Heme orchestrates a tissue stress response to proteolytic damage

Abstract

Whereas cellular stress responses are well defined, tissue-level stress remains poorly understood. Proteases are among the most widespread enzymes, and excessive proteolytic activity drives diseases such as arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, yet unifying features of this stress are unclear. Here, using the lung and diverse proteases, we identify a conserved injury signature of proteolytic stress marked by vascular disruption, red blood cell extravasation, and heme release that triggers oxidative stress. We show that alveolar macrophages act as primary sensors of this stress response, activating NRF2-dependent heme detoxification program and fibroblasts produce protease inhibitors to limit damage. Repeated exposure to proteolytic stress induces tissue adaptation and protects against subsequent injury and infection. These findings define a unifying framework for tissue-level proteolytic stress sensing and adaptation.