Epiregulin promotes proliferation and migration of renal proximal tubular cells

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2007 Jul;293(1):F219-26. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00082.2007. Epub 2007 Mar 27.

Abstract

Epiregulin is an epidermal growth factor (EGF) member that activates ErBB1 and ErBB4 homodimers and all possible heterodimeric ErbB complexes. Because its role in renal cell regeneration has not been investigated, we assessed the effect of exogenous epiregulin on regeneration of renal proximal tubular cells (RPTC) in primary culture. Epiregulin (10 ng/ml) was equivalent to EGF (10 ng/ml) in enhancing RPTC proliferation and migration. Epiregulin induced activation of the EGF receptor (EGFR), Akt, a downstream kinase of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and extracellular signaling-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Treatment with AG1478, a specific EGFR inhibitor, blocked phosphorylation of EGFR, Akt, ERK1/2, proliferation, and migration. Furthermore, inactivation of PI3K with LY-294002 blocked epiregulin-induced RPTC proliferation and, to a lesser extent, migration. However, blockade of ERK1/2 had no such effects. We suggest that epiregulin is a potent mitogen for renal epithelial cells and may contribute to renal regeneration through activation of EGFR and PI3/Akt pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Butadienes / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • Epiregulin
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / cytology*
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / drug effects*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Rabbits
  • Tyrphostins / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Butadienes
  • Chromones
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Epiregulin
  • Morpholines
  • Nitriles
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Tyrphostins
  • U 0126
  • RTKI cpd
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases