title: Nicotine induces the expression of early growth response-1 in human skin dermal fibroblasts.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Division of Brain Korea 21 Project for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Ji Na
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Sang Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Son
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009538:Nicotine