Disruption of basal JNK activity differentially affects key fibroblast functions important for wound healing

J Biol Chem. 2003 Jul 4;278(27):24624-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M301942200. Epub 2003 May 1.

Abstract

We used both a gene knockout approach and pharmacologic modulation to study the implication of the JNK pathway in regulating fibroblast motility, capacity to contract mechanically unloaded collagen gels, and type I collagen gene expression in vitro. These parameters, which are important for tissue repair, are positively regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, a cytokine viewed as playing a master role during wound healing. We demonstrate that basal JNK activity is critical for fibroblast motility because (a) mouse embryo jnk-/- fibroblasts exhibit significantly lower ability to close mechanically induced cell layer wounds than their wild-type (wt) counterparts, and (b) wound closure by human dermal fibroblasts is dramatically impaired by the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125. junAA fibroblasts, in which amino acids Ser63 and Ser73 of c-Jun are replaced by two Ala residues so that c-Jun cannot be phosphorylated by JNK, also exhibited impaired motility, suggesting that c-Jun phosphorylation by JNK is critical for fibroblast migration. In sharp contrast to their lesser motility on plastic, jnk-/- and junAA fibroblasts contracted free-floating, mechanically unloaded, collagen lattices markedly faster than wt fibroblasts. Furthermore, basal mRNA steady-state levels for types I and III collagen genes were similar in jnk-/- and wt fibroblasts. Likewise, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant form of MKK4 in dermal fibroblasts did not affect collagen expression. We also demonstrate that basal JNK activity does not affect either TGF-beta-induced collagen gene expression or lattice contraction, whereas on the other hand, the blockage of motility initiated by JNK inhibition cannot be overcome by TGF-beta. Together these results demonstrate discrete, yet significant and highly specific, regulation of fibroblast functions important for wound healing by basal JNK activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Collagen / physiology
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • Humans
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing / genetics*

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Collagen
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases