Reelin engages non-canonical signaling pathways to drive endothelial remodeling and plasticity

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe vascular endothelium is a dynamic tissue central to vascular homeostasis and disease, with endothelial cells (ECs) exhibiting plasticity that drives adaptive remodeling. Reelin, a secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein critical for neuronal migration via ApoER2/VLDLR-DAB1 signaling, may also modulate vascular function and inflammation. However, its direct role in EC biology remains unclear. We investigated Reelin as a context-dependent signaling modulator in ECs, assessing its engagement of non-canonical pathways and regulation of endothelial plasticity relevant to cardiovascular pathology. METHODSHuman endothelial cells were stimulated with recombinant Reelin and analyzed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and functional assays. Time-course studies assessed signaling, including phosphorylation of FAK, AKT, and DAB1 by Western blotting, while wound-healing assays quantified endothelial migratory capacity in vitro systems. RESULTSReelin rapidly robustly activated noncanonical signaling in endothelial cells, increasing FAK and AKT phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner consistent with cytoskeletal remodeling. Canonical DAB1 activation was limited. Functionally, Reelin enhanced migration, upregulated Endoglin/CD105, and induced a remodeling-associated phenotype. Reelin silencing altered endothelial phenotype, clearly indicating a role in homeostasis. Signaling was independent of VEGFR2 interaction. Overall, Reelin preferentially engages FAK/AKT pathways to drive partial phenotypic modulation without full endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONWe show that Reelin is a previously unrecognized regulator of endothelial signaling and plasticity, acting via non-canonical FAK- and AKT-dependent pathways. By partially and dynamically modulating endothelial phenotype, Reelin promotes a remodeling-permissive state without triggering full mesenchymal transition. These findings identify Reelin as a novel modulator of endothelial function with potential implications for vascular remodeling and cardiovascular disease. What Are the Clinical Implications?Our findings identify Reelin as a modulator of endothelial signaling with a clear bias toward non-canonical FAK- and AKT-dependent pathways that regulate endothelial plasticity and remodeling. This signaling profile is highly relevant to vascular diseases in which endothelial dysfunction is driven by maladaptive cytoskeletal reorganization, altered migration, and persistent activation rather than complete loss of endothelial identity. The ability of Reelin to promote partial and dynamically regulated phenotypic modulation suggests that it may operate at early and potentially reversible stages of vascular pathology. In this context, dysregulated Reelin signaling could contribute to pathological vascular remodeling, including processes underlying atherosclerosis, fibrosis, and microvascular dysfunction. These results also raise the possibility that circulating or locally produced Reelin may serve as an indicator of endothelial activation state, providing a novel biomarker for vascular disease progression. Importantly, the identification of a signaling bias toward FAK- and AKT-dependent pathways highlights potential therapeutic targets downstream of Reelin that could be selectively modulated to limit maladaptive endothelial remodeling while preserving essential endothelial functions. Collectively, this study positions Reelin signaling as a previously unrecognized and potentially actionable pathway in the regulation of endothelial behavior, with direct implications for the development of targeted strategies aimed at preventing or attenuating cardiovascular disease progression