Coupling factor 6 attenuates CXCR4 expression through the HIF-1α and c-Src pathways and promotes endothelial apoptosis and inflammation.

Vascular endothelial cells are exposed to an acidic pH, and CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a key protective molecule against acidosis. We investigated the effect of coupling factor 6 (CF6), a novel proton import activator, on CXCR4 signaling and its molecular mechanism. CF6 decreased CXCR4 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with small interfering RNA (siRNA) for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α or PP1, a specific c-Src inhibitor, attenuated the CF6-induced decrease in CXCR4 without affecting CF6-induced intracellular acidosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that CF6 enhanced the interaction between HIF-1α and the CXCR4 promoter at the hypoxia response element. CF6 also enhanced protein-protein interactions between phospho-c-Src and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), but did not affect the binding of HDAC3 to the CXCR4 promoter at the hypoxia response element. Apoptotic cells, as measured by an Annexin-V-FITC Propidium Iodide Kit, were increased by CF6 in normoxia and hypoxia at 24 h; however, this increase was abolished by pretreatment with either siRNA for HIF-1α or the CXCR4 ligand. The coronary arteries and perivascular tissues obtained from CF6-overexpressing transgenic mice showed a lower expression of CXCR4 in the heart, increased wall thickness and infiltration of CD16-positive, CD206-positive or apoptotic cells. CF6 decreases CXCR4 expression through both HIF-1α- and c-Src-mediated mechanisms in vascular endothelial cells. Because CXCR4 has an important role in survival function, CF6 may have a role in the progression of arteriosclerosis via these complex mechanisms.