scholarly journals Different levels of epidermal growth factor signaling modifies the differentiation of specific cell types in mouse postnatal retina

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-719
Author(s):  
Sanja Ivkovic ◽  
Irena Jovanovic-Macura ◽  
Tijana Antonijevic ◽  
Selma Kanazir ◽  
Domingos Henrique

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling has been implicated in the regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of retinal progenitors. We assessed how different levels of EGF signaling, achieved either by increasing receptor expression or via addition of the exogenous ligand, or an increase in both, can affect the differentiation of progenitors in the first week of postnatal retinal development in the model system of retinal explants (REs). Proliferating progenitor cells in REs were infected with either the control CLV3/ESR-related peptide family (CLE)-green fluorescent protein (GFP)- or with EGF receptor (EGFR)-GFP-expressing retrovirus, and grown in the control medium or in the presence of exogenous EGF (10 ng/mL). The differentiation of infected cells into Muller glia (Sox9+), rod photoreceptors (rhodopsin+) and horizontal cells (calbindin+) was analyzed. In all the examined conditions, infected cells differentiated into Muller glia and rod photoreceptors that normally develop postnatally. Horizontal cells finished their development during the embryonic stages and progenitors infected with control-GFP virus did not differentiate into GFP+/calbindin- in either control or EGFsupplemented medium, however, cells infected with EGFR-GFP differentiated into horizontal cells (GFP+/calbindin+) in both culture conditions. These results imply that altering the levels of EGFR and/or the amount of the EGF ligand can overcome progenitor competence restriction.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan S. Peña ◽  
Maribel Vazquez

Progressive vision loss in adults has become increasingly prevalent worldwide due to retinopathies associated with aging, genetics, and epigenetic factors that damage the retinal microvasculature. Insufficient supply of oxygen and/or nutrients upregulates factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which can induce abnormal angiogenesis and damage the structural arrangement of the retinal blood barrier (BRB). Müller glia (MG) regulate the diffusion of essential compounds across the BRB and respond to retinal insults via reactive gliosis, which includes cell hypertrophy, migration, and/or proliferation near areas of elevated VEGF concentration. Increasing concentrations of exogenous VEGF, upregulated by retinal pigmented epithelium cells, and endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) stimulation in MG, implicated in MG proliferative and migratory behavior, often lead to progressive and permanent vision loss. Our project examined the chemotactic responses of the rMC-1 cell line, a mammalian MG model, toward VEGF and EGF signaling fields in transwell assays, and within respective concentration gradient fields produced in the glia line (gLL) microfluidic system previously described by our group. rMC-1 receptor expression in defined ligand fields was also evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunocytochemical staining. Results illustrate dramatic increases in rMC-1 chemotactic responses towards EGF gradient fields after pre-treatment with VEGF. In addition, qPCR illustrated significant upregulation of EGF-R upon VEGF pre-treatment, which was higher than that induced by its cognate ligand, EGF. These results suggest interplay of molecular pathways between VEGF and EGF-R that have remained understudied in MG but are significant to the development of effective anti-VEGF treatments needed for a variety of retinopathies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3976-3988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Min Han ◽  
Yong Kim ◽  
Jun Sung Lee ◽  
Chang Sup Lee ◽  
Byoung Dae Lee ◽  
...  

Phospholipase D (PLD) has been suggested to mediate epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling. However, the molecular mechanism of EGF-induced PLD activation has not yet been elucidated. We investigated the importance of the phosphorylation and compartmentalization of PLD1 in EGF signaling. EGF treatment of COS-7 cells transiently expressing PLD1 stimulated PLD1 activity and induced PLD1 phosphorylation. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of threonine147 was completely blocked and the activity of PLD1 attenuated by point mutations (S2A/T147A/S561A) of PLD1 phosphorylation sites. The expression of a dominant negative PKCα mutant by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer greatly inhibited the phosphorylation and activation of PLD1 induced by EGF in PLD1-transfected COS-7 cells. EGF-induced PLD1 phosphorylation occurred primarily in the caveolin-enriched membrane (CEM) fraction, and the kinetics of PLD1 phosphorylation in the CEM were strongly correlated with PLD1 phosphorylation in the total membrane. Interestingly, EGF-induced PLD1 phosphorylation and activation and the coimmunoprecipitation of PLD1 with caveolin-1 and the EGF receptor in the CEM were significantly attenuated in the palmitoylation-deficient C240S/C241S mutant, which did not localize to the CEM. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that wild-type PLD1 colocalized with caveolin-1 and the EGF receptor and that phosphorylated PLD1 was localized exclusively in the plasma membrane, although some PLD1 was also detected in vesicular structures. Transfection of wild-type PLD1 but not of C240S/C241S mutant increased EGF-induced raf-1 translocation to the CEM and ERK phosphorylation. This study shows, for the first time, that EGF-induced PLD1 phosphorylation and activation occur in the CEM and that the correct localization of PLD1 to the CEM via palmitoylation is critical for EGF signaling.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 3695-3706 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Hoffman ◽  
C Carlin

We have previously identified and characterized an integral membrane protein coded for by the early transcription region 3 (E3) of human group C adenoviruses that down-regulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The goal of this study was to characterize the early receptor trafficking events leading to enhanced EGFR degradation in adenovirus-infected cells. Specifically, we wished to determine whether adenovirus increases the rate of EGFR internalization or alters the subcellular compartmentalization of internalized EGFRs. Once the optimal time for measuring early trafficking events was determined, surface EGFRs were labeled with a cleavable biotin reagent to measure internalization rates and with a receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) conjugated to colloidal gold for intracellular localization studies. We first showed that the rate of EGFR internalization in adenovirus-infected cells is indistinguishable from the constitutive internalization rate for unoccupied EGFRs. The possibility that the E3 protein can affect trafficking of EGFRs internalized at a low constitutive rate was further supported by studies showing that adenovirus-mediated down-regulation occurs independently of EGFR oligomerization and intrinsic EGFR tyrosine kinase activity, which are required for efficient ligand-induced internalization. Other tyrosine kinases inhibited by genistein are also not required for adenovirus-induced down-regulation. When the intracellular localization of EGFRs during adenovirus-mediated down-regulation was examined by electron microscopy, there was a threefold increase in the number of EGFRs localized to multivesicular bodies. The multivesicular body has been proposed to be important for regulating intracellular membrane protein sorting, since trafficking patterns for receptors that recycle and receptors that are degraded diverge in this organelle. These data therefore suggest that adenovirus may enhance EGFR degradation by causing constitutively internalized EGFRs to accumulate in a prelysosomal compartment. This is the first example of a mechanism that efficiently down-regulates EGFR without significantly increasing the rate of internalization or that does not require EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Since viral proteins often mimic or modify a host counterpart, this suggests that there are normal physiological conditions when receptor destruction without tyrosine signalling is beneficial.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 3695-3706
Author(s):  
P Hoffman ◽  
C Carlin

We have previously identified and characterized an integral membrane protein coded for by the early transcription region 3 (E3) of human group C adenoviruses that down-regulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The goal of this study was to characterize the early receptor trafficking events leading to enhanced EGFR degradation in adenovirus-infected cells. Specifically, we wished to determine whether adenovirus increases the rate of EGFR internalization or alters the subcellular compartmentalization of internalized EGFRs. Once the optimal time for measuring early trafficking events was determined, surface EGFRs were labeled with a cleavable biotin reagent to measure internalization rates and with a receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) conjugated to colloidal gold for intracellular localization studies. We first showed that the rate of EGFR internalization in adenovirus-infected cells is indistinguishable from the constitutive internalization rate for unoccupied EGFRs. The possibility that the E3 protein can affect trafficking of EGFRs internalized at a low constitutive rate was further supported by studies showing that adenovirus-mediated down-regulation occurs independently of EGFR oligomerization and intrinsic EGFR tyrosine kinase activity, which are required for efficient ligand-induced internalization. Other tyrosine kinases inhibited by genistein are also not required for adenovirus-induced down-regulation. When the intracellular localization of EGFRs during adenovirus-mediated down-regulation was examined by electron microscopy, there was a threefold increase in the number of EGFRs localized to multivesicular bodies. The multivesicular body has been proposed to be important for regulating intracellular membrane protein sorting, since trafficking patterns for receptors that recycle and receptors that are degraded diverge in this organelle. These data therefore suggest that adenovirus may enhance EGFR degradation by causing constitutively internalized EGFRs to accumulate in a prelysosomal compartment. This is the first example of a mechanism that efficiently down-regulates EGFR without significantly increasing the rate of internalization or that does not require EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Since viral proteins often mimic or modify a host counterpart, this suggests that there are normal physiological conditions when receptor destruction without tyrosine signalling is beneficial.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (2) ◽  
pp. G236-G249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjia Feng ◽  
Daniel H. Teitelbaum

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling are critical for effective proliferative and apoptotic actions; however, little is known about the codependency of these signaling pathways in the intestinal epithelium. Because total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with loss of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation and increased apoptosis, we utilized a mouse model to explore these transactivation pathways in small bowel epithelium. Mice underwent intravenous cannulation and were given enteral nutrition or TPN for 7 days. Outcomes included IEC proliferation, apoptosis, and survival. To address transactivation or dependence of EGF and TNF on IEC physiology, TNF-α receptor knockout (KO) mice, TNFR1-KO, R2-KO, or R1R2-double KO, were used. Exogenous EGF and pharmacological blockade of ErbB1 were performed in other groups to examine the relevance of the ErB1 pathway. TPN increased IEC TNFR1 and decreased EGF and ErbB1 abundance. Loss of IEC proliferation was prevented by exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1. However, EGF action was prevented without effective TNFR2 signaling. Also, blockade of TNFR1 could not prevent loss of IEC proliferation without effective ErbB1 signaling. TPN increased IEC apoptosis and was due to increased TNFR1 signaling. Exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1 could prevent increased apoptosis, and both pathways were dependent on effective ErbB1 signaling. Exogenous EGF prevented increased apoptosis in mice lacking TNFR2 signaling. TPN mice had significantly decreased survival vs. controls, and this was associated with the TNFR1 signaling pathway. We concluded that these findings identify critical mechanisms that contribute to TPN-associated mucosal atrophy via altered TNF-α/EGF signaling. It emphasizes the importance of both TNFR1 and TNFR2 pathways, as well as the strong interdependence on an intact EGF/ErbB1 pathway.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Lesi Xie ◽  
Jiao Li ◽  
Conghui Li ◽  
Kang Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The conversion of astrocytes activated by nerve injuries to oligodendrocytes is not only beneficial to axonal remyelination, but also helpful for reversal of glial scar. Recent studies have shown that Sox10 transcription factor can achieve this transdifferentiation process in collaboration with some unknown factors in the pathological microenvironment. The extracellular factors underlying the cell fate switching are not known. Methods Astrocytes were obtained from mouse cortical dissociation culture and purified by differential adherent properties. The lineage conversion of astrocytes into oligodendrocyte lineage cells was carried out by Sox10-expressing virus infection both in vitro and in vivo, meanwhile, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor Gefitinib were adopted to investigate the function of EGF signaling in this fate transition process. Pharmacological inhibition analyses were performed to examine the pathway connecting the EGF with the expression of oligodendrogenic genes and cell fate transdifferentiation. Results EGF treatment facilitated the Sox10-induced transformation of astrocytes to O4+ induced oligodendrocyte precursor cells (iOPCs) in vitro. The transdifferentiation of astrocytes to iOPCs went through two distinct but interconnected processes: (1) dedifferentiation of astrocytes to astrocyte precursor cells (APCs); (2) transformation of APCs to iOPCs, EGF signaling was involved in both processes. And EGF triggered astrocytes to express oligodendrogenic genes Olig1 and Olig2 by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) pathway. In addition, we discovered that EGF can enhance astrocyte transdifferentiation in injured spinal cord tissues. Conclusions These findings provide strong evidence that EGF facilitates the transdifferentiation of astrocytes to oligodendroglias, and suggest that targeting the EGF-EGFR-Erk1/2 signaling axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for myelin repair in injured central nervous system (CNS) tissues.


2017 ◽  
Vol 233 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena González ◽  
Johanna G Miquet ◽  
Pablo E Irene ◽  
M Eugenia Díaz ◽  
Soledad P Rossi ◽  
...  

Transgenic mice overexpressing growth hormone (GH) show increased hepatic protein content of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is broadly associated with cell proliferation and oncogenesis. However, chronically elevated levels of GH result in desensitization of STAT-mediated EGF signal and similar response of ERK1/2 and AKT signaling to EGF compared to normal mice. To ascertain the mechanisms involved in GH attenuation of EGF signaling and the consequences on cell cycle promotion, phosphorylation of signaling mediators was studied at different time points after EGF stimulation, and induction of proteins involved in cell cycle progression was assessed in normal and GH-overexpressing transgenic mice. Results from kinetic studies confirmed the absence of STAT3 and 5 activation and comparable levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation upon EGF stimulation, which was associated with diminished or similar induction of c-MYC, c-FOS, c-JUN, CYCLIN D1 and CYCLIN E in transgenic compared to normal mice. Accordingly, kinetics of EGF-induced c-SRC and EGFR phosphorylation at activating residues demonstrated that activation of these proteins was lower in the transgenic mice with respect to normal animals. In turn, EGFR phosphorylation at serine 1046/1047, which is implicated in the negative regulation of the receptor, was increased in the liver of GH-overexpressing transgenic mice both in basal conditions and upon EGF stimulus. Increased basal phosphorylation and activation of the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase might account for increased Ser 1046/1047 EGFR. Hyperphosphorylation of EGFR at serine residues would represent a compensatory mechanism triggered by chronically elevated levels of GH to mitigate the proliferative response induced by EGF.


Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry L Keen ◽  
Nicole K Littlejohn ◽  
Xuebo Liu ◽  
Justin L Grobe ◽  
Curt D Sigmund

The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) stimulates resting metabolic rate (RMR) in part through a mechanism involving suppression of the circulating RAS. This effect appears to be mediated through the loss of tonic adipose angiotensin AT2 receptor (AT2R) activation specifically within inguinal fat. Mice with hyperactivity of the brain RAS (“sRA” mice, expressing human renin via the synapsin promoter and human angiotensinogen via its own promoter) and littermate controls were chronically infused with vehicle or the AT2R agonist, CGP-42112a (CGP, 90 ng/hr, 8 wk, sc). To identify altered signaling pathways in sRA mice and their response to CGP treatment, total RNA was isolated from inguinal adipose tissue and transcript abundance was quantitated by RNA-Seq (50 bp paired reads sequenced with the Illumina HiSeq 2000). There was a significant (P<0.001) change in expression of 123 genes in sRA mice (n=3) compared to littermate controls (n=3), which were generally reversed by CGP treatment (n=4). By manual inspection, we observed that 51 of these genes are associated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling. Consistent with this, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of the RNA-Seq data demonstrated that genes in the EGF receptor signaling pathway were, as a group, statistically upregulated (P=0.02) in sRA and suppressed (P=0.02) by CGP treatment. Therefore, to further explore the impact of increased EGF signaling on RMR and to isolate a potential modulatory effect of AT2R activation on this response, wildtype C57Bl/6J male mice (9 wk) were infused with EGF (833 ng/hr, 2 wk, sc) with or without co-infusion of CGP. This brief EGF infusion caused a possible increase in RMR (vehicle n=20, 0.173 ± 0.009; EGF n=20, 0.192 ± 0.012 kcal/hr, P=0.13), which was significantly reduced with co-infusion of CGP (90 ng/hr, 2 wk, sc) (EGF+CGP n=17, 0.165 ± 0.005, P<0.05 vs EGF alone; CGP alone n=9, 0.156 ± 0.010). Together these data implicate elevated EGF signaling in the elevated RMR of mice with elevated brain RAS activity. Further, these data suggest a suppressive effect of AT2R activation upon RMR specifically in the context of elevated EGF signaling. Studies utilizing primary inguinal adipose cultures are underway to investigate the molecular basis of the EGF-AT2R interaction.


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