θ-Isoform of PKC is required for alterations in cytoskeletal dynamics and barrier permeability in intestinal epithelium: a novel function for PKC-θ

Using intestinal Caco-2 cells, we previously showed that assembly of cytoskeleton is required for monolayer barrier function, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Because the θ-isoform of PKC is present in wild-type (WT) intestinal cells, we hypothesized that PKC-θ is crucial for changes in cytoskeletal and barrier dynamics. We have created the first multiple sets of gastrointestinal cell clones transfected with varying levels of cDNA to stably inhibit native PKC-θ (antisense, AS; dominant negative, DN) or to express its activity (sense). We studied transfected and WT Caco-2 cells. First, relative to WT cells, AS clones underexpressing PKC-θ showed monolayer injury as indicated by decreased native PKC-θ activity, reduced tubulin phosphorylation, increased tubulin disassembly (decreased polymerized and increased monomeric pools), reduced architectural integrity of microtubules, reduced stability of occludin, and increased barrier hyperpermeability. In these AS clones, PKC-θ was substantially reduced in the particulate fractions, indicating its inactivation. In WT cells, 82-kDa PKC-θ was constitutively active and coassociated with 50-kDa tubulin, forming an endogenous PKC-θ/tubulin complex. Second, DN transfection to inhibit the endogenous PKC-θ led to similar destabilizing effects on monolayers, including cytoskeletal hypophosphorylation, depolymerization, and instability as well as barrier disruption. Third, stable overexpression of PKC-θ led to a mostly cytosolic distribution of θ-isoform (<10% in particulate fractions), indicating its inactivation. In these sense clones, we also found disruption of occludin and microtubule assembly and increased barrier dysfunction. In conclusion, 1) PKC-θ isoform is required for changes in the cytoskeletal assembly and barrier permeability in intestinal monolayers, and 2) the molecular event underlying this novel biological effect of PKC-θ involves changes in phosphorylation and/or assembly of the subunit components of the cytoskeleton. The ability to alter the cytoskeletal and barrier dynamics is a unique function not previously attributed to PKC-θ.

Endothelial contraction and monolayer hyperpermeability are regulated by Src kinase

Endothelial monolayer hyperpermeability is regulated by a myosin light chain phosphorylation (MLCP)-dependent contractile mechanism. In this study, we tested the role of Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation to modulate endothelial contraction and monolayer barrier function with the use of the myosin phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (CalA) to directly elevate MLCP with the Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A (HA) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC). CalA stimulated an increase in MLCP, Src kinase activity, an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and focal adhesion (FA) kinase (p125FAK), and monolayer hyperpermeability. Microscopic examination of CalA-treated EC revealed a contractile morphology characterized by peripheral contractile bands of actomyosin filaments and stress fibers linked to phosphotyrosine-containing FAs. These CalA-dependent events were HA sensitive. HA alone stimulated an improvement in monolayer barrier formation by reducing the levels of MLCP and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and the number of large paracellular holes. These data show that Src kinase plays an important role in regulating monolayer hyperpermeability through adjustments in tyrosine phosphorylation, MLCP, and EC contraction.