Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: METHODS:
VEGF mRNA and protein were quantified by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. VEGF promoter activation was assessed using luciferase gene-tagged promoter constructs. RESULTS: We found that LTD(4) induction of VEGF in human monocytes and bronchial smooth muscle cells is cysLT1 dependent. Stimulation of HEK293 cells stably expressing cysLT1 or cysLT2 with cysLTs showed a concentration-dependent activation of the VEGF promoter and a time-dependent increase in VEGF mRNA and protein. For the cysLT1-mediated response, mutations of hypoxia-induced factor-1 (HIF-1) sites failed to reduce cysLT-induced VEGF promoter activation and 5' deletions showed that the proximal region containing one AP-1 and four specificity protein 1 (Sp1) sites was necessary. Pretreatment with inhibitors of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but not p38, and an overexpression of dominant negative forms of c-Jun, c-Fos or Ras suggested the implication of mitogen-activated protein kinases and AP-1. Mutation of the AP-1-binding element failed to prevent VEGF transactivation suggesting that AP-1 might not act directly on the promoter. Moreover, inhibition of Sp1-dependent transcription by mithramycin completely inhibited VEGF promoter transactivation and VEGF mRNA expression by LTD(4) . Finally, mutations of Sp1 binding elements prevented VEGF promoter transactivation. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our data indicate for the first time that cysLTs can transcriptionally activate VEGF production via cysLT1 receptors, with the involvement of JNK, ERK, the AP-1 complex and Sp1. These findings suggest that cysLTs may be important in the angiogenic process of airway remodelling and potentially provide a previously unknown benefit of using cysLT1 receptor antagonists in the prevention or treatment of airway remodelling in asthma.
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Authors | S Poulin, C Thompson, M Thivierge, S Véronneau, S McMahon, C M Dubois, J Stankova, M Rola-Pleszczynski |
Journal | Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
(Clin Exp Allergy)
Vol. 41
Issue 2
Pg. 204-17
(Feb 2011)
ISSN: 1365-2222 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21121979
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- Leukotrienes
- RNA, Messenger
- Receptors, Leukotriene
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- Cysteine
|
Topics |
- Bronchi
(cytology)
- Cysteine
(analysis)
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Leukotrienes
(chemistry, pharmacology)
- Monocytes
(drug effects, metabolism)
- Muscle, Smooth
(cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
- RNA, Messenger
(biosynthesis, genetics)
- Receptors, Leukotriene
(metabolism)
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
(biosynthesis, genetics, immunology)
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