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p51/p63 Controls subunit alpha3 of the major epidermis integrin anchoring the stem cells to the niche.

p51/p63, a member of the tumor suppressor p53 gene family, is crucial for skin development. We describe here identification of ITGA3 encoding integrin alpha(3) as a target of its trans-activating function, proposing that p51/p63 allows epidermal stem cells to express laminin receptor alpha(3)beta(1) for anchorage to the basement membrane. When activated by genotoxic stress or overexpressed ectopically in non-adherent cells, p51/p63 transduced a phenotype to attach to extracellular matrices, which was accompanied by expression of ITGA3. Motifs matching the p53-binding consensus sequence were located in a scattered form in intron 1 of human ITGA3, and served as p51/p63-responsive elements in reporter assays. In addition to the trans-activating ability of the TA isoform, we detected a positive effect of the DeltaN isoform on ITGA3. The high level alpha(3) production in human keratinocyte stem cells diminished upon elimination of p51/p63 by small interfering RNA or by Ca(2+)-induced differentiation. Furthermore, a chromatin immunoprecipitation experiment indicated a physical interaction of p51/p63 with intron 1 of ITGA3. This study provides a molecular basis for the standing hypothesis that p51/p63 is essential for epidermal-mesenchymal interactions.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Laminin expression by human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Our previous study demonstrated that a laminin-like molecule produced by periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLFs) induces gingival epithelial cell chemotaxis. The aim of this study was to identify the laminin isoforms that are expressed by PLFs. Proteins in PLF-conditioned medium from serum-free cultures were separated by gel filtration followed by gelatin-affinity chromatography to remove fibronectin. Protein expression of laminin isoforms was determined using Western blotting, and mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR. Partially purified laminin evoked gingival epithelial cell chemotaxis, and this activity was blocked by anti-integrin alpha3, alpha6, and beta1 antibodies. Although RT-PCR analysis showed PLFs expressed laminin alpha1 to alpha5, beta1 to beta3, gamma1, and gamma2 chain mRNAs, the predominant laminin chains detected by Western blotting were alpha4, alpha2, beta1, beta2, and gamma1. These results suggest that PLFs secrete mainly laminin-8/9 (alpha4beta1gamma1/alpha4beta2gamma1) and laminin-2/4 (alpha2beta1gamma1/alpha2beta2gamma1). PLF-derived laminins may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of periodontitis by inducing apical migration of epithelial cells in certain circumstances.

Antibodies, Blocking↗

Extracellular matrix alters PDGF regulation of fibroblast integrins.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factors are potent regulators of cell phenotype. These biological mediators of cellular responses are potentially interactive and as such could drive cells through progressive phenotypes to create new tissue as in morphogenesis and wound repair. In fact, ECM composition changes during tissue formation accompanied by alterations in cell growth and migration. How alterations in the ECM regulate cell activities is poorly defined. To address this question in wound repair, we cultured normal human dermal skin fibroblasts in relaxed collagen gels, fibronectin-rich cultures or stressed fibrin gels, and stressed collagen gels to model normal dermis, early wound provisional matrix, and late granulation tissue, respectively. Integrin subunits, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 5, that define receptor specificity for collagen and provisional matrix, respectively, were measured at mRNA steady-state level before and after stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), a potent mitogen and chemoattractant for fibroblasts. Fibronectin-rich cultures and fibrin gels supported PDGF-BB induction of alpha 3 and alpha 5 mRNA. In contrast, both stressed and relaxed collagen attenuated these responses while promoting maximal alpha 2 mRNA expression. Posttranscriptional regulation was an important mechanism in this differential response. Together PDGF-BB and collagen gels promoted alpha 2, but not alpha 3 and alpha 5, mRNA stability. Conversely, when fibroblasts were in fibronectin-rich cultures, PDGF-BB promoted alpha 3 and alpha 5, but not alpha 2, mRNA stability. We suggest that ECM alterations during wound healing or any new tissue formation cause cells to respond differently to repeated growth factor stimuli. An ordered progression of cell phenotypes results, ultimately consummating tissue repair or morphogenesis.

Animals↗

Tumor cell alpha3beta1 integrin and vascular laminin-5 mediate pulmonary arrest and metastasis.

Arrest of circulating tumor cells in distant organs is required for hematogenous metastasis, but the tumor cell surface molecules responsible have not been identified. Here, we show that the tumor cell alpha3beta1 integrin makes an important contribution to arrest in the lung and to early colony formation. These analyses indicated that pulmonary arrest does not occur merely due to size restriction, and raised the question of how the tumor cell alpha3beta1 integrin contacts its best-defined ligand, laminin (LN)-5, a basement membrane (BM) component. Further analyses revealed that LN-5 is available to the tumor cell in preexisting patches of exposed BM in the pulmonary vasculature. The early arrest of tumor cells in the pulmonary vasculature through interaction of alpha3beta1 integrin with LN-5 in exposed BM provides both a molecular and a structural basis for cell arrest during pulmonary metastasis.

Animals↗

Interferon-mediated block in cell cycle and altered integrin expression in a differentiated salivary gland cell line (HSG) cultured on Matrigel.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS), an idiopathic, autoimmune exocrinopathy, is partly characterized by diminished salivary flow, acinar cell atrophy, and increased expression of several cytokines. Several in vivo characteristics of the sialoadenitis are also evident in a human salivary gland ductal epithelial cell line (HSG) treated with cytokines. HSG cells differentiate to the acinar phenotype when cultured on Matrigel (Becton Dickinson, Bedford, MA), a basement membrane extract. To elucidate mechanisms of salivary gland pathology, the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on cell cycle progression and integrin expression were evaluated in HSG acinarlike cells. Flow cytometry experiments showed that cytokine treatment for 2 days arrested cells in G(1) phase of the cell cycle, and this preceded significant morphologic changes and decreased viability. Whereas only modest cytokine-mediated increases in protein expression for the alpha 3 and beta 1 integrin subunits were seen by immunoprecipitation, a form of alpha 3 integrin displaying enhanced electrophoretic mobility was evident after 6 days of cytokine treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating an IFN-mediated alteration in the electrophoretic mobility of integrin subunits. From this study, it was evident that the combination of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha resulted in a block in G(1) phase for acinar cells before accumulation of the alpha 3 integrin variant or significant degenerative cellular changes. Information from the present and previous studies suggests that cytokines may alter the pattern of integrin expression and block cell cycle progression in salivary gland cells grown in three-dimensional acinarlike clusters. These experiments may provide a new cell culture model to study the effects of cytokines in normal and diseased salivary glands, including SS.

Antigens, CD↗

Loss of VLA-3 (CD49c/CD29) expression in two multidrug resistant Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines.

Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) has been suggested to be associated with an impaired clinical outcome in several malignancies. In contrast to P-gp itself, further phenotypical and functional alterations related to MDR are poorly characterized. In this in vitro study, we analyzed two Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (Raji and Daudi) for the beta 1 integrin phenotype prior to and after induction of MDR via co-cultivation with vincristine. A significant loss of the VLA-3 (CD49c/CD29) adhesion receptor was observed whereas all other intergins analyzed lacked considerable changes. We conclude that induction of P-gp mediated MDR does not only affect resistance to cytotoxic drugs but also induces cellular changes with potential relevance for migratory and/or adhesive properties of malignant cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Phosphorylation of a conserved integrin alpha 3 QPSXXE motif regulates signaling, motility, and cytoskeletal engagement.

Integrin alpha 3A cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation was mapped to amino acid S1042, as determined by mass spectrometry, and confirmed by mutagenesis. This residue occurs within a "QPSXXE" motif conserved in multiple alpha chains (alpha 3A, alpha 6A, alpha 7A), from multiple species. Phosphorylation of alpha 3A and alpha 6A did not appear to be directly mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, or mu, or by any of several other known serine kinases, although PKC has an indirect role in promoting phosphorylation. A S1042A mutation did not affect alpha 3-Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell adhesion to laminin-5, but did alter 1) alpha 3-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin (in the presence or absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate stimulation), and p130(CAS) (in the absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate stimulation), 2) the shape of cells spread on laminin-5, and 3) alpha 3-dependent random CHO cell migration on laminin-5. In addition, S1042A mutation altered the PKC-dependent, ligand-dependent subcellular distribution of alpha 3 and F-actin in CHO cells. Together, the results demonstrate clearly that alpha 3A phosphorylation is functionally relevant. In addition, the results strongly suggest that alpha 3 phosphorylation may regulate alpha 3 integrin interaction with the cytoskeleton.

Alkaloids↗

Integrin alpha 3 beta 1 participates in the phagocytosis of extracellular matrix molecules by human breast cancer cells.

The mechanisms and receptors involved in phagocytosis by nonhematopoietic cells are not well understood. The involvement of the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin in phagocytosis of the extracellular matrix by human breast cancer cells was studied. The possible role of this integrin was suggested since alpha 3 and beta 1 but not alpha 2 subunits are concentrated at membrane sites where local degradation of fluorescently labeled gelatin occurs. Strikingly, anti-alpha 3 integrin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) stimulate the phagocytosis of fluorescently labeled gelatin films, gelatin beads, and Matrigel films in a quantitative phagocytosis assay. Stimulation of the gelatin uptake by the anti-alpha 3 mAb is dose responsive, saturable, and time dependent. Antibodies against other integrin subunits have a lower stimulatory effect (anti-beta 1) or no significant effect (anti-alpha 2, -alpha 5, -alpha 6, and -alpha v) on gelatin phagocytosis. The synthetic HGD-6 human laminin peptide that binds specifically the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin, but not the scrambled HSGD-6 control peptide, also markedly stimulates gelatin uptake in a dose-responsive way. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of the HGD-6 peptide and the anti-alpha 3 mAb are additive, suggesting that they might promote phagocytosis in different ways. Other laminin (YIGSR, IKVAV) and fibronectin (GRGDS) peptides have no effect on gelatin phagocytosis. Immunofluorescence shows that the alpha 3 and the beta 1, but not the alpha 2 integrin subunit, concentrate into patches on the cell surface after treatment with their respective mAbs. And, both gelatin and the alpha 3 beta 1 but not the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin are cointernalized and routed to acidic vesicles such as lysosomes. In conclusion, we demonstrate that human breast cancer cells locally degrade and phagocytose the extracellular matrix and show for the first time that the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin participates in this phagocytosis. We hypothesize that the anti-alpha 3 antibodies and the laminin peptide HGD-6 activate the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin, which results in a downstream signaling cascade stimulating phagocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proteomic and functional evidence for a P2X7 receptor signalling complex.

P2X receptors are ATP-gated ion channels in the plasma membrane, but activation of the P2X7 receptor also leads to rapid cytoskeletal re-arrangements such as membrane blebbing. We identified 11 proteins in human embryonic kidney cells that interact with the rat P2X7 receptor, by affinity purification followed by mass spectroscopy and immunoblotting [laminin alpha3, integrin beta2, beta-actin, alpha-actinin, supervillin, MAGuK, three heat shock proteins, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase-beta (RPTPbeta)]. Activation of the P2X7 receptor resulted in its dephosphorylation. Whole-cell recordings from cells expressing P2X7 receptors showed that this markedly reduced subsequent ionic currents and it also slowed membrane bleb formation. By mutagenesis, we identified Tyr(343) in the putative second transmembrane domain as the site of phosphorylation. Thus, we have identified a P2X7 receptor signalling complex, some members of which may initiate cytoskeletal rearrangements following receptor activation. Others, such as RPTPbeta, might exert feedback control of the channel itself through its dephosphorylation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and the invasive phenotype of ovarian carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Most (70%-100%) ovarian carcinomas express high levels of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To examine the relationship between EGFR and the invasive phenotype, we assessed integrin expression, adhesion, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and migration in ovarian cancer cells in which EGFR expression was modified. METHODS: NIH:OVCAR-8 human ovarian carcinoma cells were transfected with an expression vector containing the human EGFR complementary DNA in an antisense orientation (EGFR-antisense cells) or the vector alone (vector control cells). We compared vector control and EGFR-antisense cells for cell morphology and adhesion by light microscopy, expression of alpha(6)- and alpha(3)-integrin subunits by flow cytometry, MMP and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP) activity by zymography, and migration by a wound migration assay. In some experiments, EGFR kinase activity in parental cells was inhibited by treatment with PD153035. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: EGFR-antisense cells were morphologically distinct from vector control cells and had a selective decrease in adhesion to laminin-1 that was not observed with vector control cells (P = .008) or on other extracellular matrix substrates. Compared with vector control cells, cell surface alpha(6)-integrin expression decreased by approximately 80% (difference = 78.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 77.8% to 79.6), MMP-9 activity decreased by approximately 50%, and TIMP activity increased by approximately 50% in EGFR-antisense cells. Vector control cells were highly motile (5.51 arbitrary distance unit; 95% CI = 4.98 to 6.04), whereas the EGFR-antisense cells were not (0.99 arbitrary distance units; 95% CI = 0.38 to 1.60). The morphology and integrin profile of NIH:OVCAR-8 parental cells treated with PD153035 were similar to those of the EGFR-antisense cells. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced EGFR expression in ovarian carcinoma cells decreased their adhesion to laminin-1, expression of the alpha(6)-integrin subunit (a well-characterized laminin-1 receptor), and MMP-9 activity. These data support the hypothesis that EGFR overexpression in ovarian cancer cells results in multiple phenotypic changes that enhance the invasive phenotype.

Antigens, CD↗

Transforming growth factor-beta1 stimulates contraction of human glioblastoma cell-mediated collagen lattice through enhanced alpha2 integrin expression.

Rapid invasiveness is a feature of the highly malignant glioblastoma tumor and is closely related to patient prognosis. The interaction between extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell surface receptors such as integrin heterodimers play a key role in the process of tumor invasion. We investigated the effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), which is a mitogenic factor for glial cells, on integrin expression in T98G human glioblastoma cells using an in vitro model 3-dimensional collagen lattice. Exogenously applied TGF-beta1 dose-dependently enhanced collagen lattice contraction. Among the inhibitory antibodies tested against alpha integrin subunits, the anti-alpha2 antibody, P1-E6, alone prevented the enhanced contractile response by TGF-beta1, whereas any alpha integrin antibody (including P1-E6) had little effect on lattice contraction when cultured without TGF-beta1. RT-PCR analysis revealed that TGF-beta1 strongly increased alpha2 integrin transcript level. Furthermore, pretreatment with antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides against human alpha2 integrin using hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) liposome-mediated transfer prevented the effects of TGF-beta1 and also reduced the lattice contraction even in the absence of TGF-beta1. This data indicates that increased expression of alpha2 integrin is responsive to enhanced collagen lattice contraction by TGF-beta1. We suggest that TGF-beta1 exerts its effects on the invasive property of glioblastoma cells via upregulation of the alpha2 integrin subunit expression.

Antigens, CD↗

CD9 is expressed on human endometrial epithelial cells in association with integrins alpha(6), alpha(3) and beta(1).

Recently we reported that CD9 is involved in the invasion of a trophoblast-like choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo, probably through the regulation of integrin functions. Integrins have also been reported to be expressed in the human endometrium and it has been suggested that they play important roles in blastocyst implantation. This study used immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of CD9 in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. CD9 was found to be intensely expressed on the cell surface of the glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle without any apparent differences in staining intensity. In addition, Western blotting analysis of the affinity-purified proteins confirmed that CD9 was associated with integrins beta(1), alpha(3) and alpha(6) in the human endometrium. Therefore it can be concluded that CD9, in association with integrins alpha(6), alpha(3) and beta(1), is a constitutive molecule of the endometrial glandular epithelium. These results also suggest that CD9 may be an important regulator of these integrins in the human endometrium.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody-stimulated invasion of endometrial cancer cell lines in vitro: possible inhibitory effect of CD9 in endometrial cancer invasion.

Cell surface marker CD9 has been reported to play a role in inhibiting trophoblastic cell invasion. Since the invasive properties of cancer cells may resemble those of trophoblasts, we decided to investigate the role of CD9 in the invasion of endometrial cancer cells. In normal human endometrium, CD9 was found to be constitutively expressed on epithelial cells, as reported previously. While epithelial cells of endometrial hyperplasia (n = 5) were also positive for the expression of CD9, endometrial adenocarcinomas (n = 15) showed reduced expression. In order to clarify the significance of this reduced CD9 expression in endometrial cancer, an in-vitro invasion assay system was used to assess the effect of anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the invasive properties of endometrial cancer cell line. Anti-CD9 mAb significantly enhanced invasion of the RL95-2 and Ishikawa cell lines, without affecting cell proliferation. Since CD9 is associated with the integrin subunits beta(1), alpha(3) and alpha(6) in human endometrium, we investigated the functional relationship between CD9 and these integrins in the RL95-2 cell line. Monoclonal antibodies against the integrins beta(1), alpha(3) and alpha(6) inhibited RL95-2 cell invasion. However, anti-CD9 mAb continued to show a stimulatory effect on RL95-2 cell invasion after treatment with anti-integrin alpha(3) mAb. In contrast, the anti-CD9 mAb had no effect after treatment with the mAb for integrins alpha(6) and beta(1). These findings indicate that CD9 is involved in regulating the invasive properties of endometrial carcinoma cells and that this effect is partially mediated by integrin subunits alpha(6) and beta(1). Thus, CD9 appears to be involved in the prevention of endometrial cancer invasion.

Adult↗

Immunolocalization of fibronectin and its receptors integrin alpha 3 and alpha 5 subunits in the rat limb development.

In the rat hind limb bud aged between prenatal days 14 and 16, immunoreactions of fibronectin in the apical ectodermal ridge were localized on the plasma membranes of epidermal cells and cytoplasmic projections of the underlying mesenchymal cells, which are in contact with the basal lamina. Those of integrin alpha 3 and alpha 5 subunits also appeared on such areas. Definite immunoreactions of fibronectin and both integrin subunits were seen in cell to cell contact areas of mesenchymal cells which are associated with the marginal vein, or with each other forming solid cell cords, and appeared on the basal plasma membrane of endothelial cells of the growing capillaries arising from the marginal vein. These findings suggest that fibronectin may work as a ligand for alpha 3 beta 1 and/or alpha 5 beta 1 integrins expressed by the mesenchymal and vasoformative cells in developing limb bud.

Animals↗

Expression of fertilin and CD9 in bovine trophoblast and endometrium during implantation.

The superficial placentation of cattle involves the development of fetal binucleate cells that arise from the chorion and migrate between adjacent cell tight junctions to fuse with maternal epithelium. Thus, the temporal and spatial patterns of expression of the cell migration, adhesion, and fusion molecules fertilin and CD9 were investigated in bovine trophoblast and endometrium. Bovine fertilin alpha and fertilin beta messenger RNA sequences were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in testis (positive control), peri-implantation (Days 18, 19, and 21), and postimplantation (Days 35-40) trophoblast RNA, but not in caruncular endometrium (Day 40). Northern blot analysis indicated that the transcript hybridizing to fertilin alpha in trophoblast RNA was approximately 4.0 kilobases (kb), whereas in testis, 2 transcripts of approximately 3.3 and 3.8 kb were indicated. The transcript hybridizing to the fertilin beta probe was also larger in trophoblast than in testis ( approximately 3.8 vs. 2.4 kb, respectively). In situ hybridization revealed that fertilin beta mRNA was expressed by trophoblast cells, including binucleate cells. Immunohistochemical study of CD9, a member of the transmembrane-4-superfamily which is thought to be involved in sperm-egg fusion, showed that CD9 was present on the apical surface of uterine epithelium and in a subpopulation of binucleate cells of the trophoblast. Immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis showed association between CD9 and integrin alpha3 in endometrium. The results support the hypothesis that fertilin and CD9 are involved in bovine binucleate cell migration and fusion.

ADAM Proteins↗

A novel nude mouse model of liver metastasis and peritoneal dissemination from the same human pancreatic cancer line.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, several mice models have been used for investigating cancer metastasis. However, there are no metastatic and peritoneal dominated variants from the same parental cell line. AIM AND METHODOLOGY: To elucidate the mechanisms of metastasis, we established highly liver metastatic and peritoneal disseminated models in nude mice, and then characterized several factors related to metastasis in these cells. We established a series of well-characterized sublines that showed metastatic potentials to different organ sites of nude mice. Two sublines were selected sequentially from the parental pancreatic cancer cell line, HPC-4, resulting in a highly liver metastatic cell line, HPC-4H4, and a highly peritoneal disseminated cell line, HPC-4P4a. Using these three cell lines, we investigated several biologic properties and mRNA levels of differentially expressed genes involved in cancer metastasis. RESULTS: The tumorigenicity, the motile activity, and the adhesive activity of metastatic sublines were higher than those of parental HPC-4 cells. Macroscopic and microscopic findings and the DNA ploidy pattern were the same among the three cell lines. In addition, HPC-4H4 cells expressed clearly higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-8 expression than did HPC-4P4a cells. In fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of adhesion molecules, the expression of integrin-alpha2 was enhanced in HPC-4 cells, integrin-alphavbeta5 was enhanced in HPC-4H4 cells, and integrin-alpha3 was enhanced in HPC-4P4a cells. Osteopontin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor were among the genes that were upregulated in HPC-4H4 cells compared with HPC-4P4a cells. HPC-4P4a cells did not metastasize to the liver by intrasplenic injection. Conversely, HPC-4H4 cells metastasized remarkably to the peritoneum by intraabdominal injection. CONCLUSION: These sublines are the first reported liver metastatic and peritoneal disseminated models derived from the same parental cell lines. The results of our study suggest that the process of hematogenous metastasis is not the same as that of peritoneal dissemination.

Animals↗

Expression of integrin alpha 3 in gastric and colorectal cancers: its relation to wall contraction and mode of invasion.

We macroscopically classified 25 gastric and 23 colorectal advanced cancers into "contracted" and "uncontracted" types, and found immunohistochemically that integrin subunit alpha 3 was more frequently expressed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the former than in the latter (75%:9/12 vs. 38%: 5/13 in gastric and 86%:6/7 vs. 25%:4/16 in colorectal cancers, respectively). Integrin subunit alpha 3 was also expressed more frequently in cancers producing transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is related to ECM deposition, integrin expression and cell mobility, than in those which did not produce TGF-beta (67%:10/15 vs. 40%:4/10 in gastric and 57%:4/7 vs. 38%:6/16 in colorectal cancers, respectively). In addition, integrin subunit alpha 3 was not expressed in 2 benign gastric ulcers combined with gastric cancer elsewhere in the stomach. On the other hand, a retrospective analysis of 107 cases of rectal cancer which recurred after a curative operation revealed that local recurrence was more frequent in "contracted" than "uncontracted" types (44%:11/25 vs. 26%:21/82). These results may suggest that the abundant interstitial fibrosis which leads to remarkable gastric or colorectal wall contraction is a result of the interaction between cancer cells and ECM, along with the expression of integrin and/or the production of TGF-beta. This fibrosis may also be closely related to the mode of gastric and colorectal cancer invasion.

Antigens, CD↗

Detection of altered adhesion molecule expression in experimental tumors by a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody.

Adhesion molecules play a major role in the processes of invasion and metastasis of malignant tumors. Their expression within tumors has been reported to be quantitatively and qualitatively altered according to the invasiveness and metastatic potential of the tumor. The present study tested whether the intratumoral expression of integrin alpha 3 can be detected by a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody. The in vitro binding study with four different human cancer cells showed that radioiodinated GA17 antibody recognizing integrin alpha 3 bound specifically to these cells to varying degrees, according to the antigen density on each cell. The biodistribution study with 125I- and 111In-labeled antibodies showed specific localization of radiolabeled GA17 to the xenografts. However, the in vivo tumor localization was not proportional to the antigen density calculated in vitro, and antibody metabolism varied among the tumors, as was also confirmed by in vitro radionuclide retention assay. The intratumoral distribution of radioactivities varied reflecting the antigen expression within the tumor. These results indicate that 1) integrin alpha 3 was expressed in various kinds of tumors and could be localized by the radiolabeled antibody, and 2) the expression of integrin alpha 3 and the metabolism of the radiolabeled antibody after binding to the antigen within the tumor were variable among the tumors, which affected the radionuclide distribution characteristics. The expression of adhesion molecules within these tumors was noninvasively detected by a radiolabeled antibody. It may be possible to use integrin alpha 3, when it is overexpressed, as a target of therapy with antibodies radiolabeled with alpha or beta emitters.

Animals↗