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Specific integrin subunits in bovine oocytes, including novel sequences for alpha 6 and beta 3 subunits.

Integrins facilitate attachment of cells to the extra-cellular matrix, often binding the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid tri-peptide motif, thus facilitating cell migration, mediating cell-cell adhesion, linking the extracellular matrix (ECM) with cytoskeletal elements, and acting as signaling molecules. Adhesion activates signaling mechanisms that regulate integrin function, cytoskeletal assembly, cell behavior, and protein synthesis. Immunofluorescence was used to determine the presence of integrin alpha and beta subunits on the surface of bovine oocytes using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for alphaL, alphaM, alphaX, alphaV, alpha2, alpha4, alpha6, beta1, beta2, and beta3 antigens, with multiple antibodies for each subunit. Confocal microscopy indicated the presence of alphaV, alpha6, alpha4, alpha2, ss1, and ss3 integrin subunits on the plasma membrane of bovine oocytes. The presence of these subunits was verified by RT-PCR analysis using primers designed based on known gene sequences of bovine integrin subunits, or by using sequence information using bovine expressed sequence tags (EST) compared with known human and murine integrin subunit gene sequence information. Previously unpublished sequence information for bovine alpha6 and beta3 integrins was determined. The presence of these integrin subunits on the bovine oocyte vitelline membrane supports the hypothesis that sperm-oocyte interactions in the bovine are mediated by integrins.

Animals↗

Absence of PS integrins or laminin A affects extracellular adhesion, but not intracellular assembly, of hemiadherens and neuromuscular junctions in Drosophila embryos.

We have examined the role of integrins in the formation of the cell junctions that connect muscles to epidermis (muscle attachments) and muscles to neurons (neuromuscular junctions). To this end we have analyzed muscle attachments and neuromuscular junctions ultrastructurally in single or double mutant Drosophila embryos lacking PS1 integrin (alphaPS1betaPS), PS2 integrin (alphaPS2betaPS), and/or their potential extracellular ligand laminin A. At the muscle attachments PS integrins are essential for the adhesion of hemiadherens junctions (HAJs) to extracellular matrix, but not for their intracellular link to the cytoskeleton. The PS2 integrin is only expressed in the muscles, but it is essential for the adhesion of muscle and epidermal HAJs to electron dense extracellular matrix. It is also required for adhesion of muscle HAJs to a less electron dense form of extracellular matrix, the basement membrane. The PS1 integrin is expressed in epidermal cells and can mediate adhesion of the epidermal HAJs to the basement membrane. The ligands involved in adhesion mediated by both PS integrins seem distinct because adhesion mediated by PS1 appears to require the extracellular matrix component laminin A, while adhesion mediated by PS2 integrin does not. At neuromuscular junctions the formation of functional synapses occurs normally in embryos lacking PS integrins and/or laminin A, but the extent of contact between neuronal and muscle surfaces is altered significantly. We suggest that neuromuscular contact in part requires basement membrane adhesion to the general muscle surface, and this form of adhesion is completely abolished in the absence of laminin A.

Animals↗

Negative cooperativity between alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 2 beta 1 integrins in human mammary carcinoma MDA MB 231 cells.

The alpha 3 beta 1 integrin has been implicated as a receptor for several matrix components, including collagen, fibronectin, and laminins. The function of alpha 3 beta 1 seems to be very versatile involving cell adhesion to or migration on ECM, establishment of cell-cell contacts in aggregates, as well as linkage to intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation cascades. Here we report a strong induction of attachment of alpha 3 beta 1 integrin expressing human breast carcinoma cell line MDA MB 231 to matrix proteins by two alpha 3 integrin subunit function-blocking monoclonal antibodies (P1B5 and ASC-1). In contrast, stimulation of adhesion to ECM by inhibitory alpha 3 integrin-specific antibodies was not observed in the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin-expressing nonmalignant human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A or the human breast carcinoma cell line MDA MB 468 that expressed relatively low amounts of alpha 3 beta 1 integrin at the cell surface. This increase was specific for collagens and not observed on fibronectin or laminin. Physiological concentrations of bivalent cations were not required. MAb P1B5 did not induce homotypic aggregation of MDA MB 231 cells. The P1B5-induced increase in cell attachment to collagens could be prevented but not reduced below control levels by blocking mAb to the alpha 2 integrin subunit. Function blocking anti-alpha 5 integrin subunit mAb was without effect while anti-beta 1-mAb completely abolished adhesion. Our data indicate that negative cooperativity between integrins results in transdominant inhibition of alpha 2 beta 1 function by alpha 3 beta 1 in human MDA MB 231 but not MDA MB 468 tumor cells or nonmalignant MCF-10A cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Laminin isoforms differentially regulate adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and ERK activation of beta1 integrin-null cells.

The presence of many laminin receptors of the beta1 integrin family on most cells makes it difficult to define the biological functions of other major laminin receptors such as integrin alpha6beta4 and dystroglycan. We therefore tested the binding of a beta1 integrin-null cell line GD25 to four different laminin variants. The cells were shown to produce dystroglycan, which based on affinity chromatography bound to laminin-1, -2/4, and -10/11, but not to laminin-5. The cells also expressed the integrin alpha6Abeta4A variant. GD25 beta1 integrin-null cells are known to bind poorly to laminin-1, but we demonstrate here that these cells bind avidly to laminin-2/4, -5, and -10/11. The initial binding at 20 min to each of these laminins could be inhibited by an integrin alpha6 antibody, but not by a dystroglycan antibody. Hence, integrin alpha6Abeta4A of GD25 cells was identified as a major receptor for initial GD25 cell adhesion to three out of four tested laminin isoforms. Remarkably, cell adhesion to laminin-5 failed to promote cell spreading, proliferation, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, whereas all these responses occurred in response to adhesion to laminin-2/4 or -10/11. The data establish GD25 cells as useful tools to define the role integrin alpha6Abeta4A and suggest that laminin isoforms have distinctly different capacities to promote cell adhesion and signaling via integrin alpha6Abeta4A.

Animals↗

Endocytosis of beta1 integrins is an early event in migration promoted by the cell adhesion molecule L1.

Directional cell motility is a complex process requiring orchestration of signals from diverse cell adhesion receptors for proper organization of neuronal groups in the brain. The L1 cell adhesion molecule potentiates integrin-dependent migration of neuronal cells and stimulates integrin endocytosis but its mechanism of action is unclear. The hypothesis was investigated that L1 stimulates cell motility by modulating surface levels of integrins through intracellular trafficking using a model cell system. Antibody-induced clustering of L1, which mimics ligand binding, induced formation of cell surface complexes of L1 and beta1 integrins in L1-expressing HEK293 cells. L1 formed cell surface complexes with integrin beta1 and alpha3 subunits but not with integrin alpha1. Following cell surface clustering, beta1 integrins and L1 became rapidly internalized into Rab5+ early endosomes. Internalization of L1 and beta1 integrins was prevented by treatment with monodansyl cadaverine (MDC), an inhibitor of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, and by deletion of the AP2/clathrin binding motif (RSLE) from the L1 cytoplasmic domain. MDC treatment coordinately inhibited L1-potentiated haptotactic migration of HEK293 cells to fibronectin in Transwell assays. These results suggested that downregulation of adhesive complexes of L1 and beta1 integrin at the plasma membrane by clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a potential mechanism for enhancing cell motility.

Cadaverine↗

Efficient adenoviral-mediated murine neonatal small intestinal gene transfer is dependent on alpha(v) integrin expression.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Clinical application of gene therapy for patients who have inflammatory bowel disease or short bowel syndrome will require the development of new strategies to improve the efficiency of small intestinal gene transfer. Previously, the authors developed a method for adenoviral-mediated small intestinal gene transfer in vivo in neonatal and adult mice. The present study evaluates the hypothesis that the integrins alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5, the secondary receptors for adenoviral internalization, play a facilitative role in neonatal murine adenoviral-mediated small intestinal gene transfer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical techniques identified the integrin alpha(v)beta3 and the integrin subcomponents alpha(v), beta3, and beta5 in neonatal and adult small intestine. The effects of integrin receptor antagonists on transgene expression was also studied in our neonatal model of adenoviral-mediated small intestinal gene transfer in vivo. RESULTS: Gene transfer was significantly decreased by the addition of integrin receptor antagonists versus control peptide. Integrin alpha(v)beta3 and integrin subcomponent alpha(v), beta3, and beta5 are expressed in neonatal and adult small intestine. Integrin antagonists administered simultaneously blocked efficient adenoviral-mediated neonatal small intestinal gene transfer in vivo compared with control peptide. CONCLUSION: Strategies to upregulate integrin expression may improve adenoviral-mediated small intestinal gene transfer.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Restricted and coordinated expression of beta3-integrin and bone sialoprotein during cultured osteoblast differentiation.

In this study, the expression of beta3-integrin was examined in relationship to the restricted expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP). Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the alpha(v)beta3-integrin was coincident and proximal to BSP expression in the fetal mandible bovine osteoblast culture model. Alpha(v)beta3-integrin expression was expressed predominantly in a region proximal to, but not including, the substrate adherent cells. In comparison, the alpha5beta1-integrin was expressed in a generalized pattern throughout the culture layers in a coordinated fashion to fibronectin. The temporal expression of beta1- and beta3-integrin was evaluated using RT-PCR and southern blot analysis. Unlike the generalized expression of beta1-integrin, beta3-integrin was restricted to days 3 and 5 of the culture period. The previous demonstration of similar restriction of BSP expression and the present colocalization of BSP suggests the potential coordinated expression of a specific extracellular matrix ligand with a select integrin. Beta3-integrin/BSP adhesion-mediated signaling may play a significant role in the process of osteoblast morphodifferentiation.

Animals↗

Expression of alpha5beta1 and alpha6beta1 integrins in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with mild and severe proteinuria. An immunohistochemical study.

Immunoperoxidase staining was carried out using monoclonal antibodies against integrin alpha5beta1 and integrin alpha6beta1 on renal biopsy specimens from patients with IgA nephropathy with mild proteinuria (n = 15) and with severe proteinuria (n = 10). Our study revealed increase in glomerular immunoexpression of alpha5beta1 in renal biopsies in IgA nephropathy with severe proteinuria. There were no statistical differences between interstitial alpha5beta1 immunostaining, as well as tubular alpha6beta1 immunoexpression in renal tissue between patients with mild and severe proteinuria. The intensity of interstitial alpha5beta1 integrin immunoexpression was positively correlated with the degree of interstitial fibrosis in both studied groups, meanwhile the intensity of tubular alpha6beta1 integrin immunoexpression was not related to the degree of renal interstitial fibrosis in patients with mild and severe proteinuria. Our results suggest that elevated immunoexpression of alpha5beta1 integrin on endothelial glomerular cells in the renal tissue in patients with severe proteinuria may point to the role of this integrin in the mechanism of glomerular injury in these cases of IgA nephropathy. The positive association between the interstitial expression of alpha5beta1 integrin and the relative interstitial cortical volume in renal biopsies in patients with mild and severe proteinuria suggests that alpha5beta1 integrin may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic progressive renal disease in both studied group. Lack of positive correlation between tubular alpha6beta1 integrin immunoexpression and the relative interstitial cortical volumen may indicate that this molecule play no role in the pathomechanism of interstitial fibrosis in IgA nephropathy with mild and severe proteinuria.

Adolescent↗

Integrin structure: new twists and turns in dynamic cell adhesion.

The divalent-cation-dependent binding of alphabeta heterodimeric integrins to their ligands regulates most cellular processes. Integrin-ligand interactions are tightly controlled by inside-out activation signals. Ligand-bound integrins in turn transduce outside-in signals typical of other receptors. Precise information of how ligands bind to integrins is restricted to that of a small vWF A-type domain present in some alpha-subunits (alphaA). Both inside-out and outside-in signals elicit tertiary and quaternary changes in integrins, but the precise nature and scope and of these changes are unknown. The recently solved structures of the extracellular segment of integrin alphaVbeta3 in its unliganded and liganded states are generating exciting new insights into the design, wiring, function and regulation of this protein family. The structures reveal a surprising degree of flexibility at defined regions in the structure that is potentially controlled by cations. The quaternary structure of the ligand-binding region bears a striking resemblance to the nucleotide-binding pocket of G-proteins, implying analogous activation and signaling mechanisms. Structural links exist through which ligand-induced tertiary changes may be translated into quaternary changes and vice versa. The structures also raise the tantalizing hypothesis that alphaA is a regulated endogenous integrin ligand, so that no special regulatory features are needed in this integrin. These findings provide the framework for new investigations of structure-activity relationships in integrins, with important implications for targeting these receptors therapeutically [corrected].

Animals↗

Myosin-X provides a motor-based link between integrins and the cytoskeleton.

Unconventional myosins are actin-based motors with a growing number of attributed functions. Interestingly, it has been proposed that integrins are transported by unidentified myosins to facilitate cellular remodelling. Here we present an interaction between the unconventional myosin-X (Myo10) FERM (band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin) domain and an NPXY motif within beta-integrin cytoplasmic domains. Importantly, knock-down of Myo10 by short interfering RNA impaired integrin function in cell adhesion, whereas overexpression of Myo10 stimulated the formation and elongation of filopodia in an integrin-dependent manner and relocalized integrins together with Myo10 to the tips of filopodia. This integrin relocalization and filopodia elongation did not occur with Myo10 mutants deficient in integrin binding or with a beta(1)-integrin point mutant deficient in Myo10 binding. Taken together, these results indicate that Myo10-mediated relocalization of integrins might serve to form adhesive structures and thereby promote filopodial extension.

Animals↗

Suprabasal expression of epidermal alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 integrins in skin treated with topical retinoic acid.

In normal adult human skin, expression of epidermal integrins is confined to keratinocytes in the basal layer. However, suprabasal expression of alpha 2, alpha 3 and beta 1 integrin subunits is noted in hyperproliferative epidermis in wound repair and psoriasis. In this study, we examined the effect of topical all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), known to induce epidermal hyperplasia, on expression of integrins in human epidermis. Immunostaining of vehicle-treated skin revealed expression of alpha 2, alpha 3 and beta 1, as well as alpha 6 and beta 4 integrin subunits entirely on basal keratinocytes. Topical application of RA (0.1%) for 2 weeks resulted in marked suprabasal expression of alpha 2, alpha 3 and beta 1 integrin subunits, whereas alpha 6 and beta 4 staining remained on basal keratinocytes. Staining for putative ligands of alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 integrins, i.e. type IV collagen, laminin-5 and fibronectin, was not detected in the epidermal layer in RA- or vehicle-treated skin. Treatment of HaCaT keratinocytes in culture with RA (1 mumol/L) enhanced alpha 2 and beta 1 mRNA abundance. Furthermore, RA slightly up-regulated the expression of alpha 2, alpha 3 and beta 1 integrin subunits on primary epidermal keratinocytes and HaCaT cells in culture with no effect on cell proliferation. These results provide evidence that RA-elicited epidermal hyperplasia is associated with aberrant suprabasal expression of alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 integrins, and that this also involves direct stimulation of keratinocyte integrin expression by RA.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Mechanism of beta 1-integrin-mediated hepatoma cell growth involves p27 and S-phase kinase-associated protein 2.

Although cooperative interactions between growth factors and integrins, cell surface receptors for extracellular matrices (ECM), have been reported, little is known about the interaction between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and integrin in hepatoma cells. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of integrin on the proliferation of hepatoma cells regulated by HGF. Human HepG2 hepatoma cells stably transfected with beta 1-integrin were treated with HGF and compared with parental and mock-transfected control cells. Cell proliferation and expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors and S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), were investigated. HGF dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of parental and mock-transfected HepG2 cells. However, cells overexpressing beta 1-integrin exhibited increased proliferation in response to HGF. Although HGF increased p27 and decreased Skp2 expression in the parental and mock-transfected cells, the p27 and Skp2 levels in cells overexpressing beta 1-integrin were not altered by HGF. Interestingly, HepG2 cells overexpressing beta 1-integrin showed increased Skp2 expression. Furthermore, HGF did not reduce the proliferation of HepG2 cells transfected with antisense p27 or sense Skp2. Thus, HGF suppresses HepG2 cell proliferation by directly increasing p27 expression and indirectly decreasing Skp2 expression, and beta 1-integrin modulates the responsiveness of hepatoma cells to HGF via a p27-dependent manner by increasing Skp2. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that integrin-mediated signals from the ECM can modulate growth factor-mediated signals in hepatoma cells, and may contribute to the growth of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

A role of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan binding site in alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated melanoma cell adhesion.

We have previously reported that alpha4beta1 (but not alpha5beta1) integrin-mediated melanoma cell adhesion is inhibited by removal of cell surface chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CSGAG), suggesting that melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan plays a role in modulating the adhesive function of alpha4beta1 integrin. In the current study, we demonstrated that alpha4beta1 integrin binds to CSGAG. We have identified a peptide from within alpha4 integrin termed SG1 (KKEKDIMKKTI) that binds to cell surface melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, indicating that SG1 represents a CSGAG binding site within the alpha4 integrin subunit. Soluble SG1 inhibits alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated human melanoma cell adhesion to CS1. Polyclonal antibody generated against the peptide inhibits melanoma cell adhesion to CS1, and the inhibition is reversed by Mn2+ and an activating monoclonal antibody anti-beta1 (8A2). Additionally, pretreatment of cells with anti-SG1 IgG inhibits the expression of the monoclonal antibody 15/7 epitope in the presence of soluble CS1 peptide, suggesting that anti-SG1 IgG prevents ligand binding by alpha4beta1 integrin. These results demonstrate that alpha4beta1 integrin interacts directly with CSGAG through SG1 site, and that this site can affect the ligand binding properties of the integrin.

Antibodies↗

Urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression and uPA receptor localization are regulated by alpha 3beta 1 integrin in oral keratinocytes.

Expression of urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) is correlated with matrix proteolysis, cell adhesion, motility, and invasion. To evaluate the functional link between adhesion and proteolysis in gingival keratinocytes (pp126), cells were treated with immobilized integrin antibodies to induce integrin clustering. Clustering of alpha(3) and beta(1) integrin subunits, but not alpha(2), alpha(5), alpha(6), or beta(4), enhanced uPA secretion. Bead-immobilized laminin-5 and collagen I, two major alpha(3)beta(1) ligands, also induced uPA expression. Coordinate regulation of the serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 was also apparent; however, a net increase in uPA activity was predominant. alpha(3)beta(1) integrin clustering induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, and both uPA induction and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation were blocked by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. Integrin aggregation also promoted a dramatic redistribution of uPAR on the cell surface to sites of clustered alpha(3)beta(1) integrins. Co-immunoprecipitation of beta(1) integrin with uPAR provided further evidence that protein-protein interactions between uPAR and beta(1) integrin control uPAR distribution. As a functional consequence of uPA up-regulation and uPA-mediated plasminogen activation, the globular domain of the laminin-5 alpha(3) subunit, a major pp126 matrix protein, was proteolytically processed from a 190-kDa form to a 160-kDa species. Laminin-5 containing the 160-kDa alpha(3) subunit efficiently nucleates hemidesmosome formation and reduces cell motility. Together, these data suggest that multivalent aggregation of the alpha(3)beta(1) integrin regulates proteinase expression, matrix proteolysis, and subsequent cellular behavior.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Cell adhesion and migration properties of beta 2-integrin negative polymorphonuclear granulocytes on defined extracellular matrix molecules. Relevance for leukocyte extravasation.

Regulated adhesion of leukocytes to the extracellular matrix is essential for transmigration of blood vessels and subsequent migration into the stroma of inflamed tissues. Although beta(2)-integrins play an indisputable role in adhesion of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) to endothelium, we show here that beta(1)- and beta(3)-integrins but not beta(2)-integrin are essential for the adhesion to and migration on extracellular matrix molecules of the endothelial cell basement membrane and subjacent interstitial matrix. Mouse wild type and beta(2)-integrin null PMN and the progranulocytic cell line 32DC13 were employed in in vitro adhesion and migration assays using extracellular matrix molecules expressed at sites of extravasation in vivo, in particular the endothelial cell laminins 8 and 10. Wild type and beta(2)-integrin null PMN showed the same pattern of ECM binding, indicating that beta(2)-integrins do not mediate specific adhesion of PMN to the extracellular matrix molecules tested; binding was observed to the interstitial matrix molecules, fibronectin and vitronectin, via integrins alpha(5)beta(1) and alpha(v)beta(3), respectively; to laminin 10 via alpha(6)beta(1); but not to laminins 1, 2, and 8, collagen type I and IV, perlecan, or tenascin-C. PMN binding to laminins 1, 2, and 8 could not be induced despite surface expression of functionally active integrin alpha(6)beta(1), a major laminin receptor, demonstrating that expression of alpha(6)beta(1) alone is insufficient for ligand binding and suggesting the involvement of accessory factors. Nevertheless, laminins 1, 8, and 10 supported PMN migration, indicating that differential cellular signaling via laminins is independent of the extent of adhesion. The data demonstrate that adhesive and nonadhesive interactions with components of the endothelial cell basement membrane and subjacent interstitium play decisive roles in controlling PMN movement into sites of inflammation and illustrate that beta(2)-integrins are not essential for such interactions.

Animals↗

Pro-angiogenic activities of CYR61 (CCN1) mediated through integrins alphavbeta3 and alpha6beta1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

CYR61 (CCN1) is an extracellular matrix-associated protein of the CCN family, which also includes CTGF (CCN2), NOV (CCN3), WISP-1 (CCN4), WISP-2 (CCN5), and WISP-3 (CCN6). Purified CYR61 induces neovascularization in corneal implants, and Cyr61-null mice suffer embryonic death due to vascular defects, thus establishing that CYR61 is an important regulator of angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of Cyr61 is associated with breast cancer, wound healing, and vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. In culture, CYR61 functions through integrin-mediated pathways to promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Here we show that CYR61 can also promote cell survival and tubule formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, we have dissected the integrin receptor requirements of CYR61 with respect to its pro-angiogenic activities. Thus, CYR61-induced cell adhesion and tubule formation occur through interaction with integrin alpha(6)beta(1) in early passage endothelial cells in which integrins have not been activated. By contrast, in endothelial cells in which integrins are activated by phorbol ester or vascular endothelial growth factor, CYR61-promoted cell adhesion, migration, survival, growth factor-induced mitogenesis, and endothelial tubule formation are all mediated through integrin alpha(v)beta(3). These findings indicate that CYR61 is an activation-dependent ligand of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and an activation-independent ligand of integrin alpha(6)beta(1) and that these integrins differentially mediate the pro-angiogenic activities of CYR61. These findings help to define the mechanisms by which CYR61 acts as an angiogenic regulator, provide a molecular interpretation for the loss of vascular integrity and increased apoptosis of vascular cells in Cyr61-null mice, and underscore the importance of CYR61 in the development and homeostasis of the vascular system.

Cell Adhesion↗

Interaction of West Nile virus with alpha v beta 3 integrin mediates virus entry into cells.

The functional receptor for the flavivirus West Nile (WNV) infection has been characterized in this study with a combination of biochemical and molecular approaches. A 105-kDa protease-sensitive glycoprotein that binds WNV was isolated from the plasma membrane of cells permissive to WNV infection. The protein was subjected to peptide sequencing, and this glycoprotein was identified as a member of the integrin superfamily. Infection of WNV was shown to be markedly inhibited in Vero cells pretreated with blocking antibodies against alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and its subunits by receptor competition assay. It was also noted that cells pretreated with antibodies against alpha(v)beta(3) integrin can effectively inhibit flavivirus Japanese encephalitis but to a lesser extent flavivirus dengue infections. West Nile virus entry is independent of divalent cations and is not highly blocked by arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides, suggesting that the interaction between the virus and alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is not highly dependent on the classical RGD binding motif. In addition, gene silencing of the beta(3) integrin subunit in cells has resulted in cells largely resistant to WNV infection. In contrast, expression of recombinant human beta(3) integrin substantially increased the permissiveness of CS-1 melanoma cells for WNV infection. Soluble alpha(v)beta(3) integrin can also effectively block WNV infection in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, WNV infection also triggered the outside-in signaling pathway via the activation of integrin-associated focal adhesion kinase. The identification of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin as a receptor for WNV provides insight into virus-receptor interaction, hence creating opportunities in the development of anti-viral strategies against WNV infection.

Animals↗

Suppression of tumor angiogenesis through the inhibition of integrin function and signaling in endothelial cells: which side to target?

Tumor angiogenesis is an essential step in tumor progression and metastasis formation. Suppression of tumor angiogenesis results in the inhibition of tumor growth. Recent evidence indicates that vascular integrins, in particular alpha V beta 3, are important regulators of angiogenesis, including tumor angiogenesis. Integrin alpha V beta 3 antagonists, such as blocking antibodies or peptides, suppress tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression in many preclinical tumor models. The potential therapeutic efficacy of extracellular integrin antagonists in human cancer is currently being tested in clinical trials. Selective disruption of the tumor vasculature by high doses of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and the antiangiogenic activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with the suppression of integrin alpha V beta 3 function and signaling in endothelial cells. Furthermore, expression of isolated integrin cytoplasmic domains disrupts integrin-dependent adhesion, resulting in endothelial cell detachment and apoptosis. These results confirm the critical role of vascular integrins in promoting endothelial cell survival and angiogenesis and suggest that intracellular targeting of integrin function and signaling may be an alternative strategy to extracellular integrin antagonists for the therapeutic inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗