Cathelicidin stimulates colonic mucus synthesis by up-regulating MUC1 and MUC2 expression through a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Abstract

Mucus forms the physical barrier along the gastrointestinal tract. It plays an important role to prevent mucosal damage and inflammation. Our animal study showed that antibacterial peptide 'cathelicidin' increased mucus thickness and prevented inflammation in the colon. In the current study, we examined the direct effect and mechanisms by which the peptide increased mucus synthesis in a human colonic cell line (HT-29). Human cathelicidin (LL-37) dose-dependently (10-40 microg/ml) and significantly stimulated mucus synthesis by increasing the D-[6-(3)H] glucosamine incorporation in the cells. Real-time PCR data showed that addition of LL-37 induced more than 50% increase in MUC1 and MUC2 mRNA levels. Treatment with MUC1 and MUC2 siRNAs normalized the stimulatory action of LL-37 on mucus synthesis. LL-37 also activated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in the cells. A specific inhibitor of the MAP kinase pathway, U0126, completely blocked the increase of MUC1 and MUC2 expression as well as mucus synthesis by LL-37. Taken together, LL-37 can directly stimulate mucus synthesis through activation of MUC1 and MUC2 expression and MAP kinase pathway in human colonic cells.

• Authors: Emily K K Tai, Helen P S Wong, Emily K Y Lam, William K K Wu, L Yu, Marcel W L Koo, C H Cho
• Journal: Journal of cellular biochemistry (J Cell Biochem) Vol. 104 Issue 1 Pg. 251-8 (May 01 2008) ISSN: 1097-4644 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18059019 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• MUC1 protein, human
• MUC2 protein, human
• Mucin-1
• Mucin-2
• Mucins
• RNA, Small Interfering
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Cathelicidins

Topics

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Colon (cytology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• Mucin-1 (genetics)
• Mucin-2
• Mucins (genetics)
• Mucus (metabolism)
• RNA, Small Interfering (pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction
• Up-Regulation (genetics)
• Cathelicidins