PubMed HealthSearch

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Integrin alphaV”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Vitronectin regulates smooth muscle contractility via alphav and beta1 integrin.

Previous work from this laboratory has established a method for maintaining physiological contractility of dissociated avian smooth muscle in a defined medium at low density. The present report emphasizes the dramatic potency of serum to alter smooth muscle phenotype and induce a loss of contractility. Vitronectin, a molecule purified from plasma, mimicked these effects of serum via an integrin that is RGD-sensitive. Studies utilizing blocking antibodies against vitronectin demonstrated that the presence of this specific adhesion molecule was necessary for the serum-induced loss of contractility. Based on the actions of function-blocking antibodies and RGD-containing peptides, the integrin alphavbeta1 appears to be the primary receptor involved in vitronectin's ability to induce phenotypic transformation in amniotic smooth muscle. The influence of vitronectin on smooth muscle contractility is particularly relevant, because this molecule is abundant in whole blood and plasma (approx. 400 microg/ml). The results suggest that smooth muscle needs to be continually protected from normal blood constituents in vivo. The implications of these results for smooth muscle-related diseases like atherosclerosis, restenosis and Kaposi's sarcoma are discussed.

Amnion

The integrin alphavbeta5 is expressed on avian osteoclast precursors and regulated by retinoic acid.

Osteoclasts arise by proliferation, differentiation, and subsequent fusion of marrow-derived precursors, all processes requiring attachment to matrix. Integrins are important mediators of cell-matrix recognition and bone is rich in proteins containing the Arg-Gly-Asp motif, recognized primarily by alphav integrins. Thus, we determined if avian osteoclast precursors express integrins capable of mediating initial attachment to matrix proteins. Early, marrow-derived osteoclast precursors, when first isolated, contain no detectable alphavbeta3, but express an alphav integrin with an 80 kDa associated beta subunit. Immunoprecipitation with an antibody raised against the conserved beta5 cytoplasmic tail sequence indicates the the alphav associated the integrin is alphavbeta5. Retinoic acid is a resorptive steroid, and its exposure to early osteoclast precursors prompts a time- and dose-dependent decrease in alphavbeta5 expression, while simultaneously stimulating alphavbeta3 expression. Northern analysis reveals that retinoic acid decreases beta5 steady-state mRNA, nontranscriptionally, without altering that of alphav. The finding alphavbeta5 expression decreases under the influence of retinoic acid, an osteoclastogenic steroid, while those of alphavbeta3 rise, suggests that these closely related integrins play separate and complementary roles during osteoclast differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Adenovirus interaction with distinct integrins mediates separate events in cell entry and gene delivery to hematopoietic cells.

A major impediment to the effective use of adenovirus vectors for gene therapy is a lack of knowledge of how these vectors interact with diverse cell types in vivo. Adenovirus attachment to most human cell types is mediated by the fiber protein, which binds to an as yet unidentified cell receptor. In contrast to this, we report that adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) attachment to hematopoietic cells is facilitated by interaction of the penton base protein with members of the beta2 integrin family. Adenovirus particles were capable of binding to human monocytic cells, which lack fiber receptors, and virus binding could be blocked by a soluble penton base or by a function-blocking monoclonal antibody to integrin alphaMbeta2. To confirm the role of alphaMbeta2 integrins in Ad2 binding to hematopoietic cells, we analyzed virus attachment and gene delivery to CHO cells expressing recombinant beta2 integrins. alphaMbeta2-expressing CHO cells supported 3- to 5-fold-higher levels of Ad2 binding and 5- to 10-fold-larger amounts of gene delivery than did nontransfected CHO cells, indicating that alphaMbeta2 facilitates adenovirus attachment to and infection of hematopoietic cells. While beta2 integrins promote Ad2 attachment to hematopoietic cells, further studies demonstrated that alphav integrins were required for the next step in infection, virus internalization into cell endosomes. These studies reveal a novel pathway of Ad2 infection of hematopoietic cells mediated by distinct integrins which facilitate separate events in virus entry. They also suggest a possible strategy for selective adenovirus-mediated gene delivery to hematopoietic cells.

Adenoviruses, Human

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor reciprocally regulates alphav-associated integrins on murine osteoclast precursors.

The integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta3 are expressed reciprocally during murine osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Specifically, immature osteoclast precursors, in the form of bone marrow macrophages, contain exclusively alphavbeta5, surface expression of which declines with commitment to the osteoclast phenotype, while levels of alphavbeta3 increase concomitantly. The distinct functional significance of alphavbeta5 is underscored by the integrin's capacity, unlike alphavbeta3, to mediate both attachment and spreading on ligand, of marrow macrophages, suggesting alphavbeta3 negotiates initial recognition, by osteoclast precursors, of bone matrix. Northern analysis demonstrates changes in the two beta-subunits, and not alphav, are responsible for these alterations. Treatment of early precursors with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) leads to alterations in beta3 and beta5 mRNA and alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta3, paralleling those occurring during osteoclastogenesis. Nuclear run-on and message stability studies demonstrate that while GM-CSF treatment of precursors alters beta5 transcriptionally, the changes in beta3 arise from prolonged mRNA t1/2. Similar to GM-CSF treatment, the rate of beta5 transcription falls during authentic osteoclastogenesis. In contrast to cytokine-induced alphavbeta3, however, that attending osteoclastogenesis reflects accelerated transcription of the beta3-subunit. Thus, while GM-CSF may participate in modulation of alphavbeta5 during osteoclast differentiation, signals other than those derived from the cytokine must regulate expression of alphavbeta3.

Animals

P-glycoprotein is strongly expressed in the luminal membranes of the endothelium of blood vessels in the brain.

Luminal membranes of the vascular endothelium were isolated from brain, heart and lungs by modification of their density. The presence of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was detected by Western blotting in luminal membranes from the endothelium of the three tissues. Strong enrichment in brain capillary luminal membranes, compared with brain capillaries (17-fold) and whole membranes (400-500-fold), indicates that P-gp is mainly located on the luminal side of the brain endothelium. Western blotting was also performed with antibodies directed against GLUT1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, adaptin, IP3R-3, integrins alphav and collagen IV as controls to determine whether the preparations were contaminated by other membranes. Strong enrichment of GLUT1 in brain capillary luminal membranes (9.9-fold) showed that the preparation consisted mainly of endothelial cell plasma membranes. Poor enrichment of glial fibrillary acidic protein (1.4-fold) and adaptin (2.4-fold) and a decreased level of IP3R-3, integrins alphav and collagen IV excludes the possibility of major contamination by astrocytes or internal and anti-luminal membranes. High levels of P-gp in the luminal membranes of brain capillary endothelial cells suggests that it may play an important role in limiting the access of anti-cancer drugs to the brain.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem

Characterization of integrin expression in islets isolated from hamster, canine, porcine, and human pancreas.

The reasons for the failure of clinical islet transplantation remain obscure. Islet isolation, however, exposes the islet to variety of cellular stresses, including disruption of the cell-matrix relationship, an event associated with apoptosis. The cell-matrix relationship is characterized by an interaction between cell surface integrin receptors and matrix molecules of the surrounding basement membrane (BM). The purpose of this study was to characterize integrin expression and the distribution of the peri-insular BM in human, porcine, canine, and hamster pancreas, and after routine islet isolation. Whereas islets in the porcine pancreas do not have a demonstrable BM, islets in the human, canine, and hamster pancreas have an almost continuous BM with very little direct exocrine to endocrine cell-cell contact. After islet isolation, the BM was destroyed, only to be reestablished during the period of culture. In the pancreas of all four species, integrin alpha3 was expressed only on islet cells, and integrin alpha5 was present on islet cells as well as on acinar, centroacinar, and duct cells. Integrin alphaV was detected only in human and canine pancreas. Integrin beta1 was demonstrated only in the human pancreas. In isolated islets, integrin alpha3, alpha5, and alphaV expression decreased during the culture period and the intensity of the staining was observed to be coincident with the distribution of the BM. In summary, this is the first report of integrin expression in hamster, canine, porcine, and human islets. After islet isolation, the altered islet cell-matrix relationship is reflected both in the decrease in integrin expression and in the destruction of the peri-insular BM. These profound changes will need to be considered as the process of islet isolation for transplantation is refined. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:499-506, 1999)

Adult

Mouse myoblasts can fuse and form a normal sarcomere in the absence of beta1 integrin expression.

Antibody perturbation experiments suggested that migration, terminal differentiation and fusion of myoblasts are dependent on beta1 integrin expression. In addition, several studies have postulated that beta1 integrins have a role in the formation of sarcomeres. In the present report we have analysed skeletal myogenesis in wild-type/beta1-null chimeric mice and beta1-null embryoid bodies. Trunk and limbs of beta1-null chimeric mice contained muscle tissue composed of normal and beta1-null myoblasts indicating that all myotomic sublineages can form, migrate to their peripheral targets and fuse in the absence of beta1 integrin expression. Pure populations of beta1-null myoblasts and satellite cells isolated from beta1-null chimeric embryos and chimeric newborn mice, respectively, were able to differentiate in vitro and to fuse into multinucleated myotubes. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons between normal and beta1-null myoblasts revealed no apparent difference in their capacity to terminally differentiate and fuse. Furthermore, beta1-null myotubes developed sarcomeres which were indistinguishable from wild-type controls. When normal and beta1-null ES cells were differentiated into embryoid bodies, they contained fully differentiated myotubes with normal sarcomeres and normal deposition of costameric components. However, formation of beta1-null myotubes was delayed and was less efficient in beta1-null embryoid bodies than in wild-type controls. High expression of alphav integrin subunit at the tips of normal as well as beta1-null myotubes indicated that the lack of beta1 integrins did not result in a significant redistribution of alphav-containing receptors.

Animals

Cancer treatment by targeted drug delivery to tumor vasculature in a mouse model.

In vivo selection of phage display libraries was used to isolate peptides that home specifically to tumor blood vessels. When coupled to the anticancer drug doxorubicin, two of these peptides-one containing an alphav integrin-binding Arg-Gly-Asp motif and the other an Asn-Gly-Arg motif-enhanced the efficacy of the drug against human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and also reduced its toxicity. These results indicate that it may be possible to develop targeted chemotherapy strategies that are based on selective expression of receptors in tumor vasculature.

Animals

Astrocytoma adhesion to extracellular matrix: functional significance of integrin and focal adhesion kinase expression.

Evidence is accumulating implicating a role for integrins in the pathogenesis of cancer, a disease in which alterations in cellular growth, differentiation, and adhesive characteristics are defining features. In the present report we studied a panel of 8 human astrocytoma cell lines for their expression of integrin subunits by RT-PCR, and of integrin heterodimers by immunoprecipitation analyses. The functionality of integrin heterodimers was assessed using cell attachment assays to plastic or single matrix substrates. Downstream effects of integrin activation were studied by western blot analyses of FAK expression in human astrocytoma cell lines growing on plastic and on a fibronectin matrix, and in 13 primary human brain tumor specimens of varying histopathological grade. Furthermore, we studied tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK in astrocytoma cells growing on plastic versus fibronectin. Finally, we analyzed the effects of intermediate filament gene transfer on FAK phosphorylation in SF-126 astrocytoma cells. Our data show that astrocytoma cell lines express various integrin subunits by RT-PCR, and heterodimers by immunoprecipitation analyses. The beta1 and alphav integrin subunits were expressed by all astrocytoma cell lines. The alpha3 subunit was expressed by all cell lines except SF-188. By immunoprecipitation, the fibronectin receptor (alpha5beta1 integrin heterodimer) and the vitronectin receptor (alphavbeta3) were identified in several cell lines. Astrocytoma cell attachment studies to human matrix proteins suggested that these integrin heterodimers were functional. Using confocal laser microscopy, we showed that FAK was colocalized to actin stress fibers at sites of focal adhesion complexes. By western blot, FAK was variably but quite ubiquitously expressed in human astrocytoma cell lines, and in several primary human astrocytoma specimens. When U373 and U87 MG astrocytoma cells bind to a fibronectin matrix, FAK is phosphorylated. GFAP-transfected SF-126 human astrocytoma cells were shown to overexpress the phosphorylated form of FAK only when these cells were placed on a fibronectin matrix. This result is of interest because it suggests that manipulations of the astrocytoma cytoskeleton per se can bring about potential signaling changes that channel through integrins and focal adhesion sites leading to activation of key kinases such as FAK.

Adult

Migration of brain tumor cells on extracellular matrix proteins in vitro correlates with tumor type and grade and involves alphaV and beta1 integrins.

An important contributor to the malignancy of brain tumors is their ability to infiltrate the brain. Extracellular matrix molecules and cell adhesion molecules on cell surfaces play key roles in cell migration. In the present study, we used reaggregates of dissociated cells from freshly excised human brain tumors to analyze the migration of cells from human brain tumors of different types and grades on many different adhesion proteins adsorbed to glass substrates. Proteins were chosen based on their presence in normal or neoplastic nervous tissue, and included the extra-cellular matrix molecules fibronectin, collagens, fibrinogen, laminin, tenascin-C, thrombospondin, and the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule, Ng-CAM. Cells from astrocytomas (n = 24) migrated on a variety of substrates, in contrast to cells from primitive neuroectodermal tumors cells (n=6), which only migrated well on laminin, fibronectin, or type IV collagen but not on the other substrates. Typically, migrating cells from astrocytomas of all grades had long, slender processes, were usually bipolar, and their cell bodies did not spread well on any substrate. Although there was variability in the migration of cells from astrocytomas of the same grade, cells from high-grade astrocytomas tended to migrate more extensively (42.3 +/- 4.7 micrometers/16 h: n = 16) than cells from lower grade astrocytomas (28.9 +/- 3.9 micrometers/16 h; P = 0.07; n = 8); the most striking differences were observed for collagen substrates, on which cells from lower grade astrocytomas migrated at very low levels (7.6 +/- 2 .6 micrometers/16 h) and cells from high-grade astrocytomas at higher levels (24.4 +/- 5.2 micrometers;P = 0.01). In contrast to primary cells from glioblastomas (n = 13), glioblastoma cell lines (n = 10) consistently spread on various substrates and migrated at high levels (69.5 +/- 7.6 versus 46.4 +/-5.7 micrometers/16 h; P = 0.03), in particular, on collagens (108.4 +/- 20.2 versus 28.0 +/- 6.1 micrometers/16 h; P= 0.001). Specific monoclonal antibodies to alphaV and beta1 integrin monomers completely inhibited the migration of astrocytoma cells on most substrates, suggesting that alphaV and beta1 integrins play a crucial role in brain tumor infiltration. These studies also suggest that although a large number of extracellular matrix molecules may promote tumor cell migration, disrupting the function of only a few tumor cell receptors may be critical for tumor infiltration in the brain.

Antibodies

Migration of breast epithelial cells on Laminin-5: differential role of integrins in normal and transformed cell types.

We examined the role of Laminin-5 (Ln-5) an extracellular matrix component of breast gland basement membrane, in supporting migration of normal (HUMEC), immortalized (MCF-10A), and malignant breast epithelial cells that exhibit different degrees of metastatic potential (MDA-MB-435>MDA-MB-231>MCF-7). HUMEC, MCF-10A, and MCF-7 cells all adhered to purified Ln-5 through the alpha3beta1 integrin receptor in adhesion assays. However, HUMEC and MCF-10A cells remained statically adherent, while MCF-7 cells migrated on Ln-5 in Transwell and colloidal gold displacement assays. Anti-alpha3 integrin antibodies blocked migration of MCF-7 cells on Ln-5. MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells bound and migrated on Ln-5 through a beta1 integrin receptor that is insensitive to antibodies that block the function of alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and alphaV integrin subunits. Migration of all cell types tested was blocked by CM6, a monoclonal antibody directed to a cell adhesion site on the alpha3 chain of Ln-5. Thus, Ln-5 may play an important role in regulating adhesion and migration in normal and transformed breast epithelium. Our results indicate that the type of integrin utilized by breast cells to interact with Ln-5, as well as its functional state, may determine whether cells will be statically adherent or migratory on Ln-5.

Animals

Integrins induce activation of EGF receptor: role in MAP kinase induction and adhesion-dependent cell survival.

Adhesion of human primary skin fibroblasts and ECV304 endothelial cells to immobilized matrix proteins, beta1 or alphav integrin antibodies stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. This tyrosine phosphorylation is transiently induced, reaching maximal levels 30 min after adhesion, and it occurs in the absence of receptor ligands. Similar results were observed with EGF receptor-transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Use of a kinase-negative EGF receptor mutant demonstrates that the integrin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation is due to activation of the receptor's intrinsic kinase activity. Integrin-mediated EGF receptor activation leads to Erk-1/MAP kinase induction, as shown by treatment with the specific inhibitor tyrphostin AG1478 and by expression of a dominant-negative EGF receptor mutant. EGF receptor and Erk-1/MAP kinase activation by integrins does not lead per se to cell proliferation, but is important for entry into S phase in response to EGF or serum. EGF receptor activation is also required for extracellular matrix-mediated cell survival. Adhesion-dependent MAP kinase activation and survival are regulated through EGF receptor activation in cells expressing this molecule above a threshold level (5x10(3) receptors per cell). These results demonstrate that integrin-dependent EGF receptor activation is a novel signaling mechanism involved in cell survival and proliferation in response to extracellular matrix.

3T3 Cells

Comparative analysis of integrins in vitro and in vivo in uveal and cutaneous melanomas.

Changes in integrin expression have been shown to be important for the growth and metastatic capacity of melanoma cells. In this study, we have examined the expression of alphav integrins by three uveal and four cutaneous malanoma lines. No lines expressed alphavbeta6 and only TXM13, a cutaneous line, expressed alphavbeta8. All lines expressed alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta3 (four out of four cutaneous, two out of three uveal) or avpl (OM431, an uveal line). Thus, OM431 is the second uveal melanoma we have described that expresses alphavbeta1 and this, we report again, functions as an alternative vitronectin/fibronectin receptor. Subcutaneous growth of cell lines in athymic mice correlated with an alphavbeta3-positive, alphavbeta1 -negative phenotype. Analysis of clinical material from cutaneous melanoma showed that although alphav expression was increased in 88% of metastases, this could not all be explained by up-regulation of alphavbeta3, with only 2 out of eight skin metastases expressing this heterodimer. Using antibody SZ.21, which as we report here works in archival material, only 1 out of 15 uveal metastases expressed detectable beta3. Thus, acquisition of alphavbeta3 expression, which has been implicated in cutaneous melanoma progression, may not be required for development of metastases from uveal melanoma or indeed for skin, as distinct from lymph node, metastases of cutaneous melanoma.

Animals

Problems with BHK 21 cells.

The properties of baby hamster kidney (BHK 21) cells are modified by passage in suspension culture. The suspended cells differ from monolayer cells in the surface expression of some integrin chains involved in attachment of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), in particular the progressive down-regulation of both alpha5 and alphaV integrin chains. This down-regulation is correlated with the loss of actin stress fibres. FMDV particles from these cells are unstable towards the aziridine used in inactivating the virus for vaccine production. Moreover, growth of virus in suspended cells can lead to the selection of antigenic variants which differ from those produced in monolayer cells.

Animals

Fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver: composition of the extracellular matrix and expression of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion molecules.

We have analyzed the composition of the tumor stroma and the expression of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion molecules in 11 cases of fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver (FLC), in comparison with 34 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 8 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia. Fibrolamellar carcinoma was characterized by the presence of large amounts of tenascin in tumor stroma and by the scarce expression of basement membrane components at the contact of neoplastic clusters. Like normal hepatocytes, neoplastic cells constantly expressed the alpha1 integrin chain, lacked the beta4 integrin chain, and coexpressed E-cadherin and the hepatocyte N-related cadherin. Abnormalities in the expression of cell adhesion molecules, including altered cadherin expression, alphaV integrin chain induction, and CD44 expression, were detected in the majority of cases. The composition of the tumor stroma and the pattern of expression of cell adhesion molecules in fibrolamellar carcinoma were reminiscent of those observed in grade III and grade IV hepatocellular carcinomas. Our results therefore show that, despite its slow local growth and good prognosis, fibrolamellar carcinoma expresses many characteristics usually associated with clinically aggressive malignancies. Further studies are needed to identify the factors responsible for the apparent dissociation between clinical behavior and biological characteristics in this tumor.

Adult

Cloning of the murine beta5 integrin subunit promoter. Identification of a novel sequence mediating granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent repression of beta5 integrin gene transcription.

We previously noted that the initial receptor by which murine osteoclast precursors bind matrix is the integrin alphav beta5 and that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) decreases expression of this heterodimer by suppressing transcription of the beta5 gene. We herein report cloning of the beta5 integrin gene promoter and identification of a GM-CSF-responsive sequence. A 13-kilobase (kb) genomic fragment containing part of the beta5 gene was isolated by screening a mouse genomic library with a probe derived from the most 5'-end of a murine beta5 cDNA. A combination of primer extension and S1 nuclease studies identifies two transcriptional start sites, with the major one designated +1. A 1-kb subclone containing sequence -875 to + 110 is transcriptionally active in a murine myeloid cell line. This 1-kb fragment contains consensus binding sequences for basal (Sp1), lineage-specific (PU.1), and regulatable (signal transducer and activator of transcription) transcription factors. Reflecting our earlier findings, promoter activity is repressed in transfected myeloid cells treated with GM-CSF. Using deletion mutants, we localized a 109-base pair (bp) promoter region responsible for GM-CSF-inhibited beta5 transcription. We further identified a 19-bp sequence within the 109-bp region that binds GM-CSF-induced nuclear proteins by gel shift/competition assays. Mutation of the 19-bp sequence not only ablates its capacity to bind nuclear proteins from GM-CSF-treated cells, in vitro, but the same mutation, when introduced in the 1-kb promoter, abolishes its ability to respond to GM-CSF treatment. Northern analysis demonstrates that cycloheximide treatment abrogates the capacity of GM-CSF to decrease beta5 mRNA levels. In summary, we have identified a 19-bp cis-element mediating GM-CSF-induced down-regulation of beta5 by a mechanism requiring protein synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence

Synthetic integrin-binding peptides promote adhesion and proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells have been shown to express several integrins (alphav, alpha5, beta1, beta3) that use RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic Acid)-dependent mechanisms for the recognition and binding of their ligands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of certain integrin-binding cyclic and linear synthetic RGD-containing peptides on PDL cells' adhesion, proliferation, and de novo protein synthesis in vitro. Fifth passages of normal human PDL cells established from teeth extracted from patients (ages 12 to 14) for orthodontic reasons were used for all experiments. Synthetic peptides containing the EPRGDNYR sequence in two different spatial conformations (linear and cyclic) were covalently attached to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Type I collagen, EPRGDNYR-BSA conjugates, 1:1 mixtures of type I collagen and conjugates, as well as BSA (a negative control) were coated on bacteriological plastic and evaluated for their attachment-promoting activities. In addition, the effects of these substrates on cell proliferation were evaluated by [3H]thymidine incorporation by the PDL cells. For attachment and spreading, the cyclic forms of EPRGDNYR-BSA conjugate and type I collagen were most potent, followed by linear EPRGDNYR-BSA conjugate. The effects of all collagen/conjugate mixtures were equivalent to that of type I collagen except for the collagen/linear EPRGDNYR-BSA mixture, which was less potent. The cyclic EPRGDNYR-BSA conjugate was the most effective substrate to stimulate cell proliferation, and it was followed in potency by the linear peptide-BSA conjugate. Collagen alone did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation above the control level. Mixtures of collagen with all of the conjugates showed stimulatory effects similar to that of the cyclic peptide-BSA conjugate. No significant differences in de novo protein synthesis were detected. These results suggest that the synthetic RGD-containing peptides attached to a carrier are potent ligands for the human PDL cells, and that they could provide a basis for the development of new strategies aimed at the regeneration of the periodontium.

Adolescent

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 is a regulator of cell adhesion.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of peptide growth factors closely related to transforming growth factors-beta. The BMPs are suggested to play an essential role in bone development and they are strong candidate molecules to be used clinically to improve fracture healing. BMPs are also involved in the differentiation of several other tissues during embryogenesis. Here, we show that human recombinant BMP-2 regulates cell-matrix interactions by modifying the expression of integrin-type receptors. The synthesis of alpha3 integrin was down-regulated by BMP-2 in two osteogenic sarcoma-derived cell lines, Saos-2 and HOS, and also in human fetal chondrocytes. BMP-2 had no effect on the expression of alpha1, alpha2, alpha5, alpha6, and alphaV integrins. BMP-2 reduced the expression of alpha3 integrin subunit at mRNA level. Laminin-5 was shown to be the ligand for alpha3beta1 integrin on Saos cells and BMP-2 decreased the ability of Saos cells to attach to it. These results suggest that BMP-2 has a specific effect on the alpha3beta1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion to laminin-5. Given the fact that BMP-2 is expressed in osteosarcomas, in addition to in bone, this mechanism is putatively important especially in bone development and tumors. We also studied the effect of BMP-2 on a human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. In HaCaT cells, the expression of alpha2 integrin was strongly down-regulated by BMP-2, whereas its effect on the expression of alpha3 integrin was smaller. We suggest that the effects of BMP-2 may be partially mediated by specifically altered cell adhesion.

Antigens, CD