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Crystal structure of the I domain from integrin alpha2beta1.

We have determined the high resolution crystal structure of the I domain from the alpha-subunit of the integrin alpha2beta1, a cell surface adhesion receptor for collagen and the human pathogen echovirus-1. The domain, as expected, adopts the dinucleotide-binding fold, and contains a metal ion-dependent adhesion site motif with bound Mg2+ at the top of the beta-sheet. Comparison with the crystal structures of the leukocyte integrin I domains reveals a new helix (the C-helix) protruding from the metal ion-dependent adhesion site face of the domain which creates a groove centered on the magnesium ion. Modeling of a collagen triple helix into the groove suggests that a glutamic acid side chain from collagen can coordinate the metal ion, and that the C-helix insert is a major determinant of binding specificity. The binding site for echovirus-1 maps to a distinct surface of the alpha2-I domain (one edge of the beta-sheet), consistent with data showing that virus and collagen binding occur by different mechanisms. Comparison with the homologous von Willebrand factor A3 domain, which also binds collagen, suggests that the two domains bind collagen in different ways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Perlecan proteolysis induces an alpha2beta1 integrin- and Src family kinase-dependent anti-apoptotic pathway in fibroblasts in the absence of focal adhesion kinase activation.

Dysregulation of apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC) and fibroblasts contributes to fibrosis. We have shown previously that apoptosis of EC triggers the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components and the release of a C-terminal fragment of perlecan, which in turn inhibits apoptosis of fibroblasts. Here we have defined the receptors and pathways implicated in this anti-apoptotic response in fibroblasts. Neutralizing alpha2beta1 integrin activity in fibroblasts exposed to either medium conditioned by apoptotic EC (SSC) or a recombinant perlecan C-terminal fragment (LG3) prevented resistance to apoptosis and is associated with decreased levels of Akt phosphorylation. Co-incubation of fibroblasts for 24 h with SSC or LG3 in the presence of PP2 (AG1879), a biochemical inhibitor of Src family kinases (SFKs) and focal adhesion kinase, showed a significantly decreased anti-apoptotic response. However, focal adhesion kinase gene silencing with RNA interference did not inhibit the anti-apoptotic response in fibroblasts. Src phosphorylation was increased in fibroblasts exposed to SSC, and transfection of fibroblasts with constitutively active Src mutants induced an anti-apoptotic response that was not further increased by SSC. Also, Src(-/-)Fyn(-/-) fibroblasts failed to mount an anti-apoptotic response in presence of SSC for 24 h but developed a complete anti-apoptotic response when exposed to SSC for 7 days. These results suggest that extracellular matrix fragments produced by apoptotic EC initiate a state of resistance to apoptosis in fibroblasts via an alpha2beta1 integrin/SFK (Src and Fyn)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent pathway. In the long term, additional SFK members are recruited for sustaining the anti-apoptotic response, which could play crucial roles in abnormal fibrogenic healing.

Animals↗

The alpha2 gene coding sequence T807/A873 of the platelet collagen receptor integrin alpha2beta1 might be a genetic risk factor for the development of stroke in younger patients.

The polymorphisms C807T and G873A of the platelet integrin alpha2beta1 (collagen receptor glycoprotein [GP] Ia-IIa) are linked to the expression density of this receptor. The GPIa T807/A873 allele causes a higher receptor expression, enhancing platelet binding to collagen. This might present a genetic predisposition for the development of thromboembolic complications. In this case-control study, the genotypes of the GPIa C807T polymorphism and presence of conventional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking) were compared in stroke patients and patients without cerebrovascular disease (non-CVD patients) </=50 years of age (n = 45 and 41, respectively) and in stroke patients and non-CVD patients more than 50 years of age (n = 182 and 129, respectively. In patients </=50 years of age, the T807 allele was the only overrepresented variable (P =.023; odds ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 7.61) and an independent risk factor, whereas the presence of conventional risk factors was similar between stroke patients </=50 years of age and non-CVD patients </=50 years of age. Large epidemiological studies should prove whether the platelet collagen receptor GPIa-IIa T807 allele is an independent risk factor for the development of stroke in younger patients.

Adult↗

Rigidity of collagen fibrils controls collagen gel-induced down-regulation of focal adhesion complex proteins mediated by alpha2beta1 integrin.

Previous studies have shown that collagen gel overlay induced selective proteolysis of focal adhesion complex proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In this study, we examined whether morphological and biochemical changes were present in cells cultured on collagen gel. We found that focal adhesion complex proteins, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), talin, paxillin, and p130cas, but not vinculin, were decreased within 1 h when MDCK cells were cultured on collagen gel. Collagen gel-induced selective decrease of focal adhesion proteins was observed in all lines of cells examined, including epithelial, fibroblastic, and cancer cells. Matrigel also induced selective down-regulation of focal adhesion proteins. However, cells cultured on collagen gel- or matrigel-coated dishes did not show any changes of focal adhesion proteins. These data suggest that the physical nature of the gel, i.e. the rigidity, is involved in the expression of focal adhesion proteins. The collagen gel-induced down-regulation of focal adhesion complex proteins was caused by reduction of protein synthesis and activation of proteases such as calpain. Overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) or FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) did not prevent collagen gel-induced down-regulation of the focal adhesion complex protein, whereas an anti-alpha2beta1 integrin-neutralizing antibody completely blocked it. Taken together, our results indicate that the rigidity of collagen gel controls the expression of focal adhesion complex proteins, which is mediated by alpha2beta1 integrin but not DDR1.

3T3 Cells↗

Association between diabetic retinopathy and genetic variations in alpha2beta1 integrin, a platelet receptor for collagen.

Platelets might be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy. Wide interindividual variations in the density of a platelet collagen receptor (alpha2beta1 integrin or glycoprotein Ia/IIa) are reportedly associated with polymorphism(s) in the gene encoding the alpha subunit of the receptor, including a Bgl II polymorphism in intron 7. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the Bgl II polymorphism and the susceptibility to diabetic microangiopathy. A case-control study comparing 227 patients with type II diabetes mellitus (119 with versus 108 without diabetic retinopathy) as well as 169 nondiabetic subjects demonstrated that genotypes with Bgl II (+) allele had a significant increase in the risk for retinopathy. The odds ratio for Bgl II (+/+) to Bgl II (-/-) was 3.41 (95% CI, 1.49-7.78, P =.0036) when analysis was confined to those with a disease duration of diabetes of 10 years or more. The present study suggests that the presence of a Bg II (+) allele is a genetic risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. (Blood. 2000;95:1560-1564)

Alleles↗

Physical and functional interaction between cell-surface calreticulin and the collagen receptors integrin alpha2beta1 and glycoprotein VI in human platelets.

Calreticulin is an abundant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of most cells. In this study, flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation from surface-biotinylated platelets each provided direct evidence that calreticulin is also expressed on the surface of human platelets. Anti-calreticulin antibodies caused platelet activation, inducing FcgammaRIIa-independent platelet aggregation. In addition, these antibodies inhibited platelet adhesion to the integrin alpha2beta1-specific ligands, GFOGER-GPP and monomeric collagen I, and to the glycoprotein VI-specific ligand, CRP. Inhibition of platelet adhesion to these ligands was independent of integrin alphaIIbbeta3. In resting platelets, calreticulin was shown to interact with integrin alpha2beta1 and glycoprotein VI. Together, these data demonstrate that surface calreticulin is associated with collagen receptors on the platelet surface, where it may play a role in the modulation of the platelet-collagen interaction.

Antibodies↗

Differential modulation of human melanoma cell metalloproteinase expression by alpha2beta1 integrin and CD44 triple-helical ligands derived from type IV collagen.

Tumor cell binding to components of the basement membrane is well known to trigger intracellular signaling pathways. Signaling ultimately results in the modulation of gene expression, facilitating metastasis. Type IV collagen is the major structural component of the basement membrane and is known to be a polyvalent ligand, possessing sequences bound by the alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1, and alpha3beta1 integrins, as well as cell surface proteoglycan receptors, such as CD44/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG). The role of alpha2beta1 integrin and CD44/CSPG receptor binding on human melanoma cell activation has been evaluated herein using triple-helical peptide ligands incorporating the alpha1(IV)382-393 and alpha1(IV)1263-1277 sequences, respectively. Gene expression and protein production of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1), -2, -3, -13, and -14 were modulated with the alpha2beta1-specific sequence, whereas the CD44-specific sequence yielded significant stimulation of MMP-8 and lower levels of modulation of MMP-1, -2, -13, and -14. Analysis of enzyme activity confirmed different melanoma cell proteolytic potentials based on engagement of either the alpha2beta1 integrin or CD44/CSPG. These results are indicative of specific activation events that tumor cells undergo upon binding to select regions of basement membrane collagen. Based on the present study, triple-helical peptide ligands provide a general approach for monitoring the regulation of proteolysis in cellular systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Involvement of activated integrin alpha2beta1 in the firm adhesion of platelets onto a surface of immobilized collagen under flow conditions.

Recently, we demonstrated that agonist-induced activation of the platelet surface collagen-receptor integrin alpha1beta2 converts it to an active form that can bind soluble collagen with high affinity (Jung, SM, Moroi, M: J Biol Chem 1998; 273: 14827-37). Here, the involvement of alpha2beta1 activation and the high affinity binding property of activated alpha2beta1 in platelet adhesion to a collagen surface under flow conditions were analyzed. Platelet adhesion to immobilized collagen was measured in the presence of TS2/16, an activating anti-integrin alpha2beta1 antibody, and inhibiting antibodies, Gi9 and 6F1. TS2/16 decreased the moving velocity of platelets on the collagen surface, but Gi9 and 6F1 increased it, indicating that alpha2beta1 activation induces the tight binding of platelets to immobilized collagen under flow. Platelet adhesion, expressed as the surface area occupied by adhered platelets, in the presence of TS2/16 was similar to that in its absence. In contrast, adding Gi9 or 6F1 caused biphasic adhesion composed of a first phase, a lag phase whose length differed in each experiment, and a second phase adhesion with a rate similar to that of the control. This biphasic adhesion indicates that alpha2beta1 activity is inhibited and also suggests that some other factor(s) may contribute to the adhesion under flow. At concentrations where neither 6F1 nor Gi9 affected collagen-induced aggregation, these antibodies inhibited soluble collagen binding to thrombin-activated platelets. Only at much higher concentration did 6F1 inhibit collagen-induced aggregation. TS2/16 had no effect on the aggregation. The present results are evidence against the major involvement of integrin alpha2beta1 in platelet aggregation; instead, they indicate that integrin alpha2beta1 would be mainly associated with the tight binding of platelets to collagen.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human colonic cancer cells synthesize and adhere to laminin-5. Their adhesion to laminin-5 involves multiple receptors among which is integrin alpha2beta1.

In the mature gut, laminin-5 is expressed at the basal aspect of the differentiating epithelial cells. In vitro, we show that three more or less differentiated human colonic cancer HT29 cell lines produce and deposit laminin-5; they predominantly synthesize and secrete the 440 kDa form of laminin-5 that comprises the unprocessed 155 kDa gamma2 chain, as determined by immunoprecipitation analysis. In contrast, the highly differentiated colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells produce almost no laminin-5. Using anti-integrin antibodies, we show that adhesion of the two colonic cancer cell lines to laminin-5 is mediated by multiple integrin receptors including those for alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1 and alpha6beta4 integrins like in other cell types. In addition, the implication of integrin alpha2beta1 in this adhesion process is demonstrated for the first time. This has been shown by cell adhesion inhibition experiments, solid phase assays and confocal analysis. Together with previous in situ observations, these data provide a baseline knowledge for the understanding of the regulation of laminin-5 in normal and pathological intestine.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The N-terminal globular domain of the laminin alpha1 chain binds to alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins and to the heparan sulfate-containing domains of perlecan.

The N-terminal domains VI plus V (62 kDa) and V alone (43 kDa) of the laminin alpha1 chain were obtained as recombinant products and shown to be folded into a native form by electron microscopy and immunological assays. Domain VI alone, which corresponds to an LN module, did not represent an autonomously folding unit in mammalian cells, however. Fragment alpha1VI/V, but not fragment alpha1V, bound to purified alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins, to heparin, and to heparan sulfate-substituted domains I and V of perlecan. This localized the binding activities to the LN module, which contains two basic sequences suitable for heparin interactions.

Animals↗

Effect of gel re-organization and tensional forces on alpha2beta1 integrin levels in dermal fibroblasts.

Mechanical forces are known to play an important role in regulating cell function in a wide range of biological systems. This is of particular relevance to dermal fibroblast function, given that the skin is known to be held under an intrinsic natural tension. To understand more about the generation of force by dermal fibroblasts and their ability to respond to changes in it, we have studied the role of the beta1 integrin receptors expressed by dermal fibroblasts in their ability to generate tensional forces within a collagen type I matrix and the effect of altered tensional force on integrin expression by dermal fibroblasts. Using a purpose-built culture force monitor, function-blocking antibodies directed towards the beta1 receptors dramatically reduced the tensional forces generated by dermal fibroblasts in a 3D collagen I matrix. However, the specific involvement of alpha1 or alpha2 subunits could not be demonstrated. Analysis of cellular response demonstrated that cells isolated from contracting collagen gels expressed fourfold higher levels of alpha2 mRNA than cells isolated from fully restrained gels. The levels of beta1 messenger RNA were relatively unaffected by reductions in force. Cells exposed to single reductions in force, however, did not exhibit alterations in either alpha1 or beta1 mRNA levels. We propose, therefore that alpha2beta1 integrin receptor levels in dermal fibroblasts are not altered in response to single reductions of gel tension, but do change following a continual change in force and associated matrix re-organization

Antigens, CD↗

VLA-2 (alpha2beta1) integrin promotes rotavirus entry into cells but is not necessary for rotavirus attachment.

In an attempt to identify the rotavirus receptor, we tested 46 cell lines of different species and tissue origins for susceptibility to infection by three N-acetyl-neuraminic (sialic) acid (SA)-dependent and five SA-independent rotavirus strains. Susceptibility to SA-dependent or SA-independent rotavirus infection varied depending on the cell line tested and the multiplicity of infection (MOI) used. Cells of renal or intestinal origin and transformed cell lines derived from breast, stomach, bone, or lung were all susceptible to rotavirus infection, indicating a wider host tissue range than previously appreciated. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), baby hamster kidney (BHK-21), guinea pig colon (GPC-16), rat small intestine (Rie1), and mouse duodenum (MODE-K) cells were found to support only limited rotavirus replication even at MOIs of 100 or 500, but delivery of rotavirus particles into the cytoplasm by lipofection resulted in efficient rotavirus replication. The rotavirus cell attachment protein, the outer capsid spike protein VP4, contains the sequence GDE(A) recognized by the VLA-2 (alpha2beta1) integrin, and to test if VLA-2 is involved in rotavirus attachment and entry, we measured infection in CHO cells that lack VLA-2 and CHO cells transfected with the human alpha2 subunit (CHOalpha2) or with both the human alpha2 and beta1 subunits (CHOalpha2beta1) of VLA-2. Infection by SA-dependent or SA-independent rotavirus strains was 2- to 10-fold more productive in VLA-2-expressing CHO cells than in parental CHO cells, and the increased susceptibility to infection was blocked with anti-VLA-2 antibody. However, the levels of binding of rotavirus to CHO, CHOalpha2, and CHOalpha2beta1 cells were equivalent and were not increased over binding to susceptible monkey kidney (MA104) cells or human colonic adenocarcinoma (Caco-2, HT-29, and T-84) cells, and binding was not blocked by antibody to the human alpha2 subunit. Although the VLA-2 integrin promotes rotavirus infection in CHO cells, it is clear that the VLA-2 integrin alone is not responsible for rotavirus cell attachment and entry. Therefore, VLA-2 is not involved in the initial attachment of rotavirus to cells but may play a role at a postattachment level.

Animals↗

Collagen-induced proMMP-2 activation by MT1-MMP in human dermal fibroblasts and the possible role of alpha2beta1 integrins.

Culture of human dermal fibroblasts within a three-dimensional matrix composed of native type I collagen fibrils is widely used to study the cellular responses to the extracellular matrix. Upon contact with native type I collagen fibrils human skin fibroblasts activate latent 72-kDa type IV collagenase/ gelatinase (MMP-2) to its active 59- and 62-kDa forms. This activation did not occur when cells were cultured on plastic dishes coated with monomeric type I collagen or its denatured form, gelatin. Activation could be inhibited by antibodies against MT1-MMP, by the addition of TIMP-2 and by prevention of MT1-MMP processing. MT1-MMP protein was detected at low levels as active protein in fibroblasts cultured as monolayers. In collagen gel cultures, an increase of the active, 60-kDa MT1-MMP and an additional 63-kDa protein corresponding to inactive MT1-MMP was detected. Incubation of medium containing latent MMP-2 with cell membranes isolated from fibroblasts grown in collagen gels caused activation of the enzyme. Furthermore, regulation of MT1-MMP expression in collagen cultures seems to be mediated by alpha2beta1 integrins. These studies suggest that activation of the proMMP-2 is regulated at the cell surface by a mechanism which is sensitive to cell culture in contact with physiologically relevant matrices and which depends on the ratio of proenzyme and the specific inhibitor TIMP-2.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Integrin alpha2beta1 is a receptor for the cartilage matrix protein chondroadherin.

Chondroadherin (the 36-kD protein) is a leucine-rich, cartilage matrix protein known to mediate adhesion of isolated chondrocytes. In the present study we investigated cell surface proteins involved in the interaction of cells with chondroadherin in cell adhesion and by affinity purification. Adhesion of bovine articular chondrocytes to chondroadherin-coated dishes was dependent on Mg2+ or Mn2+ but not Ca2+. Adhesion was partially inhibited by an antibody recognizing beta1 integrin subunit. Chondroadherin-binding proteins from chondrocyte lysates were affinity purified on chondroadherin-Sepharose. The beta1 integrin antibody immunoprecipitated two proteins with molecular mass approximately 110 and 140 kD (nonreduced) from the EDTA-eluted material. These results indicate that a beta1 integrin on chondrocytes interacts with chondroadherin. To identify the alpha integrin subunit(s) involved in interaction of cells with the protein, we affinity purified chondroadherin-binding membrane proteins from human fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of the EDTA-eluted material from the affinity column identified alpha2beta1 as a chondroadherin-binding integrin. These results are in agreement with cell adhesion experiments where antibodies against the integrin subunit alpha2 partially inhibited adhesion of human fibroblast and human chondrocytes to chondroadherin. Since alpha2beta1 also is a receptor for collagen type II, we tested the ability of different antibodies against the alpha2 subunit to inhibit adhesion of T47D cells to collagen type II and chondroadherin. The results suggested that adhesion to collagen type II and chondroadherin involves similar or nearby sites on the alpha2beta1 integrin. Although alpha2beta1 is a receptor for both collagen type II and chondroadherin, only adhesion of cells to collagen type II was found to mediate spreading.

Animals↗

Upregulation of osteoclast alpha2beta1 integrin compensates for lack of alphavbeta3 vitronectin receptor in Iraqi-Jewish-type Glanzmann thrombasthenia.

Osteoclasts utilize alphavbeta3 integrin adhesion to bone matrix during bone resorption. We have generated osteoclasts from the peripheral blood of Iraqi-Jewish patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) who are completely deficient in beta3 integrin and exhibit a haemorrhagic diathesis resulting from the absence of platelet alphaIIbbeta3. We show that, in contrast to osteoclasts generated from normal subjects or patients with alphaIIb integrin deficiency, GT osteoclasts lack alphavbeta3. These osteoclasts exhibited a two- to fourfold increase in alpha2 and beta1 integrin expression, whereas other alphav integrins, including alphavbeta5, were not significantly affected. An accompanying decrease in bone resorption was observed, with 44% and 59% declines in pit number and depth, respectively, and resorption lacunae showed abnormal morphology on scanning electron microscopy. However, osteoclasts from GT developed in similar numbers to controls and exhibited an otherwise 'normal' phenotype. We conclude that the observed rise in alpha2beta1 expression compensates for the chronic genetic deficiency of alphavbeta3 in osteoclasts from patients with GT and is sufficient to enable bone resorption to proceed, albeit to a submaximal extent. This explains why Iraqi-Jewish patients with GT do not have osteopetrosis.

Adolescent↗

Collagen binding induces changes in its platelet integrin receptor alpha2beta1.

Integrins can signal upon binding of their ligand, presumably because of conformational changes induced by ligand-binding. It has been postulated that ligand binding causes changes in the affinity of the integrin to its ligand. In order to test for ligand-induced change in the affinity of platelet alpha2beta1 to collagen, labelled viable platelets were passaged through a column of fibrillar collagen and stringent lysis conditions were used to remove all low-affinity receptors. A high-affinity fraction left on the collagen could be eluted with dithiothreitol (DTT) and 2% Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Antibodies raised against this fraction, identified alpha2beta1 by Western-blotting. Functional tests performed with the antibodies confirmed the involvement of the high-affinity proteins in platelet-collagen interactions attributed to alpha2beta1: inhibition of collagen-specific platelet adhesion and aggregation. EDTA, chaotropic agents or low pH did not elute the high affinity fraction of alpha2beta1. However, DTT followed by acetic acid did, which indicates that the steps necessary to disrupt the high-affinity collagen alpha2beta1 bond are reduction of disulfide bond(s) followed by disruption of electrostatic interactions. Our data 2 1 suggest that (i) ligand binding induces the formation of a new disulfide bond in a fraction of alpha2beta1, (ii) that this bond is an intrareceptor, and (iii) that this change increases the affinity of the receptor to its ligand.

Journal Article↗

Integrin expression by primary and immortalized human chondrocytes: evidence of a differential role for alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins in mediating chondrocyte adhesion to types II and VI collagen.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrocytes have been shown to express beta1-containing integrins both in vitro and in situ, but their role in regulating chondrocyte function is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine how the relative expression of different integrins may be modulated in relation to the differentiated state and proliferative capacity of the chondrocyte. DESIGN: Integrin expression by four different cell lines of human chondrocytes immortalized with Simian virus 40 large T-antigen (SV40-TAg) was studied and compared to primary chondrocytes. Differences in alpha1 and alpha2 integrin subunit expression were utilized to further study the role of these integrins in mediating adhesion to types II and VI collagen. RESULTS: The overall cell-surface levels of beta1-containing integrins were higher on all four immortalized cell lines which expressed over 10-fold higher levels of alpha2 and alpha3 integrin subunits compared to primary cells. However, primary cells expressed higher levels of the alpha1 integrin subunit which was not expressed by T/C28a4 cells and expressed at variable and lower levels in the other lines. Levels of the alpha3 integrin subunit were significantly greater on the highly proliferative juvenile costal chondrocyte lines (T/C-28a4, C-2812, and C-20a4) compared to primary articular chondrocytes and tsT/AC-62 cells which were derived from adult articular chondrocytes. Expression of alpha5 was similar among primary cells and cell lines except on C-20/A4 cells which had an average of over 4-fold higher levels. None of the primary or immortalized chondrocytes tested expressed significant levels of alpha4. Cell adhesion assays revealed that both alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 could serve as chondrocyte adhesion receptors for types II and VI collagen. In cell lines expressing both integrins, alpha1beta1 was the preferential receptor for type VI collagen while alpha2beta1 was the preferential receptor for type II collagen. Rather than inhibiting adhesion, incubation with the alpha3 blocking antibody P1B5 increased adhesion of C-28/12 cells to both fibronectin and type II collagen by 67% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Immortalization with SV40-TAg results in altered integrin expression by chondrocytes. Changes in the relative levels of alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 subunits may significantly alter the manner in which chondrocytes interact with types II and VI collagen in the extracellular matrix.

Adult↗

Integrin alpha2beta1 mediates the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activities of angiocidin, a novel tumor-associated protein.

We recently characterized an anti-tumor protein termed angiocidin. Here, we report that angiocidin may inhibit angiogenesis by binding collagen and its receptors. Angiocidin bound purified type I collagen and alpha2beta1 with high affinity. K562 cells expressing alpha2beta1 bound and adhered to angiocidin while K562 cells which only expressed alpha5beta1 integrin showed no binding and adhesion. Binding was specific since a neutralizing antibody against alpha2beta1 inhibited binding but antibodies against alpha5beta1 had no effect. Additionally, angiocidin co-localized with alpha2beta1 on K562 alpha2beta1 transfected cells, pancreatic cancer colo 357 cells, breast cancer MB-231 cells and human umbilical endothelial vein (HUVE) cells. In an alpha2beta1-dependent collagen gel angiogenesis assay, angiocidin showed potent inhibitory activity. We identified a 20-amino-acid amino terminal peptide of angiocidin that bound both alpha2beta1 and type I collagen. This peptide promoted alpha2beta1-dependent cell adhesion and inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis. Taken together, these results are consistent with the conclusion that the anti-tumor activity of angiocidin arises from its ability to ligate collagen and alpha2beta1 on endothelial cells and tumor cells. Our results provide support for the concept that targeting matrix-cell interactions is a viable strategy for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.

Amino Acids↗