The Role of Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Protein Kinase C Delta in Infection and Inflammation

Protein Kinase C (PKC) is a family composed of phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases that are master regulators of inflammatory signaling. The activity of different PKCs is context-sensitive and these kinases can be positive or negative regulators of signaling pathways. The delta isoform (PKC) is a critical regulator of the inflammatory response in cancer, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies implicate PKC as an important regulator of the inflammatory response in sepsis. PKC, unlike other members of the PKC family, is unique in its regulation by tyrosine phosphorylation, activation mechanisms, and multiple subcellular targets. Inhibition of PKC may offer a unique therapeutic approach in sepsis by targeting neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions. In this review, we will describe the overall structure and function of PKCs, with a focus on the specific phosphorylation sites of PKC that determine its critical role in cell signaling in inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. Current genetic and pharmacological tools, as well as in vivo models, that are used to examine the role of PKC in inflammation and sepsis are presented and the current state of emerging tools such as microfluidic assays in these studies is described.