[Expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 induced by crocidolite fibers in BEAS-2B cells].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the characteristic of the signal transduction in BEAS cells induced by the crocidolite fibers.


METHODS
The human respiratory airway epithelial cells BEAS-2B were cultured in vitro. The final 100 microg/ml crocidolite concentration and lOnM of epidermal growth factor were cocultured with BEAS-2B cells for 30 minutes and 120 minutes. Phosphorylated ERKl/2 and MEKl/2 were detected by Western Blotting using specific antibodies.


RESULTS
A rapid phosphorylation expression of ERK1/2 (molecular weight at 44 kD and 42 kD, also called as p44 and p42) was observed by treatment of the BEAS-2B cells with 100 microg/ml crocidolite or 100 ng/ml EGF (the proven activator of the ERK signaling pathway) at 30 minutes. This phosphorylation could be still detected by incubation the cells at 2 hours. However no expression was changed for the total ERKl/2 expression at 30 minutes or 120 minutes. Treatment of BEAS cells with 100 microg/ml crocidolite fiber or 100 ng/ml EGF led to the rapid increased phosphorylation of MEK1/2 at 30 minutes; similarly, the overexpression of MEK1/2 could last 2 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The crocidolite induces the MAPK (ERK1/2 and MEK1/2) phosphorylation within a shorter time. It indicates that the MAPKs signals are involved in the process of crocidolite induced damage.
Wang
Xin-chao
XC
Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
Wu
Yi-ming
YM
Samet
James M
JM
Ghio
Adrew J
AJ
D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000633:toxicity*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation
D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1