EGF receptor-ERK pathway is the major signaling pathway that mediates upregulation of aldose reductase expression under oxidative stress.

Acceleration of the polyol pathway and enhanced oxidative stress are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. We and others recently reported that aldose reductase (AR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway, was upregulated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in vascular smooth muscle cells. To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these findings, we investigated the signal transduction pathways mediating AR expression using the rat vascular smooth muscle cell line A7r5. A selective epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin AG1478, significantly suppressed the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced increase in AR mRNA and enzyme activity. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) by H2O2 was blunted by AG1478. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK kinase (MEK1), reduced H2O2-induced AR expression. EGF alone elicited activation of ERK and induction of AR expression. Increased level of AR transcript was demonstrated in cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and this increase was also suppressed by AG1478. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase by SB203580 also partially suppressed the H2O2-initiated AR induction. The presence of ponalrestat, an AR inhibitor, significantly accelerated H2O2-induced cell death. These results suggested that AR may act as a survival factor in these cells and that the EGF receptor-ERK pathway is the major signaling pathway involved in the upregulation of AR expression under oxidative stress.