Integrin Alphav-beta3 on Podocytes Orchestrates Coagulation Protease Signaling through Protease-Activated Receptors

Abstract Introduction Coagulation protease signaling via protease-activated receptors (PARs) is essential for maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Perturbed or aberrant activation of protease-dependent signaling via PARs propagates inflammation and pathological responses in disease models such as sepsis, neurological diseases and metabolic diseases including atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetic nephropathy (dNP). Disruption of protease-activated protein C (aPC) signaling in renal epithelial cells, i.e. podocytes, compromises adaptive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signaling, promoting maladaptive ER-stress and ultimately dysfunction of the glomerular filtration barrier and dNP. While these res…