Src contributes to IL6-induced vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression in lymphatic endothelial cells.
Formation of lymphatic capillaries by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) occurs both in normal tissues as well as in pathological processes including tumor metastasis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been shown to be highly elevated in various cancers. IL-6 has also been shown to increase tumor lymphangiogenesis through vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) induction in tumor cells. Although lymphangiogenesis is associated with lymph node metastasis and also resistance to conventional therapy in various cancers, the precise mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis in LECs remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the signaling cascade involved in IL-6-induced VEGF-C expression in murine LECs (SV-LEC). The VEGF-C mRNA and protein levels were increased in SV-LECs exposed to IL-6. IL-6 time-dependently induced Src phosphorylation and downstream phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK. In contrast, PP2, an inhibitor of Src signaling, abrogated IL-6's effects on ERK1/2 and p38MAPK phosphorylation. IL-6 exposure also led to increase in VEGF-C promoter-luciferase activity as well as C/EBPβ- and κB-luciferase activities. VEGF-C promoter-, C/EBPβ- and κB-luciferase activities were all suppressed by Src, ERK1/2 or p38MAPK signaling blockades despite presence of IL-6. Finally, C/EBPβ and p65 binding to the VEGF-C promoter region were increased after IL-6 exposure in SV-LECs. Taken together, we report a Src-mediated ERK1/2 and p38MAPK activation resulting in C/EBPβ and p65 binding to the promoter region of VEGF-C, leading to VEGF-C expression in IL-6-exposed SV-LECs.
Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yu-Han
YH
Huang
Hung-Yu
HY
Yang
Ya-Fen
YF
Hsu
Pei-Ting
PT
Chiu
George
G
Ou
Ming-Jen
MJ
Hsu
D000818:Animals; D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases