[Involvement of EGF receptor and PI3K in ICAM-1 expression in human airway epithelial cells exposed to zinc sulfate].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of zinc sulfate on the expression of intercellular adhension molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and underlying mechanisms.


METHODS
A human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was treated with zinc sulfate. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein and activation of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and PI3K was determined using PCR and immunoblotting.


RESULTS
Zinc sulfate stimulation induced overexpression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein. Under the same experimental condition, exposure to zinc sulfate increased phosphorylatihon of EGFR and Akt, the downstream kinase of PI3K. Pretreatment of BEAS-2B cells with the EGFR inhibitor PD153035 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 significantly blocked zinc sulfate-induced ICAM-1 expression,


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc sulfate stimulation could activate the EGFR and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, further leading to upregulation of ICAM-1 expression.
Zhang
Qiao
Q
Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Wu
Weidong
W
Zhang
Tongcun
T
Shi
Songhe
S
D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors