Tissue-type plasminogen activator promotes murine myofibroblast activation throught LDL receptor-related protein 1-mediated integrin signaling

The activation of interstitial fibroblasts to become alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts is an essential step in the evolution of chronic kidney fibrosis, as myofibroblasts are responsible for the production and deposition of the ECM components that are a hallmark of the disease. Here we describe a signaling pathway that leads to this activation. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) promoted TGF-beta 1-mediated alpha-SMA and type I collagen expression in rat kidney interstitial fibroblasts. This fibrogenic effect was independent of its protease activity but required its membrane receptor, the LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1). In rat kidney fibroblasts, tPA induced rapid LRP-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and enhanced P I integrin recruitment by facilitating the LRP-1/beta 1 integrin complex formation. Blockade or knockdown of beta 1 integrin abolished type I collagen and a-SMA expression. Furthermore, inhibition of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a downstream effector of beta 1 integrin, or disruption of beta 1 integrin/ILK engagement, abrogated the tpA action, whereas ectopic expression of ILK mimicked tPA in promoting myofibroblast activation. In murine renal interstitium after obstructive injury, tPA and alpha-SMA colocalized with LRP-1, and tPA deficiency reduced LRP-1/beta 1 integrin interaction and myofibroblast activation. These findings show that tpA induces LRP-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, which in turn facilitates the LRP-1-mediated recruitment of beta 1 integrin and downstream ILK signaling, thereby leading to myofibroblast activation. This study implicates tPA as a fibrogenic cytokine that promotes the progression of kidney fibrosis.