Induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 via Erk1/2-NF-κB pathway in human astroglia infected with Toxoplasma gondii

•Phosphorylated (p)-Erk1/2 and p-nuclear factor (NF)-κB were induced in astroglia infected with Toxoplasma gondii.•T. gondii-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression was associated with activated NF-κB in the nucleus.•p-NF-κB, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced by MG132.•p-Erk1/2, p-NF-κB, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased by PD98059.•MMP-2 and -9 inductions were via Erk1/2-NF-κB pathway in astroglia infected with T. gondii.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 can cleave fibronectin, allowing leukocyte migration to the site of Toxoplasma gondii infection during toxoplasmic encephalitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2-nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway and MMP-2/-9 expression in astroglia infected with T. gondii tachyzoite in vitro. Our results showed that phosphorylated (p)-Erk1/2 transiently increased 1 h post-infection (PI) and p-NF-κB significantly increased from 1 h PI to 12 h PI in cell homogenates. NF-κB was bound directly to oligonucleotides containing putative NF-κB binding sites for the MMP-9 promoter. Additionally, expression of p-NF-κB, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was significantly decreased by MG132, an indirect NF-κB inhibitor. Treatment with PD98059, an Erk kinase inhibitor, efficiently reduced p-Erk1/2, p-NF-κB, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression. These results suggest that suppression of the Erk1/2-NF-κB signaling pathway causes reductions in MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in astroglia response to T. gondii infection. Thus, inhibiting this signaling intermediate involved in MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression may be a potential method for controlling inflammatory development of T. gondii-induced encephalitis.

Graphical abstractInduction of MMP-2 and -9 in astroglia response to Toxoplasma gondii infection was via Erk1/2-NF-κB pathways. Blocking this signaling intermediate for MMP-2 and -9 expression is one potential method for controlling inflammatory development for T. gondii-induced encephalitis.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide