The Serine Protease Plasmin Triggers Expression of the CC-Chemokine Ligand 20 in Dendritic Cells via Akt/NF-κB-Dependent Pathways
Figure 5
Activation of Akt and ERK1/2 is indispensable for the plasmin-induced CCL20 expression. (a) RT-PCR analysis of CCL20 mRNA expression. Dendritic cells were pretreated with the Akt inhibitor VIII, the MEK inhibitor U0126, the p38 inhibitor SB203580 (each at 1 μM), or the IκB kinase inhibitor AKβBA (10 μM) for 15 min and then stimulated with plasmin (0.143 CTA U/mL) for 6 h. mRNA was isolated and subjected to RT-PCR using CCL20-specific primers; GAPDH served as control. Representative data of 3 independent experiments are shown. (b) Release of CCL20 by plasmin-stimulated dendritic cells. Dendritic cells were treated as in A, but for 24 h, and CCL20 release into the supernatants was analyzed by ELISA. Results are mean ± SEM of 5 experiments, **P < 0.01.
