A novel inhibitory mechanism of MRTF-A/B on the ICAM-1 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells

Sci Rep. 2015 May 29:5:10627. doi: 10.1038/srep10627.

Abstract

The roles of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) and MRTF-B in vascular endothelial cells are not completely understood. Here, we found a novel regulatory mechanism for MRTF-A/B function. MRTF-A/B tend to accumulate in the nucleus in arterial endothelial cells in vivo and human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) in vitro. In HAoECs, nuclear localization of MRTF-A/B was not significantly affected by Y27632 or latrunculin B, primarily due to the reduced binding of MRTF-A/B to G-actin and in part, to the low level of MRTF-A phosphorylation by ERK. MRTF-A/B downregulation by serum depletion or transfection of siRNA against MRTF-A and/or MRTF-B induced ICAM-1 expression in HAoECs. It is known that nuclear import of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a key role in ICAM-1 gene transcription. However, nuclear accumulation of NF-κB p65 was not observed in MRTF-A/B-depleted HAoECs. Our present findings suggest that MRTF-A/B inhibit ICAM-1 mRNA expression by forming a complex with NF-κB p65 in the nucleus. Conversely, downregulation of MRTF-A/B alleviates this negative regulation without further translocation of NF-κB p65 into the nucleus. These results reveal the novel roles of MRTF-A/B in the homeostasis of vascular endothelium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Amides
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mrtfa protein, mouse
  • NF-kappa B
  • Pyridines
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • myocardin-related transcription factor B, mouse
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Y 27632
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases