IntroductionTetraspanin CD151 forms stable and stoichiometric associations with laminin-binding integrins and regulates cellular functions, such as cell-matrix adhesion strengthening, epithelial cell-cell adhesion, and cell migration. [1][2][3][4] In endothelial cells (ECs), cell surface CD151 is localized at basolateral surfaces and forms tetraspanin-enriched microdomain (TEM) with other tetraspanins and integrins. [5][6][7] The CD151-containing TEM on ECs is critical for the proper function of adhesion proteins, such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and is needed for the transendothelial migration of lymphocytes. 8 In addition, CD151 regulates EC migration 5,6,9 and promotes vascular morphogenesis both in vitro 5,9,10 and in vivo. 11 Pathologic angiogenesis becomes deficient in CD151-knockout mice. 9 However, the mechanism by which CD151 regulates various vascular functions remains largely unknown. Mechanistic studies from epithelial and carcinoma cells indicate that CD151-␣31 integrin complex regulates cell-cell adhesion, probably by organizing or stabilizing cell-cell junctional complexes. 12,13 CD151 overexpression leads to PKC-and Cdc42-dependent reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, 2 whereas CD151 silencing results in higher RhoA activity and more stress fiber formation, 13 suggesting that CD151 modulates the epithelial cytoskeletal machinery. In ECs, CD151 up-regulates eNOS, Akt, and Rac activities 9,11 and promotes TEM-metalloprotease association. 14 Endothelial cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions are required for the formation and maintenance of blood vessels. 15 VE-cadherin is linked to actin cytoskeleton by ␣-, -, ␥-, and p120-catenin to form adherens junctions (AJs). 16 Integrins bridge intracellular actin fibers to extracellular matrices to anchor ECs to the basement membrane. 17 Rho small GTPase-mediated cytoskeletal reorganizations are also important for blood vessels. For example, Rac1-and Cdc42-dependent protrusions are essential for vessel structure formation and integrity, whereas RhoA-mediated retraction destabilizes angiogenic vessels and induces regression. [18][19][20] Rho GTPases and cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion are mutually regulated. Activation of RhoA induces the disassembly of cell-cell adhesion via myosin II-mediated cytoskeletal tension, 21 whereas AJs inhibit RhoA signaling by recruiting p190Rho GAP into the junctions. 22 Herein we found that the loss of CD151 expression disrupts endothelial stability in vascular morphogenesis and other vascular events. At the molecular level, lack of CD151 leads to decreased cAMP/PKA signaling and deregulated Rac1 and RhoA signaling. At the cellular level, attenuated endothelial cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions coupled with elevated cytoskeletal tension directly destabilize endothelial structure. Our study emphasizes that CD151 balances cell adhesion and cytoskeletal tension in ECs to maintain vascular stability.
Methods
Reagents, animals, and cell cultureInformation regarding reagents, animals, and cell culture is provided in supplemental Met...