Signalling and regulation of collagen I synthesis by ET-1 and TGF-beta1.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays an important role in tissue remodelling and fibrogenesis by inducing synthesis of collagen I via protein kinase C (PKC). ET-1 signals are transduced by two receptor subtypes, the ETA- and ETB-receptors which activate different Galpha proteins. Here, we investigated the expression of both ET-receptor subtypes in human primary dermal fibroblasts and demonstrated that the ETA-receptor is the major ET-receptor subtype expressed. To determine further signalling intermediates, we inhibited Galphai and three phospholipases. Pharmacologic inhibition of Galphai, phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD), but not of phospholipase Cbeta, abolished the increase in collagen I by ET-1. Inhibition of all phospholipases revealed similar effects on TGF-beta1 induced collagen I synthesis, demonstrating involvement of PC-PLC and PLD in the signalling pathways elicited by ET-1 and TGF-beta1. ET-1 and TGF-beta1 each stimulated collagen I production and in an additive manner. ET-1 further induced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), as did TGF-beta1, however, to lower levels. While rapid and sustained CTGF induction was seen following TGF-beta1 treatment, ET-1 increased CTGF in a biphasic manner with lower induction at 3 h and a delayed and higher induction after 5 days of permanent ET-1 treatment. Coincidentally at 5 days of permanent ET-1 stimulation, a switch in ET-receptor subtype expression to the ETB-receptor was observed. We conclude that the signalling pathways induced by ET-1 and TGF-beta1 leading to augmented collagen I production by fibroblasts converge on a similar signalling pathway. Thereby, long-time stimulation by ET-1 resulted in a changed ET-receptor subtype ratio and in a biphasic CTGF induction.
Horstmeyer
Angelika
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. ahorstmey@gmx.de
Licht
Christoph
C
Scherr
Gabriele
G
Eckes
Beate
B
Krieg
Thomas
T
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D015854:Up-Regulation
D024042:Collagen Type I; D019332:Endothelin-1; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1