This project focuses on the mechanisms by which cadherins, integrins and the cytoskeleton cooperate to regulate proliferation in endothelial and smooth muscle (vascular) cells. Aberrant proliferation of vascular cells plays a major role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, and likely is triggered by changes in the local tissue microstructure that alter cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Understanding the molecular basis for how cues within the tissue microenvironment are integrated within cells to regulate proliferation is hence a priority in the development of rational strategies to interrupt progression of vascular disease. It is proposed that Rho-mediated tension generated in the actin cytoskeleton couples signals from cadherins and integrins in an integrated mechanochemical signaling system that regulates proliferation of both endothelial and smooth muscle cells. During the past grant period, the investigator developed a micropatterning tool to independently manipulate cell-cell contact and cell-substrate adhesion, and combined this tool with molecular approaches to demonstrate that cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact initiates a stimulatory signal for proliferation. This novel cadherin-mediated proliferative signal requires Rho-driven changes in cytoskeletal tension, and is associated with increased focal adhesion signaling.
Specific Aim 1 will be to further characterize the mechanism by which cadherin engagement triggers proliferative signaling. In particular, the investigator will examine whether cadherin engagement is necessary or also sufficient for RhoA activity and proliferation.
Specific Aim 2 will be to investigate the mechanism by which cadherins activate RhoA. We will examine the role of the cadherin-associated scaffolding protein, p120-catenin, in the induction of RhoA activity and cytoskeletal tension by cadherin engagement.
Specific Aim 3 will be to examine the role of focal adhesions and FAK in the transduction of cadherin-induced proliferative signals.
Specific Aim 4 will be to explore the involvement of vascular cadherins, RhoA, cytoskeletal tension, and FAK in atherosclerotic lesions. This project will lead to an integrated molecular understanding of how endothelial and smooth muscle cells coordinate signals from cadherins, integrins, and cytoskeletal tension into a proliferative response, and may suggest new therapeutic strategies to interrupt the progression of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL073305-06
Application #
7463610
Study Section
Atherosclerosis and Inflammation of the Cardiovascular System Study Section (AICS)
Program Officer
Goldman, Stephen
Project Start
2003-04-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2009-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$384,172
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Mui, Keeley L; Bae, Yong Ho; Gao, Lin et al. (2015) N-Cadherin Induction by ECM Stiffness and FAK Overrides the Spreading Requirement for Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Cell Rep :
Breckenridge, Mark T; Desai, Ravi A; Yang, Michael T et al. (2014) Substrates with engineered step changes in rigidity induce traction force polarity and durotaxis. Cell Mol Bioeng 7:26-34
Legant, Wesley R; Choi, Colin K; Miller, Jordan S et al. (2013) Multidimensional traction force microscopy reveals out-of-plane rotational moments about focal adhesions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:881-6
Baker, Brendon M; Trappmann, Britta; Stapleton, Sarah C et al. (2013) Microfluidics embedded within extracellular matrix to define vascular architectures and pattern diffusive gradients. Lab Chip 13:3246-52
Cohen, Daniel M; Yang, Mike T; Chen, Christopher S (2013) Measuring cell-cell tugging forces using bowtie-patterned mPADs (microarray post detectors). Methods Mol Biol 1066:157-68
Zhao, Ruogang; Boudou, Thomas; Wang, Wei-Gang et al. (2013) Decoupling cell and matrix mechanics in engineered microtissues using magnetically actuated microcantilevers. Adv Mater 25:1699-705
Lin, Grace L; Cohen, Daniel M; Desai, Ravi A et al. (2013) Activation of beta 1 but not beta 3 integrin increases cell traction forces. FEBS Lett 587:763-9
Desai, Ravi A; Gopal, Smitha B; Chen, Sophia et al. (2013) Contact inhibition of locomotion probabilities drive solitary versus collective cell migration. J R Soc Interface 10:20130717
Conway, Daniel E; Breckenridge, Mark T; Hinde, Elizabeth et al. (2013) Fluid shear stress on endothelial cells modulates mechanical tension across VE-cadherin and PECAM-1. Curr Biol 23:1024-30
Wang, Yang-Kao; Chen, Christopher S (2013) Cell adhesion and mechanical stimulation in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. J Cell Mol Med 17:823-32

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