Conformational coupling of integrin and Thy-1 regulates Fyn priming and fibroblast mechanotransduction.

ABSTRACT: Progressive fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in gross alterations in tissue mechanics. Changes in tissue mechanics can further augment scar deposition through fibroblast mechanotransduction. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal form of progressive lung fibrosis, previous work has shown that loss of Thy-1 (CD90) expression in fibroblasts correlates with regions of active fibrogenesis, thus representing a pathologically relevant fibroblast subpopulation. We now show that Thy-1 is a regulator of fibroblast rigidity sensing. Thy-1 physically couples to inactive αvβ3 integrins via its RGD-like motif, altering baseline integrin avidity to ECM ligands and also facilitating preadhesion clustering of integrin and membrane rafts via Thy-

SUBMITTER: Fiore VF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4602038 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature