Interferon-gamma-induced astrocyte class II major histocompatibility complex gene expression is associated with both protein kinase C activation and Na+ entry.
Astrocytes can be induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. This study was undertaken to elucidate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in IFN-gamma induction of class II MHC. We examined the effects of Na+/H+ antiporter and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors on class II expression and Na+ influx in astrocytes. We found that amiloride and ethyl isopropylamiloride, inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange, blocked IFN-gamma-induced class II gene expression. IFN-gamma stimulated Na+ influx, and this increased influx was inhibited by amiloride. Treatment of astrocytes with the PKC inhibitor H7 also blocked the increase in Na+ uptake induced by IFN-gamma, indicating that IFN-gamma-induced PKC activation is required for subsequent Na+ influx. IFN-gamma treatment produced an increase of total PKC activity, which was associated with a rapid translocation of PKC activity from cytosolic to particulate fraction. H7 and another PKC inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibited IFN-gamma-induced class II gene expression. However, 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate, a potent PKC activator, did not affect class II expression. Taken together, our data indicate that both IFN-gamma-induced PKC activation and Na+ influx are required for class II MHC expression in astrocytes but that activation of PKC alone is not sufficient for ultimate expression of this gene.
Benveniste
E N
EN
Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Vidovic
M
M
Panek
R B
RB
Norris
J G
JG
Reddy
A T
AT
Benos
D J
DJ
D000584:Amiloride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D015870:Gene Expression; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000584:Amiloride; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D012964:Sodium; D011493:Protein Kinase C