MICAL2 regulates myofibroblasts differentiation in epidural fibrosis via SRF/MRTF-A signaling pathway

To determine the role of MICAL2 in myofibroblasts differentiation and epidural fibrosis.

Epidural fibrosis (EF) may develop following laminectomy and aberrant myofibroblasts differentiation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation play key roles in the formation of EF. Dense epidural fibrosis results to the poor surgical outcomes and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and there is no effective treatment available. Molecule interacting with Casl2 (MICAL2) has been demonstrated to participate in multiple cellular processes by regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics. However, its role in epidural fibrosis remains totally unverified.

The potential functions and mechanisms of MICAL2 were explored using western blotting, immunofluorescence and lentivirus infection.

In our study, we determined that the MICAL2 expression was elevated in epidural fibrotic tissues and TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblasts. Moreover, knockdown of MICAL2 using MICAL2-specific short hairpin RNA attenuated TGF-β1-induced myofibroblasts differentiation and epidural fibrosis both in vitro and vivo, as indicated by decreased scar formation, reduced collagen production and down-regulated expression of α-SMA, collagen-1 and fibronectin. We also demonstrated that MICAL2 knockdown affected the migratory capability of fibroblasts in vitro. By further mechanistic research, we revealed that the MRTF-A nuclear translocation was inhibited in response to the knockdown of MICAL2 in fibroblasts and MICAL2 served as a pro-fibrotic factor in an SRF/MRTF-A-dependent manner.

In conclusion, our results indicated that MICAL2 mediated myofibroblasts differentiation and promoted epidural fibrogenesis via SRF/MRTF-A signaling pathway, suggesting manipulation of MICAL2 activity as a novel alternative strategy for the prevention of epidural fibrosis.