Integrins αvβ5 and αvβ3 promote latent TGF-β1 activation by human cardiac fibroblast contraction

摘要

AimsPathological tissue remodelling by myofibroblast contraction is a hallmark of cardiac fibrosis. Myofibroblasts differentiate from cardiac fibroblasts under the action of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which is secreted into the extracellular matrix as a large latent complex. Integrin-mediated traction forces activate TGF-β1 by inducing a conformational change in the latent complex. The mesenchymal integrins αvβ5 and αvβ3 are expressed in the heart, but their role in the activation of TGF-β1 remains elusive. Here, we test whether targeting αvβ5 and αvβ3 integrins reduces latent TGF-β1 activation by cardiac fibroblasts with the goal to prevent the formation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cardiac myofibroblasts and their contribution to fibrosis.