PLoS ONE (Jan 2013)

TNFα signals via p66(Shc) to induce E-Selectin, promote leukocyte transmigration and enhance permeability in human endothelial cells.

  • Luigi Laviola,
  • Maura Roberta Orlando,
  • Maria Angela Incalza,
  • Cristina Caccioppoli,
  • Mariangela Melchiorre,
  • Anna Leonardini,
  • Angelo Cignarelli,
  • Federica Tortosa,
  • Rossella Labarbuta,
  • Sabina Martemucci,
  • Consiglia Pacelli,
  • Tiziana Cocco,
  • Sebastio Perrini,
  • Annalisa Natalicchio,
  • Francesco Giorgino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081930
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 12
p. e81930

Abstract

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Endothelial cells participate in inflammatory events leading to atherogenesis by regulating endothelial cell permeability via the expression of VE-Cadherin and β-catenin and leukocyte recruitment via the expression of E-Selectins and other adhesion molecules. The protein p66(Shc) acts as a sensor/inducer of oxidative stress and may promote vascular dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of p66(Shc) in tumor necrosis factor TNFα-induced E-Selectin expression and function in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Exposure of HUVEC to 50 ng/ml TNFα resulted in increased leukocyte transmigration through the endothelial monolayer and E-Selectin expression, in association with augmented phosphorylation of both p66(Shc) on Ser(36) and the stress kinase c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-1/2, and higher intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Overexpression of p66(Shc) in HUVEC resulted in enhanced p66(Shc) phosphorylation on Ser(36), increased ROS and E-Selectin levels, and amplified endothelial cell permeability and leukocyte transmigration through the HUVEC monolayer. Conversely, overexpression of a phosphorylation-defective p66(Shc) protein, in which Ser(36) was replaced by Ala, did not augment ROS and E-Selectin levels, nor modify cell permeability or leukocyte transmigration beyond those found in wild-type cells. Moreover, siRNA-mediated silencing of p66(Shc) resulted in marked reduction of E-Selectin expression and leukocyte transmigration. In conclusion, p66(Shc) acts as a novel intermediate in the TNFα pathway mediating endothelial dysfunction, and its action requires JNK-dependent phosphorylation of p66(Shc) on Ser(36).