuman OAS antibody used in this study recognizes all five OAS forms (26). In the 2fTGH cells, the 100-kDa form of OAS was expressed at 0 h and increased with IFN{tau} treatment (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.90). The 69/71-kDa OAS proteins were induced between 3 and 6 h of IFN{tau} treatment, and 40/46-kDa OAS proteins were induced between 6 and 12 h (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.78 and 0.82, respectively).

Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in fibroblasts lacking IFN signaling components
In ISGF3{gamma}-deficient U2A fibroblasts (Fig. 2Go), IFN{tau} did not increase the expression of STAT2 (P = 0.62) or STAT3 (P = 0.39), or induce the expression of 40/46- and 69/71-kDa OAS (P = 0.79 and 0.36, respectively). IFN{tau} increased the expression of STAT1 protein (linear; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.59) and 100-kDa OAS (linear; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.64). However, the magnitude of the increase was much lower in the ISGF3{gamma}-deficient U2A cells compared with the 2fTGH cells (~2- vs. ~10-fold). The band with an apparent molecular mass less than 100 kDa is probably a degradation product of the 100-kDa OAS protein.



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Figure 2. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in ISGF3{gamma}-deficient (U2A) fibroblasts. Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U2A fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In STAT2-deficient U6A fibroblasts (Fig. 3Go), IFN{tau} did not increase the expression of STAT1{alpha}/ß (P = 0.64), STAT3 (P = 0.45), or 100-kDa OAS (P = 0.30) or the induce expression of ISGF3{gamma} (P = 0.38), 40/46-kDa OAS (P = 0.53), or 69/71-kDa OAS (P = 0.99).



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Figure 3. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT2-deficient (U6A) fibroblasts. Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U6A fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In STAT1-deficient U3A fibroblasts (Fig. 4Go), IFN{tau} did not increase the expression of STAT2 (P = 0.66), STAT3 (P = 0.75), or 100-kDa OAS (P = 0.13) proteins or induce the expression of ISGF3{gamma} (P = 0.27), 40/46-kDa OAS (P = 0.51), or 69/71-kDa OAS (P = 0.53) proteins.



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Figure 4. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient (U3A) fibroblasts. Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient cells complemented with STAT1{alpha}, STAT1ß, or a specific STAT1{alpha} mutant
In U3A-p91 cells, the STAT1{alpha}/ß-deficient U3A cells have been complemented with STAT1{alpha} (p91). The response of the U3A-p91 cells to IFN{tau} was similar to that of the 2fTGH cells in terms of ISG expression, except for the 100-kDa OAS form (Fig. 5Go). STAT2 was present at 0 h and increased in response to IFN{tau} (quadratic; P = 0.001; r2 = 0.81). ISGF3{gamma} was induced between 3 and 6 h of IFN{tau} treatment, and expression decreased between 24 and 48 h (quadratic; P < 0.006; r2 = 0.68). The 100-kDa form of OAS was expressed at 0 h and increased with IFN{tau} treatment (linear; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.88). The 69/71- and 40/46-kDa OAS proteins were induced between 3 and 6 h of IFN{tau} treatment (quadratic; P = 0.03; r2 = 0.91 and 0.83, respectively).



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Figure 5. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient fibroblasts complemented with STAT1{alpha} (U3A-p91). Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A-p91 fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In U3A-701 fibroblasts, the STAT1{alpha}/ß-deficient U3A cells have been complemented with a Y701F mutant of STAT1{alpha} (Fig. 6Go). IFN{tau} did not increase the expression of STAT2 (P = 0.95), STAT3 (P = 0.70), or 100-kDa OAS (P = 0.65) or induce the expression of ISGF3{gamma} (P = 0.35), 40/46-kDa OAS (P = 0.93), or 69/71-kDa OAS (P = 0.78).



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Figure 6. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient fibroblasts complemented with Tyr701 mutant STAT1 (U3A-701). Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A-701 fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In U3A-SH2 fibroblasts, the STAT1{alpha}/ß-deficient U3A cells have been complemented with a R602L mutant of STAT1{alpha} (Fig. 7Go). IFN{tau} did not increase the expression of STAT2 (P = 0.95) or induce the expression of ISGF3{gamma} (P = 0.47), 69/71-kDa OAS (P = 0.26), or 40/46-kDa OAS (P = 0.78). In contrast to U3A-701 cells, IFN{tau} increased STAT3 and 100-kDa OAS (quadratic; P = 0.005 and 0.001; r2 = 0.80 and 0.82, respectively). However, the increase in 100-kDa OAS in U3A-SH2 cells was much lower than that in 2fTGH or U3A-p91 cells (~2.5- vs. ~10-fold). The multiple immunoreactive proteins observed in the OAS blot are probably breakdown products of the OAS protein that are evident due to increased exposure length for determination of 100-kDa OAS expression.



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Figure 7. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient fibroblasts complemented with SH2 mutant STAT1 (U3A-SH2). Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A-SH2 fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In U3A-727 fibroblasts, the STAT1{alpha}/ß-deficient U3A cells have been complemented with a S727A mutant of STAT1{alpha} (Fig. 8Go). IFN{tau} increased the expression of STAT2 (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.87) and 100-kDa OAS (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.93). IFN{tau} induced the expression of ISGF3{gamma}, 69/71-kDa OAS, and 40/46-kDa OAS (quadratic; P = 0.006, < 0.001, and < 0.001; r2 = 0.75, 0.90, and 0.84, respectively) in a manner similar to that observed for 2fTGH cells. IFN{tau} treatment did not affect the expression of STAT3 protein (P = 0.29).



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Figure 8. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient fibroblasts complemented with Ser727 mutant STAT1 (U3A-727). Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A-727 fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 
In U3A-p84 fibroblasts (Fig. 9Go), the STAT1{alpha}/ß-deficient U3A cells have been complemented with STAT1ß (p84). STAT1ß is a naturally occurring splice variant of STAT1 and is less transcriptionally active due to a truncated carboxyl-terminus trans-activation domain (27). IFN{tau} increased the expression of STAT2 (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.87), 100-kDa OAS (quadratic; P = 0.003; r2 = 0.89), and STAT3 (quadratic; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.85). IFN{tau} induced the expression of ISGF3{gamma} (quadratic; P < 0.006; r2 = 0.90), 69/71-kDa OAS (quadratic; P < 0.003; r2 = 0.87), and 40/46-kDa OAS (linear; P < 0.001; r2 = 0.83).



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Figure 9. Effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression in STAT1-deficient fibroblasts complemented with STAT1ß (U3A-p84). Whole cell extracts from IFN{tau}-treated U3A-p84 fibroblasts at the indicated times were analyzed by Western blotting as described in Materials and Methods. The blots presented are representative of three independent experiments. The first lane from the left contains extract from IFN{tau}-treated 2fTGH cells as a positive control. Data in graphs are plotted as LSM with SE.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
These results extend our previous findings that ovine IFN{tau} activates an intracellular signaling pathway that is similar to other type I IFNs (11, 12). In recent studies using ovine endometrial cells (11, 12, 18), IFN{tau} stimulated the formation of both ISGF3 and GAF complexes and increased or induced the expression of STAT1, STAT2, UCRP, and all five OAS forms. Collectively, the results presented here indicate that ISGF3 mediates the effects of IFN{tau} on the expression of genes for STAT2, 69/71-kDa OAS, and 40/46-kDa OAS, whereas GAF, comprised of STAT1 and STAT2 heterodimers, regulates the expression of the gene encoding the 100-kDa form of OAS. However, both ISGF3 and GAF regulate the expression of the STAT1 gene.

In 2fTGH cells, IFN{tau} stimulated the expression of STAT1{alpha}/ß, STAT2, and 100-kDa OAS and induced the expression of ISGF3{gamma}, 69/71-kDa OAS, and 40/46-kDa OAS. These results are similar to those demonstrating that type I IFN{alpha} and IFNß increase the expression of STAT1, STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, and OAS (28, 29). Both type I and II IFNs increase the expression of STAT1, whereas only type I IFNs increase the expression of ISGF3{gamma}, 69/71-kDa OAS (29). Three major forms of OAS have been described in IFN-treated human cells, corresponding to proteins of 40/46, 69/71, and 100 kDa (26, 30, 31, 32). Each of the three major OAS forms are encoded by separate genes and exhibit different biochemical characteristics, subcellular localization, and regulatory responses (33, 34, 35, 36, 37). Although IFN{alpha} induces the expression of all forms of OAS, differential expression and induction of the various OAS forms by each IFN has been observed in some cells (26, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37). Therefore, it is not surprising that IFN{tau} regulation of OAS gene expression is also complex. In this study IFN{tau} increased the 100-kDa form of OAS, but induced the 69/71- and 40/46-kDa isoforms of OAS. These results are reinforced by data showing that IFN{tau} induces the 40/46- and 69/71-kDa OAS forms in ovine endometrial stromal and GE cells, but only the 40/46-kDa OAS in LE (18).

In fibroblasts lacking ISGF3{gamma} (U2A), IFN{tau} was unable to increase the expression of STAT2 or induce 40/46-kDa OAS and 69/71-kDa OAS. Likewise, in STAT2-deficient U6A cells, IFN{tau} did not increase STAT1 expression or induce ISGF3{gamma}, 40/46-kDa OAS, and 69/71-kDa OAS expression. In STAT1-deficient U3A cells, IFN{tau} was also unable to stimulate the expression of STAT2 or induce ISGF3{gamma}, 40/46-kDa OAS, or 69/71-kDa OAS. Collectively, these results support the idea that ISGF3 is required for IFN{tau} stimulation of genes for STAT2 and the 69/71- and 40/46-kDa isoforms of OAS. Both type I and II IFNs increase the expression of ISGF3{gamma} (29). ISGF3{gamma} was induced in 2fTGH cells, but not in U3A or U6A cells, indicating that IFN{tau}-induced ISGF3{gamma} expression is dependent on both STAT1 and STAT2. As U2A cells lack ISGF3{gamma}, we could not determine whether ISGF3{gamma} protein plays a role in ISGF3{gamma} gene regulation. A linear increase in STAT1 protein was observed in IFN{tau}-treated U2A cells; however, the magnitude of the increase was much lower than that observed in 2fTGH parental cells. These results suggest that IFN{tau} regulates STAT1 expression through both ISGF3-dependent and ISGF3-independent mechanisms. ISGF3-independent expression of STAT1 in response to IFN{tau} is probably mediated by GAF, because STAT1 was not increased in U3A-701 or U3A-SH2 cells treated with IFN{tau}. ISGF3-dependent expression of STAT1 in response to IFN{tau} can be inferred from the differential response of 2fTGH compared with U2A cells.

The differences observed in IFN{tau} regulation of 100-kDa OAS compared with the 40/46- and 69/71-kDa OAS isoforms are a novel finding of this study. The 100-kDa OAS form was expressed in unstimulated cells and increased in IFN{tau}-treated ISGF3{gamma}-deficient U2A cells. The expression of 100-kDa OAS was not affected by IFN{tau} in STAT1-deficient U3A cells or STAT2-deficient U6A cells, but was increased in U3A cells complemented with either STAT1{alpha} or STAT1ß. In U3A-SH2 cells, STAT1–2 heterodimers can form, because the SH2 domain of STAT2 is sufficient for heterodimer formation (38). In contrast, active STAT1–2 heterodimers cannot form in U3A-701 cells, because tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 is required for nuclear translocation and DNA binding (39, 40). Our results indicate that IFN{tau} increases the expression of 100-kDa OAS via STAT1–2 heterodimers, because 100-kDa OAS was increased in U3A-SH2 cells, but not in U3A-701 cells. Indeed, the 5'-flanking promoter/enhancer region of the 100-kDa OAS gene contains five predicted GAS elements (37).

The inability of IFN{tau} to stimulate the expression of ISGs in the STAT1-deficient U3A cells demonstrates the central role of this transcription factor in the IFN{tau} signal transduction pathway. STAT1 has been demonstrated to be a major transcription factor in both type I and type II IFN signal transduction pathways (41). Interestingly, constitutive expression of several genes requires unphosphorylated STAT1 (42). In this study STAT2, STAT3, and 100-kDa OAS were constitutively expressed in STAT1-deficient U3A cells at comparable levels to 2fTGH parental cells, indicating that unphosphorylated STAT1 is not necessary for basal expression of these genes. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 is required for effects of IFN{tau} on ISG expression.

Both type I and type II IFNs stimulate gene expression through the phosphorylation of STAT1 by Janus kinases at the cell membrane (41, 43). Phosphorylated STAT1 then homodimerizes, translocates to the nucleus, and binds to GAS elements. Homodimerization of STAT1 is mediated by binding of the phosphorylated Tyr701 of one STAT1 monomer to the SH2 domain of another (44). In mutant Tyr701 STAT1 fibroblasts (U3A-701), IFN{tau} did not affect the expression of ISGs. Although STAT1 can associate with STAT2 without tyrosine phosphorylation, tyrosine phosphorylation is required for strong heterodimer formation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding (43). Therefore, tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 in response to IFN{tau} is critical for IFN{tau} stimulation of target genes controlled by ISGF3 and GAF. The SH2 domain of STAT1 mediates binding of STAT1 to other tyrosine-phosphorylated STATs, such as STAT1 and STAT2 (45). In STAT1 SH2 mutant fibroblasts (U3A-SH2), IFN{tau} did not affect the expression of STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, or 69/71- or 40/46-kDa OAS isoforms, but did increase the expression of STAT3 and 100-kDa OAS. Therefore, STAT1 must associate with STAT1 and/or STAT2 via its SH2 domain to affect the transcription of STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, 40/46-kDa OAS, and 69/71-kDa OAS, but not to affect the transcription of STAT3 and 100-kDa OAS.

Phosphorylation of STAT1 on Ser727 enhances trans-activational capacity (46) and is required for IFN induction of genes such as the double stranded, RNA-dependent kinase PKR (47). In the present study U3A-727, 2fTGH, and STAT1{alpha}-complemented U3A cells responded similarly to IFN{tau} treatment with increases in the expression of STAT2 and 100-kDa OAS and by inducing ISGF3{gamma}, 69/71-kDa OAS, and 40/46-kDa OAS. Therefore, serine phosphorylation of STAT1 does not appear to be required for IFN{tau} stimulation of these ISGs.

STAT1ß (p84) lacks the 38 carboxyl-terminal amino acids of STAT1{alpha} and has been considered a less potent trans-activator than STAT1{alpha} (27). However, STAT1ß can associate with STAT2 and ISGF3{gamma} to form ISGF3 (48). Results from the present study indicate that STAT1ß can fully substitute for STAT1{alpha} in regulating ISG expression in response to IFN{tau}. The effects of IFN{tau} on the expression of STAT2, ISGF3{gamma}, and OAS in U3A-p84 fibroblasts were not different from those observed in 2fTGH cells.

The results of this study demonstrate the utility of these human fibroblast cell lines for determining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the effects of IFN{tau} on target gene expression. During early pregnancy in sheep, IFN{tau} increases or induces the expression of a number of ISGs (STAT1, STAT2, OAS, IRF-1, ß2-microglobulin, Mx, and UCRP) in the endometrium. The available results indicate that the effects of IFN{tau} on the expression of STAT2, 40/46-kDa OAS, and 69/71-kDa OAS are dependent on ISGF3, whereas the effects on 100-kDa OAS are dependent on STAT1–2 heterodimers, a form of GAF. However, both ISGF3 and GAF regulate STAT1 expression. Understanding the mechanism by which IFN{tau}-activated STATs stimulate the expression of ISGs helps to explain how IFN{tau} acts as the signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants.


    Acknowledgments
 
The authors thank Dr. George Stark (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH) for providing the human fibroblast cell lines used in this study, and Drs. Judith Chebath and Michele Revel (Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel) for providing rabbit antihuman OAS antibody.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by NIH Award HD-32534 (to F.W.B. and T.E.S.) and in part by NIH Award F32-HD-08501 (to G.A.J.). Back

2 These authors contributed equally to this work. Back

Received September 12, 2000.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

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