Contrasting effects of ERK on tight junction integrity in differentiated and under-differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers.

ABSTRACT: ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) activation leads to disruption of tight junctions in some epithelial monolayers, whereas it prevents disruption of tight junctions in other epithelia. The factors responsible for such contrasting influences of ERK on tight junction integrity are unknown. The present study investigated the effect of the state of cell differentiation on ERK-mediated regulation of tight junctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers. EGF (epidermal growth factor) potentiated H2O2-induced tight junction disruption in under-differentiated cell monolayers, which was attenuated by the MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK kinase] inhibitor U0126. In contrast, EGF prevented H2O2-induced disruption of tight junctions in differentiated cell monolayers, which was also atten

SUBMITTER: Aggarwal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4438673 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature