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Domain-specific interactions of talin with the membrane-proximal region of the integrin beta3 subunit.

Activation (affinity regulation) of integrin adhesion receptors controls cell migration and extracellular matrix assembly. Talin connects integrins with actin filaments and influences integrin affinity by binding to the integrins' short cytoplasmic beta-tail. The principal beta-tail binding site in talin is a FERM domain, comprised of three subdomains (F1, F2, and F3). Previous studies of integrin alphaIIbbeta3 have shown that both F2 and F3 bind the beta3 tail, but only F3, or the F2-F3 domain pair, induces activation. Here, talin-induced perturbations of beta3 NMR resonances were examined to explore integrin activation mechanisms. F3 and F2-F3, but not F2, distinctly perturbed the membrane-proximal region of the beta3 tail. All domains also perturbed more distal regions of the beta3 tail that appear to form the major interaction surface, since the beta3(Y747A) mutation suppressed those effects. These results suggest that perturbation of the beta3 tail membrane-proximal region is associated with talin-mediated integrin activation.

Animals↗

The oligodendrocyte precursor mitogen PDGF stimulates proliferation by activation of alpha(v)beta3 integrins.

Central nervous system development requires precise and localized regulation of neural precursor behaviour. Here we show how the interaction between growth factor and integrin signalling pathways provides a mechanism for such precision in oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) proliferation. While physiological concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were not in themselves sufficient to promote OP proliferation, they did so on extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates that bind alpha(v)beta3 integrin. Upon PDGF-AA exposure and alpha(v)beta3 engagement, a physical co-association between both receptors was demonstrated, confirming the interaction between these signalling pathways. Furthermore, we found that PDGFalphaR stimulated a protein kinase C-dependent activation of integrin alpha(v)beta3, which in turn induced OP proliferation via a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent signalling pathway. These studies establish a mechanism by which OP proliferation is dependent on the availability of both an ECM ligand and a mitogenic growth factor. Growth factor- mediated integrin activation is the critical integrative step in proliferation signalling, and ensures that the response of neural precursor cells to long-range cues can be regulated by their cellular neighbours, allowing precise control of cell behaviour during development.

Animals↗

Structure-function analysis reveals discrete beta3 integrin inside-out and outside-in signaling pathways in platelets.

A unique aspect of integrin receptor function is the transmission of bidirectional signals. In platelets alphaIIbbeta3 integrins require "inside-out" signals to bind fibrinogen and form thrombi. Following ligand binding, alphaIIbbeta3 integrins generate "outside-in" signals that contribute to thrombus stability. Because integrin cytoplasmic tails are short and lack enzymatic activity, bidirectional signals are believed to be mediated by interactions with intracellular proteins, but the molecular basis for integrin signal transduction remains poorly understood. In the present study we have used retroviral vectors to express alphaIIbbeta3 integrins with mutant beta3 tails in mouse platelets and test mechanisms of bidirectional signaling. Using this approach we identify mutations (eg, beta3Y747A) that confer loss of signaling in both directions and others (eg, beta3T762A) that confer a selective loss of outside-in signals. These results reveal the presence of discrete bidirectional signaling pathways controlled by integrin beta subunits in platelets and describe a high-throughput means of further investigating these pathways in vivo.

Animals↗

alpha(v)beta3-integrin-dependent activation of focal adhesion kinase mediates NF-kappaB activation and motogenic activity by HIV-1 Tat in endothelial cells.

Once in the extracellular environment, the transactivator protein HIV-1 Tat exerts several pleiotropic effects by interacting with different cellular receptors, including integrin alpha(v)beta3. Real-time surface plasmon resonance analysis reveals that Tat/alpha(V)beta3 interaction occurs with rapid kinetics (association and dissociation rates equal to 1.16 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and 3.78 x 10(-1) s(-1), respectively) and high affinity (dissociation constant = 32 nM). Through this interaction, substratum-immobilized Tat promotes adhesion and motogenic activity in endothelial cells. Also, alpha(v)beta(3)/Tat interaction triggers the activation of focal adhesion kinase, RhoA and pp60src. Overexpression of the dominant negative form of focal adhesion kinase, but not of an inactive Leu1034Ser substitution mutant isoform, impairs the activation of focal adhesion kinase and RhoA, but not that of pp60src, without affecting endothelial cell adhesion and spreading. alpha(v)beta3/Tat interaction triggers the activation of NF-kappaB in endothelial cells in a focal adhesion kinase-, RhoA- and pp60src-dependent manner, as shown in dominant negative focal adhesion kinase transfectants or using specific pharmacological inhibitors. Finally, the activation of focal adhesion kinase, RhoA, NF-kappaB and pp60src are required to mediate the motogenic activity of Tat in endothelial cells. Since Tat accumulates in an immobilized form in the extracellular matrix, these results provide new biochemical and biological insights about alpha(v)beta3/Tat interaction exploitable for the design of anti-Tat strategies.

Animals↗

Inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo: comparison of the relative activities of triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide and anti-alpha(v)beta3 integrin monoclonal antibody.

Disintegrin which contains the amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), has been implicated as a recognition site in interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell membrane receptors. Triflavin, a 7.5 kDa cysteine-rich polypeptide purified from Trimeresurus flavoviridis snake venom, belongs to a family of disintegrins. Integrin alpha(v)beta3 has recently been identified as a marker of angiogenic blood vessels and therefore anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb may significantly inhibit angiogenesis. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the relative activity of triflavin and anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion and migration in vitro, and on angiogenesis induced by TNF(alpha) in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). In this study, it was shown that triflavin (0.1 to 0.4 microM) dose-dependently inhibited the adhesion of HUVECs to ECMs (i.e., vitronectin, fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV). At a concentration of 10 microM, anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb almost completely inhibited the adhesion of cells to vitronectin, had a moderate inhibitory effect on fibronectin and laminin, but only a slight inhibitory effect on collagen type IV. On the other hand, vitronectin and fibronectin promote a significantly greater extent of cell adhesion and migration than laminin or collagen type IV over a wide range of concentrations (5 to 15 microg/ml). In cell migration studies, triflavin (0.4 microM) inhibited more markedly vitronectin- and fibronectin-mediated migration than that mediated by laminin- and collagen type IV. Comparison of the relative effectiveness of triflavin with anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb, showed that triflavin was at least twenty to thirty times more potent than anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb at inhibiting cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, we used TNF(alpha) as an inducer of angiogenesis in the CAM assay. Close examination of the effects of triflavin and anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb on TNF(alpha)-induced angiogenesis revealed the presence of discontinuous and disrupted blood vessels. However, anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb showed a significant effect only at a higher concentration (10 microM). These results suggest that the inhibition of angiogenesis may have been due to interference with the adhesion and migration of endothelial cells to ECMs. The results also indicate that triflavin has a more powerful inhibitory effect than anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb on angiogenesis, suggesting that triflavin could theoretically be used as a reasonable therapeutic adjuvant for therapy or prevention of angiogenesis-induced diseases.

Allantois↗

Increased risk of ovarian cancer in integrin beta3 Leu33Pro homozygotes.

We previously demonstrated that integrin beta(3) Leu33Pro homozygotes have an increased risk of cancer, possibly most pronounced for ovarian cancer. We now test the latter hypothesis in case-control and prospective studies. We genotyped 463 Danish women with ovarian cancer, and 4291 women from the Danish general population. Calculation of odds ratios by conditional logistic regression was performed in the case-control study (n = 463 + 3543), and of ovarian cancer incidence, log-rank statistics and hazard ratios by Cox regression in the prospective study (n = 4291) with 9.5-year follow-up. In the case-control study matched for age and marital status, the odds ratio for ovarian cancer in homozygotes versus non-carriers was 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.6). In the prospective study with 28 incident ovarian cancers, non-carriers and homozygotes had incidences of 7 (4-11) and 30 (10-92) per 10 000 person-years (log-rank P = 0.02). The age-adjusted hazard ratio for ovarian cancer in homozygotes versus non-carriers was 3.9 (1.1-13). Risk of ovarian cancer did not differ between heterozygotes and non-carriers in either study. Integrin beta(3) Leu33Pro homozygotes have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Adult↗

Complementary roles for receptor clustering and conformational change in the adhesive and signaling functions of integrin alphaIIb beta3.

Integrin alphaIIb beta3 mediates platelet aggregation and "outside-in" signaling. It is regulated by changes in receptor conformation and affinity and/or by lateral diffusion and receptor clustering. To document the relative contributions of conformation and clustering to alphaIIb beta3 function, alphaIIb was fused at its cytoplasmic tail to one or two FKBP12 repeats (FKBP). These modified alphaIIb subunits were expressed with beta3 in CHO cells, and the heterodimers could be clustered into morphologically detectable oligomers upon addition of AP1510, a membrane-permeable, bivalent FKBP ligand. Integrin clustering by AP1510 caused binding of fibrinogen and a multivalent (but not monovalent) fibrinogen-mimetic antibody. However, ligand binding due to clustering was only 25-50% of that observed when alphaIIb beta3 affinity was increased by an activating antibody or an activating mutation. The effects of integrin clustering and affinity modulation were additive, and clustering promoted irreversible ligand binding. Clustering of alphaIIb beta3 also promoted cell adhesion to fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor, but not as effectively as affinity modulation. However, clustering was sufficient to trigger fibrinogen-independent tyrosine phosphorylation of pp72(Syk) and fibrinogen-dependent phosphorylation of pp125(FAK), even in non-adherent cells. Thus, receptor clustering and affinity modulation play complementary roles in alphaIIb beta3 function. Affinity modulation is the predominant regulator of ligand binding and cell adhesion, but clustering increases these responses further and triggers protein tyrosine phosphorylation, even in the absence of affinity modulation. Both affinity modulation and clustering may be needed for optimal function of alphaIIb beta3 in platelets.

Animals↗

Integrin beta3 overexpression suppresses tumor growth in a human model of gliomagenesis: implications for the role of beta3 overexpression in glioblastoma multiforme.

alphaVbeta3 integrin complexes are overexpressed in the growing, invading margins of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and in the GBM vasculature, suggesting a key role for alphaVbeta3 in GBM growth and invasion. The function of alphaVbeta3 complexes in tumor formation, however, has been challenged by studies showing that loss of alphaVbeta3 expression (via loss of beta3) in the host vasculature enhances, rather than suppresses, the growth of s.c. implanted carcinomas. To directly address the role of tumor-specific alphaVbeta3 overexpression in glioma formation, we increased alphaVbeta3 expression (via overexpression of a wild-type or constitutively activated beta3) in human astrocytes genetically modified to form anaplastic astrocytoma-like tumors (Ras cells) on intracranial injection in rats. Overexpression of beta3 selectively increased levels of alphaVbeta3 integrin complexes, but had no effect on anchorage-dependent or -independent growth in vitro. After intracranial injection, however, the Ras + beta3 cells formed fewer and smaller tumors than did Ras cells. Similarly, Ras-transformed mouse astrocytes that were derived from control animals formed smaller intracranial tumors than those derived from beta3 knockout animals. Although tumors formed by human Ras and Ras + beta3 cells were similar in blood vessel density, Ras + beta3 tumors had smaller, pericyte-depleted vessels and were significantly more hypoxic, suggesting a beta3-mediated vascular defect. The growth-suppressive actions of beta3, however, could be overcome by stimulation of pathways (Akt or vascular endothelial growth factor) commonly activated in GBM. These results show that tumor-specific alphaVbeta3 overexpression has growth-suppressive effects in gliomas, but that these deleterious effects are mitigated by alterations common to alphaVbeta3-overexpressing GBM.

Animals↗

A Ser162-->Leu mutation within glycoprotein (GP) IIIa (integrin beta3) results in an unstable alphaIIbbeta3 complex that retains partial function in a novel form of type II Glanzmann thrombasthenia.

Platelets from Glanzmann thrombasthenia patient BL express approximately 30% of the normal alphaIIbbeta3 content and support fibrin-mediated clot retraction, but fail to bind fibrinogen or aggregate following cellular activation. BL platelets bind neither activation-dependent nor activation-independent ligands. DNA sequence analysis of BL platelet mRNA revealed a homozygous C583-->T point mutation in a conserved region of beta3, resulting in a Ser162Leu amino acid substitution. This mutation appears to produce destabilizing effects on the alphaIIbbeta3 complex, as evidenced by the fact that (1) the BL alphaIIbbeta3 complex exhibited altered sedimentation velocity through sucrose gradients, (2) alphaIIb and beta3 was not recognized by complex-dependent monoclonal antibodies or co-precipitated by integrin subunit-specific antibodies, and (3) biosynthesis and trafficking of the alphaIIbbeta3Leu162 complex was delayed relative to that of the wild-type control. Taken together, these data implicate the region encompassing Ser162 in the stabilization and ligand binding properties of the alphaIIbbeta3 complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Beta1 and beta3 integrins cooperate to induce syndecan-4-containing cross-linked actin networks in human trabecular meshwork cells.

PURPOSE: To characterize the molecular composition of cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) and the regulation of their formation by integrins in normal human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. CLANs have been observed in steroid-treated and glaucomatous TM cells and have been suggested to contribute to decreased outflow facility by altering the contractility of the TM. METHODS: Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to identify molecular components of CLANs and quantitate CLAN formation in HTM cells plated on coverslips coated with various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, types I and IV collagen, and vitronectin), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, or activating antibodies against beta1, beta3, or alpha2beta1 integrins. These integrin antibodies were also used as soluble ligands. RESULTS: CLAN vertices contained the actin-binding proteins alpha-actinin and filamin and the signaling molecules syndecan-4 and PIP2. CLANs lacked Arp3 and cortactin. CLAN formation was dependent on the ECM substrate and was significantly higher on fibronectin and VCAM-1 compared with vitronectin, types I or IV collagen. Adsorbed beta1 integrin antibodies also induced CLANs, whereas adsorbed beta3 or alpha2beta1 integrin antibodies did not. Soluble beta3 integrin antibodies, however, induced CLANs and actually enhanced CLAN formation in cells spread on fibronectin, VCAM-1, type I or type IV collagen, or beta1 integrin antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: CLANs are unique actin-branched networks whose formation can be regulated by beta1 and beta3 integrin signaling pathways. Thus, integrin-mediated signaling events can modulate the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in TM cells and hence could participate in regulating cytoskeletal events previously demonstrated to be involved in controlling outflow facility.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Migration properties of the human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line IGROV1: importance of alpha(v)beta3 integrins and vitronectin.

Cell migration of ovarian tumoral cells is essential for cell dissemination and for invasion of the submesothelial extracellular matrix (ECM). We have conducted a study of the migratory properties of an ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line (IGROV1) by using 2 distinct methods for the evaluation of cell migration. We found that in a short-term transfilter migration assay, IGROV1 cells migrated toward vitronectin, fibronectin, type IV collagen and laminin in an integrin-dependent manner. When migration was evaluated in a wound healing assay, the restitution of the wounded area was stimulated solely by added, exogenous vitronectin and was almost totally dependent on alpha(v)beta3 integrin function. Moreover, we demonstrated that alpha(v)beta3 was localized in focal contacts restricted to the leading edge of migrating cells, whereas vitronectin notably localized with actin stress fibers and cortical actin. On the other hand, several kinase inhibitors were found to impede migration of IGROV1 induced by vitronectin. It thus appears that alpha(v)beta3-vitronectin interactions lead to the activation of multiple signaling pathway including activation of protein kinase C, phosphatidyl-inositol-3-phosphate kinase and protein tyrosine kinase. The "alpha(v)beta3-vitronectin system" is therefore essential to the migration of human ovarian carcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Inhibition of alpha(v)beta3 integrin survival signaling enhances antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of radiotherapy.

The involvement of alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins in angiogenesis and the use of integrin antagonists as effective antiangiogenic agents are documented. Radiotherapy is an important therapy option for cancer. It has been shown that ionizing radiation exerts primarily antiangiogenic effects in tumors but has also proangiogenic effects as the reaction of the tumor to protect its own vasculature from radiation damage. Here, we show that combined treatment with S247, an Arg-Gly-Glu peptidomimetic antagonist of alpha(v)beta3 integrin, and external beam radiotherapy are beneficial in local tumor therapy. We found that radiation up-regulates alpha(v)beta3 expression in endothelial cells and consecutively phosphorylates Akt, which may provide a tumor escape mechanism from radiation injury mediated by integrin survival signaling. In the presence of S247, the radiation-induced Akt phosphorylation is strongly inhibited. Our studies on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation, apoptosis, and clonogenic survival show that the radiosensitivity of endothelial cells is enhanced by the concurrent administration of the integrin antagonist. The in vitro data are successfully translated into human glioma (U87), epidermoid (A431), and prostate cancer (PC3) xenograft models growing s.c. on BALB/c-nu/nu mice. In vivo, the combination of S247 treatment and fractionated radiotherapy (5 x 2.5 Gy) leads to enhanced antiangiogenic and antitumor effects compared with either monotherapies. These results underline the importance of alpha(v)beta3 integrin when tumors protect their microvasculature from radiation-induced damage. The data also indicate that the combination of integrin antagonists and radiotherapy represents a rational approach in local cancer therapy.

Animals↗

Significance of RGD loop and C-terminal domain of echistatin for recognition of alphaIIb beta3 and alpha(v) beta3 integrins and expression of ligand-induced binding site.

Echistatin is a viper venom disintegrin containing RGD loop maintained by disulfide bridges. It binds with a high affinity to alpha(v) beta3 and alphaIIb beta3 and it induces extensive conformational changes in these integrins resulting in expression of ligand-induced binding site (LIBS) epitopes. We investigated the activities of echistatin and its three analogues (R24A, D27W, echistatin 1-41). R24A echistatin did not react with alphaIIb beta3 and alpha(v) beta3 integrins and did not cause LIBS effect. D27W echistatin showed increased binding to alphaIIb beta3 and decreased binding to alpha(v) beta3. This substitution impaired the ability of echistatin to induce LIBS in alpha(v) beta3 integrin. Deletion of nine C-terminal amino acids of echistatin decreased its ability to bind alphaIIb beta3 and inhibit platelet aggregation. Truncated echistatin failed to induce LIBS epitopes on cells transfected with alphaIIb beta3 and alpha(v) beta3 genes. The ability of echistatin 1-41 to compete with binding of vitronectin to immobilized alpha(v) beta3 and monoclonal antibody 7E3 to platelets and to VNRC3 cells was decreased, although this analogue, after immobilization, retained its ability to bind purified alpha(v) beta3. We propose a hypothesis in which echistatin's RGD loop determines selective recognition of alphaIIb beta3 and alpha(v) beta3 integrin, whereas the C-terminal domain supports its binding to resting integrin and significantly contributes to the expression of LIBS epitope and to conformational changes of the receptor, leading to a further increase of the binding affinity of echistatin and of the inhibitory effect.

Animals↗

Sequential activation of p38 and ERK pathways by cGMP-dependent protein kinase leading to activation of the platelet integrin alphaIIb beta3.

Integrin activation (inside-out signaling) in platelets can be initiated by agonists such as von Willebrand factor (VWF) and thrombin. Here we show that a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38, plays an important role in the activation of integrin alphaIIb beta3 induced by VWF and thrombin. A dominant-negative mutant of p38, p38AF, inhibits alphaIIb beta3 activation induced by VWF binding to its receptor, the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX (GPIb-IX), and p38 inhibitors diminish platelet aggregation induced by VWF or low-dose thrombin. The inhibitory effect of p38 inhibitor is unlikely to be caused by the previous suggested effect on cyclo-oxygenase, as inhibition also was observed in the presence of high concentrations of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, aspirin. VWF or thrombin induces p38 activation, which is inhibited in cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)-knockout mouse platelets and PKG inhibitor-treated human platelets, indicating that activation of p38 is downstream from PKG in the signaling pathway. p38AF or p38 inhibitors diminish PKG-induced phosphorylation of extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase (ERK), which also is important in integrin activation. Thus, p38 plays an important role in mediating PKG-dependent activation of ERK. These data delineate a novel signaling pathway in which platelet agonists sequentially activate PKG, p38, and ERK pathways leading to integrin activation.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

RGD-containing peptides activate S6K1 through beta3 integrin in adult cardiac muscle cells.

The enzyme p70S6 kinase (S6K1) is critical for cell growth, and we have reported its activation during cardiac hypertrophy. Because cardiac hypertrophy also involves integrin activation, we analyzed whether integrins could contribute to S6K1 activation. Using adult feline cardiomyocytes, here we report that integrin-interacting Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides activate S6K1 as observed by band shifting, kinase activity and phosphorylation at Thr-389 and Thr-421/Ser-424 of S6K1, and S6 protein phosphorylation. Perturbation of specific integrin function with blocking antibodies and by overexpressing the beta1A cytoplasmic tail revealed that beta3 but not beta1 integrin mediates the RGD-induced S6K1 activation. This activation is focal adhesion complex-independent and is accompanied by the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Studies using specific inhibitors and dominant negative c-Raf expression in cardiomyocytes indicate that the S6K1 activation involves mTOR, MEK/ERK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways and is independent of protein kinase C and c-Raf. Finally, addition of fluorescent-labeled RGD peptide to cardiomyocytes exhibits its internalization and localization to the endocytic vesicles, and pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with endocytic inhibitors reduced the S6K1 activation. These data suggest that RGD interaction with beta3 integrin and its subsequent endocytosis trigger specific signaling pathway(s) for S6K1 activation in cardiomyocytes and that this process may contribute to hypertrophic growth and remodeling of myocardium.

Animals↗

Bifunctional ligands that target cells displaying the alpha v beta3 integrin.

Strategies to eliminate tumor cells have long been sought. We envisioned that a small molecule could be used to decorate the offending cells with immunogenic carbohydrates and evoke an immune response. To this end, we describe the synthesis of bifunctional ligands possessing two functional motifs: one binds a cell-surface protein and the other binds a naturally occurring human antibody. Our conjugates combine an RGD-based peptidomimetic, to target cells displaying the alpha v beta3 integrin, with the carbohydrate antigen galactosyl-alpha(1-3)galactose [Galalpha(1-3)Gal or alpha-Gal]. To generate such bifunctional ligands, we designed and synthesized RGD mimetics 1 b and 2 c, which possess a free amino group for modification. These compounds were used to generate bifunctional derivatives 1 c and 2 d, with dimethyl squarate serving as the linchpin; thus, our synthetic approach is modular. To evaluate the binding of our peptidomimetics to the target alpha v beta3-displaying cells, we implemented a cell-adhesion assay. Results from this assay indicate that the designed, small-molecule ligands inhibit alpha v beta3-dependent cell adhesion. Additionally, our most effective bifunctional ligand exhibits a high degree of selectivity (4000-fold) for alpha v beta3 over the related alpha v beta5 integrin, a result that augurs its utility in specific cell targeting. Finally, we demonstrate that the bifunctional ligands can bind to alpha v beta3-positive cells and recruit human anti-Gal antibodies. These results indicate that both the integrin-binding and the anti-Gal-binding moieties can act simultaneously. Bifunctional conjugates of this type can facilitate the development of new methods for targeting cancer cells by exploiting endogenous antibodies. We anticipate that our modifiable alpha v beta3-binding ligands will be valuable in a variety of applications, including drug delivery and tumor targeting.

Biochemistry↗

Abciximab (ReoPro, chimeric 7E3 Fab) demonstrates equivalent affinity and functional blockade of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 integrins.

BACKGROUND: Large, randomized, and blinded clinical trials (EPIC, EPILOG, and CAPTURE) have demonstrated that abciximab (ReoPro, chimeric 7E3 Fab) markedly reduces thrombotic events associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary interventions. The marked early benefits at 30 days were sustained at 6 months and 3 years. Initially developed because of its efficacy in blocking GP IIb/IIIa (alphaIIb/beta3) receptors on platelets, abciximab also binds with equivalent affinity to alpha(v)beta3. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study presents a detailed characterization of the alphavss3 interaction, including the ability of abciximab to (1) bind with comparable affinity to alpha(v)beta3 and GP IIb/IIIa, (2) inhibit alpha(v)beta3 and GP IIb/IIIa-mediated cell adhesion in vitro with IC50 values approximating binding KD values, and (3) redistribute between GP IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 integrins in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: As an antagonist of not only GP IIb/IIIa but also alpha(v)beta3, abciximab may provide additional clinical benefit in preventing alpha(v)beta3-mediated effects such as thrombin generation, clot retraction, or smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Abciximab binds with equivalent affinity to both GP IIb/IIIa and alphavss3 and redistributes between the 2 integrin receptors in vitro. Abciximab has been previously shown to circulate on platelets for up to 2 weeks. Taken together, these findings suggest that abciximab may have the ability to inhibit both GP IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 for extended periods.

Abciximab↗

Identification of a region in the integrin beta3 subunit that confers ligand binding specificity.

Many integrin adhesion receptors bind ligands containing the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide motif. Most integrins exhibit considerable specificity for particular ligands and can distinguish among the many conformations of RGD. In this study we identify the domain of the integrin beta subunit involved in determining ligand binding specificity. Chimeras of beta3 and beta5, the most homologous integrin beta subunits, were expressed with alphav on the surface of human 293 cells. The ligand binding phenotype of each chimera was assessed using the ligands Fab-9 and fibrinogen, both of which have a binding preference for alphavbeta3. The results of the study show that when exons C and D of the beta3 subunit (residues 95-233) are substituted into beta5, the chimera gained the ability to bind Fab-9 with an affinity close to that of wild-type alphavbeta3. This chimera was able to mediate cell adhesion to fibrinogen. Furthermore, the swap of only a 39-residue segment of this larger domain, beta3 residues 164-202, into the backbone of beta5 enabled the chimeric integrin to bind soluble Fab-9. This small domain is highly divergent among the integrin beta subunits, suggesting that it may play a role in determining ligand selection by all integrins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗