RAF dimers control vascular permeability and cytoskeletal rearrangements at endothelial cell-cell junctions

Abstract

The endothelium functions as a semipermeable barrier regulating fluid homeostasis, nutrient, and gas supply to the tissue. Endothelial permeability is increased in several pathological conditions including inflammation and tumors; despite its clinical relevance, however, there are no specific therapies preventing vascular leakage. Here, we show that endothelial cell-restricted ablation of BRAF, a kinase frequently activated in cancer, prevents vascular leaking as well metastatic spread. BRAF regulates endothelial permeability by promoting the cytoskeletal rearrangements necessary for the remodeling of VE-Cadherin-containing endothelial cell-cell junctions and the formation of intercellular gaps. BRAF kinase activity and the ability to form complexes with RAS/RAP1 and dimers with its paralog RAF1 are required for proper permeability control, achieved mechanistically by modulating the interaction between RAF1 and the RHO effector ROKα. Thus, RAF dimerization impinges on RHO pathways to regulate cytoskeletal rearrangements, junctional plasticity, and endothelial permeability. The data advocate the development of RAF dimerization inhibitors, which would combine tumor cell autonomous effect with stabilization of the vasculature and antimetastatic spread.

Keywords: RAF kinases; cell-cell adhesions; cytoskeletal rearrangements; vascular permeability.