New research suggests that, during tubulointerstitial fibrosis, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-expressing mesenchymal cells might derive from the tubular epithelium via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) plays a key role in EMT, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we characterized TGF-β1-induced EMT in LLC-PK1 cells and examined the role of the small GTPase Rho and its effector, Rho kinase, (ROK) in the ensuing cytoskeletal remodeling and SMA expression. TGF-β1 treatment caused delocalization and downregulation of cell contact proteins (ZO-1, E-cadherin, β-catenin), cytoskeleton reorganization (stress fiber assembly, myosin light chain phosphorylation), and robust SMA synthesis. TGF-β1induced a biphasic Rho activation. Stress fiber assembly was prevented by the Rho-inhibiting C3 transferase and by dominant negative (DN) ROK. The SMA promoter was activated strongly by constitutively active Rho but not ROK. Accordingly, TGF-β1-induced SMA promoter activation was potently abrogated by two Rho-inhibiting constructs, C3 transferase and p190RhoGAP, but not by DN-ROK. Truncation analysis showed that the first CC(A/T)richGG (CArG B) serum response factor-binding cis element is essential for the Rho responsiveness of the SMA promoter. Thus Rho plays a dual role in TGF-β1-induced EMT of renal epithelial cells. It is indispensable both for cytoskeleton remodeling and for the activation of the SMA promoter. The cytoskeletal effects are mediated via the Rho/ROK pathway, whereas the transcriptional effects are partially ROK independent.

Osmotic stress is known to affect the cytoskeleton; however, this adaptive response has remained poorly characterized, and the underlying signaling pathways are unexplored. Here we show that hypertonicity induces submembranous de novo F-actin assembly concomitant with the peripheral translocation and colocalization of cortactin and the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, which are key components of the actin nucleation machinery. Additionally, hyperosmolarity promotes the association of cortactin with Arp2/3 as revealed by coimmunoprecipitation. Using various truncation or phosphorylation-incompetent mutants, we show that cortactin translocation requires the Arp2/3- or the F-actin binding domain, but the process is independent of the shrinkage-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin. Looking for an alternative signaling mechanism, we found that hypertonicity stimulates Rac and Cdc42. This appears to be a key event in the osmotically triggered cytoskeletal reorganization, because 1) constitutively active small GTPases translocate cortactin, 2) Rac and cortactin colocalize at the periphery of hypertonically challenged cells, and 3) dominant-negative Rac and Cdc42 inhibit the hypertonicity-provoked cortactin and Arp3 translocation. The Rho family-dependent cytoskeleton remodeling may be an important osmoprotective response that reinforces the cell cortex.