Inhibition of NF-kappa B activation and its target genes by heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor

J Immunol. 2003 Dec 1;171(11):6014-22. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.11.6014.

Abstract

Many cells upon injury mount extensive, compensatory responses that increase cell survival; however, the intracellular signals that regulate these responses are not completely understood. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been implicated as a cytoprotective agent. We have previously demonstrated that pretreatment of human intestinal epithelial cells with HB-EGF significantly decreased cytokine-induced activation of inducible NO synthase mRNA expression and NO production and protected the cells from apoptosis and necrosis. However, the mechanisms by which HB-EGF exerts these effects are not known. Here we show that cytokine exposure (IL-1beta and IFN-gamma) induced NF-kappaB activation and IL-8 and NO production in DLD-1 cells. Transient expression of a dominant negative form of IkappaBalpha decreased NO production, suggesting that the cytokines stimulated NO production in part through activation of NF-kappaB. HB-EGF dramatically suppressed NF-kappaB activity and IL-8 release and decreased NO production in cells pretreated with HB-EGF. HB-EGF blocked NF-kappaB activation by inhibiting IkappaB kinase activation and IkappaB phosphorylation and degradation, thus interfering with NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, DNA-binding activity, and NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity. The data demonstrate that HB-EGF decreases inflammatory cytokine and NO production by interfering with the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Inhibition of NF-kappaB may represent one of the mechanisms by which HB-EGF exerts its potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / pharmacology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • HT29 Cells
  • Heparin / metabolism
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • I-kappa B Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • I-kappa B Proteins / genetics
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-8 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / enzymology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HBEGF protein, human
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-8
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Heparin
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • CHUK protein, human
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • IKBKB protein, human
  • IKBKE protein, human