Deletion of NFKB1 enhances canonical NF-κB signaling and increases macrophage and myofibroblast content during tendon healing

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 29;9(1):10926. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47461-5.

Abstract

Flexor tendon injuries heal with excessive scar tissue that limits range of motion and increases incidence of re-rupture. The molecular mechanisms that govern tendon healing are not well defined. Both the canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have been implicated in tendon healing. The gene NFKB1 (proteins p105/p50) is involved in both NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that global NFKB1 deletion would increase activation of both NF-κB and MAPK through loss of signaling repressors, resulting in increased matrix deposition and altered biomechanical properties. As hypothesized, NFKB1 deletion increased activation of both NF-κB and MAPK signaling. While gliding function was not affected, NFKB1 deletion resulted in tendons that were significantly stiffer and trending towards increased strength by four weeks post-repair. NFKB1 deletion resulted in increased collagen deposition, increase macrophage recruitment, and increased presence of myofibroblasts. Furthermore, NFKB1 deletion increased expression of matrix-related genes (Col1a1, Col3a1), macrophage-associated genes (Adgre1, Ccl2), myofibroblast markers (Acta2), and general inflammation (Tnf). Taken together, these data suggest that increased activation of NF-κB and MAPK via NFKB1 deletion enhance macrophage and myofibroblast content at the repair, driving increased collagen deposition and biomechanical properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Myofibroblasts / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / genetics
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tendon Injuries / metabolism*
  • Tendons / cytology
  • Tendons / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • Acta2 protein, mouse
  • Actins
  • Adgre1 protein, mouse
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Ccl2 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nfkb1 protein, mouse
  • Collagen