Factor Xa stimulates proinflammatory and profibrotic responses in fibroblasts via protease-activated receptor-2 activation

Am J Pathol. 2008 Feb;172(2):309-20. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2008.070347. Epub 2008 Jan 17.

Abstract

Coagulation proteases have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of tissue remodeling and fibrosis. We therefore assessed the proinflammatory and fibroproliferative effects of coagulation protease factor (F)Xa. We show that FXa elicits a signaling response in C2C12 and NIH3T3 fibroblasts. FXa-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was dependent on protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 cleavage because desensitization with a PAR-2 agonist (trypsin) but not a PAR-1 agonist (thrombin) abolished FXa-induced signal transduction and PAR-2 siRNA abolished FXa-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The PAR-2-dependent cellular effects of FXa led to fibroblast proliferation, migration, and differentiation into myofibroblasts, as demonstrated by the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin, followed by the secretion of the cytokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-6 as well as the expression of the fibrogenic proteins transforming growth factor-beta and fibronectin. To assess the relevance of FXa-induced proliferation and cell migration, we examined the effect of FXa in a wound scratch assay. Indeed, FXa facilitated wound healing in a PAR-2- and ERK1/2-dependent manner. Taken together, these results support the notion that, beyond its role in coagulation, FXa-dependent PAR-2 cleavage might play a role in the progression of tissue fibrosis and remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Factor Xa / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibrosis
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Myoblasts / cytology
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Receptor, PAR-1
  • Receptor, PAR-2
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Factor Xa