Phospholipase Cγ1 represses colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis

As essential phospholipid signaling regulators, phospholipase C (PLC)s are activated by various extracellular ligands and mediate intracellular signal transduction. PLCγ1 is involved in regulating various cancer cell functions. However, the precise in vivo link between PLCγ1 and cancer behavior remains undefined. To investigate the role of PLCγ1 in colorectal carcinogenesis, we generated an intestinal tissue-specific Plcg1 knock out (KO) in adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) Min/+ mice. Plcg1 deficiency in ApcMin/+ mice showed earlier death, with a higher colorectal tumor incidence in both number and size than in wild-type mice. Mechanistically, inhibition of PLCγ1 increased the levels of its substrate phosphoinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at the plasma membrane and promoted the activation of Wnt receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) to enhance β-catenin signaling. Enhanced cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were observed in colon tumors from Plcg1 KO mice. Furthermore, low PLCγ1 expression was associated with a poor prognosis of colon cancer patients. Collectively, we demonstrated the role of PLCγ1 in vivo as a tumor suppressor relationship between the regulation of the PIP2 level and Wnt/β-catenin-dependent intestinal tumor formation.

Phospholipase Cγ2 Is Required for Luminal Expansion of the Epididymal Duct during Postnatal Development in Mice

Phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2)-deficient mice exhibit misconnections of blood and lymphatic vessels, and male infertility. However, the cell type responsible for vascular partitioning and the mechanism for male infertility remain unknown. Accordingly, we generated a mouse line that conditionally expresses endogenous Plcg2 in a Cre/loxP recombination-dependent manner, and found that Tie2-Cre- or Pf4-Cre-driven reactivation of Plcg2 rescues PLCγ2-deficient mice from the vascular phenotype. By contrast, male mice rescued from the vascular phenotype exhibited epididymal sperm granulomas. As judged from immunostaining, PLCγ2 was expressed in clear cells in the epididymis. PLCγ2 deficiency did not compromise differentiation of epididymal epithelial cells, including clear cells, and tube formation at postnatal week 2. However, luminal expansion of the epididymal duct was impaired during the prepubertal period, regardless of epithelial cell polarity and tube architecture. These results suggest that PLCγ2-deficient clear cells cause impaired luminal expansion, stenosis of the epididymal duct, attenuation of luminal flow, and subsequent sperm granulomas. Clear cell-mediated luminal expansion is also supported by the observation that PLCγ2-deficient males were rescued from infertility by epididymal epithelium-specific reactivation of Plcg2, although the edematous and hemorrhagic phenotype associated with PLCγ2 deficiency also caused spontaneous epididymal sperm granulomas in aging males. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that PLCγ2 in clear cells plays an essential role in luminal expansion of the epididymis during the prepubertal period in mice, and reveal an unexpected link between PLCγ2, clear cells, and epididymal development.

CD8+ T cells regulate bone tumor burden independent of osteoclast resorption

Blockade of osteoclast (OC) activity efficiently decreases tumor burden as well as associated bone erosion in immune-compromised animals bearing human osteolytic cancers. In this study, we showed that modulation of antitumor T-cell responses alters tumor growth in bone, regardless of OC status, by using genetic and pharmacologic models. PLCγ2(-/-) mice, with dysfunctional OCs and impaired dendritic cell (DC)-mediated T-cell activation, had increased bone tumor burden despite protection from bone loss. In contrast, Lyn(-/-) mice, with more numerous OCs and a hyperactive myeloid population leading to increased T-cell responses, had reduced tumor growth in bone despite enhanced osteolysis. The unexpected tumor/bone phenotype observed in PLCγ2(-/-) and Lyn(-/-) mice was transplantable, suggesting the involvement of an immune component. Consistent with this hypothesis, T-cell activation diminished skeletal metastasis whereas T-cell depletion enhanced it, even in the presence of zoledronic acid, a potent antiresorptive agent. Importantly, injection of antigen-specific wild-type cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells in PLCγ2(-/-) mice or CD8(+) T-cell depletion in Lyn(-/-) mice normalized tumor growth in bone. Our findings show the important contribution of CD8(+) T cells in the regulation of bone metastases regardless of OC status, thus including T cells as critical regulators of tumor growth in bone.

Btk and phospholipase C gamma 2 can function independently during B cell development

The pre-BCR and the BCR regulate B cell development via a signalosome nucleated by the adaptor protein B cell linker protein (BLNK). Formation of this complex facilitates activation of phospholipase C (PLC) gamma2 by Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). To determine whether Btk and PLCgamma2 also have separate functions, we generated Btk(-/-)PLCgamma2(-/-) mice. They demonstrated a block in development at the pre-B stage and increased pre-BCR surface expression. This phenotype was more severe than that of Btk(-/-) or PLCgamma2(-/-) mice. Although both Btk and PLCgamma2 were required for proliferation of splenic B cells in response to BCR cross-linking, they contributed differently to anti-IgM-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Btk(-/-) and PLCgamma2(-/-) mice each had a reduced frequency of Iglambda-expressing B cells and impaired migration of pre-B cells towards stromal cell-derived factor 1. However, the increase in pre-B cell malignancy that occurs in BLNK(-/-) mice in the absence of Btk was not observed in the absence of PLCgamma2. Thus, Btk and PLCgamma2 act both in concert and independently throughout B cell development.

Differential and nonredundant roles of phospholipase Cgamma2 and phospholipase Cgamma1 in the terminal maturation of NK cells

NK cells play a central role in mediating innate immune responses. Activation of NK cells results in cytotoxicity, cytokine, and chemokine secretions. In this study, we show that in mice with targeted deletion of phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma)2, one of the key signal transducers, there are profound effects on the development and terminal maturation of NK cells. Lack of PLCgamma2 significantly impaired the ability of lineage-committed NK precursor cells to acquire subset-specific Ly49 receptors and thereby terminal maturation of NK cells. Overexpression of isozyme, PLCgamma1, in PLCgamma2-deficient NK cells resulted in the successful Ly49 acquisition and terminal maturation of the NK cells; however, it could only partially rescue NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity with no cytokine production. Furthermore, PLCgamma2-deficient NK cells failed to mediate antitumor cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokine production, displaying a generalized hyporesponsiveness. Our results strongly demonstrate that PLCgamma1 and PLCgamma2 play nonredundant and obligatory roles in NK cell ontogeny and in its effector functions.

Combined deficiencies in Bruton tyrosine kinase and phospholipase Cgamma2 arrest B-cell development at a pre-BCR+ stage

Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) and phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) are 2 key molecules involved in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Biochemical studies have placed them in a linear signaling pathway, with Btk acting upstream of PLCgamma2. Consistent with this, mice lacking either molecule display a leaky but similar block in B-cell development. Here, we generated Btk(-/-) PLCgamma2(-/-) mice and showed that combined deficiencies in Btk and PLCgamma2 severely arrested B lymphopoiesis at the large pre-B-cell stage. In contrast to either single mutant, Btk(-/-) PLCgamma2(-/-) pre-B cells expressed high levels of pre-BCR on their cell surfaces and exhibited reduced immunoglobulin light chain gene rearrangements. Pre-BCR-induced calcium signaling was also drastically compromised in Btk(-/-) PLCgamma2(-/-) pre-B cells compared with wild-type and single-mutant cells. Interestingly, immunoglobulin heavy chain allelic exclusion remained intact in the absence of Btk and PLCgamma2. Overall, our results suggest that Btk and PLCgamma2 have combinatorial roles in regulating pre-B cell differentiation.

Phospholipase Cgamma1 negatively regulates growth hormone signalling by forming a ternary complex with Jak2 and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B

Growth hormone binds to its membrane receptor (GHR), whereby it regulates many cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation and chemotaxis. However, although the activation of growth hormone-mediated signalling is well understood, the precise mechanism responsible for its regulation has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) modulates the action of growth hormone-mediated signalling by interacting with tyrosine kinase Jak2 (janus kinase 2) in a growth hormone-dependent manner. In the absence of PLCgamma1 (PLCgamma1(-/-)), growth hormone-induced JAK2 and STAT5 phosphorylation significantly increased in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Furthermore, the re-expression of PLCgamma1 reduced growth hormone-induced Jak2 activation. Growth hormone-induced Jak2 phosphorylation was enhanced by siRNA-specific knockdown of PLCgamma1. Interestingly, PLCgamma1 physically linked Jak2 and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) by binding to both using different domains, and this process was implicated in the modulation of cytokine signalling through Jak2. In addition, in PLCgamma1(-/-) MEFs, growth hormone-dependent c-Fos activation was upregulated and growth hormone-induced proliferation was potentiated. These results suggest that PLCgamma1 has a key function in the regulation of growth hormone-mediated signalling by negatively regulating Jak2 activation.

PLCgamma2 regulates osteoclastogenesis via its interaction with ITAM proteins and GAB2

Excessive bone loss in arthritic diseases is mostly due to abnormal activation of the immune system leading to stimulation of osteoclasts. While phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) isoforms are known modulators of T and B lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, we found that blockade of PLCgamma enzymatic activity also blocks early osteoclast development and function. Importantly, targeted deletion of Plcg2 in mice led to an osteopetrotic phenotype. PLCgamma2, independent of PLCgamma1, was required for receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand-induced (RANKL-induced) osteoclastogenesis by differentially regulating nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), activator protein-1 (AP1), and NF-kappaB. Specifically, we show that NFATc1 upregulation is dependent on RANKL-mediated phosphorylation of PLCgamma2 downstream of Dap12/Fc receptor gamma (Dap12/FcRgamma) receptors and is blocked by the PLCgamma inhibitor U73122. In contrast, activation of JNK and NF-kappaB was not affected by U73122 or Dap12/FcRgamma deletion. Interestingly, we found that in osteoclasts, PLCgamma2 formed a complex with the regulatory adapter molecule GAB2, was required for GAB2 phosphorylation, and modulated GAB2 recruitment to RANK. Thus, PLCgamma2 mediates RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and is a potential candidate for antiresorptive therapy.

Involvement of Src kinases and PLCgamma2 in clot retraction

The integrin α_IIbβ₃ plays a critical role in mediating clot retraction by platelets which is important in vivo in consolidating thrombus formation. Actin–myosin interaction is essential for clot retraction. In the present study, we demonstrate that the structurally distinct Src kinase inhibitors, PP2 and PD173952, significantly reduced the rate of clot retraction, but did not prevent it reaching completion. This effect was accompanied by abolition of α_IIbβ₃-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation, including PLCγ2. A role for PLCγ2 in mediating clot retraction was demonstrated using PLCγ2-deficient murine platelets. Furthermore, platelet adhesion to fibrinogen leads to MLC phosphorylation through a pathway that is inhibited by PP2 and by the PLC inhibitor, U73122. These results demonstrate a partial role for Src kinase-dependent activation of PLCγ2 and MLC phosphorylation in mediating clot retraction downstream of integrin α_IIbβ₃.

Essential role of phospholipase C gamma 2 in early B-cell development and Myc-mediated lymphomagenesis

Phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) is a critical signaling effector of the B-cell receptor (BCR). Here we show that PLCgamma2 deficiency impedes early B-cell development, resulting in an increase of B220+ CD43+ BP-1+ CD24hi pre-BCR+ large pre-B cells. PLCgamma2 deficiency impairs pre-BCR-mediated functions, leading to enhanced interleukin-7 (IL-7) signaling and elevated levels of RAGs in the selected large pre-B cells. Consequently, PLCgamma2 deficiency renders large pre-B cells susceptible to transformation, resulting in dramatic acceleration of Myc-induced lymphomagenesis. PLCgamma2(-/-) Emu-Myc transgenic mice mainly develop lymphomas of B220+ CD43+ BP-1+ CD24hi pre-BCR+ large pre-B-cell origin, which are uncommon in wild-type Emu-Myc transgenics. Furthermore, lymphomas from PLCgamma2(-/-) Emu-Myc transgenic mice exhibited a loss of p27Kip1 and often displayed alterations in Arf or p53. Thus, PLCgamma2 plays an important role in pre-BCR-mediated early B-cell development, and its deficiency leads to markedly increased pools of the most at-risk large pre-B cells, which display hyperresponsiveness to IL-7 and express high levels of RAGs, making them prone to secondary mutations and Myc-induced malignancy.

Phospholipase Cγ2 Dosage Is Critical for B Cell Development in the Absence of Adaptor Protein BLNK

B cell linker (BLNK) protein and phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) are components of the BCR signalosome that activate calcium signaling in B cells. Mice lacking either molecule have a severe but incomplete block in B lymphopoiesis. In this study, we generated BLNK-/- PLCgamma2-/- mice to examine the effect of simultaneous disruption of both molecules on B cell development. We showed that BLNK-/- PLCgamma2-/- mice had compounded defects in B cell maturation compared with either single mutant, suggesting that these two molecules cooperatively or synergistically signaled B lymphopoiesis. However, Ig H chain allelic exclusion was maintained in single and double mutants, indicating that signals propagated by BLNK and PLCgamma2 were not involved in this process. Interestingly, in the absence of BLNK, B cell development was dependent on plcgamma2 gene dosage. This was evidenced by the proportionate decrease in splenic B cell population and increase in bone marrow surface pre-BCR+ cells in PLCgamma2-diploid, -haploid, and -null animals. Intracellular calcium signaling and ERK activation in response to BCR engagement were also proportionately decreased and delayed, respectively, with stepwise reduction of plcgamma2 dosage in a BLNK(null) background. Thus, these data indicate the importance of BLNK not only as a conduit to specifically channel BCR-signaling pathways and as a scaffold for the assembling of macromolecular complex, but also as an efficient aggregator or concentrator of PLCgamma2 molecules to effect optimal signaling for B cell generation and activation.

Distinct roles of phosphoinositide-3 kinase and phospholipase Cgamma2 in B-cell receptor-mediated signal transduction

During B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) is thought to function upstream of phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2). PLCgamma2 deficiency specifically impedes transitional type 2 (T2) to follicular (FO) mature B-cell transition. Here, we demonstrate that PI3K deficiency specifically impaired T2-to-FO mature B-cell transition and marginal zone B-cell development. Furthermore, we investigated the functional relationship between PI3K and PLCgamma2 using PI3K-/-, PLCgamma2-/-, and PI3K-/- PLCgamma2-/- B cells. Interestingly, PLCgamma2 deficiency had no effect on BCR-mediated PI3K activation, whereas PI3K deficiency only partially blocked activation of PLCgamma2. Moreover, whereas PI3K-/- PLCgamma2-/- double deficiency did not affect hematopoiesis, it resulted in embryonic lethality. PI3K-/- PLCgamma2-/- fetal liver cells transplanted into B-cell null JAK3-/- mice failed to restore development of peripheral B cells and failed to progress through early B-cell development at the pro-B- to pre-B-cell transition, a more severe phenotype than was observed with either PI3K or PLCgamma2 single-deficiency B cells. Consistent with this finding, BCR signaling was more severely impaired in the absence of both PI3K and PLCgamma2 genes than in the absence of either one alone. Taken together, these results demonstrate that whereas PI3K functions upstream of PLCgamma2, activation of PLCgamma2 can occur independently of PI3K and that PI3K and PLCgamma2 also have distinct functions in BCR signal transduction.

Phospholipase C-gamma2 is essential for NK cell cytotoxicity and innate immunity to malignant and virally infected cells

Phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2) is a key component of signal transduction in leukocytes. In natural killer (NK) cells, PLC-gamma2 is pivotal for cellular cytotoxicity; however, it is not known which steps of the cytolytic machinery it regulates. We found that PLC-gamma2-deficient NK cells formed conjugates with target cells and polarized the microtubule-organizing center, but failed to secrete cytotoxic granules, due to defective calcium mobilization. Consequently, cytotoxicity was completely abrogated in PLC-gamma2-deficient cells, regardless of whether targets expressed NKG2D ligands, missed self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, or whether NK cells were stimulated with IL-2 and antibodies specific for NKR-P1C, CD16, CD244, Ly49D, and Ly49H. Defective secretion was specific to cytotoxic granules because release of IFN-gamma on stimulation with IL-12 was normal. Plcg2-/- mice could not reject MHC class I-deficient lymphoma cells nor could they control CMV infection, but they effectively contained Listeria monocytogenes infection. Our results suggest that exocytosis of cytotoxic granules, but not cellular polarization toward targets, depends on intracellular calcium rise during NK cell cytotoxicity. In vivo, PLC-gamma2 regulates selective facets of innate immunity because it is essential for NK cell responses to malignant and virally infected cells but not to bacterial infections.