A Novel Role of Vimentin Filaments: Binding and Stabilization of Collagen mRNAs

Abstract

The stem-loop in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of collagen α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs (5′SL) is the key element regulating their stability and translation. Stabilization of collagen mRNAs is the predominant mechanism for high collagen expression in fibrosis. LARP6 binds the 5′SL of α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs with high affinity. Here, we report that vimentin filaments associate with collagen mRNAs in a 5′SL- and LARP6-dependent manner and stabilize collagen mRNAs. LARP6 interacts with vimentin filaments through its La domain and colocalizes with the filaments in vivo. Knockdown of LARP6 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or mutation of the 5′SL abrogates the interaction of collagen mRNAs with vimentin filaments. Vimentin knockout fibroblasts produce reduced amounts of type I collagen due to decreased stability of collagen α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs. Disruption of vimentin filaments using a drug or by expression of dominant-negative desmin reduces type I collagen expression, primarily due to decreased stability of collagen mRNAs. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments show that collagen α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs are associated with vimentin filaments in vivo. Thus, vimentin filaments may play a role in the development of tissue fibrosis by stabilizing collagen mRNAs. This finding will serve as a rationale for targeting vimentin in the development of novel antifibrotic therapies.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by NIH grant 5R01DK059466-08 to B.S. and an American Heart Association grant to A.A.C.

Special thanks are due to Amber L. Wells and Robert H. Singer, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, for their help with RNA FISH experiments and for critical reading of the manuscript. We thank our laboratory manager, Lela Stefanovic, for her excellent technical assistance in this project. We also thank Robert Evans, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, for his kind gift of Vim^−/− and Vim^+/+ MEFs.