Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters in collective cell migration of epithelial cells
Eriko Deguchi, Shuhao Lin, Daiki Hirayama, Kimiya Matsuda, Akira Tanave, Kenta Sumiyama, Shinya Tsukiji, Tetsuhisa Otani, Mikio Furuse, Alexander Sorkin, Michiyuki Matsuda, Kenta Terai
Abstract
Canonical epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) activation involves the binding of seven EGFR ligands (EGFRLs); however, their extracellular dynamics remain elusive. Here, employing fluorescent probes and a tool for triggering ectodomain shedding, we show that epiregulin (EREG), a low-affinity EGFRL, rapidly and efficiently activates EGFR in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells and mouse epidermis. During collective cell migration, EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation waves propagate in an a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) sheddase- and EGFRL-dependent manner. Upon induced EGFRL shedding, low-affinity ligands EREG and amphiregulin (AREG) mediate faster and broader ERK waves than high-affinity ligands. Tight/adherens junction integrity is essential for ERK activation propagation, suggesting that tight intercellular spaces prefer the low-affinity EGFRLs for efficient signal transmission. In EREG-deficient mice, ERK wave propagation and cell migration were impaired during skin wound repair. We additionally show that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) primarily promotes surrounding cell motility. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of low-affinity EGFRLs in rapid intercellular signal transmission. • EGFRL probes visualize the dynamics of individual EGFRLs in the extracellular space • Chemogenetic EGFRL shedding induces ERK activation in surrounding cells • Low-affinity EGFRLs diffuse farther compared to high-affinity ones • EREG plays a role in collective cell migration and skin wound repair in vivo Deguchi et al. find that low-affinity EGFR ligands propagate faster and farther than high-affinity ligands in epithelial cells. They demonstrate that EREG, a low-affinity ligand, contributes to skin wound healing.