Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules modify gene expression through attachment-dependent (i.e., focal adhesion related) integrin receptor signalling. It was previously unknown whether the same molecules acting as soluble peptides could generate signal cascades without the associated mechanical anchoring, a condition that may be encountered during matrix remodelling, degradation and relevant to invasion and metastatic processes. In the current study the role of ECM ligand regulated gene expression through this attachment independent process was examined.
It was observed that fibronectin, laminin, collagens type I and II induce Smad2 activation in MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells. This activation is not caused by TGFβ ligand contamination or autocrine TGF involvement and is 3–5 fold less robust than the TGFβ1 ligand. The resulting nuclear translocation of Smad4 in response to ECM ligand indicates downstream transcriptional responses occurring. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments determined that type II collagen and laminin act through interaction with integrin α2β1 receptor complex. The ECM ligand induced Smad activation (termed signalling crosstalk) resulted cell type and ligand specific transcriptional changes which are distinct from the TGFβ ligand induced responses.
These findings demonstrate that cell-matrix communication is more complex than previously thought. Soluble ECM peptides drive transcriptional regulation through corresponding adhesion and non-attachment related processes. The resultant gene expressional patterns correlate with pathway activity and not by the extent of Smad activation. These results extend the complexity and the existing paradigms of ECM-cell communication to ECM ligand regulation without the necessity of mechanical coupling.
