Lysophosphatidic Acid Signaling Research Articles

Abstract 4859: The role of LPAR1 and fibrosis in breast cancer metastasis

Abstract Tumor metastasis is a complex process in which tumor cells disseminate from the primary tumor to colonize distant organ sites. The majority of breast cancer related deaths are from metastatic disease, in part due to acquired resistance to chemotherapies. Aberrant tumor microenvironment often resembles fibrotic lesions where dysregulated cell signaling pathways alter tissue architecture and promote chronic inflammation. In fact, multiple studies have demonstrated a positive link between cancer metastasis and fibrosis, a condition characterized by increased activated fibroblasts (defined as αSMA positive) and extracellular matrix (EMC) such as collagen 1 secretion. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a signaling molecule that activates a family of G-protein coupled LPA receptors (LPARs) in both metastasis and fibrosis. Specifically, LPAR1 is highly expressed in metastatic breast cancer cell lines, and its activation is involved in the colonization and proliferation of cancer cells during the metastatic process. Our previous data have shown that inhibition of LPAR1 reduced the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We sought to further study the relationship between metastasis, fibrosis and LPA signaling using mouse models of metastatic breast cancer. First, we investigated the extent to which metastasis is accompanied by fibrosis by utilizing 11 spontaneous mouse tumor models of metastatic breast cancer. Mouse lung sections were stained with either αSMA, collagen 1, or Masson’s trichrome (pan collagen fiber stain) followed by Ashcroft scoring. To evaluate whether targeting the observed fibrosis therapeutically could prevent metastasis, mice were injected intravenously with the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231T followed by randomization to treatment with either Nintedanib or Pirfenidone (two FDA approved drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF). Separately, mice were also treated with doxorubicin or paclitaxel, both of which are used clinically in treating metastatic disease. We found that fibrosis occurred in the majority of the mouse tumor models examined (9 out of 11), although the extent of fibrosis was heterogeneous across models. Treatment of lung metastases with IPF drugs alone, however, did not show efficacy in reducing metastatic burden. Interestingly, we observed that while treatment of lung metastases with chemotherapy reduced metastasis, it significantly increased the amount of fibrosis observed compared to vehicle treated mice. This finding is significant as most patients diagnosed with breast cancer will receive at least one round of chemotherapy in the course of treatment. Therefore, further studies will look to evaluate whether targeting fibrosis with LPAR1 or LPA inhibitors is more effective when given concurrently or post chemotherapy treatment as a means to decrease overall metastatic burden. Citation Format: Danielle L. Brooks, Lalage Wakefield, Patricia Steeg. The role of LPAR1 and fibrosis in breast cancer metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4859. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4859

Dysregulation of lysophosphatidic acids in multiple sclerosis and autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Bioactive lipids contribute to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Here, we show that lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) are dysregulated in multiple sclerosis (MS) and are functionally relevant in this disease. LPAs and autotaxin, the major enzyme producing extracellular LPAs, were analyzed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in a cross-sectional population of MS patients and were compared with respective data from mice in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, spontaneous EAE in TCR1640 mice, and EAE in Lpar2-/- mice. Serum LPAs were reduced in MS and EAE whereas spinal cord LPAs in TCR1640 mice increased during the ‘symptom-free’ intervals, i.e. on resolution of inflammation during recovery hence possibly pointing to positive effects of brain LPAs during remyelination as suggested in previous studies. Peripheral LPAs mildly re-raised during relapses but further dropped in refractory relapses. The peripheral loss led to a redistribution of immune cells from the spleen to the spinal cord, suggesting defects of lymphocyte homing. In support, LPAR2 positive T-cells were reduced in EAE and the disease was intensified in Lpar2 deficient mice. Further, treatment with an LPAR2 agonist reduced clinical signs of relapsing-remitting EAE suggesting that the LPAR2 agonist partially compensated the endogenous loss of LPAs and implicating LPA signaling as a novel treatment approach.Graphical abstractGraphical summary of lysophosphatidic signaling in multiple sclerosis

Role of TAZ in Lysophosphatidic Acid-Induced Migration and Proliferation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Transcriptional co-activator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is an important factor in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced promotion of migration and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The expression of TAZ significantly increased at 6 h after LPA treatment, and TAZ knockdown inhibited the LPA-induced migration and proliferation of MSCs. In addition, embryonic fibroblasts from TAZ knockout mice exhibited the reduction in LPA-induced migration and proliferation. The LPA1 receptor inhibitor Ki16425 blocked LPA responses in MSCs. Although TAZ knockdown or knockout did not reduce LPA-induced phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, the MEK inhibitor U0126 or the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 blocked LPA-induced TAZ expression along with the reduction in the proliferation and migration of MSCs. Our data suggest that TAZ is an important mediator of LPA signaling in MSCs in the downstream of MEK and ROCK signaling.

Study of lysophosphatidic acid receptors (LPARs) in buffalo uterus demonstrated upregulation of LPAR1 and LPAR6 in early pregnancy

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important factor involved in embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment in humans and domestic livestock. LPA exerts its action through six G-protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-LPA6). We investigated the types of LPA receptors expressed in buffalo uterus and also their differential expression in the nonpregnant, and early-pregnant endometrium. The nonpregnant, and early-pregnant (<42 days) uteri were collected from the local slaughterhouse. RT-PCR experiments detected mRNAs of all the six LPA receptors (LPAR1-LPAR6) in both nonpregnant, and early-pregnant endometrial tissues. Their comparative profiling by real-time PCR revealed that the early pregnant endometrium expressed more mRNAs of LPAR1 and LPAR6. All the mRNA fragments were sequenced and submitted to Genbank, NCBI. Western blot studies also showed a similar expression pattern of these two receptor proteins, including higher expression of both LPA1 and LPA6 proteins during early pregnancy. And between these two receptors, LPA6 upregulation was more pronounced than LPA1. In immunohistochemistry, these receptors were found to be localized in the endometrial glandular epithelial cells of both types of uterus. Level of LPA was also higher in early pregnant endometrial tissues. In summary, our study demonstrated expression of all the six LPAR mRNAs in buffalo uterus, wherein the early-pregnant uterus did express comparatively higher mRNA as well as protein of LPA1 and LPA6, indicating their role in pregnancy. The more pronounced expression of LPA6 possibly indicates its greater contribution to mediating LPA signaling in early pregnancy (29–42 days) of buffalo.

Lysophosphatidic acid and amitriptyline signal through LPA1R to reduce P-glycoprotein transport at the blood–brain barrier

The blood–brain barrier is a microvascular network that (1) provides neuroprotection from metabolic and environmental toxins and (2) limits the delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS). The ATP-binding cassette transporter P-glycoprotein contributes to the latter by actively pumping clinical substrates back into circulation before they can reach the brain parenchyma. Targeting P-glycoprotein has proven effective in increasing the delivery of therapeutics to their cerebral targets. We provide a novel mechanism to achieve this end in functioning, intact rat brain capillaries, whereby the bioactive phospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) amitriptyline reduce basal P-glycoprotein transport activity through a distinct lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor-mediated signaling cascade that requires G-protein coupling, Src kinase, and ERK 1/2. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of LPA and TCA amitriptyline to decrease induced P-glycoprotein transport activity in a human SOD1 transgenic rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This work may translate to new clinical strategies for increasing the cerebral penetration of therapeutics in patients suffering from CNS diseases marked by exacerbated pharmacoresistance.

Functional characterization of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 mutants identified in rat cancer tissues

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an extracellular lipid mediator, exerts various cellular effects through activation of LPA receptors, LPA1–LPA6, in many types of cells including cancer cells. We recently found several missense mutations of Lpar1 in rat cancer tissues. One of these mutations is located at the extracellular tip of the seventh transmembrane domain of LPA1, and another three mutations are found within the NPXXY motif in the seventh transmembrane domain. These mutants are designated F295S LPA1 and P308S, I310T, and Y311H LPA1, respectively. Here, we examined the functions of these LPA1 mutants. Compared with wild-type (WT) LPA1, F295S, P308S, and I310T LPA1 showed decreased maximal responses in inhibition of cAMP formation, Ca2+ mobilization, and cytoskeletal changes. Y311H LPA1 failed to show LPA-induced cellular responses. However, these LPA1 mutants were internalized in response to LPA exposure. Finally, while WT and F295S LPA1 showed a similar, broad distribution throughout the cell, P308S, I310T, and Y311H LPA1 displayed a restricted cellular distribution and co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum. These data suggest that the LPA1 mutants perturb LPA signaling in cancer tissues.

Lysophosphatidic Acid Pretreatment Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Immature Hearts of Rats.

The cardioprotection of the immature heart during cardiac surgery remains controversial due to the differences between the adult heart and the newborn heart. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small bioactive molecule with diverse functions including cell proliferation and survival via its receptor: LPA1–LPA6. We previously reported that the expressions of LPA1 and LPA3 in rat hearts were much higher in immature hearts and then declined rapidly with age. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LPA signaling plays a potential protective role in immature hearts which had experienced ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The results showed that in Langendorff-perfused immature rat hearts (2 weeks), compared to I/R group, LPA pretreatment significantly enhanced the cardiac function, attenuated myocardial infarct size and CK-MB release, decreased myocardial apoptosis and increased the expression of pro-survival signaling molecules. All these effects could be abolished by Ki16425, an antagonist to LPA1 and LPA3. Similarly, LPA pretreatment protected H9C2 from hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) induced apoptosis and necrosis in vitro. The mechanisms underlying the anti-apoptosis effects were related to activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinas B (AKT) signaling pathways as well as phosphorylation of the downstream effector of AKT, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), through LPA1 and/or LPA3. What's more, we found that LPA preconditioning increased glucose uptake of H9C2 subjected to H/R by the activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) but not the translocation of GLUT4. In conclusion, our study indicates that LPA is a potent survival factor for immature hearts against I/R injuries and has the potential therapeutic function as a cardioplegia additive for infantile cardiac surgery.

Identification of Intrinsic Axon Growth Modulators for Intact CNS Neurons after Injury

SUMMARYFunctional deficits persist after spinal cord injury (SCI) because axons in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) fail to regenerate. However, modest levels of spontaneous functional recovery are typically observed after trauma and are thought to be mediated by the plasticity of intact circuitry. The mechanisms underlying intact circuit plasticity are not delineated. Here, we characterize the in vivo transcriptome of sprouting intact neurons from Ngr1 null mice after partial SCI. We identify the lysophosphatidic acid signaling modulators LPPR1 and LPAR1 as intrinsic axon growth modulators for intact corticospinal motor neurons after adjacent injury. Furthermore, in vivo LPAR1 inhibition or LPPR1 overexpression enhances sprouting of intact corticospinal tract axons and yields greater functional recovery after unilateral brainstem lesion in wild-type mice. Thus, the transcriptional profile of injury-induced sprouting of intact neurons reveals targets for therapeutic enhancement of axon growth initiation and new synapse formation.

Autocrine lysophosphatidic acid signaling activates β-catenin and promotes lung allograft fibrosis.

Tissue fibrosis is the primary cause of long-term graft failure after organ transplantation. In lung allografts, progressive terminal airway fibrosis leads to an irreversible decline in lung function termed bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Here, we have identified an autocrine pathway linking nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFAT1), autotaxin (ATX), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and β-catenin that contributes to progression of fibrosis in lung allografts. Mesenchymal cells (MCs) derived from fibrotic lung allografts (BOS MCs) demonstrated constitutive nuclear β-catenin expression that was dependent on autocrine ATX secretion and LPA signaling. We found that NFAT1 upstream of ATX regulated expression of ATX as well as β-catenin. Silencing NFAT1 in BOS MCs suppressed ATX expression, and sustained overexpression of NFAT1 increased ATX expression and activity in non-fibrotic MCs. LPA signaling induced NFAT1 nuclear translocation, suggesting that autocrine LPA synthesis promotes NFAT1 transcriptional activation and ATX secretion in a positive feedback loop. In an in vivo mouse orthotopic lung transplant model of BOS, antagonism of the LPA receptor (LPA1) or ATX inhibition decreased allograft fibrosis and was associated with lower active β-catenin and dephosphorylated NFAT1 expression. Lung allografts from β-catenin reporter mice demonstrated reduced β-catenin transcriptional activation in the presence of LPA1 antagonist, confirming an in vivo role for LPA signaling in β-catenin activation.

Enhanced cellular functions through induction of LPA2 by cisplatin in fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a simple biophysical lipid which interacts with at least six subtypes of G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPA1-LPA6). In cancer cells, LPA signaling via LPA receptors is involved in the regulation of malignant properties, such as cell growth, motility, and invasion. The aim of this study was to assess whether LPA receptors regulate cellular functions of fibrosarcoma cells treated with anticancer drug. HT1080 cells were maintained by the stepwise treatment of cisplatin (CDDP) at a range of 0.01 to 1.0µM for approximately 6 months. The cell motile and invasive activities of long-term CDDP-treated (HT-CDDP) cells were significantly stimulated by LPA treatment, while HT-CDDP cells in the static state showed the low cell motile and invasive activities in comparison with HT1080 cells. Since the expression level of LPAR2 gene was markedly elevated in HT-CDDP cells, LPA2 knockdown cells were generated from HT-CDDP cells. The cell motile and invasive activities of HT-CDDP cells were reduced by LPA2 knockdown. In colony assay, large-sized colonies formed by long-term CDDP treatment were suppressed by LPA2 knockdown. In addition, LPA2 knockdown cells reduced LPA production by autotaxin (ATX), correlating with ATX expression level. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA2 may play an important role in the regulation of cellular functions in HT1080 cells treated with CDDP.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling via LPA1 and LPA3 regulates cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via G protein-coupled LPA receptors exhibits a variety of biological effects, such as cell proliferation, motility and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of LPA1 and LPA3 in cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells. LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown cells were generated from PANC-1 cells. The cell motile and invasive activities of PANC-1 cells were inhibited by LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown. In gelatin zymography, LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown cells indicated the low activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the presence of LPA. Next, to assess whether LPA1 and LPA3 regulate cellular functions induced by anticancer drug, PANC-1 cells were treated with cisplatin (CDDP) for approximately 6 months. The cell motile and invasive activities of long-term CDDP treated cells were markedly higher than those of PANC-1 cells, correlating with the expression levels of LPAR1 and LPAR3 genes. In soft agar assay, the long-term CDDP treated cells formed markedly large sized colonies. In addition, the cell motile and invasive activities enhanced by CDDP were significantly suppressed by LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown as well as colony formation. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA1 and LPA3 play an important role in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in PANC-1 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling is the definitive mechanism underlying neuropathic pain.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling is the definitive mechanism underlying neuropathic pain.

Blocking lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 signaling inhibits diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is known to regulate various biological responses by binding to LPA receptors. The serum level of LPA is elevated in diabetes, but the involvement of LPA in the development of diabetes and its complications remains unknown. Therefore, we studied LPA signaling in diabetic nephropathy and the molecular mechanisms involved. The expression of autotaxin, an LPA synthesis enzyme, and LPA receptor 1 was significantly increased in both mesangial cells (SV40 MES13) maintained in high-glucose media and the kidney cortex of diabetic db/db mice. Increased urinary albumin excretion, increased glomerular tuft area and volume, and mesangial matrix expansion were observed in db/db mice and reduced by treatment with ki16425, a LPA receptor 1/3 antagonist. Transforming growth factor (TGF)β expression and Smad-2/3 phosphorylation were upregulated in SV40 MES13 cells by LPA stimulation or in the kidney cortex of db/db mice, and this was blocked by ki16425 treatment. LPA receptor 1 siRNA treatment inhibited LPA-induced TGFβ expression, whereas cells overexpressing LPA receptor 1 showed enhanced LPA-induced TGFβ expression. LPA treatment of SV40 MES13 cells increased phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β at Ser9 and induced translocation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)1 into the nucleus. Blocking GSK3β phosphorylation inhibited SREBP1 activation and consequently blocked LPA-induced TGFβ expression in SV40 MES13 cells. Phosphorylated GSK3β and nuclear SREBP1 accumulation were increased in the kidney cortex of db/db mice and ki16425 treatment blocked these pathways. Thus, LPA receptor 1 signaling increased TGFβ expression via GSK3β phosphorylation and SREBP1 activation, contributing to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Autotaxin Is Regulated by Glucose and Insulin in Adipocytes.

Autotaxin (ATX) is an adipokine that generates the bioactive lipid, lysophosphatidic acid. Despite recent studies implicating adipose-derived ATX in metabolic disorders including obesity and insulin resistance, the nutritional and hormonal regulation of ATX in adipocytes remains unclear. The current study examined the regulation of ATX in adipocytes by glucose and insulin and the role of ATX in adipocyte metabolism. Induction of insulin resistance in adipocytes with high glucose and insulin concentrations increased ATX secretion, whereas coincubation with the insulin sensitizer, rosiglitazone, prevented this response. Moreover, glucose independently increased ATX messenger RNA (mRNA), protein, and activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Glucose also acutely upregulated secreted ATX activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue explants. Insulin elicited a biphasic response. Acute insulin stimulation increased ATX activity in a PI3Kinase-dependent and mTORC1-independent manner, whereas chronic insulin stimulation decreased ATX mRNA, protein, and activity. To examine the metabolic role of ATX in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we incubated cells with the ATX inhibitor, PF-8380, for 24 hours. Whereas ATX inhibition increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and its downstream targets, insulin signaling and mitochondrial respiration were unaffected. However, ATX inhibition enhanced mitochondrial H2O2 production. Taken together, this study suggests that ATX secretion from adipocytes is differentially regulated by glucose and insulin. This study also suggests that inhibition of autocrine/paracrine ATX-lysophosphatidic acid signaling does not influence insulin signaling or mitochondrial respiration, but increases reactive oxygen species production in adipocytes.

Proliferation of mouse endometrial stromal cells in culture is highly sensitive to lysophosphatidic acid signaling

Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) proliferate rapidly both in vivo and in vitro. Here we show that proliferation of ESCs in vitro is strongly dependent on lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling. LPA is produced by autotaxin (ATX) and induces various kinds of cellular processes including migration, proliferation and inhibition of cell death possibly through six G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-6). We found that ESCs proliferated rapidly in vitro in an autocrine manner and that the proliferation was prominently suppressed by either an ATX inhibitor (ONO-8430506) or an LPA1/3 antagonist (Ki16425). Among the cells lines tested, mouse ESCs were the most sensitive to these inhibitors. Proliferation of ESCs isolated from either LPA1- or LPA3-deficient mice was comparable to proliferation of ESCs isolated from control mice. An LPA receptor antagonist (AM095), which was revealed to be a dual LPA1/LPA3 antagonist, also suppressed the proliferation of ESCs. The present results show that LPA signaling has a critical role in the proliferation of ESCs, and that this role is possibly mediated redundantly by LPA1 and LPA3.

Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidic Acid: From Inflammation to Cancer Development.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a ubiquitous lysophospholipid and one of the main membrane-derived lipid signaling molecules. LPA acts as an autocrine/paracrine messenger through at least six G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), known as LPA1–6, to induce various cellular processes including wound healing, differentiation, proliferation, migration, and survival. LPA receptors and autotaxin (ATX), a secreted phosphodiesterase that produces this phospholipid, are overexpressed in many cancers and impact several features of the disease, including cancer-related inflammation, development, and progression. Many ongoing studies aim to understand ATX-LPA axis signaling in cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking LPA signaling to cancer-related inflammation and its impact on cancer progression.

Endogenous lysophosphatidic acid participates in vascularisation and decidualisation at the maternal–fetal interface in the rat

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) affects several female reproductive functions through G-protein-coupled receptors. LPA contributes to embryo implantation via the lysophospholipid LPA3 receptor. In the present study we investigated the participation of endogenous LPA signalling through the LPA3 receptor in vascularisation and decidualisation, two crucial events at the maternal-fetal interface. Pregnant rats were treated with diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), a highly selective antagonist of LPA3 receptors, on Day 5 of gestation. Pregnant rats received intrauterine (i.u.) injections of single doses of DGPP (0.1mgkg-1) in a total volume of 2μL in the left horn (treated horn) in the morning of GD5. DGPP treatment produced aberrant embryo spacing and increased embryo resorption. The LPA3 receptor antagonist decreased the cross-sectional length of the uterine and arcuate arteries and induced histological anomalies in the decidua and placentas. Marked haemorrhagic processes, infiltration of immune cells and tissue disorganisation were observed in decidual and placental tissues from sites of resorption. The mRNA expression of three vascularisation markers, namely interleukin 10 (Il10), vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegfa) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (Vegfr1), was reduced at sites of resorption from Day 8. The results show that the disruption of endogenous LPA signalling by blocking the LPA3 receptor modified the development of uterine vessels with consequences in the formation of the decidua and placenta and in the growth of embryos.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA4 and LPA6 negatively regulates cell motile activities of colon cancer cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular biological lipid and interacts with six subtypes of G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6). LPA receptors exhibit a variety of cellular functions, depending on types of cancer cells. In this study, to assess the roles of LPA4 and LPA6 in cell growth and motile activities of colon cancer cells, LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells were established from DLD1 and HCT116 cells. LPA treatment increased the cell growth activities of LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells, compared with control cells. The cell motile activities of LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells were significantly higher than those of control cells. To evaluate the effects of LPA4 and LPA6 on cell motile activity induced by anticancer drug, long-term fluorouracil (5-FU) treated (DLD-5FU) cells were generated. The expression levels of LPAR1, LPAR4 and LPAR6 genes were significantly increased in DLD-5FU cells. DLD-5FU cells showed the high cell motile activity, compared with DLD1 cells. The increased cell motile activity was markedly stimulated by LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown. In contrast, the cell motile activity enhanced by 5-FU treatment was suppressed by LPA1 knockdown. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA4 and LPA6 negatively regulates the cell motile activities of DLD1 and HCT116 cells as well as long-term 5-FU treated cells.

CRE and SRE mediate LPA-induced CCN1 transcription in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), one component of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), is a potent bioactive phospholipid. Our recent data reveal that LPA induces matricellular protein CCN1 (also known as Cyr61) expression in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and that CCN1 bridges LPA and integrin signaling pathways leading to SMC migration. Whether and how LPA regulates the transcriptional machinery of the CCN1 gene are unknown. In this study, we found that LPA markedly induces CCN1 mRNA expression in SMCs. Using deleting mutation and reporter gene strategies, we demonstrated regions from -2038 to -1787 and from -101 to +63 of the CCN1 promoter contain the essential regulatory elements. The serum response element (SRE) and cyclic AMP-response element (CRE) are located in these regions. LPA induced time-dependent phosphorylation of serum response factor (SRF) and CRE-binding protein (CREB) in mouse SMCs. Luciferase assays of a series of deleted, mutated CCN1 promoter-reporter gene constructs and dominant negative construct revealed the distal SRE and the proximal CRE in the CCN1 promoter are required for LPA-induced CCN1 gene expression. Our results imply that elevated LPA levels may trigger SMC migration and exacerbate restenosis and atherosclerotic lesions through the induced CCN1, which communicates with a set of plasma membrane proteins and intracellular kinases.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling through its receptor initiates profibrotic epithelial cell fibroblast communication mediated by epithelial cell derived connective tissue growth factor

The expansion of the fibroblast pool is a critical step in organ fibrosis, but the mechanisms driving expansion remain to be fully clarified. We previously showed that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling through its receptor LPA1 expressed on fibroblasts directly induces the recruitment of these cells. Here we tested whether LPA-LPA1 signaling drives fibroblast proliferation and activation during the development of renal fibrosis. LPA1-deficient (LPA1-/-) or -sufficient (LPA1+/+) mice were crossed to mice with green fluorescent protein expression (GFP) driven by the type I procollagen promoter (Col-GFP) to identify fibroblasts. Unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced increases in renal collagen were significantly, though not completely, attenuated in LPA1-/-Col-GFP mice, as were the accumulations of both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Connective tissue growth factor was detected mainly in tubular epithelial cells, and its levels were suppressed in LPA1-/-Col-GFP mice. LPA-LPA1 signaling directly induced connective tissue growth factor expression in primary proximal tubular epithelial cells, through a myocardin-related transcription factor-serum response factor pathway. Proximal tubular epithelial cell-derived connective tissue growth factor mediated renal fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation. Administration of an inhibitor of myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor suppressed obstruction-induced renal fibrosis. Thus, targeting LPA-LPA1 signaling and/or myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor-induced transcription could be promising therapeutic strategies for renal fibrosis.