Nicotine induces the expression of early growth response-1 in human skin dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Background Egr-1 is known to play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and cell survival. Human skin dermal fibroblasts (HSDF) may be an important target for adverse effects of tobacco components. However, nicotinic effect for early growth response-1 (Egr-1) expression is unknown in HSDF. Methods Cytotoxicity of nicotine was assessed by cell viability test in HSDF. The expression of Egr-1 protein and mRNA after nicotine treatment was evaluated by Western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We also measured the promoter activity of Egr-1 in HSDF after nicotine exposure. Results Early growth response-1 protein and mRNA levels were increased in dermal fibroblasts exposed to nicotine. Nicotine treatment stimulated the promoter activity of Egr-1 in cultured human fibroblasts. Conclusion In this study, we demonstrate that Egr-1 expression is markedly induced in HSDF after exposure to nicotine.