PECAM‐1 supports leukocyte diapedesis by tension‐dependent dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin

Leukocyte extravasation is an essential step during the immune response and requires the destabilization of endothelial junctions. We have shown previously that this process depends in vivo on the dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin‐Y731. Here, we reveal the underlying mechanism. Leukocyte‐induced stimulation of PECAM‐1 triggers dissociation of the phosphatase SHP2 which then directly targets VE‐cadherin‐Y731. The binding site of PECAM‐1 for SHP2 is needed for VE‐cadherin dephosphorylation and subsequent endocytosis. Importantly, the contribution of PECAM‐1 to leukocyte diapedesis in vitro and in vivo was strictly dependent on the presence of Y731 of VE‐cadherin. In addition to SHP2, dephosphorylation of Y731 required Ca(2+)‐signaling, non‐muscle myosin II activation, and endothelial cell tension. Since we found that β‐catenin/plakoglobin mask VE‐cadherin‐Y731 and leukocyte docking to endothelial cells exert force on the VE‐cadherin–catenin complex, we propose that leukocytes destabilize junctions by PECAM‐1‐SHP2‐triggered dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin‐Y731 which becomes accessible by actomyosin‐mediated mechanical force exerted on the VE‐cadherin–catenin complex.