PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Integrin”

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

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

At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources

Integrin expression in human bone.

Integrins are a family of heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins that are known to mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Members of the VLA (very late activation) family, which consists of beta 1 integrin in association with the VLA alpha chains (alpha 1-6), mediate adhesion of a wide range of cells to matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, collagen, and laminin, and may therefore be important for cell-matrix interactions in bone. Integrin expression in human bone was studied immunohistochemically using cryostat sections of fracture callus, tumor-associated reactive bone, and neonatal costochondral junctions, with a panel of well-characterized antibodies against beta 1-4 integrins, alpha 1-6 and alpha V integrins, and the alpha V beta 3 dimer (the classic vitronectin receptor). All cell types present in bone expressed beta 1 and alpha 5 integrins; a subpopulation of osteoblastic cells expressed alpha 4. The alpha V was uniformly expressed by osteoblasts but was heterogeneously expressed by osteocytes. Osteoclasts also expressed alpha 2, alpha V, and alpha V beta 3. These results demonstrate differential expression of a restricted range of integrins in bone. This supports the possibility that integrins may mediate the differing interactions of cells of the osteoblast and osteoclast lineages with the matrix of bone.

Antibody Specificity↗

Parathyroid hormone (1-34) regulates integrin expression in vivo in rat osteoblasts.

Intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) activates new sites of bone formation by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and function resulting in an increase in bone mass. Because integrins have been shown to play a crucial role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, in the present study, we evaluated whether human PTH (1-34) upon administration to rats, influenced integrin expression in osteoblastic cells isolated from the metaphysis and the diaphysis of rat long bones. Initial immunohistochemical evaluation of bone sections demonstrated that the osteoblasts expressed at least alphav, alpha2, alpha3, and alpha5beta1 integrins. Immunocolocalization studies for integrins and vinculin established that alphav, alpha2, and alpha5beta1, but not alpha3 integrins were present in the focal adhesion sites of osteoblasts attached to FN coated surfaces. Osteoprogenitor cells isolated from metaphyseal (but not diaphyseal) marrow of rats injected with intermittent PTH (1-34) exhibited greater alphav and reduced alpha2 levels, with no apparent changes in alpha3, and alpha5beta1 integrin levels, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, Northern, and Western blot analyses. However, these changes were not observed on the same cells treated with PTH in vitro. These observations suggest that integrin modulation by PTH is likely to be indirect and that selective phenotypic expression of integrin subtypes is part of the cascade of events that lead to PTH (1-34) mediated osteoblast differentiation.

Animals↗

Differential modulation of vascular cell integrin and extracellular matrix expression in vitro by TGF-beta 1 correlates with reciprocal effects on cell migration.

In vitro, BAEC and BASMC migratory phenotypes are known to be reciprocally modulated by both soluble factors and extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, integrin matrix receptors mediate endothelial and smooth muscle cell attachment and migration. To further elucidate these phenomena, we studied the effects of TGF-beta 1 on integrin expression by vascular BASMC and BAEC in tissue culture. TGF-beta 1 upregulated mRNA levels and surface pools of BASMC beta 3 integrin classes without modulating beta 1 integrin mRNA levels or expression of beta 1 integrin organization. In contrast to its effects on BASMC, TGF-beta 1 increased BAEC mRNA levels and surface expression of beta 1 and beta 3 integrins without altering their organization. Conversely, extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen) organized cell surface integrins in both BASMC and BAEC without affecting the size of their cell surface pools. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that SMC and EC behavior in neointimal lesions may be modulated, in part, through a coordination of soluble factor and extracellular matrix protein regulation of integrin surface expression and organization.

Animals↗

Effects of endotoxin on expression of VLA integrins by human bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages.

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is known to induce inflammatory responses, such as monocyte/macrophage adherence, migration, and accumulation. Recruitment and accumulation of macrophages during infection and inflammation are regulated by integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix interactions. In the present report, we studied the effects of LPS on the expression of VLA-5 (alpha 5 beta 1), VLA-3 (alpha 3 beta 1), and VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta 1) integrins and fibronectin (FN) by human alveolar macrophages in an attempt to understand the mechanism by which LPS regulates macrophage adhesion to matrix proteins. Bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of Escherichia coli LPS for different times and evaluated for expression of the integrins and FN by immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, autoradiography, and radioimmunoassay. Immunofluorescent and immunoelectron microscopic observations showed that VLA integrins were constitutively expressed on the cell surface and concentrated on the microvilli and pseudopodia of the macrophages. The effects of LPS on expression of the integrins were dose and time related. VLA-5 expression was increased after 30 min of stimulation by LPS, suggesting that LPS may induce rapid secretion of the integrin. However, incubations with LPS longer than 30 min decreased VLA-5 expression in a dose-dependent pattern. LPS also caused dose-related decreases in the expression of VLA-3 and VLA-2 integrins and increases of intracellular FN 24 h after stimulation. The results suggest that a prolonged exposure to LPS may impede VLA integrin-mediated migration and result in local accumulation of macrophages in the lung.

Autoradiography↗

Beta 1 integrin-dependent binding of Jurkat cells to fibronectin is regulated by a serine-threonine phosphatase.

We investigated the effects of signaling molecule inhibitors on the expression and function of beta1 integrins in Jurkat cells. Jurkat cells expressed alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1, with significant levels of constitutively activated beta1 integrins as assessed by labeling with mAb 15/7 that distinguishes between activation states. Adhesion to fibronectin (Fn) was mediated equally through alpha4 and alpha5 subunits, and was potentiated by the beta1 integrin activating mAb 8A2. Fn adhesion was decreased by okadaic acid through effects on both alpha4beta1, and alpha5beta1. Tyrphostin A23 also decreased adhesion but was less potent. Neither inhibitor had any effect on the surface expression of total or activated beta1 integrins. The effect of tyrphostin was completely reversed by 8A2; the effect of okadaic acid was only partially reversed. Using Calyculin A, we determined that Jurkat adhesion to Fn was regulated via protein phosphatase 1, independent of the levels of integrins or integrin activation epitopes. Activation of Jurkat cells with a CD3-stimulating mAb enhanced adhesion to Fn and was partially blocked by okadaic acid. These data demonstrate different regulatory pathways for constitutive versus activation-dependent adhesion via beta1 integrins, and implicate both tyrosine kinases and serine-threonine phosphatases in integrin function.

CD3 Complex↗

Integrin-mediated signaling in human neutrophil functioning.

Integrins are important signal transducers for virtually all neutrophil functions. Although a variety of signals ultimately result in integrin activation, the intracellular targets of integrin-initiated signals are poorly delineated to date. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte responses to inflammation are dependent on both the stimulants and the extracellular environment encountered. Integrin ligation, by cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, activates a variety of signaling cascades. These events dictate the nature of PMN responses to the encountered stimulus. The complex system of effector molecule recruitment and permissive signaling by integrins serves to strictly regulate PMN functions such as cell adhesion, motility, oxidant production, and protein synthesis. Moreover, there is evidence that cross-talk between integrins exists to prime integrin populations for subsequent functioning. This review summarizes the current understanding of signaling mechanisms for integrin priming and activation. In this connection, the role of specific signaling molecules in key PMN functions are examined.

Humans↗

Integrin expression in squamous neoplasia of the cervix.

Epithelial cell-basement membrane interactions are important in maintaining tissue architecture and function, and the anatomical and functional relationships between epithelial cells and their basement membranes are clearly altered in malignancy. These interactions are thought to be largely mediated by the integrins, a family of heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins, each consisting of an alpha and a beta chain. Epithelial integrins mainly belong to the beta 1 (VLA) subfamily, which forms receptors for matrix macromolecules such as fibronectin, laminin, and collagen. There is evidence that integrin expression changes in some epithelial malignancies, possibly in relation to invasive potential. Integrin expression in cervical neoplasia was studied by immunohistochemical examination of prospectively collected colposcopic biopsies. Well-characterized monoclonal antibodies against beta 1-4, alpha 1-6, and alpha V integrins were used to examine normal, koilocytic, and dysplastic cervical squamous epithelium, and invasive squamous carcinoma. beta 1, beta 4, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 6, and alpha V were expressed by the basal layer of normal cervical squamous epithelium and by dysplastic cells in CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) 1 and 2, with none being lost and no new chains acquired. In CIN3, these integrins were either expressed throughout the ectocervical epithelium or restricted to the basal layer. In the latter cases, integrin expression was retained to a greater degree by dysplastic squamous epithelium within endocervical glands. These patterns could not be correlated with age or smear history in the cases examined. Patterns of integrin expression in neoplastic cervical epithelium therefore differ from those of normal cervical epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Beta3 integrins facilitate matrix interactions during transendothelial migration of PC3 prostate tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: beta3 integrins play a role in metastatic progression of prostate cancer by mediating adhesion of cancer cells to endothelium and migration through extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the role of beta3 integrins during transendothelial migration (TEM) of prostate tumor cells is poorly understood. We examined the role of beta3 integrins in TEM of PC3 human prostate cancer cells through a monolayer of human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs). METHODS: PC3 cells were challenged with beta3 integrin antibodies or antisense nucleotides and their efficiency to migrate through monolayers of endothelial cells (ECs) was assessed using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: beta3 integrins in PC3 cells are not localized in focal contacts and their blockade significantly inhibited TEM by over 50% preferentially during late stages of migration. Formation of PC3 cell pseudopodia on matrigel was significantly reduced by beta3 integrin antisense oligonucleotides. CONCLUSIONS: beta3 integrins play important roles during TEM of PC3 cells while interacting with the matrix underneath the endothelium. These interactions are independent of the ability to cluster beta3 integrins into focal adhesions.

Antibodies↗

In vitro and in vivo expression of alpha 7 integrin and desmin define the primary and secondary myogenic lineages.

Skeletal muscle fibers form during two periods of development and differ biochemically, functionally and in their morphology. Primary fibers develop in the rat hindlimb during Days 14 to 16 of embryogenesis. These fibers are subsequently surrounded by secondary fibers that eventually constitute the bulk of muscle mass in the limbs. We have used the expression of the alpha 7 muscle laminin binding integrin (Song et al., J. Cell Biol. 117, 643-657, 1992) and the intermediate filament protein desmin to identify myogenic cells at distinct stages of development both in vitro and in vivo. The phenotypes of these cells, determined by immunofluorescence microscopy, discriminate two lineages and indicate that the development of primary and secondary muscle fibers is regulated by multiple mechanisms. The cells which compose the primary myogenic lineage are derived from a population of precursor cells that is in part present in the Day 12 embryo limb bud and which do not express either alpha 7 integrin or desmin. These precursor cells develop into cells that express desmin, but not alpha 7, and which subsequently mature into replicating myoblasts that are competent to undergo terminal differentiation. This maturation process requires the in vivo environment of the Day 13 embryo limb. The alpha 7 integrin and slow myosin heavy chain are first expressed in primary muscle cells well after the onset of terminal differentiation. Some cells that give rise to secondary muscle fibers also are present in the Day 12 embryo hindlimb. The precursors of secondary fibers will develop into cells which express either alpha 7 integrin or desmin and subsequently into replicating myoblasts that express both proteins. Upon terminal differentiation of secondary myoblasts there is an increase in the expression of both alpha 7 integrin and desmin. The temporal regulation of expression of these proteins indicates that the environment of the limb plays a role in the maturation of precursors of both lineages. At least two roles of alpha 7 integrin during myogenesis are related to its association with beta 1 integrin and its function as a laminin receptor. Laminin selectively maintains the proliferation of secondary myoblasts and modulates their shape and mobility in vitro. This responsiveness of secondary myoblasts to laminin corresponds to the time when laminin is a major component of the extracellular matrix, when there is an expansion of the population of secondary myoblasts, and when the alpha 7 integrin is expressed on secondary myoblasts in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Loss of beta1 integrin function results in a retardation of myogenic, but an acceleration of neuronal, differentiation of embryonic stem cells in vitro.

Integrin cell surface receptors play an important role for cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation during embryonic development by mediating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Less is known about the function of integrins during commitment and lineage determination of early embryogenesis. Homozygous inactivation of the beta1 integrin gene results in embryonal death in mice around the time of implantation. In vitro, differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells which lack beta1 integrin (beta1-/-) into the cardiogenic lineage is delayed and results in a disordered cellular specification (Fässler et al., J. Cell Sci. 109, 2989-2999, 1996). To analyze beta1 integrin function during myogenesis and neurogenesis we studied differentiation of beta1-/- ES cells via embryoid bodies into skeletal muscle and neuronal cells in vitro. beta1-/- cells showed delayed and reduced myogenic differentiation compared to wildtype and heterozygous (beta1+/-) ES cells. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated delayed expression of skeletal muscle-specific genes in the absence of beta1 integrin. Immunofluorescence studies with antibodies against the sarcomeric proteins myosin heavy chain, titin, nebulin, and slow C-protein showed that myotubes formed, but their number was reduced and the assembly of sarcomeric structures was retarded. In contrast, neuronal cells differentiating from beta1-/- ES cells appeared earlier than wildtype and heterozygous (beta1+/-) ES cells. This was shown by the accelerated expression of neuron-specific genes and an increased number of neuronal cells in beta1-/- embryoid bodies. However, neuronal outgrowth was retarded in the absence of beta1 integrin. No functional difference between wildtype and beta1-/- cells was found with respect to secretion of gamma-aminobutyric acid, the main neurotransmitter of ES cell-derived neuronal cells. The lineage-specific effects of loss of beta1 integrin function, that is the inhibition of mesodermal and acceleration of neuroectodermal differentiation, were supported by differential expression of genes encoding lineage-specific transcription factors (Brachyury, Pax-6, Mash1) and signaling molecules (BMP-4 and Wnt-1). Because of the reduced and delayed expression of the BMP-4 encoding gene in beta1-/- cells, we analyzed in wildtype and beta1-/- cells the regulatory role of exogenously added BMP-4 on the expression of the mesodermal and neuronal marker genes, Brachyury and wnt-1, respectively. The data suggest that BMP-4 plays a regulatory role during differentiation of wildtype and beta1-/- cells by modifying mesodermal and neuronal pathways. The reduced expression of BMP-4 in beta1-/- cells may account for the accelerated neuronal differentiation in beta1-/- ES cells.

Animals↗

Syndecan-1 signals independently of beta1 integrins during Raji cell spreading.

Syndecan-1-expressing Raji lymphoid cells (Raji-S1 cells) bind and spread rapidly when attaching to matrix ligands that contain heparan sulfate-binding domains. However, these ligands also contain binding sites for integrins, which are widely known to signal, raising the question of whether the proteoglycan core protein participates in generation of the signal for spreading. To address this question, the spreading of the Raji-S1 cells is examined on ligands specific for either beta1 integrins, known to be present on the Raji cells, or the syndecan-1 core protein. The cells adhere and spread on invasin, a ligand that activates beta1 integrins, the IIICS fragment of fibronectin, which is a specific ligand for the alpha4beta1 integrin, or mAb281.2, an antibody specific for the syndecan-1 core protein. The signaling resulting from adhesion to the syndecan-specific antibody appears integrin independent as (i) the morphology of the cells spreading on the antibody is distinct from spreading initiated by the integrins alone; (ii) spreading on the syndecan or integrin ligands is affected differently by the kinase inhibitors tyrphostin 25, genistein, and staurosporine; and (iii) spreading on the syndecan-specific antibody is not disrupted by blocking beta1 integrin activation with mAb13, a beta1 inhibitory antibody. These data demonstrate that ligation of syndecan-1 initiates intracellular signaling and suggest that this signaling occurs when cells expressing syndecan-1 adhere to matrix ligands containing heparan sulfate-binding domains.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Specific lectins map the distribution of fibronectin and beta 1-integrin on living MDCK cells.

The expression and dynamics of bound fibronectin and the sialylated integral membrane protein, beta 1-integrin, were analyzed on the apical membrane of living MDCK cells. Fibronectin was identified by its specific binding of fluorescent peanut agglutinin and sialylated beta 1-integrin by its binding of Sambucus nigra agglutinin. Confocal epifluorescence microscopy and laser scanning cytometry determined the distribution and abundance of binding sites of the two fluorescently labeled lectins. Both fibronectin and beta 1-integrin were restricted to specific regions uniformly distributed over the entire apical surface. Apical-surface fibronectin binding varied much more between cells than did the expression of beta 1-integrin. Sialylated beta 1-integrin colocalized >92% with membrane microplicae while fibronectin was unrelated to these surface structures. This lack of colocalization of the proteins was confirmed by double-labeling experiments. From the maturation dependence of the fibronectin-binding capacity and the differences in protein turnover times, it was evident that fibronectin did not bind to sialylated beta 1-integrin. Furthermore, desialylation of beta 1-integrin uncovered additional fibronectin receptors on the apical membrane. We conclude that these lectins permit tracking of two membrane-associated glycoproteins in living cells and that fibronectin binds only to desialylated beta 1-integrin on MDCK cells.

Animals↗

Evidence for beta 1-integrins on both apical and basal surfaces of Xenopus retinal pigment epithelium.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a transporting epithelium with polarized membrane domains. A unique characteristic of these cells is that their apical surface does not face a lumenal space, but is directly apposed to a layer of neurons (photoreceptors) and their associated extracellular matrix. Because the interaction occurring at this site is important for retinal attachment and particle phagocytosis, an attempt was made to identify epithelial molecules which potentially could mediate cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion. In the present report, the subcellular localization of beta 1-integrins, the main receptors for extracellular matrix ligands, has been examined within Xenopus RPE. Several previously characterized antibodies were used in this analysis including: two rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against purified chick muscle fibronectin receptor (pAbs No. 3818 and No. 2999), and a monoclonal antibody specific for Xenopus beta 1-integrin subunit (mAb 8C8). In Western blots of whole epithelial cell extracts, each of the antibodies intensely labeled a 115 kDa band, consistent with beta 1-integrin reactivity. One of the reagents (pAb No. 3818) also weakly stained unidentified bands of 50 and 100 kDa. Pre-clearing experiments demonstrated that pAb No. 3818 and mAb 8C8 both recognize the same detergent-soluble integrin: when cell extracts were depleted of beta 1-integrin by immunoprecipitation with mAb 8C8, the 115 kDa antigen recognized by pAb No. 3818 was not observed. Consistent with their similar immunochemical reactivities, each of the antibodies produced equivalent immunocytochemical staining of many eyecup tissues, including extraocular skeletal muscle cells, scleral and choroidal fibroblasts and vascular endothelium of the choroid and neural retina. In the native RPE, and isolated sheets of epithelium, however, qualitative differences in labeling between these antibodies were evident. Analysis by confocal microscopy showed that, while all three antibodies stained the basal surface of the epithelium, pAb No. 3818 also strongly labeled the apical microvillar surface. As the adjacent photoreceptors did not cross-react with this antibody in control experiments, the apical RPE staining could not be accounted for as contamination with retinal tissues during isolation. Furthermore, when the apical cell surface was selectively biotinylated in situ, and biotinylated proteins precipitated by streptavidin-agarose, beta 1-integrin was detected by immunoblotting with both mAb 8C8 and pAb No. 3818. This domain-specific material, however, represented only a fraction of the whole cell surface integrin: substantially greater amounts of tagged molecules could be detected when isolated epithelial sheets were biotinylated, most likely representing the basal protein. Based on these results, it can be concluded that beta 1-integrin is present in both basal and apical RPE plasma membranes. Molecules present in the apical membrane may represent components of adhesion receptors responsible for retina-epithelium interactions.

Animals↗

Beta1-integrins partly mediate binding of ovarian cancer cells to peritoneal mesothelium in vitro.

Ovarian cancer cells frequently metastasize by implanting onto the peritoneal mesothelial surface of the abdominal cavity. Although the CD44 molecule expressed by ovarian cancer cells is known to partly mediate this process, the role of other adhesion proteins such as beta1-integrins has been previously difficult to demonstrate using the 4B4 anti-beta1 neutralizing antibody. In view of the widespread expression of beta1-integrins in ovarian cancer, however, we have further examined the potential role of this class of molecules in ovarian cancer cell implantation through the use of an alternative anti-beta1 neutralizing antibody, MAB13. We now report that MAB13 is capable of inhibiting the binding of three separate human ovarian cancer cell lines (36M2, CAOV-3, SKOV-3) to mesothelium (mean 37 +/- 4% inhibition, n = 21, P < 0.001). An additive inhibitory effect was observed when MAB13 was combined with anti-CD44 antibody (clone 515) (mean 63 +/- 3% inhibition, n = 19, P < 0.001), suggesting that binding occurs through two independent pathways involving both beta1-integrins and CD44. Because fibronectin is an extracellular matrix ligand recognized by many types of integrins and is abundantly expressed on mesothelial cells, the inhibitory effects of MAB13 and 4B4 on ovarian cancer cell binding to fibronectin were directly compared. MAB13 inhibited ovarian cancer cell binding to fibronectin to a significantly greater degree than did 4B4, suggesting that the discordant effects of these two antibodies on mesothelial adhesion may be partly related to their differential ability to neutralizing fibronectin-mediated binding. Studies using anti-alpha5 neutralizing antibody demonstrated that the alpha5beta1 fibronectin receptor contributes to approximately 50% of integrin-mediated binding of 36M2 and CAOV-3 cells (which express the alpha5 chain in 54 and 58% of cells, respectively). Since the RGD sequence of fibronectin is a known recognition site for many types of integrins, including alpha5beta1 and alphanubeta3, we performed binding in the continued presence of both anti-alpha5 and RGD peptide in order to exclude other types of fibronectin-integrin interactions. The addition of RGD peptides at concentrations known to be capable of blocking fibronectin binding resulted in no additional inhibitory effect over that observed with anti-alpha5 antibody alone, suggesting that alpha5beta1 was the major receptor responsible for fibronectin-mediated ovarian cancer binding to mesothelium. These data demonstrate that ovarian cancer cell binding to peritoneal mesothelium is mediated by several adhesion pathways and that simultaneous inhibition of both beta1-integrin and CD44 function may be necessary in order to significantly limit the intraabdominal spread of this tumor in vivo.

Cell Adhesion↗

Beta3 integrin activation improves alphavbeta3-mediated retraction of fibrin matrices.

BACKGROUND: Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. In vivo, integrin affinity can be modulated by intracellular signaling events. This can be simulated by a point mutation (D723R) in the cytoplasmic tail of the beta3 integrin subunit which results in constitutive activation. The effects of beta3 integrin activation on the function of alphavbeta3, an integrin which is important to the adhesive events of multiple cell types, were addressed using Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing either the wild-type alphavbeta3 integrin or the mutant alphavbeta3(D723R). The interactions of these cell lines with fibrin matrices were compared. METHODS: Receptor expression levels were confirmed by FACS analyses using a monoclonal anti-alphavbeta3 antibody. Cell attachment to fibrin-coated dishes was determined after 1 h by fixation and crystal violet staining followed by elution of the dye and OD measurement. Fibrin clot retraction was measured by culturing cells in fibrin clots for 24 h. The clots were detached from the dish and the surface area was calculated at individual time points. RESULTS: CHO alphavbeta3(D723R) cells displayed a greater than twofold increase in attachment to fibrinogen or to fibrin matrices when compared to wild-type transfectants. Further, CHO alphavbeta3(D723R) cell retraction of fibrin matrices was significantly greater at nearly all time points. CONCLUSION: Activation of the beta3 integrin subunit significantly improves the interaction of alphavbeta3 with fibrin and may play a role in the integrin-mediated signaling events which occur following vascular injury.

Animals↗

Integrin expression in human melanoma cells with differing invasive and metastatic properties.

During the process of tumor cell invasion and metastasis, tumor cells are known to interact with extracellular matrix proteins, endothelial cells, platelets and other organ-specific structures. Integrins are cell surface molecules which mediate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions and are likely to be important for tumor cell survival and dissemination. The purpose of this study was to characterize the integrin and proteolytic enzyme repertoire from low (A375P), medium (A375M) and high metastatic (A375SM) human melanoma cell lines. These cell lines are also invasive through human amniotic membranes in vitro and their invasiveness parallels the reported metastatic phenotype. The types and levels of expression of the various integrin receptors were analysed by quantitative immunoprecipitation using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed to known integrin subunits. In addition, cDNA probes to the integrin subunits were used in quantitative northern blot analysis. These data show that the integrin alpha v beta 3 increases 50- to 100-fold as these cells progress to a more metastatic phenotype. alpha 4 beta 1 levels also appeared to increase several fold, while other beta 1 integrins did not differ in their expression levels. The increased alpha v beta 3 expression in the more metastatic cells resulted in an increased adhesion to vitronectin and fibrinogen substrates in cell attachment assays. However, alpha v- and beta 3-specific antibodies did not inhibit A375 cell invasion through the amnion. Each cell line was found to release similar quantities of a 72-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase and tissue type plasminogen activator. These results suggest that during the progression of these tumor cells from a low to high metastatic phenotype, marked changes in integrin expression occurred which may facilitate interactions with platelets, endothelial cells and specific extracellular matrix proteins to promote metastasis.

Cell Adhesion↗

Expression and ligand binding of alpha 2 beta 1 integrin on breast carcinoma cells.

We examined the expression and ligand specificity of the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin on human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and a panel of breast carcinoma cell lines in vitro. We found that the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin was universally, but quite variably expressed on these cells by FACS analysis. No significant correlation was observed between its expression and other known cellular phenotypes. Substrate attachment assays using blocking antibodies demonstrated that alpha 2 beta 1 integrin served as a receptor for collagen on HMEC and almost all breast carcinoma cells. However, its contribution to laminin binding of these cells appeared to be related to cellular differentiation as evaluated by sex steroid receptor status and by markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, i.e. loss of E-cadherin and expression of vimentin. Two different populations of non-malignant immortalized HMEC (184A1N4 and MCF-10A) contained cells capable of using alpha 2 beta 1 integrin as a laminin receptor. Breast cancer cell lines positive for estrogen receptor (ER) and E-cadherin (MCF-7, T47D, ZR75-1) could also use alpha 2 beta 1 integrin as a laminin receptor. Conversely, alpha 2 beta 1 integrin appeared to be incapable of binding to laminin or to be a very minor receptor for laminin on metastatic ER-negative breast carcinoma cells that expressed vimentin (MDA-MB 231, MDA-MB 435, and MDA-MB 436). These findings suggest that the ligand specificity of alpha 2 beta 1 integrin, i.e. its function as a laminin receptor, may be regulated during the malignant progression of breast carcinoma cells. A reduced contribution of alpha 2 beta 1 integrin to the cellular laminin binding appears to be associated with an increased malignant phenotype and with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast carcinoma cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Comparative evaluation of integrin alpha- and beta-chain expression in colorectal carcinoma cell lines and in their tumours of origin.

The integrin family consists of broadly expressed cell surface adhesion receptors, each member of which is composed of a non-covalently linked alpha/beta heterodimer. Integrin receptors are involved in the interaction with matrix proteins and may contribute to invasion and metastasis of carcinomas. To examine the biological role integrins play in colorectal carcinoma we compared the expression of integrin alpha- and beta-subunits in situ and in vitro. Eight newly established cell lines derived from immunohistochemically characterized colorectal carcinomas together with two sublines obtained after nude mouse passage and the commonly used colon carcinoma lines HT-29, SW480, SW620, and COLO 205 were investigated by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The carcinomas in situ expressed alpha 1-, alpha 2-, alpha 3-, alpha 6-, alpha v- and beta 1-subunits in variable amounts while being devoid of alpha 4, alpha 5, and beta 3. The individual integrin profile of the tumour in tissue was essentially maintained in vitro. However, a neo expression of the alpha 5 chain was found, together with an induction or increase in alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha v and beta 1 levels. No decrease in integrin subunit expression was observed. Standard-serum and serum-free medium revealed no striking differences in alpha- and beta-chain expression in the cell lines HT-29 and COLO 205. In serum-free medium, SW480 showed a slight increase of alpha 1 and alpha 5 and a decrease of alpha 3 and alpha v while SW620 expressed more alpha 1. We conclude that the great variability of adhesion receptor expression of the integrin family in colorectal carcinomas in situ is essentially maintained in vitro, although culture conditions which are only marginally influenced by serum factors unpredictably lead to some increase in expression or even induction of several integrin subunits.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗