title: Differential expression of the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and KGF receptor genes in human vascular smooth muscle cells and arteries.
abstract: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a secreted member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of heparin-binding proteins. Studies reported to date indicate that it functions primarily as an important paracrine mediator of epithelial cell growth and differentiation. KGF appears to act via binding to a specific FGF receptor-2 isoform generated by an alternative splicing mechanism. To determine whether KGF may play a role in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) biology, we investigated KGF and KGF receptor gene expression in human SMC cultured in vitro as well as in several human nonatherosclerotic artery and atheroma specimens. KGF mRNA but not KGF receptor mRNA was expressed by SMCs, as determined by Northern blot hybridization analysis or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. Additional experiments demonstrated that 1) human SMCs produce and secrete mitogenically active KGF and that 2) the cytokine interleukin-1 increases KGF mRNA and protein levels in human SMCs. We also found that KGF transcripts but not KGF receptor transcripts were expressed in control and atherosclerotic human arteries. Taken together, these results indicate that KGF is unlikely to be involved in SMC growth regulation unless it can function intracellularly or interact with a presently unidentified KGF receptor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Holland Laboratory, American Red Cross, Rockville, Maryland 20855, USA. winkles@hlsun.redcross.org
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Winkles
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chedid
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeMartino
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: C496453:FGF7 protein, human; C496454:Fgf7 protein, mouse; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; C065104:keratinocyte growth factor receptor