17beta-estradiol enhances heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor production in human keratinocytes.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) enhances reepithelialization in wounds. Estrogen is known to promote cutaneous wound repair. We examined the in vitro effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on HB-EGF production by human keratinocytes. E2 or membrane-impermeable BSA-conjugated E2 (E2-BSA) increased HB-EGF secretion, mRNA level, and promoter activity in keratinocytes. E2 or E2-BSA enhanced in vitro wound closure in keratinocytes, and the closure was suppressed by anti-HB-EGF antibody. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) sites on HB-EGF promoter were responsible for the E2- or E2-BSA-induced transactivation. Antisense oligonucleotides against c-Fos, c-Jun, and Sp1 blocked E2- or E2-BSA-induced HB-EGF transactivation. E2 or E2-BSA enhanced DNA binding and transcriptional activity of AP-1 and generated c-Fos/c-Jun heterodimers by inducing c-Fos expression. E2 or E2-BSA enhanced DNA binding and transcriptional activity of Sp1 in parallel with the enhancement of Sp1 phosphorylation. These effects of E2 or E2-BSA were not blocked by the nuclear estrogen receptor antagonist ICI-182,780 or anti-estrogen receptor-alpha or -beta antibodies but were blocked by inhibitors of G protein, phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC, PKC-alpha, and MEK1. These results suggest that E2 or E2-BSA may enhance HB-EGF production via activation of AP-1 and Sp1. These effects of E2 or E2-BSA may be dependent on membrane G protein-coupled receptors different from nuclear estrogen receptors and on the receptor-mediated activities of phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC, PKC-alpha, and MEK1. E2 may enhance wound reepithelialization by promoting HB-EGF production in keratinocytes.