Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Epiregulin induces human SK-N-BE cell differentiation through ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Manuela Rizzi1, Pamela Pittarella, Maurizio Sabbatini
1Health Sciences Department, University of Eastern Piedmont A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
Abstract:
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other EGF-related growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-α, are able to stimulate neuroblastoma (NB) cell proliferation. Epiregulin (Epi) is a growth factor belonging to the EGF family known to be more potent than EGF in mediating mitogenic signals. In this study, we tested the ability of Epi to stimulate a human NB cell line (SK-N-BE) proliferation. Surprisingly, Epi (50-1000 ng/ml) induced a reduction in SK-N-BE proliferation along with a morphological differentiation, associated with an increase in MMP-9 expression. Moreover, Epi-induced differentiation was inhibited by ERK1/2 phosphorilation inhibition. In conclusion, Epi could represent a novel and useful tool to oppose NB cell proliferation.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

