Upregulation Of Early Growth Response-1 Research Articles

EGR1 Promotes Erastin-induced Ferroptosis Through Activating Nrf2-HMOX1 Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer Cells.

Purpose: Early growth response 1 (EGR1) is a crucial transcription factor composed of zinc finger structures, inhibitory and activating regulatory regions. We identified the biological effect and molecular mechanisms of EGR1 in breast cancer (BC). Methods: We used qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of EGR1 in BC samples. CCK-8 and colony assay were performed to reveal the effect of EGR1 on the proliferation of BC cells. LDH release assay, MCB assay, MDA assay, C-AM assay and TMRE assay were performed to measure the levels of LDH release, GSH, MDA, LIP and mitochondrial membrane potential. The regulation of EGR1 on the expression of Nrf2 and HMOX1 was investigated through Western blot. Xenograft models were conducted to determine the impact of EGR1 overexpression on BC in vivo. Results: The expression of EGR1 was downregulated in BC tissues compared with the normal tissues, and lower expression of EGR1 associated with poorer clinical outcome in BC patients. Through in vitro experiments, we found that EGR1 downregulation facilitated the proliferation of BC cells, and overexpression of EGR1 inhibited the proliferation of BC cells. In addition, EGR1 knockdown alleviated erastin-induced ferroptosis and overexpression of EGR1 facilitated erastin-induced ferroptosis in BC cells. Moreover, overexpression of EGR1 facilitated the anti-tumor effect caused by erastin in vivo. Mechanistically, the phosphorylation levels of Nrf2 and the expression of HMOX1 were reduced due to the downregulation of EGR1, and increased due to the upregulation of EGR1. Additionally, the finding that EGR1 facilitated erastin-induced ferroptosis was alleviated by the inhibition of Nrf2-HMOX1. Conclusion: The expression of EGR1 is downregulated in BC, which is correlated with poor prognosis of BC patients. EGR1 suppresses the proliferation of BC cells and facilitates erastin-induced ferroptosis by activating Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling pathway in BC cells.

GDNF-RET signaling and EGR1 form a positive feedback loop that promotes tamoxifen resistance via cyclin D1

BackgroundRearranged during transfection (RET) tyrosine kinase signaling has been previously implicated in endocrine resistant breast cancer, however the mechanism by which this signaling cascade promotes resistance is currently not well described. We recently reported that glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-RET signaling appears to promote a positive feedback loop with the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1). Here we investigate the mechanism behind this feedback loop and test the hypothesis that GDNF-RET signaling forms a regulatory loop with EGR1 to upregulate cyclin D1 (CCND1) transcription, leading to cell cycle progression and tamoxifen resistance.MethodsTo gain a better understanding of the GDNF-RET-EGR1 resistance mechanism, we studied the GDNF-EGR1 positive feedback loop and the role of GDNF and EGR1 in endocrine resistance by modulating their transcription levels using CRISPR-dCAS9 in tamoxifen sensitive (TamS) and tamoxifen resistant (TamR) MCF-7 cells. Additionally, we performed kinetic studies using recombinant GDNF (rGDNF) treatment of TamS cells. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assays using rGDNF, tamoxifen (TAM), and Palbociclib treatments in TamS cells. Statistical significance for qPCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR experiments were determined using a student’s paired t-test and statistical significance for the cell viability assay was a one-way ANOVA.ResultsGDNF-RET signaling formed a positive feedback loop with EGR1 and also downregulated estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) transcription. Upregulation of GDNF and EGR1 promoted tamoxifen resistance in TamS cells and downregulation of GDNF promoted tamoxifen sensitivity in TamR cells. Additionally, we show that rGDNF treatment activated GDNF-RET signaling in TamS cells, leading to recruitment of phospho-ELK-1 to the EGR1 promoter, upregulation of EGR1 mRNA and protein, binding of EGR1 to the GDNF and CCND1 promoters, increased GDNF protein expression, and subsequent upregulation of CCND1 mRNA levels. We also show that inhibition of cyclin D1 with Palbociclib, in the presence of rGDNF, decreases cell proliferation and resensitizes cells to TAM.ConclusionOutcomes from these studies support the hypotheses that GDNF-RET signaling forms a positive feedback loop with the transcription factor EGR1, and that GDNF-RET-EGR1 signaling promotes endocrine resistance via signaling to cyclin D1. Inhibition of components of this signaling pathway could lead to therapeutic insights into the treatment of endocrine resistant breast cancer.

Bisphenol A-induced mechanistic impairment of decidualization.

Decidualization is a crucial precedent to embryo implantation, as its impairment is a major contributor to female infertility and pregnancy complications. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the impairment of decidualization has been a subject of interest in the field of reproductive medicine. Evidence from several experimental settings show that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, affects the expression of several molecules that are involved in decidualization. Both low and high doses of BPA impair decidualization through the dysregulation of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors. Exposure to low doses of BPA leads to decreased levels and activities of several antioxidant enzymes, increased activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased production of nitric oxide (NO) via the upregulation of ER and PR. Consequently, oxidative stress is induced and decidualization becomes impaired. On the other hand, exposure to high doses of BPA downregulates ER and PR and impairs decidualization through two distinct pathways. One is through the upregulation of early growth response-1 (EGR1) via increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2; and the other is through a reduced serum glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 (SGK1)-mediated downregulation of epithelial sodium channel-α and the induction of oxidative stress. Thus, regardless of the dose, BPA can impair decidualization to trigger infertility and pregnancy complications. This warrants the need to adopt lifestyles that will decrease the tendency of getting exposed to BPA.

Molecular Mechanism of Ischaemic Preconditioning of Skeletal Muscle In Vitro.

IntroductionIschaemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon whereby tissues develop an increased tolerance to ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion if first subjected to sublethal periods of ischaemia. Despite extensive investigation of IPC, the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Our aim was to show genetic changes that occur in skeletal muscle cells in response to IPC.MethodsWe established an in vitro model of IPC using a human skeletal muscle cell line. Gene expression of both control and preconditioned cells at various time points was determined. The genes examined were hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), early growth response 1 (EGR1), JUN, and FOS. HIF-1 alpha is a marker of hypoxia. EGR1, JUN, and FOS are early response genes and may play a role in the protective responses induced by IPC.ResultsHIF-1 alpha was upregulated following one and two hours of simulated ischaemia (p = 0.076 and 0.841, respectively) verifying that hypoxic conditions were met using our model. Expression of EGR1 and FOS was upregulated and peaked after one hour of hypoxia (p = 0.001 and <0.00, respectively). cFOS was upregulated at two and three hours of hypoxia. IPC prior to simulated hypoxia resulted in a greater level of upregulation of EGR1, JUN and FOS genes (p = <0.00, 0.047, and <0.00 respectively).ConclusionThis study has supported the use of our hypoxic model for studying IPC in vitro. IPC results in a greater upregulation of protective genes in skeletal muscle cells exposed to hypoxia than in control cells. We have demonstrated hitherto unknown molecular mechanisms of IPC in cell culture.

Identification of resveratrol derivative 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy- trans-stilbene as a novel pro-angiogenic small-molecule compound

The potential to promote neovascularization in ischemic tissues using exogenous agents is an attractive avenue for therapeutics. To identify novel pro-angiogenic small-molecule compound, we screened a series of resveratrol methylated derivatives and identified 3,3′,4,4′, 5,5′-hexamethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HMS) potently promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein VECs (HUVECs) in vitro. Furthermore, 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HMS accelerates neo-vessels sprouting of rat aortic rings ex vivo, and neovascularization of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and mouse matrigel plugs in vivo. Microarray analyses show that the level of early growth response 1 (EGR-1), an inducible pro-angiogenic gene regulatory factor, was upregulated. The upregulation of EGR-1 was confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analyses. In addition, the levels of several pro-angiogenic factors including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and the activity of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) were elevated in 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HMS-treated HUVECs. Inhibition of NO synthase by l-NAME blocked the pro-angiogenic effects of 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HMS. Our research shows that 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HMS dramatically promoted angiogenesis in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, which might represent a novel potential agent for the development of therapeutic drugs to treat ischemic diseases.

Identification of cornifelin and early growth response-1 gene as novel biomarkers for in vitro eye irritation using a 3D reconstructed human cornea model MCTT HCE™.

Evaluation of the eye irritation is essential in the development of new cosmetic products. Draize rabbit eye irritation test has been widely used in which chemicals are directly applied to rabbit eye, and the symptoms and signs of eyes are scored. However, due to the invasive procedure, it causes substantial pain and discomfort to animals. Recently, we reported in vitro eye irritation test method using a 3D human corneal epithelial model (MCTT HCE™) which is reconstructed from remaining human tissues after a corneal transplantation. This model exhibited an excellent predictive capacity for 25 reference chemicals (sensitivity 100%, specificity 77% and accuracy 88% vs. GHS). To improve the test performance, we explored new biomarkers for the eye irritation through transcriptomic approach. Three surfactants were selected as model eye irritants that include sodium lauryl sulfate, benzalkonium chloride and triton X-100. After test chemicals were treated, we investigated differentially expressed genes through a whole-gene microarray (Affymetrix GeneChip(®) Human Gene 2.0 ST Array, 48,000 probes). As a result, we identified that mRNAs of cornifelin (CNFN), a constituent of the insoluble cornified cell envelope of stratified squamous epithelia, and early growth response-1 (EGR1), a nuclear transcriptional regulator, were significantly up-regulated by all three irritants. Up-regulation of CNFN and EGR1 was further confirmed by Q-RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased level of CNFN in irritant-treated tissues, supporting the relevance of CNFN and EGR1 as new biomarkers for eye irritation.

Attenuation of Inflammatory Response and Reduction in Infarct Size by Postconditioning Are Associated With Downregulation of Early Growth Response 1 During Reperfusion in Rat Heart

Early growth response 1 (EGR-1) works as a master regulator that plays a key role in triggering inflammation-induced tissue injury after ischemia and reperfusion. This study tested the hypothesis that postconditioning (Postcon) or anti-inflammatory compound, curcumin, ameliorates inflammatory responses and further reduces infarct size by normalizing EGR-1 expression during reperfusion. In the control group, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30-min ischemia and 180-min reperfusion. Postcon with four cycles of 10-s/10-s reperfusion/ischemia was applied at the onset of reperfusion. Curcumin (150 mg/kg per day) was fed 5 days before ischemia. Relative to the control, Postcon reduced expression of EGR-1 mRNA and protein, as further identified by less EGR-1 immunoreactivity in myocardial nuclei and microvessels during reperfusion. Along with EGR-1 downregulation, levels of plasma and myocardial tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were significantly decreased. Upregulated P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 mRNA and protein as well as their immunoreactivity at area at risk myocardium were significantly attenuated. Neutrophil extravasation identified by myeloperoxidase immunohistochemical staining was inhibited. Infarct size, determined with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, was smaller in the Postcon group than that in the control. The protection achieved with pretreatment with curcumin was comparable to the benefits gained by Postcon in all end points measured. In H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line, EGR-1 siRNA downregulated hydrogen peroxide-induced EGR-1 mRNA expression and subsequently reduced tumor necrosis factor α mRNA level. These results suggest that EGR-1 seems to play a critical role in myocardial reperfusion injury because downregulation of EGR-1 either by Postcon or the use of pharmacological intervention reduces infarct size, most likely through an inhibition of inflammation-mediated processes.

NSAIDs may regulate EGR-1-mediated induction of reactive oxygen species and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gene (NAG)-1 to initiate intrinsic pathway of apoptosis for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer

This study aims to investigate the unclear molecular relationship involved in the activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and NSAID-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) induction as a putative target in NSAIDs-mediated chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with a colon-specific pro-carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride to achieve the early stages of colorectal cancer. Histopathological examination was performed for the analysis of neoplastic lesions while flow cytometry was performed for the relative quantification of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), differential mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP or ΔΨ(M)), and apoptotic events. Various target biomolecules were analyzed either for their mRNA or protein expression profiles via RT-PCR and quantitative Real-Time PCR, or Western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Enhanced gene as well as protein expression of pro-apoptotic agents was observed with the daily oral administration of two NSAIDs viz. Sulindac (cyclooxygenase (COX)-non-specific) and Celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor). A significant increase in early growth response-1 (EGR-1) protein expression and nuclear localization in NSAIDs co-administered animals may have positively regulated the expression of NAG-1 with a significant enhancement of intracellular ROS in turn decreasing the ΔΨ(M) to initiate apoptosis. In silico molecular docking analysis also showed that Sulindac and Celecoxib can block the active site pocket of B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL, anti-apoptotic transmembrane mitochondrial protein) which could be a putative mechanism followed by these NSAIDs to overcome anti-apoptotic properties of the molecule. NSAIDs-mediated up-regulation of EGR-1 and thereby NAG-1 along with implication of higher ROS load may positively regulate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.

The impact of prolonged cold preservation on the graft function and gene expression levels in an experimental lung transplantation model

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Early growth response-1 (EGR1) drives the expression of inflammatory mediators and has an important role in IRI. We hypothesized that the severe IRI caused by a long preservation induces a specific expression pattern of EGR1 and its target genes which would correlate with the lung graft function. SD rat lungs were preserved at 4 °C for 3 or 18 h, then transplanted and reperfused. Pulmonary grafts were evaluated for the blood gas oxygenation and pathological findings. The intra-graft mRNA levels of EGR1 and its downstream target genes were measured by real-time PCR. A Western blotting analysis of the EGR1 expression was used to validate the changes in the protein level. There was upregulation of EGR1, MIP-2 and PAI-1 when there was prolonged hypothermic preservation. The expression levels of MIP-2 and PAI-1 were observed to increase for up to 4 h in the 18 h preserved lungs. There were no differences in the expression levels of IL-1β and ICAM-1 between the lungs subjected to short and long periods of ischemia. Our data showed that prolonged hypothermic graft preservation deteriorates the pulmonary graft function, which was associated with the induction of EGR1 and its downstream target genes, which may aggravate IRI following lung transplantation.

Early growth response-1 transcription factor promotes hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in long-term ethanol-fed Long-Evans rats.

Previous studies demonstrated that the Long-Evans (LE) rats exhibited liver injury and lipid metabolic abnormalities after 8weeks of ethanol feeding. The goal of this study was to investigate if the LE rats develop more advanced hepatic abnormalities (e.g., fibrosis) after long-term feeding with an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet. In addition, the contribution of early growth response-1 (EGR1) transcription factor to these pathological changes was assessed. Long-Evans rats were fed an ethanol-containing or isocaloric control liquid diet for 18months. Livers were processed for histological analyses, studies of fibrosis-related gene expression, cell fractionation and triglyceride measurement. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were assessed. DNA binding activities of p53 and the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) were analysed. The abundance of EGR1 and enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis were determined. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was employed to study EGR1 binding to the SREBP1c promoter region. Ethanol feeding generated steatosis, chicken wire fibrosis and ALT elevations in the LE rats. Fibrosis was associated with the upregulation of EGR1 and its downstream target genes. EGR1 upregulation was associated with enhanced p53 activity and an increase in the cellular p66(shc) abundance. Steatosis was linked to the activation of SREBP1c. Importantly, EGR1 upregulation paralleled the expression and transcriptional activity of SREBP1c. Finally, EGR1 was shown to bind to the SREBP1c promoter region. Long-term ethanol feeding promoted steatosis and fibrosis in LE rats via EGR1 activation. The highly abundant EGR1 bound to the SREBP1c promoter and contributed to the steatosis observed in the LE rat model.

CXCL5/ENA78 increased cell migration and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition of hormone‐independent prostate cancer by early growth response‐1/snail signaling pathway

Prostate cancers that are resistant to hormone therapy are more invasive and have greater ability to spread to other organs than androgen-dependent prostate cancers. Furthermore, this type of prostate cancer is also highly resistant to current forms of chemotherapy. This study analyzed CXCL5/ENA78, which is highly expressed in androgen-independent prostate cancers, and is responsible for cell migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in two androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. Inducement of PC-3 and DU145 cancer progression by CXCL5/ENA78 is associated with increased Raf/MEK/ERK activation, and the upregulation of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and Snail. Blockade of Egr-1 decreased Snail upregulation and cell migration, indicating that Egr-1 is required in CXCL5/ENA78-mediated Snail enhancement and cell migration. In addition, Egr-1 siRNA also decreased the effect of CXCL5/ENA78 on p27 inhibition, Cdk4 induction and cell proliferation, suggesting Egr-1 is also involved in CXCL5/ENA78-mediated cell growth. Moreover, blocking ERK1/2 by siRNA suppressed CXCL5/ENA78-induced Egr-1 enhancement, cell migration, and proliferation. Our study suggests that inhibition of CXCL5/ENA78-mediated ERK/Egr-1/Snail signaling is an attractive therapeutic target for androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Suppression of Osteosarcoma Cell Invasion by Chemotherapy Is Mediated by Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Activity via Up-Regulation of EGR1

BackgroundThe cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumour response following chemotherapy are largely unknown. We found that low dose anti-tumour agents up-regulate early growth response 1 (EGR1) expression. EGR1 is a member of the immediate-early gene group of transcription factors which modulate transcription of multiple genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. It has been reported that EGR1 act as either tumour promoting factor or suppressor. We therefore examined the expression and function of EGR1 in osteosarcoma.MethodsWe investigated the expression of EGR1 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and biopsy specimens. We next examined the expression of EGR1 following anti-tumour agents treatment. To examine the function of EGR1 in osteosarcoma, we assessed the tumour growth and invasion in vitro and in vivo.ResultsReal-time PCR revealed that EGR1 was down-regulated both in osteosarcoma cell lines and osteosarcoma patients' biopsy specimens. In addition, EGR1 was up-regulated both in osteosarcoma patient' specimens and osteosarcoma cell lines following anti-tumour agent treatment. Although forced expression of EGR1 did not prevent osteosarcoma growth, forced expression of EGR1 prevented osteosarcoma cell invasion in vitro. In addition, forced expression of EGR1 promoted down-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor, and urokinase plasminogen activity. Xenograft mice models showed that forced expression of EGR1 prevents osteosarcoma cell migration into blood vessels.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that although chemotherapy could not prevent osteosarcoma growth in chemotherapy-resistant patients, it did prevent osteosarcoma cell invasion by down-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activity via up-regulation of EGR1 during chemotherapy periods.

Stopping the Primal RAGE Reaction in Myocardial Infarction

The report of Andrassy and colleagues1 in the current issue of Circulation adds to the growing body of evidence that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands, particularly high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), are central mediators of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart.1–4 A major cause of injury, especially in the reperfusion phase, is the influx of inflammatory cells into the stressed heart. Andrassy and colleagues show that infiltrating leukocytes express proinflammatory HMGB1 and that HMGB1 plays fundamental roles in injury responses in the I/R heart. In homeostasis, HMGB1 is largely a nuclear protein. In stress conditions, HMGB1 may be released from injured cells, particularly on necrosis. The chief receptor for HMGB1, RAGE, is expressed in multiple cell types in the I/R heart, such as inflammatory cells, and also in cardiomyocytes and vascular cells (endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells).2 Although HMGB1 may interact with distinct receptors beyond RAGE (for example, toll receptors),5 the current study of Andrassy and colleagues reveals major roles for RAGE in transducing the effects of HMGB1 in the heart, as administration of recombinant HMGB1 or antagonists of this molecule had significant proinjury effects in the wild-type mouse heart, but no additive effects were noted in mice devoid of RAGE. The biology of RAGE, however, is complex and extends beyond HMGB1 in the injured heart. Article p 3216 In addition to HMGB1, other ligands of RAGE likely play pivotal roles in the response to ischemia or I/R in the heart. For example, rapid generation of pre–advanced glycation end products (AGE) species (methylglyoxal) and AGEs in transient occlusion/reperfusion of the LAD coronary artery has been illustrated.2 In hypoxia, in both the murine heart and in isolated primary murine endothelial cells, AGE-immunoreactive species are central mediators of regulation of …

Carbon monoxide protects against ventilator-induced lung injury via PPAR-gamma and inhibition of Egr-1.

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) leads to an unacceptably high mortality. In this regard, the antiinflammatory properties of inhaled carbon monoxide (CO) may provide a therapeutic option. This study explores the mechanisms of CO-dependent protection in a mouse model of VILI. Mice were ventilated (12 ml/kg, 1-8 h) with air in the absence or presence of CO (250 ppm). Airway pressures, blood pressure, and blood gases were monitored. Lung tissue was analyzed for inflammation, injury, and gene expression. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed for protein, cell and neutrophil counts, and cytokines. Mechanical ventilation caused significant lung injury reflected by increases in protein concentration, total cell and neutrophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as the induction of heme oxygenase-1 and heat shock protein-70 in lung tissue. In contrast, CO application prevented lung injury during ventilation, inhibited stress-gene up-regulation, and decreased lung neutrophil infiltration. These effects were preceded by the inhibition of ventilation-induced cytokine and chemokine production. Furthermore, CO prevented the early ventilation-dependent up-regulation of early growth response-1 (Egr-1). Egr-1-deficient mice did not sustain lung injury after ventilation, relative to wild-type mice, suggesting that Egr-1 acts as a key proinflammatory regulator in VILI. Moreover, inhibition of peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, an antiinflammatory nuclear regulator, by GW9662 abolished the protective effects of CO. Mechanical ventilation causes profound lung injury and inflammatory responses. CO treatment conferred protection in this model dependent on PPAR-gamma and inhibition of Egr-1.

Oxygen deprivation triggers upregulation of early growth response-1 by the receptor for advanced glycation end products.

Myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism are characterized by oxygen deprivation. In hypoxia, biological responses are activated that evoke tissue damage. Rapid activation of early growth response-1 in hypoxia upregulates fundamental inflammatory and prothrombotic stress genes. We probed the mechanisms mediating regulation of early growth response-1 and demonstrate that hypoxia stimulates brisk generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by endothelial cells. Via AGE interaction with their chief signaling receptor, RAGE, membrane translocation of protein kinase C-betaII occurs, provoking phosphorylation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and increased transcription of early growth response-1 and its downstream target genes. These findings identify RAGE as a master regulator of tissue stress elicited by hypoxia and highlight this receptor as a central therapeutic target to suppress the tissue injury-provoking effects of oxygen deprivation.

Expression of the protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor KEPI is downregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues and involved in the regulation of the tumor suppressor EGR1 via the MEK-ERK pathway

KEPI is a protein kinase C-potentiated inhibitory protein for type 1 Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. We found no or reduced expression of KEPI in breast cancer cell lines, breast tumors and metastases in comparison to normal breast cell lines and tissues, respectively. KEPI protein expression and ubiquitous localization was detected with a newly generated antibody. Ectopic KEPI expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells induced differential expression of 95 genes, including the up-regulation of the tumor suppressors EGR1 (early growth response 1) and PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), which is regulated by EGR1. We further show that the up-regulation of EGR1 in MCF7/KEPI cells is mediated by MEK-ERK signaling. The inhibition of this pathway by the MEK inhibitor UO126 led to a strong decrease in EGR1 expression in MCF7/KEPI cells. These results reveal a novel role for KEPI in the regulation of the tumor suppressor gene EGR1 via activation of the MEK-ERK MAPK pathway.

Opposing Actions of Stat1 and Stat6 on IL-13-Induced Up-Regulation of Early Growth Response-1 and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Ligands in Pulmonary Fibroblasts

IL-13 is a key cytokine involved in airway remodeling in asthma. We previously reported that IL-13 stimulated the mitogenesis of lung fibroblasts via platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA. In this report, we show that IL-13 increases PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels through a dual intracellular cascade that requires coactivation of Stat6 and Stat1 to impact transcriptional regulation of the early growth response (Egr)-1 gene, which then drives PDGF expression. Increased levels of PDGF-AA and PDGF-CC protein were observed in vivo in the airways of IL-13 transgenic mice. IL-13 up-regulated PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels in lung fibroblasts isolated from three different background strains of mice. However, IL-13-induced PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels were significantly reduced in Stat6-deficient (Stat6(-/-)) fibroblasts as compared with wild-type Stat6(+/+) fibroblasts. In contrast, IL-13-induced PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNAs were enhanced in Stat1(-/-) fibroblasts as compared with Stat1(+/+) fibroblasts. IL-13 did not up-regulate PDGF-A or PDGF-C mRNA levels in Egr-1(-/-) fibroblasts. Moreover, IL-13 did not increase Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels in Stat6(-/-) fibroblasts and yet enhanced Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels in Stat1(-/-) fibroblasts. Our findings support the hypothesis that Stat6 and Stat1 exert stimulatory and inhibitory effects on Egr-1 and PDGF ligand mRNA transcription, respectively. This novel mechanism could aid in identifying molecular targets for the treatment of chronic airway remodeling and fibrosis in asthma.

Increased Heparanase Expression Is Caused by Promoter Hypomethylation and Up-Regulation of Transcriptional Factor Early Growth Response-1 in Human Prostate Cancer

Heparanase degrades heparan sulfate and has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. The transcription factor, early growth response 1 (EGR1), is associated with the inducible transcription of the heparanase gene. We hypothesize that CpG hypomethylation in the heparanase promoter coupled with up-regulation of EGR1 levels may induce heparanase expression in human prostate cancer. Cultured prostate cancer cell lines (Du145, DuPro, LNCaP, and PC-3) with and without 5'-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment, 177 prostate cancer samples, and 69 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were used. The frequency and level of heparanase promoter methylation were analyzed by methylation-specific primers which covered the core binding motif of EGR1 (GGCG) or SP1 (GGGCGG) or both. In cultured Du145, DuPro, LNCaP, and PC-3 cell lines, mRNA transcripts of heparanase were significantly increased after 5'-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment, suggesting that promoter methylation was involved in the regulation of heparanase mRNA transcript. Significantly higher methylation was found in BPH samples than in prostate cancer samples (P < 0.0001), whereas mRNA transcripts of the heparanase gene were inversely lower in BPH samples than in prostate cancer samples (P < 0.01). EGR1 expression in prostate cancer tissues was significantly higher than in BPH tissues (P < 0.001) and correlated with heparanase expression (P < 0.0001). Moreover, multiple regression analysis revealed that up-regulation of EGR1 contributed significantly more to heparanase expression than did promoter CpG hypomethylation in prostate cancer samples (P < 0.0001). To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive study demonstrating that increased heparanase expression in prostate cancer tissues is due to promoter hypomethylation and up-regulation of transcription factor EGR1.

Early growth response-1 (EGR-1) expression in the liver in hemorrhagic shock (HS) is localized to hepatocytes and upregulated by hypoxia or reactive oxygen species (ROS) exposure in vitro

Abstract Introduction: HS is a major cause of morbidity/mortality in trauma patients. EGR-1, a transcription factor, is induced by a variety of cellular stresses including hypoxia, which generates reactive oxygen species. EGR-1 triggers the expression of numerous key inflammatory mediators. We identified an increase in EGR-1 expression in HS using gene arrays. We hypothesize that the early induction of EGR-1 expression in the shock phase of HS occurs in hepatocytes as a result of hypoxia and/or redox stress. Methods: In vivo EGR-1 expression was assessed by subjecting mice to HS (25mmHG). Liver isolated at varying times was assessed for EGR-1 expression by Northern and Western blotting. EGR-1 localization was determined by immunoflourescence. Rat hepatocytes were obtained by collagenase perfusion and subjected to hypoxia (1%) or hydrogen peroxide treatment (0.2mM) for varying times with Egr-1 expression evaluated by Western blotting. Results: Mice (n = 3) subjected to HS expressed EGR-1 mRNA by 1hr of HS, while protein and DNA-binding activity was evident by 2.5hrs. No EGR-1 expression was seen in sham-treated animals. Immunoflourescence identified EGR-1 nuclear localization in mouse hepatocytes. EGR-1 induction in vitro in cultured rat hepatocytes rendered hypoxic (1%) was seen within 1hr, with peak levels at 6hrs (n = 2). Exposing normoxic hepatocytes to hydrogen peroxide (0.2mM) also induced a rapid increase in EGR-1 protein (1hr). Conclusions: These data show that the transcription factor, EGR-1 is rapidly upregulated in hepatocytes during HS without resuscitation. The observation that either hypoxia or hydrogen peroxide alone are strong inducers of EGR-1 in hepatocytes in vitro suggests that redox stress is involved in the HS-induced upregulation of EGR-1.