Hydrostatic pressure promotes migration and filamin-A activation in fibroblasts with increased p38 phosphorylation and TGF-β production

Fibroblast migration is closely regulated by the mechanical characteristics in surrounding microenvironment. While increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure (HP) is a hallmark in many pathological and physiological conditions, little is known about how the HP affects fibroblast motility. Using cell-culture chips with elevated HP conditions, we showed that 20 cmH(2)O HP significantly accelerated fibroblast migration. The HP-induced migration acceleration was dependent on the augmentation of transforming growth factor-beta(1), and correlated with the activation of filamin A via the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Our results suggest that interstitial HP elevation associated with various pathological states could significantly regulate fibroblast migration. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.