Opposing actions of Stat1 and Stat6 on IL-13-induced up-regulation of early growth response-1 and platelet-derived growth factor ligands in pulmonary fibroblasts

J Immunol. 2006 Sep 15;177(6):4141-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.6.4141.

Abstract

IL-13 is a key cytokine involved in airway remodeling in asthma. We previously reported that IL-13 stimulated the mitogenesis of lung fibroblasts via platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA. In this report, we show that IL-13 increases PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels through a dual intracellular cascade that requires coactivation of Stat6 and Stat1 to impact transcriptional regulation of the early growth response (Egr)-1 gene, which then drives PDGF expression. Increased levels of PDGF-AA and PDGF-CC protein were observed in vivo in the airways of IL-13 transgenic mice. IL-13 up-regulated PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels in lung fibroblasts isolated from three different background strains of mice. However, IL-13-induced PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNA levels were significantly reduced in Stat6-deficient (Stat6(-/-)) fibroblasts as compared with wild-type Stat6(+/+) fibroblasts. In contrast, IL-13-induced PDGF-A and PDGF-C mRNAs were enhanced in Stat1(-/-) fibroblasts as compared with Stat1(+/+) fibroblasts. IL-13 did not up-regulate PDGF-A or PDGF-C mRNA levels in Egr-1(-/-) fibroblasts. Moreover, IL-13 did not increase Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels in Stat6(-/-) fibroblasts and yet enhanced Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels in Stat1(-/-) fibroblasts. Our findings support the hypothesis that Stat6 and Stat1 exert stimulatory and inhibitory effects on Egr-1 and PDGF ligand mRNA transcription, respectively. This novel mechanism could aid in identifying molecular targets for the treatment of chronic airway remodeling and fibrosis in asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-13 / genetics
  • Interleukin-13 / physiology*
  • Ligands
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / physiology*

Substances

  • EGR1 protein, human
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1
  • Interleukin-13
  • Ligands
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • STAT6 protein, human
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor