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Participation of syndecan 2 in the induction of stress fiber formation in cooperation with integrin alpha5beta1: structural characteristics of heparan sulfate chains with avidity to COOH-terminal heparin-binding domain of fibronectin.

The present study provides direct evidence that syndecan 2 participates selectively in the induction of stress fiber formation in cooperation with integrin alpha5beta1 through specific binding of its heparan sulfate side chains to the fibronectin substrate. Our previous study with Lewis lung carcinoma-derived P29 cells demonstrated that the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which binds to fibronectin, is syndecan 2 (N. Itano et al., 1996, Biochem. J. 315, 925-930). We here report that in vitro treatment of the cells by antisense oligonucleotide for syndecan 2 resulted in a failure to form stress fibers on fibronectin substrate in association with specific suppression of its cell surface expression. Instead, localization of actin filaments in the cytoplasmic cortex occurred. A similar response of the cells was observed when the cells were treated to eliminate functions of cell surface heparan sulfates, including exogenous addition of heparin and pretreatment with anti-heparan sulfate antibody, F58-10E4, and with proteinase-free heparitinase I. Size- and structure-defined oligosaccharides prepared from heparin and chemically modified heparins were utilized as competitive inhibitors to examine the structural characteristics of the cell surface heparan sulfates involved in organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Their affinity chromatography on a column linked with a recombinant H-271 peptide containing a C-terminal heparin-binding domain of fibronectin demonstrated that 2-O-sulfated iduronates were essential for the binding. Inhibition studies revealed that a heparin-derived dodecasaccharide sample enriched with an IdoA(2OS)-GlcNS(6OS) disaccharide completely blocked binding of the syndecan 2 ectodomain to immobilized H-271 peptide. Finally, the dodecasaccharide sample was shown to inhibit stress fiber formation, triggered by adhesion of P29 cells to a CH-271 polypeptide consisting of both the RGD cell-binding and the C-terminal heparin-binding domains of fibronectin in a fused form. All these results consistently suggest that syndecan 2 proteoglycan interacts with the C-terminal heparin-binding domain of fibronectin at the highly sulfated cluster(s), such as [IdoA(2OS)-GlcNS(6OS)](6) present in its heparan sulfate chains, to result in the induction of stress fiber formation in cooperation with integrin alpha5beta1.

Actins↗

Altered electrophysiological responses to mechanical stimulation and abnormal signalling through alpha5beta1 integrin in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether chondrocytes from normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage recognize and respond to pressure induced mechanical strain in a similar manner. DESIGN: Chondrocytes, extracted from macroscopically normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage obtained from knee joints at autopsy, were grown in monolayer culture and subjected to cyclical pressure-induced strain (PIS) in the absence or presence of anti-integrin antibodies, agents known to block ion channels and inhibitors of key molecules involved in the integrin-associated signalling pathways. The response of the cells to mechanical stimulation was assessed by measuring changes in membrane potential. RESULTS: Unlike chondrocytes from normal articular cartilage, which showed a membrane hyperpolarization response to PIS, chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage responded by membrane depolarization. The mechanotransduction pathway involves alpha5beta1 integrins, stretch-activated ion channels, tyrosine kinases and phospholipase C but the actin cytoskeleton and protein kinase C, which are important in the membrane hyperpolarization response in normal chondrocytes, are not necessary for membrane depolarization in osteoarthritic chondrocytes in response to PIS. CONCLUSION: Chondrocytes derived from osteoarthritic cartilage show a different signalling pathway via alpha5beta1 integrin in response to mechanical stimulation which may be of importance in the production of phenotypic changes recognized to be present in diseased cartilage.

Aged↗

Structural analysis of the sixth immunoglobulin-like domain of mouse neural cell adhesion molecule L1 and its interactions with alpha(v)beta3, alpha(IIb)beta3, and alpha5beta1 integrins.

Previous experiments suggested that the human cell adhesion molecule L1 interacts with different integrins via its sixth immunoglobulin-like domain in an RGD-dependent manner. Here we have described the expression of this domain from early postnatal mouse brain, analyzed the structure of the recombinant protein by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, and performed solid-phase binding studies to alpha(v)beta3, alpha(IIb)beta3, and alpha5beta1 integrins. The domain was found to have the expected beta-sheet organization, which was lost in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The midpoint of the single-step transition occurred at 1.5 M guanidine hydrochloride. The sixth immunoglobulin-like domain of mouse brain L1 contains two RGD motifs and was found to bind in a concentration-dependent and saturable way to alpha(v)beta3, alpha(IIb)beta3, and alpha5beta1 integrins, suggesting specific interactions with these ligands. However, only the interaction to alpha(v)beta3 could be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by an RGD-containing peptide, and the IC50 was determined to be approximately 20 nM. Mutants of the domain, which lack either one or both of the RGD sites, demonstrated that the RGD site comprising residues 562-564 is involved in the interaction to alpha(v)beta3. Our findings indicate an RGD-independent mechanism for the interactions to alpha(IIb)beta3 and alpha5beta1, as no involvement of any RGD motif could be demonstrated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

alpha5beta1 integrin protects intestinal epithelial cells from apoptosis through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B-dependent pathway.

Renewal of the gastrointestinal epithelium involves a coordinated process of terminal differentiation and programmed cell death. Integrins have been implicated in the control of apoptotic processes in various cell types. Here we examine the role of integrins in the regulation of apoptosis in gastrointestinal epithelial cells with the use of a rat small intestinal epithelial cell line (RIE1) as a model. Overexpression of the integrin alpha5 subunit in RIE1 cells conferred protection against several proapoptotic stimuli. In contrast, overexpression of the integrin alpha2 subunit had no effect on cell survival. The antiapoptotic effect of the alpha5 subunit was partially retained by a mutated version that had a truncation of the cytoplasmic domain. The antiapoptotic effects of the full-length or truncated alpha5 subunit were reversed upon treatment with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3-kinase), suggesting that the alpha5beta1 integrin might interact with the PI-3-kinase/Akt survival pathway. When cells overexpressing alpha5 were allowed to adhere to fibronectin, there was a moderate activation of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, whereas no such effect was seen in alpha2-overexpressing cells adhering to collagen. Furthermore, in cells overexpressing alpha5 and adhering to fibronectin, there was a dramatic enhancement of the ability of growth factors to stimulate PKB/Akt; again, this was not seen in cells overexpressing alpha2 subunit and adhering to collagen or fibronectin. Expression of a dominant negative version of PKB/Akt in RIE cells blocked to ability of alpha5 to enhance cell survival. Thus, the alpha5beta1 integrin seems to protect intestinal epithelial cells against proapoptotic stimuli by selectively enhancing the activity of the PI-3-kinase/Akt survival pathway.

Animals↗

Invasion of human respiratory epithelial cells by Bordetella pertussis: possible role for a filamentous hemagglutinin Arg-Gly-Asp sequence and alpha5beta1 integrin.

Bordetella pertussis, the agent of whooping cough, is capable of invading human respiratory epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which B. pertussis invades the human lung epithelial cell line A549 and normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. In vitro adhesion and invasion assays using both cell types with a virulent B. pertussis strain and its isogenic mutants revealed profound defects in a mutant deficient in filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) expression. In addition, a mutant in which an FHA Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) site had been changed to Arg-Ala-Asp had significantly diminished invasiveness, although its adhesiveness was comparable to that of the parental strain. Furthermore, a synthetic RGD-containing hexapeptide inhibited invasion of both cell types by the virulent strain. These results demonstrate that an RGD sequence of FHA is involved in B. pertussis invasion of epithelial cells in vitro. Monoclonal antibodies directed against human alpha5beta1 integrin, but not other integrins, blocked invasion, indicating that this integrin is involved in B. pertussis invasion. Taken together, these findings suggest that B. pertussis FHA may promote invasion of human respiratory epithelial cells through the interaction of its RGD sequence with host cell alpha5beta1 integrin.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Fibronectin-binding protein acts as Staphylococcus aureus invasin via fibronectin bridging to integrin alpha5beta1.

The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to invade mammalian cells may explain its capacity to colonize mucosa and to persist in tissues after bacteraemia. To date, the underlying molecular mechanisms of cellular invasion by S. aureus are unknown, despite its high prevalence and difficulties in treatment. Here, we show cellular invasion as a novel function for an S. aureus adhesin, previously implicated solely in attachment. S. aureus, but not S. epidermidis, invaded epithelial 293 cells in a temperature- and F-actin-dependent manner. Formaldehyde-fixed and live bacteria were equally invasive, suggesting that no active bacterial process was involved. All clinical S. aureus isolates analysed, but only a subset of laboratory strains, were invasive. Fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) acted as S. aureus invasins, because: (i) FnBP deletion mutants of invasive laboratory strains lost invasiveness; (ii) expression of FnBPs in noninvasive strains conferred invasiveness; and (iii) the soluble isolated fibronectin-binding domain of FnBP (D1-D4) completely blocked invasion. Integrin alpha5beta1 served as host cell receptor, which interacted with staphylococcal FnBPs through cellular or soluble fibronectin. FnBP-deficient mutants lost invasiveness for epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Thus, fibronectin-dependent bridging between S. aureus FnBPs and host cell integrin alpha5beta1 is a conserved mechanism for S. aureus invasion of human cells. This may prove useful in developing new therapeutic and vaccine strategies for S. aureus infections.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Integrin alpha5beta1 supports the migration of Xenopus cranial neural crest on fibronectin.

During early embryonic development, cranial neural crest cells emerge from the developing mid- and hindbrain. While numerous studies have focused on integrin involvement in trunk neural crest cell migration, comparatively little is known about mechanisms of cranial neural crest cell migration. We show that fibronectin, but not laminin, vitronectin, or type I collagen can support cranial neural crest cell migration and segmentation in vitro. These behaviors require both the RGD and "synergy" sites located within the central cell-binding domain of fibronectin. While these two sites are sufficient for cranial neural crest cell migration, we find that the second Heparin-binding domain of fibronectin can provide additional support for cranial neural crest cell migration in vitro. Finally, using a function blocking monoclonal antibody, we show that cranial neural crest cell migration on fibronectin requires the integrin alpha5beta1.

Animals↗

RGDN peptide interaction with endothelial alpha5beta1 integrin causes sustained endothelin-dependent vasoconstriction of rat skeletal muscle arterioles.

The ability of an integrin-binding Arg-Gly-Asp-Asn (RGDN)- containing peptide to influence vascular tone by interacting with the alpha5beta1 integrin was studied using rat skeletal muscle arterioles. After blockade of beta3 integrin function, isolated arterioles with spontaneous tone showed concentration-dependent vasoconstrictions to topical application of GRGDNP, a peptide that shows a greater ability to interact with alpha5beta1 than with alphavbeta3. The constriction to GRGDNP (2.1 mM) was inhibited by blocking alpha5 integrin function, and was intensified by blocking beta3 integrin function. In contrast, GRGDSP, a peptide that interacts better with alphavbeta3, was unable to induce sustained constrictions. Removal of the endothelium abolished the vasoconstriction in response to GRGDNP, suggesting that the response was due to release of an endothelium-dependent factor. Indeed, blockade of ETA endothelin receptors with BQ-610 (1 microM), similar to removal of the endothelium and alpha5 integrin blockade, inhibited the vasoconstriction. These data indicate that interaction of RGD peptides, and in particular the RGDN sequence with endothelial cell alpha5beta1, causes endothelin-mediated arteriolar vasoconstriction. These results indicate that integrins are novel signaling receptors within the vascular wall that affect vasomotor tone, and may play an important role in vascular control.

Animals↗

CD34+ marrow progenitors from MDS patients with high levels of intramedullary apoptosis have reduced expression of alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins.

Excessive intramedullary apoptosis is central in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Growth-inhibiting cytokines, the Fas/FasLigand pathway, and autoreactive cytotoxic T-lymphocytes have been identified to be important proapoptotic factors in MDS. In normal hematopoiesis, alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrin-mediated interactions between progenitors and fibronectin are critical for progenitor cell survival. In this study, we have used flow cytometry to quantify the expression levels of members of the beta1 integrin family on CD34(+) marrow progenitors in 27 untreated patients with MDS, three with s-AML, and 25 control subjects. In MDS, we observed that nonapoptotic progenitors significantly downregulate cell surface expression levels of alpha4 and beta1 integrin chains compared with healthy controls. Downregulation of alpha4, beta1, and also alpha5 was present in MDS patients with > or =25% apoptotic progenitors, irrespective of their French, American, British subcategory. Reduced cell surface expression levels of alpha4, alpha5, and beta1 did also correlate with decreased in vitro adhesiveness to fibronectin fragments. Therefore, our observations suggest that downregulation of alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins on CD34(+) progenitors could be a newly identified proapoptotic mechanism in MDS.

Aged↗

Integrin alpha5beta1 promotes survival of growth-arrested breast cancer cells: an in vitro paradigm for breast cancer dormancy in bone marrow.

The mechanisms of long-term survival of occult breast cancer cells in the bone marrow microenvironment are not known. Using selected bone marrow stromal components with demonstrated roles in promoting growth arrest and survival of breast cancer cells, we reconstituted an in vitro model for dormancy of breast cancer cells in bone marrow. According to this model, basic fibroblast growth factor, a mammary differentiation factor abundant in the bone marrow stroma, induces growth arrest of relatively well-differentiated breast cancer cells, induces a spread appearance, and restricts their survival to fibronectin by up-regulating integrin alpha5beta1. Most of the basic fibroblast growth factor-arrested cells fail to establish optimal ligation to fibronectin and undergo cell death. Cells that do attach to fibronectin, another major constituent of the bone marrow microenvironment, stay alive and growth-arrested for many weeks. Although capable of adhering to other stromal proteins collagen and laminin, dormant cells do not gain a survival advantage from these interactions. Using function-blocking peptides, we show a specific contribution of alpha5beta1-fibronectin interaction in maintaining survival of growth-arrested cells, potentially by negatively modulating apoptotic response via signaling pathways. Blocking of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and Akt inhibits survival of dormant clones, demonstrating this as one of those pathways. Experiments with human bone marrow stroma cocultures confirm the role of fibronectin ligation in maintaining survival of dormant clones.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Immunofluorescent microscopic investigation of the distal arrector pili: a demonstration of the spatial relationship between alpha5beta1 integrin and fibronectin.

Currently there is limited knowledge regarding the anatomy of the distal arrector pili (AP) muscle. A previous study implicated fibronectin and alpha5beta1 integrin binding as the anchor between the AP and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The purpose of this study was to strengthen this hypothesis. Serial frozen sections of human scalp skin were double-labeled via immunofluorescent staining for alpha5beta1 with fluorescein and fibronectin with rhodamine, followed by fluorescent microscopy. Granular staining for alpha5beta1 with fluorescein and smooth staining for fibronectin with rhodamine were seen at the periphery of the AP muscle bundles and along the distal fibers. Precise co-localization of alpha5beta1 and fibronectin was observed at the AP-ECM interface by means of a dual filter. Analysis of variance was used on the relative density of staining for each epitope. Staining for both epitopes was significantly brighter at the distal fibers than at the middle or proximal portions of the muscle. A computerized three-dimensional reconstruction provides a detailed picture of the microanatomy of the distal AP, which allows mathematical evaluation of the forces of contraction. The anatomic co-localization between alpha5beta1 and fibronectin strengthens our hypothesis that interaction of these epitopes mediates the attachment of the distal AP to the ECM.

Fibronectins↗

The alpha5beta1 integrin selectively enhances epidermal growth factor signaling to the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway in intestinal epithelial cells.

We have investigated EGF-driven signaling processes in rat intestinal epithelial cell lines that overexpress either the alpha5beta1 integrin or the alpha2beta1 integrin. Both cell types display efficient activation of Erk/MAP kinase, but only the alpha5beta1 expressing cells display a strong activation of Akt. A complex is formed between activated EGFR and alpha5beta1, but not with alpha2beta1; this complex also contains ErbB3 and p85. Thus alpha5beta1 can support efficient activation of both the Erk and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt branches of the EGFR signaling cascade, whereas alpha2beta1 can support only the Erk branch.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Functional role of alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrin fibronectin receptors expressed on adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cells.

Cytofluorimetric and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that adriamycin-resistant (ADRR), but not sensitive (WT), MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cell lines express alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins. ADR(R) cells adhere to fibronectin (FN), and only alpha5beta1 is involved in cell adhesion to this glycoprotein, while alpha4beta1 mediates cell binding to the cellular counter-receptor VCAM-1. Proliferation assays showed that FN, but not VCAM-1, delivers a mitogenic signal to quiescent ADR(R) MCF-7 cells. The activating signal is mediated by alpha5beta1, since cell proliferation is inhibited in the presence of RGD peptide or specific antibody. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that cell/FN interaction induces the re-entry of ADR(R) MCF-7 into S phase, and prevents them from undergoing serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Our data suggest that the presence of alpha5beta1 on the resistant cells enables them to draw advantage from FN for both cell growth and survival.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Engineering cell adhesive surfaces that direct integrin alpha5beta1 binding using a recombinant fragment of fibronectin.

Integrin receptors mediate cell adhesion to extracellular matrices and trigger signals that direct cell function. While many integrins bind to the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif present in numerous extracellular proteins, integrin alpha(5)beta(1) requires both the PHSRN synergy site in the 9th and the RGD site in the 10th type III repeat of fibronectin (FN). Binding of alpha(5)beta(1) to FN is critical to many cellular processes, including osteoblast and myoblast differentiation. This work focused on engineering integrin-specific bioadhesive surfaces by immobilizing a recombinant FN fragment (FNIII(7-10)) encompassing the alpha(5)beta(1) binding domains of FN. Model hybrid surfaces were engineered by immobilizing FNIII(7-10) onto passively adsorbed, non-adhesive albumin. Homo- and hetero-bifunctional crosslinkers of varying spacer-arm length targeting either the cysteine or lysine groups on FNIII(7-10) were investigated in ELISA and cell adhesion assays to optimize immobilization densities and activity. FN-mimetic surfaces presenting controlled densities of FNIII(7-10) were generated by varying the concentration of FNIII(7-10) in the coupling solution at a constant crosslinker concentration. Cells adhered to these functionalized surfaces via integrin alpha(5)beta(1) and blocking with integrin-specific antibodies completely eliminated adhesion. In addition, adherent cells spread and assembled focal adhesions containing alpha(5)beta(1), vinculin, and talin. This biomolecular engineering strategy represents a robust approach to increase biofunctional activity and integrin specificity of biomimetic materials.

3T3 Cells↗

The RGD motif and the C-terminal segment of proprotein convertase 1 are critical for its cellular trafficking but not for its intracellular binding to integrin alpha5beta1.

Cellular trafficking of subtilisin/kexin-like precursor convertases (PCs) may be regulated by a number of motifs, some of which are present within the P-domain and in the C-terminal sequence. Six of the seven known PCs contain a conserved RGD sequence within the P domain. In order to investigate the functional importance of this motif, we generated mutants of PC1 that contain a Myc tag epitope inserted between the prosegment and the catalytic subunit. Cellular expression of vaccinia virus recombinants revealed that this tag did not seem to influence the autocatalytic conversion of proPC1 into PC1 or its bioactivity. The two PC1 variants produced possess either the wild type RGD sequence or its RGE mutant. Stable transfectants of these variants in AtT20 cells revealed that similar to the wild type enzyme, PC1-RGD-Myc is sorted to secretory granules. In contrast, PC1-RGE-Myc exits the cell via the constitutive secretory pathway. In vitro, a 14-mer peptide spanning the RGD sequence of PC1, but not its RGE mutant, binds to cell surface vitronectin-binding integrins of Chinese hamster ovary cells. However, within the endoplasmic reticulum and in an RGD-independent fashion, integrin alpha5beta1 associates primarily with the zymogens proPC1, proPC1-DeltaC (missing the C-terminal 137 residues), as well as proPC2. Thus, the observed discrimination between the secretion routes of PC1-RGD and PC1-RGE does not implicate integrins such as alpha5beta1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumorigenicity of the mixed spindle-epithelioid SP6.5 and epithelioid TP17 uveal melanoma cell lines is differentially related to alpha5beta1 integrin expression.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the epithelioid morphology and high aggressiveness that is typical of the uveal melanoma cell line TP17 is dependent on the loss of alpha5beta1 integrin expression at the cell surface. The purpose of the current study was to test this hypothesis in the TP17 cell line and investigate the role this integrin may play in the tumorigenicity of the SP6.5 cells, a mixed spindle-epithelioid culture-type human uveal melanoma that shows tumorigenic properties clearly distinct from that of TP17 cells. METHODS: Expression of the alpha5 integrin subunit was restored in the alpha5-TP17 cell line by stably transfecting the cells with a recombinant plasmid encoding the integrin subunit. Flow cytometry and adhesion assays on fibronectin (FN)-coated culture plates were used to monitor alpha5 expression in the cells. The effect of alpha5 expression on both tumorigenicity and cell proliferation was evaluated in vivo in nude mice. In vitro growth properties of the alpha5(+) TP17 cells was evaluated by cell counting and compared with that of the alpha5 parental TP17 cell line. The influence exerted by the alpha5 integrin subunit on the tumorigenic and proliferative properties of the SP6.5 cells was evaluated in vivo in nude mice by exposing the cells to increasing doses of a blocking antibody directed against the alpha5-subunit before subcutaneous injection, and compared with the results obtained with untreated SP6.5 cells. RESULTS: Expression of the alpha5 integrin subunit in the alpha5-TP17 cells was successfully achieved, as evidenced by both flow cytometry and adhesion assays on FN-coated culture plates. Restoring expression of alpha5 in TP17 cells enhanced epithelioid cell morphology and increased the growth properties of this cell line in vivo. The ability of the SP6.5 cells to yield subcutaneous tumors was found to be concentration dependent and was reduced in a dose-dependent manner when the cells were exposed to the anti-alpha5 blocking antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Restoring expression of alpha5 in the alpha5-negative TP17 uveal melanoma cell line influenced the proliferative properties of these cells but did not alter its tumorigenic potential. In contrast, the ability of the SP6.5 cells to yield tumors in vivo in nude mice appeared to be related to expression of this integrin.

Animals↗

Studies on the mechanism of the selenite-induced decrease in cell attachment: effect of selenite on the levels of fibronectin receptor (alpha5beta1 integrin) mRNAs.

We previously reported that exposure of HeLa cells to selenite for 2 h results in a decrease in their ability to attach to fibronectin (Yan and Frenkel, Cancer Res. 52, 5803-5807 [1992]), as well as a decrease in the level of fibronectin receptor (alpha5beta1 integrin) at the cell surface (Yan and Frenkel, Biol. Trace Element Res. 46, 79-89 [1994]). We have now found that after exposure to selenite, there was a decrease in the total cellular content of the receptor protein, as well as in the level of the mRNAs for both of the subunits. Exposure of cells to actinomycin D (an inhibitor of RNA synthesis) also resulted in a decrease in the level of these mRNAs, suggesting that the effect of selenite is the result of its known inhibitory effect on RNA synthesis (Frenkel, Toxicol. Lett. 25, 219-223 [1985]). Exposure of cells to actinomycin D for 2 h also resulted in a decrease in the ability of cells to attach to fibronectin. Furthermore, both selenite and actinomycin D caused a decrease in integrin mRNA levels and in cell attachment to fibronectin only when high-density cells were exposed to the agents. In contrast, when low-density cells were exposed,neither agent had any detectable effect on mRNA levels or on cell attachment. These results have suggested the following scheme for the mechanism of the inhibition of cell attachment by selenite: After exposure to selenite for 2 h, there is a significant inhibition of cellular RNA synthesis, which results in a general decrease in the cellular level of those mRNAs with relatively short half-lives, including in particular those of the fibronectin receptor. This leads to a decrease in the intracellular level of the receptor protein and, consequently, in its level at the cell surface, which in turn causes a decrease in the rate of cell attachment to fibronectin.

Blotting, Northern↗

Extracellular matrix proteins and chemoradiotherapy: alpha5beta1 integrin as a predictive marker in rectal cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression on the rates of apoptosis and proliferation in rectal cancers and subsequent response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: The expression of fibronectin, collagen IV, laminin and the fibronectin receptor (FnR, alpha5beta1 integrin) were analysed in 32 pre-treatment rectal cancer biopsies by immunohistochemistry. ECM expression was correlated with tumour mitotic index (MI), apoptotic index (AI) and histopathological response to CRT. RESULTS: 18/32 cancers showed a poor response and 14/32 a good response (5/14 with complete pathological response) to CRT. Moderate to strong staining was seen in 22/32 cancers for fibronectin, 5/32 for collagen IV and 18/32 for laminin. Tumour FnR was related to stromal fibronectin content, and was significantly associated with CRT response; good responders having higher FnR expression compared to poor responders. No association was found between FnR expression and either MI or AI in pre-treatment biopsies, nor between MI or AI and CRT response. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour FnR expression is independent of MI and AI, and may serve as a useful marker for CRT response in rectal cancer.

Apoptosis↗