Role of aminopeptidase N in wound healing

• Main Author: Lai, Amy M.
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/39957

The dynamics and complexity of tissue repair are dominated by specific and intricately coordinated cellular events. Disruptions at the level of cellular communication are associated with imbalanced extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis/degradation leading to fibrosis and chronic wounds. Our group has demonstrated that 14-3-3 sigma (also known as stratifin) functions as a stimulator of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) through interactions with aminopeptidase N (APN) on the surface of dermal fibroblasts. In this doctoral research project, it is hypothesized that APN functions as a receptor for keratinocyte-derived paracrine signals that control the expression of key ECM components in dermal fibroblasts. Three specific objectives were accomplished in this project. Under Objective 1, the nature of APN expression in an environment of active epithelial-stromal communication was examined using an in vitro keratinocyte-fibroblast crosstalk model. The fibroblast expression of APN was significantly upregulated in the presence of keratinocyte-releasable soluble factors, of which stratifin was shown to be a potent stimulator. In light of the recent identification of APN as a receptor responsible for stratifin-mediated p38 MAPK activation leading to upregulation of MMP-1, the role of APN as a transmembrane mediator of signals that regulate ECM remodeling was investigated in Objective 2. Comparative analysis of the expression profiles of 118 ECM genes under conditions of keratinocyte stimulation and APN gene silencing revealed a group of key matrix proteases and adhesion molecules influenced by keratinocyte-derived signaling mediated through APN. The aim of Objective 3 was to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting APN in cutaneous tissue repair. Topical application of an APN-neutralizing antibody on full-thickness skin wounds in a murine model had a positive outcome in healing. Acceleration of wound closure was accompanied by increased collagen deposition and fibroblast contractility. Collectively, the findings presented herein confirmed our hypothesis that APN can be induced by keratinocytes and acts as a regulator of keratinocyte-derived stimuli in epidermal-dermal communication. Specifically, these findings support the receptor role of APN in mediating transmembrane signals derived from keratinocytes, and provide encouraging evidence for further investigations on the therapeutic use of APN agonist/antagonists in the field of tissue repair.