title: Involvement of ERK signaling in halofuginone-driven inhibition of fibroblast ability to contract collagen lattices.
abstract: Halofuginone, an alkaloid isolated from the plant Dichroa febrifuga, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of tissue fibrosis. We herein demonstrate that, at concentrations below 10(-7) M, halofuginone does not affect the cell cycle but efficiently induces extracellular signal-regulated kinases(1,2) (ERK(1,2)), p38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinases(1,2) (JNK(1,2)) phosphorylation. In addition, at these non cytotoxic concentrations, halofuginone diminishes the capacity of fibroblasts to contract mechanically unloaded collagen lattices, an effect that is specifically blocked by the ERK inhibitors PD98059 and U0126, not by inhibitors of the JNK or p38 pathways. These data thus indicate that the inhibitory effect of halofuginone on fibroblast contractile activity, a key function for wound healing implicated in the development of tissue fibrosis, is an ERK-mediated mechanism.
authors: INSERM U697, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Tacheau
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Michel
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Farge
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Mauviel
authors: Franck
authors: F
authors: Verrecchia
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D052999:Quinazolinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005419:Flavonoids; D007093:Imidazoles; D009570:Nitriles; D010880:Piperidines; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D052999:Quinazolinones; C113580:U 0126; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C010176:halofuginone; C093642:SB 203580; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one