Strain-dependent glutathionylation of fibronectin fibers impacts mechano-chemical behavior and primes an integrin switch

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a protein polymer network that physically supports cells within a tissue. It acts as an important physical and biochemical stimulus directing cell behaviors. For fibronectin (Fn), a predominant component of the ECM, these physical and biochemical activities are inextricably linked as physical forces trigger conformational changes that impact its biochemical activity. Here, we analyze whether oxidative post-translational modifications, specifically glutathionylation, alter Fn’s mechano-chemical characteristics through stretch-dependent protein modification. ECM post-translational modifications represent a potential for time- or stimulus-dependent changes in ECM structure-function relationships that could persist over time with potentially significant impacts on cell and tissue behaviors. In this study, we show evidence that glutathionylation of Fn ECM fibers is stretch-dependent and alters Fn fiber mechanical properties with implications on the selectivity of engaging integrin receptors. These data demonstrate the existence of multimodal post-translational modification mechanisms within the ECM with high relevance to the microenvironmental regulation of downstream cell behaviors.