The 12th-14th type III repeats of fibronectin function as a highly promiscuous growth factor-binding domain

FASEB J. 2010 Dec;24(12):4711-21. doi: 10.1096/fj.09-151282. Epub 2010 Jul 29.

Abstract

It has recently been shown that some growth factors (GFs) have strong interactions with nonproteoglycan extracellular matrix proteins. Relevant here, the 12th-14th type three repeats of fibronectin (FN III12-14) have been shown to bind insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-3, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A with high affinity. Since FN III12-14 is known to bind GFs from different families, we hypothesized that this domain could be highly promiscuous in its GF-binding capacity. We used biochemical approaches and surface plasmon resonance to investigate such interactions with recombinant FN III12-14. We found that FN III12-14 binds most of the GFs from the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/VEGF and FGF families and some GFs from the transforming growth factor-β and neurotrophin families, with K(D) values in the nanomolar range, without inhibiting GF activity. Overall, 25 new binding interactions were identified. In a clinically relevant fibrin matrix, a fibrin-binding variant of FN III12-14 was highly effective as a GF delivery system. For instance, in matrices functionalized with FN III12-14, PDGF-BB-induced sprouting of human smooth muscle cell spheroids was greatly enhanced. We show that FN III12-14 is a highly promiscuous ligand for GFs and also holds great potential in clinical healing applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fibronectins / chemistry
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / metabolism*
  • Fibronectins / pharmacology
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Fibronectins
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Heparin