Periostin regulates collagen fibrillogenesis and the biomechanical properties of connective tissues.
Periostin is predominantly expressed in collagen-rich fibrous connective tissues that are subjected to constant mechanical stresses including: heart valves, tendons, perichondrium, cornea, and the periodontal ligament (PDL). Based on these data we hypothesize that periostin can regulate collagen I fibrillogenesis and thereby affect the biomechanical properties of connective tissues. Immunoprecipitation and immunogold transmission electron microscopy experiments demonstrate that periostin is capable of directly interacting with collagen I. To analyze the potential role of periostin in collagen I fibrillogenesis, gene targeted mice were generated. Transmission electron microscopy and morphometric analyses demonstrated reduced collagen fibril diameters in skin dermis of periostin knockout mice, an indication of aberrant collagen I fibrillogenesis. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated a lower collagen denaturing temperature in periostin knockout mice, reflecting a reduced level of collagen cross-linking. Functional biomechanical properties of periostin null skin specimens and atrioventricular (AV) valve explant experiments provided direct evidence of the role that periostin plays in regulating the viscoelastic properties of connective tissues. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time that periostin can regulate collagen I fibrillogenesis and thereby serves as an important mediator of the biomechanical properties of fibrous connective tissues.
Norris
Russell A
RA
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. norrisra@musc.edu
Damon
Brook
B
Mironov
Vladimir
V
Kasyanov
Vladimir
V
Ramamurthi
Anand
A
Moreno-Rodriguez
Ricardo
R
Trusk
Thomas
T
Potts
Jay D
JD
Goodwin
Richard L
RL
Davis
Jeff
J
Hoffman
Stanley
S
Wen
Xuejun
X
Sugi
Yukiko
Y
Kern
Christine B
CB
Mjaatvedt
Corey H
CH
Turner
Debi K
DK
Oka
Toru
T
Conway
Simon J
SJ
Molkentin
Jeffery D
JD
Forgacs
Gabor
G
Markwald
Roger R
RR
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D024042:Collagen Type I; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens; C082838:Postn protein, mouse; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins