EXPRESSION OF ETS-1 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IN RELATION TO ANGIOGENESIS IN THE HEALING-PROCESS OF GASTRIC-ULCER

Ets-1 is a transcription factor known to control the expression of gen es involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, The purpose of this st udy is to evaluate the expression of Ets-1 in the process of healing o f ulceration in the rats. The time-dependent changes and distribution of Ets-1 in the margins of ulcer were examined. Ets-1 did not express in the normal gastric mucosa. In the marginal granulation tissue, fibr oblasts and endothelial cells of capillaries were immunopositive for E ts-1. Ets-1 expression was significantly increased at the early phase, and returned to normal levels at the scarred phase. Serial sectioning revealed that fibroblasts and endothelial cells also expressed MMP-1. Protein levels and mRNA expression of Ets-1 were confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. These findings suggest that Ets-1 plays an impor tant role in angiogenesis in the early phase of ulcer healing. (C) 199 8 Academic Press.