Role of the prostaglandin E2/E-prostanoid 2 receptor signalling pathway in TGFβ-induced mice mesangial cell damage

Biosci Rep. 2014 Dec 12;34(6):e00159. doi: 10.1042/BSR20140130.

Abstract

The prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP2 (E-prostanoid 2), plays an important role in mice glomerular MCs (mesangial cells) damage induced by TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor-β1); however, the molecular mechanisms for this remain unknown. The present study examined the role of the EP2 signalling pathway in TGFβ1-induced MCs proliferation, ECM (extracellular matrix) accumulation and expression of PGES (prostaglandin E2 synthase). We generated primary mice MCs. Results showed MCs proliferation promoted by TGFβ1 were increased; however, the production of cAMP and PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) was decreased. EP2 deficiency in these MCs augmented FN (fibronectin), Col I (collagen type I), COX2 (cyclooxygenase-2), mPGES-1 (membrane-associated prostaglandin E1), CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) and CyclinD1 expression stimulated by TGFβ1. Silencing of EP2 also strengthened TGFβ1-induced p38MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) and CREB1 (cAMP responsive element-binding protein 1) phosphorylation. In contrast, Adenovirus-mediated EP2 overexpression reversed the effects of EP2-siRNA (small interfering RNA). Collectively, the investigation indicates that EP2 may block p38MAPK, ERK1/2 and CREB1 phosphorylation via activation of cAMP production and stimulation of PGE2 through EP2 receptors which prevent TGFβ1-induced MCs damage. Our findings also suggest that pharmacological targeting of EP2 receptors may provide new inroads to antagonize the damage induced by TGFβ1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / genetics
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Mesangial Cells / drug effects*
  • Mesangial Cells / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phosphorylation
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • RNA Interference
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / genetics
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • CCN2 protein, mouse
  • Collagen Type I
  • Creb1 protein, mouse
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Cyclin D1
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Ptges protein, mouse
  • Dinoprostone