Delineation of crosstalk between HSP27 and MMP-2/MMP-9: A synergistic therapeutic avenue for glioblastoma management

Abstract Background Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, are the two elemental processes promoting glioblastoma (GBM). In the present work we propose a mechanistic modelling of GBM and in process establish a hypothesis elucidating critical crosstalk between heat shock proteins (HSPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with synergistic upregulation of EMT-like process and ECM remodeling. Methods The interaction and the precise binding site between the HSP and MMP proteins was assayed computationally, in-vitro and in GBM clinical samples. Results A positive crosstalk of HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9 was established in both GBM patient tissues and cell-lines. This association was found to be of prime significance for ECM remodeling and promotion of EMT-like characteristics. In-silico predictions revealed 3 plausible interaction sites of HSP27 interacting with MMP-2 and MMP-9. Site-directed mutagenesis followed by in-vitro immunoprecipitation assay (IP) with 3 mutated recombinant HSP27, confirmed an interface stretch containing residues 29–40 of HSP27 to be a common interaction site for both MMP-2 and MMP-9. This was further validated with in-vitro IP of truncated (sans AA 29–40) recombinant HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9. Conclusion The association of HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins along with the identified interacting stretch has the potential to contribute towards drug development to inhibit GBM infiltration and migration. General significance Current findings provide a novel therapeutic target for GBM opening a new horizon in the field of GBM management.