Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) regulates astrocyte motility in connection with the actin cytoskeleton and integrins

• Published in: Glia Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 272 - 284
• Main Authors: Ogier, Crystel, Bernard, Anne, Chollet, Anne-Marie, LE Diguardher, Thierry, Hanessian, Stephen, Charton, Gérard, Khrestchatisky, Michel, Rivera, Santiago
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.09.2006; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Actins - physiology; Animals; Astrocytes - enzymology; Astrocytes - physiology; Astrocytes - ultrastructure; Biological and medical sciences; brain; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement - physiology; Cell Proliferation; Cytoskeleton - physiology; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gelatinases - metabolism; gelatinolysis; glia; Immunohistochemistry; in situ zymography; Integrin beta1 - physiology; Integrins - physiology; Isolated neuron and nerve. Neuroglia; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - biosynthesis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - physiology; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - biosynthesis; Mice; migration; Protease Inhibitors - pharmacology; proteinase inhibitor; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sepharose - metabolism; Thymidine - metabolism; TIMP; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Glial cell; proteinase inhibitor; Motility; Enzyme; Neuroglia; Central nervous system; Metalloendopeptidases; Astrocyte; brain; glia; Encephalon; Gelatinase A; Peptidases; Integrin; Actin; migration; Hydrolases; Cytoskeleton; in situ zymography; gelatinolysis; TIMP
• ISSN: 0894-1491; 1098-1136
• DOI: 10.1002/glia.20349

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in migration of many cell types outside the central nervous system (CNS). Among neural cells, astrocytes are one of the main sources of MMPs in physiological and postlesional conditions. However, no data are available on the possible role of MMPs in astrocyte motility. Using an in vitro model of 2D migration and broad spectrum and selective MMP inhibitors, the authors demonstrated that MMP‐2, but not MMP‐9, is a key enzyme for astrocyte migration. In support of these data, the authors found constitutive expression of MMP‐2 in astrocytes, while MMP‐9 was nearly undetectable by gel zymography and immunocytochemical methods. The inhibition of migration by MMP inhibitors correlated with changes in cell morphology and in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. In parallel, the characteristic focalized distribution of MMP‐2 at the migration front observed in control cells became more diffuse and internalized by treatments that inhibited migration. The disruption of actin by cytochalasin D caused the partial recruitment of MMP‐2 and gelatinolytic activity into actin aggregates, indicating a connection between the proteinase and the actin cytoskeleton. Finally, the authors found a co‐localization of β1‐integrin with MMP‐2 at the leading edge of migrating astrocytes. Altogether, these data provide the first evidence for the implication of MMP‐2 in astrocyte motility, probably through the interaction of the proteinase with β1‐integrin that could act as a linker between pericellular proteolysis and the actin cytoskeleton. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.