Role of ERK1/2 signaling in dengue virus-induced liver injury.
The liver is considered to be an important organ of dengue virus (DENV) replication and pathogenesis. However, molecular mechanisms of hepatic injury are still poorly understood. Modulation of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) was previously shown to affect DENV-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes in vitro. However, the in vivo role of ERK1/2, a member of the MAPK family, and the question whether its activation can facilitate cell survival or cell death, has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the role of ERK1/2 in a mouse model of DENV infection was examined. Our results show that DENV induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and increases apoptosis. Inhibition of phosphorylated ERK1/2 by the selective ERK1/2 inhibitor, FR180204, limits hepatocyte apoptosis and reduces DENV-induced liver injury. Clinical parameters, including leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, transaminases and histology, show improvements after FR180204 treatment. The expression of cell death genes was further identified using real-time PCR array and Western blot analysis. Caspase-3 was significantly decreased in FR180204 treated DENV-infected mice compared to the levels of untreated DENV-infected mice suggesting the role of ERK1/2 signaling in immune-mediated liver injury during DENV infection.
Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Gopinathan Pillai
GP
Sreekanth
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Aporn
A
Chuncharunee
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Aunchalee
A
Sirimontaporn
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Jutatip
J
Panaampon
Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chatchawan
C
Srisawat
Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Atthapan
A
Morchang
Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Shilu
S
Malakar
Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Peti
P
Thuwajit
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Suwattanee
S
Kooptiwut
Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Aroonroong
A
Suttitheptumrong
Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pucharee
P
Songprakhon
Medical Biotechnology Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.
Sansanee
S
Noisakran
Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pa-Thai
PT
Yenchitsomanus
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: thawornchai.lim@mahidol.ac.th.
Thawornchai
T
Limjindaporn
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D003715:Dengue / Q000150:complications*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
D053148:Caspase 3
Apoptosis; Dengue virus; ERK1/2; FR180204; Liver injury