Dopamine D2 receptor signalling controls inflammation in acute pancreatitis via a PP2A-dependent Akt/NF-κB signalling pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dopamine hasmultiple anti-inflammatory effects, but its role andmolecularmechanism in acute pancreatitis (AP) are unclear. We investigated the role of dopamine signalling in the inflammatory response in AP. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Changes in pancreatic dopaminergic system and effects of dopamine, antagonists and agonists of D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors were analysed in wild-type and pancreas-specific Drd2(-/-) mice with AP (induced by caerulein and LPS or L-arginine) and pancreatic acinar cells with or without cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulation. The severity of pancreatitis was assessed by measuring serum amylase and lipase and histological assessments. The NF-kappa B signalling pathway was evaluated, and macrophage and neutrophil migration assessed by Transwell assay. KEY RESULTS Pancreatic dopamine synthetase andmetabolic enzyme levels were increased, whereas D-1 and D-2 receptors were decreased in AP. Dopamine reduced inflammation in CCK-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells by inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. Moreover, the protective effects of dopamine were blocked by a D-2 antagonist, but not a D-1 antagonist. A D-2 agonist reduced pancreatic damage and levels of p-I kappa B alpha, p-NF-kappa Bp65, TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 in AP. Pancreas-specific Drd2(-/-) aggravated AP. Also, the D-2 agonist activated PP2A and inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, IKK, I kappa B alpha and NF-kappa B and production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, it inhibited the migration of macrophages and neutrophils by reducing the expression of CCL2 and CXCL2. A PP2A inhibitor attenuated these protective effects of the D-2 agonist. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS D-2 receptors control pancreatic inflammation in AP by inhibiting NF-kappa B activation via a PP2A-dependent Akt signalling pathway.