The p53-S100A2 Positive Feedback Loop Negatively Regulates Epithelialization in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 3;8(1):5458. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23697-5.

Abstract

The S100A2 protein is an important regulator of keratinocyte differentiation, but its role in wound healing remains unknown. We establish epithelial-specific S100A2 transgenic (TG) mice and study its role in wound repair using punch biopsy wounding assays. In line with the observed increase in proliferation and migration of S100A2-depleted human keratinocytes, mice expressing human S100A2 exhibit delayed cutaneous wound repair. This was accompanied by the reduction of re-epithelialization as well as a slow, attenuated response of Mcp1, Il6, Il1β, Cox2, and Tnf mRNA expression in the early phase. We also observed delayed Vegfa mRNA induction, a delayed enhancement of the Tgfβ1-mediated alpha smooth muscle actin (α-Sma) axis and a differential expression of collagen type 1 and 3. The stress-activated p53 tumor suppressor protein plays an important role in cutaneous wound healing and is an S100A2 inducer. Notably, S100A2 complexes with p53, potentiates p53-mediated transcription and increases p53 expression both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally. Consistent with a role of p53 in repressing NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation, S100A2 enhanced p53-mediated promoter suppression of Cox2, an early inducible NF-κB target gene upon wound injury. Our study thus supports a model in which the p53-S100A2 positive feedback loop regulates wound repair process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chemotactic Factors / genetics
  • Chemotactic Factors / metabolism*
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Re-Epithelialization*
  • S100 Proteins / genetics
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism*
  • Skin / cytology*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • Acta2 protein, mouse
  • Actins
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • NF-kappa B
  • S100 Proteins
  • S100A2 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Collagen
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2