title: Role of HuR in keratinocyte migration and wound healing.
abstract: Human antigen R (HuR) is a post-translational modifier of mRNAs rich in             AU- and U-rich elements. These mRNAs typically code for proteins involved in cell             growth and differentiation, signal transduction, transcriptional and translational             control, apoptosis, nutrient transport and metabolism. Thus, HuR affects a variety             of biological functions and processes. Via its effect on growth and cellular migration,             HuR has been shown to enhance clinical progression of a number of cancers. Its             role in wound healing remains unknown. In the present study, we evaluated HuR             tissue expression in a cohort of chronic healed and non-healed leg ulcers. We             also evaluated the effect of HuR knockdown on a number of cellular processes using             the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line. HuR was expressed in greater levels in             the 'chronic healed' cohort of ulcers, compared to the 'chronic non-healed', although             this failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.13). HuR knockdown resulted             in greater cellular growth, faster progression through the cell cycle and reduced             apoptosis. Furthermore, it reduced cellular adhesion rates without affecting migration.             We, therefore, concluded that HuR promotes wound healing, primarily through its             effect on cellular adhesion. It also slows cellular growth rate via its effect             on both cell cycle progression and rates of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK. davebosanquet@hotmail.com
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bosanquet
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Wen G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D051959:ELAV Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D051959:ELAV Proteins