title: Epidermal growth factor induces oxidative neuronal injury in cortical culture.
abstract: Recently, we have demonstrated that certain neurotrophic factors can induce oxidative neuronal necrosis by acting at the cognate tyrosine kinase-linked receptors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has neurotrophic effects via the tyrosine kinase-linked EGF receptor (EGFR), but its neurotoxic potential has not been studied. Here, we examined this possibility in mouse cortical culture. Exposure of cortical cultures to 1-100 ng/ml EGF induced gradually developing neuronal death, which was complete in 48-72 h; no injury to astrocytes was noted. Electron microscopic findings of EGF-induced neuronal death were consistent with necrosis; severe mitochondrial swelling and disruption of cytoplasmic membrane occurred, whereas nuclei appeared relatively intact. The EGF-induced neuronal death was accompanied by increased free radical generation and blocked by the anti-oxidant Trolox. Suggesting mediation by the EGFR, an EGFR tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitor, C56, attenuated EGF-induced neuronal death. In addition, inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (Erk-1/2) (PD98056), protein kinase A (H89), and protein kinase C (GF109203X) blocked EGF-induced neuronal death. A p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (SB203580) or glutamate antagonists (MK-801 and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) showed no protective effect. The present results suggest that prolonged activation of the EGFR may trigger oxidative neuronal injury in central neurons.
authors.affiliation: National Creative Research Initiative Center for the Study of CNS Zinc and Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine. Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010766:Phosphorylation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; D011494:Protein Kinases; D066246:ErbB Receptors