Overexpression of protein kinase C-δ increases tight junction permeability in LLC-PK1epithelia

Abstract

The Ca2+-independent δ-isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-δ) was overexpressed in LLC-PK1 epithelia and placed under control of a tetracycline-responsive expression system. In the absence of tetracycline, the exogenous PKC-δ is expressed. Western immunoblots show that the overexpressed PKC-δ is found in the cytosolic, membrane-associated, and Triton-insoluble fractions. Overexpression of PKC-δ produced subconfluent and confluent epithelial morphologies similar to that observed on exposure of wild-type cells to the phorbol ester 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Transepithelial electrical resistance ( R T) in cell sheets overexpressing PKC-δ was only 20% of that in cell sheets incubated in the presence of tetracycline, in which the amount of PKC-δ and R Twere similar to those in LLC-PK1parental cell sheets. Overexpression of PKC-δ also elicited a significant increase in transepithelial flux ofd-[14C]mannitol and a radiolabeled 2 × 106-molecular-weight dextran, suggesting with the R T decrease that overexpression increased paracellular, tight junctional permeability. Electron microscopy showed that PKC-δ overexpression results in a multilayered cell sheet, the tight junctions of which are almost uniformly permeable to ruthenium red. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy indicates that overexpression of PKC-δ results in a more disorganized arrangement of tight junctional strands. As with LLC-PK1 cell sheets treated with 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, the reduced R T, increasedd-mannitol flux, and tight junctional leakiness to ruthenium red that are seen with PKC-δ overexpression suggest the involvement of PKC-δ in regulation of tight junctional permeability.