Objective—Monocyte activation and migration are crucial events in the development of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. This study examined the role of protein kinase D (PKD) in monocyte migration.

Method and Results—PKD2 is the predominant isoform of PKD expressed in monocytic THP-1 cells and primary human monocytes. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), a prominent component of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, induces rapid and marked PKD activation in these cells. Using multiple approaches, including dominant-negative mutants and small interfering RNA knock-down, we found that lysoPC-induced PKD2 activation was required for the activation of both ERK and p38 MAPK. p38 MAPK mediation of lysoPC-induced monocytic cell migration was reported previously; our results reveal that the lysoPC-induced PKD2-p38 pathway controls monocyte migration.

Conclusions—This study provides the first evidence that (1) lysoPC activates PKD, (2) PKD2 has a novel role in p38 activation, and (3) the PKD2-activated p38 pathway is responsible for lysoPC-induced migration of THP-1 cells and human monocytes. Thus, PKD is a novel and functional intracellular regulator in both lysoPC signaling and monocyte migration. These results suggest a new role for PKD2 in the development of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.