TGF-β1 controls many pathophysiological processes including tissue homeostasis, fibrosis, and cancer progression. Together with its latency-associated peptide (LAP), TGF-β1 binds to the latent TGF-β1-binding protein-1 (LTBP-1), which is part of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Transmission of cell force via integrins is one major mechanism to activate latent TGF-β1 from ECM stores. Latent TGF-β1 mechanical activation is more efficient with higher cell forces and ECM stiffening. However, little is known about the molecular events involved in this mechanical activation mechanism.

By using single-molecule force spectroscopy and magnetic microbeads, we analyzed how forces exerted on the LAP lead to conformational changes in the latent complex that can ultimately result in TGF-β1 release. We demonstrate the unfolding of two LAP key domains for mechanical TGF-β1 activation: the α1 helix and the latency lasso, which together have been referred to as the "straitjacket" that keeps TGF-β1 associated with LAP. The simultaneous unfolding of both domains, leading to full opening of the straitjacket at a force of ∼40 pN, was achieved only when TGF-β1 was bound to the LTBP-1 in the ECM.

Our results directly demonstrate opening of the TGF-β1 straitjacket by application of mechanical force in the order of magnitude of what can be transmitted by single integrins. For this mechanism to be in place, binding of latent TGF-β1 to LTBP-1 is mandatory. Interfering with mechanical activation of latent TGF-β1 by reducing integrin affinity, cell contractility, and binding of latent TGF-β1 to the ECM provides new possibilities to therapeutically modulate TGF-β1 actions.