Inhibiting ADAM10‐MMP14 Complex Blocks Cystogenesis of Kidney Epithelial Cells
Authors: Xu Frank , Ho Li‐Lun , Lin You‐Hsien H. , Lu Tzongshi 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common genetic kidney disorder. It is characterized by the aberrant renal tubule epithelial cells proliferation leads to the formation of multiple fluid‐filled cysts, and it causes renal failure. Currently, kidney transplant or dialysis is the only effective treatment. A disintegrin‐like metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) are two major members in the superfamily of metalloproteinases that primarily cleave several cell membrane proteins and growth factors. Inhibition of ADAM10 activity reduces cystic growth of renal epithelial cells, and inhibition of MMP14 also reduces the number of cysts in the kidneys of rats with PKD. In our study, we propose to elucidate the unclear relationship between ADAM10 and MMP14 in the development of cystogenesis in kidney.MethodsMadin‐Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells with stable expression of MMP14 and its mutants were developed and used in our study. MTT proliferation assay was used to measure cell growth. Immunoprecipitation and Western blots were used to determine physical association and proteinase activity. 3‐dimensional (3D) culture of MDCK cells was used to examine cell growth patterns.ResultsWe found that a unique ADAM10‐MMP14 complex forms in cell membrane. The hemopexin domain of MMP14 is essential for its association with ADAM10. Their interaction causes differential cleavage of cell membrane proteins, E‐cadherin and L1 cell adhesion molecule protein (L1CAM). In MDCK cells, only ADAM10 cleaves E‐cadherin but its cleavage is dependent on the active form of MMP14. In addition, both ADAM10 and MMP14 cleave L1CAM but inactive MMP14 blocks the ADAM10 cleavage of L1CAM. We tested the effects of ADAM10 and MMP14 interaction on cell proliferation and cystic growth. Ectopic expression of MMP14 increases cell proliferation and cystic growth of MDCK cells in a 3D culture matrix. Further, use of MMP14‐specific inhibitor NSC405020 or ectopic expression of a dominant‐negative form of MMP14 mutant also results in proper contact inhibition, and further promotes tubular growth of MDCK cells in 3D culture. Inhibition of ADAM10 with siRNA or enzymatic inhibitor GI254023X significantly reduces cell proliferation and promotes tubular growth. Combined use of GI254023X and NSC405020 results in a 73.4 ±8.23% decrease in cell proliferation compared to GI254023X, and 68.6 ± 6.84% decrease compared to NSC405020 alone. In 3D culture, MDCK‐MMP14 (ectopic expression of MMP14) cells form cystic growth only, but addition of both ADAM10 and MMP14 inhibitors leads to tubular growth only.ConclusionOur data identified the solid physical association of ADAM10 and MMP14. Their functional interaction causes differential cleavage of cell membrane proteins, E‐cadherin and L1CAM. Inhibition of ADAM10‐MMP14 complex blocks proliferation and the cystogenesis of of kidney epithelial cells. Individual ADAM10 or MMP14 inhibitors have been used in clinical trials for certain tumors, however, they have never been used together nor have been used in PKD treatments. Our results suggest the combination of ADAM10 and MMP14 inhibitors could be served as a novel effective therapeutic strategy of PKD.