Loss of PKN2 drives fibroblast reprogramming and extracellular matrix remodelling in pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterised by aberrant fibroblast function, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and defective tissue repair. Protein kinase N2 (PKN2) is associated with accelerated forced vital capacity decline in IPF, but its functional role in pulmonary fibrosis remains unknown. We hypothesised that PKN2 regulates fibroblast phenotype and tissue repair. Methods PKN2 expression was assessed in human lung tissue, induced sputum and primary airway and parenchymal fibroblasts from non-fibrotic controls and patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). DNA methylation was profiled using the Illumina HumanMethylationEPIC array. PKN2 function was investigated by siRNA-mediated depletion in primary human lung fibroblasts using transcriptomic, proteomic and functional analyses. Tissue repair was assessed following pharmacological PKN inhibition in zebrafish. Results PKN2 expression was reduced in ILD lung tissue and primary airway and parenchymal fibroblasts and further suppressed by TGF-β1. Differential methylation was identified across the PKN2 locus in both fibroblast populations. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling following PKN2 depletion revealed coordinated remodelling of ECM, cell adhesion, non-canonical WNT and VEGF pathways, including dysregulation of COL1A1, WNT, VEGF and MMP1. PKN2 loss increased VEGF and MMP-1 secretion and accelerated fibroblast wound closure. PKN inhibition altered epithelial organisation and collagen fibre alignment during zebrafish wound repair. Conclusion PKN2 loss drives fibroblast reprogramming and aberrant ECM remodelling, establishing PKN2 as an important regulator of pulmonary fibroblast homeostasis and tissue repair.