The deubiquitinase USP10 regulates integrin beta1 and beta5 and fibrotic wound healing

Abstract

Scarring and fibrotic disease result from the persistence of myofibroblasts characterized by high surface expression of αv integrins and subsequent activation of TGFβ, however the mechanism controlling their surface abundance is unknown. Genetic screening revealed that human primary stromal corneal myofibroblasts overexpress a subset of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which remove ubiquitin from proteins, preventing degradation. Silencing of the DUB USP10 induces a buildup of ubiquitin on integrins β1 and β5 in cell lysates whereas recombinant USP10 removes ubiquitin from these integrin subunits. Correspondingly, the loss and gain of USP10 decreases and increases, respectively αv/β1/β5 protein levels, without altering gene expression. Consequently, endogenous TGFβ is activated and the fibrotic markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cellular fibronectin (FN-EDA) are induced. Blocking either TGFβ signaling or cell-surface αv integrins after USP10 overexpression prevents or reduces fibrotic marker expression. Finally, silencing of USP10 in an ex-vivo cornea organ culture model prevents the induction of fibrotic markers and promotes regenerative healing. This novel mechanism puts DUB expression at the head of a cascade regulating integrin abundance and suggests USP10 as a novel anti-fibrotic target.