Faculty Bibliography

Recently, a requirement for beta-arrestin-mediated endocytosis in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) by several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been proposed. However, the importance of this requirement for function of ERK1/2 is unknown. We report that agonists of Galphaq-coupled proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) stimulate formation of a multiprotein signaling complex, as detected by gel filtration, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. The complex, which contains internalized receptor, beta-arrestin, raf-1, and activated ERK, is required for ERK1/2 activation. However, ERK1/2 activity is retained in the cytosol and neither translocates to the nucleus nor causes proliferation. In contrast, a mutant PAR2 (PAR2deltaST363/6A), which is unable to interact with beta-arrestin and, thus, does not desensitize or internalize, activates ERK1/2 by a distinct pathway, and fails to promote both complex formation and cytosolic retention of the activated ERK1/2. Whereas wild-type PAR2 activates ERK1/2 by a PKC-dependent and probably a ras-independent pathway, PAR2(deltaST363/6A) appears to activate ERK1/2 by a ras-dependent pathway, resulting in increased cell proliferation. Thus, formation of a signaling complex comprising PAR2, beta-arrestin, raf-1, and activated ERK1/2 might ensure appropriate subcellular localization of PAR2-mediated ERK activity, and thereby determine the mitogenic potential of receptor agonists.

Trypsin and mast cell tryptase cleave proteinase-activated receptor 2 and, by unknown mechanisms, induce widespread inflammation. We found that a large proportion of primary spinal afferent neurons, which express proteinase-activated receptor 2, also contain the proinflammatory neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P. Trypsin and tryptase directly signal to neurons to stimulate release of these neuropeptides, which mediate inflammatory edema induced by agonists of proteinase-activated receptor 2. This new mechanism of protease-induced neurogenic inflammation may contribute to the proinflammatory effects of mast cells in human disease. Thus, tryptase inhibitors and antagonists of proteinase-activated receptor 2 may be useful anti-inflammatory agents.

The neurological system plays an important role in modulating some inflammatory skin diseases. Neuro-cutaneous interactions may be mediated by the release of neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) which activate immunocompetent cells in the skin by binding to high affinity neurokinin receptors (NKR). Since epidermal keratinocytes produce a variety of cytokines and are intimately associated with cutaneous sensory fibers, we tested the ability of these cells to participate in the cutaneous neuroimmune system by the secretion of potent cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1) in response to released SP. RT-PCR studies demonstrated that cultured PAM 212 murine keratinocytes expressed mRNA for NK-2R but not NK-1R. Correspondingly, the addition of SP to these cells resulted in a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels that could be specifically blocked by an NK-2R antagonist. NK-2R was also shown in normal mouse epidermis by immunohistochemistry. SP augmented the expression of PAM 212 keratinocyte IL-1alpha mRNA in a dose and time dependent manner and this induction was inhibited by an NK-2R antagonist. Secretion of bioactive IL-1alpha by the PAM 212 keratinocytes was likewise stimulated by SP in a dose dependent manner. These data support the hypothesis that SP released from cutaneous sensory nerves contributes to neuroimmune inflammatory responses in the skin by modulating the expression and release of cytokines from epidermal keratinocytes.

Biological responses to neuropeptides are rapidly attenuated by overlapping mechanisms that include peptide degradation by cell-surface proteases, receptor uncoupling from heterotrimeric G-proteins and receptor endocytosis. We have investigated the mechanisms that terminate the proinflammatory effects of the neuropeptide substance P (SP), which are mediated by the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R). Neutral endopeptidase degrades SP in the extracellular fluid and is one of the first mechanisms to terminate signalling. G-protein receptor kinases and second-messenger kinases phosphorylate the NK1R to permit interaction with beta-arrestins, which uncouple the receptor from G-proteins to terminate the signal. SP-induces NK1R endocytosis by a beta-arrestin-dependent mechanism, which also involves the GTPases dynamin and Rab5a. Endocytosis contributes to desensitization by depleting receptors from the cell surface. Disruption of these mechanisms results in uncontrolled stimulation and disease. Thus the deletion of neutral endopeptidase in mice exacerbates inflammation of many tissues. There are similarities and distinct differences in the mechanisms that regulate signalling by neuropeptide receptors and other G-protein-coupled receptors, in particular those that are activated irreversibly by proteolysis.

Upon stimulation, cutaneous sensory nerves release neuropeptides such as substance P (SP), which modulate responses in the skin by activating a number of target cells via neurokinin receptors. We have demonstrated that SP preferentially binds to the NK-1R on human dermal microvascular cells, resulting in increased intracellular Ca2+ and induction of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. In the current studies, we identify specific elements in the regulatory regions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 genes as necessary and sufficient for SP-dependent transcriptional activation. SP treatment of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells leads to coincident activation and binding of the transcription factor NF-AT to the -191/-170 region of the ICAM-1 gene (a region bound by activated p65/p65 homodimers in response to TNF-alpha), and NF-kappa B (p65/p50) to tandem NF-kappa B binding sites at -76/-52 of the VCAM-1 gene. The SP-elicited intracellular Ca2+ signal was required for activation and subsequent binding of both NF-AT and NF-kappa B. The transacting factor induction by SP was specific, since a selective NK-1R antagonist blocked SP activation and subsequent NF-AT and NF-kappa B activation and binding. These data demonstrate coincident activation of NF-AT and NF-kappa B via SP-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and indicate a crucial role for neuropeptides in modulating localized cutaneous inflammatory responses.

1. Using RT-PCR, Northern blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry, we confirmed renal expression of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR-2) and demonstrated its presence in native renal epithelial and in cultured M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells. 2. We investigated the effects of a PAR-2 activating peptide (AP), corresponding to the tethered ligand that is exposed upon trypsin cleavage, and of trypsin on M-1 cells using patch-clamp, intracellular calcium (fura-2) and transepithelial short-circuit current (ISC) measurements. 3. In single M-1 cells, addition of AP elicited a concentration-dependent transient increase in the whole-cell conductance. Removal of extracellular Na+ had no effect while removal of Cl- prevented the stimulation of outward currents. The intracellular calcium concentration increased significantly upon application of AP while a Ca2+-free pipette solution completely abolished the electrical response to AP. 4. In confluent monolayers of M-1 cells, apical application of AP had no effect on ISC whereas subsequent basolateral application elicited a transient increase in ISC. This increase was not due to a stimulation of electrogenic Na+ absorption since the response was preserved in the presence of amiloride. 5. The ISC response to AP was reduced in the presence of the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid on the apical side and abolished in the absence of extracellular Cl-. 6. Trypsin elicited similar responses to those to AP while application of a peptide (RP) with the reverse amino acid sequence of AP had no effect on whole-cell currents or ISC. 7. In conclusion, our data suggest that AP or trypsin stimulates Cl- secretion by Ca2+-activated Cl- channels in M-1 CCD cells by activating basolateral PAR-2.

Neurogenic inflammation is regulated by sensory nerves and characterized by extravasation of plasma proteins and infiltration of neutrophils from post-capillary venules and arteriolar vasodilatation. Although it is well established that substance P (SP) interacts with the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) to initiate neurogenic inflammation, the mechanisms that terminate inflammation are unknown. We examined whether neutral endopeptidase (NEP), a cell-surface enzyme that degrades SP in the extracellular fluid, terminates neurogenic inflammation in the colon. In NEP knockout mice, the SP concentration in the colon was approximately 2.5-fold higher than in wild-type mice, suggesting increased bioavailability of SP. The extravasation of Evans blue-labeled plasma proteins in the colon of knockout mice under basal conditions was approximately 4-fold higher than in wild-type mice. This elevated plasma leak was attenuated by recombinant NEP or the NK1R antagonist SR140333, and is thus caused by diminished degradation of SP. To determine whether deletion of NEP predisposes mice to uncontrolled inflammation, we compared dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in wild-type and knockout mice. The severity of colitis, determined by macroscopic and histologic scoring and by myeloperoxidase activity, was markedly worse in knockout than wild-type mice after 3 and 7 days. The exacerbated inflammation in knockout mice was prevented by recombinant NEP and SR140333. Thus, NEP maintains low levels of SP in the extracellular fluid under basal conditions and terminates its proinflammatory effects. Because we have previously shown that intestinal inflammation results in down-regulation of NEP and diminished degradation of SP, our present results suggest that defects in NEP expression contribute to uncontrolled inflammation.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is a G-protein coupled receptor. Tryptic proteases cleave PAR-2 exposing a tethered ligand (SLIGKV), which binds and activates the receptor. Although PAR-2 is highly expressed by cultured keratinocytes and is an inflammatory mediator, its precise localization in the normal and inflamed human skin is unknown, and the proteases that activate PAR-2 in the skin have not been identified. We localized PAR-2 in human skin by immunohistochemistry, examined PAR-2 expression by RT-PCR and RNA blotting, and investigated PAR-2 activation by mast cell tryptase. PAR-2 was localized to keratinocytes, especially in the granular layer, to endothelial cells, hair follicles, myoepithelial cells of sweat glands, and dermal dendritic-like cells. PAR-2 was also highly expressed in keratinocytes and endothelial cells of inflamed skin. PAR-2 mRNA was detected in normal human skin by RT-PCR, and in cultured human keratinocytes and dermal microvascular endothelial cells by Northern hybridization. Trypsin, tryptase and a peptide corresponding to the tethered ligand (SLIGKVNH2) increased [Ca2+]i in keratinocytes, measured using Fura-2/AM. Although tryptase-containing mast cells were sparsely scattered in the normal dermis, they were numerous in the dermis in atopic dermatitis, and in the dermis, dermal-epidermal border, and occasionally within the lower epidermis in psoriasis. Tryptase may activate PAR-2 on keratinocytes and endothelial cells during inflammation.

We investigated the effects of the sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) on amylase and fluid secretion in the isolated vascularly perfused rat pancreas. SP inhibited CCK-induced amylase release and secretin-induced juice flow via the pancreatic duct in a dose-related fashion. Threshold inhibition occurred following addition of 10(-10) M SP to the perfusate, and maximal inhibition was seen with 10(-8) M SP. The effects of SP were partially blocked by both the neurokinin-1 (NK1) and neurokinin-2 (NK2) receptor antagonists. Atropine and TTX blocked SP-induced effects on both amylase secretion (26 and 63% blockade, respectively) and pancreatic juice flow (21 and 79% blockade, respectively). Excitation of pancreatic sensory nerves using capsaicin (in the absence of SP) inhibited both amylase and pancreatic juice flow via activation of the NK1 receptor. We conclude that SP inhibits exocrine secretion via an indirect neural mechanism.

Proteases cleave proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) to expose N-terminal tethered ligands that bind and activate the cleaved receptors. The tethered ligand, once exposed, is always available to interact with its binding site. Thus, efficient mechanisms must prevent continuous activation, including receptor phosphorylation and uncoupling from G-proteins, receptor endocytosis, and lysosomal degradation. beta-Arrestins mediate uncoupling and endocytosis of certain neurotransmitter receptors, which are activated in a reversible manner. However, the role of beta-arrestins in trafficking of PARs, which are irreversibly activated, and the effects of proteases on the subcellular distribution of beta-arrestins have not been examined. We studied trafficking of PAR2 and beta-arrestin1 coupled to green fluorescent protein. Trypsin induced the following: (a) redistribution of beta-arrestin1 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, where it co-localized with PAR2; (b) internalization of beta-arrestin1 and PAR2 into the same early endosomes; (c) redistribution of beta-arrestin1 to the cytosol concurrent with PAR2 translocation to lysosomes; and (d) mobilization of PAR2 from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of a C-terminal fragment of beta-arrestin-319-418, which interacts constitutively with clathrin but does not bind receptors, inhibited agonist-induced endocytosis of PAR2. Our results show that beta-arrestins mediate endocytosis of PAR2 and support a role for beta-arrestins in uncoupling of PARs.