TNIK: A redox sensor in endothelial cell permeability

Sci Adv. 2024 Dec 20;10(51):eadk6583. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6583. Epub 2024 Dec 20.

Abstract

Dysregulation of endothelial barrier integrity can lead to vascular leak and potentially fatal oedema. TNF-α controls endothelial permeability during inflammation and requires the actin organizing Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins. We identified TRAF2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) as a kinase directly phosphorylating and activating ERM, specifically at the plasma membrane of primary human endothelial cells. TNIK mediates TNF-α-dependent cellular stiffness and paracellular gap formation in vitro and is essential in driving inflammatory oedema formation in vivo. Unlike its homologs, TNIK activity is negatively and reversibly regulated by H2O2-mediated oxidation of C202 within the kinase domain. TNIK oxidation results in intermolecular disulfide bond formation and loss of kinase activity. Pharmacologic inhibition of endogenous reactive oxygen species production in endothelial cells elevated TNIK-dependent ERM phosphorylation, endothelial cell contraction, and cell rounding. Together, we highlight an interplay between TNIK, ERM phosphorylation, and redox signalling in regulating TNF-induced endothelial cell permeability.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells* / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases* / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • TNIK protein, human
  • ezrin
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • moesin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins