Activation of cyclic-AMP response element binding protein contributes to adiponectin-stimulated interleukin-10 expression in raw 264.7 macrophages

Adiponectin, an adipokine predominantly secreted from adipose tissue, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Although the mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory properties of adiponectin are not well understood, recent evidence suggests that increased production of interleukin-10 (IL-10), a potent immunomodulatory cytokine, is involved in the anti-inflammatory actions of adiponectin. Globular adiponectin (gAcrp) increased IL-10 promoter activity and IL-10 mRNA accumulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Deletion of the sequences from -416 and -369 in the IL-10 promoter, containing a cyclic AMP-response element (CRE), decreased gAcrp-induced IL-10 promoter activation. Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with gAcrp increased the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein ( CREB) at Ser(133), as well as enhanced the DNA binding activity of CREB. Further, overexpression of a dominant negative form of CREB suppressed gAcrp-induced transcriptional activation of IL-10. gAcrp-stimulated CREB phosphorylation was mediated by the activation of both ERK1/2- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-dependent pathways. Inhibition of either ERK1/2 or PKA activity prevented gAcrp-stimulated CREB phosphorylation, as well as gAcrp-stimulated IL-10 promoter activation. Taken together, these data identify gAcrp-stimulated phospho-CREB as a key transcription factor responsible for gAcrp-induced IL-10 promoter activation.