Role of calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway in Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin-induced hyperpermeability

Microb Pathog. 2009 Jul;47(1):47-51. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2009.04.014. Epub 2009 May 15.

Abstract

Endothelial hyperpermeability, a hallmark of septicemia, is induced by stress fiber formation, which is primarily regulated by the calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway in endothelial cells. We previously reported that trifluoperazine, a calcium/calmodulin antagonist, blocks Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin (VVC) -induced lethality at in vivo animal model. The object of this study was therefore to examine whether VVC induces stress fiber formation through calcium/calmodulin signaling in endothelial cells. Here, we monitored calcium-influx after treatment of VVC using confocal microscopy in CPAE cells, pulmonary endothelial cell line. Interestingly, we found that VVC-induced dose-dependently increases of [Ca(2+)](i) in CPAE cells. Moreover, VVC-induced stress fiber formation as well as phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was completely blocked by trifluoperazine. These results suggest that the calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in VVC-induced hyperpermeability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calmodulin / metabolism*
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / microbiology
  • Myosin Light Chains / metabolism
  • Perforin / toxicity*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Stress Fibers / metabolism
  • Vibrio vulnificus / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Calmodulin
  • Myosin Light Chains
  • Perforin
  • Calcium