GSE212037
Tension sensing by FAK governs nuclear mechanotransduction, trancriptome and fate  endothelial transcriptome and fate
Endothelial cell (EC) attachment to the matrix and adjacent cells generates a mechanical environment that maintains a restrictive barrier against the uncontrolled influx of circulating protein and immune cells. Mechanisms that mediate the transition from restrictive to leaky endothelium, a hallmark of tissue injury exemplified by acute lung injury (ALI), remain elusive. Here, we show that FAK sensing and transmission of mechanical tension to the EC nucleus governs cell fate. In FAK-deleted EC, increased EC tension activated DNMT3a, which induced methylation of the KLF2 promoter leading to impaired synthesis of KLF2 and restrictive EC transcriptome, including S1PR1. FAK suppressed DNMT3a activity by restricting the tyrosine phosphorylation of nuclear envelope protein, emerin at Y74/Y95, and its localization in a nuclear cap. Inhibiting emerin phosphorylation or DNMT3a activity in damaged lungs enabled KLF2 transcription of S1PR1, rescuing the restrictive EC phenotype. Our works reveal a paradigm whereby FAK sensing of tension transmission to the nucleus maintains restrictive EC transcriptome and lung homeostasis.  Overall design: 6 samples (RNA-seq)