Expression of early growth response factor-1 in rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and its significance.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the expressions of early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) and tissue factor (TF) in rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and to explore its significance.


METHODS
A large dose of cerulein was used to create the experimental acute pancreatitis model in rats. The changes of Egr-1 mRNA and protein in rats were observed during 30 min to 4 h after the treatment and immunohistochemical method was used to observe the localized expression of Egr-1 in tissues. In addition to the mRNA expression of Egr-1 target gene, TF was also observed. A blank control group, and a bombesin-administered group were used for comparison.


RESULTS
After the stimulation of a large dose of cerulein, the rats showed typical inflammatory changes of acute pancreatitis. Thirty minutes after the stimulation, the mRNA expression of Egr-1 in the pancreatic tissue reached its peak and then declined, while the expression of Egr-1 protein reached its peak 2 h after the stimulation. Histologically, 2 h after the stimulation, almost all pancreatic acinar cells had the expression of Egr-1 protein, which was focused in the nuclei. The mRNA expression of TF occurred 1 h after the stimulation and gradually increased within 4 h. However, a large dose of bombesin only stimulated the pancreatic tissue to produce a little mRNA expression of Egr-1 and no mRNA expression of Egr-1 protein and TF.


CONCLUSIONS
Egr-1 as a pro-inflammatory transcription factor may play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis by modulating the expression of TF.
Gong
Lan-Bo
LB
Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China. lbgong@fimmu.com
He
Li
L
Liu
Yang
Y
Chen
Xue-Qing
XQ
Jiang
Bo
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002108:Ceruletide; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D015870:Gene Expression; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; C486110:Egr1 protein, rat; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D002108:Ceruletide; D013925:Thromboplastin