Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Abrogates Migration of Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma Cells: Results of an in vitro Study

Introduction: Migration of cells involves a complex signaling network. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the impact of Rho-kinase (ROK) on G protein-coupled receptor-induced migration of human transitional cell carcinoma cells in an in vitro experimental setting. Materials and Methods: Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) was measured with the indicator dye Fura-2 in response to lysophosphatidic acid, thrombin and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Phospholipase C activity was determined in myo-[ 3 H]inositol- (0.5 µCi/ml) labeled cells. Migration was performed using a Boyden chamber. Transient transfection of a dominant-negative mutant of ROK was done with calcium phosphate. For staining of actin filaments, tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-conjugated phalloidin was used. Results: Lysophosphatidic acid, thrombin and sphingosine-1-phosphate cause increases in [Ca 2+ ] i , cellular responses being accompanied by an enhancement of phospholipase C activity and sensitive to the G i inhibitor pertussis toxin. Agonists potently stimulated migration of T24 and J82 cells. Inhibition of Rho proteins by Clostridium difficile toxin B abrogated cell migration. Inhibition of ROK using HA1077 and Y-27632 mimicked the properties of toxin B. Expression of a ROK mutant drastically reduced migration. Conclusions: G protein-coupled receptors potently stimulated cell migration in T24 and J82 cells. Rho proteins and ROK play a pivotal role in this signaling cascade. Rho and ROK may be putative targets for new therapy options in bladder cancer.