Erschienen in:
01.03.2013 | Original Article
EGCG blocks TGFβ1-induced CCN2 by suppressing JNK and p38 in buccal fibroblasts
verfasst von:
Jenny Zwei-Chieng Chang, Wan-Hsien Yang, Yi-Ting Deng, Hsin-Ming Chen, Mark Yen-Ping Kuo
Erschienen in:
Clinical Oral Investigations
|
Ausgabe 2/2013
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Abstract
Objectives
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) has been suggested as the main trigger for the increased collagen production and decreased matrix degradation pathways in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were found to overexpress in OSF. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the TGFβ-induced CCN2 expressions in human buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) to identify the potential targets for drug intervention or chemoprevention of OSF.
Materials and methods
TGFβ-induced CCN2 expression and its signaling pathways were assessed by Western blot analyses in BMFs.
Results
TGFβ1 stimulated CCN2 synthesis in BMFs. Pretreatment with c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, and activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor SB431542 significantly reduced TGFβ1-induced CCN2 synthesis. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) completely blocked TGFβ1-induced CCN2 synthesis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibited the TGFβ1-induced CCN2 synthesis in human fetal lung fibroblasts IMR90 but not in BMFs.
Conclusions
The TGFβ1-induced CCN2 synthesis in BMFs could be mediated by the ALK5, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways. EGCG blocks TGFβ1-induced CCN2 by suppressing JNK and p38 in BMFs.
Clinical relevance
The exceptional signal transduction pathways of TGFβ1-induced CCN2 production in BMFs contribute to the resistance of PGE2 downregulation of CCN2 expression; therefore, the CTGF/CCN2 levels are maintained in the OSF tissues in the presence of COX-2. EGCG may serve as a useful agent in controlling OSF.