Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2130930 | Experimental Cell Research | 2011 | 12 Pages |
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagen and growth factors, are greatly increased in tissue fibrosis and mainly secreted by fibroblasts. We previously demonstrated that muscle-derived fibroblasts from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients have a profibrotic phenotype, that includes significantly reduced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 3 (TIMP-3) compared to control. Since TIMP-3 induces apoptosis in various cell types, we hypothesized increased resistance of DMD fibroblasts to apoptosis. To address this, we evaluated apoptotic nuclei, caspase 3, caspase 3 substrate expression, and migration and adhesion properties of muscle-derived fibroblasts, after applying different apoptosis-inducing treatments. We found that DMD fibroblasts were less susceptible to cell death, more adhesive, and had greater tendency to migrate than control fibroblasts — findings further supported by alterations in FAK and ERK/MAPK expression. Resistance to apoptosis and greater adhesion are likely to contribute to muscle fibrosis so a pharmacological treatment that targets dysregulated pathways involved in cell detachment apoptosis (anoikis) may limit the progressive fibrotic remodeling characteristic of DMD.
► Muscle-derived DMD fibroblasts have a pro-fibrotic phenotype. ► We now find lower cell detachment apoptosis (anoikis) than in control fibroblasts. ► DMD fibroblasts are also more adhesive and have greater tendency to migrate. ► Thus, they are likely to contribute to the fibrotic remodeling of DMD muscle. ► A drug targeting dysregulated anoikis pathways could limit fibrosis in DMD.