title: Epiregulin induces human SK-N-BE cell differentiation through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
abstract: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other EGF-related growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-α, are able to stimulate neuroblastoma (NB) cell proliferation. Epiregulin (Epi) is a growth factor belonging to the EGF family known to be more potent than EGF in mediating mitogenic signals. In this study, we tested the ability of Epi to stimulate a human NB cell line (SK-N-BE) proliferation. Surprisingly, Epi (50-1000 ng/ml) induced a reduction in SK-N-BE proliferation along with a morphological differentiation, associated with an increase in MMP-9 expression. Moreover, Epi-induced differentiation was inhibited by ERK1/2 phosphorilation inhibition. In conclusion, Epi could represent a novel and useful tool to oppose NB cell proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Department, University of Eastern Piedmont A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pittarella
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabbatini
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Renò
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066260:Epiregulin; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: C587880:EREG protein, human; D066260:Epiregulin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9