ERK3/MAPK6 controls IL-8 production and chemotaxis

  1. Katarzyna Bogucka
  2. Malvika Pompaiah
  3. Federico Marini
  4. Harald Binder
  5. Gregory Harms
  6. Manuel Kaulich
  7. Matthias Klein
  8. Christian Michel
  9. Markus P Radsak
  10. Sebastian Rosigkeit
  11. Peter Grimminger
  12. Hansjörg Schild
  13. Krishnaraj Rajalingam  Is a corresponding author
  1. Cell Biology Unit, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  2. Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  3. Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  4. Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Germany
  5. Departments of Biology and Physics, Wilkes University, United States
  6. Gene Editing Group, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, Germany
  7. Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Germany
  8. Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  9. Department of Hematology, Medical Oncology, & Pneumology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  10. Department of General, Visceral- and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center, Germany
  11. University Cancer Center Mainz, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany
10 figures, 1 table and 1 additional file

Figures

Figure 1 with 1 supplement
Role of ERK3 in gastrointestinal organoids morphogenesis and differentiation.

(A) Schematic outline of individual steps for organoid establishment and differentiation. Undifferentiated, healthy mouse colon organoids (MCO) or human gastric organoids (HGO) were differentiated …

Figure 1—figure supplement 1
Differentiation of mouse and human gastrointestinal organoids.

(A–B) Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of Krt20/Alpi differentiation markers. Log2 fold change in gene expression is presented as mean ± SEM of five independent experiments (n = 5); *p<0.05, **p<0.01, …

Figure 2 with 3 supplements
Effect of LPS on ERK3 expression and protein stability.

HT-29 cells and HCPECs were stimulated with LPS (200 ng/ml) at various time points as indicated. (A) Representative western blot analysis of HT-29 cells. Phosphorylation and/or total protein levels …

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
ERK3 kinetics in CaCo2 cells.

(A–B) Western blot analysis of CaCo2 cells stimulated with LPS. CaCo2 cells were stimulated at indicated time points with LPS and activation status of ERK3 as well as the phosphorylation of p38 were …

Figure 2—figure supplement 2
Graph representing relative mRNA expression levels of TLR4 in HCPECs when compared with HT-29 cells.

Log2 fold change in gene expression is presented as mean ± SEM from three biological replicates (n = 3); *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, paired t-test.

Figure 2—figure supplement 3
ERK3 kinetics in HCPECs and HT-29 in response to IL-1β, TLR1/2 ligand Pam3CSK4 and TLR7/8 ligand R848.

(A-F) HCPECs and HT-29 cells were stimulated for 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 hr with IL-1β, Pam3CSK4 and R848, cells were lysed for western blot analysis. Representative immunoblots depicting phosphorylation …

Figure 3 with 1 supplement
RNA sequencing analysis of control and ERK3 knockdown HCPECs.

HCPECs were transiently transfected with either control siRNA (siCo) or siRNA targeting ERK3 (siERK3). 24 hr post-transfection medium was exchanged and cells were stimulated with LPS. 24 hr later …

Figure 3—source data 1

RNA sequencing analysis of control and ERK3 knockdown HCPECs.

Table presents DE genes in resting (t0) and LPS stimulated (t24) siERK3 cells in comparison with the siControl cells, which are represented as a Venn diagram in Figure 3D.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig3-data1-v2.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 2

Secretome analysis of control and ERK3-depleted HCPECs.

Two slides were employed for the analysis as described in the Materials and methods section (L507 and L493). The ratio between siControl and siERK3 was calculated for all the factors and presented in the table.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig3-data2-v2.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 3

Combined transcriptome and secretome analysis of control and ERK3-depleted HCPECs.

Table presents RNAseq derived genes (txm) and secretome derived factors (secretome) and the merged (txm:secretome) factors. Shown in the excel table is a Venn diagram combining the factors identified by transcriptome and secretome.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig3-data3-v2.xlsx
Figure 3—source data 4

Full membrane scans for western blot images for Figure 3A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig3-data4-v2.pdf
Figure 3—figure supplement 1
RNAseq analysis: TopGO functional interpretation of the DE genes in siERK3 HCPECs.

Presented here 10 pathways were ranked based on the p value eliminated. Expression heatmap for the genes associated with GO term display the standardized values of the regularized-log transformed …

Figure 4 with 5 supplements
ERK3 regulates levels of IL-8 and other chemokines.

(A) Graphs represent RNAseq-derived normalized counts between siControl and siERK3 samples from three biological replicates of unstimulated HCPECs. (B-C) ELISA was performed to determine CXCL8/IL-8 …

Figure 4—figure supplement 1
Validation of select chemokines and cytokines by RT-PCR.

(A–C) RT-PCR validation of (A) CXCL8, (B) IL16 and (C) CXCL6 mRNA expression levels in control (siCo) and ERK3-depleted (siERK3) HCPECs.Shown here are mean ± SEM log2 fold changes in untreated and …

Figure 4—figure supplement 2
Validation of ERK3-IL-8 connection by different shRNAs and siRNAs.

(A) Targeting ERK3 with different shERK3 constructs leads to the decrease in IL-8 levels. HT-29 cells were stably transduced with three different shRNAs targeting ERK3 (shERK3 #1, shERK3 #2, shERK3 …

Figure 4—figure supplement 3
Role of ERK3 in the production of IL-8 stimulated by IL-1β and Pam3CSK4.

(A–D) HCPECs were transfected with siRNA targeting ERK3 (siERK3) or control (siCo), 24 hr post-transfection, medium was exchanged for MEM without supplements and cells were stimulated with IL-1β or …

Figure 4—figure supplement 4
Trametinib treatment leads to a decrease in IL-8 secretion and ERK3 protein expression.

(A) Western blot analysis of ERK3, ERK1/2 and IκBα proteins. GAPDH and Ponceau S staining were used as loading controls. (B) IL-8 levels measured in control (DMSO) and trametinib treated HT-29 …

Figure 4—figure supplement 5
Role of MK5 and ERK4 in the regulation of ERK3 and IL-8.

(A) MK5 depletion leads to a downregulation of ERK3 expression, resulting in LPS independent decrease of IL-8 levels. Representative western blot analysis of control (shCo) and MK5 knockdown (shMK5) …

Figure 5 with 1 supplement
ERK3 regulates levels of IL-8 in a kinase-independent manner and promotes lung metastasis of MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells.

(A–B) ERK3 regulates IL-8 production in a kinase-independent manner. (A) MDA-MB231 ERK3 knockdown (shERK3) cells were reconstituted with wild type (ERK3 WT), ERK3 kinase dead mutant (ERK3 K49A K50A) …

Figure 5—figure supplement 1
ImageJ quantification of tumor lesions using color deconvolution.

(A) Mean ± SEM number of lung tumors is presented per analyzed mouse. (B) Pulmonary metastatic burden expressed as percentage of the tumor (total tumor area/total tissue area). Mean ± SEM values are …

Figure 6 with 3 supplements
ERK3 positively regulates activity of IL-8 promoter and DNA binding activity of AP-1.

(A–C) IL-8 promoter activity is decreased in ERK3-depleted cells. MDA-MB231 cells were stably transfected with CXCL8 Gaussia Luciferase construct (Gluc-On Promoter Reporter Clones). Cells were …

Figure 6—source data 1

Full membrane scans for western blot images for Figure 6A.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig6-data1-v2.xlsx
Figure 6—source data 2

Transcription factors (TFs) activity profiling array.

Table represents activity of TF analyzed in control and ERK3-depleted HCPECs.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/52511/elife-52511-fig6-data2-v2.pdf
Figure 6—figure supplement 1
TFs activity profiling array.

(A) Activity of 48 TFs was measured in control (siCo) and ERK3-depleted (siERK3) HCPECs as mentioned in the Materials and methods section and in the legend for Figure 6D, assessing Relative …

Figure 6—figure supplement 2
Graphical representation of (A) C/EBP and (B) CREB activity measured in control (siCo) and ERK3-depleted (siERK3) HCPECs with filter plate assay according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Results are represented as mean fold change in activity measured in RLU ± SEM from three/four independent experiments (n = 3/n = 4); *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, paired t-test.

Figure 6—figure supplement 3
Activation of NFkB in control and ERK3 knock down cells upon LPS stimulation.

(A) Graph representing transcriptional activity of NF-κB measured by TFs activity profiling array, depicted are RLU from one replicate. (B) Immunoblot analysis of control (siCo) and ERK3-depleted …

Figure 7 with 1 supplement
ERK3 interacts with c-Jun and regulates its nuclear abundance.

(A) Co-immunoprecipitation (IP) of ERK3 and c-Jun in unstimulated and LPS stimulated HT-29 cells using a c-Jun or ERK3 antibody. Levels of c-Jun and ERK3 were monitored. IgG isotype control for IP …

Figure 7—figure supplement 1
Cell fractionation experiment performed in HT-29 cells in the presence and absence of LPS (1.5 hr).

Fractionation was performed using Minute Plasma Membrane Protein Isolation and Cell Fractionation Kit (Cat# SM-005, Invent Biotechnologies) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Expression …

Figure 8 with 1 supplement
ERK3 regulates epithelial secretome and IL-8-mediated chemotaxis of human neutrophils and monocytes in vitro and in vivo.

(A–B) In vitro migration of (A) neutrophils and (B) THP1 cells toward epithelium. CellTracker Green-stained cells were placed in the upper chamber of the transwell plate and supernatants obtained …

Figure 8—figure supplement 1
ERK3 regulates ICAM-1 expression.

RNA-seq analysis of three biological replicates (n = 3) representing differential expression in normalized counts of ICAM-1 levels in control and ERK3-depleted HCPECs.

Schematic representation depicting the role of ERK3 in chemotaxis.

ERK3 interacts with c-Jun and by regulating its nuclear abundance controls DNA-binding activity of AP-1 TF, which is critically required for the activation of several cytokines, including IL-8 that …

Author response image 1
Western Blot analyses of colon epithelial-like cells isolated using EpCAM microbeads from tumor and adjacent normal tissue of two CRC patients.

Cells were analysed by Western blot according to the Materials and methods section, expression levels of ERK3 were monitored.

Tables

Key resources table
Reagent type
(species) or resource
DesignationSource or referenceIdentifiersAdditional information
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
HT-29ATCCATCC HTB-38
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
Human Colonic Primary Epithelial Cells (HCPECs)ATCCCCD 841 CoN, ATCC–CRL-1790
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
CaCo2kind gift from Prof. Monilola Olayioye (University of Stuttgart)
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
MDA-MB231DSMZACC 732
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
THP1DSMZACC 16
Cell line
(Homo sapiens)
293 T cellskind gift from Dr. Andreas Ernst (Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, IBC2)
Chemical compound, drugLPSSigmaCat# L6143Working concentration: 200 ng/ml
Chemical compound, drugHuman recombinant IL-1βImmunoToolsCat# 11340013Working concentration: 10 ng/ml
Chemical compound, drugPam3CSK4 TLR1/2 ligandInvivoGenCat# tlrl-pmsWorking concentration: 20 µg/ml
Chemical compound, drugR848 TLR7/8 ligandInvivoGenCat# tlrl-r848Working concentration: 2.5 µg/ml
Chemical compound, drugCycloheximide (CHX)SigmaCat# C-7698Working concentration: 100 µg/ml
Chemical compound, drugMG-132 inhibitorCalbiochem, Merck MilliporeCat# 474790Working concentration: 10 µM
Chemical compound, drugSelective MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib GSK1120212SelleckchemCat# S2673Working concentration: 1 µM
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK6#1 (shERK3#1)
NM_002748.x-3734s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001568Sequence: CCGGGCTGTCCACGTACTTAATTTACTCGAGTAAATTAAGTACGTGGACAGCTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK6#2 (shERK3#2)
NM_002748.x-1564s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001569Sequence: CCGGGACATGACTGAGCCACACAAACTCGAGTTTGTGTGGCTCAGTCATGTCTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK6#3 (shERK3#3)
NM_002748.x-798s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001570Sequence: CCGGTGATCTGGGTTCTAGGTATATCTCGAGATATACCTAGAACCCAGATCATTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPKAPK5#1 (shMK5#1)
NM_003668.2–475 s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000194823Sequence: CCGGCCCAAACATAGTTCAGATTATCTCGAGATAATCTGAACTATGTTTGGGTTTTTTG
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPKAPK5#5 (shMK5#5)
NM_003668.x-1622s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000000682Sequence: CCGGGAAATTGTGAAGCAGGTGATACTCGAGTATCACCTGCTTCACAATTTCTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK4#1 (shERK4#1)
NM_002747.x-3808s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001374Sequence:
CCGGCTCACACCACACGCCTTAAATCTCGAGATTTAAGGCGTGTGGTGTGAGTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK4#2 (shERK4#1)
NM_002747.x-1105s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001375Sequence:
CCGGACTACACCAAAGCCATCGACACTCGAGTGTCGATGGCTTTGGTGTAGTTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-shRNAshMAPK4#5 (shERK4#5)
NM_002747.x-1017s1c1
MISSION shRNA Human Library (Sigma)TRCN0000001378Sequence:
CCGGGATCAGCATTACTCCCACAAGCTCGAGCTTGTGGGAGTAATGCTGATCTTTTT
Sequence-based reagent-siRNAsiMAPK6#1 (siERK3#1)FlexiTube siRNA, Hs_MAPK6_5
Qiagen
Cat# SI00606025Sequence:
AGUUCAAUUUGAAAGGAAATT
Sequence-based reagent-CRISPR/Cas9CRISPR ERK3designed by Rule Set 2 of Azimuth 2.0 as described previously (Doench et al., 2016)Selected gRNAs sequence:
#1 5’-CACCGAGCCAATTAACAGACGATGT-3’
#2 5’-CACCGATACTTGTAACTACAAAACG-3’
#3 5’-CACCGCTGCTGTTAACCGATCCATG-3’
Recombinant DNA reagent-cDNAERK3 K49A K50A kinase dead mutantSite-directed mutagenesisPrimers sequence: frw_5’ GCAATTGTCCTTACTGATCCCCAGAGTGTC, rev_5’ CGCGATGGCTACTCTTTTGTCACAGTC
Commercial assay, kitHuman IL-8 ELISA Ready-SET-Go! KiteBioscienceCat# 88–8086
Commercial assay, kitCell Fractionation KitInvent BiotechnologiesCat# SM-005
Commercial assay, kitRayBiotech L-Series Human Antibody Array 1000Tebu-BioCat# AAH-BLG-1000
Commercial assay, kitNuclear Extraction KitSignosisCat# SK-0001
Commercial assay, kitTF Activation Profiling Plate Array ISignosisCat# FA-1001
Commercial assay, kitTranscription factor Filter Plate Assay
AP-1 probe
SignosisCat# FA-0004
Commercial assay, kitTranscription factor Filter Plate Assay
C/EBP probe
SignosisCat# PP-0011
Commercial assay, kitTranscription factor Filter Plate Assay
CREB probe
SignosisCat# PP-0015
Commercial assay, kitCXCL8-Gaussia Luciferase GLuc-ON promoter reporter cloneGenecopoeiaCat# HPRM15772
AntibodyHuman CXCL8/IL-8 neutralizing antibodyR and DCat# MAB208In vitro/in vivo chemotaxis experiments
2.8 ng/µl used for neutralization
AntibodyRabbit anti-phospho-ERK3 (pSer189)SigmaCat# SAB4504175WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-ERK3Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 4067WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti- MK5/MAPKAPK5 (D70A10)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 7419WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-V5-tagCell Signaling TechnologyCat# 13202WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9102WB 1:1000
AntibodyRabbit anti-phospho-p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) (Thr202/Tyr204)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9101LWB 1:1000
AntibodyRabbit anti-phospho-p38 MAPK (Thr180/Tyr182)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9215WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-p38 MAPK antibodyCell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9212WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-IκBα (44D4)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 4812WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-phospho-SAPK/JNK (183/Y185)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9251WB 1:500
AntibodyNormal Rabbit IgGCell Signaling TechnologyCat# 2729Used as a control for IP
AntibodyRabbit anti-c-Jun (60A8)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 9165WB 1:500
IF 1:400
AntibodyRabbit anti-Histone H3 (D1H2)Cell Signaling TechnologyCat# 4499WB 1:500
AntibodyMouse anti-M2-PK antibodySchebo Biotech AGCat# S-1WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-MAPK4 (ERK4)AbcamCat# ab211501WB 1:500
AntibodyRabbit anti-PRAK/MK5 (phospho T182) antibodyAbcamCat# ab138668WB 1:500
AntibodyAnti-β-actin HRP conjugatedAbcamCat# ab49900WB 1:40 000
AntibodyMouse, anti-Keratin 20 (Krt20)Agilent DakoCat# M701929WB 1:1000
AntibodyMouse anti-GAPDH antibodyGeneTexCat# GTX627408WB 1:1000
AntibodyMouse anti-α-tubulin antibodyGeneTexCat# GTX628802WB 1:1000
AntibodyMono- and polyubiquitin conjugates monoclonal HRP-coupled antibody (FK2)EnzoCat# BML-PW8810WB 1:250
AntibodyHRP-conjugated secondary antibody for rabbit IgGInvitrogenCat# A16096WB 1:40 000
AntibodyHRP-conjugated secondary antibody for rabbit IgGInvitrogenCat# 32460WB 1:2000
AntibodyHRP-conjugated secondary antibody for mouse IgGGE Healthcare Life SciencesCat# NA9310WB 1:20 000
AntibodyAnti-ERK3R and DCat# MAB3196IF 1:400
AntibodyGoat anti-rabbit IgG-Alexa 488Thermo Fisher ScientificCat# A11008IF, working concentration: 5 µg/ml
AntibodyGoat anti-mouse IgG-Cyanine3Thermo Fisher ScientificCat# A10521IF, working concentration:
2D cultures: 5 µg/ml
3D cultures: 8 µg/ml
Chemical compound, drugDNA dye Hoechst 33342Thermo Fisher ScientificCat# H3570IF, working concentration: 10 µg/ml
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human ERK3SigmaFrw_5’ ATGGATGAGCCAATTTCAAG
Rv_5’ CTGACAATCATGATACCTTTCC
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human CXCL8#1SigmaFrw_5’ GAGCACTCCATAAGGCACAAA
Rv_5’ ATGGTTCCTTCCGGTGGT
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human CXCL8#3SigmaFrw_5’ TGTAAACATGACTTCCAAGC
Rv_5’ AAAACTGCACCTTCACAC
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human IL16SigmaFrw_5’ CAGTGTTAATCCCTATTGCAC
Rv_5’ ATTGTTGAGAGAGGGACTTC
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human CXCL6SigmaFrw_5’ CCTCTCTTGACCACTATGAG
Rv_5’ GTTTTGGGGTTTACTCTCAG
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human TLR4SigmaFrw_5’ TGGAGGTGTGAAATCCAG
Rv_5’ CTTGATAGTCCAGAAAAGGC
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers housekeeping human
18 s
SigmaFrw_5’ AGAAACGGCTACCACATCCA
Rv_5’ CACCAGACTTGCCCTCCA
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers housekeeping human
GAPDH
SigmaFrw_5’ CGACAGTCAGCCGCATCTT
Rv_5’ CCCCATGGTGTCTGAGCG
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human GKN1SigmaFrw_ 5’ agctcctgccctagctaactataa
Rv_ 5’ ttgtgttcattgttgacactcact
Used for HGOs qRT-PCR experiments
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers human ERK3SigmaFrw_ 5’ tcgatgagtcggagaagtcc
Rv_ 5’ gaagatgtcttttgttagtgatcaggt
Used for HGOs qRT-PCR experiments
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers mouse AlpiSigmaFrw_ 5’ AGGATCCATCTGTCCTTTGGT
Rv_ 5’ TTCAGCTGCCTTCTTGTTCC
Used for MCOs qRT-PCR experiments
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers mouse Krt20SigmaFrw_ 5’ agtcccacctcagcatgaa
Rv_ 5’ gagctcagcatctcctggat
Used for MCOs qRT-PCR experiments
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers mouse Erk3SigmaFrw_ 5’ acgacatgactgagccacac
Rv_ 5’ TCTGCTCCAGGAAATCCAGT
Used for MCOs qRT-PCR experiments
Sequence-based reagentqRT-PCR primers housekeeping mouse
Gapdh
SigmaFrw_ 5’ GTGCCAGCCTCGTCC
Rv_ 5’ ACCCCATTTGATGTTAGTGG
Used for MCOs qRT-PCR experiments
Software, algorithmImageJRRID:SCR_003070RRID:SCR_003070
https://imagej.net/
Used for WB quantification and IF staining analyses
Software, algorithmImageJ Coloc2 PluginSelf-modified version as described by French et al. (2008).Self-modified version of ImageJ
RRID:SCR_003070
Used to quantify Fluorescence co-localizations c-Jun and ERK3
Software, algorithmFijiRRID:SCR_003070Fiji (RRID:SCR_002285)http://fiji.scUsed for IF images visualization

Additional files

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