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Pleural mesotheliomas have an integrin profile distinct from visceral carcinomas.

Cryosections of epithelial, sarcomatoid, and biphasic malignant mesotheliomas (EMM, n = 11; SMM, n = 5; BMM, n = 6) of the pleura were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to integrin subunits alpha 1-6 and v, and beta 1-4. Localization patterns were compared with those known to occur in pulmonary and other adenocarcinomas (PADC, ADC). EMM and the epithelial component of BMM (ecBMM) expressed alpha 1,3,5,6, and v and beta 1 and 4. SMM and the sarcomatoid elements of BMM (scBMM) reacted variably for alpha 1,3,5,6 and v, and beta1. Reactions for alpha3, found in all tumors, were strongest in EMM, ecBMM, and PADC. Our findings indicate that EMM and ecBMM parallel PADC and most ADC in their expression of alpha6 beta4, underscoring that this laminin integrin receptor is intimately associated with these neoplastic epithelial phenotypes. Also, our observations on alpha3 beta1 suggest that this cell-cell adhesion-mediating integrin is related to the epithelial phenotype. Notably, all malignant mesotheliomas (MM), including those with distinct glandular structures, expressed the alpha5 beta1 fibronectin receptor, thus paralleling most sarcomas and differing from PADC and most other ADC. We conclude that irrespective of architectural and cytologic variants, transformed mesothelial cells possess an integrin repertory that differs significantly from that of most ADC, including those of the lung. These findings set mesothelium apart from epithelia and may prove helpful as adjunct tools for the differential diagnosis between EMM and AD.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The expression patterns of integrin subunits on human breast tissues obtained during pregnancy.

Integrins have been shown to exert regulatory influences on mammary differentiation and morphogenesis in rodent experimental systems. We have, therefore, examined the expression patterns of integrin subunits on human breast tissues obtained at the 12th, 15th and 18th weeks of pregnancy. Myoepithelial cells were positive for all the integrin subunits examined. alpha2, alpha6 and beta4 showed increased and more defined labelling during pregnancy, indicating that myoepithelial cells and extracellular matrix strengthen their support for the expanding alveoli during pregnancy. Sub-populations of stromal cells were positive for alpha1, alpha3, alpha6, beta1 and beta4. On luminal epithelial cells, alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha6 and beta1 were detectable. alpha2 showed a focal decrease, but the expression patterns of other integrins in luminal cells did not change during pregnancy. Therefore, the expression patterns of most integrins existing prior to pregnancy seem sufficient in this cell type to support the morphological and functional development during early pregnancy.

Adult↗

Crystal structure of a tandem pair of fibronectin type III domains from the cytoplasmic tail of integrin alpha6beta4.

The integrin alpha6beta4 is an essential component of hemidesmosomes but it also plays a dynamic role in invasive carcinoma cells. The cytoplasmic tail of the beta4 subunit is uniquely large among integrins and includes two pairs of fibronectin type III domains separated by a connecting segment. Here we describe the crystal structure of the first tandem domain pair, a module that is critical for alpha6beta4 function. The structure reveals a novel interdomain interface and candidate protein-binding sites, including a large acidic cleft formed from the surfaces of both domains and a prominent loop that is reminiscent of the RGD integrin-binding loop of fibronectin. This is the first crystal structure of either a hemidesmosome component or an integrin cytoplasmic domain, and it will enable the intracellular functions of alpha6beta4 to be dissected at the atomic level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Laminins 2 (alpha2beta1gamma1, Lm-211) and 8 (alpha4beta1gamma1, Lm-411) are synthesized and secreted by tooth pulp fibroblasts and differentially promote neurite outgrowth from trigeminal ganglion sensory neurons.

The tooth pulp innervation originates from the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and represents an illustrative example of tissue targeting by sensory nerves. Pulpal fibroblasts strongly promote neurite outgrowth from TG neurons in vitro. In the present study, we have investigated the possible participation of laminins (LNs), potent neuritogenic extracellular matrix components. Immunohistochemistry of human tooth pulp demonstrated expression of LN alpha1, alpha2, alpha4, alpha5, beta1 and gamma1, and laminin-binding integrin alpha3, alpha6, beta1 and beta4 chains in nerves. Though faintly stained for laminins in situ, pulpal fibroblasts reacted, once cultured and permeabilized, with antibodies to LN alpha2, alpha4, beta1 and gamma1 chains by flow cytometry. The cells also expressed the corresponding mRNAs and were able to assemble and secrete LN-2 (alpha2beta1gamma1, Lm-211) and LN-8 (alpha4beta1gamma1, Lm-411). LN-8 displayed a chondroitin sulphate (CS) modification in its alpha4 chain. In functional assays, mouse LN-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1, Lm-111) and recombinant human (rh) LN-8, but not native or rhLN-2, strongly promoted neurite outgrowth from TG neurons, mimicking the effect of cultured pulp fibroblast. Altogether, the results indicate that LN-2 and LN-8 are synthesized by tooth pulp fibroblasts and differentially promote neurite outgrowth from TG neurons. LN-8 may contribute to sensory innervation of teeth and other tissues during development and/or regeneration.

Adolescent↗

Laminin-binding integrins in rat lens morphogenesis and their regulation during fibre differentiation.

Mammalian lens development involves cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. As integrins are a major family of cell adhesion molecules, we examined the expression patterns of several integrin subunits (alpha3A, alpha3B, alpha6A, alpha6B, beta1 and beta4) during rat lens development. RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to investigate expression of integrin subunits during lens development and differentiation. RT-PCR showed expression of alpha3A, alpha6A, alpha6B and beta1A but not alpha3B or beta4 subunits in postnatal rat lenses. Each subunit displayed distinct spatio-temporal expression patterns. beta1 integrin was expressed in both epithelium and fibres. alpha3A subunit expression was restricted to the epithelium; expression ceased abruptly at the lens equator. Expression of the alpha6A subunit increased during fibre differentiation, whereas alpha6B expression was predominantly associated with epithelial cells during lens development. In lens epithelial explants, FGF induced some of the changes in integrin expression that are characteristic of fibre differentiation in vivo. One notable exception was the inability of FGF to reproduce the distinctive down-regulation of the alpha3 isoform that is associated with initiation of elongation in vivo. Interestingly, vitreous treatment was able to reproduce this shift in alpha3 expression indicating that another factor(s), in addition to FGF, may be required for full and complete transition from an epithelial cell to a fibre cell. Integrin subunit expression therefore appears to be highly regulated during lens development and fibre differentiation with evidence of major changes in alpha3 and alpha6 isoform expression. These results indicate that integrins may play important roles in development and growth of the lens. How specific integrin subunits influence the behaviour of cells in different developmental compartments of the lens remains to be determined.

Animals↗

In vitro chemo- and radio-resistance in small cell lung cancer correlates with cell adhesion and constitutive activation of AKT and MAP kinase pathways.

Most small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients relapse within 12 months of starting combination chemotherapy plus radio-therapy, due to the development of acquired chemo- and radio-resistance. This phenomenon relates to the induction of tumour differentiation, resulting in apoptosis-resistant, morphologically variant (v-SCLC) cells, which lack the neuroendocrine expression of classic (c-) SCLC cells. In this study spontaneously adherent SCLC sublines were shown by differential gene expression analysis to provide an in vitro model of variant differentiation in SCLC, with down-regulation of neuroendocrine markers and up-regulation of epithelial differentiation markers cyclin D1, endothelin, the cell adhesion molecules CD 44 and integrin subunits alpha2, beta3 and beta4. The sensitivity of adherent SCLC sublines to etoposide, cyclophosphamide and gamma radiation was significantly diminished relative to parent suspension cell lines. Western blot analysis using phosphorylation-specific antibodies to Akt and MAP kinase revealed markedly elevated activation in adherent SCLC sublines, paralleled by increased levels of phosphorylated Bad protein and activated NF-kappaB. Subcultivation of the adherent sublines on uncoated surfaces reversed their adherent phenotype immediately and under these conditions Akt activity reverted to low levels. These results suggest that c-SCLC cells can differentiate spontaneously to v-SCLC and that the associated cellular adhesion may trigger Akt-dependent inhibition of apoptosis in SCLC cells, thus leading to acquired chemo- and radio-resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Anti-invasive gene expression profile of curcumin in lung adenocarcinoma based on a high throughput microarray analysis.

Curcumin has been reported to exhibit anti-invasive and/or antimetastatic activities, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, microarray analysis of gene expression profiles were used to characterize the anti-invasive mechanisms of curcumin in highly invasive lung adenocarcinoma cells (CL1-5). Results showed that curcumin significantly reduces the invasive capacity of CL1-5 cells in a concentration range far below its levels of cytotoxicity (20 microM) and that this anti-invasive effect was concentration dependent (10.17 +/- 0.76 x 10(3) cells at 0 microM; 5.67 +/- 1.53 x 10(3) cells at 1 microM; 2.67 +/- 0.58 x 10(3) cells at 5 microM; 1.15 +/- 1.03 x 10(3) cells at 10 microM; P < 0.05) in the Transwell cell culture chamber assay. Using microarray analysis, 81 genes were down-regulated and 71 genes were up-regulated after curcumin treatment. Below sublethal concentrations of curcumin (10 microM), several invasion-related genes were suppressed, including matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14; 0.65-fold), neuronal cell adhesion molecule (0.54-fold), and integrins alpha6 (0.67-fold) and beta4 (0.63-fold). In addition, several heat-shock proteins (Hsp) [Hsp27 (2.78-fold), Hsp70 (3.75-fold), and Hsp40-like protein (3.21-fold)] were induced by curcumin. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry confirmed these results in both RNA and protein levels. Curcumin (1 to 10 microM) reduced the MMP14 expression in both mRNA and protein levels and also inhibited the activity of MMP2, the down-stream gelatinase of MMP14, by gelatin zymographic analysis. Based on these data, it can be concluded that curcumin might be an effective antimetastatic agent with a mechanism of anti-invasion via the regulation of certain gene expressions.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Identification of beta and gamma subunits of laminins localized in the basement membrane of rat circumvallate papillae.

Taste bud cells have elongated shape and are anchored to the basement membrane. Here we analyzed the subunits of laminin, a major component of the basement membrane, in circumvallate papillae of rat tongue. Two beta subunits, beta1 and beta2, were detected by RT-PCR, of which the beta2 subunit was immunohistochemically identified as a major component of the basement membrane. The gamma1 subunit was also immunohistochemically identified as a major component. Profiles of these two laminin subunits were nearly the same as that obtained by an anti-laminin antibody, indicating that laminins of the basement membrane in the papillae contain beta2 and gamma1 as major beta and gamma subunits, respectively. As potential receptors for these laminin ligands, integrin subunits were analyzed by RT-PCR. Three integrin beta subunit species, beta1, beta4, and beta5, were shown to be expressed in the epithelium of the circumvallate papillae by RT-PCR among the five species examined.

Animals↗

Pivotal role of integrin alpha5beta1 in hypotonic stress-induced responses of human endothelium.

We have previously reported that both hypotonic stress (HTS) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induce ATP release and a transient reorganization of actin through sequential activation of RhoA/Rho-kinase and focal adhesion kinase F-actin (FAK)/paxillin in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). LPA is known to induce the activation of RhoA via its specific receptors, but the mechanisms by which HTS initiates these intracellular signals are not known. The present study aimed to identify the molecule(s) that are unique to the sensing and/or transducing the mechanical stress. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed the expression of several integrin subunits in HUVECs. Anti-integrin alpha5beta1 antibody (Ab), but not anti-integrin alpha2, alpha6, alpha v, or beta4 antibodies, inhibited HTS-induced RhoA translocation, tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin, ATP release, and actin reorganization. However, the LPA-induced ATP release and actin reorganization were not inhibited by any of these anti-integrin antibodies, indicating that integrin alpha5beta1 plays a pivotal role in the HTS-induced but not in the LPA-induced responses. It is therefore reasonable to assume that this particular subtype of integrin is involved in the initiation of the responses induced by mechanical stimuli in HUVECs.

Actins↗

TNFalpha-induced apoptosis and integrin switching in human extravillous trophoblast cell line.

Differentiation of extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) to an invasive phenotype plays an essential role in establishing and maintaining feto-placental organization during human pregnancy. A switch in integrin expression occurs during this differentiation and is accompanied by changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Alteration of EVT behavior is also modulated by cytokines. To investigate the molecular interactions involved in the EVT differentiation, we examined the effects of cytokines and ECM on the human EVT cell line, TCL1 cells. We found that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) induced apoptosis in TCL1 cells but not in JEG3 cells derived from choriocarcinoma while the addition of interleukin-1beta, leukemia inhibitory factor, or transforming growth factor had no effect on TCL1 cells. This apoptosis was suppressed when TCL1 cells were seeded on fibronectin (Fn), collagen type I (C1), collagen type IV (C4), or laminin (Ln). Wortmannin, a specific PI3 kinase inhibitor, inhibited this suppression. Spreading assays and adhesion blocking assays indicated that TCL1 cells express integrin-alpha5 and -alpha6 and beta1 and beta4 subunits. Adhesion on Fn is mediated by alpha5beta1, and adhesion on C1, C4, or Ln is mediated by alpha6beta1 integrins. TNFalpha suppressed alpha6 integrin expression and enhanced alpha1 integrin expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, aggregation of beta1 subunits on C4 was detected after addition of TNFalpha. Taken together, these results suggest that TNFalpha and ECM, through activation of PI3 kinase mediated by beta1 integrin signaling, might collaboratively regulate differentiation of trophoblast cells through integrin signaling in establishing and maintaining successful pregnancy.

Apoptosis↗

There is temporal and spatial expression of alpha1 (IV), alpha2 (IV), alpha5 (IV), alpha6 (IV) collagen chains and beta1 integrins during the development of the basal lamina in an "in vitro" skin model.

Temporal and spatial expression of alpha1 (IV), alpha2 (IV), alpha3 (IV), alpha4 (IV), alpha5 (IV), and alpha6 (IV) collagen chains was studied during the formation of the basal lamina in an "in vitro" skin model. A sequential study was performed at 7-d and 14-d cultures (lamina densa absent) and at 28-, 36-, and 56-d cultures (lamina densa present). Expression of beta1, beta4, alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, alpha6 integrin subunits and co-localization with collagen IV was studied by regular and laser confocal indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. mRNA expression of alpha2 (IV) and alpha6 (IV) chains was estimated by northern blots. The earliest expression of alpha1 (IV) and alpha2 (IV) collagen chains was noted in 7-d cultures restricted to basal keratinocytes. At 14-d cultures, alpha1 (IV) and alpha2 (IV) chains were noted in basal keratinocytes and as a broad band (10 microm) in the adjacent dermis. At this stage 80% of the alpha2 (IV) mRNA was expressed in the dermis and 20% in the epidermis. At 28-, 36-, and 56-d cultures the alpha1 (IV) and alpha2 (IV) chains were present in a linear distribution at the epidermo-dermal junction and in the upper dermis. The alpha6 (IV) collagen chains were expressed much later at 36-d cultures and the alpha5 (IV) at 56 d, both mostly in a linear distribution but also in the adjacent dermis. Alpha6 (IV) mRNA was demonstrated in the dermis of 36-d cultures. There was co-localization of collagen IV and beta1 integrin subunits in 14-d cultures at the matrix site of keratinocytes. Functional perturbation studies with AIIB2 monoclonal antibody (anti-beta1 subunits) and competitive inhibition with a collagen cyanogen bromide digestion derived fragment (CB3[IV]) that contains the collagen IV ligand for alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1 integrins, altered the pattern of collagen IV deposition.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Reversion of the malignant phenotype of human breast cells in three-dimensional culture and in vivo by integrin blocking antibodies.

In a recently developed human breast cancer model, treatment of tumor cells in a 3-dimensional culture with inhibitory beta1-integrin antibody or its Fab fragments led to a striking morphological and functional reversion to a normal phenotype. A stimulatory beta1-integrin antibody proved to be ineffective. The newly formed reverted acini re-assembled a basement membrane and re-established E-cadherin-catenin complexes, and re-organized their cytoskeletons. At the same time they downregulated cyclin D1, upregulated p21(cip,wat-1), and stopped growing. Tumor cells treated with the same antibody and injected into nude mice had significantly reduced number and size of tumors in nude mice. The tissue distribution of other integrins was also normalized, suggesting the existence of intimate interactions between the different integrin pathways as well as adherens junctions. On the other hand, nonmalignant cells when treated with either alpha6 or beta4 function altering antibodies continued to grow, and had disorganized colony morphologies resembling the untreated tumor colonies. This shows a significant role of the alpha6/beta4 heterodimer in directing polarity and tissue structure. The observed phenotypes were reversible when the cells were disassociated and the antibodies removed. Our results illustrate that the extracellular matrix and its receptors dictate the phenotype of mammary epithelial cells, and thus in this model system the tissue phenotype is dominant over the cellular genotype.

Animals↗

Identification of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2 as signaling intermediates in the alpha6beta4 integrin-dependent activation of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase and promotion of invasion.

Expression of the alpha6beta4 integrin increases the invasive potential of carcinoma cells by a mechanism that involves activation of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K). In the present study, we investigated the signaling pathway by which the alpha6beta4 integrin activates PI3K. Neither the alpha6 nor the beta4 cytoplasmic domain contains the consensus binding motif for PI3K, pYMXM, indicating that additional proteins are likely to be involved in the activation of this lipid kinase by the alpha6beta4 integrin. We identified insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2 as signaling intermediates in the activation of PI3K by the alpha6beta4 integrin. IRS-1 and IRS-2 are cytoplasmic adapter proteins that do not contain intrinsic kinase activity but rather function by recruiting proteins to surface receptors, where they organize signaling complexes. Ligation of the alpha6beta4 receptor promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 and increases their association with PI3K, as determined by coimmunoprecipitation. Moreover, we identified a tyrosine residue in the cytoplasmic domain of the beta4 subunit, Y1494, that is required for alpha6beta4-dependent phosphorylation of IRS-2 and activation of PI3K in response to receptor ligation. Most importantly, Y1494 is essential for the ability of the alpha6beta4 integrin to promote carcinoma invasion. Taken together, these results imply a key role for the IRS proteins in the alpha6beta4-dependent promotion of carcinoma invasion.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Amino acid motifs required for isolated beta cytoplasmic domains to regulate 'in trans' beta1 integrin conformation and function in cell attachment.

The role of beta cytoplasmic domains in regulating beta1 integrin conformation and function in cell attachment is not fully understood. In this study, we tested the ability of transiently expressed beta cytoplasmic domains connected to an extracellular reporter domain to regulate 'in trans' the conformation of endogenous beta1 integrins, and compared these effects on cell attachment. We found that chimeric receptors containing either the beta1, beta3 or beta5 cytoplasmic domains inhibited the expression of the conformationally dependent 9EG7 and 12G10 epitopes on endogenous beta1 integrins. In contrast, chimeric receptors containing the beta4 or alpha5 cytoplasmic domain, or a control receptor lacking a cytoplasmic domain, had no effect. This inhibition occurred in a dose-dependent manner that required high levels of expression of the chimeric receptor. These results suggest that beta1 integrin conformation can be regulated by conserved cytosolic interactions involving beta cytoplasmic domains. This is further supported by our findings that mutations within amino acid motifs conserved among these beta cytoplasmic domains, specifically the NXXY, NPXY and TST-like motifs, reduced the ability of these chimeric receptors to regulate beta1 integrin conformation. Interestingly, the chimeric receptors inhibited cell attachment in a similar dose-dependent manner and required intact NXXY, NPXY, and TST-like motifs. The beta1 chimera also inhibited the binding of soluble fibronectin to endogenous beta1 integrins. Thus, the concomitant inhibition in the expression of conformation-dependent integrin epitopes, cell attachment and ligand binding by the chimeras, suggests that the expression of the 9EG7 and 12G10 epitopes correlates with integrin function. However, Mn2+, which is an extracellular activator of integrin function, increased 9EG7 expression to basal levels in the presence of the beta1 chimera, but did not rescue cell attachment to the same extent. Thus, although the beta1 integrin conformation recognized by mAb 9EG7 may be required for cell attachment, it is not sufficient, suggesting that the beta chimeras may be inhibiting both ligand binding and post-ligand binding events required for cell attachment. In addition, the inhibitory effects of the chimeric receptors on cell attachment were not reversed by the addition of the pharmacological agents that inhibit intracellular signals previously shown to inhibit integrin function. This finding, together with the requirement for high levels of the chimeric receptors and the fact that mutations in the same conserved motifs in heterodimeric beta1 integrins have been reported to regulate beta1 integrin conformation and function in cell attachment, suggest that beta cytoplasmic domains regulate these processes by interacting with cytosolic factors and that the regulatory effect of the chimeras may be due to their ability to titrate proteins from endogenous integrins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential expression and topography of adhesion molecules in laryngeal and oropharyngeal carcinomas.

This work describes the different patterns of expression of integrins and extracellular matrix proteins in normal and transformed mucosa in laryngeal and oropharyngeal carcinomas. Samples from each tumor group were sectioned and examined by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies raised against integrin chains (alpha2, alpha3, alpha6, beta1 and beta4) and their ligands (laminins 1 and 5, collagen type IV and two fibronectin isoforms: ED-A and ED-B). Controls were provided by samples of tumor-free laryngeal and oropharyngeal mucosa that had been removed during the surgical procedure. We found that the known distinct topographical pattern of integrins and the continuity of basement membrane components was altered in both groups but that the extent of changes was significantly more marked in oropharyngeal tumors, which are known to be more infiltrating and diffusive and to have a bad prognosis. These molecular patterns of expression can be used as an additional prognostic factor as they suggest a greater biological tumor aggressiveness of oropharyngeal tumors. We suggest that performing immunohistochemical analysis on biopsy samples may help in selecting the correct therapeutic strategy for these tumors and enable more accurate follow-up. The above-mentioned molecules may become part of the diagnostic toolbox of head and neck surgical pathologists.

Biomarkers↗

Different adhesion properties of highly and poorly metastatic HT-29 colon carcinoma cells with extracellular matrix components: role of integrin expression and cytoskeletal components.

Integrin-mediated tumour cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) components is an important step in the development of metastatic lesions. Thus, integrin expression and integrin-mediated adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to various ECM components was examined. Poorly (HT-29P) and highly (HT-29LMM) liver-metastatic colon carcinoma cells were used to study the rates of adhesion to collagen I (C I), collagen IV (C IV), laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN), or vitronectin (VN) in a static adhesion assay (10-120 min). Cells were untreated or treated with oligopeptides (RGD, GRGDS, YIGSR, RGES), anti-integrin antibodies, or colchicine, nocodazole, cycloheximide, acrylamide or cytochalasin D (to disrupt cytoskeletal structures). Both cell lines expressed similar patterns of integrin expression (alpha2, alpha3, ,alpha6, alphav, beta1, beta4, and beta5) by immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation. HT-29LMM cells showed significantly higher rates of adhesion to LN (P < 0.001) and FN (P < 0.001), but significantly poorer rates of adhesion to C I (P < 0.05) and C IV (P < 0.001) than HT-29P cells, respectively, adhesion to VN was insignificant. RGD and GRGDS inhibited HT-29LMM cell adhesion to FN only. Pretreatment with anti-beta, or anti-alpha2 integrin subunits suppressed adhesion to C I and C IV, and adhesion to LN was inhibited with anti-beta1 or anti-alpha6 integrin. Anti-beta1 or anti-alphav blocked adhesion to FN. Pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin D, cycloheximide or acrylamide inhibited adhesive interactions of both cell lines to the ECM components. In contrast, colchicine and nocodazole had no effect. The results demonstrate that adhesion of HT-29 cells to ECM is mediated, in part, by different integrins, depending on the substrate. Poorly and highly metastatic HT-29 cells possessed different patterns of adhesion to the various ECM substrates, but these differences were not due to different expression of integrin subunits. The results also suggested that the initial adhesion of poorly or highly metastatic HT-29 cells to ECM components requires, in part, the presence of native action and intermediate filaments, but not of microtubules. Thus the adhesion of tumour cells to ECM components may be dependent on signal transduction and assembly of microfilaments.

Acrylamide↗

Homozygous alpha6 integrin mutation in junctional epidermolysis bullosa with congenital duodenal atresia.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa with congenital pyloric or duodenal atresia is a distinct variant within this group of autosomal recessive blistering skin diseases. In this study we demonstrate, for the first time, a homozygous mutation in the alpha6 integrin gene (ITGA6) in a family with three affected individuals. For this purpose, we first determined the genomic organization of ITGA6, and placed the gene on chromosome 2q by high resolution radiation hybrid mapping. Heteroduplex analysis of PCR products containing the individual exons of ITGA6, followed by direct nucleotide sequencing, revealed that the proband was homozygous for a G-to-T transversion in the +1 position of intron 12. This mutation, 1856+1G-->T, affects an invariant base of the 5' donor splice site predicting aberrant splicing involving exon 12. The mutation was verified in the proband's DNA by restriction enzyme digestion which also confirmed that the parents were heterozygous carriers of this mutation. Altered expression of alpha6 integrin, which forms a heterodimer with the beta4 subunit at the dermal-epidermal junction, would explain fragility and blistering as a result of minor trauma to the skin.

Antigens, CD↗

Integrins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma invasion.

OBJECTIVE: To relate the invasive properties of different squamous cell cancer cell lines to the function and expression of the integrins. STUDY DESIGN: A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess and compare integrin expression and function in two different head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. METHODS: Invasive properties of two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (UM-SCC-1 and JHU-022-SCC) were assessed using an in vitro artificial matrix assay as well as an in vivo system with orthotopically implanted tumor cells in mice. Whole cell and surface expression levels of integrin subunits (alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, alpha6, beta1, and beta4) were determined for each cell line using Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. We compared the ability of JHU-022-SCC and UM-SCC-1 cells to bind the extracellular matrix elements collagen IV, fibronectin, laminin 5, and laminin10 using an in vitro adhesion assay. Contributions of the different integrins to the adhesive properties were determined by selective antibody blocking of different subunits. RESULTS: The UM-SCC-1 cell line is 50% more invasive in vitro and displays a greater propensity for perineural and lymphatic invasion in vivo. The UM-SCC-1 cells exhibited greater adherence to fibronectin than JHU-022-SCC cells. Alpha6 and beta4 expression is approximately twofold greater in the JHU-022-SCC cells. Alpha2, alpha3, and beta1 expression appears to be upregulated in UM-SCC-1 cells. CONCLUSION: The UM-SCC-1 carcinoma cells are more invasive than JHU-022-SCC cells and may be related to differential expression of the integrins alpha6beta4, alpha3beta1, and alpha2beta1.

Animals↗