The ARP 2/3 complex mediates endothelial barrier function and recovery

Patrick Belvitch, Mary E. Brown, Brittany N. Brinley, Eleftheria Letsiou, Alicia N. Rizzo, Joe G.N. Garcia, Steven M. Dudek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction and recovery is critical to the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Cytoskeletal and subsequent cell membrane dynamics play a key mechanistic role in determination of EC barrier integrity. Here, we characterizAQe the actin related protein 2/3 (Arp 2/3) complex, a regulator of peripheral branched actin polymerization, in human pulmonary EC barrier function through studies of transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), intercellular gap formation, peripheral cytoskeletal structures and lamellipodia. Compared to control, Arp 2/3 inhibition with the small molecule inhibitor CK-666 results in a reduction of baseline barrier function (1,241±53 vs 988±64 ohm; p<0.01), S1P-induced barrier enhancement and delayed recovery of barrier function after thrombin (143±14 vs 93±6 min; p<0.01). Functional changes of Arp 2/3 inhibition on barrier integrity are associated temporally with increased intercellular gap area at baseline (0.456±0.02 vs 0.299±0.02; p<0.05) and thirty minutes after thrombin (0.885±0.03 vs 0.754±0.03; p<0.05). Immunofluorescent microscopy reveals reduced lamellipodia formation after S1P and during thrombin recovery in Arp 2/3 inhibited cells. Individual lamellipodia demonstrate reduced depth following Arp 2/3 inhibition vs vehicle at baseline (1.83±0.41 vs 2.55±0.46 μm; p<0.05) and thirty minutes after S1P treatment (1.53±0.37 vs 2.09±0.36 μm; p<0.05). These results establish a critical role for Arp 2/3 activity in determination of pulmonary endothelial barrier function and recovery through formation of EC lamellipodia and closure of intercellular gaps.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)200-210
Number of pages11
JournalPulmonary Circulation
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Keywords

  • ARDS
  • Arp 2/3
  • Cytoskeletal dynamics
  • Endothelial barrier regulation
  • Lamellipodia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The ARP 2/3 complex mediates endothelial barrier function and recovery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this