Bmx tyrosine kinase transgene induces skin hyperplasia, inflammatory angiogenesis, and accelerated wound healing

K Paavonen, N Ekman, M Wirzenius… - Molecular biology of …, 2004 - Am Soc Cell Biol
K Paavonen, N Ekman, M Wirzenius, I Rajantie, M Poutanen, K Alitalo
Molecular biology of the cell, 2004Am Soc Cell Biol
The Bmx gene, a member of the Tec family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases, is
expressed in arterial endothelium and in certain hematopoietic and epithelial cells. Previous
in vitro studies have implicated Bmx signaling in cell migration and survival and suggested
that it contributes to the progression of prostate carcinomas. However, the function of Bmx in
normal tissues in vivo is unknown. We show here that Bmx expression is induced in skin
keratinocytes during wound healing. To analyze the role of Bmx in epidermal keratinocytes …
The Bmx gene, a member of the Tec family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases, is expressed in arterial endothelium and in certain hematopoietic and epithelial cells. Previous in vitro studies have implicated Bmx signaling in cell migration and survival and suggested that it contributes to the progression of prostate carcinomas. However, the function of Bmx in normal tissues in vivo is unknown. We show here that Bmx expression is induced in skin keratinocytes during wound healing. To analyze the role of Bmx in epidermal keratinocytes in vivo, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing Bmx in the skin. We show that Bmx overexpression accelerates keratinocyte proliferation and wound reepithelialization. Bmx expression also induces chronic inflammation and angiogenesis in the skin, and gene expression profiling suggests that this occurs via cytokine-mediated recruitment of inflammatory cells. Our studies provide the first data on Bmx function in vivo and form the basis of evaluation of its role in epithelial neoplasia.
Am Soc Cell Biol