The dipeptide prolyl-hydroxyproline promotes cellular homeostasis and lamellipodia-driven motility via active β1-integrin in adult tendon cells

J Biol Chem. 2021 Jul;297(1):100819. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100819. Epub 2021 May 23.

Abstract

Collagen-derived hydroxyproline (Hyp)-containing peptides have a variety of biological effects on cells. These bioactive collagen peptides are locally generated by the degradation of endogenous collagen in response to injury. However, no comprehensive study has yet explored the functional links between Hyp-containing peptides and cellular behavior. Here, we show that the dipeptide prolyl-4-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) exhibits pronounced effects on mouse tendon cells. Pro-Hyp promotes differentiation/maturation of tendon cells with modulation of lineage-specific factors and induces significant chemotactic activity in vitro. In addition, Pro-Hyp has profound effects on cell proliferation, with significantly upregulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and extracellular matrix production and increased type I collagen network organization. Using proteomics, we have predicted molecular transport, cellular assembly and organization, and cellular movement as potential linked-network pathways that could be altered in response to Pro-Hyp. Mechanistically, cells treated with Pro-Hyp demonstrate increased directional persistence and significantly increased directed motility and migration velocity. They are accompanied by elongated lamellipodial protrusions with increased levels of active β1-integrin-containing focal contacts, as well as reorganization of thicker peripheral F-actin fibrils. Pro-Hyp-mediated chemotactic activity is significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in cells treated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 or the α5β1-integrin antagonist ATN-161. Furthermore, ATN-161 significantly inhibits uptake of Pro-Hyp into adult tenocytes. Thus, our findings document the molecular basis of the functional benefits of the Pro-Hyp dipeptide in cellular behavior. These dynamic properties of collagen-derived Pro-Hyp dipeptide could lead the way to its application in translational medicine.

Keywords: adult tendon cells; cell motility; collagen-derived peptide; extracellular matrix; extracellular signal–regulated kinase; prolyl-hydroxyproline; scleraxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / drug effects
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / drug effects*
  • Integrin beta1 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Pseudopodia / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Tendons / cytology*
  • Tenocytes / cytology
  • Tenocytes / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Dipeptides
  • Integrin beta1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • prolyl-4-hydroxyproline
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases