Angela Gismondi

RAC1/P38 MAPK Signaling Pathway Controls β1 Integrin–Induced Interleukin-8 Production in Human Natural Killer Cells

The MAP kinase (MAPK) p38 plays a key role in regulating inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrate that beta1 integrin ligation on human NK cells results in the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, which is required for integrin-triggered IL-8 production. In addition, we identified some of the upstream events accompanying the beta1 integrin-mediated p38 MAPK activation, namely, the activation of the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) p95 Vav, the small G protein Rac1, and the cytoplasmic kinases Pak1 and MKK3. Finally, we provide direct evidence that p95 Vav and Rac control the activation of p38 MAPK triggered by beta1 integrins.

An Alternative Role of C1q in Cell Migration and Tissue Remodeling: Contribution to Trophoblast Invasion and Placental Development

Fetal trophoblast cells invading the decidua in the early phase of pregnancy establish complex interaction with the maternal extracellular matrix. We discovered that C1q was widely distributed in human decidual stroma in the absence of C4 and C3 and was actively synthesized by migrating extravillous trophoblasts. The cells expressed the messages for the three chains of C1q and secreted this complement component that interacted with the proteins of the decidual extracellular matrix. Solid phase-bound C1q promoted trophoblast adhesion and migration, and cell binding to C1q resulted in activation of ERK1/2 MAPKs. Ab inhibition experiments showed that the receptors for the globular head of C1q/p33 and α4β1 integrin were both involved in this process and were colocalized on the cell surface following binding of C1q to trophoblasts. We also found that C1q−/− mice manifested increased frequency of fetal resorption, reduced fetal weight, and smaller litter sizes compared with wild-type mice. C1q deficiency was associated with impaired labyrinth development and decidual vessel remodeling. Collectively, these data suggest that C1q plays an important role in promoting trophoblast invasion of decidua and that defective local production of C1q may be involved in pregnancy disorders, such as pre-eclampsia, characterized by poor trophoblast invasion.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 and Rac activation by chemokine and integrin receptors controls NK cell transendothelial migration

Protein tyrosine kinase activation is an important requisite for leukocyte migration. Herein we demonstrate that NK cell binding to endothelium activates proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk-2) and the small GTP binding protein Rac that are coupled to integrin and chemokine receptors. Chemokine-mediated, but not integrin-mediated, Pyk-2 and Rac activation was sensitive to pretreatment of NK cells with pertussis toxin, a pharmacological inhibitor of Gi protein-coupled receptors. Both Pyk-2 and Rac are functionally involved in chemokine-induced NK cell migration through endothelium or ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 adhesive proteins, as shown by the use of recombinant vaccinia viruses encoding dominant negative mutants of Pyk-2 and Rac. Moreover, we found that Pyk-2 is associated with the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav, which undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation upon integrin triggering. Finally, we provide direct evidence for the involvement of Pyk-2 in the control of both chemokine- and integrin-mediated Rac activation. Collectively, our results indicate that Pyk-2 acts as a receptor-proximal link between integrin and chemokine receptor signaling, and the Pyk-2/Rac pathway plays a pivotal role in the control of NK cell transendothelial migration.

Cutting Edge: Functional Role for Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 in NK Cell-Mediated Natural Cytotoxicity

Protein tyrosine kinase activation is one of the first biochemical events in the signaling pathway leading to activation of NK cell cytolytic machinery. Here we investigated whether proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase belonging to the focal adhesion kinase family, could play a role in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate that binding of NK cells to sensitive target cells or ligation of β2 integrins results in a rapid induction of Pyk2 phosphorylation and activation. By contrast, no detectable Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation is found upon CD16 stimulation mediated by either mAb or interaction with Ab-coated P815 cells. A functional role for Pyk2 in natural but not Ab-mediated cytotoxicity was demonstrated by the use of recombinant vaccinia viruses encoding the kinase dead mutant of Pyk2. Finally, we provide evidence that Pyk2 is involved in the β2 integrin-triggered extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, supporting the hypothesis that Pyk2 plays a role in the natural cytotoxicity by controlling extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation.

Uterine NK cell development, migration and function

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells represent the predominant lymphocytes in the uterus during early pregnancy and in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. They are CD56(high)CD16(-) and have low cytotoxicity, but constitutively secrete a number of cytokines, chemokines and angiogenic molecules. uNK cells differ from CD56(high) blood NK cells in several ways, including the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor repertoire and expression of some genes induced by hormone environment. uNK cells may arise by in-utero proliferation and differentiation of NK cell progenitors under the control of the sex steroid hormones and/or cytokines, such as interleukin-15, and/or be recruited from CD56(+) blood NK cells that would undergo tissue-specific differentiation in the uterine microenvironment. There is evidence showing that uNK cells display a different pattern of chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules, thus leading to a different migratory response. It has not yet been fully defined which uNK cell function(s) are critical for successful pregnancy. The close encirclement of spiral arteries by NK cells, together with their ability to produce angiogenic factors, suggests that they might influence mucosal vascularization. Their proximity to the extravillous trophoblast supports the idea that uNK cells could recognize these cells as fetal, and regulate their invasion during placentation.

Natural killer (NK) cells from killers to regulators: Distinct features between peripheral blood and decidual NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component of innate immunity, particularly crucial during the early phase of immune responses against certain viruses, parasites, and microbial pathogens. The role of NK cell during pregnancy has been vividly discussed over the past years and it is now becoming increasingly clear that NK cells control pregnancy maintenance at several levels. In normal pregnancy, it appears that they provide benefit by properly secreting cytokines, chemokines and angiogenic factors rather than functioning as cytotoxic effector cells. However, as they are endowed with all the cytolytic weapons, they promptly become capable of attacking fetal and maternal tissues during infection and inflammation.

Capsaicin promotes a more aggressive gene expression phenotype and invasiveness in null-TRPV1 urothelial cancer cells.

Capsaicin (CPS) has been found to exhibit either tumor promoting or suppressing effects, many of which are mediated by the specific transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1). Herein, we provide evidence that CPS treatment induced a more aggressive gene phenotype and invasiveness in 5637 cells-lacking TRPV1 receptor. CPS treatment of 5637 cells induced upregulation of pro-angiogenetic (angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor), pro-invasive and pro-metastatic genes (MMP1, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP3, granzyme A (GZMA), NM23A and S100A) with a downregulation of apoptotic genes (Fas/CD95 and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A). CPS increased the invasiveness of 5637 cells by triggering IGF (insulin-like growth factor)-1 release, GZMA and MMP9 activation, α-tubulin disassembly and cytoskeleton degradation. Finally, in order to evaluate the relationship between the lack of TRPV1 expression and increased CPS-induced invasiveness, we transfected 5637 cells with the TRPV1 complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence. We found that TRPV1-expressing cells show CPS-mediated calcium level increase, growth inhibition and apoptosis. Moreover, CPS-induced migration and MMP9 activation were reverted, suggesting an inhibitory role played by TRPV1 in urothelial cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Mechanisms underlying recruitment and accumulation of decidual NK cells in uterus during pregnancy

Natural killer (NK) cells represent the most prominent immune cell type found in the uterus in the first trimester of human pregnancy and in the secretory phase of menstrual cycle. The role of NK cells in pregnancy has been largely discussed over the past years and it is now becoming increasingly clear that they may influence pregnancy outcome at several levels. In normal pregnancy, it appears that the major function of NK cells is to provide benefit by secreting a number of cytokines, chemokines and angiogenic factors rather than to exert a cytotoxic activity. However, the origin of decidual NK cells is still debated and it remains unclear whether they can derive from NK cell populations recruited from peripheral blood and/or other tissues or from self renewal of NK cell progenitors present in the uterus prior to pregnancy or recruited from other tissues. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral blood NK cell recruitment and its role in the accumulation of NK cells in the decidua during early pregnancy.

Impaired NK-cell migration in WAS/XLT patients: role of Cdc42/WASp pathway in the control of chemokine-induced β2 integrin high-affinity state

We analyzed the involvement of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp), a critical regulator of actin cytoskeleton remodeling, in the control of natural killer (NK)-cell migration. NK cells derived from patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome/X-linked thrombocytopenia (WAS/XLT), carrying different mutations in the WASP coding gene, displayed reduced migration through intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), or endothelial cells in response to CXCL12/stromal cell-derived factor-1 and CX3CL1/fractalkine. Inhibition of WAS/XLT NK-cell migration was associated with reduced ability of these cells to up-regulate the expression of CD18 activation neoepitope and to adhere to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 following chemokine stimulation. Moreover, chemokine receptor or beta1 or beta2 integrin engagement on NK cells rapidly resulted in Cdc42 activation and WASp tyrosine phosphorylation as well as in WASp association with Fyn and Pyk-2 tyrosine kinases. NK-cell pretreatment with wiskostatin, to prevent Cdc42/WASp association, impaired chemokine-induced NK-cell migration through ICAM-1 and beta2 integrin activation-dependent neoepitope expression. These results show that the Cdc42/WASp pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of NK-cell migration by acting as a critical component of the chemokine-induced inside-out signaling that regulates lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 function and suggest that after integrin or chemokine receptor engagement WASp function is regulated by the coordinate action of both Cdc42 and tyrosine kinases.

Evidence for αvβ3 and αvβ5 Integrin-like Vitronectin (VN) Receptors in Candida albicans and Their Involvement in Yeast Cell Adhesion to VN

The expression of integrin vitronectin (VN) receptors on Candida albicans yeasts and their involvement in the adhesion to VN were investigated. By immunofluorescence and cytofluorimetric analysis, several antibodies directed against human alphav, beta3, beta5, alphavbeta3, or alphavbeta5 integrin positively stained C. albicans yeasts. Biochemical analysis on yeast lysates with anti-human alphav, beta3, or beta5 antibody revealed molecular species of 130, 110, 100, and 84 kDa. The 130-kDa band was identified as alphav, whereas the doublet of 110/100 kDa and the 84-kDa band likely correspond to the beta3 and beta5 subunits, respectively. Some 48%-54% of Candida yeasts specifically adhered to VN, and this binding was strongly inhibited by anti-human alphav, beta3, alphavbeta3, and alphavbeta5 antibodies and by RGD- but not RGE-containing peptides. In addition, VN inhibited C. albicans adherence to a human endothelial cell line. Thus, C. albicans in the yeast phase expresses VN receptors antigenically related to the vertebrate alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins, which mediate its adhesion to VN.