Dynamic expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 2 in human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cells during macrophage differentiation.

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) consist of five enzymes which are widely distributed in human and rodent tissues. The two types of enzymes are found in human peripheral blood cells; PAD4 mainly in granulocytes and monocytes and PAD2 in lymphocytes and macrophages. Little is known about the regulation of PAD expression in macrophages. Here, we report that PAD2 is expressed in human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cells during differentiation into macrophages by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. During this differentiation, the levels of PAD2 mRNA and protein increased concomitantly, indicating the transcriptional regulation of PAD2 gene expression in the cells. The treatment of THP-1-derived macrophages with calcium ionophore A23187 generated vimentin deimination and resulted in the disruption of vimentin filament organization. We discuss the possible role of vimentin deimination in cell physiology.