ERK1/2 pathway mediates epithelial-mesenchymal?transition by cross-interacting with TGFβ/Smad and Jagged/Notch signaling pathways in lens epithelial cells

摘要

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition?(EMT) of lens epithelial cells?(LECs) is the major pathological mechanism in anterior subcapsular cataract?(ASC) and posterior capsule opacification?(PCO), which are important causes of visual impairment. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase?(ERK)1/2 pathway has been reported to play a major role in carcinogenesis, cancer metastasis and various fibrotic diseases. We hypothesized that ERK1/2 signaling can cross-interact with canonical transforming growth factor?β?(TGFβ)/Smad signaling and the Notch pathway, which subsequently contributes to LECs EMT. In this study, we demonstrated that ERK1/2 signaling was activated in TGFβ2?induced EMT in human LECs, whereas the blockade of TGFβ2/Smad2/3 signaling with SB431542 did not inhibit the activation of ERK1/2 induced by TGFβ2. In addition, inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling with a specific MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, completely prevented the TGFβ2-induced upregulation of α-SMA, collagen type?I, collagen type?IV and fibronectin. We also demonstrated that inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling inhibited canonical TGFβ/Smad signaling, as well as the Jagged/Notch pathway. By contrast, blockade of the Notch pathway by DAPT inhibited the TGFβ2?induced activation of ERK1/2 pathway in LECs. Thus, results of this study provide evidence for the complex interplay between ERK1/2, TGFβ/Smad, and Jagged/Notch signaling pathways in the regulation of EMT in LECs. Inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway may therefore have therapeutic value in the prevention and treatment of ASC and PCO.