Transactivated EGFR mediates α₁-AR-induced STAT3 activation and cardiac hypertrophy

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2011 Nov;301(5):H1941-51. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00338.2011. Epub 2011 Aug 19.

Abstract

α(1)-Adrenergic receptor (α(1)-AR) is a crucial mediator of cardiac hypertrophy. Although numerous intracellular pathways have been implicated in α(1)-AR-induced hypertrophy, its precise mechanism remains elusive. We aimed to determine whether α(1)-AR induces cardiac hypertrophy through a novel signaling pathway-α(1)-AR/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The activation of STAT3 by α(1)-AR was first demonstrated by tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activity in neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat cardiomyocytes. Activated STAT3 showed an essential role in α(1)-AR-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophic growth, as assessed by treatment with STAT3 inhibitory peptide and lentivirus-STAT3 small interfering RNA. The results were further confirmed by in vivo experiments involving intraperitoneal injection of the STAT3 inhibitor WP1066 significantly inhibiting phenylephrine-infusion-induced heart hypertrophy in male C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, the α(1)-AR-activated STAT3 was associated with transactivation of EGFR because inhibition of EGFR with the selective inhibitor AG1478 prevented α(1)-AR-induced STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and its transcriptional activity, as well as cardiac hypertrophy. In summary, these results suggest that α(1)-AR induces the activation of STAT3, mainly through transactivation of EGFR, which plays an important role in α(1)-AR-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism
  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cardiomegaly / chemically induced
  • Cardiomegaly / genetics
  • Cardiomegaly / metabolism*
  • Cardiomegaly / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Phenylephrine
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • RNA Interference
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor Cross-Talk*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Time Factors
  • Tyrosine

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Stat3 protein, rat
  • Phenylephrine
  • Tyrosine
  • EGFR protein, mouse
  • Egfr protein, rat
  • ErbB Receptors
  • ADAM Proteins