Abstract.
We characterized the signaling and ion transport pathways that mediate epidermal growth factor receptor physiological control in SV40-immortalized rabbit corneal epithelial cells (tRCEC). Our evaluation employed single-cell fluorescence imaging to measure the intracellular [Na+]i in these cells loaded with the Na+ sensitive dye, SBFI. EGF (1 to 5 ng/ml) transiently increased [Na+]i from 10 mm to as much as 35 mm after 25 min, which was followed by a decline towards its control value. These increases waned at higher EGF concentrations up to 50 ng/ml. Both inhibition of EGF receptor-linked tyrosine kinase activity (50 μm RG-13022) and cPLA2 activity (10 μm AACOCF3) obviated EGF-induced increases in [Na+]i. In contrast, PGE2 (10 μg/ml) and cAMP (2 mm) increased [Na+]i by 25 mm. Inhibition of NKCC activity through exposure to either Cl-free Ringers or 300 μm furosemide in NaCl Ringers eliminated EGF-induced increases in [Na+]i. Similarly, EGF failed to increase [Na+]i following inhibition of: 1) PKA activity (10 μm H-89); 2) Erk1/2 (15 μm PD98059) or 3) p38 (15 μm SB203580) activity. Stimulation protein kinase C activity (0.1 μm PMA) transiently increased [Na+]i followed by a decline towards its baseline value. EGF-induced increases in [Na+]i were unaltered by inhibition of K+ conductance (100 μm 4-AP). Taken together, EGF stimulates Erk1/2; p38 and cPLA2 activity. Their stimulation increases PGE2 and cAMP levels resulting in PKA and NKCC activation.
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Received: 18 December 2000/Revised: 24 May 2001
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Yang, H., Wang, Z., Miyamoto, Y. et al. Cell Signaling Pathways Mediating Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulation of Na:K:2Cl Cotransport Activity in Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells. J. Membrane Biol. 183, 93–101 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-001-0057-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-001-0057-6