Journal Article

The involvement of RIPK4 in TNF-α-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by melanoma cells

Wolnicka-Glubisz, Agnieszka, Cierniak, Agnieszka, Wronski, Norbert, Deptula, Milena, Madej, Ewelina, Lisek, Anna, Wardowska, Anna, Brożyna, Anna A.

2024

Overview

Purpose The receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK4) has an oncogenic function in melanoma, regulates NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and is sensitive to the BRAF inhibitors: vemurafenib and dabrafenib which lead to its decreased level. As its role in melanoma remains not fully understood, we examined the effects of its downregulation on the transcriptomic profile of melanoma. Methods Applying RNA-seq, we revealed global alterations in the transcriptome of WM266.4 cells with RIPK4 silencing. Functional partners of RIPK4 were evaluated using STRING and GeneMANIA databases. Cells with transient knockdown (via siRNA) and stable knockout (via CRISPR/Cas9) of RIPK4 were stimulated with TNF-α. The expression levels of selected proteins were assessed using Western blot, ELISA, and qPCR. Results Global analysis of gene expression changes indicates a complex role for RIPK4 in regulating adhesion, migration, proliferation, and inflammatory processes in melanoma cells. Our study highlights potential functional partners of RIPK4 such as BIRC3, TNF-α receptors, and MAP2K6. Data from RIPK4 knockout cells suggest a putative role for RIPK4 in modulating TNF-α-induced production of IL-8 and IL-6 through two distinct signaling pathways—BIRC3/NF-κB and p38/MAPK. Furthermore, increased serum TNF-α levels and the correlation of RIPK4 with NF-κB were revealed in melanoma patients. Conclusion These data reveal a complex role for RIPK4 in regulating the immune signaling network in melanoma cells and suggest that this kinase may represent an alternative target for melanoma-targeted adjuvant therapy.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: adhesion / adjuvants / blood serum / Cancer Research / Cell Line, Tumor / Cell Proliferation / CRISPR / CRISPR-Cas systems / Down-regulation / Gene expression / Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Hematology / Humans / Inflammation / Interleukin 6 / Interleukin 8 / Interleukin-6 - genetics / Interleukin-6 - metabolism / Interleukin-8 - genetics / Interleukin-8 - metabolism / Internal Medicine / Kinases / MAP kinase / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Melanoma / Melanoma - drug therapy / Melanoma - genetics / Melanoma - metabolism / Melanoma - pathology / NF-κB protein / Oncology / protein kinases / Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases - genetics / Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism / sequence analysis / Signal transduction / siRNA / therapeutics / transcriptome / Transcriptomes / Transcriptomics / Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism / Tumor necrosis factor-α / Western blotting / Wnt protein / β-Catenin