Protein kinase C epsilon mediates angiotensin II-induced activation of β1-integrins in cardiac fibroblasts

Stawowy, P.; Margeta, C.; Blaschke, F.; Lindschau, C.; Spencer Hansch, C.; Leitges, M.; Biagini, Giuseppe; Fleck, E.; Graf, K.

doi:10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.03.002

Objective: Angiotensin II (AII) promotes cardiac fibrosis by increased extracellular matrix production and enhanced interaction of matrix proteins with their cellular receptors, including integrins. All and other growth factors augment beta(1)-integrin-dependent adhesion and spreading by inside-out signaling without affecting the total number of integrin receptors. Inside-out signaling involves specific signaling pathways, including protein kinase C (PKC), leading to activation of beta(1)-integrins. In the present study we investigated the mechanisms involved in All-increased adhesion of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs), obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats, to collagen I mediated by beta(1)-integrin. Methods and results: Treatment of CFBs with All induced a concentration-dependent increase in adhesion to collagen I (2.2-fold, p < 0.01) within 3-6 h of treatment. This effect was mediated by beta 1-integrin via the angiotensin AT(1) receptor and was significantly reduced by protein kinase C inhibition. All significantly induced phosphorylation of PKC epsilon (PKC epsilon), which is involved in beta(1)-integrin-dependent adhesion and motility and phosphorylation of the cytoplasmatic tail of beta(1)-integrin at threonine 788/789, required for adhesion. Phosphorylation of beta(1)-integrin and an increase in adhesion was also induced by L-alpha-phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (L-alpha-PIP3) an activator of endogeneous PKCe. All failed to increase adhesion in myofibroblasts obtained from PKCe (-/-) mice, but not in cells obtained from control mice. Co-immunoprecipitation and double immunofluorescence demonstrated that All induced a close association of PKC epsilon with beta(1)-integrin in CFBs. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that All increased beta(1)-integfin-dependent adhesion to collagen I in cardiac fibroblasts by inside-out signaling via PKC epsilon and phosphorylation of the cytoplasmatic tail of the beta(1)-integrin.

Protein kinase C epsilon mediates angiotensin II-induced activation of β1-integrins in cardiac fibroblasts / P., Stawowy; C., Margeta; F., Blaschke; C., Lindschau; C., Spencer Hansch; M., Leitges; Biagini, Giuseppe; E., Fleck; K., Graf. - In: CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH. - ISSN 0008-6363. - STAMPA. - 67:1(2005), pp. 50-59. [10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.03.002]