IL-1beta trans-activates EGFR in a time-dependent manner and it is dependent on MMP activity.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Growth-quiescent SMCs were stimulated with IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) for the indicated times. Total protein extracts were resolved by SDS-PAGE and subjected to Western blot analysis using antibodies for Egr-1, EGFR phospho-Tyr⁸⁴⁵, total EGFR and beta-actin. Alternatively, Western blotting for EGFR phospho-Tyr⁸⁴⁵ or EGFR of total extracts of SMCs treated with (<b>B</b>) AG1478 (5 µM), (<b>C</b>) GM6001+ or GM6001- (25 µM) (<b>D</b>) TAPI-1 (10 µM), PD153035 (5 µM) for 30 min followed by IL-1beta stimulation for 5 min.