Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (upar) ligation induces a raft-localized integrin signaling switch that mediates the hypermotile phenotype of fibrotic fibroblasts

Abstract

Background: Fibroblasts from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) overexpress the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and are hypermotile. Results: uPAR ligation increases fibroblast motility by localizing α5β1 integrin-Fyn signaling complexes to lipid rafts. Conclusion: The hypermotile phenotype of IPF fibroblasts is due to lipid raft-localized uPAR-integrin-Fyn signaling complexes. Significance: These unique lipid raft signals may be therapeutic targets for IPF. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.