Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
10:07

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages

Published on: June 23, 2013

Cytokine-mediated differential regulation of macrophage activator protein-1 genes

T S Tengku-Muhammad1, T R Hughes, P Foka

  • 1Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.

Cytokine
|June 14, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and certain cytokines regulate activator protein-1 (AP-1) gene expression in macrophages, influencing disease pathogenesis. Specific cytokines like TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1, along with LPS, induce AP-1 gene expression, impacting macrophage function.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macrophage activator protein-1 (AP-1) gene expression is critical in disease pathogenesis.
  • Understanding AP-1 regulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of LPS and four cytokines on AP-1 gene expression in murine macrophages (J774.2 cell line).
  • To correlate AP-1 gene expression with functional AP-1 DNA binding activity.

Main Methods:

  • Murine macrophage cell line (J774.2) exposure to LPS and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1).
  • Analysis of AP-1 gene mRNA levels.
  • Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) to assess DNA binding activity.

Main Results:

  • IL-6 did not alter AP-1 mRNA levels.
  • LPS, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1 increased expression of JunB, c-jun, and c-fos, but not JunD.
  • EMSA confirmed a correlation between AP-1 gene expression and DNA binding activity, indicating heterodimeric interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Specific cytokines and LPS differentially modulate AP-1 gene expression in macrophages.
  • These findings elucidate mechanisms in mediator-specific regulation of AP-1 in macrophages.
  • The study highlights the role of AP-1 in inflammatory responses and disease.

More Related Videos

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes11:48

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes

Published on: May 31, 2018

Reprograming Model of Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages for In-vitro Assays08:37

Reprograming Model of Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages for In-vitro Assays

Published on: April 18, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...