A Rnd3/p190RhoGAP pathway regulates RhoA activity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibroblasts

Mol Biol Cell. 2018 Sep 1;29(18):2165-2175. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E17-11-0642. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable disease of the lung that is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in disruption of normal lung function. The signals regulating fibrosis include both transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tissue rigidity and a major signaling pathway implicated in fibrosis involves activation of the GTPase RhoA. During studies exploring how elevated RhoA activity is sustained in IPF, we discovered that not only is RhoA activated by profibrotic stimuli but also that the expression of Rnd3, a major antagonist of RhoA activity, and the activity of p190RhoGAP (p190), a Rnd3 effector, are both suppressed in IPF fibroblasts. Restoration of Rnd3 levels in IPF fibroblasts results in an increase in p190 activity, a decrease in RhoA activity and a decrease in the overall fibrotic phenotype. We also find that treatment with IPF drugs nintedanib and pirfenidone decreases the fibrotic phenotype and RhoA activity through up-regulation of Rnd3 expression and p190 activity. These data provide evidence for a pathway in IPF where fibroblasts down-regulate Rnd3 levels and p190 activity to enhance RhoA activity and drive the fibrotic phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / enzymology
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Phenotype
  • Pyridones / pharmacology
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Up-Regulation
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • ARHGAP35 protein, human
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Indoles
  • Pyridones
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • RHOA protein, human
  • pirfenidone
  • RND3 protein, human
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
  • nintedanib