Role of protein kinase C in cytokine secretion by lung epithelial cells during infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Pathog Dis. 2015 Oct;73(7):ftv045. doi: 10.1093/femspd/ftv045. Epub 2015 Jul 6.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the role of protein kinases C (PKCs) in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 secretion by human lung epithelial A549 cells during infection with the fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Rottlerin and the broad spectrum PKC inhibitor Go 6983 reduced cytokine levels in A549 cell-P. brasiliensis cultures. Next, by western blot, we verified that infection with this fungus led to phosphorylation of PKC δ (Thr(505)). By using a peptide inhibitor for PKC δ or PKC δ short interfering RNA technique, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in A549-P. brasiliensis cultures were also reduced. Together, these results indicate that P. brasiliensis promotes IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by A549 cells in a PKC δ-dependent manner.

Keywords: cell signaling; cytokine; epithelial cell; fungi; innate immunity; protein kinase C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism*
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Paracoccidioides / immunology*
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / pathology*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*

Substances

  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Protein Kinase C