Inhibition by Protein Kinase C Inhibitor of Expression of Leukocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 Molecules in Rat Hepatoma AH66F Cells

To examine the mechanism of inhibition by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors of the adhesion of highly malignant hepatoma AH66F cells to the mesentery-derived mesothelial cell (M-cell) layer through leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)/intercellular adhesion molecule-1, the effects of a PKC inhibitor, NA-382, on the expression of LFA-1 molecules in AH66F cells were examined and compared with those in thymocytes from normal rats. NA-382 inhibited the adhesion of AH66F cells to the M-cell layer and the expression of LFA-1 on the membrane of the hepatoma cells after treatment for more than 24 h. It was confirmed that AH66F cells express similar mRNAs for LFA-1 subunits to those of thymocytes, and their levels were also decreased after treatment with NA-382. On the other hand, the LFA-1-mediated adhesion and the expression of both protein and mRNA for LFA-1 subunits in thymocytes were not changed by the PKC inhibitor. These results suggest that the expression of LFA-1 molecules in AH66F cells may be regulated by PKC via quite different mechanisms from those in normal lymphocytes