Delayed reversal of shape change in cells expressing FP(B) prostanoid receptors. Possible role of receptor resensitization

Prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)) receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors consisting of two alternative mRNA splice variants, named FP(A) and FP(B). As compared with the FP(A) isoform, the FP(B) isoform lacks the last 46 amino acids of the carboxyl terminus and, therefore, represents a truncated version of the FP(A). We recently found (Pierce, K. L., Fujino, H., Srinivasan, D., and Regan, J. W. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 35944-35949) that stimulation of both isoforms with PGF(2 alpha) leads to activation of a Rho signaling pathway, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase, formation of actin stress fibers, and cell rounding. Although the activation of Rho and subsequent cell rounding occur at a similar rate for both isoforms, we now report that following the removal of PGF(2 alpha) the reversal of cell rounding is much slower for cells expressing the FP(B) isoform as compared with the FP(A) isoform. Thus, in HEK-293 cells that stably express the FP(A) isoform, the reversal of cell rounding appears to be complete after 1 h, whereas for FP(B)-expressing cells there is essentially no reversal even after 2 h. Similarly, the disappearance of stress fibers and dephosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase following removal of agonist are much slower in FP(B)-expressing cells than in FP(A)-expressing cells. The mechanism of this differential reversal appears to involve a difference in receptor resensitization following the removal of agonist. Based upon whole cell radioligand binding, agonist-induced stimulation of inositol phosphate formation, and mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+), the FP(B) isoform resensitizes more slowly than the FP(A) isoform. These findings suggest that the carboxyl terminus of the FP(A) is critical for resensitization and that the slower resensitization of the FP(B) isoform leads to prolonged signaling. This differential signaling distinguishes the FP(A) and FP(B) receptor isoforms and could be important toward understanding the physiological actions of PGF(2 alpha).     

Rho GTPase signaling modulates cell shape and contractile phenotype in an isoactin-specific manner

Rho family small GTPases (Rho, Rac, and Cdc42) play an important role in cell motility, adhesion, and cell division by signaling reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report an isoactin-specific, Rho GTPase-dependent signaling cascade in cells simultaneously expressing smooth muscle and nonmuscle actin isoforms. We transfected primary cultures of microvascular pericytes, cells related to vascular smooth muscle cells, with various Rho-related and Rho-specific expression plasmids. Overexpression of dominant positive Rho resulted in the formation of nonmuscle actin-containing stress fibers. At the same time, -vascular smooth muscle actin (VSMactin) containing stress fibers were disassembled, resulting in a dramatic reduction in cell size. Rho activation also yielded a disassembly of smooth muscle myosin and nonmuscle myosin from stress fibers. Overexpression of wild-type Rho had similar but less dramatic effects. In contrast, dominant negative Rho and C3 exotransferase or dominant positive Rac and Cdc42 expression failed to alter the actin cytoskeleton in an isoform-specific manner. The loss of smooth muscle contractile protein isoforms in pericyte stress fibers, together with a concomitant decrease in cell size, suggests that Rho activation influences "contractile" phenotype in an isoactin-specific manner. This, in turn, should yield significant alteration in microvascular remodeling during developmental and pathologic angiogenesis. vascular smooth muscle actin; Rho GTPase; pericyte; myosin; cytoskeleton     

M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors regulate cytoplasmic myosin by a process involving RhoA and requiring conventional protein kinase C isoforms.

Although muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) regulate the activity of smooth muscle myosin, the effects of mAChR activation on cytoplasmic myosin have not been characterized. We found that activation of transfected human M3 mAChR induces the phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC) and the formation of myosin-containing stress fibers in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-m3) cells. Direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also induces myosin light chain phosphorylation and myosin reorganization in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional (alpha), novel (delta), and atypical (iota) PKC isoforms are activated by mAChR stimulation or PMA treatment in CHO-m3 cells, as indicated by PKC translocation or degradation. mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is abolished by inhibiting conventional PKC isoforms with Go6976 (IC50 = 0.4 microM), calphostin C (IC50 = 2.4 microM), or chelerythrine (IC50 = 8.0 microM). Stable expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 diminishes, but does not abolish, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization in the CHO-m3 cells. Similarly, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is diminished, but not abolished, in CHO-m3 cells which are multi-nucleate due to inactivation of Rho with C3 exoenzyme. Expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 or inactivation of RhoA with C3 exoenzyme does not affect PMA-induced myosin reorganization. These findings indicate that the PKC-mediated pathway of myosin reorganization (induced either by M3 mAChR activation or PMA treatment) can continue to operate even when RhoA activity is diminished in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional PKC isoforms and RhoA may participate in separate but parallel pathways induced by M3 mAChR activation to regulate cytoplasmic myosin. Changes in cytoplasmic myosin elicited by M3 mAChR activation may contribute to the unique ability of these receptors to regulate cell morphology, adhesion, and proliferation.     

Prostaglandin E2 selectively antagonizes prostaglandin F2alpha-stimulated T-cell factor/beta-catenin signaling pathway by the FPB prostanoid receptor

FP prostanoid receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors that consist of two isoforms named FPA and FPB. Both isoforms activate inositol phosphate second messenger signaling pathways by their endogenous ligand prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Previously we have shown that both isoforms undergo Rho-mediated cell rounding following treatment with PGF2alpha. Following the removal of PGF2alpha, however, FPA-expressing cells return to their original morphology, whereas FPB-expressing cells do not. It was also found that PGF2alpha-could activate T-cell factor (Tcf)/beta-catenin signaling in cells expressing the FPB isoform but not in cells expressing the FPA isoform. We now show that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can induce cell rounding and stimulate the formation of inositol phosphates to the same extent as PGF2alpha in cells expressing either the FPA or FPB isoforms. However, PGE2 has much lower efficacy as compared with PGF2alpha for the activation of Tcf/beta-catenin signaling in FPB-expressing cells, and the cell rounding is reversible. Interestingly, pretreatment of FPB-expressing cells with PGE2-attenuated PGF2alpha-stimulated Tcf/beta-catenin signaling in a dose-dependent manner while having no effect on PGF2alpha-stimulated inositol phosphates formation. Thus, the ratio of endogenous PGE2 and PGF2alpha has the potential to selectively regulate one signaling pathway over another. This represents a novel mechanism for the regulation of cell signaling that is distinct from regulation occurring at the level of the receptor and its effector pathways.     

Somatostatin,acting at receptor subtype 1, inhibits Rho activity,the assembly of actin stress fibers,and cell migration

Somatostatin regulates multiple biological functions by acting through a family of five G protein-coupled receptors, somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) 1-5. Although all five receptor subtypes inhibit adenylate cyclase activity and decrease intracellular cAMP levels, specific receptor subtypes also couple to additional signaling pathways. In CCL39 fibroblasts expressing either human SSTR1 or SSTR2, we demonstrate that activation of SSTR1 (but not SSTR2) attenuated both thrombin- and integrin-stimulated Rho-GTP complex formation. The reduction in Rho-GTP formation in the presence of somatostatin was associated with decreased translocation of Rho and LIM kinase to the plasma membrane and fewer focal contacts. Activation of Rho resulted in the formation of intracellular actin stress fibers and cell migration. In CCL39-R1 cells, somatostatin treatment prevented actin stress fiber assembly and attenuated thrombin-stimulated cell migration through Transwell membranes to basal levels. To show that native SSTR1 shares the ability to inhibit Rho activation, we demonstrated that somatostatin treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells attenuated thrombin-stimulated Rho-GTP accumulation. These data show for the first time that a G protein-coupled receptor, SSTR1, inhibits the activation of Rho, the assembly of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers, and cell migration.     

P2Y(1), P2Y(2), P2Y(4), and P2Y(6) receptors are coupled to Rho and Rho kinase activation in vascular myocytes

In the cardiovascular system, activation of ionotropic (P2X receptors) and metabotropic (P2Y receptors) P2 nucleotide receptors exerts potent and various responses including vasodilation, vasoconstriction, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Here we examined the involvement of the small GTPase RhoA in P2Y receptor-mediated effects in vascular myocytes. Stimulation of cultured aortic myocytes with P2Y receptor agonists induced an increase in the amount of membrane-bound RhoA and stimulated actin cytoskeleton organization. P2Y receptor agonist-induced actin stress fiber formation was inhibited by C3 exoenzyme and the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632. Stimulation of actin cytoskeleton organization by extracellular nucleotides was also abolished in aortic myocytes expressing a dominant negative form of RhoA. Extracellular nucleotides induced contraction and Y-27632-sensitive Ca(2+) sensitization in aortic rings. Transfection of Swiss 3T3 cells with P2Y receptors showed that Rho kinase-dependent actin stress fiber organization was induced in cells expressing P2Y(1), P2Y(2), P2Y(4), or P2Y(6) receptor subtypes. Our data demonstrate that P2Y(1), P2Y(2), P2Y(4), and P2Y(6) receptor subtypes are coupled to activation of RhoA and subsequently to Rho-dependent signaling pathways.     

Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton by Thrombin in Human Endothelial Cells: Role of Rho Proteins in Endothelial Barrier Function

Endothelial barrier function is regulated at the cellular level by cytoskeletal-dependent anchoring and retracting forces. In the present study we have examined the signal transduction pathways underlying agonist-stimulated reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Receptor activation by thrombin, or the thrombin receptor (proteinase-activated receptor 1) agonist peptide, leads to an early increase in stress fiber formation followed by cortical actin accumulation and cell rounding. Selective inhibition of thrombin-stimulated signaling systems, including Gi/o (pertussis toxin sensitive), p42/p44, and p38 MAP kinase cascades, Src family kinases, PI-3 kinase, or S6 kinase pathways had no effect on the thrombin response. In contrast, staurosporine and KT5926, an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, effectively blocked thrombin-induced cell rounding and retraction. The contribution of Rho to these effects was analyzed by using bacterial toxins that either activate or inhibit the GTPase. Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1, an activator of Rho, induced the appearance of dense actin cables across cells without perturbing monolayer integrity. Accordingly, lysophosphatidic acid, an activator of Rho-dependent stress fiber formation in fibroblasts, led to reorganization of polymerized actin into stress fibers but failed to induce cell rounding. Inhibition of Rho with Clostridium botulinum exoenzyme C3 fused to the B fragment of diphtheria toxin caused loss of stress fibers with only partial attenuation of thrombin-induced cell rounding. The implication of Rac and Cdc42 was analyzed in transient transfection experiments using either constitutively active (V12) or dominant-interfering (N17) mutants. Expression of RacV12 mimicked the effect of thrombin on cell rounding, and RacN17 blocked the response to thrombin, whereas Cdc42 mutants were without effect. These observations suggest that Rho is involved in the maintenance of endothelial barrier function and Rac participates in cytoskeletal remodeling by thrombin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.     

Prostaglandin F2α facilitates collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts via an F-prostanoid receptor/protein kinase C/Rho kinase pathway independent of transforming growth factor β1

Accumulation of collagen I and III in the myocardium is a prominent feature of interstitial fibrosis. Prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α)) facilitates fibrosis by increasing collagen synthesis. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating the effect of PGF(2α) on collagen expression in cardiac fibroblasts are not yet fully elucidated. We measured the mRNA and protein levels of collagen I and III by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Activation of signaling pathways was determined by western blot analysis. In primary rat cardiac fibroblasts, treatment with PGF(2α) stimulated both the mRNA and protein levels of collagen I and III, and pretreatment with the F-prostanoid (FP) receptor antagonist AL-8810, protein kinase C inhibitor LY-333531, and Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 significantly inhibited PGF(2α)-induced collagen I and III expression. FP receptor, protein kinase C, and Rho kinase were activated with PGF(2α) treatment. PGF(2α) may be an important regulator in the synthesis of collagen I and III via an FP receptor/protein kinase C/Rho kinase cascade in cardiac fibroblasts, which might be a new therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis.     

Biasing the prostaglandin F2α receptor responses toward EGFR-dependent transactivation of MAPK

The G protein-coupled prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) receptor [F prostanoid (FP) receptor] has been implicated in many physiological events including cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, reproductive, and endocrine responses. Binding of PGF2α to FP receptor elicits inositol production and protein kinase C-dependent MAPK activation through Gα(q) coupling. Here we report that AL-8810, previously characterized as an orthosteric antagonist of PGF2α-dependent, Gα(q)-mediated signaling, potently activates ERK1/2 in a protein kinase C-independent manner. Rather, AL-8810 promoted ERK1/2 activation via an epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation mechanism in both human embryonic kidney 293 cells and in the MG-63 osteoblast-like cells, which express endogenous FP receptors. Neither AL-8810- nor PGF2α-mediated stimulation of FP receptor promoted association with β-arrestins, suggesting that MAPK activation induced by these ligands is independent of β-arrestin's signaling scaffold functions. Interestingly, the spatiotemporal activation of ERK1/2 promoted by AL-8810 and PGF2α showed almost completely opposite responses in the nucleus and the cytosol. Finally, using [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, we noted differential regulation of PGF2α- and AL-8810-induced cell proliferation in MG-63 cells. This study reveals, for the first time, the signaling biased nature of FP receptor orthosteric ligands toward MAPK signaling. Our findings on the specific patterns of ERK1/2 activation promoted by FP receptor ligands may help dissect the distinct roles of MAPK in FP receptor-dependent physiological responses.     

Differential expression of prostaglandin receptor mRNAs during adipose cell differentiation.

To clarify the molecular basis for the prostaglandin (PG) mediated effects in adipose cells at various stages of their development, expression of mRNAs encoding receptors specific for prostaglandin E2, F2alpha and I2 (i.e. EP, FP, and IP receptors) was investigated in differentiating clonal Ob1771 pre-adipocytes, as well as in mouse primary adipose precursor cells and mature adipocytes. We have further characterized the differential expression of mRNAs encoding three subtypes of the EP receptor, i.e. EP1, EP3, and EP4, and examined the expression of mRNAs encoding the three isoforms (alpha, beta, and gamma) of the EP3 receptor. Altogether the results show that the expression of IP, FP, EP1, and EP4 receptor mRNAs was considerably more pronounced in pre-adipose cells than in adipose cells, mRNAs encoding the alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms of the EP3 receptor were all exclusively expressed in freshly isolated mature adipocytes. These data may indicate that PGI2, PGF2alpha, and PGE2 may interact directly with specific receptors in pre-adipose cells, whose transduction mechanisms are known to affect maturation related changes. In mature adipocytes, however, the equipment of mRNAs encoding the EP3 receptor isoforms is in agreement with the well known effect of PGE2 on adenylate cyclase and lipolysis in mature adipocytes.     

A Novel Biased Allosteric Compound Inhibitor of Parturition Selectively Impedes the Prostaglandin F2α-mediated Rho/ROCK Signaling Pathway

The prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) receptor (FP) is a key regulator of parturition and a target for pharmacological management of preterm labor. However, an incomplete understanding of signaling pathways regulating myometrial contraction hinders the development of improved therapeutics. Here we used a peptidomimetic inhibitor of parturition in mice, PDC113.824, whose structure was based on the NH₂-terminal region of the second extracellular loop of FP receptor, to gain mechanistic insight underlying FP receptor-mediated cell responses in the context of parturition. We show that PDC113.824 not only delayed normal parturition in mice but also that it inhibited both PGF2α- and lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm labor. PDC113.824 inhibited PGF2α-mediated, Gα₁₂-dependent activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathways, actin remodeling, and contraction of human myometrial cells likely by acting as a non-competitive, allosteric modulator of PGF2α binding. In contrast to its negative allosteric modulating effects on Rho/ROCK signaling, PDC113.824 acted as a positive allosteric modulator on PGF2α-mediated protein kinase C and ERK1/2 signaling. This bias in receptor-dependent signaling was explained by an increase in FP receptor coupling to Gα_q, at the expense of coupling to Gα₁₂. Our findings regarding the allosteric and biased nature of PDC113.824 offer new mechanistic insights into FP receptor signaling relevant to parturition and suggest novel therapeutic opportunities for the development of new tocolytic drugs.     

Mechanisms of internalization and recycling of the chemokine receptor, CCR5.

CCR5 is a G protein-coupled receptor that binds several natural chemokines but it is also a coreceptor for the entry of M tropic strains of HIV-1 into cells. Levels of CCR5 on the cell surface are important for the rate of HIV-1 infection and are determined by a number of factors including the rates of CCR5 internalization and recycling. Here we investigated the involvement of the actin cytoskeleton in the control of ligand-induced internalization and recycling of CCR5. Cytochalasin D, an actin depolymerizing agent, inhibited chemokine-induced internalization of CCR5 and recycling of the receptor in stably transfected CHO cells and in the monocytic cell line, THP-1. CCR5 internalization and recycling were inhibited by Toxin B and C(3) exoenzyme treatment in CHO and THP-1 cells, confirming activation of members of the RhoGTPase family by CCR5. The specific Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632, however, had no effect on CCR5 internalization or recycling. Ligand-induced activation of CCR5 leads to Rho kinase-dependent formation of focal adhesion complexes. These data indicate that CCR5 internalization and recycling are regulated by actin polymerization and activation of small G proteins in a Rho-dependent manner.     

G protein betagamma subunits induce stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly in a Rho-dependent manner in HeLa cells

In fibroblasts, the G protein alpha subunits Galpha(12) and Galpha(13) stimulate Rho-dependent stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly, whereas G protein betagamma subunits instead exert a disruptive influence. We show here that the latter can, however, stimulate the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions in epithelial-like HeLa cells. Transient expression of beta(1) with gamma(2), gamma(5), gamma(7), and gamma(12) in quiescent HeLa cells induced stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly as did expression of the constitutively active Galpha(12). Co-expression of betagamma with Galpha(i2) and the C-terminal fragment of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, both of which are known to bind and sequester free betagamma, blocked betagamma-induced stress fiber and focal adhesion formation. Inhibition was also noted with co-expression of a dominant negative mutant of Rho. Botulinum C3 exoenzyme, which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates Rho, and a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, similarly inhibited betagamma-induced stress fiber and focal adhesion assembly. These results indicate that G protein betagamma subunits regulate Rho-dependent actin polymerization in HeLa cells.     

RhoA exerts a permissive effect on volume-regulated anion channels in vascular endothelial cells

Cell swelling triggers in most cell typesan outwardly rectifying anion current,I_Cl,swell, via volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs). We have previously demonstrated in calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells that inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase/myosin light chain phosphorylation pathway reduces the swelling-dependent activation of I_Cl,swell. However, theseexperiments did not allow us to discriminate between a direct activatorrole or a permissive effect. We now show that the Rho pathway did notaffect VRAC activity if this pathway was activated by transfecting CPAEcells with constitutively active isoforms of G (a Rho activatingheterotrimeric G protein subunit), Rho, or Rho kinase. Furthermore,biochemical and morphological analysis failed to demonstrate activationof the Rho pathway during hypotonic cell swelling. Finally,manipulating the Rho pathway with either guanosine5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) or C3 exoenzyme had no effect onVRACs in caveolin-1-expressing Caco-2 cells. We conclude that the Rhopathway exerts a permissive effect on VRACs in CPAE cells, i.e.,swelling-induced opening of VRACs requires a functional Rho pathway,but not an activation of the Rho pathway.

     

Neosynthesis and activation of Rho by Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF1) reverse cytopathic effects of ADP-ribosylated Rho.

Clostridium botulinum exoenzyme C3 inactivates the small GTPase Rho by ADP-ribosylation. We used a C3 fusion toxin (C2IN-C3) with high cell accessibility to study the kinetics of Rho inactivation by ADP-ribosylation. In primary cultures of rat astroglial cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells, C2IN-C3 induced the complete ADP-ribosylation of RhoA and concomitantly the disassembly of stress fibers within 3 h. Removal of C2IN-C3 from the medium caused the recovery of stress fibers and normal cell morphology within 4 h. The regeneration was preceded by the appearance of non-ADP-ribosylated RhoA. Recovery of cell morphology was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin and by the translation inhibitors cycloheximide and puromycin, indicating that intracellular degradation of the C3 fusion toxin and the neosynthesis of Rho were required for reversal of cell morphology. Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor CNF1, which activates Rho by deamidation of Gln(63), caused reconstitution of stress fibers and cell morphology in C2IN-C3-treated cells within 30-60 min. The effect of CNF1 was independent of RhoA neosynthesis and occurred in the presence of completely ADP-ribosylated RhoA. The data show three novel findings; 1) the cytopathic effects of ADP-ribosylation of Rho are rapidly reversed by neosynthesis of Rho, 2) CNF1-induced deamidation activates ADP-ribosylated Rho, and 3) inhibition of Rho activation but not inhibition of Rho-effector interaction is a major mechanism underlying inhibition of cellular functions of Rho by ADP-ribosylation.     

IL-8 activates endothelial cell CXCR1 and CXCR2 through Rho and Rac signaling pathways

Stimulation of microvascular endothelial cells with interleukin (IL)-8 leads to cytoskeletal reorganization, which is mediated by combined activation of the CXCR1 and the CXCR2. In the early phase actin stress fibers appear, followed by cortical actin accumulation and cell retraction leading to gap formation between cells. The early response (between 1 and 5 min) is inhibited by an antibody that blocks the CXCR1. The later phase (from about 5 to 60 min), which is associated with cell retraction, is prevented by anti-CXCR2 antibody. Furthermore, anti-CXCR2, but not anti-CXCR1, antibody blocked IL-8-mediated haptotaxis of endothelial cells on collagen. The later phase of the IL-8-mediated actin response is inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating that the CXCR2 couples to G(i). In contrast, the early phase is blocked by C3 botulinum toxin, which inactivates Rho, and by Y-27632, which inhibits Rho kinase, but not by pertussis toxin. Furthermore, the early CXCR1-mediated formation of stress fibers was prevented by dominant negative Rho. Dominant negative Rac on the other hand initially translocated to actin-rich filopodia after stimulation with IL-8 and later prevented cell retraction by blocking the CXCR2-mediated cytoskeletal response. These results indicate that IL-8 activates both the CXCR1 and the CXCR2 on microvascular endothelial cells, using different signal transduction cascades. The retraction of endothelial cells due to activation of the CXCR2 may contribute to the increased vascular permeability observed in acute inflammation and during the angiogenic response.     

Impact of engagement of FcepsilonRI and CC chemokine receptor 1 on mast cell activation and motility

CC chemokines participate in the recruitment and activation of immune cells through CC chemokine receptors (CCRs). Here, we report that cross-talk between CCR1-mediated signaling pathway and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling pathway affects degranulation positively but affects chemotaxis of mast cells adversely. Costimulation via FcepsilonRI engagement with IgE/antigen and CCR1 engagement with recombinant human CCL3 synergistically enhanced degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells expressing human CCR1 (RBL-CCR1). Interestingly, FcepsilonRI engagement inhibited CCL3-mediated chemotaxis and membrane ruffling of RBL-CCR1 cells. Small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family, Rac, Cdc42, and Rho control chemotaxis by mediating the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Both a Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme and a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 inhibited chemotaxis of RBL-CCR1 cells toward CCL3, indicating that activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is required for the CCL3-mediated chemotaxis of the cells. Costimulation with IgE/antigen and CCL3 enhanced Rac and Cdc42 activation but decreased ROCK activation in RBL-CCR1 cells compared with that in the cells stimulated with CCL3 alone. These results suggest that costimulation via FcepsilonRI and CCR1 engagements induced 1) inhibition of membrane ruffling, 2) decreased ROCK activation, and 3) reciprocal imbalance between Small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family, which result in the inhibition of chemotaxis of RBL-CCR1 cells. The cross-talk between FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling pathway and CCR-mediated signaling pathway would induce optimal activation and arrested chemotaxis of mast cells, thus contributing to allergic inflammation.