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Published on: May 7, 2013
IL-1 induced release of Ca2+ from internal stores is dependent on cell-matrix interactions and regulates ERK
Qin Wang1, Gregory P Downey, Christine Choi
1CIHR Group in Matrix Dynamics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada.
Insights
Focal adhesions, crucial for cell-matrix interactions, regulate interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling by controlling intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release and entry. This calcium signaling is essential for IL-1-induced ERK activation in fibroblasts.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling pathways are critical in cellular responses but the precise mechanisms modulating them remain unclear.
- Cell-matrix adhesions, specifically focal adhesions, are known to influence IL-1 receptor localization and signaling.
- Understanding how these adhesions impact IL-1-induced cellular events is essential for deciphering fibroblast behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of focal adhesions in modulating intracellular calcium (Ca2+) handling during IL-1 signaling.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which focal adhesions affect IL-1-induced Ca2+ signals and ERK activation in human gingival fibroblasts.
Main Methods:
- Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured on poly-l-lysine or fibronectin-coated surfaces.
- Focal adhesion formation was inhibited using tenascin, Hep-I, or SPARC peptides.
- Cellular Ca2+ handling was assessed following IL-1 or thapsigargin stimulation.
- ERK activation was measured in response to IL-1 treatment.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of focal adhesion formation blocked IL-1 and thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum.
- Focal adhesions were found to be essential for Ca2+ influx through store-operated channels.
- Disruption of focal adhesions impaired IL-1-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation.
Conclusions:
- Focal adhesions play a critical role in regulating both endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and store-operated Ca2+ entry.
- These adhesion-dependent Ca2+ signaling events are indispensable for IL-1-induced ERK activation in fibroblasts.
- Extracellular matrix interactions and focal adhesion formation are key regulators of IL-1 signaling pathways.
Abstract:
The cellular mechanisms that modulate interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling are not defined. In fibroblasts, IL-1 signaling is affected by the nature of cell-matrix adhesions including focal adhesions, adhesive domains that sequester IL-1 receptors. We conducted studies to elucidate which steps of cellular Ca2+ handling are affected by focal adhesions and by which mechanisms focal adhesions modulate IL-1-induced Ca2+ signals and ERK activation in human gingival fibroblasts. Cells were plated on poly-l-lysine or fibronectin and treated with tenascin, Hep-I, or SPARC peptides to inhibit focal adhesion formation. These treatments blocked IL-1 and thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that the ER-release pathway is focal adhesion dependent. Focal adhesions were also required for Ca2+ entry through store-operated channels and for IL-1-induced ERK activation. Thus interactions with the extracellular matrix and focal adhesion formation regulate IL-1-induced generation of intracellular Ca2+ signals that in turn are required for ERK activation.
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