Egr-1-Induced Endothelial Gene Expression: A Common Theme in Vascular Injury

• DOI: 10.1126/science.271.5254.1427
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T18:30:41Z
• Authors: Levon M. Khachigian; Volkhard Lindner; Amy J. Williams; Tucker Collins
• Keywords: Platelet-derived growth factor

A number of pathophysiologically relevant genes, including platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B), are induced in the vasculature after acute mechanical injury. In rat aorta, activated expression these genes was preceded by a marked increase amount early-growth-response gene product Egr-1 at endothelial wound edge. interacts with novel element proximal PDGF-B promoter, as well consensus elements promoters other This interaction is crucial for injury-induced promoter-dependent expression. Sp1, whose binding site promoter overlaps that Egr-1, occupies this unstimulated cells and displaced increasing amounts Egr-1. These findings implicate up-regulated potent mediators mechanically injured arterial cells.