LOXL4, but not LOXL2, is the critical determinant of pathological collagen cross-linking and fibrosis in the lung

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive fibrotic disease characterized by excessive deposition of (myo)fibroblast produced collagen fibrils in alveolar areas of the lung. Lysyl oxidases (LOXs) have been proposed to be the central enzymes that catalyze the cross-linking of collagen fibers. Here, we report that, while its expression is increased in fibrotic lungs, genetic ablation of LOXL2 only leads to a modest reduction of pathological collagen cross-linking but not fibrosis in the lung. On the other hand, loss of another LOX family member, LOXL4, markedly disrupts pathological collagen cross-linking and fibrosis in the lung. Furthermore, knockout of both <i>Loxl2</i> and <i>Loxl4</i> does not offer any additive antifibrotic effects when compared to <i>Loxl4</i> deletion only, as LOXL4 deficiency decreases the expression of other LOX family members including <i>Loxl2</i>. On the basis of these results, we propose that LOXL4 is the main LOX activity underlying pathological collagen cross-linking and lung fibrosis.