Angiotensin II stimulates transcription of insulin-like growth factor I receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells: role of nuclear factor-kappaB

Endocrinology. 2006 Mar;147(3):1256-63. doi: 10.1210/en.2005-0888. Epub 2005 Dec 1.

Abstract

Increased expression of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is associated with proliferation and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In cultured VSMCs, we reported that angiotensin II (Ang II) increases transcription and expression of IGF-IR. Now, we show that mesenteric arteries of rats infused with Ang II develop thickening and increased IGF-IR expression. To determine how Ang II transcriptionally regulates IGF-IR expression in VSMCs, we generated 5'-end deletions of the IGF-IR promoter and measured Ang II-induced promoter-luciferase activity in VSMCs. Activities from these promoter sequences suggested that the Ang II-responsive region is located between -270 and -135 of the IGF-IR promoter. Using a DNase I foot printing analysis, we identified two putative nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-like sequences located in the same region of the IGF-IR promoter. When we mutated either of these NF-kappaB-like sites, Ang II-induced IGF-IR promoter activity decreased sharply. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift, anti-p50 of NF-kappaB supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that both the p65 and p50 subunits of NF-kappaB will bind to this Ang II response element in the IGF-IR promoter. When we blocked the Ras/MAPK kinase 1 pathway or the inhibitory-kappaB kinase pathway, both Ang II-induced IGF-IR promoter activity and expression of IGF-IR protein significantly declined. Our results indicate that the mechanism by which Ang II stimulates IGF-IR expression in VSMCs involves NF-kappaB binding to NF-kappaB sites in the IGF-IR promoter, leading to expression of IGF-IR through both Ras/MAPK kinase 1-and inhibitory-kappaB kinase-dependent pathways. Because IGF-IR is a major factor associated with thickening of mesenteric vessels, our results provide potential therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / metabolism
  • Angiotensin II / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Angiotensin II
  • Luciferases
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Deoxyribonuclease I