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Caveolin-1 facilitates mechanosensitive protein kinase B (Akt) signaling in vitro and in vivo.

Mechanotransduction represents an integral part of vascular homeostasis and contributes to vascular lesion formation. Previously, we demonstrated a mechanosensitive activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/protein kinase B (Akt) resulting in p27Kip1 transcriptional downregulation and cell cycle entry of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In this study, we further elucidated the signaling from outside-in toward PI3-K/Akt in vitro and in an in vivo model of elevated tensile force. When VSMC were subjected to cyclic stretch (0.5 Hz at 125% resting length), PI3-K, Akt, and Src kinases were found activated. Disrupting caveolar structures with beta-cyclodextrin or transfection of VSMC with caveolin-1 antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) prevented PI3-K and Akt activation and cell cycle entry. Furthermore, PI3-K and Akt were resistant to activation when Src kinases were inhibited pharmacologically or by overexpression of a kinase-dead c-Src mutant. alpha(V)beta3 integrins were identified to colocalize with PI3-K/caveolin-1 complexes, and blockade of alpha(V)beta3 integrins prevented Akt activation. The central role of caveolin-1 in mechanotransduction was further examined in an in vivo model of elevated tensile force. Interposition of wild-type (WT) jugular veins into WT carotid arteries resulted in a rapid Akt activation within the veins that was almost abolished when veins of caveolin-1 knockout (KO) mice were used. Furthermore, late neointima formation within the KO veins was significantly reduced. Our study provides evidence that PI3-K/Akt is critically involved in mechanotransduction of VSMC in vitro and within the vasculature in vivo. Furthermore, caveolin-1 is essential for the integrin-mediated activation of PI3-K/Akt.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

VEGF-A and alphaVbeta3 integrin synergistically rescue angiogenesis via N-Ras and PI3-K signaling in human microvascular endothelial cells.

We recently showed that normal fibroblasts mediate capillary-like differentiation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) in a 3-D angiogenesis model. Here, we show that a collaborative effect of VEGF-A and alphaVbeta3 integrin is critical in fibroblast-mediated angiogenesis because enhancement of both VEGF production by fibroblasts and beta3 integrin expression in HMVEC can rescue capillary-like endothelial differentiation under reduced serum conditions. To investigate the downstream signaling mechanisms, we compared N-Ras and Rho/Rac/Cdc42, as well as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and Akt, for their involvement in the capillary-like network formation. The dominant-negative mutant of N-Ras (N-RasN17), but not the mutants of Rho/Rac/Cdc42, suppressed network formation. Overexpression of a constitutively active form of PI3-K rescued the network formation, which was inhibited by a dominant-negative >beta3 integrin; however, an active form of Akt failed to rescue the inhibition but induced a phenotypic change in HMVEC. Moreover, PI3-K is a downstream target of N-Ras because it could be co-immunoprecipitated with N-Ras, and its active form could rescue the inhibitory effect of N-Ras N17. Thus, our data indicate the existence of N-Ras- and PI3-K-dependent but Rho/Rac/Cdc42- and Akt-independent signaling mechanisms for the synergistic effect of VEGF-A and alphaVbeta3 on fibroblast-mediated microvascular network formation.

Blood Vessels↗

Phagocytosis of rod outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells requires alpha(v)beta5 integrin for binding but not for internalization.

Phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor rod outer segments (ROS) by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for retinal function. Here, we demonstrate that this process requires alpha(v)beta5 integrin, rather than alpha(v)beta3 integrin utilized by systemic macrophages. Although adult rat RPE expressed both alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins, only alpha(v)beta3 was expressed at birth, when the retina is immature and phagocytosis is absent. Expression of alpha(v)beta5 was first detected in RPE at PN7 and reached adult levels at PN11, just before onset of phagocytic activity. Interestingly, alpha(v)beta5 localized in vivo to the apical plasma membrane, facing the photoreceptors, and to intracellular vesicles, whereas alpha(v)beta3 was expressed basolaterally. Using quantitative fluorimaging to assess in vitro uptake of fluorescent particles by human (ARPE-19) and rat (RPE-J) cell lines, alpha(v)beta5 function-blocking antibodies were shown to reduce phagocytosis by drastically decreasing (85%) binding of ROS but not of latex beads. In agreement with a role for alpha(v)beta5 in phagocytosis, immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated codistribution of alpha(v)beta5 integrin with internalized ROS. Control experiments showed that blocking alpha(v)beta3 function with antibodies did not inhibit ROS phagocytosis and that alpha(v)beta3 did not colocalize with phagocytosed ROS. Taken together, our results indicate that the RPE requires the integrin receptor alpha(v)beta5 specifically for the binding of ROS and that phagocytosis involves internalization of a ROS-alpha(v)beta5 complex. Alpha(v)beta5 integrin does not participate in phagocytosis by other phagocytic cells and is the first of the RPE receptors involved in ROS phagocytosis that may be specific for this process.

Animals↗

Integrin dependent migration of lung cancer cells to extracellular matrix components.

Since tumour progression is dependent on the ability of malignant cells to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), we have investigated the significance of beta1 and beta3 integrins for migration of lung cancer cells to components of the ECM. In an in vitro hapto- and chemotactic assay system, five cell lines representing the major types of lung cancer were examined: adenocarcinoma (WART); squamous cell carcinoma (U-1752); small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (U-1906, 054 A) and large cell lung cancer (LCLC) (U-1810). Flow cytometric analyses were performed to characterize their integrin expression. U-1906, 054 A, WART and U-1752 all expressed beta1 integrins whereas U-1810 did not. However, U-1810 and U-1752 expressed beta3 integrins. All cell lines except U-1810 and U-1752 showed hapto- and chemotactic motility to fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen and this motility was beta1 integrin-dependent except in the case of U-1810. However, the hapto- and chemotactic responses differed markedly between the separate cell lines and there was no distinct pattern to separate non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from SCLC. No or very little migration was seen in control experiments with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or serum-free medium alone, indicating that the migration of the lung cancer cells require adhesion molecules, soluble or substratum bound. We have found the involvement of beta1 integrins in lung cancer cell migration in vitro towards fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen except in the case of U-1810. The U-1810 cell line clearly differed from the rest of the cell lines by lacking expression of beta1 integrins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A computational model of transmembrane integrin clustering.

The presented work describes a structural model for integrin homooligomerization, focusing on the transmembrane domains. The two noncovalently linked integrin subunits, alpha and beta, were previously shown to homodimerize or homotrimerize, respectively. Our work is based on published mutational work that induced homotrimerization of beta3 integrins. The mutations provided structural restraints for the creation of a structural model of the beta3 homotrimer by a computational search of the conformational space of homomeric interactions of the beta3 integrin. Additionally, we explored possible conformations of the alphaIIb integrin homodimer, for which no unique solution was found. Two possible models of signal transduction, involving two different alphaIIb conformations, are discussed. One of the possible homodimeric alphaIIb conformations is GpA like, which is in line with experimental evidence. Based on our here-presented structural models and on recent experiments, we will argue that most probably the heteromeric alpha/beta transmembrane complex separates in the course of clustering.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

New vessel formation after surgical brain injury in the rat's cerebral cortex I. Formation of the blood vessels proximally to the surgical injury.

Postnatal neovascularization has been previously considered synonymous with angiogenesis but it was found that circulating endothelial progenitor cells may home into sites of neovascularization and their differentiation into endothelial cells is consistent with vasculogenesis. In this study, we investigated neovascularization of the adult rat's cerebral cortex after surgical brain injury by electron microscopic ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies. We found places with disrupted brain parenchyma. The blood vessels showed an incomplete endothelial lining. In the brain parenchyma we observed fibrin, likely derived from disrupted blood vessels. In the plasma there were cell aggregates characterized by endothelial-like features with fibrils in the cytoplasm, untypical for endothelial cells. These endothelial-like cells participated in the process of new vessel formation. We used the anti-alpha(v) beta3 integrin antibody to visualize the different morphogenic stages of newly formed blood vessels. We demonstrated the relationship between alpha(v) beta3 integrin localization and different stages of new vessel formation. Our data suggest that growth and development of new blood vessels due to neovascularization following trauma of the adult rat brain are not restricted to angiogenesis but encompass vasculogenesis as well.

Animals↗

Extracellular matrix-bound vascular endothelial growth factor promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and survival through integrin ligation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major factor mediating endothelial cell survival, migration, and proliferation during angiogenesis, is expressed as five splice variants (121, 145, 165, 189, and 206 aminoacids) encoded by a single gene. Although the three shorter isoforms are mainly diffusible, the two longer ones are sequestered in cell membranes after secretion. However, their potential role as true components of the extracellular matrix has not been investigated. We determined that endothelial cells could adhere and spread on VEGF189 and VEGF165, but not on VEGF121. Adhesion was mediated by the alpha3beta1 and alpha(v)beta3 integrins and other alpha(v) integrins but not by the cognate VEGF receptors. Cells migrated on VEGF165 and VEGF189 and displayed a stellate morphology with numerous lamellopodia and FAK staining but no actin stress fibers. Tumstatin, an antiangiogenic peptide that interacts with the alpha(v)beta3 integrin, could inhibit adhesion on VEGF, and this effect was potentiated by anti-alpha(v)beta3 blocking antibody. Immobilized VEGF almost totally abolished endothelial cell apoptosis through interactions with integrins. The inhibition of alpha(v)beta3 engagement with immobilized VEGF by tumstatin inhibited most of its survival activity. We have thus determined a new VEGF receptor-independent role for immobilized VEGF in supporting cell adhesion and survival through interactions with integrins.

Cell Adhesion↗

Src-mediated coupling of focal adhesion kinase to integrin alpha(v)beta5 in vascular endothelial growth factor signaling.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes vascular permeability (VP) and neovascularization, and is required for development. We find that VEGF-stimulated Src activity in chick embryo blood vessels induces the coupling of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to integrin alpha(v)beta5, a critical event in VEGF-mediated signaling and biological responsiveness. In contrast, FAK is constitutively associated with beta1 and beta3 integrins in the presence or absence of growth factors. In cultured endothelial cells, VEGF, but not basic fibroblast growth factor, promotes the Src-mediated phosphorylation of FAK on tyrosine 861, which contributes to the formation of a FAK/alpha(v)beta5 signaling complex. Moreover, formation of this FAK/alpha(v)beta5 complex is significantly reduced in pp60c-src-deficient mice. Supporting these results, mice deficient in either pp60c-src or integrin beta5, but not integrin beta3, have a reduced VP response to VEGF. This FAK/alpha(v)beta5 complex was also detected in epidermal growth factor-stimulated epithelial cells, suggesting a function for this complex outside the endothelium. Our findings indicate that Src can coordinate specific growth factor and extracellular matrix inputs by recruiting integrin alpha(v)beta5 into a FAK-containing signaling complex during growth factor-mediated biological responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Kindler syndrome protein is regulated by transforming growth factor-beta and involved in integrin-mediated adhesion.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) contributes to tumor invasion and cancer progression by increasing the motility of tumor cells. To identify genes involved in TGF-beta-mediated cell migration, the transcriptional profiles of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) treated with TGF-beta were compared with untreated cells by cDNA microarray analysis. One gene up-regulated by TGF-beta was recently named kindlerin (Jobard, F., Bouadjar, B., Caux, F., Hadj-Rabia, S., Has, C., Matsuda, F., Weissenbach, J., Lathrop, M., Prud'homme, J. F., and Fischer, J. (2003) Hum. Mol. Genet. 12, 925-935). This gene is significantly overexpressed in some cancers (Weinstein, E. J., Bourner, M., Head, R., Zakeri, H., Bauer, C., and Mazzarella, R. (2003) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1637, 207-216), and mutations in this gene lead to Kindler syndrome, an autosomal-recessive genodermatosis. TGF-beta stimulation of HMEC resulted in a marked induction of kindlerin RNA, and Western blotting demonstrated a corresponding increase in protein abundance. Kindlerin displays a putative FERM (four point one ezrin radixin moesin) domain that is closely related to the sequences in talin that interact with integrin beta subunit cytoplasmic domains. The critical residues in the talin FERM domain that mediate integrin binding show a high degree of conservation in kindlerin. Furthermore, kindlerin is recruited into a molecular complex with the beta1A and beta3 integrin cytoplasmic domains. Consistent with these biochemical findings, kindlerin is present at focal adhesions, sites of integrin-rich, membrane-substratum adhesion. Additionally, kindlerin is required for normal cell spreading. Taken together, these data suggest a role for kindlerin in mediating cell processes that depend on integrins.

Actins↗

New insights into the possible role of bacteriophages in host defense and disease.

BACKGROUND: While the ability of bacteriophages to kill bacteria is well known and has been used in some centers to combat antibiotics - resistant infections, our knowledge about phage interactions with mammalian cells is very limited and phages have been believed to have no intrinsic tropism for those cells. PRESENTATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: At least some phages (e.g., T4 coliphage) express Lys-Arg-Gly (KGD) sequence which binds beta3 integrins (primarily alphaIIbbeta3). Therefore, phages could bind beta3+ cells (platelets, monocytes, some lymphocytes and some neoplastic cells) and downregulate activities of those cells by inhibiting integrin functions. TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: Binding of KGD+ phages to beta3 integrin+ cells may be detected using standard techniques involving phage - mediated bacterial lysis and plaque formation. Furthermore, the binding may be visualized by electron microscopy and fluorescence using labelled phages. Binding specificity can be confirmed with the aid of specific blocking peptides and monoclonal antibodies. In vivo effects of phage - cell interactions may be assessed by examining the possible biological effects of beta3 blockade (e.g., anti-metastatic activity). IMPLICATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: If, indeed, phages can modify functions of beta3+ cells (platelets, monocytes, lymphocytes, cancer cells) they could be important biological response modifiers regulating migration and activities of those cells. Such novel understanding of their role could open novel perspectives in their potential use in treatment of cardiovascular and autoimmune disease, graft rejection and cancer.

Journal Article↗

Role of alphavbeta3 integrin in the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2.

Interaction between integrin alphavbeta3 and extracellular matrix is crucial for endothelial cells sprouting from capillaries and for angiogenesis. Furthermore, integrin-mediated outside-in signals co-operate with growth factor receptors to promote cell proliferation and motility. To determine a potential regulation of angiogenic inducer receptors by the integrin system, we investigated the interaction between alphavbeta3 integrin and tyrosine kinase vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in human endothelial cells. We report that tyrosine-phosphorylated VEGFR-2 co-immunoprecipitated with beta3 integrin subunit, but not with beta1 or beta5, from cells stimulated with VEGF-A165. VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and mitogenicity induced by VEGF-A165 were enhanced in cells plated on the alphavbeta3 ligand, vitronectin, compared with cells plated on the alpha5beta1 ligand, fibronectin or the alpha2beta1 ligand, collagen. BV4 anti-beta3 integrin mAb, which does not interfere with endothelial cell adhesion to vitronectin, reduced (i) the tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR-2; (ii) the activation of downstream transductor phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase; and (iii) biological effects triggered by VEGF-A165. These results indicate a new role for alphavbeta3 integrin in the activation of an in vitro angiogenic program in endothelial cells. Besides being the most important survival system for nascent vessels by regulating cell adhesion to matrix, alphavbeta3 integrin participates in the full activation of VEGFR-2 triggered by VEGF-A, which is an important angiogenic inducer in tumors, inflammation and tissue regeneration.

Androstadienes↗

None of the integrins known to be present on the mouse egg or to be ADAM receptors are essential for sperm-egg binding and fusion.

Antibody inhibition and alpha6beta1 ligand binding experiments indicate that the egg integrin alpha6beta1 functions as a receptor for sperm during gamete fusion; yet, eggs null for the alpha6 integrin exhibit normal fertilization. Alternative integrins may be involved in sperm-egg binding and fusion and could compensate for the absence of alpha6beta1. Various beta1 integrins and alphav integrins are present on mouse eggs. Some of these integrins are also reported to be receptors for ADAMs, which are expressed on sperm. Using alpha3 integrin null eggs, we found that the alpha3beta1 integrin was not essential for sperm-egg binding and fusion. Oocyte-specific, beta1 integrin conditional knockout mice allowed us to obtain mature eggs lacking all beta1 integrins. We found that the beta1 integrin null eggs were fully functional in fertilization both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, neither anti-mouse beta3 integrin function-blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) nor alphav integrin function-blocking mAb inhibited sperm binding to or fusion with beta1 integrin null eggs. Thus, function of beta3 or alphav integrins does not seem to be involved in compensating for the absence of beta1 integrins. These results indicate that none of the integrins known to be present on mouse eggs or to be ADAM receptors are essential for sperm-egg binding/fusion, and thus, egg integrins may not play the role in gamete fusion previously attributed to them.

ADAM Proteins↗

Overexpression of integrin alphav promotes human osteosarcoma cell populated collagen lattice contraction and cell migration.

Cells attach and interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) through heterodimeric alphabeta integrin receptors. Specifically, the promiscuous alphavbeta3 integrin and the alpha2beta1 integrin receptors engage numerous matrix components to influence cell adhesion, cell motility, and matrix organization. However, the role of alphav integrin mediating cell-collagen interactions is not clear. In the in vitro cell populated collagen lattice (PCL), a model of cell-matrix interaction, integrin receptors play a role in lattice contraction. To elucidate alphav integrins' effects on cell-collagen interactions, human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were transfected with alphav integrin (alphav-pcDNA 3.1+). Control HOS cells were transfected with pcDNA 3.1+ vector alone. HOS-alphav cell PCLs contracted to a greater degree than control HOS cell PCLs (P < or = 0.0001). RT-PCR revealed that HOS-alphav cells express both beta1 and beta3 integrins, indicating that alphav has the potential to form a partnership with either beta1 or beta3 integrin. The alphavbeta3 specific inhibitory antibody LM609 significantly retarded HOS-alphav cell PCL contraction (P < or = 0.001), suggesting that alphavbeta3 promotes enhanced HOS-alphav cell PCL contraction. When plated on plastic, control HOS cells show greater elongation compared to HOS-alphav cells. In addition, HOS-alphav cells migrated faster and to a greater degree than control HOS cells (P < or = 0.0001). The possibility that enhanced HOS-alphav cell migration and HOS-alphav cell PCL contraction was caused by increased myosin ATPase activity was examined. HOS-alphav cells showed less myosin ATPase activity than control HOS cells, by an ATP cell contraction bioassay. The enhancement of HOS-alphav cell migration and lattice contraction appears unrelated to increased myosin ATPase activity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Urokinase-type plasminogen-activator and normal thyroid cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPA-R) focuses the proteolytic activity of its ligand, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), on the cell surface, and can also act as an adhesion receptor for vitronectin (VTN). uPA increases uPA-R affinity for VTN and is also able to cleave its receptor. We have previously shown that uPA-R is involved in the adhesion of normal thyroid cells to VTN. In the present report, we have investigated the effect of uPA on normal thyroid cell adhesion to some extracellular matrix (ECM) components. We show that a short-term treatment with uPA does not change normal thyroid cell adhesion to fibronectin (FNT), collagen (CGN), laminin (LMN) and VTN. The prolongation of uPA treatment increases cell adhesion to VTN, and, less efficiently, to other ECM components. Since the short term uPA treatment causes a partial cleavage of uPA-R, that does not increase with time, the observed increase in cell adhesivity cannot be related to the cleavage of uPA-R. We show that the adhesion improvement after the long term uPA treatment is instead due to a strong increase of the cell-surface expression of the integrin beta3 and a moderate increase of the integrin alpha(v). Both alpha(v) beta3 and alpha(v) beta1 are integrinic receptors for VTN.

Antigens, CD↗

Characterization of integrin expression in the mouse ovary.

Integrin alpha:beta heterodimers mediate cell contacts to the extracellular matrix and initiate intracellular signaling cascades in response to a variety of factors. Integrins interact with many determinants of cellular phenotypes and play roles in controlling the development, structural integrity, and function of every type of tissue. Despite their importance, little is known about the regulation of integrin subunits in the mammalian ovary and how they function in folliculogenesis. To determine their relevance to ovarian physiology, we have studied the expression of integrin subunit mRNAs by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization in ovaries of wild-type, growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf 9) knockout, FSHbeta (Fshb) knockout, and inhibin alpha (Inha) knockout mice. Integrin alpha6 mRNA is expressed in oocytes and granulosa cells of single-layer follicles and in oocytes and theca cells of multilayer follicles. Integrin alpha6 is highly expressed in Gdf 9 knockout ovaries, which are enriched in oocytes and primary (single layer) follicles because of a block at this stage of follicular development. Integrin alpha(v) mRNA is most highly expressed in the granulosa cells of multilayer growing follicles, and therefore only low levels of expression are detectable in the Gdf 9 knockout ovaries. Integrin beta1 mRNA exhibits a broad expression pattern in ovaries, including oocytes, granulosa cells, theca cells, and corpora lutea. Integrin beta3 mRNA is expressed in theca and interstitial cells and is upregulated in corpora lutea. It is nearly undetectable in ovaries of Fshb knockout mice, which develop preantral follicles but have no luteal cells. Integrin beta5 mRNA is predominantly expressed in granulosa cells of multilayer follicles. It is expressed at high levels in the Fshb knockout mice and in a compartmentalized manner in the granulosa cell/Sertoli cell tumors that develop in the Inha knockout mice. Specific integrins are associated with ovarian cellular phenotypes in mice, which raises intriguing possibilities as to integrin functions in oocyte competence, follicular development, luteinization, and granulosa cell proliferation.

Animals↗

TGF-beta1-mediated inhibition of HK-2 cell migration.

Restoration of proximal tubular cell (PTC) integrity and function after ischemic injury involves cell proliferation and migration. Hypoxia is a known stimulus for PTC TGF-beta1 synthesis. This study examines the effect of TGF-beta1 on PTC migration. A model of PTC injury was used consisting of mechanically wounding a monolayer of HK2 cells followed by repopulation of the denuded area by time lapse photomicroscopy. Repopulation was the result of cell migration but not proliferation. Addition of TGF-beta1 led to a marked inhibition of cell migration increased expression of paxillin and vincullin and their incorporation into dense focal adhesion plaques. This was associated with increased association of focal adhesion components with the f-actin cytoskeleton. There was also increased beta3 integrin expression and increased synthesis of the matrix component fibronectin. The effect on migration and focal adhesion reorganisation was abrogated by inhibitors of the RhoA downstream target ROCK, suggesting that signaling events resulting from altered beta3 integrin expression initiate the TGF-beta1 response. These results suggest that, by inhibition of cell migration, increased expression of TGF-beta1 after ischemia delays recovery of proximal tubule structure and function. We speculate that this may contribute to permanent alteration in renal tubular function after severe ischemic injury.

Cell Communication↗

Metanephric osteopontin regulates nephrogenesis in vitro.

Renal expression of osteopontin is enhanced in the setting of acute ischemic injury. Because of the parallels that exist between recovery from renal ischemia and renal development, we characterized the role that osteopontin plays during metanephrogenesis in the rat. Osteopontin mRNA is present in kidneys obtained from rat embryos as early as embryonic day 13 (E13). Immunohistochemical staining of metanephroi obtained from E16 rat embryos and metanephroi obtained from E13 embryos and cultured for 3 days in vitro demonstrated that osteopontin is expressed both in the developing nephron and in the ureteric bud. Addition of anti-osteopontin antibodies to metanephric organ cultures results in failure of the metanephric blastema to undergo normal tubulogenesis. Addition of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-containing peptide, cyclo-RGDfV, or the anti-alpha(v)beta3-integrin antibody, LM609, to cultures has a similar effect. These findings establish that osteopontin is produced within the rat metanephros during development in vivo and suggest that the binding of osteopontin to the alpha(v)beta3-integrin is required for tubulogenesis to occur in vitro. Blastemal cells within metanephroi cultured in the presence of OP199 manifest increased apoptosis compared with controls. It is possible that osteopontin plays an important anti-apoptotic role during the process of metanephric blastema condensation that is a prerequisite for the formation of nephrons in vivo.

Animals↗

Antiangiogenic activity of semisynthetic biotechnological heparins: low-molecular-weight-sulfated Escherichia coli K5 polysaccharide derivatives as fibroblast growth factor antagonists.

OBJECTIVE: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) exerts antitumor activity in clinical trials. The K5 polysaccharide from Escherichia coli has the same structure as the heparin precursor. Chemical and enzymatic modifications of K5 polysaccharide lead to the production of biotechnological heparin-like compounds. We investigated the fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) antagonist and antiangiogenic activity of a series of LMW N,O-sulfated K5 derivatives. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that LMW-K5 derivatives bind FGF2, thus inhibiting its interaction with heparin immobilized to a BIAcore sensor chip. Interaction of FGF2 with tyrosine-kinase receptors (FGFRs), heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), and alpha(v)beta3 integrin is required for biological response in endothelial cells. Similar to LMWH, LMW-K5 derivatives abrogate the formation of HSPG/FGF2/FGFR ternary complexes by preventing FGF2-mediated attachment of FGFR1-overexpressing cells to HSPG-bearing cells and inhibit FGF2-mediated endothelial cell proliferation. However, LMW-K5 derivatives, but not LMWH, also inhibit FGF2/alpha(v)beta3 integrin interaction and consequent FGF2-mediated endothelial cell sprouting in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. CONCLUSIONS: LMW N,O-sulfated K5 derivatives affect both HSPG/FGF2/FGFR and FGF2/alpha(v)beta3 interactions and are endowed with FGF2 antagonist and antiangiogenic activity. These compounds may provide the basis for the design of novel LMW heparin-like angiostatic compounds.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗