Geranylgeranylation but not GTP loading determines rho migratory function in T cells

J Immunol. 2007 Nov 1;179(9):6024-32. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.9.6024.

Abstract

Rho GTPases orchestrate signaling pathways leading to cell migration. Their function depends on GTP loading and isoprenylation by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGpp). In this study, we show that in human T cells, geranylgeranylation-and not GTP loading-is necessary for RhoA-mediated downstream events. As a result of GGpp depletion with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin, RhoA was sequestered from the membrane to the cytosol and, notwithstanding increased GTP loading, the constitutive activation of its substrate Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase-1 was blocked. In line with this, T cells expressing increased GTP-RhoA failed to form an intact cytoskeleton and to migrate toward a chemokine gradient. In vivo treatment with atorvastatin in the rodent model of multiple sclerosis markedly decreased the capacity of activated T cells to traffic within the brain, as demonstrated by multiphoton analysis. Thus, tethering of RhoA to the membrane by GGpp is determinant for T cell migration and provides a mechanism for preventing T cell infiltration into inflamed compartments by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Phenalenes / pharmacology
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates / pharmacology
  • Prenylation*
  • Protein Binding
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phenalenes
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates
  • atrovenetin
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • ROCK1 protein, human
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Caspase 3
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
  • geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate