Induction of Bv8 expression by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in CD11b+Gr1+ cells: key role of Stat3 signaling

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 1;287(23):19574-84. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.326801. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

Abstract

Bv8, also known as prokineticin 2, has been characterized as an important mediator of myeloid cell mobilization and myeloid cell-dependent tumor angiogenesis. Bv8 expression is dramatically enhanced by G-CSF, both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms involved in such up-regulation remain unknown. Using pharmacological inhibitors that interfere with multiple signaling pathways known to be activated by G-CSF, we show that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) activation is required for Bv8 up-regulation in mouse bone marrow cells, whereas other Stat family members and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation are not involved. We further identified CD11b(+) Gr1(+) myeloid cells as the primary cell population in which Stat3 signaling is activated by G-CSF. Bv8 expression induced by G-CSF was also significantly reduced by siRNA-mediated Stat3 knockdown. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation studies indicate that G-CSF significantly induces binding of phospho-Stat3 to the Bv8 promoter, which was abolished by pretreatment with the Stat3 inhibitor WP1066. Luciferase assay confirmed that the phospho-Stat3 binding site is a functional enhancer of the Bv8 promoter. The key role of Stat3 signaling in regulating G-CSF-induced Bv8 expression was further confirmed by in vivo studies. We show that the regulation of Bv8 expression in human bone marrow cells is also Stat3 signaling-dependent. Stat3 is recognized as a key regulator of inflammation-dependent tumorigenesis. We propose that such a role of Stat3 reflects at least in part its ability to regulate Bv8 expression.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism*
  • CD11b Antigen*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones / biosynthesis*
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neuropeptides / biosynthesis*
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Tyrphostins / pharmacology

Substances

  • CD11b Antigen
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones
  • ITGAM protein, human
  • Neuropeptides
  • PROK2 protein, human
  • Prok2 protein, mouse
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Tyrphostins
  • WP1066
  • granulocyte receptor 1, mouse
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases