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PubMed2005

Basement membrane reconstruction in human skin equivalents is regulated by fibroblasts and/or exogenously activated keratinocytes.

This study was undertaken to examine the role fibroblasts play in the formation of the basement membrane (BM) in human skin equivalents. For this purpose, keratinocytes were seeded on top of fibroblast-free or fibroblast-populated collagen matrix or de-epidermized dermis and cultured in the absence of serum and exogenous growth factors. The expression of various BM components was analyzed on the protein and mRNA level. Irrespective of the presence or absence of fibroblasts, keratin 14, hemidesmosomal proteins plectin, BP230 and BP180, and integrins alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, and alpha6beta4 were expressed but laminin 1 was absent. Only in the presence of fibroblasts or of various growth factors, laminin 5 and laminin 10/11, nidogen, uncein, type IV and type VII collagen were decorating the dermal/epidermal junction. These findings indicate that the attachment of basal keratinocytes to the dermal matrix is most likely mediated by integrins alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1, and not by laminins that bind to integrin alpha6beta4 and that the epithelial-mesenchymal cross-talk plays an important role in synthesis and deposition of various BM components.

Antigens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of integrins in human skin, pig skin, and perfused skin: an in vitro skin toxicology model.

Integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, and alpha6beta4 are expressed in the epidermis, and play an important role in wound healing and/or epidermal-dermal interaction. These integrins may provide a new perspective into the understanding of wound healing and vesication. The isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) has been shown to be an in vitro model for chemical-induced vesication. In order to determine whether the IPPSF could be utilized to study skin diseases mediated by integrins, the expression of integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, and alpha6beta4 was studied in human skin, pig skin, and the IPPSF using immunohistochemical staining. Immunostaining of both alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 was primarily located at the periphery of the basal keratinocytes in human skin. Similarly, alpha2beta1 was expressed in the stratum basale layer of the epidermis in both pig skin and the IPPSF after 8 h of perfusion. These antibodies defined the periphery of the pig basal keratinocytes more diffusely than that of human cells. However, the alpha3 antibody outlined the keratinocytes in all epidermal layers of the IPPSF and in the pig skin. In human skin, pig skin, and the IPPSF, alpha6beta4 stained exclusively at the basal pole of the basal keratinocytes, and showed a continuous linear labeling along the epidermal-dermal junction. The IPPSF showed stronger immunoreactivity with the antibody against beta4. Furthermore, the distribution of alpha6beta4 in 5.0 mg/ml of bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (sulfur mustard, HD)-induced blisters was examined in the IPPSF. The alpha6beta4 staining was exclusively located on the epidermal side (roof) of the blister. In addition, alpha6beta4 staining was not linear but disrupted and patchy. These findings suggest that any destruction of alpha6beta4 may weaken the epidermal-dermal junction, thereby leading to HD-induced vesication. This study demonstrates that the IPPSF expresses similar integrins to those of human skin, and the distribution of alpha6beta4 in the IPPSF blisters caused by HD is comparable to that of some human basement membrane blistering diseases. Therefore, the pig and the IPPSF prove to be ideal models to study the role of integrins in wound healing and blistering diseases occurring at the epidermal-dermal junction.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Pathological adhesion of primary human schwannoma cells is dependent on altered expression of integrins.

Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene coding for merlin cause Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), all spontaneous schwannomas, and a majority of meningiomas. Merlin links transmembrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. Accordingly, primary human schwannoma cells lacking merlin show an increased number of lamellipodia and filopodia as well as increased cell spreading. We show enhanced adhesion in primary human schwannoma cells and present evidence that this is dependent on the integrin chains alpha6beta1 and alpha6beta4. We further demonstrate that the integrin chains beta1 and beta4 are upregulated in schwannomas using different complementary methods, and report higher expression of these integrins per schwannoma cell by fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). Finally we report clustering of the integrin chains alpha6, beta1, and beta4 on schwannoma cells. Our findings fit well into recent data on the role of merlin in signaling cascades connected to integrins and help explain pathological ensheathment of extracellular matrix or pseudomesaxon formation which is a hallmark of schwannoma histopathology.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2002

Keratinocyte apoptosis on type I collagen gel caused by lack of laminin 5/10/11 deposition and Akt signaling.

Cultured human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) adhere to and grow on nonfibrous collagen via integrin alpha2beta1. During incubation, the receptors used for adhesion are changed to integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4 and those receptors bind to laminin 5 which is deposited by keratinocytes themselves. In this report, we examined the behaviors of HFKs and transformed keratinocytes on collagen fibril gels. These cells adhered to and spread on collagen gels using integrin alpha2beta1. After several hours on collagen gels, however, cells became round and apoptosis occurred. The behavior of keratinocytes contrasted to that of fibroblasts that grew well even on collagen gel. At the point of apoptosis, integrins alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 were not found in the contact region of HFKs. Also, deposition of laminin 5 on collagen gel was not found despite the synthesis of mRNA for laminin 5 and laminin 10/11, while soluble laminin 5 protein is readily detectable. Phosporylation of Akt, which is known as a survival signal, was detected in HFKs cultured on coated collagen; however, the protein level and signals of Akt were dramatically decreased on collagen gel after 1 day of culture. These results indicate that collagen gel has different effects than nonfibrous collagen on HFKs and transformed keratinocytes and the interactions of integrin alpha3beta1 and laminin 5/10/11 are indispensable for maintenance of keratinocyte adhesion and survival.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1999

Abnormal deposition of type VII collagen in Kindler syndrome.

Kindler syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder with features of epidermolysis bullosa and poikiloderma congenitale. Approximately 70 cases have been documented in the past 50 years, but only a few investigations of the basement membrane components have been done on these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the components of the basement membrane zone in search of the pathobiological defect(s) responsible for the clinical findings from a female 16-year-old patient diagnosed with Kindler syndrome. This patient also suffered from advanced early-onset periodontal disease. Biopsies were taken from inflamed gingiva and noninflamed oral mucosa as part of periodontal treatment. The basement membrane zone was examined using immunofluorescence microscopy to bullous pemphigoid antigens 1 and 2, collagen types IV and VII, laminins-1 and -5, and integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4. The biopsies studied revealed blistering with trauma above the level of lamina densa based on distribution of type IV collagen and laminin-1 at the blister floor. In the noninflamed mucosa, discontinuous areas of the basement membrane zone were found. Expression of the basement membrane zone components and the integrins studied appeared otherwise normal with the exception of type VII collagen which was found in abnormal locations deep in the connective tissue stroma. Our results suggest that Kindler syndrome is associated with abnormalities in the construction of the basement membrane, especially in the expression of type VII collagen. These alterations are likely to play a role as etiological factors leading to blister formation and early onset periodontal disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Involvement of laminin binding integrins and laminin-5 in branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud during kidney development.

Branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud (UB) [induced by the metanephric mesenchyme (MM)] is necessary for normal kidney development. The role of integrins in this complex developmental process is not well understood. However, the recent advent of in vitro model systems to study branching of UB cells and isolated UB tissue makes possible a more detailed analysis of the integrins involved. We detected integrin subunits alpha3, alpha6, beta1, and beta4 in both the UB and cells derived from the early UB. Blocking the function of each of these integrin subunits individually markedly inhibited branching morphogenesis in cell culture models. However, inhibiting individual integrin function with blocking antibodies in whole kidney and isolated UB culture only partially inhibited UB branching morphogenesis, suggesting that, in these more complex in vitro systems, multiple integrins are involved in the branching program. In whole organ and isolated bud culture, marked retardation of UB branching was observed only when both alpha3 and alpha6 integrin subunits were inhibited. The alpha6 integrin subunit can be expressed as both alpha6beta1 and alpha6beta4, and both of these beta subunits are important for UB branching morphogenesis in both cell and organ culture. Furthermore, laminin-5, a common ligand for integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4, was detected in the developing UB and shown to be required for normal UB branching morphogenesis in whole embryonic kidney organ culture as well as isolated UB culture. Together, these data from UB cell culture, organ culture, and isolated UB culture models indicate that both integrin alpha3 and alpha6 subunits play a direct role in UB branching morphogenesis, as opposed to being modulators of the inductive effects of mesenchyme on UB development. Furthermore the data are consistent with a role for laminin-5, acting through its alpha3beta1 and/or alpha6beta4 integrin receptors, in UB branching during nephrogenesis. These data may help to partially explain the renal phenotype seen in integrin alpha3 and alpha3/alpha6 subunit-deficient animals.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[VLA and alpha6, beta4 integrins. Expression in normal and neoplastic human tissues].

Among the cellular adhesion molecules, the integrin family, more particularly the VLA (Very late antigen) integrins, is currently the subject of numerous investigations in pathology. These integrins are involved in cell-cell contact or cell-matrix adhesions. During neoplastic diseases, cellular expression of integrins changes and a study of the modifications could allow a new etiopathogenic approach carcinogenesis and metastatic phenomena. New prognostic factors may be defined in tumor pathology. We describe the general structure of integrins and the mechanisms of their binding with matricial ligands and with cytoskeleton. The expression of VLA integrins and the alpha6beta4 heterodimer on normal and neoplastic human tissues is then described. Finally, we describe the involvement of these proteins in tumor progression and tissue invasion.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2006

Synthetic D-amino acid peptide inhibits tumor cell motility on laminin-5.

Cell motility is partially dependent on interactions between the integrins and the extracellular matrix. Our previous studies have identified synthetic D-amino acid cell adhesion peptides using a combinatorial screening approach. In this study, we demonstrate that HYD1 (kikmviswkg) completely blocks random haptotactic migration and inhibits invasion of prostate carcinoma cells on laminin-5. This effect is adhesion independent and reversible. The inhibition of migration by HYD1 involves a dramatic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton resulting in increased stress fiber formation and actin colocalization with cortactin at the cell membrane. HYD1 interacts with alpha6beta1 (not alpha6beta4) and alpha3beta1 integrins and surprisingly elevates laminin-5-dependent intracellular signals including focal adhesion kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. HYD1 does not contain a previously characterized binding sequence for integrins. A scrambled derivative of HYD1, called HYDS (wiksmkivkg), does not interact with the alpha6 or alpha3 integrin subunits and is not biologically active. Taken together, these results indicate that HYD1 is a biologically active integrin-targeting peptide that reversibly inhibits tumor cell migration on laminin-5 and uncouples phosphotyrosine signaling from cytoskeletal-dependent migration.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Can alterations in integrin and laminin-5 expression be used as markers of malignancy?

Development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) involves alterations in the adhesive interactions in the epithelium and invasion through the basement membrane. Therefore, changes in the expression of receptors and ligands involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion may be essential for the transformation of a premalignant into a malignant lesion. The aim of this study was to examine if expression of specific cell adhesion molecules can be used as markers of malignant development. By immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression pattern of integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4 and laminin-5 in biopsies from SCCs (n=18), premalignant lesions (leukoplakias, n=21) and non-premalignant tissue with chronic inflammation (n=11). In poorly differentiated SCCs, patchy loss of alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4 and laminin-5 expression was pronounced at the invasion front, whereas there was a tendency to increased expression of alpha2beta1. Analogous to the SCCs, biopsies from the leukoplakias and the non-premalignant inflammatory tissue showed alterations of the expression of alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4 in the basal cell layers and of laminin-5. However, a characteristic finding in biopsies from leukoplakias was loss of alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 in the suprabasal cells. There was no unequivocal expression of the adhesion molecules distinguishing between inflammatory tissue, premalignant, and malignant lesions.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Globular domains 4/5 of the laminin alpha3 chain mediate deposition of precursor laminin 5.

In epidermal wounds, precursor laminin 5 (alpha3beta3gamma2) is deposited in the provisional basement membrane (PBM) before other BM components. Precursor laminin 5 contains G4/5 globular domains at the carboxyl terminus of the alpha3 chain. Here, the function of G4/5 was evaluated in deposition of laminin 5. Soluble laminin 5, secreted by keratinocytes in culture, is cleaved by an endogenous protease releasing G4/5. Thrombin, a serum protease, cleaves G4/5 indistinguishably from endogenous protease. Soluble human precursor laminin 5, but not cleaved laminin 5, was bound and deposited by mouse keratinocytes null for mouse alpha3 chain (alpha3-/- MKs). The deposition rescued adhesion and spreading and survival. In a model for PBM assembly, precursor laminin 5 was deposited along fibronectin fibrils at the junction between co-cultures of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. In both models, the deposition of precursor laminin 5 was inhibited by removal of G4/5 with thrombin. To confirm that G4/5 participates in deposition, the human LAMA3A gene was modified to produce alpha3 chains either without or with G4/5 that cannot be cleaved. Both precleaved and noncleavable alpha3 isoforms were expressed in alpha3-/- MKs, where they deposited sufficiently to rescue adhesion via integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4. Despite this similarity, noncleavable laminin 5 was at least threefold more efficiently deposited than precleaved isoform. We conclude that the G4/5 domain in the alpha3 chain facilitates deposition of precursor laminin 5 into the PBM in epidermal wounds.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Integrin beta4 signaling promotes tumor angiogenesis.

Mice carrying a targeted deletion of the signaling portion of the integrin beta4 subunit display drastically reduced angiogenesis in response to bFGF in the Matrigel plug assay and to hypoxia in the retinal neovascularization model. Molecular cytology indicates that alpha6beta4 signaling promotes branching of beta4+ medium- and small-size vessels into beta4- microvessels without exerting a direct effect on endothelial cell proliferation or survival. Signaling studies reveal that alpha6beta4 signaling induces endothelial cell migration and invasion by promoting nuclear translocation of P-ERK and NF-kappaB. Upon subcutaneous implantation of various cancer cells, the mutant mice develop smaller and significantly less vascularized tumors than wild-type controls. These results provide genetic evidence that alpha6beta4 signaling promotes the onset of the invasive phase of pathological angiogenesis and hence identify a novel target for antiangiogenic therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Differential regulation of cellular adhesion and migration by recombinant laminin-5 forms with partial deletion or mutation within the G3 domain of alpha3 chain.

The basement membrane protein laminin-5 promotes cell adhesion and migration. The carboxyl-terminal G3 domain in the alpha3 chain is essential for the unique activity of laminin-5. To investigate the function of the G3 domain, we prepared various recombinant laminin-5 forms with a partially deleted or mutated G3 domain. The deletion of the carboxyl-terminal 28 amino acids (region III) markedly decreased the cell adhesion activity with a slight loss of the cell motility activity toward BRL and EJ-1 cells. This change was attributed to the loss of Lys-Arg-Asp sequence. Further deletion of 83 amino acids (region II) led to almost complete loss of the cell motility activity. All charged amino acid residues tested in this region were not responsible for the activity loss. These results suggest that the G3 domain contains two distinct regions that differently regulate cell adhesion and migration. Analysis of laminin-5 receptors showed that integrins alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1, and alpha6beta4 had different but synergistic effects on cell adhesion and migration on laminin-5. However, the structural change of the G3 domain appeared not to change integrin specificity. The present study demonstrates that the G3 domain in laminin-5 plays a central role to produce different biological effects on cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

A minimal region on the integrin beta4 subunit that is critical to its localization in hemidesmosomes regulates the distribution of HD1/plectin in COS-7 cells.

The integrin alpha6 beta4 is a major component of hemidesmosomes, in which it mediates firm adhesion to laminin 5. Previous studies have shown that the incorporation of alpha6 beta4 into hemidesmosomes requires a 303 amino acid stretch of the cytoplasmic domain of beta4, comprising part of the first fibronectin type III (FNIII) repeat, the second FNIII repeat and the segment that connects the second to the third FNIII repeat (connecting segment). Now, we have further defined sequences within beta4 that are critical for its localization in hemidesmosomes and we demonstrate that these sequences also induce the redistribution of HD1/plectin into junctional complexes containing the integrin alpha6 beta4 in COS-7 cells, transfected with cDNAs encoding alpha6A and beta4. Truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of beta4 after amino acids 1,382 or 1,355 in the connecting segment, by which a potential tyrosine activation motif (TAM) is removed, does not prevent the localization of alpha6 beta4 in hemidesmosomes in the rat bladder carcinoma cell line 804G and neither did it eliminate the ability of alpha6 beta4 to change the subcellular distribution of HD1/plectin in COS-7 cells. In contrast, beta4 subunits in which the entire connecting segment had been deleted or which were truncated after amino acid 1,328, which removes almost the complete segment, had lost both of these functions. Furthermore, when beta4 subunits with either a deletion of the second FNIII repeat or a small deletion in this repeat were co-expressed with alpha6, the integrins were not localized in hemidesmosomes and did not induce the redistribution of HD1/plectin in COS-7 cells. Finally, the fourth FNIII repeat of beta4 could not replace the second in either of these activities. These findings establish that a region in beta4, which encompasses the second FNIII repeat and a stretch of 27 amino acids (1,329-1,355) of the connecting segment, is critical for the localization of alpha6beta4 in hemidesmosomes and that it regulates the distribution of HD1/plectin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Integrin ligation and PKC activation are required for migration of colon carcinoma cells.

The activation of protein kinases C (PKCs) is an essential step in integrin-dependent cell adhesion and spreading. In this report we examined the effect of the phorbol ester PMA, a PKC activator, on adhesion, spreading and migration of a colon carcinoma cell line, HT29-D4. Treatment with PMA increased the rate of cell spreading and induced the migration of these cells towards purified matrix proteins in haptotaxis assays on Boyden chambers. PMA-induced effects were the result of PKCs activation, as shown by using the inactive isomer 4alpha-PMA and PKCs inhibitors. The involvement of integrins in the phorbol ester-induced cell migration was demonstrated both by the absence of migration of cells plated on membranes coated with poly-L-lysine and by the use of function blocking antibodies. Thus, interactions between alpha 2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4, alpha vbeta5, alphavbeta6 integrins and their specific ligands are necessary for the PKC-mediated migration. However, adhesion, immunoprecipitation and immunocytofluorometry experiments clearly showed that HT29-D4 cell haptotaxis induced by PKC activation is not a consequence of quantitative or qualitative changes in the cell surface integrins. We also demonstrated that PKCs were able to activate the MAP kinase pathway and that the impediment of MAP kinase activation resulted in the loss of cell migration. Moreover, stimulation of the insulin-like growth factor I signalling pathway led to MAP kinase activation and to the induction of cell migration. In addition, the growth factor-induced motility of HT29-D4 cells was affected both by PKC and MAP kinase cascade inhibitors. It thus appears that both integrin ligation and MAP kinase activation by PKCs are required to promote the migration of HT29-D4 cells.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed1998

Cell cycle and adhesion defects in mice carrying a targeted deletion of the integrin beta4 cytoplasmic domain.

The cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta4 subunit mediates both association with the hemidesmosomal cytoskeleton and recruitment of the signaling adaptor protein Shc. To examine the significance of these interactions during development, we have generated mice carrying a targeted deletion of the beta4 cytoplasmic domain. Analysis of homozygous mutant mice indicates that the tail-less alpha6beta4 binds efficiently to laminin 5, but is unable to integrate with the cytoskeleton. Accordingly, these mice display extensive epidermal detachment at birth and die immmediately thereafter from a syndrome resembling the human disease junctional epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (PA-JEB). In addition, we find a significant proliferative defect. Specifically, the number of precursor cells in the intestinal epithelium, which remains adherent to the basement membrane, and in intact areas of the skin is reduced, and post-mitotic enterocytes display increased levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip). These findings indicate that the interactions mediated by the beta4 tail are crucial for stable adhesion of stratified epithelia to the basement membrane and for proper cell-cycle control in the proliferative compartments of both stratified and simple epithelia.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vascular integrins in tumor angiogenesis: mediators and therapeutic targets.

The notion that tumor angiogenesis may have therapeutic implications in the control of tumor growth was introduced by Dr. Judah Folkman in 1971. The approval of Avastin in 2004 as the first antiangiogenic systemic drug to treat cancer patients came as a validation of this visionary concept and opened new perspectives to the treatment of cancer. In addition, this success boosted the field to the quest for new therapeutic targets and antiangiogenic drugs. Preclinical and clinical evidence indicate that vascular integrins may be valid therapeutic targets. In preclinical studies, pharmacological inhibition of integrin function efficiently suppressed angiogenesis and inhibited tumor progression. alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5 were the first vascular integrins targeted to suppress tumor angiogenesis. Subsequent experiments revealed that at least four additional integrins (i.e., alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, and alpha6beta4) might be potential therapeutic targets. In clinical studies low-molecular-weight integrin inhibitors and anti-integrin function-blocking antibodies demonstrated low toxicity and good tolerability and are now being tested in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for anticancer activity in patients. In this article the authors review the role of integrins in angiogenesis, present recent development in the use of alphaVbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrin antagonists as potential therapeutics in cancer, and discuss future perspectives.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Anti-angiogenic cancer therapy based on integrin alphavbeta3 antagonism.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is a fundamental process during cancer progression. Anti-angiogenic strategies have been pursued for cancer treatment and prevention of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Integrins are a family of cell adhesion molecules consisting of two non-covalently bound transmembrane subunits (alpha and beta). Much research has demonstrated that integrin signaling plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Integrin alphavbeta3 is highly expressed on activated endothelial cells and tumor cells but is not present in resting endothelial cells and most normal organ systems, which makes it a suitable target for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. In this review we will focus on cancer therapy targeting integrin alphavbeta3 while other integrins (such as alpha5beta1, alphaIIbbeta3, alphavbeta5, alpha6beta4) will only be briefly mentioned when relevant. MEDI-522 (a humanized anti-human integrin alphavbeta3 monoclonal antibody) and Cilengitide (cyclic peptidic integrin alphavbeta3/alphavbeta5 antagonist) are currently in clinical trials for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) that specifically silences integrin alphav and/or beta3 was reported to cause tumor shrinkage in preclinical xenograft models. Combination of anti-integrin alphavbeta3 therapy and other therapeutic approaches (such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and gene therapy) has also been applied for cancer treatment. Mounting evidence suggests that there is potentially synergistic effect of combined therapeutic approaches over single modality alone. Lastly, integrin targeted delivery (drugs, genes, and radioisotopes) and imaging (optical, MRI, ultrasound, SPECT, and PET) is discussed in detail.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2000

Conditional ablation of beta1 integrin in skin. Severe defects in epidermal proliferation, basement membrane formation, and hair follicle invagination.

The major epidermal integrins are alpha3beta1 and hemidesmosome-specific alpha6beta4; both share laminin 5 as ligand. Keratinocyte culture studies implicate both integrins in adhesion, proliferation, and stem cell maintenance and suggest unique roles for alphabeta1 integrins in migration and terminal differentiation. In mice, however, whereas ablation of alpha6 or beta4 results in loss of hemidesmosomes, epidermal polarity, and basement membrane (BM) attachment, ablation of alpha3 only generates microblistering due to localized internal shearing of BM. Using conditional knockout technology to ablate beta1 in skin epithelium, we have uncovered biological roles for alphabeta1 integrins not predicted from either the alpha3 knockout or from in vitro studies. In contrast to alpha3 null mice, beta1 mutant mice exhibit severe skin blistering and hair defects, accompanied by massive failure of BM assembly/organization, hemidesmosome instability, and a failure of hair follicle keratinocytes to remodel BM and invaginate into the dermis. Although epidermal proliferation is impaired, a spatial and temporal program of terminal differentiation is executed. These results indicate that beta1's minor partners in skin are important, and together, alphabeta1 integrins are required not only for extracellular matrix assembly but also for BM formation. This, in turn, is required for hemidesmosome stability, epidermal proliferation, and hair follicle morphogenesis. However, beta1 downregulation does not provide the trigger to terminally differentiate.

Animals↗