DNAJA4 deficiency enhances NF-kappa B-related growth arrest induced by hyperthermia in human keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermia is an effective treatment against cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Previous studies have shown that heat shock proteins are crucial to the action of hyperthermia.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of hyperthermia in combination with DNAJA4-deficiency on human keratinocytes and Condyloma acumunatum (CA) tissues.

METHODS: HaCaT cells were subjected to 44 °C (compared to 37 °C) waterbath for 30 min for stimulation. Foreskin or CA tissues obtained from patients undergoing circumcision or pathological examination were bisected and subjected to similar treatments. DNAJA4-knockout (KO) HaCaT cells were generated with CRISPR/Cas9 technology. mRNA and protein expressions were determined using rt-qPCR and western-blotting. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and senescence were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: DNAJA4 was induced in HaCaT cells, foreskin and CA tissues subjected to hyperthermia at both transcriptional and translational levels. NF-kB,3 was activated by hyperthermia in HaCaT cells, and further enhanced by DNAJA4-deficiency. Transcription of TNF-α4 ; IL-1B,5 TNFAIP36 and IL-87 were induced in HaCaT cells subjected to hyperthermia. DNAJA4-knockout promoted transcriptions of TNF-α and IL-1B, whereas decreased that of TNFAIP3 and IL-8. Reduced cell survival, proliferation and viability were demonstrated using flow cytometry and MTS assays. Furthermore, NF-kB inhibitors reversed most of the phenotypes observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthermia reduced HaCaT cell proliferation and promoted cytokine expressions responsible for anti-viral activity, mainly through a NF-kB dependent pathway. DNAJA4-deficiency enhanced the activation of NF-kB by hyperthermia in HaCaT cells, indicating that DNAJA4 may be a promising therapeutic target for use in the treatment of cutaneous HPV infections.