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Establishment and characterization of a human gastric carcinoma cell line that is highly metastatic to lymph nodes.

The actual mechanisms by which carcinoma cells metastasize to lymph nodes are still unclear, and there is a need to establish in vivo experimental models suitable for the investigation of lymph node metastasis. For the purpose, we established a highly lymph node-metastasizing line, designated AZL5G, derived from a human gastric cancer cell line, AZ521, which had low capacity for lymph node metastasis. AZL5G cells transplanted orthotopically in the nude mouse stomach metastasize predominantly to the regional lymph nodes, showing little potential for hematogenous metastasis. AZL5G tumors developing in the stomach and regional lymph nodes showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with medullary growth, and their histologic appearance strongly resembled that of parental AZ521. The growth activities in vitro of low-metastatic AZ521 and high-metastatic AZL5G were almost the same, but the tumorigenicity in vivo of AZL5G was significantly higher than that of AZ521. AZL5G cells also showed clearly higher abilities of cell locomotion and adhesion to type IV collagen and fibronectin in vitro as compared with AZ521 cells. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the expression of integrin beta1 subfamily except for alpha6 integrin was generally increased in AZL5G cells than in AZ521 cells. Especially, the expression of alpha1 and alpha2 integrins in AZL5G cells was clearly higher than in AZ521, while alpha(v)beta3 integrin, E-cadherin, ICAM-1 and CD44H were not expressed by either cell line. The cell adhesion blocking assay showed that DGEA-containing peptide, which is composed of alpha2 integrin recognition sequence, significantly reduced the adhesiveness of AZL5G cells to type IV collagen as well as to type I collagen and laminin. Furthermore, the administration of anti-alpha2 integrin mAb or DGEA peptide in AZL5G-transplanted nude mice produced a significant reduction in the number of lymph node metastases. These data suggest that the up-regulation of alpha2 integrin expression by gastric cancer cells may play a critical role in the process of lymph node metastasis through the increased adhesiveness to type IV collagen. In conclusion, we established a gastric cancer cell line, AZL5G, with a highly metastatic potential to lymph nodes. This well-characterized line and its in vivo experimental model should be useful for investigation of the mechanisms of lymph node metastasis and for establishment of a new therapeutic approach for human gastric cancer.

Animals↗

Inhibitors of integrins.

The inhibition of integrins--cell surface receptors with a crucial role in angiogenesis, tumour cell survival, invasion and metastases--has centred on the alpha(v)beta3 integrin. Work has culminated in two antagonists that are in clinical trials as cancer therapeutics. Other integrins appear to be candidate targets in the light of gene knockout studies. Surprisingly, genetic alpha(v)beta3 ablation did not confirm the pertinence of the use of alpha(v)beta3 antagonists. However, these apparent discrepancies could be explained by the new finding that this integrin has a role as a cell survival sensor, limiting rather than promoting angiogenesis. Accumulating data on the role of integrins and the mechanism of action of pharmacological antagonists will help to develop and apply an efficient anti-integrin therapy in cancer.

Animals↗

Integrin-associated protein (IAP)-deficient mice are less susceptible to developing Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis.

The integrin-associated protein (IAP) has been shown to function in a signaling complex with beta3 integrins, influencing the migration of phagocytic cells into inflamed tissues. We have previously shown that gene-targeted mice deficient for IAP succumbed to peritonitis when inoculated with gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the role of IAP in our recently established model of haematogenously induced Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia and arthritis. In this model, neutrophils play a crucial role in the early phase of the infection. Mice lacking IAP and congenic controls were intravenously inoculated with S. aureus LS-1. The IAP-/- mice were resistant to developing clinical signs of arthritis compared with their IAP-expressing littermates. The clinical findings were corroborated by histopathological evaluation indicating that the IAP-/- mice had less cartilage and bone destruction in the joints. We believe that a delayed migration of leukocytes into the joints of mice lacking IAP expression leads to decreased susceptibility to develop S. aureus-induced arthritis.

Animals↗

Integrin-linked kinase regulates chondrocyte shape and proliferation.

The interaction of chondrocytes with the extracellular-matrix environment is mediated mainly by integrins. Ligated integrins are recruited to focal adhesions (FAs) together with scaffolding proteins and kinases, such as integrin-linked kinase (Ilk). Ilk binds the cytoplasmic domain of beta1-, beta2- and beta3-integrins and recruits adaptors and kinases, and is thought to stimulate downstream signalling events through phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt (Pkb/Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (GSK3-beta). Here, we show that mice with a chondrocyte-specific disruption of the gene encoding Ilk develop chondrodysplasia, and die at birth due to respiratory distress. The chondrodysplasia was characterized by abnormal chondrocyte shape and decreased chondrocyte proliferation. In addition, Ilk-deficient chondrocytes showed adhesion defects, failed to spread and formed fewer FAs and actin stress fibres. Surprisingly, phosphorylation of Pkb/Akt and GSK3-beta is unaffected in Ilk-deficient chondrocytes. These findings suggest that Ilk regulates actin reorganization in chondrocytes and modulates chondrocyte growth independently of phosphorylation of Pkb/Akt and GSK3-beta.

Animals↗

Differential modulation of integrin expression in chondrocytes during expansion for tissue engineering.

Cartilage tissue engineering has an important role to play in the generation of graft material for reconstructive surgery. In cultured chondrocytes, the dedifferentiation of cells seems unavoidable for multiplication. Dedifferentiated cells produce matrix of less quality. Normal cartilage is composed of chondrocytes, which are embedded within an extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM plays a key role in controlling cellular characteristics and contains the integrins as a large family of heterodimeric cell adhesion receptors involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In this study, the characteristic changes of integrin expression and expression of matrix proteins during the course of dedifferentiation of chondrocytes in cell culture for 1, 6 and 21 days, analyzed at the mRNA level by microarray analysis and at the protein level by immunohistochemistry, are described. The components of the fibronectin receptor, integrin beta1,alpha5, in conjunction with the ligand fibronectin, were up-regulated during dedifferentiation. Integrin beta3 was expressed in the grey area. The components of the vitronectin-receptor, integrin alpha2b, alpha v, as well as integrin beta5, were activated on day 21, but neither vitronectin nor osteopontin were expressed by the cells. With ongoing dedifferentiation, activation of the GPIIb/GPIIIa receptor was found. The integrins beta2, beta4, beta6, beta8 and alpha2, alpha4, alpha6, alpha7 and alpha11 were never expressed. ILK, CD47 and ICAP1, as components of the intracellular signalling cascade of several integrins, were activated with ongoing dedifferentiation. In conclusion, a candidate for signal transmission during dedifferentiation is the fibronectin receptor (integrin alpha5beta1) in conjunction with its ligand fibronectin. Other receptors, e.g. for vitronectin and osteopontin (alphaVbeta3) or laminin (alpha6beta1) or their ligands, do not seem to be involved in signal transmission for dedifferentiation. In addition, the GPIIb/IIIa-receptor seems to assist the process of dedifferentiation. Intracellularly, ILK, ICAP1 and CD47 might assist the transduction of the integrin-dependent signals.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Endothelial cell apoptosis in capillary network remodeling.

We hypothesized that the regulation of apoptosis is an important determinant of capillary network structure. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in in vitro model systems of capillary tube formation, we initially documented that apoptosis is a prominent feature of network formation. Perturbations of integrin-matrix signaling by the administration of either colchicine or an anti-alpha(v)beta3 antibody resulted in the dissolution of the tubular network in association with increased apoptosis. The activation of the alpha(v)beta3 integrin induced increased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 and conferred resistance to the proapoptotic effect of TGF-beta1. In contrast to the stable networks formed by HUVEC, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) exhibited a more dynamic process of network formation and spontaneous involution. The inhibition of BAEC apoptosis by stable transfection of bcl-2 prevented the involution of the network. We hypothesized that TGF-beta1 present within the model system mediated network involution by inducing BAEC death. Indeed, blockade of TGF-beta1 with neutralizing antibodies reduced BAEC apoptosis and preserved the network structure. As observed with HUVEC networks, stable BAEC networks formed during blockade of TGF-beta1 were also dependent on the survival-promoting effects of matrixintegrin interactions. This study suggests that capillary network structure is determined by the balance of proapoptotic vs. anti-apoptotic signals mediated by the engagement of cytokine and integrin receptors within the milieu.

Animals↗

Selective interaction of a conformationally-constrained Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif with the integrin receptor alphavbeta3 expressed on human tumor cells.

Two antigenized antibodies (AgAbs) were engineered to express peptidic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motifs present in extracellular matrix molecules. The RGD tripeptide sequence was inserted in the third hypervariable loop of an immunoglobulin human/mouse chimeric heavy chain gene as a single or three repeat yielding two antibodies termed gamma1RGD and gamma1(RGD)3, respectively. The antibodies were used to target specific cell-surface receptors of the integrin type expressed by three human tumor cell lines, a melanoma (M21), and osteosarcoma (KRIB) and a fibroblastoma (WI-38). Based on in vitro adhesion assays and flow cytometric analysis, we found that all three cell lines interacted with gamma1(RGD)3 but not with gamma1RGD. Binding of tumor cells to surface-immobilized gamma1(RGD)3 was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the RGD-containing synthetic peptides GdRGDSP and RGDS. These synthetic peptides, but no a GDR-containing control peptide, interfered with the binding of tumor cells to surface-immobilized human fibronectin. In their soluble form, neither fibronectin nor gamma1(RGD)3 inhibited tumor cell adhesion to surface-immobilized fibronectin. Gamma1(RGD)3 specifically recognized integrin alphavbeta3 based on two criteria: reactivity with purified integrin receptors and binding to variants of M21 melanoma cells expressing alphavbeta3, alphaIIbbeta3 or no beta3 integrins, respectively. Collectively, our results indicate that the (RGD)3 loop in the antigenized antibody mimics the ligand function of natural extracellular matrix proteins and has a restricted receptor specificity for the alphavbeta3 integrin which is not inherent to short RGD containing peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic factors underlying differential blood platelet sensitivity to inhibitors.

Blood platelets are not only the primary defence mechanism involved in physiological hemostasis, but also their disorders constitute a crucial risk factor in arterial thrombosis. As arterial thrombi are composed of predominantly platelets formed under conditions of elevated shear stress at sites of atherosclerotic vascular injury and disturbed blood flow, the prevention of arterial thrombosis has been for years the main target for antiplatelet therapy. Individual differences in the rate of platelet activation and reactivity markedly influence normal hemostasis and the pathological outcome of thrombosis. Such an individual variability is largely determined by environmental and genetic factors. These are known to either hamper platelets' response to agonists, and thereby mimic the pharmacological modulation of platelet function or mask therapy effect and sensitize platelets. Some clinical studies have indicated that platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms are genetic factors contributing to arterial thrombosis. In spite of some discrepancies between different studies, there is substantial evidence that the integrin beta3 P1(A2) allele, the variants GPIbalpha Met145 and GPIbalpha (-5C) haplotype or the integrin alpha2 haplotype 1 (807T) each contribute to the risk for and morbidity of thrombotic disease. In this article, we reviewed a role of the aforementioned polymorphisms in modulating platelet function and platelet response to inhibitors. The paper focuses on the association between Pl(A1/A2) polymorphism and sensitivity (or resistance) to aspirin and the inhibitory efficacy of GPIIb-IIIa antagonists. Additionally, a potential role of 807C/T polymorphism (GPIa), polymorphisms of GPIb and platelet purinoreceptor P2Y12 in affecting platelet sensitivity to blocking agents is discussed.

Blood Platelets↗

CD7-mediated regulation of integrin adhesiveness on human T cells involves tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

The functional activity of integrin receptors on T cells is dynamically regulated so that T cells can alternate rapidly between adhesive and nonadhesive states. The CD7 Ag is one of several molecules on T cells that can transduce intracellular signals that rapidly up-regulate integrin-mediated adhesion. We demonstrate in this report that the signaling pathway that CD7 utilizes to regulate integrin activity involves the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K). CD7 stimulation of both Jurkat T cells and resting human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells results in rapid association and activation of PI 3-K with CD7. Phosphopeptide competition assays demonstrate that the association of CD7 with PI 3-K is dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation of the SH2 binding motif Tyr-Glu-Asp-Met (YEDM) in the CD7 cytoplasmic domain. A role for PI 3-K in the regulation of integrin function by CD7 is demonstrated by: 1) the ability of two structurally distinct PI 3-K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, to inhibit CD7-mediated increases in beta1 integrin function of human T cells; and 2) inhibition of CD7-mediated activation of beta3 integrin function in human T cells by expression of a dominant negative form of the p85 subunit of PI 3-K. These results demonstrate that the CD7 Ag on human T cells is coupled to PI 3-K and that this association is relevant to CD7-mediated signaling events, specifically CD7-induced increases in integrin adhesiveness. Furthermore, these studies provide important new evidence implicating PI 3-K in the regulation of integrin adhesiveness by multiple cell surface signaling receptors.

Antigens, CD7↗

Expression of integrin subunits alphav and beta3 in acute lung inflammation.

Integrin subunits alphav and beta3 form a dimer, alphavbeta3, which is expressed on normal neutrophils and endothelium. We investigated the expression of integrin subunits alphav and beta3 in acute lung inflammation in Sprague-Dawley rats ( n=5 each) following intratracheal challenge with Escherichia coli or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which induce neutrophil recruitment through different mechanisms. Control rats ( n=5) were given endotoxin-free saline. Both bacterial challenges induced similar levels of recruitment of neutrophils in lungs. Western blots showed lower expression of integrin subunits alphav and beta3 in lungs challenged with E. coli compared to those given S. pneumoniae. Immunohistochemistry and immunogold electron microscopy localized both integrin subunits in neutrophils and endothelium in the control and treated rat lungs. Quantitative immunohistochemistry showed that E. coli-challenged rat lungs contained a lower percentage of neutrophils expressing integrin subunits alphav and beta3 compared to those challenged with S. pneumoniae ( P<0.05). We conclude that E. coli infection decreased the percentage of neutrophils expressing integrin subunits alphav and beta3 compared to S. pneumoniae infection. These data lay the foundation for further characterization of these integrin subunits in neutrophil migration specifically in S. pneumoniae infection that utilizes molecules other than beta2 integrins for neutrophil recruitment.

Acute Disease↗

Redistribution of integrins in tubular epithelial cells during diabetic glycogen nephrosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Even though many aspects of glycogen nephrosis in diabetes have already been studied, adhesion interactions between the glycogen-accumulating clear cells and the tubular basement membranes have not been addressed. As integrins play key roles in cell-to-matrix interactions, we investigated the expression and distribution of alpha3-, alphaV-, beta1- and beta3-integrin subunits in renal tissues from streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats (3 months old) and their age-matched controls as well as from streptozotocin-injected normoglycemic animals. METHODS: The levels and distribution of integrins were studied by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Immunoblotting analysis of fractions enriched in glycogen-accumulating clear cells demonstrated enhanced expression of alpha3, alphaV and beta1 subunits while expression of beta3 did not differ from controls. The most striking cytochemical result was the redistribution of the alpha3-, alphaV-, and the beta1-integrin subunits to the apical plasma membrane of these cells. This was found by light and electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the altered expression and distribution of integrins in clear cells of diabetic animals must have defined roles in the development of the renal tubulopathy.

Animals↗

Interaction of integrin alpha(v)beta3 with nectin. Implication in cross-talk between cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions.

Cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions cross-talk together, and these two junctions cooperatively regulate cell movement, proliferation, adhesion, and polarization. However, the mechanism of this cross-talk remains unknown. An immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecule nectin first trans-interacts with each other to form cell-cell adhesion and induces activation of Rap1, Cdc42, and Rac small G proteins through c-Src. Trans-interacting nectin then recruits another cell-cell adhesion molecule cadherin to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites and forms adherens junctions (AJs). Here, we show that integrin alpha(v)beta3 functionally and physically associates with nectin. Integrin alpha(v)beta3 colocalized with nectin at the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites. The association of integrin alpha(v)beta3 with nectin was direct and was mediated through their extracellular regions. This interaction was necessary for the nectin-induced signaling. Focal adhesion kinase, which relays the integrin-initiated outside-in signals to the intracellular signaling molecules, was also involved in the nectin-induced signaling. During the formation of AJs, the high affinity form of integrin alpha(v)beta3 co-localized with nectin at the primordial cell-cell contact sites, and then after the establishment of AJs, this high affinity form of integrin alpha(v)beta3 was converted to the low affinity form, which continued to co-localize with nectin. Thus, integrin alpha(v)beta3 and nectin play pivotal roles in the cross-talk between cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions and the formation of cadherin-based AJs.

Animals↗

(alpha)v(beta)3 integrins and Pyk2 mediate insulin-like growth factor I activation of Src and mitogen-activated protein kinase in 3T3-L1 cells.

IGF-I stimulates cell growth through interaction of the IGF receptor with multiprotein signaling complexes. However, the mechanisms of IGF-I receptor-mediated signaling are not completely understood. We have previously shown that IGF-I-stimulated 3T3-L1 cell proliferation is dependent on Src activation of the ERK-1/2 MAPK pathway. We hypothesized that IGF-I activation of the MAPK pathway is mediated through integrin activation of Src-containing signaling complexes. The disintegrin echistatin decreased IGF-I phosphorylation of Src and MAPK, and blocking antibodies to (alpha)v and beta3 integrin subunits inhibited IGF-I activation of MAPK, suggesting that (alpha)v(beta)3 integrins mediate IGF-I mitogenic signaling. IGF-I increased ligand binding to (alpha)v(beta)3 as detected by immunofluorescent staining of ligand-induced binding site antibody and stimulated phosphorylation of the beta3 subunit, consistent with inside-out activation of (alpha)v(beta)3 integrins. IGF-I increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Pyk2 (calcium-dependent proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2) to a much greater extent than FAK, and increased association of Src with Pyk2 but not FAK. The intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA prevented IGF-I phosphorylation of Pyk2, Src, and MAPK, suggesting that IGF-I activation of Pyk2 is calcium dependent. Transient transfection with a dominant-negative Pyk2, which lacks the autophosphorylation and Src binding site, decreased IGF-I activation of MAPK, but no inhibition was seen with transfected wild-type Pyk2. These results indicate that IGF-I signaling to MAPK is dependent on inside-out activation of (alpha)v(beta)3 integrins and integrin-facilitated multiprotein complex formation involving Pyk2 activation and association with Src.

3T3-L1 Cells↗

A single immunoglobulin-like domain of the human neural cell adhesion molecule L1 supports adhesion by multiple vascular and platelet integrins.

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 has been shown to function as a homophilic ligand in a variety of dynamic neurological processes. Here we demonstrate that the sixth immunoglobulin-like domain of human L1 (L1-Ig6) can function as a heterophilic ligand for multiple members of the integrin superfamily including alphavbeta3, alphavbeta1, alpha5beta1, and alphaIIbbeta3. The interaction between L1-Ig6 and alphaIIbbeta3 was found to support the rapid attachment of activated human platelets, whereas a corresponding interaction with alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta1 supported the adhesion of umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mutation of the single Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in human L1-Ig6 effectively abrogated binding by the aforementioned integrins. A L1 peptide containing this RGD motif and corresponding flanking amino acids (PSITWRGDGRDLQEL) effectively blocked L1 integrin interactions and, as an immobilized ligand, supported adhesion via alphavbeta3, alphavbeta1, alpha5beta1, and alphaIIbbeta3. Whereas beta3 integrin binding to L1-Ig6 was evident in the presence of either Ca2+, Mg2+, or Mn2+, a corresponding interaction with the beta1 integrins was only observed in the presence of Mn2+. Furthermore, such Mn2+-dependent binding by alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta1 was significantly inhibited by exogenous Ca2+. Our findings suggest that physiological levels of calcium will impose a hierarchy of integrin binding to L1 such that alphavbeta3 or active alphaIIbbeta3 > alphavbeta1 > alpha5beta1. Given that L1 can interact with multiple vascular or platelet integrins it is significant that we also present evidence for de novo L1 expression on blood vessels associated with certain neoplastic or inflammatory diseases. Together these findings suggest an expanded and novel role for L1 in vascular and thrombogenic processes.

Adult↗

The influence of platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms on receptor function and risk for thrombosis.

With regard to hemostasis and thrombosis, collagens are among the most important physiologic components of the extracellular matrix in their role as platelet activators. Differences in the rate of platelet activation markedly influence normal hemostasis and the pathological outcome of thrombosis. Thus, collagen receptors, such as the integrin alpha2beta1 and indirectly, GPIb alpha, represent a relatively unexploited target of pharmacological control and are only recently becoming appreciated as potential factors in the generic risk for thrombosis. In general, the importance platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms as genetic risk factors for arterial thrombosis is a new area of human genomics that needs to be carefully addressed. Discrepancies in the degree to which they are reported to contribute to risk for clinical thrombosis will only be resolved once there is a universal standard for clinical study design. Most of the clinical studies differ by patient population size, ethnicity, bias in the selection of patients and controls, plurality in clinical endpoints and variation of environmental factors. Despite these differences, there is substantial evidence that the integrin beta3 PlA2 haplotype, the GPIb alpha Met145 haplotype, the GPIb alpha -5C haplotype and the integrin alpha2 haplotype 1 (807T) each contribute to the risk for and morbidity of thrombotic disease. There may remain dispute as to the extent of their contribution. However, well-designed, large, prospective, genetic and epidemiologic studies are needed to clarify the role of these and other platelet receptor polymorphisms. Most importantly, the cumulative effects of multiple platelet and plasma glycoproteins SNPs to thrombotic risk must be evaluated concurrently. Additional in vitro studies of the functional relevance underlying these polymorphisms are needed to provide a sound biological explanation for the results of clinical correlations. The opportunity now exists to make significant inroads into the development of strategies for the prevention of thrombotic disease.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗

Mechanical properties of the interaction between fibronectin and alpha5beta1-integrin on vascular smooth muscle cells studied using atomic force microscopy.

The mechanical properties of integrin-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions are important for the mechanotransduction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), a process that is associated with focal adhesions, and can be of particular significance in cardiovascular disease. In this study, we characterized the unbinding force and binding activity of the initial fibronectin (FN)-alpha5beta1 interaction on the surface of VSMC using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is postulated that these initial binding events are important to the subsequent focal adhesion assembly. FN-VSMC adhesions were selectively blocked by antibodies against alpha5- and beta1-integrins as well as RGD-containing peptides but not by antibodies against alpha4- and beta3-integrins, indicating that FN primarily bound to alpha5beta1. A characteristic unbinding force of 39 +/- 8 pN was observed and interpreted to represent the FN-alpha5beta1 single-bond strength. The ability of FN to adhere to VSMC (binding probability) was significantly reduced by integrin antagonists, serum starvation, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, whereas lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increased FN binding. However, no significant change in the resolved unbinding force was observed. After engagement, the force required to dislodge the FN-coated bead from VSMC increased with increasing of contact time, suggesting a time-dependent increase in number of adhesions and/or altered binding affinity. LPA enhanced this process, whereas PDGF reduced it, suggesting that these factors also affect the multimolecular process of focal contact assembly. Thus AFM is a powerful tool for the characterization of the mechanical properties of integrin-ECM interactions and their regulation. Our results indicate that the functional activity of alpha5beta1 and focal contact assembly can be rapidly regulated.

Animals↗

alphavbeta3- and alpha5beta1-integrin blockade inhibits myogenic constriction of skeletal muscle resistance arterioles.

In isolated resistance arterioles with spontaneous tone, ligation of alpha4beta1- and alpha5beta1-integrins induces vasoconstriction whereas ligation of alphavbeta3-integrin induces vasodilation. However, whether integrins directly participate in myogenic constriction to pressure elevation is not known. To answer this question, isolated rat skeletal muscle arterioles were exposed to step increments in pressure in the absence or presence of peptides and function-blocking antibodies known to bind alpha4beta1-, alpha5beta1-, or alphavbeta3-integrins while vessel diameter was continually monitored. Myogenic constriction, as assessed by the ability of isolated arterioles to reduce their diameter in response to two consecutive increments in intraluminal pressure (90-110 and 110-130 cmH2O), was not affected by treatment with any of the control peptides (RAD, LEV), a control antibody (anti-rat major histocompatibility complex), an alpha4beta1-integrin-binding peptide (LDV), or an anti-alpha4-integrin antibody. In contrast, alpha5beta1-integrin blockade with either anti-alpha5- or anti-beta1-integrin antibody caused a significant inhibition of myogenic constriction. Also, both RGD peptide and anti-beta3-integrin antibody inhibited myogenic constriction. These results indicate that alpha5beta1- and alphavbeta3-integrins are necessary for myogenic constriction and further suggest that integrins are part of the mechanosensory apparatus responsible for the ability of vascular smooth muscle cells to detect and/or respond to changes in intraluminal pressure.

Animals↗

Roles of integrins in fibronectin matrix assembly.

Fibronectin (Fn) matrix assembly is a dynamic cellular process in which the soluble dimeric Fn molecules are assembled into insoluble, disulfide bond stabilized fibrillar polymeric matrix. Fn matrix assembly requires specific Fn binding integrins. Several Fn binding integrins that are capable of mediating Fn matrix assembly have been identified. They include alpha5beta1, alphaIIb(beta3) and alpha(v)beta3 integrins. Cells regulate the matrix assembly process not only by controlling cell surface expression level of the Fn binding integrins but also by modulating Fn binding and cytoskeleton binding activities of the integrins. A major challenge of future studies is to delineate the signal transduction pathway that regulates Fn matrix assembly.

Amino Acid Sequence↗