Activation of ARP2/3 and HSP70 Expression by Lipoteichoic Acid: Potential Bidirectional Regulation of Apoptosis in a Mastitis Inflammation Model

Abstract

Mastitis typically arises from bacterial invasion, where host cell apoptosis significantly contributes to the inflammatory response. Gram-positive bacteria predominantly utilize the virulence factor lipoteichoic acid (LTA), which frequently leads to chronic breast infections, thereby impacting dairy production and animal husbandry adversely. This study employed LTA to develop models of mastitis in cow mammary gland cells and mice. Transcriptomic analysis identified 120 mRNAs associated with endocytosis and apoptosis pathways that were enriched in the LTA-induced inflammation of the Mammary Alveolar Cells-large T antigen (MAC-T), with numerous differential proteins also concentrated in the endocytosis pathway. Notably, actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 3 (ARPC3), actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 4 (ARPC4), and the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) are closely related. STRING analysis revealed interactions among ARPC3, ARPC4, and HSP70 with components of the apoptosis pathway. Histological and molecular biological assessments confirmed that ARPC3, ARPC4, and HSP70 were mainly localized to the cell membrane of mammary epithelial cells. ARPC3 and ARPC4 are implicated in the mechanisms of bacterial invasion and the initiation of inflammation. Compared to the control group, the expression levels of these proteins were markedly increased, alongside the significant upregulation of apoptosis-related factors. While HSP70 appears to inhibit apoptosis and alleviate inflammation, its upregulation presents novel research opportunities. In conclusion, we deduced the development mechanism of ARPC3, ARPC4, and HSP70 in breast inflammation, laying the foundation for further exploring the interaction mechanism between the actin-related protein 2/3 (ARP2/3) complex and HSP70.