EGF receptor transactivation and MAP kinase mediate proteinase-activated receptor-2-induced chloride secretion in intestinal epithelial cells

We examined the stimulus-secretion pathways whereby proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) stimulates Cl- secretion in intestinal epithelial cells. SCBN and T84 epithelial monolayers grown on Snapwell supports and mounted in modified Ussing chambers were activated by the PAR-2-activating peptides SLIGRL-NH2 and 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH2. Short-circuit current (I-sc) was used as a measure of net electrogenic ion transport. Basolateral, but not apical, application of SLIGRL-NH2 or 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH2 caused a concentration-dependent change in Isc that was significantly reduced in Cl-- free buffer and by the intracellular Ca2+ blockers thapsigargin and BAPTA-AM, but not by the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil. Inhibitors of PKA (H-89) and CFTR (glibenclamide) also significantly reduced PAR-2-stimulated Cl- transport. PAR-2 activation was associated with increases in cAMP and intracellular Ca2+. Immunoblot analysis revealed increases in phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor ( EGF) receptor ( EGFR) tyrosine kinase, Src, Pyk2, cRaf, and ERK1/2 in response to PAR-2 activation. Pretreatment with inhibitors of cyclooxygenases ( indomethacin), tyrosine kinases ( genistein), EGFR (PD-153035), MEK (PD-98059 or U-0126), and Src (PP1) inhibited SLIGRL-NH2-induced increases in Isc. Inhibition of Src, but not matrix metalloproteinases, reduced EGFR phosphorylation. Reduced EGFR phosphorylation paralleled the reduction in PAR-2-stimulated Isc. We conclude that activation of basolateral, but not apical, PAR-2 induces epithelial Cl- secretion via cAMP- and Ca2+- dependent mechanisms. The secretory effect involves EGFR transactivation by Src, leading to subsequent ERK1/2 activation and increased cyclooxygenase activity.