Functions for the cAMP/Epac/Rap1 Signaling Pathway in Low-Dose Endothelial Monocyte-Activating Polypeptide-II-Induced Opening of Blood-Tumor Barrier

J Mol Neurosci. 2015 Sep;57(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s12031-015-0594-6. Epub 2015 Jun 5.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that low-dose endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-II (EMAP-II) induces blood-tumor barrier (BTB) hyperpermeability via both paracellular and transcellular pathways. In a recent study, we revealed that cAMP/PKA-dependent and cAMP/PKA-independent signaling pathways are both involved in EMAP-II-induced BTB hyperpermeability. The present study further investigated the exact mechanisms through which the cAMP/PKA-independent signaling pathway affects EMAP-II-induced BTB hyperpermeability. In an in vitro BTB model, low-dose EMAP-II (0.05 nM) induced a significant decrease in Rap1 activity in RBMECs. Pretreatment with forskolin to elevate intracellular cAMP concentration completely blocked EMAP-II-induced Rap1 inactivation. Epac/Rap1 activation by 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP significantly prevented EMAP-II-induced activation of RhoA/ROCK. Furthermore, 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP pretreatment significantly inhibited EMAP-II-induced decreases in TEER and increases in HRP flux. Pretreatment also significantly prevented EMAP-II-induced changes in MLC phosphorylation, actin cytoskeleton arrangement, and expression and distribution of ZO-1 in RBMECs. This study demonstrates that the cAMP/Epac/Rap1 signaling cascade is a crucial pathway in EMAP-II-induced BTB hyperpermeability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillary Permeability*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Second Messenger Systems*
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Eml2 protein, rat
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Rapgef3 protein, rat
  • Tjp1 protein, rat
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • Cyclic AMP
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein