Role of CREB in vasoactive intestinal peptide-mediated wound healing in human bronchial epithelial cells

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is one of the most important sensory neuropeptides in respiratory system. We previously reported that VIP enhances wound healing and proliferation of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), and these effects are mediated by intracellular signaling molecules such as protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), Calmodulin (CaM), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In the present study, we further investigated the role of cAMP Response Element Binding Protein (CREB) in VIP-promoted protective effects in mechanical-damaged HBECs. VIP-mediated wound healing and cell proliferation in HBECs was inhibited by CREB antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) in a time-dependent manner. VIP increased the CREB DNA binding activity and expression of the p-CREB that were inhibited by VIP receptor antagonist. Increased CREB DNA binding activity and expression of the p-CREB were also partially inhibited by PKA and ERK inhibitors. These results suggest that the VIP-mediated wound repair of HBECs is associated with activation of CREB via PKA and ERK dependent pathway.