Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) is critical for formation of α-smooth muscle actin filaments during myofibroblast differentiation

Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2012 Oct 15;303(8):L692-702. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00390.2011. Epub 2012 Aug 10.

Abstract

Myofibroblasts are implicated in pathological stromal responses associated with lung fibrosis. One prominent phenotypic marker of fully differentiated myofibroblasts is the polymerized, thick cytoplasmic filaments containing newly synthesized α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). These α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments are important for myofibroblast contractility during tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the formation and maturation of α-SMA-containing filaments have not been defined. This study demonstrates a critical role for neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) in regulating the formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments during myofibroblast differentiation and in myofibroblast contractility. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is activated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and is required for phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 256 (Y256) of N-WASP. Phosphorylation of Y256 of N-WASP is essential for TGF-β1-induced formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments in primary human lung fibroblasts. In addition, we demonstrate that actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex is downstream of N-WASP and mediates the maturation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments. Together, this study supports a critical role of N-WASP in integrating FAK and Arp2/3 signaling to mediate formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments during myofibroblast differentiation and maturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Actin-Related Protein 3 / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / genetics
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actin-Related Protein 3
  • Actins
  • Actr3 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Wasl protein, mouse
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal
  • alpha-smooth muscle actin, mouse
  • Tyrosine
  • Collagen
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • Ptk2 protein, mouse