Basement membrane collagen type IV expression by human mesenchymal stem cells during adipogenic differentiation

During adipogenic differentiation human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) produce collagen type IV. In immunofluorescence staining differentiating hMSCs started to express collagen type IV when Oil Red O-positive fat droplets appeared intracellularly. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction confirmed progressive increase of collagen type IV α1 and α2 mRNA levels over time, 18.6- and 12.2-fold by day 28, respectively, whereas the copy numbers of α3-α6 mRNAs remained rather stable and low. Type IV collagen was in confocal laser scanning microscopy seen around adipocytes, where also laminins and nidogen were found, suggesting pericellular deposition of all key components of the fully developed basement membrane. Immunofluorescence staining of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, 72 kD type IV collagenase, gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (92 kD type IV collagenase, gelatinase B) disclosed only faint staining of MSCs, but MMP-9 was strongly induced during adipogenesis, whereas MSC supernatants disclosed in zymography pro-MMP-2 and faint pro-MMP-9 bands, which increased over time, with partial conversion of pro-MMP-2 to its active 62 kD form. Differentiation was associated with increasing membrane type 1-MMP/MMP-14 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) staining, which may enable participation of type IV collagenases in basement membrane remodelling via ternary MT1-MMP/TIMP-2/MMP-2 or -9 complexes, focalizing the fully active enzyme to the cell surface. MMP-9, which increased more in immunofluorescence staining, was perhaps preferentially bound to cell surface and/or remodelling adipocyte basement membrane. These results suggest that upon MSC-adipocyte differentiation collagen type IV synthesis and remodelling become necessary when intracellular accumulation of fat necessitates a dynamically supporting and instructive, partly denatured adipogenic pericellular type IV collagen scaffold.     

LPS responsiveness and neutrophil chemotaxis in vivo require PMN MMP-8 activity

We identify matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte collagenase, as a critical mediator initiating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsiveness in vivo. PMN infiltration towards LPS is abrogated in Mmp8-null mice. MMP-8 cleaves LPS-induced CXC chemokine (LIX) at Ser(4)-Val(5) and Lys(79)-Arg(80). LIX bioactivity is increased upon N-terminal cleavage, enhancing intracellular calcium mobilization and chemotaxis upon binding its cognate receptor, CXCR2. As there is no difference in PMN chemotaxis in Mmp8-null mice compared with wild-type mice towards synthetic analogues of MMP-8-cleaved LIX, MMP-8 is not essential for extravasation or cell migration in collagenous matrices in vivo. However, with biochemical redundancy between MMPs 1, 2, 9, and 13, which also cleave LIX at position 4 approximately 5, it was surprising to observe such a markedly reduced PMN infiltration towards LPS and LIX in Mmp8-/- mice. This lack of physiological redundancy in vivo identifies MMP-8 as a key mediator in the regulation of innate immunity. Comparable results were found with CXCL8/IL-8 and CXCL5/ENA-78, the human orthologues of LIX. MMP-8 cleaves CXCL8 at Arg(5)-Ser(6) and at Val(7)-Leu(8) in CXCL5 to activate respective chemokines. Hence, rather than collagen, these PMN chemoattractants are important MMP-8 substrates in vivo; PMN-derived MMP-8 cleaves and activates LIX to execute an in cis PMN-controlled feed-forward mechanism to orchestrate the initial inflammatory response and promote LPS responsiveness in tissue.     

Cell surface collagenolysis requires homodimerization of the membrane-bound collagenase MT1-MMP

Pericellular degradation of interstitial collagens is a crucial event for cells to migrate through the dense connective tissue matrices, where collagens exist as insoluble fibers. A key proteinase that participates in this process is considered to be membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP or MMP-14), but little is known about the mechanism by which it cleaves the insoluble collagen. Here we report that homodimerization of MT1-MMP through its hemopexin (Hpx) domain is essential for cleaving type I collagen fibers at the cell surface. When dimerization was blocked by coexpressing either a membrane-bound or a soluble form of the Hpx domain, cell surface collagenolytic activity was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. When MMP-13, a soluble collagenase active as a monomer in solution, was expressed as a membrane-anchored form on the cell surface, homodimerization was also required to cleave collagen. Our results introduce a new concept in that pericellular collagenolysis is regulated by correct molecular assembly of the membrane-anchored collagenase, thereby governing the directionality of the cell to migrate in tissue.     

Characterization of the distinct collagen binding, helicase and cleavage mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 14 (gelatinase A and MT1-MMP): the differential roles of the MMP hemopexin c domains and the MMP-2 fibronectin type II modules in collagen triple helicase activities

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A) and membrane type (MT)1-MMP (MMP-14) are cooperative dynamic components of a cell surface proteolytic axis involved in regulating the cellular signaling environment and pericellular collagen homeostasis. Although MT1-MMP exhibits type I collagenolytic but poor gelatinolytic activities, MMP-2 is a potent gelatinase with weak type I collagenolytic behavior. Recombinant linker/hemopexin C domain (LCD) of MT1-MMP binds native type I collagen, blocks MT1-MMP collagenolytic activity in trans, and by circular dichroism spectroscopy, induces localized structural perturbation in the collagen. These changes were reflected by enhanced cleavage of the MT1-LCD-bound collagen by the collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-8 but not by trypsin or MMP-7. Thus, the MT1-LCD alone can initiate triple helicase activity. In contrast, the native and denatured collagen binding properties of MMP-2 reside in the fibronectin type II modules, accordingly termed the collagen binding domain (CBD). Recombinant CBD (but not the MMP-2 LCD) also changed the circular dichroism spectra leading to increased MMP-1 and -8 cleavage of native collagen. However, recombinant CBD reduced gelatin and collagen cleavage by MMP-2 in trans as did CBD23, which comprises the second and third fibronectin type II modules, but not the CBD23 mutant W316A/W374A, which neither binds gelatin nor collagen. This indicates that MMP-2 and MT1-MMP bind collagen at a different site than MMP-1 and MMP-8. Thus, MMP-2 utilizes the CBD in cis for collagen binding and triple helicase activity, which compensates for the lack of collagen binding by the MMP-2 LCD. Hence, the MMP family has evolved two distinct mechanisms for collagen triple helicase activity using two structurally distinct domains, with triple helicase activity occurring independent of alpha-chain hydrolysis.     

Role of matrix metalloprotease-9 in hyperoxic injury in developing lung

Matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) is increased in lung injury following hyperoxia exposure in neonatal mice, in association with impaired alveolar development. We studied the role of MMP-9 in the mechanism of hyperoxia-induced functional and histological changes in neonatal mouse lung. Reduced alveolarization with remodeling of ECM is a major morbidity component of oxidant injury in developing lung. MMP-9 mediates oxidant injury in developing lung causing altered lung remodeling. Five-day-old neonatal wild-type (WT) and MMP-9 (-/-) mice were exposed to hyperoxia for 8 days. The lungs were inflation fixed, and sections were examined for morphometry. The mean linear intercept and alveolar counts were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry for MMP-9 and elastin was performed. MMP-2, MMP-9, type I collagen, and tropoelastin were measured by Western blot analysis. Lung quasistatic compliance was studied in anaesthetized mice. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased in lungs of WT mice exposed to hyperoxia compared with controls. Immunohistochemistry showed an increase in MMP-9 in mesenchyme and alveolar epithelium of hyperoxic lungs. The lungs of hyperoxia-exposed WT mice had less gas exchange surface area and were less compliant compared with room air-exposed WT and hyperoxia-exposed MMP-9 (-/-) mice. Type I collagen and tropoelastin were increased in hyperoxia-exposed WT with aberrant elastin staining. These changes were ameliorated in hyperoxia-exposed MMP-9 (-/-) mice. MMP-9 plays an important role in the structural changes consequent to oxygen-induced lung injury. Blocking MMP-9 activity may lead to novel therapeutic approaches in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.     

Rac1 mediates type I collagen-dependent MMP-2 activation. role in cell invasion across collagen barrier

Cell migration and proteolysis are two essential processes during tumor invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 (type IV collagenase; gelatinase A), is implicated in tumor metastasis as well as in primary tumor growth. The Rho family of small GTPases regulates the dynamics of actin cytoskeleton associated with cell motility. In this report, we provide evidence that Rac1, one member of Rho-related small GTPases, is a mediator of MMP-2 activation in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells cultured in three-dimensional collagen gel (3D-col) and that MMP-2 activation is required for Rac1-promoted cell invasion through collagen barrier. Stable expression of dominant negative (Rac1V12N17) and constitutively active Rac1 (Rac1V12), respectively, in HT1080 cells demonstrates that Rac1 promoted cell invasiveness across type I collagen and collagen-dependent MMP-2 activation. Active Rac1 is sufficient to induce MMP-2 activation in cells cultured in fibrin gel, an extracellular matrix component that does not support MMP-2 activation. The Rac1-dependent MMP-2 activation occurred in a cell-associated fashion and required MMP activities. Because the cell membrane-mediated MMP-2 activation requires MT1-MMP and low amount of issue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), their expression was examined. Rac1 modulated MT1-MMP mRNA level and the accumulation of a 43-kDa form of MT1-MMP protein, in correlation with MMP-2 activation profile. However, TIMP-2 expression was independent of Rac1 activity. The coordinate modulation of MMP-2 activity and MT1-MMP expression/processing by Rac1 is consistent with cell collagenolytic activity. The C-terminal hemopexin-like domain of MMP-2, which interferes with the cell membrane activation of MMP-2, reduced Rac1-promoted cell invasiveness as monitored by collagen invasion assay. These results suggest that collagen-dependent MMP-2 activation and MT1-MMP expression/processing contribute to Rac-promoted tumor cell invasion through interstitial collagen barrier.     

Type I collagen stabilization of matrix metalloproteinase-2

The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is regulated stringently on the posttranslational level. MMP-2 efficiently undergoes autolysis into inactive polypeptides in vitro, prompting the hypothesis that MMP-2 autolysis may function as an alternative mechanism for posttranslational control of MMP-2 in vivo. Moreover, MMP-2 binds to intact type I collagen fibrils; however, the functional consequences of this interaction have not been fully elucidated. To test the hypothesis that MMP-2 binding to type I collagen functions as a positive regulator of MMP-2 proteolytic potential, the effect of type I collagen on MMP-2 activity, inhibition by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), and enzyme stability was examined. Here, we report that purified MMP-2 binds but does not cleave intact type I collagen. The presence of type I collagen affects neither enzymatic activity against a quenched fluorescent peptide substrate nor the kinetics of inhibition by TIMP-2. However, MMP-2 is stabilized from autolysis in the presence of type I collagen, but not by elastin, fibrinogen, or laminin. These data provide biochemical evidence that MMP-2 exosite interactions with type I collagen may function in the posttranslational control of MMP-2 activity by reducing the rate of autolytic inactivation.     

Functional interplay between type I collagen and cell surface matrix metalloproteinase activity

Type I collagen stimulation of pro-matrix metalloproteinase (pro-MMP)-2 activation by ovarian cancer cells involves beta(1) integrin receptor clustering; however, the specific cellular and biochemical events that accompany MMP processing are not well characterized. Collagenolysis is not required for stimulation of pro-MMP-2 activation, and denatured collagen does not elicit an MMP-2 activation response. Similarly, DOV13 cells bind to intact collagen utilizing both alpha(2)beta(1) and alpha(3)beta(1) integrins but interact poorly with collagenase-treated or thermally denatured collagen. Antibody-induced clustering of alpha(3)beta(1) strongly promotes activation of pro-MMP-2, whereas alpha(2)beta(1) integrin clustering has only marginal effects. Membrane-type 1 (MT1)-MMP is present on the DOV13 cell surface as both an active 55-kDa TIMP-2-binding species and a stable catalytically inactive 43-kDa form. Integrin clustering stimulates cell surface expression of MT1-MMP and co-localization of the proteinase to aggregated integrin complexes. Furthermore, cell surface proteolysis of the 55-kDa MT1-MMP species occurs in the absence of active MMP-2, suggesting MT1-MMP autolysis. Cellular invasion of type I collagen matrices requires collagenase activity, is blocked by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and collagenase-resistant collagen, is unaffected by TIMP-1, and is accompanied by pro-MMP-2 activation. Together, these data indicate that integrin stimulation of MT1-MMP activity is a rate-limiting step for type I collagen invasion and provide a mechanism by which this activity can be down-regulated following collagen clearance.     

Deficiency of TIMP-1 exacerbates LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice

Recent studies have been directed at modulating the heart failure process through inhibition of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We hypothesized that a loss of MMP inhibitory control by tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 deficiency alters the course of postinfarction chamber remodeling and induced chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in wild-type (WT) and TIMP-1(-/-) mice. Left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume loops obtained from WT and TIMP-1(-/-) mice demonstrated that LV end-diastolic volume [52 +/- 4 (WT) vs. 71 +/- 6 (TIMP-1(-/-)) microl] and LV end-diastolic pressure [9.0 +/- 1.2 (WT) vs. 12.7 +/- 1.4 (TIMP-1(-/-)) mmHg] were significantly increased in the TIMP-1(-/-) mice 2 wk after MI. LV contractility was reduced to a similar degree in the WT and TIMP-1(-/-) groups after MI, as indicated by a significant fall in the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relationship. Ventricular weight and cross-sectional areas of LV myocytes were significantly increased in TIMP-1(-/-) mice, indicating that the hypertrophic response was more pronounced. The observed significant loss of fibrillar collagen in the TIMP-1(-/-) controls may have been an important contributory factor for the observed LV alterations in the TIMP-1(-/-) mice after MI. These findings demonstrate that TIMP-1 deficiency amplifies adverse LV remodeling after MI in mice and emphasizes the importance of local endogenous control of cardiac MMP activity by TIMP-1.     

Mutation in collagen gene induces cardiomyopathy in transgenic mice

In many remodeling tissues, such as the heart, collagen degradation to provide new integrin-binding sites is required for survival. However, complete loss of integrin signaling due to disconnection from extracellular matrix (ECM) leads to apoptosis and dilatation. To test the hypothesis that a mutation in type I collagen gene induces cardiomyopathy, we employed a metalloproteinase-resistant collagen mutant homozygous transgenic male (B6,129-Colla-1) and compared with age-sex matched wildtype C57BL/J6 control mice. At the age of 38-42 weeks, aortic and left ventricle (LV) pressure were measured. The LV wall thickness and diameter were measured by a digital micrometer. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity and cardiospecific tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) were measured by zymography and Western blot analyses, respectively. The levels of collagenolysis were measured by Western blot using anti-collagen antibody. In transgenic and wildtype mice, end-diastolic pressure (EDP) was 8.3 +/- 1.7 and 6.5 +/- 1.1 mmHg; LV diameter was 3.43 +/- 0.07 and 2.94 +/- 0.05 mm; wall thickness was 1.18 +/- 0.03 and 1.28 +/- 0.04 mm; end-diastolic wall stress was 600 +/- 158 and 347 +/- 49 dynes/cm(2), respectively. The increase in LV wall stress was associated with increased MMP-2 activity, increased collagenolysis, and decreased levels of TIMP-4. This leads to reduced elastic compliance in collagen mutant transgenic mice. The occurrence of cardiomyopathy in adult Colla-1 mice may be a significant confounding factor as it may be indicative of increased basal levels of ECM disruption. This phenotype is what would be expected if collagen degradation normally supplies integrin ligands during cardiac muscle remodeling.     

Differential regulation of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase activity by ERK 1/2- and p38 MAPK-modulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 expression controls transforming growth factor-beta1-induced pericellular collagenolysis

Acquisition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity is temporally associated with increased migration and invasiveness of cancer cells. ProMMP-2 activation requires multimolecular complex assembly involving proMMP-2, membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP, MMP-14), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). Because transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) promotes tumor invasion in advanced squamous cell carcinomas, the role of TGF-beta1 in the regulation of MMP activity in a cellular model of invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma was examined. Treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells with TGF-beta1 promoted MMP-dependent cell scattering and collagen invasion, increased expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP, and enhanced MMP-2 activation. TGF-beta1 induced concomitant activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, and kinase inhibition studies revealed a negative regulatory role for ERK1/2 in modulating acquisition of MMP-2 activity. Thus, a reciprocal effect on proMMP-2 activation was observed whereupon blocking ERK1/2 phosphorylation promoted proMMP-2 activation and MT1-MMP activity, whereas inhibiting p38 MAPK activity decreased proteolytic potential. The cellular mechanism for the control of MT1-MMP catalytic activity involved concurrent reciprocal modulation of TIMP-2 expression by ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs, such that inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation decreased TIMP-2 production, and down-regulation of p38 MAPK activity enhanced TIMP-2 synthesis. Further, p38 MAPK inhibition promoted ERK1/2 phosphorylation, providing additional evidence for cross-talk between MAPK pathways. These observations demonstrate the complex reciprocal effects of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in the regulation of MMP activity, which could complicate the use of MAPK-specific inhibitors as therapeutic agents to down-regulate the biologic effects of TGF-beta1 on pericellular collagen degradation and tumor invasion.     

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) from HT 1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. Purification and activation of the precursor and enzymic properties.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) has been purified as an inactive zymogen of M(r) 92,000 (proMMP-9) from the culture medium of HT 1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. The NH2-terminal sequence of proMMP-9 is Ala-Pro-Arg-Gln-Arg-Gln-Ser-Thr-Leu-Val-Leu-Phe-Pro, which is identical to that of the 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase. The zymogen can be activated by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate, yielding an intermediate form of M(r) 83,000 and an active species of M(r) 67,000, the second of which has a new NH2 terminus of Met-Arg-Thr-Pro-Arg-(Cys)-Gly-Val-Pro-Asp-Leu-Gly-Arg-Phe-Gln-Thr- Phe-Glu. Immunoblot analyses demonstrate that this activation process is achieved by sequential processing of both NH2- and COOH-terminal peptides. TIMP-1 complexed with proMMP-9 inhibits the conversion of the intermediate form to the active species of M(r) 67,000. The proenzyme is fully activated by cathepsin G, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and MMP-3 (stromelysin 1) but not by plasmin, leukocyte elastase, plasma kallikrein, thrombin, or MMP-1 (tissue collagenase). During the activation by MMP-3, proMMP-9 is converted to an active species of M(r) 64,000 that lacks both NH2- and COOH-terminal peptides. In addition, HOCl partially activates the zymogen by reacting with an intermediate species of M(r) 83,000. The enzyme degrades type I gelatin rapidly and also cleaves native collagens including alpha 2 chain of type I collagen, collagen types III, IV, and V at undenaturing temperatures. These results indicate that MMP-9 has different activation mechanisms and substrate specificity from those of MMP-2 (72-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase).     

Interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide stimulation increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and enhances invasion activity in ras/myc-transformed serum-free mouse embryo cells

Ras/myc-transformed serum-free mouse embryo (ras/myc SFME) cells were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 100 units/ml) and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 microg/ml) for 24 h to investigate the effects of these ligands on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Aminoguanidine (AG, 1mM; a nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitor) was also added along with IFN-gamma and LPS to analyze a possible association of NO with invasiveness. Treatment of cells with IFN-gamma alone did not alter MMP-9 mRNA expression or pro-MMP-9 production, but LPS alone and IFN-gamma+LPS co-treatment enhanced them significantly. TIMP-1 mRNA expression remained unchanged with or without treatment and the mRNA expression of MMP-9 exceeded that of TIMP-1 in LPS- or IFN-gamma+LPS-treated cells. Co-treatment of cells with IFN-gamma and LPS up-regulated invasiveness and indicated a possible involvement of NO in the enhancement of invasiveness. These results suggest that ras/myc SFME cells respond to inflammatory and infectious conditions and that they may possibly modulate their characteristics as cancer cells due to their increase in MMP-9 expression and invasion activity.     

牛磺酸上调基因1(TUG1)对肝纤维化的作用及其机制*

目的:探讨牛磺酸上调基因1(TUG1)在肝纤维化中的作用机制。方法:按照文献建立TGF-β1(5 ng/ml)刺激的活化肝星状细胞模型和经典的1%DMN(1 ml/kg/d)致大鼠肝纤维化模型,将肝纤维化大鼠和活化肝星状细胞(HSC)均分为模型对照组、阴性对照组(沉默TUG1阴性对照)、siRNA干扰组(TUG1基因沉默组)。实验结束后利用苏木精-伊红(HE)染色检测大鼠肝脏组织病理变化;采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法、蛋白免疫印记(Western blot)分别测定大鼠肝组织及活化肝星状细胞中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、TUG1、I型胶原蛋白(collagenI)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子(TIMP-1)、Smad2、Smad3表达水平。结果:肝组织病理学检查显示,沉默TUG1能够明显缓解肝脏纤维化病理改变,Western blot结果显示,沉默TUG1能够显著降低大鼠肝组织和活化肝星状细胞中TUG1、α-SMA、collagenI、MMP-2、TIMP-1、Smad2、Smad3基因与蛋白表达水平(P＜0.05)。与模型对照组相比,阴性对照组的TUG1、α-SMA的蛋白与基因水平明显升高(P＜0.05)。与模型对照组和阴性对照组相比,siRNA干扰组中TUG1, α-SMA, collagenI, MMP-2, TIMP-1, Smad2 and Smad3的蛋白和基因水平显著降低(P＜0.05),而在模型对照组和阴性对照组中TUG1, α-SMA, collagenI, MMP-2, TIMP-1, Smad2 and Smad3的蛋白和基因表达水平之间差异无显著性。结论:TUG1在肝纤维化组织和活化的肝星状细胞中显著上调,沉默TUG1可能通过抑制转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)/Smad信号通路改善1%DMN致大鼠肝纤维化病理损伤,降低活化肝星状细胞中纤维化相关蛋白水平,发挥抗肝纤维化的作用。     

Stimulation of pro-MMP-2 production and activation by native form of extracellular type I collagen in cultured hepatic stellate cells

Cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known to change their morphology and function with respect to the production of extracellular matrices (ECMs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in response to ECM components. We examined the regulatory role of the native form of type I collagen fibrils in pro-MMP-2 production and activation in cultured HSCs. Gelatin zymography of the conditioned media revealed that pro- and active form of MMP-2 was increased in the HSCs cultured on type I collagen gel but not on type I collagen-coated surface, gelatin-coated surface, type IV collagen-coated surface, or Matrigel, suggesting the importance of the native form of type I collagen fibrils in pro-MMP-2 production and activation. The induction of active MMP-2 by extracellular type I collagen was suppressed by the blocking antibody against integrin beta1 subunits, indicating the involvement of integrin signaling in pro-MMP-2 activation. RT-PCR analysis indicated that MMP-2, membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) mRNA levels were elevated in HSCs cultured on type I collagen gel. The increased MT1-MMP proteins were localized on the cell surface of HSCs cultured on type I collagen gel. In contrast to the expression of MMP-2, HSCs showed a great decline in MMP-13 expression in HSCs cultured on type I collagen gel. These results indicate that the native fibrillar (polymerized) but not monomeric form of type I collagen induced pro-MMP-2 production and activation through MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 in cultured HSCs, suggesting an important role of HSCs in ECM remodeling in the hepatic perisinusoidal spaces.     

PAI-1 deficiency reduces liver fibrosis after bile duct ligation in mice through activation of tPA

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) increases injury in several liver, lung and kidney disease models. The objective of this investigation was to assess the effect of PAI-1 deficiency on cholestatic liver fibrosis and determine PAI-1 influenced fibrogenic mechanisms. We found that PAI-1(-/-) mice had less fibrosis than wild type (WT) mice after bile duct ligation. This change correlated with increased tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, and increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), but not MMP-2 activity. Furthermore, there was increased activation of the tPA substrate hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a known anti-fibrogenic protein. In contrast, there was no difference in hepatic urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or plasmin activities between PAI-1(-/-) and WT mice. There was also no difference in the level of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), stellate cell activation or collagen production between WT and PAI-1(-/-) animals. In conclusion, PAI-1 deficiency reduces hepatic fibrosis after bile duct obstruction mainly through the activation of tPA and HGF.