Lasp1 regulates adherens junction dynamics and fibroblast transformation in destructive arthritis

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 15;12(1):3624. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23706-8.

Abstract

The LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (Lasp1) was originally cloned from metastatic breast cancer and characterised as an adaptor molecule associated with tumourigenesis and cancer cell invasion. However, the regulation of Lasp1 and its function in the aggressive transformation of cells is unclear. Here we use integrative epigenomic profiling of invasive fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from mouse models of the disease, to identify Lasp1 as an epigenomically co-modified region in chronic inflammatory arthritis and a functionally important binding partner of the Cadherin-11/β-Catenin complex in zipper-like cell-to-cell contacts. In vitro, loss or blocking of Lasp1 alters pathological tissue formation, migratory behaviour and platelet-derived growth factor response of arthritic FLS. In arthritic human TNF transgenic mice, deletion of Lasp1 reduces arthritic joint destruction. Therefore, we show a function of Lasp1 in cellular junction formation and inflammatory tissue remodelling and identify Lasp1 as a potential target for treating inflammatory joint disorders associated with aggressive cellular transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adherens Junctions / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Arthritis / metabolism*
  • Arthritis / pathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins / genetics
  • LIM Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Osteoblasts
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LASP1 protein, human
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Lasp1 protein, mouse
  • beta Catenin
  • osteoblast cadherin