Involvement of RhoA and Rho kinase in neutrophil-stimulated endothelial hyperpermeability

Neutrophil-induced microvascular leakage is an early event in ischemic and inflammatory heart diseases. The specific signaling paradigm by which neutrophils increase microvascular permeability is not yet established. We investigated whether the small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effector Rho kinase mediate neutrophil-stimulated endothelial hyperpermeability. We assessed the effect of neutrophils on Rho activity in bovine coronary venular endothelial cells (CVEC) with a Rho-GTP pull-down assay. Permeability to FITC-albumin was evaluated using CVEC monolayers. We then tested the role of Rho kinase in the permeability response to neutrophils using two structurally distinct pharmacological inhibitors: Y-27632 and HA-1077. Furthermore, neutrophil-stimulated changes in endothelial F-actin organization were examined with fluorescence microscopy. The results show that C5a-activated neutrophils induced an increase in permeability coupled with RhoA activation in CVEC. Inhibition of Rho kinase with either Y-27632 or HA-1077 attenuated the hyperpermeability response. Rho kinase inhibition also attenuated increases in permeability stimulated by the neutrophil supernatant. In addition, activated neutrophils caused actin stress fiber formation in CVEC, which was diminished by either Y-27632 or HA-1077. These findings suggest that RhoA and Rho kinase are involved in the mediation of neutrophil-induced endothelial actin reorganization and barrier dysfunction.     

The functional role of rho and rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase in eotaxin signaling of eosinophils

The CC chemokine eotaxin plays a pivotal role in local accumulation of eosinophils. Very little is known about the eotaxin signaling in eosinophils except the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. The p21 G protein Rho and its substrate Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) regulate the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions. In the present study, we studied the functional relevance of Rho and ROCK in eosinophils using the ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632) and exoenzyme C3, a specific Rho inhibitor. Eotaxin stimulates activation of Rho A and ROCK II in eosinophils. Exoenzyme C3 almost completely inhibited the ROCK activity, indicating that ROCK is downstream of Rho. We then examined the role of Rho and ROCK in eosinophil chemotaxis. The eotaxin-induced eosinophil chemotaxis was significantly inhibited by exoenzyme C3 or Y-27632. Because extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38 MAP kinases are activated by eotaxin and are critical for eosinophil chemotaxis, we investigated whether Rho and ROCK are upstream of these MAP kinases. C3 partially inhibited eotaxin-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not p38. In contrast, neither ERK1/2 nor p38 phosphorylation was abrogated by Y-27632. Both C3 and Y-27632 reduced reactive oxygen species production from eosinophils. We conclude that both Rho and ROCK are important for eosinophil chemotaxis and reactive oxygen species production. There is a dichotomy of downstream signaling pathways of Rho, namely, Rho-ROCK and Rho-ERK pathways. Taken together, eosinophil chemotaxis is regulated by multiple signaling pathways that involve at least ROCK, ERK, and p38 MAP kinase.     

Rho-kinase negatively regulates thyroid hormone-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis in osteoblasts

Evidence is accumulating that Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase) plays important roles not only in vascular smooth muscle cell contraction, but also in a variety of cellular functions, including bone metabolism. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of Rho-kinase in the osteocalcin synthesis induced by triiodothyronine (T₃) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. T₃ time-dependently induced phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT-1), a substrate of Rho-kinase. Y27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho-kinase, attenuated the MYPT-1 phosphorylation induced by T₃. T₃-stimulated osteocalcin release was significantly enhanced by Y27632. Fasudil, another Rho-kinase inhibitor, amplified the osteocalcin release induced by T₃. T₃-stimulated osteocalcin release was significantly augmented in Rho-knockdown cells with Rho A-siRNA. Y27632 and fasudil also increased the mRNA expression level of osteocalcin induced by T₃. These results strongly suggest that T₃ stimulates the activation of Rho-kinase in osteoblasts, which functions as a negative regulator of T₃-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis.     

Effect of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on the proteome of hearts with ischemia-reperfusion injury

Growing attention has been given to the role of the Rho kinase pathway in the development of heart disease and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Y‐27632 is a Rho kinase inhibitor demonstrated to protect against I/R injury, but the exact mechanism by which it does so remains to be elucidated. The goal of this project was to determine new targets by which Y‐27632 can protect the heart against I/R injury. Isolated rat hearts were perfused under aerobic conditions or subjected to I/R in the presence or absence of Y‐27632. Administration of Y‐27632 (1 μM) before ischemia and during the first 10 min of reperfusion resulted in complete recovery of cardiac function. 2‐D electrophoresis followed by MS identified four proteins whose levels were affected by Y‐27632 treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly increased in the Y‐27632 treated group, while creatine kinase was normalized to control levels. In addition, we found increased level of two different molecular fragments of ATP synthase, which were normalized by Y‐27632. This increase suggests that during ischemia ATP synthase is subjected to degradation. The changes in metabolic enzymes' levels and their regulation by Y‐27632 suggest that the cardioprotective effect of Y‐27632 involves increased energy production.     

Negative feedback regulation of FGF signaling levels by Pyst1/MKP3 in chick embryos

BACKGROUND: The importance of endogenous antagonists in intracellular signal transduction pathways is becoming increasingly recognized. There is evidence in cultured mammalian cells that Pyst1/MKP3, a dual specificity protein phosphatase, specifically binds to and inactivates ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). High-level Pyst1/Mkp3 expression has recently been found at many sites of known FGF signaling in mouse embryos, but the significance of this association and its function are not known. RESULTS: We have cloned chicken Pyst1/Mkp3 and show that high-level expression in neural plate correlates with active MAPK. We show that FGF signaling regulates Pyst1 expression in developing neural plate and limb bud by ablating and/or transplanting tissue sources of FGFs and by applying FGF protein or a specific FGFR inhibitor (SU5402). We further show by applying a specific MAP kinase kinase inhibitor (PD184352) that Pyst1 expression is regulated via the MAPK cascade. Overexpression of Pyst1 in chick embryos reduces levels of activated MAPK in neural plate and alters its morphology and retards limb bud outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Pyst1 is an inducible antagonist of FGF signaling in embryos and acts in a negative feedback loop to regulate the activity of MAPK. Our results demonstrate both the importance of MAPK signaling in neural induction and limb bud outgrowth and the critical role played by dual specificity MAP kinase phosphatases in regulating developmental outcomes in vertebrates.     

Rho‐kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 facilitates the proliferation,migration and pluripotency of human periodontal ligament stem cells

The selective in vitro expansion and differentiation of multipotent stem cells are critical steps in cell‐based regenerative therapies, while technical challenges have limited cell yield and thus affected the success of these potential treatments. The Rho GTPases and downstream Rho kinases are central regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics during cell cycle and determine the balance between stem cells self‐renewal, lineage commitment and apoptosis. Trans‐4‐[(1R)‐aminoethyl]‐N‐(4‐pyridinyl)cylohexanecarboxamidedihydrochloride (Y‐27632), Rho‐associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, involves various cellular functions that include actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, cell motility and anti‐apoptosis. Here, human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were isolated by limiting dilution method. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8), 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) labelling assay, cell apoptosis assay, cell migration assay, wound‐healing assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin Red S staining, Oil Red O staining, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were used to determine the effects of Y‐27632 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, stemness, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Afterwards, Western blot analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanism of cell proliferation. The results indicated that Y‐27632 significantly promoted cell proliferation, chemotaxis, wound healing, fat droplets formation and pluripotency, while inhibited ALP activity and mineral deposition. Furthermore, Y‐27632 induced PDLSCs proliferation through extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signalling cascade. Therefore, control of Rho‐kinase activity may enhance the efficiency of stem cell‐based treatments for periodontal diseases and the strategy may have the potential to promote periodontal tissue regeneration by facilitating the chemotaxis of PDLSCs to the injured site, and then enhancing the proliferation of these cells and maintaining their pluripotency.     

Chick CFC controls Lefty1 expression in the embryonic midline and nodal expression in the lateral plate

Members of the EGF-CFC family of proteins have recently been implicated as essential cofactors for Nodal signaling. Here we report the isolation of chick CFC and describe its expression pattern, which appears to be similar to Cfc1 in mouse. During early gastrulation, chick CFC was asymmetrically expressed on the left side of Hensen's node as well as in the emerging notochord, prechordal plate, and lateral plate mesoderm. Subsequently, its expression became confined to the heart fields, notochord, and posterior mesoderm. Implantation experiments suggest that chick CFC expression in the lateral plate mesoderm is dependent on BMP signaling, while in the midline its expression depends on an Activin-like signal. The asymmetric expression domain within Hensen's node was not affected by application of FGF8, Noggin, or Shh antibody. Implantation of cells expressing human or mouse CFC2, or chick CFC on the right side of Hensen's node randomized heart looping without affecting expression of genes involved in left-right axis formation, including SnR, Nodal, Car, or Pitx2. Application of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the midline of Hamburger-Hamilton stage 4-5 embryos also randomized heart looping, but in contrast to the overexpression experiments, antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment resulted in bilateral expression of Nodal, Car, Pitx2, and NKX3.2, whereas Lefty1 expression in the midline was transiently lost. Application of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the lateral plate mesoderm abolished Nodal expression. Thus, chick CFC seems to have a dual function in left-right axis formation by maintaining Nodal expression in the lateral plate mesoderm and controlling expression of Lefty1 expression in the midline territory.     

Inhibition of Rho modulates cytokine-induced prostaglandin E2 formation in renal mesangial cells

Stimulation of rat mesangial cells for 24 h with interleukin-1beta (IL- 1beta) plus forskolin (Fk) leads to a marked increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. This effect is further enhanced by the small G-protein Rho inhibitor toxin A. A similar increase in PGE2 formation is obtained with Y27632, a Rho-dependent kinase inhibitor, and with lovastatin, a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A inhibitor which depletes cells from geranylgeranyl moieties and thus blocks Rho activation. In parallel to the increased PGE2 synthesis, a potentiation of IL-1beta-induced secretory group IIA phospholipases A2 (sPLA2-IIA) protein expression also occurs by Rho inhibition. However, only toxin A triggers an increased sPLA2-IIA activity consistent with the elevated levels of protein expression, whereas Y27632 and lovastatin rather reduced IL-1beta-induced sPLA2-IIA activity. In vitro activity studies reveal that Y27632 and lovastatin can directly block sPLA2-IIA enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, in the absence of IL-1beta/Fk stimulation and the lack of sPLA2-IIA protein expression, all Rho inhibitors exert a small but significant increase in PGE2 formation suggesting that additional PLA2s or downstream enzymes like cyclooxygenases or prostaglandin synthases may be activated by Rho inhibitors. Western blot analyses of toxin A-, Y27632- and lovastatin-stimulated cells reveal that the cytosolic group IV PLA2 (cPLA2) and the cytosolic PGE2 synthase (cPGES), but not the sPLA2-IIA, cyclooxygenase-2 or the microsomal PGE2 synthase (mPGES), are upregulated compared to unstimulated cells. Furthermore, the Rho inhibitors induced arachidonic acid release from intact cells which is blocked by the cPLA2 inhibitor methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP). In summary, these data show that inhibition of the small G-protein Rho, either by toxin A, lovastatin, or Y27632, exert a dual effect on mesangial cells: (i) in the absence of an inflammatory stimulus it activates the constitutive cPLA2 and cPGE2 synthase and generates low amount of PGE2. (ii) In the presence of inflammatory cytokines it potentiates sPLA2-IIA expression and subsequent PGE2 formation. In addition, we identified lovastatin and Y27632 as direct inhibitors of sPLA2-IIA in a cell-free system.     

Temporally and spatially restricted expression of the helix-loop-helix transcriptional regulator Id1 during avian embryogenesis.

We isolated the chick orthologue of the Id1 helix-loop-helix gene and analyzed its expression pattern during early chick embryo development by whole-mount in situ hybridization. The Id1 expression pattern is dynamic and confined to discrete locations including the neural plate border, prospective olfactory placode, hindbrain, mesenchyme of distal branchial arches and adjacent to placodes, and the distal mesoderm of the limb buds.     

Anterior identity is established in chick epiblast by hypoblast and anterior definitive endoderm

Previous studies of head induction in the chick have failed to demonstrate a clear role for the hypoblast and anterior definitive endoderm (ADE) in patterning the overlying ectoderm, whereas data from both mouse and rabbit suggest patterning roles for anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) and ADE. Based on similarity of gene expression patterns, fate and a dual role in 'protecting' the prospective forebrain from caudalising influences of the organiser, the chick hypoblast has been suggested to be the homologue of the mouse anterior visceral endoderm. In support of this, when transplanted to chick embryos, the rabbit AVE induces anterior markers in the chick epiblast. To reevaluate the role of the hypoblast/ADE (lower layer) in patterning the chick ectoderm, we used rostral blastoderm isolates (RBIs) as an assay, that is, rostral regions of blastoderms transected at levels rostral to the node. RBIs are, therefore, free from the influences of Hensen's node and ingressing axial mesoderm - tissues that are able to induce Ganf, the earliest specific marker of anterior neural plate. We demonstrate, using such RBIs (or RBIs dissected to remove the lower layer with or without tissue replacement), that the hypoblast/ADE (lower layer) is required and sufficient for patterning anterior positional identity in the overlying ectoderm, leading to expression of Ganf in neuroectoderm. Our results suggest that patterning of anterior positional identity and specification of neural identity are separable events operating to pattern the rostral end of the early chick embryo. Based on this new evidence we propose a revised model for establishing anteroposterior polarity, neural specification and head patterning in the early chick that is consonant with that occurring in other vertebrates.     

Cardiac neural crest ablation alters Id2 gene expression in the developing heart

Id proteins are negative regulators of basic helix-loop-helix gene products and participate in many developmental processes. We have evaluated the expression of Id2 in the developing chick heart and found expression in the cardiac neural crest, secondary heart field, outflow tract, inflow tract, and anterior parasympathetic plexus. Cardiac neural crest ablation in the chick embryo, which causes structural defects of the cardiac outflow tract, results in a significant loss of Id2 expression in the outflow tract. Id2 is also expressed in Xenopus neural folds, branchial arches, cardiac outflow tract, inflow tract, and splanchnic mesoderm. Ablation of the premigratory neural crest in Xenopus embryos results in abnormal formation of the heart and a loss of Id2 expression in the heart and splanchnic mesoderm. This data suggests that the presence of neural crest is required for normal Id2 expression in both chick and Xenopus heart development and provides evidence that neural crest is involved in heart development in Xenopus embryos.     

AKAP12 in astrocytes induces barrier functions in human endothelial cells through protein kinase Czeta

Interactions between astrocytes and blood vessels are essential for the formation and maintenance of the blood-neural barrier (BNB). Astrocyte-derived A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) influences BNB formation, but the mechanism of regulation of BNB functions by AKAP12 is not fully understood. We have defined a new pathway of barriergenesis in human retina microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) involving astrocytic AKAP12. Treatment of HRMECs with conditioned media from AKAP12-overexpressing astrocytes reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta), decreased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein, and increased thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) levels, which led to antiangiogenesis and barriergenesis. Transfection of a small interference RNA targeting PKCzeta decreased VEGF levels and increased TSP-1 levels in HRMECs. Rho is a putative downstream signal of PKCzeta, and inhibition of Rho kinase with a specific inhibitor, Y27632, decreased VEGF levels and increased TSP-1 levels. We therefore suggest that AKAP12 in astrocytes differentially regulates the expression of VEGF and TSP-1 via the inhibition of PKCzeta phosphorylation and Rho kinase activity in HRMECs.