1. Agrin-Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 axis confers a mechanically competent microenvironment in skin wound healing.
- Author
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Chakraborty S, Sampath D, Yu Lin MO, Bilton M, Huang CK, Nai MH, Njah K, Goy PA, Wang CC, Guccione E, Lim CT, and Hong W
- Subjects
- Agrin genetics, Animals, Cell Line, Cytoskeleton metabolism, Extracellular Matrix, Female, Gene Expression, Humans, Keratinocytes metabolism, Male, Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 genetics, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Mice, Mice, Inbred ICR, Proteoglycans, Skin injuries, Skin pathology, Skin Diseases pathology, Wound Healing genetics, Agrin metabolism, Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 metabolism, Skin Diseases metabolism, Wound Healing physiology
- Abstract
An orchestrated wound healing program drives skin repair via collective epidermal cell proliferation and migration. However, the molecular determinants of the tissue microenvironment supporting wound healing remain poorly understood. Herein we discover that proteoglycan Agrin is enriched within the early wound-microenvironment and is indispensable for efficient healing. Agrin enhances the mechanoperception of keratinocytes by augmenting their stiffness, traction stress and fluidic velocity fields in retaliation to bulk substrate rigidity. Importantly, Agrin overhauls cytoskeletal architecture via enhancing actomyosin cables upon sensing geometric stress and force following an injury. Moreover, we identify Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) as a downstream effector of Agrin's mechanoperception. We also reveal a promising potential of a recombinant Agrin fragment as a bio-additive material that assimilates optimal mechanobiological and pro-angiogenic parameters by engaging MMP12 in accelerated wound healing. Together, we propose that Agrin-MMP12 pathway integrates a broad range of mechanical stimuli to coordinate a competent skin wound healing niche., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
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