Objective: To explore the effect of zinc sulfate on the expression of intercellular adhension molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and underlying mechanisms.
Methods: A human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was treated with zinc sulfate. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein and activation of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and PI3K was determined using PCR and immunoblotting.
Results: Zinc sulfate stimulation induced overexpression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein. Under the same experimental condition, exposure to zinc sulfate increased phosphorylatihon of EGFR and Akt, the downstream kinase of PI3K. Pretreatment of BEAS-2B cells with the EGFR inhibitor PD153035 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 significantly blocked zinc sulfate-induced ICAM-1 expression,
Conclusion: Zinc sulfate stimulation could activate the EGFR and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, further leading to upregulation of ICAM-1 expression.