Inhibitory Effect Of Epidermal Growth Factor Research Articles

Epidermal Growth Factor Reduces Collecting Duct Water Permeability by Inhibiting Aquaporin-2 Phosphorylation at Ser269

Prior studies showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits vasopressin-stimulated osmotic water permeability in the renal collecting duct. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism of this response. Using the Burg isolated perfused tubule technique in microdissected rat inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCDs), we found that addition of 0.1 μM EGF to the peritubular bath significantly decreased 0.1 nM 1‐deamino‐8‐D‐arginine vasopressin (dDAVP)-stimulated water permeability, confirming prior observations. The inhibitory effect of EGF on dDAVP-stimulated water permeability was associated with a reduction in intracellular cyclic AMP levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Using phospho-specific antibodies and immunoblotting in IMCD suspensions, we showed that EGF significantly reduces dDAVP-stimulated aquaporin-2 (AQP2) phosphorylation at S264 and S269. This effect was absent when membrane-permeable 8-cpt-cAMP (0.1 mM) was used to stimulate AQP2 phosphorylation, suggesting that EGF’s effect was on a pre-cAMP step. Immunofluorescence labeling of microdissected IMCDs showed that EGF significantly reduced apical AQP2 abundance in the presence of dDAVP. To address what protein kinase might be responsible for S269 phosphorylation, we used Bayesian analysis to integrate multiple -omic datasets. Thirteen top ranked protein kinases were subsequently tested by in vitro phosphorylation experiments for their ability to phosphorylate AQP2 peptides using a mass spectrometry readout. The results show that the PKA catalytic-α subunit increased phosphorylation at S256, S264, and S269. None of the other kinases phosphorylated S269. Additionally, PKA inhibitors, H-89 and PKI, strongly inhibited dDAVP-stimulated AQP2 phosphorylation at S269. These results indicate that EGF decreases the water permeability of the collecting duct by inhibiting cAMP production, thereby inhibiting PKA and decreasing AQP2 phosphorylation at S269, a site previously shown to regulate AQP2 endocytosis. This work was funded by NHLBI project ZIA-HL001285 and ZIA-HL006129, M.A.K. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Collecting duct water permeability inhibition by EGF is associated with decreased cAMP, PKA activity, and AQP2 phosphorylation at Ser269.

Prior studies showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits vasopressin-stimulated osmotic water permeability in the renal collecting duct. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism. Using isolated perfused rat inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCDs), we found that the addition of EGF to the peritubular bath significantly decreased 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP)-stimulated water permeability, confirming prior observations. The inhibitory effect of EGF on water permeability was associated with a reduction in intracellular cAMP levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Using phospho-specific antibodies and immunoblotting in IMCD suspensions, we showed that EGF significantly reduces phosphorylation of AQP2 at Ser264 and Ser269. This effect was absent when 8-cpt-cAMP was used to induce AQP2 phosphorylation, suggesting that EGF's inhibitory effect was at a pre-cAMP step. Immunofluorescence labeling of microdissected IMCDs showed that EGF significantly reduced apical AQP2 abundance in the presence of dDAVP. To address what protein kinase might be responsible for Ser269 phosphorylation, we used Bayesian analysis to integrate multiple-omic datasets. Thirteen top-ranked protein kinases were subsequently tested by in vitro phosphorylation experiments for their ability to phosphorylate AQP2 peptides using a mass spectrometry readout. The results show that the PKA catalytic-α subunit increased phosphorylation at Ser256, Ser264, and Ser269. None of the other kinases tested phosphorylated Ser269. In addition, H-89 and PKI strongly inhibited dDAVP-stimulated AQP2 phosphorylation at Ser269. These results indicate that EGF decreases the water permeability of the IMCD by inhibiting cAMP production, thereby inhibiting PKA and decreasing AQP2 phosphorylation at Ser269, a site previously shown to regulate AQP2 endocytosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The authors used native rat collecting ducts to show that inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated water permeability by epidermal growth factor involves a reduction of aquaporin 2 phosphorylation at Ser269, a consequence of reduced cAMP production and PKA activity.

EGF promotes human trophoblast cell invasion by downregulating CTGF expression via PI3K/AKT signaling.

Although the pro-invasive role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported in human trophoblast cells, the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. This work reveals that EGF-induced downregulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mediates the EGF-stimulated human trophoblast cell invasion. During the development of the placenta, trophoblast cell invasion must be carefully regulated. Although EGF has been shown to promote trophoblast cell invasion, the underlying mechanism remains largely undetermined. Our previous study using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has identified that kisspeptin-1 is a downstream target of EGF in a human trophoblast cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, and mediates EGF-stimulated cell invasion. In the present study, after re-analysis of our previous RNA-seq data, we found that the CTGF was also downregulated in response to the EGF treatment. The inhibitory effects of EGF on CTGF mRNA and protein levels were confirmed in HTR-8/SVneo cells by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. Treatment with EGF activated both PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Using pharmacological inhibitors, our results showed that EGFR-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT signaling was required for the EGF-downregulated CTGF mRNA and protein levels. Matrigel-coated transwell invasion assays demonstrated that EGF treatment stimulated cell invasion. In addition, the invasiveness of HTR-8/SVneo cells was suppressed by treatment with recombinant human CTGF. By contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CTGF increased cell invasion. Notably, the EGF-promoted HTR-8/SVneo cell invasion was attenuated by co-treatment with CTGF. This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating EGF-stimulated human trophoblast cell invasion and increases the understanding of the biological functions of CTGF in the human placenta.

H-Ras mediates the inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor on the epithelial Na+ channel.

The present study investigates the role of small G-proteins of the Ras family in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-activated cellular signalling pathway that downregulates activity of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). We found that H-Ras is a key component of this EGF-activated cellular signalling mechanism in M1 mouse collecting duct cells. Expression of a constitutively active H-Ras mutant inhibited the amiloride-sensitive current. The H-Ras-mediated signalling pathway that inhibits activity of ENaC involves c-Raf, and that the inhibitory effect of H-Ras on ENaC is abolished by the MEK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059. The inhibitory effect of H-Ras is not mediated by Nedd4-2, a ubiquitin protein ligase that regulates the abundance of ENaC at the cell surface membrane, or by a negative effect of H-Ras on proteolytic activation of the channel. The inhibitory effects of EGF and H-Ras on ENaC, however, were not observed in cells in which expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) had been knocked down by siRNA. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of EGF on ENaC-dependent Na+ absorption is mediated via the H-Ras/c-Raf, MEK/ERK signalling pathway, and that Cav-1 is an essential component of this EGF-activated signalling mechanism. Taken together with reports that mice expressing a constitutive mutant of H-Ras develop renal cysts, our findings suggest that H-Ras may play a key role in the regulation of renal ion transport and renal development.

Epidermal Growth Factor‐Activated Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Kinase Suppresses Growth Hormone Expression and Stimulates Proliferation in MtT/ E Cells

The mechanism for the inhibition of growth hormone (GH) expression by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) was examined in two clonal cell lines, MtT/E and MtT/S. The former has a negligible basal level of GH, whereas the latter has a high basal GH. The treatment of MtT/E cells with retinoic acid resulted in a significant increase in GH mRNA and subsequently GH. This stimulatory response to retinoic acid was strongly suppressed by EGF. This suppression was associated with an increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2). The MEK [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases that activate ERK1 and ERK2] inhibitor, PD98059, clearly inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and restored the stimulatory effects of retinoic acid. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of EGF on GH expression are mediated by MAPK activation in these cells. By contrast to the GH-producing clones examined previously, EGF showed a marked stimulation of proliferation of the MtT/E cells through a mechanism dependent on MAPK activation. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of EGF on GH expression was less pronounced and the stimulation of cellular proliferation was not seen in MtT/S cells, even though it induced Erk-phosphorylation similar to that seen in MtT/E. The distinct difference in the response to EGF between these two GH cell lines appears to be attributed to differences in the function of MAPK cascade in each cell line. This may reflect the developmental stage of the cells from which MtT/E and MtT/S are derived.

Abstract 2887: Regulation of PAR-4 and PHLDA1 expression by estrogen and epidermal growth factor in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Abstract Crosstalk between the estrogens and growth factor signaling pathways has been associated with proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells and resistance to endocrine therapies. Although the role of estrogen and growth factors signaling for breast cancer proliferation has been extensively studied the identification of genes that are modulated by these factors to promote cell survival would likely provide us new targets for breast cancer treatment. The present study, aimed to determine the possible crosstalk between estrogen and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathways on the expression regulation of two proapototic genes, PAR-4 and PHLDA1. To accomplish that, MCF-7 cells growing in stripped serum for 48 hours were treated with E2 (10nM) and EGF (50 nM) alone or in the presence of ICI 182,780 (ICI, 1μM) for 2, 6 and 24 h. mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by Real Time PCR and Western blot, respectively. E2 (10nM) or EGF (30 nM) down-regulated PAR-4 expression after 24 hours of treatment. The expression of PHLDA1 increased 2,25-fold after E2 treatment for 6h and 2,8-fold after EGF treatment for 2h. MCF-7 cells exposed to E2 after the pre-treatment with ICI showed PAR-4 and PHLDA1 expression similar to that observed after the ICI treatments alone, indicating that the effect of E2 was via estrogen receptor activation. Pretreatment with ICI do not modified the effect of EGF on PHLDA1 expression. In constrast, in MCF-7 cells pre-treated with ICI the inhibitory effect of EGF on PAR-4 expression was reduced and did not reach the levels displayed by the cells treated with EGF alone. The effects of EGF on PAR-4 and PHLDA1 expression was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with LY294002 (5μM) for 1 hour before treatment, suggesting that the activation of PI-3K/AKT is involved in PAR-4 and PHLDA1 regulation by EGF. Treatment of the MCF-7 cells with 5μM of the p38MAPK inhibitor (SB202190) or pERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) affects PHLDA1 transcriptional regulation by EGF. Both E2 and EGF increased ER phosphorylation on the critical residue serine 118. EGF promoted PAR-4 and PHLDA1 transcriptional modulation through the activation of different cell signaling pathways. In addition, there is a crosstalk between E2 and EGF signaling pathways on the PAR-4 transcriptional regulation while the effects of EGF on PHLDA1 expression is ER-independent and mediated by ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways. Our results show for the first time that estrogens and growth factors inhibit PAR-4 and increase PHLDA1 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Expression modulation of these genes might provide a selective advantage for breast cencer cell survival. Supprted by: FAPESP and CNPq. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2887. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2887

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-Induced Aromatase in Immature Rat Sertoli Cells Requires an Active Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway and Is Inhibited via the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

Postnatal development and function of testicular Sertoli cells are regulated primarily by FSH. During this early period of development, estrogens play a role in proliferation of somatic cells, which contributes significantly to testicular development. Growth factors like epidermal growth factor (EGF) are produced in the testis and play a role in regulation of estradiol production and male fertility. Although these divergent factors modulate gonadal function, little is known about their mechanism of action in Sertoli cells. The present study investigates the intracellular events that take place down-stream of FSH and EGF receptors in Sertoli cells isolated from immature (10-d-old) rats, and examines which intracellular signals may be involved in their effects on aromatase activity and estradiol production in immature rat Sertoli cells. Primary cultures of rat Sertoli cells were treated with FSH in combination with EGF and signaling pathway-specific inhibitors. Levels of estradiol production, aromatase mRNA (Cyp19a1), and aromatase protein (CYP19A1) were determined. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the effects of FSH and EGF on levels of activated (phosphorylated) AKT1 and p42 ERK2 and p44 ERK1, also named MAPK1 and MAPK3, respectively. The stimulatory actions of FSH on aromatase mRNA, aromatase protein, and estradiol production were blocked by inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT1 signaling pathway. In contrast, inhibition of ERK signaling augmented the stimulatory effects of FSH on estradiol production, aromatase mRNA, and protein levels. Furthermore, EGF inhibited the expression of aromatase mRNA and protein in response to FSH, and these inhibitory effects of EGF were critically dependent on the activation of the ERK signaling pathway. We conclude that an active phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase /AKT signaling pathway is required for the stimulatory actions of FSH, whereas an active ERK/MAPK pathway inhibits estradiol production and aromatase expression in immature Sertoli cells.

Mucin biosynthesis: epidermal growth factor downregulates core 2 enzymes in a human airway adenocarcinoma cell line.

Enzymes which exhibit core 2 beta1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) activity play important roles in physiologic processes including the inflammatory response and immune system function, and C2GnT activity is regulated during processes, such as T cell activation and cellular differentiation. In this study, we have examined the regulation of C2GnT activity in the H292 airway epithelial cell line by epidermal growth factor (EGF), which has been previously shown to upregulate expression of the airway mucin MUC5AC in this cell line. We found that EGF suppressed C2GnT activity in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and also suppressed core 4 beta1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C4GnT) activity. Consistent with the suppression of C4GnT activity, Northern blotting results showed that EGF preferentially inhibited the M isoform of C2GnT, which forms core 2, core 4, and blood group I beta1,6 branched carbohydrate structures, while the L isoform, which forms only the core 2 structure, was only modestly affected. Furthermore, EGF treatment resulted in a shift in the carbohydrate structure of FLAG-tagged MUC1 expressed in the cells from core 2-based toward core 1-based structures, consistent with the inhibitory effects of EGF on C2GnT. Transforming growth factor alpha mimicked the effect of EGF on C2GnT, implicating the EGF receptor (EGF-R) in C2GnT suppression, and the EGF-R tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 blocked C2GnT suppression, confirming the role of EGF-R in the inhibition of C2GnT expression. Also, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)1/2 in the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, completely blocked the EGF suppressive effect, suggesting possible involvement of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in EGF-mediated downregulation of C2GnT. The results of this study suggest that exposure of airway cells to EGF may result in remodeling of mucin carbohydrate structure, potentially altering the biological properties of the cells.

EGF inhibits muscarinic receptor-mediated calcium signaling in a human salivary cell line.

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) responses to the muscarinic agonist carbachol were studied in a human salivary cell line (HSY). Carbachol (10(-4) M)-stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization was inhibited by 40% after 48-h treatment with 5 x 10(-10) M EGF. EGF also reduced carbachol-induced [Ca(2+)](i) in Ca(2+)-free medium and Ca(2+) influx following repletion of extracellular Ca(2+). Under Ca(2+)-free conditions, thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca(2+) uptake to internal stores, induced similar [Ca(2+)](i) signals in control and EGF-treated cells, indicating that internal Ca(2+) stores were unaffected by EGF; however, in cells exposed to thapsigargin, Ca(2+) influx following Ca(2+) repletion was reduced by EGF. Muscarinic receptor density, assessed by binding of the muscarinic receptor antagonist L-[benzilic-4,4'-(3)HCN]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([(3)H]QNB), was decreased by 20% after EGF treatment. Inhibition of the carbachol response by EGF was not altered by phorbol ester-induced downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) but was enhanced upon PKC activation by a diacylglycerol analog. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and inhibition of the carbachol response by EGF were both blocked by the MAP kinase pathway inhibitor PD-98059. The results suggest that EGF decreases carbachol-induced Ca(2+) release from internal stores and also exerts a direct inhibitory action on Ca(2+) influx. A decline in muscarinic receptor density may contribute to EGF inhibition of carbachol responsiveness. The inhibitory effect of EGF is mediated by the MAP kinase pathway and is potentiated by a distinct modulatory cascade involving activation of PKC. EGF may play a physiological role in regulating muscarinic receptor-stimulated salivary secretion.

Inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor on endothelin-1 release by rabbit proximal tubule cells.

Several studies have demonstrated an upregulation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis in acute and chronic renal failure. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) have been shown to stimulate renal tubular cell proliferation and to accelerate renal regeneration after drug-induced and ischemia-induced renal injury. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EGF and HGF on ET-1 release, and whether the effect of EGF and HGF is antagonized by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A. Rabbit proximal tubule cells were incubated for 48 h with EGF or HGF (0.1-10.0 nM), lavendustin A (0.1-10.0 microM) or co-incubated with EGF or HGF (1 nM) and lavendustin A. ET-1 concentrations in the culture medium were measured with a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). EGF and HGF exerted a significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ET-1 release. Lavendustin A induced a dose-dependent stimulation of ET-1 release and antagonized the inhibitory effect of EGF and HGF on ET-1 release. The inhibition of EGF and HGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity by lavendustin A was confirmed by Western blotting. These data suggest that EGF and HGF reduce ET-1 release via EGF and HGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity. The inhibitory action of EGF and HGF on ET-1 release might be involved in mediating the protective effects of EGF and HGF in renal injury.

EGF inhibits secretagogue-induced cAMP production and amylase secretion by Gi proteins in pancreatic acini.

In pancreatic acinar cells, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor interacts with both cholera toxin- and pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G proteins. In the present study, isolated rat pancreatic acini were used to investigate the effect of EGF on basal and secretagogue-induced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production and amylase release. EGF increased cAMP production and amylase release in pancreatic acini. However, cAMP accumulation and amylase release elicited by either vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or forskolin were inhibited by EGF (17 nM). EGF inhibited the VIP-induced cAMP production and amylase release with a half-maximal effective concentration of 3 and 2 nM, respectively. EGF had no effect on the N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine-3',5'-monophosphate-stimulated amylase release, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of EGF on the VIP- and forskolin-induced cAMP production is due to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. PTX pretreatment of the acini led to an increase of the basal, EGF-, and VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation and amylase release, indicating that PTX-sensitive G proteins exert tonic inhibition of adenylyl cyclase even in the absence of agonist. In PTX-pretreated acini, the inhibitory effect of EGF on the VIP-induced cAMP production and amylase release was abolished. In conclusion, these results suggest that EGF inhibits secretagogue-induced cAMP production via activation of PTX-sensitive G proteins in rat pancreatic acini, whereas EGF-induced cAMP production and amylase release occurs via a PTX-insensitive pathway.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and epidermal growth factor interact to regulate growth and gene expression in IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) exert trophic effects on bowel mucosa. Each growth factor uses a distinct tyrosine kinase receptor but the receptors share some common signal transduction pathways. In other systems, regulation of cell growth involves interactions among multiple growth factors. We used IEC-6 cells, an epithelial cell line established from rat small intestine, to test whether EGF and IGF-I interact to regulate intestinal epithelial cell growth. EGF and IGF-I alone each stimulated DNA synthesis in IEC-6 cells. EGF was more potent than IGF-I, and effects of the two growth factors in combination were synergistic. Characterization of the IGF system [IGF-I, IGF-II, type 1 IGF receptor, and six IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1-6] revealed that IEC-6 cells express high levels of type 1 IGF receptor mRNA, low or undetectable levels of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs, and mRNA for only one of the six IGFBPs, IGFBP2. IGF-I decreases expression of type 1 IGF receptor mRNA in IEC-6 cells and EGF attenuates this effect. EGF and IGF-I both reduce IGFBP2 mRNA expression, and inhibitory effects of EGF and IGF-I in combination are additive. EGF reduces IGFBP2 accumulated in conditioned medium relative to levels observed with IGF-I alone. These effects of EGF on type 1 IGF receptor expression and on levels of IGFBP2 mRNA and IGFBP2 in medium may contribute to synergistic mitogenic effects with IGF-I by promoting IGF-I responsiveness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

EGF modulates phosphoinositide levels in ovarian granulosa cells stimulated by luteinizing hormone

Hamster granulosa cells were exposed to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to study cross-talk between second messenger pathways involving tyrosine kinase, cAMP, and phosphoinositides. Granulosa cells from ovarian preovulatory follicles of PMSG-primed hamsters were incubated with various additives in serum-free medium. LH, but not EGF, stimulated inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation; however, when combined with LH, EGF inhibited IP accumulation in a manner that was concentration dependent for both LH and EGF. The inhibitory effects of EGF were significantly reduced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and by pertussis toxin suggesting a role for tyrosine kinase and an inhibitory G-protein (Gi) in this system. EGF stimulated an increase in cAMP, but it does not appear to modulate LH-stimulated IP levels via cAMP.

Inhibitory effect of EGF on secretory response of rat parietal cells is associated with an induction of ODC

The present studies were designed to evaluate the parietal cell acid production in response to short-time stimulation by epidermal growth factor (EGF). Studies were performed in vitro using isolated cells from rat stomachs, and acid production was indirectly determined by [14C]aminopyrine accumulation. EGF inhibited histamine-stimulated aminopyrine accumulation from standard incubation medium (K+ = 5 mM) but not from that with increased K+ concentration (K+ = 70 mM). EGF significantly stimulated ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, an effect that was blocked by the specific ODC inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). In the presence of DFMO, EGF failed to inhibit histamine-stimulated aminopyrine uptake. Like EGF, the polyamine spermine, which is a direct product of enhanced ODC activity, also inhibited histamine-stimulated aminopyrine uptake. Unlike EGF, the spermine-induced inhibition of aminopyrine accumulation was not altered by DFMO. Thus the DFMO effect was specific to EGF. Taken together, these results are consistent with the postulate that EGF inhibits parietal cell secretory response through the induction of ODC activity and increased synthesis of polyamines.

Regulation of Inhibin Subunit Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels by Gonadotropins, Growth Factors, and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells*

Cultured rat granulosa cells have provided a useful model to examine the hormonal regulation of inhibin secretion. In the present study we have used the cloned rat inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit cDNAs to characterize the influences of gonadotropins, growth factors, and GnRH on inhibin subunit mRNA levels in granulosa cells obtained from immature estrogen-treated rats. Cells were cultured in medium with or without added hormones. Total RNA from cultured cells was extracted and hybridized with 32P-labeled inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit cRNA or beta-actin cDNA probes, and inhibin subunit mRNA levels were normalized with beta-actin mRNA levels. Treatment of granulosa cells with FSH increased inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, LH, but not PRL, increased alpha- and beta A-subunit mRNA levels in granulosa cells pretreated with FSH to induce functional LH and PRL receptors. The effects of FSH and LH on inhibin subunit mRNA levels were mimicked by forskolin, which increased alpha- and beta A-subunit transcripts in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting involvement of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase-A pathway. Since several growth factors have been shown to influence inhibin secretion, their effects on inhibin subunit mRNA levels were also studied. Treatment of cells with transforming growth factor-beta 1 increased both basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit mRNA content, whereas insulin-like growth factor-I had no significant effect. In contrast, both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) markedly suppressed both basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin subunit transcript levels. The inhibitory effects of EGF and basic FGF were dose dependent and persisted from 12-72 h of incubation. The regulatory peptide GnRH, which decreases inhibin secretion, was also found to suppress FSH-stimulated inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the effects of GnRH could be counteracted by coincubation with a GnRH antagonist, suggesting the involvement of specific GnRH-binding sites in GnRH action. These studies indicate that, except for insulin-like growth factor-I, the effects of gonadotropins, growth factors (EGF, basic FGF, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and GnRH on inhibin secretion are related to their regulation of inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit mRNA levels.

Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibits Rat Pancreatic Cell Proliferation, Causes Acinar Cell Hypertrophy, and Prevents Caerulein-Induced Desensitization of Amylase Release*

The in vivo effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on pancreatic growth and digestive enzyme concentrations were compared with the actions of the pancreatic secretagogue caerulein in the adult rat. EGF (10 micrograms/kg BW) did not alter pancreatic weight or protein content. However, this concentration of EGF inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 44%, decreased DNA content by 20%, and increased the concentrations of amylase, chymotrypsinogen, and protein by 106%, 232%, and 42%, respectively. Pancreatic acini prepared from EGF-treated rats exhibited a characteristic secretory response to caerulein that was superimposable to that obtained in acini from saline-treated rats. In both groups of acini half-maximal and maximal stimulation of amylase release occurred at approximately 5 pM and 50 pM caerulein, respectively. In contrast to EGF, caerulein (1 microgram/kg BW) increased pancreatic weight by 29% and protein content by 59%, and enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 70%. Although caerulein increased the concentrations of pancreatic amylase and chymotrypsinogen by 38% and 297%, respectively, pancreatic acini prepared from caerulein-treated rats were less sensitive to the actions of caerulein in vitro when compared with acini from control rats. Indeed, the EC50 was shift from 4.8 pM to 9.8 pM after 4 days of treatment. EGF potentiated the actions of caerulein on pancreatic weight, protein content, and chymotrypsinogen concentration, and prevented the caerulein-induced alteration in the secretory responsiveness of the acinar cell. Conversely, caerulein reversed the inhibitory effect of EGF on thymidine incorporation. These findings suggest that EGF may modulate the trophic effects of certain gastrointestinal hormones, and may participate in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine function in vivo.

Effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on a newly established head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line.

A new cell line designated 584A2 has been recently established from a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Cytogenetic analysis of the cell line revealed multiple copies of chromosome 7, as well as a homogeneous staining region (HSR) on one chromosome 7. Since overexpression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) cell surface receptors (EGFr) often occurs in other squamous carcinoma cell lines, it was predicted that 584A2 might overexpress EFGr. This was confirmed by: (1) metabolic labeling, with subsequent immunoprecipitation of EGFr and comparing autoradiographs to a cell line without an HSR and fewer copies of chromosome 7, and (2) performing EGF binding assays with Scatchard analysis. Since overexpression of EGFr correlates with an inhibitory effect of EGF on cell culture, the biological effects of EGF on 584A2 were examined in this study. At 5 ng/ml (serum-free medium), EFG stimulated incorporation of [3H] thymidine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material compared with controls. Incorporation increased between days 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 days with a 6- to 7-fold maximum. Dose-response studies (0 to 100 ng/ml) indicated maximum incorporation (6- to 7-fold) occurred between 0.1 ng/ml and 1.0 ng/ml. Cell growth was monitored over 7 days and, during this time, 5 ng/ml EGF produced a 10- to 12-fold increase in absolute cell numbers when compared with controls. We concluded that, unlike other squamous carcinoma lines with elevated EGFr, EGF stimulates rather than inhibits 584A2 cell proliferation.

Transforming growth factor β enhances basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin production by rat granulosa cells in vitro

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) caused a dose-dependent increase in both basal and follicletimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated inhibin production by rat granulosa cells in culture. The TGFβ dose-response curve in the absence of FSH was approximately parallel to that in the presence of either a minimally effective dose (1 ng/ml) or a maximally effective dose (30 ng/ml) of FSH, suggesting an additive effect of these two agents on inhibin production. There was also a suggestion of an increased sensitivity of granulosa cell inhibin production to FSH when the cells were coincubated with TGFβ. The time course study showed that similar to FSH, the stimulatory effect of TGFβ on basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin production was evident on day 1 and was maximal by day 4. In addition, epidermal growth factor (EGF) reduced FSH-stimulated inhibin production with an ID 50 value of 1.3 ng/ml. Coincubation of cells with EGF and 1 ng TGFβ/ml enhanced greatly the inhibitory action of EGF on FSH-induced inhibin production (ID 50 < 0.1 ng/ml). It is concluded that: (1) TGFβ directly stimulates inhibin production by rat granulosa cells and the combined effect with FSH was largely additive, (2) the inhibitory effect of EGF on FSH-induced inhibin production was enhanced by TGFβ, (3) individual members of the TGFβ/inhibin gene family regulate ovarian function, not only by direct action on follicle cells but also indirectly by influencing the production rate of other members of that family.

Vaccinia virus and the EGF receptor: a portal for infectivity?

We previously demonstrated that occupancy of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor reduced the ability of vaccinia virus to infect L cells [Eppstein et al: Nature 318:663, 1985]. This result suggested that vaccinia virus was utilizing the EGF receptor as one pathway to infect cells. We have studied this system further, and now find that antibodies to the EGF receptor also reduce the ability of vaccinia virus to infect cells productively. Inclusion of both EGF and antibodies to the EGF receptor did not cause inhibition over that obtained by EGF alone, providing another line of evidence that the antiviral effects on vaccinia virus were at the level of the EGF receptor. The antiviral effects of EGF or synthetic peptides corresponding to the third disulfide loop of TGF-alpha or the vaccinia virus growth factor were specific to vaccinia virus and did not inhibit replication of herpes simplex virus type 2 or vesicular stomatitis virus. The inhibitory effects on replication of vaccinia virus were obtained when EGF (but not insulin or growth hormone) was present prior to, but not after, productive viral adsorption. These results provided further evidence that the antivaccinia viral effects of EGF were at the level of initial receptor occupancy. As interferon (IFN) treatment has been shown to interfere with the action of some growth factors, including EGF, we examined the effects of IFN treatment of cells on the antivaccinia viral activity of EGF. Our results show that the antivaccinia effect of IFN-beta either interfered with or partially coalesced with the inhibitory effects of EGF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epidermal growth factor receptor synthesis is stimulated by phorbol ester and epidermal growth factor. Evidence for a common mechanism.

Previously, we and others have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the synthesis of its own receptor and the accumulation of EGF receptor mRNA. Here, we demonstrate that the tumor promotor, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), like EGF, also stimulates receptor synthesis in the human breast carcinoma cell line, MDA468 cells. The receptor synthesis rate increased 5-fold with a peak at 8 h after exposure to TPA with half-maximal stimulation at a dose of 5 ng/ml TPA. This stimulation of receptor synthesis occurred despite a 30% decrease in general cellular protein synthesis. The increased receptor synthesis rate resulted in the accumulation of 60% more receptor protein as determined by quantitative immunoblotting using a newly developed monoclonal antibody, H9B4. Although TPA treatment resulted in an immediate loss of high affinity EGF-binding sites, the long-term effect was an increase in both the low and high affinity binding sites. The effects of EGF and TPA on receptor synthesis were not additive. Furthermore, down-regulation of protein kinase C (the Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) by long-term TPA treatment resulted in cells unable to respond to the stimulatory effects of both TPA and EGF on receptor synthesis. Nevertheless, the TPA-pretreated cells were still growth-inhibited by EGF. These results suggest that the stimulatory effect of EGF on receptor synthesis requires protein kinase C, whereas the inhibitory effect of EGF on the proliferation of these cells does not. Although we confirmed that EGF stimulated the incorporation of phosphate into phosphatidylinositol in A431 cells, it failed to do so in the MDA468 cells. Thus, in MDA468 cells, EGF may require protein kinase C for part of its action, but we could not demonstrate an associated activation of phosphatidylinositol turnover by EGF. The exact mechanism of involvement of protein kinase C in EGF action is still not clear.