Nicotine induces the expression of early growth response-1 in human skin dermal fibroblasts.
BACKGROUND
Egr-1 is known to play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and cell survival. Human skin dermal fibroblasts (HSDF) may be an important target for adverse effects of tobacco components. However, nicotinic effect for early growth response-1 (Egr-1) expression is unknown in HSDF.


METHODS
Cytotoxicity of nicotine was assessed by cell viability test in HSDF. The expression of Egr-1 protein and mRNA after nicotine treatment was evaluated by Western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We also measured the promoter activity of Egr-1 in HSDF after nicotine exposure.


RESULTS
Early growth response-1 protein and mRNA levels were increased in dermal fibroblasts exposed to nicotine. Nicotine treatment stimulated the promoter activity of Egr-1 in cultured human fibroblasts.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we demonstrate that Egr-1 expression is markedly induced in HSDF after exposure to nicotine.
Choi
Jae Eun
JE
Department of Dermatology, Division of Brain Korea 21 Project for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Ji Na
JN
Jeong
Sang Hoon
SH
Son
Sang Wook
SW
D015153:Blotting, Western; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009538:Nicotine