HMGB1 induces human lung endothelial cell cytoskeletal rearrangement and barrier disruption

Microvasc Res. 2011 Mar;81(2):189-97. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2010.11.010. Epub 2010 Dec 10.

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) results from loss of alveolar-capillary barrier integrity and the evolution of high-permeability pulmonary edema resulting in alveolar flooding and significant morbidity and mortality. HMGB1 is a late mediator of sepsis which uniquely participates in the evolution of sepsis and sepsis-induced ALI. The molecular events by which HMGB1 contributes to ALI remain poorly characterized. We characterized the role of HMGB1 in endothelial cell (EC) cytoskeletal rearrangement and vascular permeability, events essential to paracellular gap formation and barrier dysfunction characteristic of ALI. Initial experiments demonstrated HMGB1-mediated dose-dependent (5-20 μg/ml) decreases in transendothelial cell electrical resistance (TER) in the human pulmonary artery EC, a reflection of loss of barrier integrity. Furthermore, HMGB1 produced dose-dependent increases in paracellular gap formation in concert with loss of peripheral organized actin fibers, dissociation of cell-cell junctional cadherins, and the development of central stress fibers, a phenotypic change associated with increased contractile activity and increased EC permeability. Using siRNA strategies directed against known HMGB1 receptors (RAGE, TLR2, TLR4), we systematically determined that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is the primary receptor signaling HMGB1-induced TER decreases and paracellular gap formation via p38 MAP kinase activation and phosphorylation of the actin-binding protein, Hsp27. These studies add to the understanding of HMGB1-induced inflammatory events and vascular barrier disruption and offer the potential for clinical intervention in sepsis-induced ALI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Capillary Permeability / drug effects*
  • Capillary Permeability / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Electric Impedance
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Gap Junctions / drug effects
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics
  • HMGB1 Protein / pharmacology*
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Artery / cytology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products / genetics
  • Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Stress Fibers / drug effects
  • Stress Fibers / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPB1 protein, human
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • cadherin 5
  • MAP-kinase-activated kinase 2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases