The regulation of exon-specific brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression by protein kinase C in rat cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons

Dual Regulation of Spine-Specific and Synapse-to-Nucleus Signaling by PKCδ during Plasticity

The activity-dependent plasticity of synapses is believed to be the cellular basis of learning. These synaptic changes are mediated through the coordination of local biochemical reactions in synapses and changes in gene transcription in the nucleus to modulate neuronal circuits and behavior. The protein kinase C (PKC) family of isozymes has long been established as critical for synaptic plasticity. However, because of a lack of suitable isozyme-specific tools, the role of the novel subfamily of PKC isozymes is largely unknown. Here, through the development of fluorescence lifetime imaging-fluorescence resonance energy transfer activity sensors, we investigate novel PKC isozymes in synaptic plasticity in CA1 pyramidal neurons of mice of either sex. We find that PKCδ is activated downstream of TrkB and DAG production, and that the spatiotemporal nature of its activation depends on the plasticity stimulation. In response to single-spine plasticity, PKCδ is activated primarily in the stimulated spine and is required for local expression of plasticity. However, in response to multispine stimulation, a long-lasting and spreading activation of PKCδ scales with the number of spines stimulated and, by regulating cAMP response-element binding protein activity, couples spine plasticity to transcription in the nucleus. Thus, PKCδ plays a dual functional role in facilitating synaptic plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Synaptic plasticity, or the ability to change the strength of the connections between neurons, underlies learning and memory and is critical for brain health. The protein kinase C (PKC) family is central to this process. However, understanding how these kinases work to mediate plasticity has been limited by a lack of tools to visualize and perturb their activity. Here, we introduce and use new tools to reveal a dual role for PKCδ in facilitating local synaptic plasticity and stabilizing this plasticity through spine-to-nucleus signaling to regulate transcription. This work provides new tools to overcome limitations in studying isozyme-specific PKC function and provides insight into molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.

Rottlerin, BDNF, and the impairment of inhibitory avoidance memory

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE

As a eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) inhibitor and a mitochondrial uncoupler, oncologists have extensively studied rottlerin. Neuroscientists, however, have accumulated scarce data on the role of rottlerin in affective and cognitive functions. Only two prior studies have, respectively, documented its antidepressant-like effect and how it impairs psychostimulant-supported memory. Whether or not rottlerin would affect aversive memory remains unknown. Hence, we sought to investigate the effects of rottlerin on aversive memory in the inhibitory avoidance (IA) task in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were trained to acquire the IA task. Rottlerin (5 mg/kg, i.p. or 3 μg bilaterally in the hippocampus) or the vehicle was administered before footshock training (acquisition), after footshock training (consolidation), after the memory reactivation (reconsolidation), and before the test (retrieval) in the IA task.

RESULTS

Systemic and intrahippocampal rottlerin impaired the acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval of IA memory, without affecting the reconsolidation process. Rottlerin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a fast-onset and long-lasting increase in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in the mouse hippocampus. Systemic injection of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF, 30 mg/kg), a BDNF tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) agonist impaired IA memory consolidation, and treatment with K252a (5 μg/kg), a Trk receptor antagonist, reversed the suppressing effect of rottlerin on IA memory consolidation.

CONCLUSION

Rottlerin impairs IA memory consolidation through the enhancement of BDNF signaling in the mouse hippocampus. Excessive brain BDNF levels can be detrimental to cognitive function. Rottlerin is likely to affect the original memory-associated neuroplasticity. Thus, it can be combined with exposure therapy to facilitate the forgetting of maladaptive aversive memory, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG Affects the BDNF System in Brain Samples of Wistar Rats with Pepsin-Trypsin-Digested Gliadin (PTG)-Induced Enteropathy

Celiac disease (CD) presents as chronic low-grade inflammation of the small intestine often characterized by psychiatric comorbidities. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which we have shown to be reduced in the serum of CD patients, acts as the bridge between immune activation and the nervous system adaptive response. Since Lactobacillus has been shown to upregulate BDNF, this study aimed to evaluate whether the administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L.GG) could positively affect the brain BDNF system in rats mimicking the CD lesions. Data have shown that the administration of pepsin-trypsin digested gliadin (PTG) and L.GG alter the levels of mature BDNF (mBDNF), as evaluated by Western blotting. PTG provoked a reduction of mBDNF compared to controls, and a compensatory increase of its receptor TrkB. L.GG induced a slight positive effect on mBDNF levels under normal conditions, while it was able to rescue the PTG-induced reduced expression of mBDNF. The curative effect of L.GG was finely tuned, accompanied by the reduction of TrkB, probably to avoid the effect of excessive BDNF.

Mechanisms of protein kinase C-induced sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the hippocampus

Protein Kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) regulate synaptic plasticity and memory. PKC activation enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal slices. In addition, activation of PKC by phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) induces ERK activation. However, the mechanisms involved in PDA-induced activation of ERK are not well understood. Using hippocampal slices, we report that PDA induces a sustained activation of ERK. PDA-induced sustained ERK activation critically requires protein synthesis as well as transcription, the cellular processes that play crucial roles in long-lasting LTP and memory. In addition, the mammalian target of rapamycin activity is required for PDA-induced sustained ERK activation. Further, we show that growth factor signalling plays a critical role in PDA-induced sustained ERK activation. These results suggest that sustained ERK activation may have an important role in LTP.

Protein kinase C-α upregulates sodium channel Nav1.9 in nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons in an inflammatory arthritis pain model of rat

Previous studies have found that increased expression of Nav1.9 and protein kinase C (PKC) contributes to pain hypersensitivity in a couple of inflammatory pain models. Here we want to observe if PKC can regulate the expression of Nav1.9 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain model. A chronic knee joint inflammation model was produced by intra-articular injection of the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rats. Nociceptive behaviors including mechanical, cold, and heat hyperalgesia were examined. The expression of Nav1.9 and PKCα in DRG was detected by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The in vitro and in vivo effects of a PKC activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA]) and a PKC inhibitor (GF-109203X) on the expression of Nav1.9 were examined. Moreover, the effects of PKC modulators on nociceptive behaviors were studied. Increased mechanical, heat, and cold sensitivity was observed 3 to 14 days after CFA injection. Parallel increases in messenger RNA and protein expression of Nav1.9 and PKCα were found. Immunofluorescence experiments found that Nav1.9 was preferentially colocalized with IB4+DRG neurons in RA rats. In cultured DRG neurons, PMA increased Nav1.9 expression while GF-109203X prevented the effect of PMA. PMA increased Nav1.9 expression in naïve rats while GF-109203X decreased Nav1.9 expression in RA rats. In naïve rats, PMA caused mechanical and cold hyperalgesia. On the other hand, GF-109203X attenuated mechanical and cold hyperalgesia in RA-pain model. Nav1.9 might be upregulated by PKCα in DRG, which contributes to pain hypersensitivity in CFA-induced chronic knee joint inflammation model of RA pain.

eIF4E Phosphorylation Influences Bdnf mRNA Translation in Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Plasticity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons that promotes pain requires activity-dependent mRNA translation. Protein synthesis inhibitors block the ability of many pain-promoting molecules to enhance excitability in DRG neurons and attenuate behavioral signs of pain plasticity. In line with this, we have recently shown that phosphorylation of the 5′ cap-binding protein, eIF4E, plays a pivotal role in plasticity of DRG nociceptors in models of hyperalgesic priming. However, mRNA targets of eIF4E phosphorylation have not been elucidated in the DRG. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling from nociceptors in the DRG to spinal dorsal horn neurons is an important mediator of hyperalgesic priming. Regulatory mechanisms that promote pain plasticity via controlling BDNF expression that is involved in promoting pain plasticity have not been identified. We show that phosphorylation of eIF4E is paramount for Bdnf mRNA translation in the DRG. Bdnf mRNA translation is reduced in mice lacking eIF4E phosphorylation (eIF4E^S209A) and pro-nociceptive factors fail to increase BDNF protein levels in the DRGs of these mice despite robust upregulation of Bdnf-201 mRNA levels. Importantly, bypassing the DRG by giving intrathecal injection of BDNF in eIF4E^S209A mice creates a strong hyperalgesic priming response that is normally absent or reduced in these mice. We conclude that eIF4E phosphorylation-mediated translational control of BDNF expression is a key mechanism for nociceptor plasticity leading to hyperalgesic priming.

Differential Effects of Resveratrol on the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Transcripts and Protein in the Hippocampus of Rat Brain

BACKGROUND

The induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus has shown to play a role in the beneficial effects of resveratrol (RSV) on the learning and memory. The BDNF gene has a complicated structure with eight 5' noncoding exons (I-IXa), each of which can splice to a common coding exon (IX) to form a functional transcript. Estrogens increase levels of BDNF transcripts in the hippocampus of rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the phytoestrogen, RSV, on the splicing pattern of BDNF transcripts and on the pro-BDNF protein in the hippocampi of mother rats and their embryos.

METHODS

RSV (60 or 120 mg/kg BW/day) was administered orally to pregnant rats from days 1 to 20 of gestation. Hippocampi of adults and embryos were dissected 24 h after the last administration of RSV. Extracts from hippocampi were subject to quantitative (q) RT-PCR and Western blotting to assess splicing pattern of the BDNF transcripts and levels of pro-BDNF protein, respectively.

RESULTS

RSV (120 mg/kg BW/day) caused a statistically significant increase in the expression levels of BDNF exons III, IV and IX, but not the exon I in the hippocampi of adult rats (P≤0.05). Levels of pro-BDNF protein remained unchanged in the hippocampal tissues from both adult and embryonic rats treated by RSV (60 or 120 mg/kg BW/day).

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that RSV differentially activates promoters of the BDNF gene in the hippocampus of pregnant rats, but fails to affect the pro-BDNF level neither in adult nor in the embryonic hippocampal tissues.

Mechanisms of BDNF regulation in asthmatic airway smooth muscle

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin produced by airway smooth muscle (ASM), enhances inflammation effects on airway contractility, supporting the idea that locally produced growth factors influence airway diseases such as asthma. We endeavored to dissect intrinsic mechanisms regulating endogenous, as well as inflammation (TNF-α)-induced BDNF secretion in ASM of nonasthmatic vs. asthmatic humans. We focused on specific Ca(2+) regulation- and inflammation-related signaling cascades and quantified BDNF secretion. We find that TNF-α enhances BDNF release by ASM cells, via several mechanisms relevant to asthma, including transient receptor potential channels TRPC3 and TRPC6 (but not TRPC1), ERK 1/2, PI3K, PLC, and PKC cascades, Rho kinase, and transcription factors cAMP response element binding protein and nuclear factor of activated T cells. Basal BDNF expression and secretion are elevated in asthmatic ASM and increase further with TNF-α exposure, involving many of these regulatory mechanisms. We conclude that airway BDNF secretion is regulated at multiple levels, providing a basis for autocrine effects of BDNF under conditions of inflammation and disease, with potential downstream influences on contractility and remodeling.

Rottlerin impairs the formation and maintenance of psychostimulant-supported memory

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE

Since brain proteins such as protein kinase C (PKC), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are involved in the establishment and maintenance of psychostimulant memory, we sought to determine if systemic treatment with rottlerin, a natural compound affecting all these proteins, may modulate stimulant-supported memory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stimulant-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was used in modeling stimulant-supported memory.

RESULTS

Three cocaine (10 mg/kg; COC) or three methamphetamine (1 mg/kg; MA) conditioning trials reliably established the drug-induced CPP in male C57BL/6 mice. An intra-peritoneal rottlerin injection (5 mg/kg) at least 24 h prior to the first COC or first MA conditioning trial prevented the establishment of CPP. Following the establishment of the COC- or MA-induced CPP, saline conditioning trial was used to extinguish the CPP. Rottlerin (5 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal (i.p.)) administered 20 h prior to the first saline conditioning trial diminished subsequent drug- and stressor-primed reinstatement of the extinguished CPP. Rottlerin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a fast-onset and long-lasting increase in hippocampal BDNF levels. However, treatment with a BDNF tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor antagonist, K252a (5 μg/kg), did not affect rottlerin's suppressing effect on COC-induced CPP and treatment with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (10 mg/kg x 6, 7,8-DHF), a selective TrkB agonist, prior to each conditioning trial did not affect COC-induced CPP.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that systemic rottlerin treatment may impair the formation of COC- and MA-supported memory. Importantly, such a treatment may advance our understanding of the underlying mechanism through which extinction training resulted in the "forgetting" of the COC- and MA-supported memory.

Amitriptyline induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression through ERK-dependent modulation of multiple BDNF mRNA variants in primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes and microglia

A significant role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been previously implicated in the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. To ascertain the contribution of specific cell types in the brain that produce BDNF following antidepressant treatment, the effects of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline on rat primary neuronal, astrocytic and microglial cortical cultures were examined. Amitriptyline increased the expression of BDNF mRNA in astrocytic and microglial cultures but not neuronal cultures. Antidepressants with distinct mechanisms of action, such as clomipramine, duloxetine and fluvoxamine, also increased BDNF mRNA expression in astrocytic and microglial cultures. There are multiple BDNF mRNA variants (exon I, IIA, IV and VI) expressed in astrocytes and microglia and the variant induced by antidepressants has yet to be elaborated. Treatment with antidepressants increased the expression of exon I, IV and VI in astrocyte and microglia. Clomipramine alone significantly upregulated expression of exon IIA. The amitriptyline-induced expression of both total and individual BDNF mRNA variants (exon I, IV and VI) were blocked by MEK inhibitor U0126, indicating MEK/ERK signaling is required in the expression of BDNF. These findings indicate that non-neural cells are a significant target of antidepressants and further support the contention that glial production of BDNF is crucial role in the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. The current data suggest that targeting of glial function could lead to the development of antidepressants with a truly novel mechanism of action.

Effects of Ethanol on the Expression Level of Various BDNF mRNA Isoforms and Their Encoded Protein in the Hippocampus of Adult and Embryonic Rats

We aimed to compare the effects of oral ethanol (Eth) alone or combined with the phytoestrogen resveratrol (Rsv) on the expression of various brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcripts and the encoded protein pro-BDNF in the hippocampus of pregnant and embryonic rats. A low (0.25 g/kg body weight (BW)/day) dose of Eth produced an increase in the expression of BDNF exons I, III and IV and a decrease in that of the exon IX in embryos, but failed to affect BDNF transcript and pro-BDNF protein expression in adults. However, co-administration of Eth 0.25 g/kg·BW/day and Rsv led to increased expression of BDNF exons I, III and IV and to a small but significant increase in the level of pro-BDNF protein in maternal rats. A high (2.5 g/kg·BW/day) dose of Eth increased the expression of BDNF exons III and IV in embryos, but it decreased the expression of exon IX containing BDNF mRNAs in the maternal rats. While the high dose of Eth alone reduced the level of pro-BDNF in adults, it failed to change the levels of pro-BDNF in embryos. Eth differentially affects the expression pattern of BDNF transcripts and levels of pro-BDNF in the hippocampus of both adult and embryonic rats.

Protein kinase Cδ mediates histamine-evoked itch and responses in pruriceptors

Background

Itch-producing compounds stimulate receptors expressed on small diameter fibers that innervate the skin. Many of the currently known pruritogen receptors are G_q Protein-Coupled Receptors (G_qPCR), which activate Protein Kinase C (PKC). Specific isoforms of PKC have been previously shown to perform selective functions; however, the roles of PKC isoforms in regulating itch remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the novel PKC isoform PKCδ as an intracellular modulator of itch signaling in response to histamine and the non-histaminergic pruritogens chloroquine and β-alanine.

Results

Behavioral experiments indicate that PKCδ knock-out (KO) mice have a 40% reduction in histamine-induced scratching when compared to their wild type littermates. On the other hand, there were no differences between the two groups in scratching induced by the MRGPR agonists chloroquine or β-alanine. PKCδ was present in small diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Of PKCδ-expressing neurons, 55% also stained for the non-peptidergic marker IB4, while a smaller percentage (15%) expressed the peptidergic marker CGRP. Twenty-nine percent of PKCδ-expressing neurons also expressed TRPV1. Calcium imaging studies of acutely dissociated DRG neurons from PKCδ-KO mice show a 40% reduction in the total number of neurons responsive to histamine. In contrast, there was no difference in the number of capsaicin-responsive neurons between KO and WT animals. Acute pharmacological inhibition of PKCδ with an isoform-specific peptide inhibitor (δV1-1) also significantly reduced the number of histamine-responsive sensory neurons.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that PKCδ plays a role in mediating histamine-induced itch, but may be dispensable for chloroquine- and β-alanine-induced itch.

Is there a relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor for driving neuronal auditory circuits with onset of auditory function and the changes following cochlear injury or during aging?

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, is one of the most important neurotrophic factors acting in the peripheral and central nervous system. In the auditory system its function was initially defined by using constitutive knockout mouse mutants and shown to be essential for survival of neurons and afferent innervation of hair cells in the peripheral auditory system. Further examination of BDNF null mutants also revealed a more complex requirement during re-innervation processes involving the efferent system of the cochlea. Using adult mouse mutants defective in BDNF signaling, it could be shown that a tonotopical gradient of BDNF expression within cochlear neurons is required for maintenance of a specific spatial innervation pattern of outer hair cells and inner hair cells. Additionally, BDNF is required for maintenance of voltage-gated potassium channels (KV) in cochlear neurons, which may form part of a maturation step within the ascending auditory pathway with onset of hearing and might be essential for cortical acuity of sound-processing and experience-dependent plasticity. A presumptive harmful role of BDNF during acoustic trauma and consequences of a loss of cochlear BDNF during aging are discussed in the context of a partial reversion of this maturation step. We compare the potentially beneficial and harmful roles of BDNF for the mature auditory system with those BDNF functions known in other sensory circuits, such as the vestibular, visual, olfactory, or somatosensory system.

Long-term dietary restriction differentially affects the expression of BDNF and its receptors in the cortex and hippocampus of middle-aged and aged male rats

Dietary restriction (DR) exerts significant beneficial effects in terms of aging and age-related diseases in many organisms including humans. The present study aimed to examine the influence of long-term DR on the BDNF system at the transcriptional and translational levels in the cortex and hippocampus of middle-aged (12-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male Wistar rats. The obtained results revealed that the DR upregulated the expression of exon-specific BDNF transcripts in both regions, followed by elevated levels of mBDNF only in the cortex in middle-aged animals. In aged animals, DR modulated BDNF protein levels by increasing proBDNF and by declining mBDNF levels. Additionally, elevated levels of the full-length TrkB accompanied by a decreased level of the less-glycosylated TrkB protein were observed in middle-aged rats following DR, while in aged rats, DR amplified only the expression of the less-glycosylated form of TrkB. The levels of phosphorylated TrkB(Y816) were stable during aging regardless of feeding. Reduced levels of p75(NTR) were detected in both regions of middle-aged DR-fed animals, while a significant increase was measured in the cortex of aged DR-fed rats. These findings shed additional light on DR as a modulator of BDNF system revealing its disparate effects in middle-aged and aged animals. Given the importance of the proBDNF/BDNF circuit-level expression in different brain functions and various aspects of behavior, it is necessary to further elucidate the optimal duration of the applied dietary regimen with regard to the animal age in order to achieve its most favorable effects.

Local translation and retrograde axonal transport of CREB regulates IL-6-induced nociceptive plasticity

Transcriptional regulation of genes by cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is essential for the maintenance of long-term memory. Moreover, retrograde axonal trafficking of CREB in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) is critical for the survival of developing primary sensory neurons. We have previously demonstrated that hindpaw injection of interleukin-6 (IL-6) induces mechanical hypersensitivity and hyperalgesic priming that is prevented by the local injection of protein synthesis inhibitors. However, proteins that are locally synthesized that might lead to this effect have not been identified. We hypothesized that retrograde axonal trafficking of nascently synthesized CREB might link local, activity-dependent translation to nociceptive plasticity. To test this hypothesis, we determined if IL-6 enhances the expression of CREB and if it subsequently undergoes retrograde axonal transport. IL-6 treatment of sensory neurons in vitro caused an increase in CREB protein and in vivo treatment evoked an increase in CREB in the sciatic nerve consistent with retrograde transport. Importantly, co-injection of IL-6 with the methionine analogue azido-homoalanine (AHA), to assess nascently synthesized proteins, revealed an increase in CREB containing AHA in the sciatic nerve 2 hrs post injection, indicating retrograde transport of nascently synthesized CREB. Behaviorally, blockade of retrograde transport by disruption of microtubules or inhibition of dynein or intrathecal injection of cAMP response element (CRE) consensus sequence DNA oligonucleotides, which act as decoys for CREB DNA binding, prevented the development of IL-6-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and hyperalgesic priming. Consistent with previous studies in inflammatory models, intraplantar IL-6 enhanced the expression of BDNF in dorsal root ganglion (DRG). This effect was blocked by inhibition of retrograde axonal transport and by intrathecal CRE oligonucleotides. Collectively, these findings point to a novel mechanism of axonal translation and retrograde trafficking linking locally-generated signals to long-term nociceptive sensitization.

Interleukin-1β increased the expression of protease-activated receptor 4 mRNA and protein in dorsal root ganglion neurons

Protease-activated receptor-4 (PAR4) is localized in primary sensory neurons and is believed to implicate in the modulation of nociceptive mechanisms. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is involved in the generation of hyperalgesia in pathological states such as neuropathy and inflammation. Previous studies have shown that IL-1β enhances the expression of PAR4 in many cell types but the effect of this cytokine on primary sensory neuron PAR4 expression is less clear. In the present study, we evaluated in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons the influence of IL-1β on PAR4 mRNA and protein levels after IL-1β intraplantar injection into the hind-paw or treatment of cultured DRG neurons. The expression of PAR4 in cultured DRG neurons was also assessed after treatment with IL-1β with pre-addition of phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, a PKC activator) or chelerythrine chloride (a PKC inhibitor). We found that IL-1β intraplantar injection into the hind-paw or long-term exposure of cultured DRG neurons to IL-1β significantly increased the proportion of DRG neurons expressing PAR4 immunoreactivity. Real-time PCR and western blotting showed that IL-1β treatment also significantly elevated PAR4 mRNA and protein levels in DRG neurons. This IL-1β effect was enhanced in DRG neurons when DRG cultures were pre-treatment with the PMA. But pre-incubation with chelerythrine chloride strongly inhibited the IL-1β-induced increase of PAR4 mRNA and protein levels. These results demonstrate that the expression of PAR4 mRNA and protein induced by IL-1β is PKC signaling pathway dependent.