Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Integrin alpha5”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

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

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Positive expression of E-cadherin suppresses cell adhesion to fibronectin via reduction of alpha5beta1 integrin in human breast carcinoma cells.

E-cadherin mainly mediated the epithelial cell-cell adhesion, and integrin signaling can modulate the signaling pathway of E-cadherin in the different levels. Up to now, however, it is still unclear that whether E-cadherin could interfere with cell-matrix interaction, a typical adhesion through integrins. In this study we investigated the effects of E-cadherin on cell-matrix adhesion and alpha5beta1 integrin expression in human breast carcinoma cells. It was found that either mRNA or protein level of alpha5 and beta1 subunits of integrin decreased in E-cad-231 compared with Mock-231. Furthermore, the promoter activity of alpha5 gene was inhibited in E-cad-231 compared with Mock-231. Consistently, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase, a closer key downstream protein kinase of integrin signaling, were also down-regulated in E-cad-231. Furthermore, distribution of beta-catenin was observed and data showed beta-catenin was accumulated in the nucleus in Mock-231, while disappeared from the nucleus and mainly accumulated near the cell surface membrane in E-cad-231. LiCl, a molecule that can inhibit the GSK-3beta activity and down-regulate beta-catenin degradation, could inversely stimulate expression of alpha5 and beta1 integrin. Taken together, these results indicated that positive expression of E-cadherin inhibits the cell adhesion to extracellular matrix mediated by alpha5beta1 integrin signaling.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Integrin alpha subunit ratios, cytoplasmic domains, and growth factor synergy regulate muscle proliferation and differentiation.

The role of integrins in muscle differentiation was addressed by ectopic expression of integrin alpha subunits in primary quail skeletal muscle, a culture system particularly amenable to efficient transfection and expression of exogenous genes. Ectopic expression of either the human alpha5 subunit or the chicken alpha6 subunit produced contrasting phenotypes. The alpha5-transfected myoblasts remain in the proliferative phase and are differentiation inhibited even in confluent cultures. In contrast, myoblasts that overexpress the alpha6 subunit exhibit inhibited proliferation and substantial differentiation. Antisense suppression of endogenous quail alpha6 expression inhibits myoblast differentiation resulting in sustained proliferation. These effects of ectopic alpha subunit expression are mediated, to a large extent, by the cytoplasmic domains. Ectopic expression of chimeric alpha subunits, alpha5ex/6cyto and alpha6ex/5cyto, produced phenotypes opposite to those observed with ectopic alpha5 or alpha6 expression. Myoblasts that express alpha5ex/6cyto show decreased proliferation while differentiation is partially restored. In contrast, the alpha6ex/5cyto transfectants remain in the proliferative phase unless allowed to become confluent for at least 24 h. Furthermore, expression of human alpha5 subunit cytoplasmic domain truncations, before and after the conserved GFFKR motif, shows that this sequence is important in alpha5 regulation of differentiation. Ectopic alpha5 and alpha6 expression also results in contrasting responses to the mitogenic effects of serum growth factors. Myoblasts expressing the human alpha5 subunit differentiate only in the absence of serum while differentiation of untransfected and alpha6-transfected myoblasts is insensitive to serum concentration. Addition of individual, exogenous growth factors to alpha5-transfected myoblasts results in unique responses that differ from their effects on untransfected cells. Both bFGF or TGFbeta inhibit the serum-free differentiation of alpha5-transfected myoblasts, but differ in that bFGF stimulates proliferation whereas TGF-beta inhibits it. Insulin or TGF-alpha promote proliferation and differentiation of alpha5-transfected myoblasts; however, insulin alters myotube morphology. TGF-alpha or PDGF-BB enhance muscle alpha-actinin organization into myofibrils, which is impaired in differentiated alpha5 cultures. With the exception of TGF-alpha, these growth factor effects are not apparent in untransfected myoblasts. Finally, myoblast survival under serum-free conditions is enhanced by ectopic alpha5 expression only in the presence of bFGF and insulin while TGF-alpha and TGF-beta promote survival of untransfected myoblasts. Our observations demonstrate (1) a specificity for integrin alpha subunits in regulating myoblast proliferation and differentiation; (2) that the ratio of integrin expression can affect the decision to proliferate or differentiate; (3) a role for the alpha subunit cytoplasmic domain in mediating proliferative and differentiative signals; and (4) the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, cytoskeletal assembly, and cell survival depend critically on the expression levels of different integrins and the growth factor environment in which the cells reside.

Actinin↗

Differential motile response of human malignant mesothelioma cells to fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV: the role of beta1 integrins.

Beta1 integrins are widely expressed in human tissues but their presence and function on malignant mesothelioma cells have not been examined. In this study, we have investigated the expression and function of beta1 integrins in 7 human malignant mesothelioma cell lines. Immunofluorescence staining and FACS analysis showed similar expression of beta1 integrins with strongest expression of alpha3beta1 in all investigated mesothelioma cell lines. Using the Boyden chamber assay, we found that mesothelioma cell lines migrated to soluble (chemotaxis) and substrate-bound (haptotaxis) fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV. In order to investigate the biological function of integrins in mesothelioma cells, we pre-incubated the cells with blocking anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) prior to the adhesion and migration assays. Anti-beta1 antibodies inhibited cell adhesion, chemotaxis and haptotaxis in all cell lines. Generally, anti-alpha2 integrin antibodies inhibited cell adhesion, chemotactic and haptotactic migration to collagen type IV, whereas antibodies to the alpha5 and alpha6 subunits inhibited cell adhesion and migration to fibronectin and laminin, respectively. Preincubation of mesothelioma cells with anti-alpha3 antibodies inhibited the migration to either collagen type IV, laminin or fibronectin in all cell lines. Interestingly, in 3 cell lines anti-alpha3 antibodies inhibited cell migration to laminin and collagen type IV without affecting the ability of the cells to adhere to these proteins. Furthermore, in 2 cell lines, antibodies to the alpha3 chain inhibited chemotaxis but not haptotaxis to collagen type IV, indicating the presence of distinct signalling pathways.

Antibodies↗

Migration of breast epithelial cells on Laminin-5: differential role of integrins in normal and transformed cell types.

We examined the role of Laminin-5 (Ln-5) an extracellular matrix component of breast gland basement membrane, in supporting migration of normal (HUMEC), immortalized (MCF-10A), and malignant breast epithelial cells that exhibit different degrees of metastatic potential (MDA-MB-435>MDA-MB-231>MCF-7). HUMEC, MCF-10A, and MCF-7 cells all adhered to purified Ln-5 through the alpha3beta1 integrin receptor in adhesion assays. However, HUMEC and MCF-10A cells remained statically adherent, while MCF-7 cells migrated on Ln-5 in Transwell and colloidal gold displacement assays. Anti-alpha3 integrin antibodies blocked migration of MCF-7 cells on Ln-5. MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells bound and migrated on Ln-5 through a beta1 integrin receptor that is insensitive to antibodies that block the function of alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and alphaV integrin subunits. Migration of all cell types tested was blocked by CM6, a monoclonal antibody directed to a cell adhesion site on the alpha3 chain of Ln-5. Thus, Ln-5 may play an important role in regulating adhesion and migration in normal and transformed breast epithelium. Our results indicate that the type of integrin utilized by breast cells to interact with Ln-5, as well as its functional state, may determine whether cells will be statically adherent or migratory on Ln-5.

Animals↗

Expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eN, CD73) in cell lines from various stages of human melanoma.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase is a GPI-anchored enzyme localized in cell membrane lipid rafts. Although it is highly expressed in many tumour cells, its specific function during tumorigenesis is unclear. We have found that, among different melanoma cells, upregulated expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase is associated with a highly invasive phenotype. Analysis of other cell membrane proteins involved in melanoma adhesion and metastasis demonstrated that expression of alpha5, beta1, beta3-integrin subunits and CD44 was elevated gradually in accordance with increasing metastatic potential. Expression of alphav-integrin and caveolin-1 was seen mostly in cells derived from metastatic melanomas. Furthermore, in contrast to N-cadherin, which was unaltered in all lines, we could not detect E-cadherin in any cell type. Functional assays demonstrated that highly expressed ecto-5'-nucleotidase is a catalytically competent protein that is very sensitive to inhibition by concanavalin A. The interaction with concanavalin A also caused increased association of ecto-5'-nucleotidase-rich lipid rafts with much heavier cytoskeletal complexes as determined by density gradient centrifugation. A similar shift towards heavier cytoskeletal fractions also took place with other proteins coexpressed with ecto-5'-nucleotidase, such as alphav, alpha5, beta1 and beta3-integrins, caveolin-1 and CD44. As ConA-induced clustering may reflect the interactions of membrane proteins with extracellular matrix, we also analysed the effect of several extracellular matrix proteins on the in-situ activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in WM9 cells and found that tenascin C strongly inhibited ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and adenosine generation from AMP. We also developed WM9 cells with reduced ecto-5'-nucleotidase expression and tested differences in cell adhesion on various extracellular matrix proteins. WM9 cells attached significantly weaker to tenascin C layer. These observations indicate that expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase correlates with a number of metastasis-related markers and thus may have a function in this process. Furthermore, our data suggest that, in addition to generating adenosine, ecto-5'-nucleotidase may have independent roles in adhesion and interaction with extracellular matrix components in melanoma.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Beta1 integrin activation on human neutrophils promotes beta2 integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin.

Although the importance of beta1 integrin-mediated binding to adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules is well established for most types of leukocytes, the expression patterns and functional importance of beta1 integrins on neutrophils have remained controversial. Using flow cytometry, we found that human neutrophils express the alpha4, alpha5, alpha9 and beta1 integrin subunits. To examine whether the integrins VLA-4 (alpha4/beta1) and VLA-5 (alpha5/beta1) have a functional role on neutrophils, we studied adhesion to their ligand fibronectin. Treatment of neutrophils with antibody 8A2, which specifically binds and activates beta1 integrins, resulted in increased binding to fibronectin. However, addition of blocking mAb revealed that 8A2-induced adhesion did not depend on beta1 integrins, but on the beta2 integrin CD11b/CD18. Similarly, activation of beta1 integrins by 8A2 resulted in CD11b-dependent binding of neutrophils to fibrinogen. 8A2 treatment increased expression of an activation epitope of CD11b/CD18, which depended on phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase activity and an adequate concentration of intracellular free Ca2+. These data suggest that engagement of beta1 integrins on neutrophils results in a cross-talk signal that leads to activation of the beta2 integrin CD11b/CD18, followed by CD11b-mediated adhesion. As transmigrated neutrophils are surrounded by both beta1 and beta2 ligands in the ECM, this integrin cross-talk could play a role in modifying migration and cellular activation in inflamed tissues.

Androstadienes↗

Distribution of alpha and beta integrin subunits in the adult rat hippocampus after pilocarpine-induced neuronal cell loss, axonal reorganization and reactive astrogliosis.

Integrins are alphabeta-heterodimers that act as cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion molecules. During development, they are involved in axonal guidance, synaptogenesis, and in astrocytic maturation and migration. Here, we have examined the potential role of the integrin subunits alpha1-alpha5 and beta1-beta5 in axonal sprouting, synaptogenesis and reactive astrogliosis in the adult rat brain caused by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). Strong hippocampal immunoreactivity of alpha1-alpha5, beta1, beta3, beta4, and beta5 was observed in the pia mater, in vascular endothelia, and in astrocytes at the pial surface. beta2 immunoreactivity was found exclusively in vascular endothelia. Pyramidal cells and interneurons of CA3-CA1, as well as hilar neurons revealed moderate alpha5 labeling in their cell bodies. Mossy fibers were immunoreactive for alpha2, beta4, and beta5. After pilocarpine-induced SE, strong immunoreactivity for alpha1, alpha2, alpha4, alpha5, beta1, beta3, and beta4 was observed in reactive astrocytes. Our results show that members of the integrin family are differently distributed in cellular and subcellular compartments of the hippocampus and undergo specific patterns of regulation, which may be important for lesion-induced reactive changes in the adult brain.

Animals↗

Localization and expression of integrin subunits in the embryoid bodies of F9 teratocarcinoma cells.

F9 embryonal carcinoma cells can differentiate in vitro into either parietal (PE) or visceral (VE) endoderm, depending upon specific retinoic acid (RA) treatment and growth conditions. In differentiated aggregates of F9 cells (EB), the VE is a polarized monolayer surrounding a core of undifferentiated cells. Within 7 days of treatment the cells organize their cytoskeleton and synthesize large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins to form a basal lamina under the newly formed epithelium. All these changes are likely to involve integrin expression and organization. In this study we have analyzed the spatio-temporal changes in the pattern and level of expression of beta1, beta4, alpha5, alpha6A, and alpha6B integrin subunits. We found that the organization of the VE monolayer in F9 aggregates involves both qualitative and quantitative changes in integrin expression. beta1 is downregulated and accumulates in the forming epithelium. The same occurs for alpha5, although its location on the surface of the aggregate appears to be transient as in fully differentiated EB its distribution is uniform. beta4 and alpha6A are also mainly localized in the VE but they are undetectable in undifferentiated aggregates and their expression is induced by RA treatment. An important exception is represented by alpha6B whose distribution and expression remain almost unchanged throughout treatment.

Animals↗

Distribution of integrins during human fetal lung development.

Interactions between epithelial cells and the extracellular matrix through integrins play a key role in the development of the lung by modulating branching morphogenesis, epithelial cell polarization, and differentiation. To determine the role of integrins during the different stages of lung development, we investigated the distribution of eight integrin subunits in the trachea and lung from human fetuses. In distal airways, during the early pseudoglandular stage of development, the alpha2-, alpha5-, alpha6-, alphav-, and beta1-subunits were detected in all epithelial cell plasma membranes, and polarized but undifferentiated tracheal epithelial cells expressed alpha3-, alpha6-, and beta1-subunits in the plasma membrane of the cells facing the basement membrane. The alpha6- and beta4-chains were detected along the basal plasma membrane of the basal cells in differentiated tracheal epithelia. The alpha4-subunit was detected in all respiratory cells throughout fetal development. In the submucosal glands, myoepithelial cells expressed the integrin subunits found in the undifferentiated cells of the developing airways, whereas the secretory cells expressed only alpha2-, alpha3-, alpha4-, alpha6-, and beta1-subunits. These results demonstrate differential expression of integrins during lung development and suggest that integrins may play multiple roles in organogenesis and maturation of respiratory surface epithelium and glands.

Antigens, CD↗

Spatial and temporal analyses of integrin and Muc-1 expression in porcine uterine epithelium and trophectoderm in vitro.

The expression of the glycoproteins Muc-1 and integrin subunits (alpha1, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha(v), beta1, and beta3), all of which may be involved in the control of uterine receptivity, was examined in cultured porcine uterine epithelial (pUE) cells. Integrin subunit expression was also determined in trophoblastic vesicles generated from Day 12 and Day 15 pig conceptuses. Immunocytochemistry was performed on pUE cells cultured on several substrates (glass, serum, fibronectin, or Matrigel) in DME/F12 medium with 5% charcoal/dextran-stripped fetal bovine serum either containing no steroids or supplemented with estrogen, progesterone, or estrogen plus progesterone, or in medium with 5% complete fetal bovine serum. In addition, pUE cells were grown on Matrigel-coated Millicell filter inserts to facilitate development of structurally and functionally distinct apical and basal domains (i.e., polarized pUE cells) and were maintained in the same medium with supplements. The major findings in this investigation are that 1) Muc-1 and alpha1, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha(v), beta1, and beta3 integrin subunits are expressed on pUE cells in vitro; 2) Muc-1 and several integrin subunits are modulated by steroid hormones if culture conditions are provided that permit development of cell polarity; 3) the expression and steroid-induced modulation of Muc-1 and several integrin subunits in polarized pUE cells are similar to those detected in vivo; and 4) the expression of alpha1, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha(v), beta1, and beta3 integrin subunits by trophoblastic vesicles is identical to their expression on trophectoderm of intact conceptuses in vivo. These results suggest that the properties of polarized pUE cells and trophoblastic vesicles are comparable to those of their counterparts in vivo and are, therefore, useful as in vitro model systems to study conceptus-endometrial interactions during the periimplantation period and the control of uterine receptivity to implantation.

Animals↗

Human gingival fibroblast integrin subunit expression on titanium implant surfaces.

BACKGROUND: Implant surface characteristics have been shown to modify cell behavior and regulate integrin expression. Integrin expression and resultant integrin-mediated cellular activity are essential components of tissue healing and homeostasis. Although both osseous and soft tissue healing around dental implants are critical to clinical success, there is limited information available on the effect of implant surfaces on integrin expression in soft tissues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine integrin expression for gingival fibroblasts on titanium surfaces and the influence of titanium surface roughness on integrin expression and cell morphology. METHODS: Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured on smooth (polished) and rough (sand-blasted acid-etched) titanium surfaces and a cell culture plastic (control) surface. To analyze integrin expression, total RNA was isolated from experimental and control cells, and levels of integrin subunit mRNA were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers specific for the alpha2, alpha4, alpha5, alpha(v), and beta1 integrin subunits and aldolase (internal control). PCR products were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), confirmed via DNA sequencing, and quantified using computer-assisted densitometry. The expression of the integrin subunits was analyzed at the protein level using flow cytometry, as well as fluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. Cell morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Our experiments demonstrated cellular expression of the alpha2, alpha4, alpha5, alpha(v), and beta1 integrin subunits at both mRNA and protein levels on all surfaces. In addition, the alpha4 and beta1 mRNA levels were significantly increased on smooth titanium relative to plastic surfaces (P <.05) with intermediate mRNA levels found on the rough titanium surfaces. The smooth titanium surfaces exhibited a flat monolayer of cells, while rough titanium surfaces showed cells orienting themselves along surface irregularities. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the presence of multiple integrin subunits in human gingival fibroblasts grown in contact with titanium implant surfaces and that titanium surface roughness alters cellular morphology but appears to have limited effects on integrin expression. This study provides insight into the complicated cellular and molecular events occurring at the implant surface that may be critical to optimizing the soft tissue interactions with the soft tissue-implant interface.

Cell Adhesion↗

Expression of integrins during liver organogenesis in humans.

Integrins play a pivotal role in organogenesis, by mediating the interactions between differentiating cells and the extracellular matrix. We analyzed the expression of integrins and their ligands during human liver organogenesis. The expression of beta1, beta3, and beta4 integrins and the distribution of several extracellular matrix proteins were studied by immunoperoxidase in fetal liver samples from 5 to 40 weeks' gestation. Hepatoblasts expressed only the beta1, alpha1, alpha5, alpha6, and alpha9 integrin chains. Fetal hepatocytes, emerging at the 8th week of gestation, initially retained the same combination of integrins, but presented a progressive decrease in their expression levels. After 15 weeks' gestation, the expression levels of beta1, alpha1, alpha5, and alpha9 reached levels comparable to those observed in the adult state. Alpha6 expression became undetectable after 30 weeks' gestation. As compared to hepatoblasts, intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells, differentiating at the 8th week of gestation in the ductal plate, were characterized by the progressive loss of alpha1, the marked induction of alpha6, and the de novo acquisition of the beta4, alpha2, and alpha3 integrin chains. The disappearance of integrin receptors for laminin on hepatocytes was associated with the rarefaction of laminin in the perisinusoidal matrix, whereas their induction on biliary epithelial cells was associated with laminin deposition at the point of contact with the ductal plate. In conclusion, integrins likely play an important role in the differentiation of the epithelial and endothelial cell populations of the liver.

Collagen↗

Identification of a novel calcium-binding protein that interacts with the integrin alphaIIb cytoplasmic domain.

The mechanism by which platelets regulate the function of integrin alphaIIbbeta3 (or GPIIb/IIIa), the platelet fibrinogen receptor, is unknown but may involve the binding of proteins or other factors to integrin cytoplasmic domains. To identify candidate cytoplasmic domain binding proteins, we screened a human fetal liver cDNA library in the yeast two-hybrid system, using the alphaIIb cytoplasmic domain as "bait," and isolated a novel 855-base pair clone. The open reading frame encodes a novel 191-amino acid polypeptide (termed CIB for calcium- and integrin-binding protein) that appears to be specific for the cytoplasmic domain of alphaIIb, since it does not interact with the alphav, alpha2, alpha5, beta1, or beta3 integrin cytoplasmic domains in the yeast two-hybrid system. This protein has sequence homology to two known Ca2+-binding regulatory proteins, calcineurin B (58% similarity) and calmodulin (56% similarity), and has two EF-hand motifs corresponding to the two C-terminal Ca2+ binding domains of these proteins. Moreover, recombinant CIB specifically binds 45Ca2+ in blot overlay assays. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, we detected CIB mRNA and protein ( approximately 25 kDa), respectively, in human platelets. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed using either immobilized recombinant CIB or monoclonal antibody-captured alphaIIbbeta3 indicates a specific interaction between CIB and intact alphaIIbbeta3. These results suggest that CIB is a candidate regulatory molecule for integrin alphaIIbbeta3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduction in adhesiveness to extracellular matrix components, modulation of adhesion molecules and in vivo migration of murine macrophages infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, able to disseminate into deep tissues and cross biological barriers, reaching immunoprivileged sites such as the brain and retina. In order to investigate whether the parasite uses leukocyte trafficking to disseminate throughout the host, the adhesive potential to extracellular matrix components, the expression of adhesion molecules and the in vivo migration of murine macrophages infected with RH strain of T. gondii were investigated. Cellular adhesion to fibronectin, laminin and collagen IV decreased after 24 h of T. gondii infection. However, the decrease in adhesion of infected macrophages observed at early infection was reversed after 48 h. Moreover, decreased adhesion was dependent on active penetration, since heat-killed parasites were unable to reproduce it. Expression of integrins alphaL, alpha4 and alpha5 chains was downmodulated early postinfection, but a progressive regain of expression was observed after 12 h of infection. Expression of beta2, alphav and alpha4 integrins by peritoneal macrophages at late infection was also gradually reestablished. The assessment of in vivo migration of infected macrophages labeled with the fluorescent dye 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate showed a 48-h delay in migration to cervical lymph nodes when compared to LPS pre-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, cells that migrate to distal lymph nodes were loaded with live parasites. Taken together, these results provide insights about T. gondii escape from the host immune response, placing the macrophage as a "Trojan horse", contributing to parasite dissemination and access to immunoprivileged sites.

Animals↗

Deleted in colorectal carcinoma and differentially expressed integrins mediate the directional migration of neural precursors in the rostral migratory stream.

Precursors of the olfactory interneurons migrate from the subventricular zone via the rostral migratory stream (RMS). To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which RMS cells migrate, we used a slice preparation, which allows the migrating cells to be imaged at very high temporal and spatial resolution in the presence of added inhibitors. Using immunohistochemistry, we first determined that the alpha1-, beta8-, and beta1-integrin subunits and the alpha5- and gamma1-laminin subunits are expressed during embryonic day 16 to the early postnatal stage. During early postnatal days, alpha(v)- and beta6-integrins appeared, and their expression persisted throughout adulthood. The migrating cells also expressed the netrin receptors neogenin and Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma (DCC). Netrin-1 is expressed in olfactory mitral cells. Anti-integrin antibodies inhibited the production of protrusions as well as cellular translocation. In contrast, anti-DCC antibodies primarily altered the direction of the protrusions; consequently, the migration was no longer unidirectional, and the speed was reduced. Thus, the interaction of DCC, possibly through an interaction with netrin-1, contributes to the direction of migration by regulating the formation of directed protrusions. In contrast, the integrins function in production of protrusions and cellular translocation, with different integrins participating at different developmental stages.

Aging↗

Ultrasound stimulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression and increases bone formation through integrin, focal adhesion kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Akt pathway in osteoblasts.

It has been shown that ultrasound (US) stimulation accelerates fracture healing in animal models and in clinical studies. Here we found that US stimulation transiently increased the surface expression of alpha2, alpha5, beta1, and beta3 integrins in cultured osteoblasts, as shown by flow cytometric analysis and immunofluorescence staining. US stimulation increased prostaglandin E(2) formation and the protein and mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). At the mechanistic level, anti-integrin alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3 antibodies or rhodostomin, a snake venom disintegrin, attenuated the US-induced COX-2 expression. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride (LY294002) and wortmannin also inhibited the potentiating action of US. US stimulation increased the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), p85 subunit of PI3K, and serine 473 of Akt. COX-2 promoter activity was enhanced by US stimulation in cells transfected with pCOX2-Luc. Cotransfection with dominant-negative mutant of FAK(Y397F), p85(Deltap85), Akt(K179A), or ERK2(K52R) inhibited the potentiating action of US on COX-2 promoter activity. Expression of mineralized nodule was lower in dominant-negative mutants of FAK, p85, and Akt-transfected clones than in vector-transfected control cells. Taken together, our results provide evidence that US stimulation increases COX-2 expression and promotes bone formation in osteoblasts via the integrin/FAK/PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Aberrant expression of integrin and erbB subunits in breast cancer cell lines.

Integrin and growth factor receptors play an important role in cell functions and their aberrant expressions are implicated in breast cancer malignancy. Recent studies have shown that integrins physically and functionally associate with growth factor receptors suggesting the cooperative regulation of these two signals. We studied the expression of integrin and erbB subunits by flow cytometer in human normal mammary epithelial (HME) cell, non-metastatic (MCF-7, ZR-75-1, MDA-MB453) and metastatic tumor cell lines (MDA-MB231, MDA-MB435). Compared with HME cells, all of non-metastatic and metastatic cell lines showed decreased expressions of alpha2 and beta4 integrin subunits. Two metastatic cell lines, but not three non-metastatic tumor cell lines, expressed alpha5 and alpha6 comparable to HME cells. There was no correlation of erbB2 expression with integrin expressions. We isolated MDA-MB435 subpopulations expressing lower amount of alpha6 integrin and found that alpha5, but not alpha2 and alphav integrins, was concomitantly decreased while erbB family was not affected. Then we transfected erbB2 gene into MDA-MB435 and found the induction of erbB3 expression but not erbB1 and erbB4. However, erbB2 transfection had no effect on the expression of alpha6 and beta4 integrin subunits. These data suggest that the expression of alpha5 and alpha6 integrins may contribute to metastasis, and that the regulation of erbB2 and alpha6 integrin expressions is independent in breast cancer cells.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Beta1-integrins control spontaneous adhesion and motility of human progenitor thymocytes and regulate differentiation-dependent expression of the receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility.

The functions of the receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) and beta1-integrin in adhesion and motility were analysed for human progenitor multinegative (CD3- 4- 8- 19-) thymocytes (MN Thy). Both alpha4beta1- and alpha5beta1-integrins are expressed by MN Thy, but only alpha4beta1 mediates fibronectin (FN)-dependent adhesion and motility. Freshly isolated MN Thy lack expression of RHAMM and their motility is RHAMM independent. Prolonged surface expression of RHAMM on MN Thy is dependent upon FN. RHAMM expression, which occurs prior to surface expression of CD3/T-cell receptor (TCR), was found to be inhibited by cross-linking of alpha4-, alpha5- and beta1-integrins, as was the prolonged FN-dependent phase of RHAMM expression. To confirm that RHAMM expression had been down-regulated rather than rendered cryptic by treatment with immobilized anti-integrin monoclonal antibody (MoAb), RHAMM mRNA levels were analysed. Transcription of RHAMM was decreased 7-12-fold by treatment with immobilized anti-alpha4 or anti-alpha5, and twofold by anti-beta1. Prior to expression of CD3/TCR and RHAMM, alpha4beta1 regulates migratory behaviour. After MN Thy differentiate to acquire CD3/TCR in vitro or in vivo, their motility becomes dependent upon both RHAMM and beta1-integrins. Integrins play a direct role in FN-dependent, RHAMM-independent motility of MN Thy, and an indirect role in RHAMM-dependent motility. This work shows that beta1-integrins are primary mediators and regulators of fundamental cell behaviours required during migratory phases of T-cell differentiation that occur prior to the expression of CD3/TCR.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗