PGE2-induced hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes involves EP4 receptor-dependent activation of p42/44 MAPK and EGFR transactivation.

Upon induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), neonatal ventricular myocytes (VMs) mainly synthesize prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The biological effects of PGE2 are mediated through four different G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subtypes (EP(1-4)). We have previously shown that PGE2 stimulates cAMP production and induces hypertrophy of VMs. Because the EP4 receptor is coupled to adenylate cyclase and increases in cAMP, we hypothesized that PGE2 induces hypertrophic growth of cardiac myocytes through a signaling cascade that involves EP4-cAMP and activation of protein kinase A (PKA). To test this, we used primary cultures of VMs and measured [3H]leucine incorporation into total protein. An EP4 antagonist was able to partially block PGE2 induction of protein synthesis and prevent PGE2-dependent increases in cell surface area and activity of the atrial natriuretic factor promoter, which are two other indicators of hypertrophic growth. Surprisingly, a PKA inhibitor had no effect. In other cell types, G protein-coupled receptor activation has been shown to transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and result in p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and cell growth. Immunoprecipitation of myocyte lysates demonstrated that the EGFR was rapidly phosphorylated by PGE2 in VMs, and the EP4 antagonist blocked this. In addition, the selective EGFR inhibitor AG-1478 completely blocked PGE2-induced protein synthesis. We also found that PGE2 rapidly phosphorylated p42/44 MAPK, which was inhibited by the EP4 antagonist and by AG-1478. Finally, the p42/44 MAPK inhibitor PD-98053 (25 micromol/l) blocked PGE2-induced protein synthesis. Altogether, we believe these are the first data to suggest that PGE2 induces protein synthesis in cardiac myocytes in part via activation of the EP4 receptor and subsequent activation of p42/44 MAPK. Activation of p42/44 MAPK is independent of the common cAMP-PKA pathway and involves EP4-dependent transactivation of EGFR.