αv integrins on mesenchymal cells regulate skeletal and cardiac muscle fibrosis

Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 24;8(1):1118. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01097-z.

Abstract

Mesenchymal cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) are known to be important in fibrosis of organs such as the liver and kidney. Here we show that PDGFRβ+ cells contribute to skeletal muscle and cardiac fibrosis via a mechanism that depends on αv integrins. Mice in which αv integrin is depleted in PDGFRβ+ cells are protected from cardiotoxin and laceration-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis and angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis. In addition, a small-molecule inhibitor of αv integrins attenuates fibrosis, even when pre-established, in both skeletal and cardiac muscle, and improves skeletal muscle function. αv integrin blockade also reduces TGFβ activation in primary human skeletal muscle and cardiac PDGFRβ+ cells, suggesting that αv integrin inhibitors may be effective for the treatment and prevention of a broad range of muscle fibroses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Fibrosis
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Integrin alphaV / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / genetics*
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Integrin alphaV
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Collagen
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta