title: [EphA2 mediated vascular endothelial growth factor expression via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the regulatory effect of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor (EphA2) on the expression of VEGF protein, a pro-angiogenic factor, via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck(SCCHN) in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  SCCHN Tu686 cells were transfected with EphA2 overexpression vector pEGFP-N1-EphA2. Western blot was used to detect the expression of p38 MAPK and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to assay of VEGF. SB203580 as a inhibitor of p38 MAPK signaling pathway was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of VEGF protein was significantly up-regulated in Tu686 cells transfected with EphA2 overexpression vector (535.31 ± 45.71) pg/ml, when compared with Tu686 cells transfected with empty vector (400.99 ± 33.50) pg/ml and Tu686 cells with no transfection (385.30 ± 33.50) pg/ml (F = 17.091, P < 0.01). The expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was obviously increased in Tu686 cells with EphA2 overexpression. SB203580 inhibited the expressions of VEGF and phosphorylated p38 MAPK proteins in Tu686 cells with EphA2 overexpression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EphA2 can regulate the expression of VEGF protein and stimulate p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hao-lei
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Guo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chang-yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhong-wu
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Shu-ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Gang-cai
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yuan-zheng
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Yong-quan
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D036104:Receptor, EphA2 / Q000502:physiology*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D036104:Receptor, EphA2; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C093642:SB 203580