mCD14 expression in human monocytes is downregulated by ouabain via transactivation of epithelial growth factor receptor and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.
OBJECTIVE
The steroid ouabain is found in plasma and in many mammalian tissues, and is now considered as a hormone. In the immune system, ouabain regulates a number of lymphocyte functions, but little is known about its effects on monocyte function. Monocytes are important for adequate immune responses. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of ouabain on mCD14 expression, a surface molecule involved in the response against Gram-negative bacteria and phagocytosis.


METHODS
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy donors were separated by density gradient centrifugation. Monocytes were separated by adherence and treated for 24 h with 100 nM ouabain. mCD14, CD1a and P-p38 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Inhibitors of cell-signaling pathways, i.e. SB202190, reduced glutathione, rottlerin, tyrphostin A23, genistein, chelerythrine chloride, PD98059, PP1 and Ly 294002, were used concomitantly with ouabain to observe their effect on mCD14 expression.


RESULTS
Ouabain induced a significant decrease in mCD14 expression. This feature was not related to receptor endocytosis or cell death. Furthermore, mCD14 downregulation did not reflect a shift in differentiation into dendritic cells because this hormone failed to induce CD1a expression. Amongst several inhibitors of cell-signaling pathways triggered by ouabain, only epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors (tyrphostin A23 and SB202109) significantly reverted the effect of ouabain on mCD14 expression. Accordingly, the levels of P-p38 were increased on monocytes after ouabain treatment. However, incubation with epidermal growth factor did not alter mCD14 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that ouabain downregulates mCD14 expression on monocytes through EGFR transactivation and p38 MAPK activation.
Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
R C
RC
Valente
C R
CR
Nascimento
E G
EG
Araujo
V M
VM
Rumjanek
D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010042:Ouabain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D010042:Ouabain; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases