Expression of cyclin D3 through Sp1 sites by histone deacetylase inhibitors is mediated with protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ) signal pathway

Protein Kinase C δ (PKCδ) Attenuates Bleomycin Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and lethal interstitial lung disease characterized by consistent pulmonary inflammation. Although protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is involved in broad scope cellular response, the role of PKCδ in IPF is complicated and has not been fully defined yet. Here, we reported that PKCδ deficiency (PKCδ^-/-) aggravated bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation. Upon challenge with BLM, the pulmonary capillary permeability, immune cell infiltration, inflammatory cytokine production, and collagen deposition were enhanced in PKCδ^-/- mice compared to that in PKCδ^+/+ mice. In response to poly(I:C) stimulation, PKCδ deficient macrophages displayed an increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-33, which were associated with an enhanced NF-κB activation. Furthermore, we found that PKCδ could directly bind to and phosphorylate A20, an inhibitory protein of NF-κB signal. These results suggested that PKCδ may inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway via enhancing the stability and activity of A20, which in turn attenuates pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that PKCδ is a promising target for treating pulmonary fibrosis.

PKC signaling contributes to chromatin decondensation and is required for competence to respond to IL-2 during T cell activation

The clonal proliferation of antigen-specific T cells during an immune response critically depends on the differential response to growth factors, such as IL-2. While activated T cells proliferate robustly in response to IL-2 stimulation, naïve (quiescent) T cells are able to ignore the potent effects of growth factors because they possess chromatin that is tightly condensed such that transcription factors, such as STAT5, cannot access DNA. Activation via the T cell receptor (TCR) induces a rapid decondensation of chromatin, permitting STAT5-DNA engagement and ultimately promoting proliferation of only antigen-specific T cells. Previous work demonstrated that the mobilization of intracellular calcium following TCR stimulation is a key event in the decondensation of chromatin. Here we examine PKC-dependent signaling mechanisms to determine their role in activation-induced chromatin decondensation and the subsequent acquisition of competence to respond to IL-2 stimulation. We found that a calcium-dependent PKC contributes to activation-induced chromatin decondensation and that the p38 MAPK and NFκB pathways downstream of PKC each contribute to regulating the proper decondensation of chromatin. Importantly, we found that p44/42 MAPK activity is required for peripheral T cells to gain competence to properly respond to IL-2 stimulation. Our findings shed light on the mechanisms that control the clonal proliferation of antigen-specific peripheral T cells during an immune response.

Trichostatin a inhibits phenotypic transition and induces apoptosis of the TAF-treated normal colonic epithelial cells through regulation of TGF-β pathway

Tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) contribute to transdifferentiation of stromal cells in tumor microenvironment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a procedure of phenotypic remodeling of epithelial cells and extensively exists in local tumoral stroma. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Tricostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate (SB) are reported to play important roles in the regulation of biological behaviour of cancer cells. However, whether TSA or SB is involved in control of EMT in colon epithelial cells induced by TAFs remains unidentified. In present study, we used conditioned medium (CM) form TAF-like CCD-18Co cells to stimulate 2D- and 3D-cultured colon epithelial HCoEpiC cells for 24 h and 4 d. We found that the CCD-18Co CM triggered multiple morphological changes in HCoEpiCs including prolonged cell diameters, down-regulation of E-cadherin and up-regulation of vimentin and α-SMA. Besides, ZEB1 and Snail expression and migration were also promoted by the CM. These phenomena were abolised by 5 μg/ml LY364947, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor. CCD-18Co induced up-regulation of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the 2D and 3D models, while no change of HDAC4 exprerssion was found. Treatment of 2 μg/ml TSA reversed the CCD-18Co-induced morphological changes and migration of the HCoEpiCs, and suppressed the downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of vimentin, α-SMA, ZEB1 and Snail. However, the suppressive effect of 4 mg/ml SB on the EMT was not observed. TSA down-regulated the expressions of Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3 amd HDAC4. Besides, TSA promoted the apoptosis rate (36.84 ± 6.52%) comparing with the CCD-18Co-treated HCoEpiCs (3.52 ± 0.85%, P < 0.05), with promotion of Bax (0.5893±0.0498 in 2D and 0.8867±0.0916 in 3D) and reduction of Bcl-2 (0.0476±0.0053 in 2D and 0.0294±0.0075 in 3D). TSA stimulated expression of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK in 2D (0.3472±0.0249) and 3D (0.3188±0.0248). After pre-treatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor VX-702 (0.5 mg/ml), the apoptosis rate of TSA was decreased in 2D (10.32%) and 3D (5.26%). Our observations demonstrate that epigenetic treatment with HDAC inhibitor TSA may be a useful therapeutic tool for the reversion of TAF-induced EMT in colon epithelium through mediating canonical Smads pathway and non-canonical p38 MAPK signalling.

Cell-specific expression of aquaporin-5 (Aqp5) in alveolar epithelium is directed by GATA6/Sp1 via histone acetylation

Epigenetic regulation of differentiation-related genes is poorly understood. We previously reported that transcription factors GATA6 and Sp1 interact with and activate the rat proximal 358-bp promoter/enhancer (p358P/E) of lung alveolar epithelial type I (AT1) cell-specific gene aquaporin-5 (Aqp5). In this study, we found that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) increased AQP5 expression and Sp1-mediated transcription of p358P/E. HDAC3 overexpression inhibited Sp1-mediated Aqp5 activation, while HDAC3 knockdown augmented AQP5 protein expression. Knockdown of GATA6 or transcriptional co-activator/histone acetyltransferase p300 decreased AQP5 expression, while p300 overexpression enhanced p358P/E activation by GATA6 and Sp1. GATA6 overexpression, SAHA treatment or HDAC3 knockdown increased histone H3 (H3) but not histone H4 (H4) acetylation within the homologous p358P/E region of mouse Aqp5. HDAC3 binds to Sp1 and HDAC3 knockdown increased interaction of GATA6/Sp1, GATA6/p300 and Sp1/p300. These results indicate that GATA6 and HDAC3 control Aqp5 transcription via modulation of H3 acetylation/deacetylation, respectively, through competition for binding to Sp1, and suggest that p300 modulates acetylation and/or interacts with GATA6/Sp1 to regulate Aqp5 transcription. Cooperative interactions among transcription factors and histone modifications regulate Aqp5 expression during alveolar epithelial cell transdifferentiation, suggesting that HDAC inhibitors may enhance repair by promoting acquisition of AT1 cell phenotype.

A novel class I HDAC inhibitor, MPT0G030, induces cell apoptosis and differentiation in human colorectal cancer cells via HDAC1/PKCδ and E-cadherin

Accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes contributes to cancer development and progression. Compared with gene mutations or deletions, epigenetic changes are reversible, which alter the chromatin structure remodeling instead of changes in DNA sequence, and therefore become a promising strategy for chemotherapy. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a class of enzymes that responsible for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. MPT0G030 is a potent and selective class I HDAC inhibitor which showed broad-spectrum cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines. in vitro fluorometric HDAC activity assay showed that MPT0G030 effectively inhibited Class I HDACs (HDAC1~3), which were overexpressed in many malignant neoplasms. Interestingly, MPT0G030 not only induced histone acetylation and tumor suppressor p21 transcription, but also redistributed E-cadherin and activated Protein Kinase C δ (PKCδ), which was linked to cell apoptosis and differentiation. Further, activation of PKCδ was demonstrated to be modulated through HDAC1. The in vivo anticancer activity of MPT0G030 and the importance of PKCδ were confirmed in the HT-29 tumor xenograft models. Taken together, those results indicate that MPT0G030, a class I HDAC inhibitor, has great potential as a new drug candidate for cancer therapy.

Protein Kinase C (PKC) Isozymes and Cancer

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases, which can be further classified into three PKC isozymes subfamilies: conventional or classic, novel or nonclassic, and atypical. PKC isozymes are known to be involved in cell proliferation, survival, invasion, migration, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Because of their key roles in cell signaling, PKC isozymes also have the potential to be promising therapeutic targets for several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, immune and inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic disorders, and multiple types of cancer. This review primarily focuses on the activation, mechanism, and function of PKC isozymes during cancer development and progression.

Heparin prevents intracellular hyaluronan synthesis and autophagy responses in hyperglycemic dividing mesangial cells and activates synthesis of an extensive extracellular monocyte-adhesive hyaluronan matrix after completing cell division

Growth-arrested rat mesangial cells (RMCs) at a G0/G1 interphase stimulated to divide in hyperglycemic medium initiate intracellular hyaluronan synthesis that induces autophagy/cyclin D3-induced formation of a monocyte-adhesive extracellular hyaluronan matrix after completing cell division. This study shows that heparin inhibits the intracellular hyaluronan synthesis and autophagy responses, but at the end of cell division it induces synthesis of a much larger extracellular monocyte-adhesive hyaluronan matrix. Heparin bound to RMC surfaces by 1 h, internalizes into the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum region by 2 h, and was nearly gone by 4 h. Treatment by heparin for only the first 4 h was sufficient for its function. Streptozotocin diabetic rats treated daily with heparin showed similar results. Glomeruli in sections of diabetic kidneys showed extensive accumulation of autophagic RMCs, increased hyaluronan matrix, and influx of macrophages over 6 weeks. Hyaluronan staining in the glomeruli of heparin-treated diabetic rats was very high at week 1 and decreased to near control level by 6 weeks without any RMC autophagy. However, the influx of macrophages by 6 weeks was as pronounced as in diabetic glomeruli. The results are as follows: 1) heparin blocks synthesis of hyaluronan in intracellular compartments, which prevents the autophagy and cyclin D3 responses thereby allowing RMCs to complete cell division and sustain function; 2) interaction of heparin with RMCs in early G1 phase is sufficient to induce signaling pathway(s) for its functions; and 3) influxed macrophages effectively remove the hyaluronan matrix without inducing pro-fibrotic responses that lead to nephropathy and proteinurea in diabetic kidneys.

Role of D-type cyclins in heart development and disease

A defining feature of embryonic cardiomyocytes is their relatively high rates of proliferation. A gradual reduction in proliferative capacity throughout development culminates in permanent cell cycle exit by the vast majority of cardiomyocytes around the perinatal period. Accordingly, the adult heart has severely limited capacity for regeneration in response to injury or disease. The D-type cyclins (cyclin D1, D2, and D3) along with their catalytically active partners, the cyclin dependent kinases, are positive cell cycle regulators that play important roles in regulating proliferation of cardiomyocytes during normal heart development. While expression of D-type cyclins is generally low in the adult heart, expression levels are augmented in association with cardiac hypertrophy, but are uncoupled from myocyte cell division. Accordingly, re-activation of D-type cyclin expression in the adult heart has been implicated in pathophysiological processes via mechanisms distinct from those that drive proliferation during cardiac development. Growth factors and other exogenous agents regulate D-type cyclin production and activity in embryonic and adult cardiomyocytes. Understanding differences in the precise intracellular mediators downstream from these signalling molecules in embryonic versus adult cardiomyocytes could prove valuable for designing strategies to reactivate the cell cycle in cardiomyocytes in the setting of cardiovascular disease in the adult heart.

Transcriptional regulation of neutral sphingomyelinase 2 in all-trans retinoic acid-treated human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7

Effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on sphingomyelinase expression were examined using MCF-7 (ATRA-sensitive) and MDA-MB-231 (ATRA-resistant) breast cancer cells. Increased NSMase activity, NSMase2 mRNA and protein were observed in ATRA-treated MCF-7 but not in ATRA-treated MDA-MB-231. Increased NSMase2 mRNA of ATRA-treated MCF-7 was mostly due to enhanced transcription. Promoter analysis revealed the important 5'-promoter region of NSMase2 between -148 and -42 bp containing three Sp1 sites but no retinoic acid responsive elements. Experiments using mutated Sp1 sites of the NSMase2 promoter, Mithramycin A (a Sp inhibitor) and Sp family over-expression demonstrated the importance of Sp family protein and the three Sp1 sites for ATRA-induced NSMase2 transcription of MCF-7 cells. Although no quantitative change of bound Sp1 on NSMase2 promoter region after ATRA treatment was detected, Sp1 phosphorylation (activation) by ATRA was observed. Interestingly, PKCδ was involved in ATRA-induced increased NSMase2 transcription. ATRA-induced PKCδ phosphorylation and then activated PKCδ phosphorylated Sp1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed Sp1, RARα and RXRα complex formation in MCF-7 cells regardless of ATRA treatment and ATRA-induced acetylated histone H3 of the 5'-promoter. Thus, NSMase2 mRNA expression enhanced by ATRA was due to increased transcription via phosphorylated Sp1 caused by PKCδ activation, followed by chromatin remodelling with histone H3 acetylation.

Interplay between PKCδ and Sp1 on histone deacetylase inhibitor-mediated Epstein-Barr virus reactivation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) undergoes latent and lytic replication cycles, and its reactivation from latency to lytic replication is initiated by expression of the two viral immediate-early transactivators, Zta and Rta. In vitro, reactivation of EBV can be induced by anti-immunoglobulin, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate, and histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi). We have discovered that protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is required specifically for EBV reactivation by HDACi. Overexpression of PKCδ is sufficient to induce the activity of the Zta promoter (Zp) but not of the Rta promoter (Rp). Deletion analysis revealed that the ZID element of Zp is important for PKCδ activation. Moreover, the Sp1 putative sequence on ZID is essential for PKCδ-induced Zp activity, and the physiological binding of Sp1 on ZID has been confirmed. After HDACi treatment, activated PKCδ can phosphorylate Sp1 at serine residues and might result in dissociation of the HDAC2 repressor from ZID. HDACi-mediated HDAC2-Sp1 dissociation can be inhibited by the PKCδ inhibitor, Rotterlin. Furthermore, overexpression of HDAC2 can suppress the HDACi-induced Zp activity. Consequently, we hypothesize that HDACi induces PKCδ activation, causing phosphorylation of Sp1, and that the interplay between PKCδ and Sp1 results in the release of HDAC2 repressor from Zp and initiation of Zta expression.

Epigenetic influences on sensory regeneration: histone deacetylases regulate supporting cell proliferation in the avian utricle

The sensory hair cells of the cochlea and vestibular organs are essential for normal hearing and balance function. The mammalian ear possesses a very limited ability to regenerate hair cells and their loss can lead to permanent sensory impairment. In contrast, hair cells in the avian ear are quickly regenerated after acoustic trauma or ototoxic injury. The very different regenerative abilities of the avian vs. mammalian ear can be attributed to differences in injury-evoked expression of genes that either promote or inhibit the production of new hair cells. Gene expression is regulated both by the binding of cis-regulatory molecules to promoter regions as well as through structural modifications of chromatin (e.g., methylation and acetylation). This study examined effects of histone deacetylases (HDACs), whose main function is to modify histone acetylation, on the regulation of regenerative proliferation in the chick utricle. Cultures of regenerating utricles and dissociated cells from the utricular sensory epithelia were treated with the HDAC inhibitors valproic acid, trichostatin A, sodium butyrate, and MS-275. All of these molecules prevent the enzymatic removal of acetyl groups from histones, thus maintaining nuclear chromatin in a "relaxed" (open) configuration. Treatment with all inhibitors resulted in comparable decreases in supporting cell proliferation. We also observed that treatment with the HDAC1-, 2-, and 3-specific inhibitor MS-275 was sufficient to reduce proliferation and that two class I HDACs--HDAC1 and HDAC2--were expressed in the sensory epithelium of the utricle. These results suggest that inhibition of specific type I HDACs is sufficient to prevent cell cycle entry in supporting cells. Notably, treatment with HDAC inhibitors did not affect the differentiation of replacement hair cells. We conclude that histone deacetylation is a positive regulator of regenerative proliferation but is not critical for avian hair cell differentiation.

Histone deacetylase 5 represses the transcription of cyclin D3

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate the transcription of a subset of genes by various means. HDAC5 is a class II HDAC whose subcellular location is signal-dependent. At present, its known gene targets are few in number. Here we identify a new HDAC5 target: the gene encoding the cell cycle-regulatory protein cyclin D3. When overexpressed in Balb/c-3T3 cells or mouse embryo fibroblasts, HDAC5 substantially reduced the activity of the cyclin D3 promoter and the abundance of endogenous cyclin D3 protein. Conversely, conditions that blocked HDAC5 function increased cyclin D3 expression: treatment of cells with the class I/II HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), depletion of HDAC5 from cells by RNA interference, and cytoplasmic sequestration of HDAC5 by co-expression of catalytically active calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. HDAC5 interacted with the cyclin D3 promoter in vivo, and the HDAC5-responsive element was within 118 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. Mutation of the Sp1 site and the cyclic AMP response element within this region did not affect the responsiveness of the cyclin D3 promoter to HDAC5 or TSA.

GATA-6 mediates transcriptional activation of aquaporin-5 through interactions with Sp1

We investigated mechanisms underlying GATA-6-mediated transcriptional activation of the alveolar epithelial type I cell-enriched gene aquaporin-5 (AQP5). GATA-6 expression increases in alveolar epithelial cells in primary culture, concurrent with upregulation of AQP5 and transition to a type I cell-like phenotype. Cotransfections in MLE-15 and NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated trans-activation by GATA-6 of a rat 1,716-bp-AQP5-luciferase (-1716-AQP5-Luc) reporter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation identified an interaction between GATA-6 and putative binding sites in the AQP5 promoter. However, mutation of these sites did not reduce GATA-6-mediated activation, implicating mechanisms in addition to direct binding of GATA-6 to DNA. A 5'-deletion construct, -358-AQP5-Luc, that does not encompass GATA motifs was still activated by GATA-6 by as much as 50% relative to -1716-AQP5-Luc. Internal deletion of the -358/-173 GC-rich domain, which includes several putative Sp1 consensus sites, reduced trans-activation by approximately 60%, suggesting importance of this region for GATA-mediated activity. -358-AQP5-Luc was similarly activated by both GATA-6 and a GATA DNA-binding defective mutant, whereas cotransfections in Schneider S2 cells demonstrated dose-dependent trans-activation of -358-AQP5-Luc by Sp1. Activation of -358-AQP5-Luc by GATA-6 was dramatically reduced by Sp1 small-interfering RNA, and -358-AQP5-Luc was activated synergistically by GATA-6 and Sp1 in NIH 3T3 cells. Furthermore, association between endogenous GATA-6 and Sp1 was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation. These results suggest that transcriptional activation of AQP5 by GATA-6 is mediated at least in part through cooperative interactions with Sp1 occurring at the proximal promoter.

Essential role of PKCdelta in histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Histone deactylase inhibitors (HDACi) are common chemotherapeutic agents that stimulate Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation; the detailed mechanism remains obscure. In this study, it is demonstrated that PKCdelta is required for induction of the EBV lytic cycle by HDACi. Inhibition of PKCdelta abrogates HDACi-mediated transcriptional activation of the Zta promoter and downstream lytic gene expression. Nuclear translocation of PKCdelta is observed following HDACi stimulation and its overexpression leads to progression of the EBV lytic cycle. Our study suggests that PKCdelta is a crucial mediator of EBV reactivation and provides a novel insight to study the regulation of the EBV lytic cycle.

Role of PKC-delta on substance P-induced chemokine synthesis in pancreatic acinar cells

Interaction of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) with its high-affinity neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. SP is known to stimulate the production of chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, and MIP-2 in pancreatic acinar cells via the activation of NF-kappaB. However, the signaling mechanisms by which the SP-NK1R interaction induces NF-kappaB activation and chemokine production remain unclear. To that end, in the present study, we investigated the participation of PKC in SP-induced chemokine production in pancreatic acinar cells. In this study, we showed that SP stimulated an early phosphorylation of PKC isoform PKC-delta followed by increased activation of MAPKKK MEKK1 and MAPK ERK and JNK as well as transcription factor NF-kappaB and activator protein-1 driven chemokine production. Depletion of PKC-delta with its inhibitor rottlerin or the specific PKC-delta translocation inhibitor peptide dose dependently decreased SP-induced PKC-delta, MEKK1, ERK, JNK, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 activation. Moreover, rottlerin as well as PKC-delta translocation inhibitor inhibited SP-induced chemokine production in a concentration-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that PKC-delta activation was attenuated by CP96345, a selective NK1R antagonist, thus showing that PKC-delta activation was indeed mediated by SP in pancreatic acinar cells. These results show that PKC-delta is an important proinflammatory signal transducer for SP-NK1R-induced chemokine production in pancreatic acinar cells.