title: The action of the mast cell product tryptase on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and subsequent fibroblast proliferation involves activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (erk1/2).
abstract: The mast cell product tryptase, via protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) synthesis. 15d-PGJ2, through the nuclear peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), subsequently causes fibroblast proliferation. In this study we attempted to determine initial events of the tryptase/PAR2 signaling pathway leading to COX2 induction and fibroblast proliferation. In human fibroblasts (HFFF2), cDNA array, RT-PCR and Western blotting studies demonstrated that tryptase, but not 15d-PGJ2, up-regulates c-jun, c-fos and COX2 expression, and phosphorylates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (erk1/2). Furthermore, tryptase effects on erk1/2, c-jun, c-fos, COX2 and cell proliferation were prevented by PD98059, an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Other kinases [P38, stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JUNK), erk5], intracellular Ca(2+) or cAMP were not affected by tryptase/PAR2. Our study identifies crucial intracellular events leading to induction of COX2 and fibroblast proliferation, i.e. a cornerstone of fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Institute, Ludwig Maximilians University, D-80802 Munich, Germany. mfrung@dna.uba.ar
authors.forename: Mónica B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Frungieri
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Romi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raemsch
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mayerhofer
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D053802:Tryptases; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053802:Tryptases; D002118:Calcium