Dreux Alys C, Lamb David J, Modjtahedi Helmout, Ferns Gordon A A
Centre for Clinical Science & Measurement, School of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.
Atherosclerosis. 2006 May;186(1):38-53. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.06.038. Epub 2005 Aug 1.
The epidermal growth factor receptor is a member of type-I growth factor receptor family with tyrosine kinase activity that is activated following the binding of multiple cognate ligands. Several members of the EGF family of ligands are expressed by cells involved in atherogenesis. EGF receptor mediated processes have been well characterised within epithelial, smooth muscle and tumour cell lines in vitro, and the EGF receptor has been identified immunocytochemically on intimal smooth muscle cells within atherosclerotic plaques. There is also limited evidence for the expression of the EGF receptor family on leukocytes, although their function has yet to be clarified. In this review, we will discuss the biological functions of this receptor and its ligands and their potential to modulate the function of cells involved in the atherosclerotic process.
表皮生长因子受体是具有酪氨酸激酶活性的I型生长因子受体家族成员，在与多种同源配体结合后被激活。参与动脉粥样硬化形成的细胞可表达几种表皮生长因子（EGF）家族的配体。EGF受体介导的过程在体外上皮细胞、平滑肌细胞和肿瘤细胞系中已得到充分表征，并且在动脉粥样硬化斑块内的内膜平滑肌细胞上已通过免疫细胞化学方法鉴定出EGF受体。虽然白细胞上EGF受体家族的功能尚待阐明，但也有有限的证据表明其存在表达。在本综述中，我们将讨论该受体及其配体的生物学功能，以及它们调节参与动脉粥样硬化过程的细胞功能的潜力。
