Ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 knockdown increases cell migration and mRNA level of collagen I in a hepatic stellate cell line

Cell Tissue Res. 2011 May;344(2):279-86. doi: 10.1007/s00441-011-1140-7. Epub 2011 Mar 19.

Abstract

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eNT/CD73, E.C.3.1.3.5) is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked cell-surface protein with several functions, including the local generation of adenosine from AMP, with the consequent activation of adenosine receptors and the salvaging of extracellular nucleotides. It also apparently functions independently of this activity, e.g., in the mediation of cell-cell adhesion. Liver fibrosis can be considered as a dynamic and integrated cellular response to chronic liver injury and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a role in the fibrogenic process. eNT/CD73 and adenosine are reported to play an important role in hepatic fibrosis in murine models. Knockdown of eNT/CD73 leads to an increase in mRNA expression of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNALP), another AMP-degrading enzyme and thus no alteration is seen in the total ecto-AMPase activity of the cell. eNT/CD73 knockdown also leads to changes in the expression of collagen I and a clear alteration of cell migration. We suggest that eNT/CD73 protein expression controls cell migration and collagen expression in a mechanism independent of changes in nucleotide metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5'-Nucleotidase / biosynthesis
  • 5'-Nucleotidase / deficiency*
  • 5'-Nucleotidase / genetics
  • 5'-Nucleotidase / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen Type I / genetics*
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / cytology*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / enzymology
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / enzymology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • 5'-Nucleotidase