Bioactive TNIIIA2 Sequence in Tenascin-C Is Responsible for Macrophage Foam Cell Transformation; Potential of FNIII14 Peptide Derived from Fibronectin in Suppression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation

One of the extracellular matrix proteins, tenascin-C (TN-C), is known to be upregulated in age-related inflammatory diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Expression of this molecule is frequently detected, especially in the macrophage-rich areas of atherosclerotic lesions; however, the role of TN-C in mechanisms underlying the progression of atherosclerosis remains obscure. Previously, we found a hidden bioactive sequence termed TNIIIA2 in the TN-C molecule and reported that the exposure of this sequence would be carried out through limited digestion of TN-C by inflammatory proteases. Thus, we hypothesized that some pro-atherosclerotic phenotypes might be elicited from macrophages when they were stimulated by TNIIIA2. In this study, TNIIIA2 showed the ability to accelerate intracellular lipid accumulation in macrophages. In this experimental condition, an elevation of phagocytic activity was observed, accompanied by a decrease in the expression of transporters responsible for lipid efflux. All these observations were mediated through the induction of excessive β1-integrin activation, which is a characteristic property of the TNIIIA2 sequence. Finally, we demonstrated that the injection of a drug that targets TNIIIA2’s bioactivity could rescue mice from atherosclerotic plaque expansion. From these observations, it was shown that TN-C works as a pro-atherosclerotic molecule through an internal TNIIIA2 sequence. The possible advantages of clinical strategies targeting TNIIIA2 are also indicated.