Prostaglandins (PGs), bioactive lipid molecules produced by cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), have diverse biological activities, including growth-promoting actions on gastrointestinal mucosa. They are also implicated in the growth of colonic polyps and cancers. However, the precise mechanisms of these trophic actions of PGs remain unclear. As activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) triggers mitogenic signaling in gastrointestinal mucosa, and its expression is also upregulated in colonic cancers and most neoplasms, we investigated whether PGs transactivate EGFR. Here we provide evidence that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) rapidly phosphorylates EGFR and triggers the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2)--mitogenic signaling pathway in normal gastric epithelial (RGM1) and colon cancer (Caco-2, LoVo and HT-29) cell lines. Inactivation of EGFR kinase with selective inhibitors significantly reduces PGE2-induced ERK2 activation, c-fos mRNA expression and cell proliferation. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or c-Src blocked PGE2-mediated EGFR transactivation and downstream signaling indicating that PGE2-induced EGFR transactivation involves signaling transduced via TGF-alpha, an EGFR ligand, likely released by c-Src-activated MMP(s). Our findings that PGE2 transactivates EGFR reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which PGE2 mediates trophic actions resulting in gastric and intestinal hypertrophy as well as growth of colonic polyps and cancers.

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Dexamethasone (DM) is a synthetic member of the glucocorticoid (GC) class of hormones that possesses antiinflammatory and immunosuppressant activity and is commonly used to treat chronic inflammatory disorders, severe allergies, and other disease states. Although GCs are known to mediate welldefined transcriptional effects via GC receptors (GCR), there is increasing evidence that GCs also initiate rapid nongenomic signaling events in a variety of cell types. Here, we report that DM induces the phosphorylation of Lck IntroductionGlucocorticoids (GCs) are used to treat diseases with an inflammatory or immune-mediated component, including autoimmune diseases, graft rejection, and leukemia. GCs act via the T-cell intracellular GC receptor (GCR) and may negatively regulate the expression of numerous genes associated with proinflammatory cytokine signaling. 1,2 This inhibition of gene transcription appears to result from the ability of the GC/GCR complex to interfere with the activity of numerous transcription factors, either by binding to negative regulatory elements in the promoter region or through protein/protein interactions, impeding the ability of these factors to positively direct gene transcription. 3 In addition to these genomic effects, several studies have also described nongenomic, rapid effects of GCs on immune cells. [4][5][6][7] Dexamethasone (DM) can attenuate the early events of the T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced signaling cascade, including the activation of Src kinases via the GCR. GCRdeficient Jurkat cells and human T cells treated with the GCR blocker, Ru486, during cell activation failed to demonstrate any inhibition in kinase activation in response to DM. Interestingly, many of the inhibitory effects of GC have been observed in activated human or rodent T cells and immune cell subpopulations; however, the effects of DM on resting T cells are unclear.CXCR4, a chemokine receptor specific for the chemokine ligand, CXCL12, is expressed on leukocytes and is involved in the recirculation of naive lymphocytes into lymphoid tissue. 8 This receptor also plays a role in the retention of stem cells, differentiating B cells and neutrophils within bone marrow 9 and controls B-cell positioning within lymph nodes, where its expression is regulated by interleukin-4. 10 CXCR4 has been found to play a critical role in thymocyte chemotaxis and apoptosis 11 as well as thymic development. 12 CXCL12 was found to counteract the effects of DM on the apoptosis of CD4 ϩ CD8 ϩ T cells. Interestingly, several reports have also demonstrated that exposure of T-cell lines to GC can up-regulate cell surface CXCR4 expression. 13,14 Signals delivered through CXCR4-CXCL12 interactions result in potent chemotactic and pro-adhesive signals facilitating T-and B-lymphocyte migration. [15][16][17] Several reports have suggested that the activation of the Src kinase, Lck, on treatment of T cells with CXCL12 may be involved in orchestrating the downstream signals necessary for chemotaxis. 18,19 CXCR4 physically associates with the TC...

Our previous studies demonstrated that enhanced epithelial cell proliferation is important for healing of experimental esophageal ulcers. However, the roles of angiogenesis, its major mediator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the mechanism(s) regulating VEGF expression during esophageal ulcer healing remain unknown. Esophageal ulcers were induced in rats by focal application of acetic acid. We studied expressions of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), an activator of the VEGF gene, and VEGF by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunostaining. To determine the efficacy of VEGF gene therapy in esophageal ulcer healing, we studied whether a single local injection of plasmid cDNA encoding recombinant human VEGF(165) affects ulcer healing and angiogenesis. Esophageal ulceration induced HIF-1 alpha protein expression and VEGF gene activation reflected by increased VEGF mRNA (240%) and VEGF protein (310%) levels. HIF-1 alpha protein was expressed in microvessels bordering necrosis where it co-localized with VEGF. Injection of cDNA encoding VEGF(165) significantly enhanced angiogenesis and accelerated esophageal ulcer healing. These results: 1) suggest that HIF-1 alpha may mediate esophageal ulceration-triggered VEGF gene activation, 2) indicate an essential role of VEGF and angiogenesis in esophageal ulcer healing, and 3) demonstrate the feasibility of gene therapy for the treatment of esophageal ulcers.

Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in portal hypertensive (PHT) gastric mucosa leads to hyperdynamic circulation and increased susceptibility to injury. However, the signaling mechanisms for eNOS activation in PHT gastric mucosa and the role of TNF-␣ in this signaling remain unknown. In PHT gastric mucosa we studied (1) eNOS phosphorylation (at serine 1177) required for its activation; (2) association of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and its downstream effector Akt, with eNOS; and, (3) whether TNF-␣ neutralization affects eNOS phosphorylation and PI 3-kinase-Akt activation. To determine human relevance, we used human microvascular endothelial cells to examine directly whether TNF-␣ stimulates eNOS phosphorylation via PI 3-kinase. PHT gastric mucosa has significantly increased (1) eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 by 90% (P < .01); (2) membrane translocation (P < .05) and phosphorylation (P < .05) of p85 (regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase) by 61% and 85%, respectively; (3) phosphorylation (P < .01) and activity (P < .01) of Akt by 40% and 52%, respectively; and (4) binding of Akt to eNOS by as much as 410% (P < .001). Neutralizing anti-TNF-␣ antibody significantly reduced p85 phosphorylation, phosphorylation and activity of Akt, and eNOS phosphorylation in PHT gastric mucosa to normal levels. Furthermore, TNF-␣ stimulated eNOS phosphorylation in human microvascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, these findings show that in PHT gastric mucosa, TNF-␣ stimulates eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 (required for its activation) via the PI 3-kinase-Akt signal transduction pathway. (HEPATOLOGY 2002;35: 393-402.) P ortal hypertensive (PHT) gastropathy is a frequent, serious complication of liver cirrhosis. Gastric hemorrhage-either spontaneous or caused by noxious agents such as alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-occurs in ϳ30% of patients with PHT gastropathy. 1-3 Clinical and experimental data including our own indicate that compared with normal gastric mucosa, the PHT gastric mucosa has increased susceptibility to injury. 1,3-5 The microvascular abnormalities have been implicated in the increased susceptibility of PHT gastric mucosa to damage. [4][5][6][7][8] Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) has been suggested as the basis for the systemic hyperdynamic and abnormal circulation of PHT gastric mucosa. [9][10][11][12] Tumor necrosis factor ␣ (TNF-␣) has been shown indirectly to be a major contributor to the hyperdynamic circulation likely through activation of NO synthase. [13][14][15] However, direct evidence for this has been lacking. Our previous study showed that elevated TNF-␣ up-regulates eNOS expression and its enzymatic activity in PHT gastric mucosa and that neutralization of TNF-␣ reverses the hemodynamic abnormalities of PHT gastric mucosa. 13 Although these data clearly indicate that TNF-␣ is involved in the activation of eNOS in PHT gastric mucosa, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of eNOS a...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both nonselective and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective, delay gastric ulcer healing. Whether they affect esophageal ulcer healing remains unexplored. We studied the effects of the COX-2 selective inhibitor, celecoxib, on esophageal ulcer healing as well as on the cellular and molecular events involved in the healing process. Esophageal ulcers were induced in rats by focal application of acetic acid. Rats with esophageal ulcers were treated intragastrically with either celecoxib ( Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delay healing of experimental gastric ulcers by arresting epithelial proliferation in the ulcer margin, interfering with re-epithelialization, and inhibiting angiogenesis in the granulation tissue.