A RTK-based functional RNAi screen reveals determinants of PTX-3 expression.

The aim of the present study was to explore the role of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in the regulation of expression of PTX-3, a protector in atherosclerosis. Human monocytic U937 cells were infected with a shRNA lentiviral vector library targeting human RTKs upon LPS stimuli and PTX-3 expression was determined by ELISA analysis. The involvement of downstream signaling in the regulation of PTX-3 expression was analyzed by both Western blotting and ELISA assay. We found that knocking down of ERBB2/3, EPHA7, FGFR3 and RET impaired PTX-3 expression without effects on cell growth or viability. Moreover, inhibition of AKT, the downstream effector of ERBB2/3, also reduced PTX-3 expression. Furthermore, we showed that FGFR3 inhibition by anti-cancer drugs attenuated p38 activity, in turn induced a reduction of PTX-3 expression. Altogether, our study demonstrates the role of RTKs in the regulation of PTX-3 expression and uncovers a potential cardiotoxicity effect of RTK inhibitor treatments in cancer patients who have symptoms of atherosclerosis or are at the risk of atherosclerosis.