High glucose-induced, endothelin-dependent fibronectin synthesis is mediated via NF-kappa B and AP-1

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003 Feb;284(2):C263-72. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00192.2002. Epub 2002 Sep 18.

Abstract

Human endothelial cells cultured under high glucose (HG) conditions were shown before to upregulate several basement membrane proteins, including fibronectin (FN), thus mimicking effects of diabetes. Using human macrovascular (HUVEC) and microvascular (HMEC) endothelial cell lines, we evaluated in the present study some of the key molecular signaling events involved in HG-induced FN overexpression. This expression was shown to be dependent on endogenous endothelin (ET) receptor-mediated signaling. We also examined the roles played by protein kinase C (PKC) and the transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activating protein (AP)-1 with respect to such changes. HG, PKC activators, and ETs (ET-1 and ET-3) that increased FN expression also caused activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1. Inhibitors of both NF-kappaB and AP-1 prevented HG- and ET-induced FN production. ET receptor blockade also prevented these HG- and ET-mediated changes. The results of this study indicate that glucose-induced increased FN production in diabetes may be mediated via ET-dependent NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Basement Membrane / drug effects
  • Basement Membrane / metabolism*
  • Basement Membrane / physiopathology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin-1 / genetics
  • Endothelin-1 / metabolism
  • Endothelins / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Endothelin / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / physiology

Substances

  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin-1
  • Endothelins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fibronectins
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Endothelin
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Glucose