EGF regulation of proximal tubule cell proliferation and VEGF-A secretion.

ABSTRACT: Proximal tubule cell (PTC) proliferation is critical for tubular regeneration and recovery from acute kidney injury. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) are important for the maintenance of tubulointerstitial integrity and can stimulate PTC proliferation. We utilized HK-2 cells, an immortalized human PTC line, to characterize the EGF-dependent regulation of VEGF-A secretion and proliferation in PTCs. We demonstrate that EGF stimulates VEGF-A secretion via the EGF receptor (EGFR) and stimulates cell proliferation via activation of the VEGF receptor, VEGFR-2. EGFR activation promotes MAPK (ERK1/2) activation and HIF-1α expression, which are required for basal and EGF-stimulated VEGF-A secretion. EGF also stimulates the phosphorylation of P70S6 kinase

SUBMITTER: Zepeda-Orozco D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5617933 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature