β3 integrin–mediated spreading induced by matrix-bound BMP-2 controls Smad signaling in a stiffness-independent manner

L Fourel, A Valat, E Faurobert, R Guillot… - Journal of Cell …, 2016 - rupress.org
L Fourel, A Valat, E Faurobert, R Guillot, I Bourrin-Reynard, K Ren, L Lafanechère, E Planus
Journal of Cell Biology, 2016rupress.org
Understanding how cells integrate multiple signaling pathways to achieve specific cell
differentiation is a challenging question in cell biology. We have explored the physiological
presentation of BMP-2 by using a biomaterial that harbors tunable mechanical properties to
promote localized BMP-2 signaling. We show that matrix-bound BMP-2 is sufficient to induce
β3 integrin–dependent C2C12 cell spreading by overriding the soft signal of the biomaterial
and impacting actin organization and adhesion site dynamics. In turn, αvβ3 integrin is …
Understanding how cells integrate multiple signaling pathways to achieve specific cell differentiation is a challenging question in cell biology. We have explored the physiological presentation of BMP-2 by using a biomaterial that harbors tunable mechanical properties to promote localized BMP-2 signaling. We show that matrix-bound BMP-2 is sufficient to induce β3 integrin–dependent C2C12 cell spreading by overriding the soft signal of the biomaterial and impacting actin organization and adhesion site dynamics. In turn, αvβ3 integrin is required to mediate BMP-2–induced Smad signaling through a Cdc42–Src–FAK–ILK pathway. β3 integrin regulates a multistep process to control first BMP-2 receptor activity and second the inhibitory role of GSK3 on Smad signaling. Overall, our results show that BMP receptors and β3 integrin work together to control Smad signaling and tensional homeostasis, thereby coupling cell adhesion and fate commitment, two fundamental aspects of developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
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