RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) regulates migration, differentiation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human mesenchymal stem cells

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2016-04, Vol.73 (7), p.1489-1501
• Main Authors: Mahl, Christian, Egea, Virginia, Megens, Remco T. A., Pitsch, Thomas, Santovito, Donato, Weber, Christian, Ries, Christian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipogenesis; Axin Protein - genetics; Axin Protein - metabolism; beta Catenin - genetics; beta Catenin - metabolism; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit - genetics; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit - metabolism; GPI-Linked Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; GPI-Linked Proteins - genetics; GPI-Linked Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Life Sciences; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Original; Original Article; Osteogenesis; Regenerative Medicine; RNA Interference; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - metabolism; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - metabolism; Wnt Signaling Pathway
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2054-4

The membrane-anchored glycoprotein RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) inhibits expression and activity of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby suppressing tumor cell metastasis. However, RECK’s role in physiological cell function is largely unknown. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are able to differentiate into various cell types and represent promising tools in multiple clinical applications including the regeneration of injured tissues by endogenous or transplanted hMSCs. RNA interference of RECK in hMSCs revealed that endogenous RECK suppresses the transcription and biosynthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 but does not influence the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, membrane type (MT)1-MMP and TIMP-1 in these cells. Knockdown of RECK in hMSCs promoted monolayer regeneration and chemotactic migration of hMSCs, as demonstrated by scratch wound and chemotaxis assay analyses. Moreover, expression of endogenous RECK was upregulated upon osteogenic differentiation and diminished after adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. RECK depletion in hMSCs reduced their capacity to differentiate into the osteogenic lineage whereas adipogenesis was increased, demonstrating that RECK functions as a master switch between both pathways. Furthermore, knockdown of RECK in hMSCs attenuated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as indicated by reduced stability and impaired transcriptional activity of β-catenin. The latter was determined by analysis of the β-catenin target genes Dickkopf1 ( DKK1 ), axis inhibition protein 2 ( AXIN2 ), runt-related transcription factor 2 ( RUNX2 ) and a luciferase-based β-catenin-activated reporter (BAR) assay. Our findings demonstrate that RECK is a regulator of hMSC functions suggesting that modulation of RECK may improve the development of hMSC-based therapeutical approaches in regenerative medicine.