Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Integrin beta Chains”

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 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Reciprocal expression of laminin A-chain isoforms along the crypt-villus axis in the human small intestine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation are susceptible to various influences along the crypt-villus axis including compositional changes in the basement membrane and differential expression of receptors for these components. However, laminin has been consistently detected at the epithelial basement membrane without significant variation in relation to the crypt-villus functional unit. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of individual laminin chains. METHODS: The patterns of distribution of laminin A, M (an A-chain variant), B1, and B2 chains as well as the integrins alpha 6 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4, two laminin receptors, were determined by indirect immunofluorescence in the adult human small intestine. RESULTS: Markedly distinct patterns of laminin chain expression were observed along the crypt-villus axis. The A chain was found predominantly associated with the differentiated epithelial cells on the villus whereas the M chain was restricted to the basement membrane of crypts. However, both B1 and B2 chains were detected all along the intestinal basement membrane. Furthermore, alpha 6 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4 integrins were found to be expressed by all enterocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These observations show a reciprocal expression of laminin isoforms along the crypt-villus axis and support the concept that the intestinal epithelial basement membrane is subjected to intricate compositional changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Laminin synthesis and the adhesion characteristics of immortalized human corneal epithelial cells to laminin isoforms.

We have studied the synthesis of laminins (Ln) and determined the specific integrins mediating the adhesion of immortalized human corneal epithelial cells to mouse Ln-1, and human Lns-5 and -10. Immunofluorescence microscopy of the cells demonstrated integrin alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(6), beta(1)and beta(4)subunits, integrins alpha(6)and beta(4)being found in a typical 'leopard-skin' like manner. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that the cells produced alpha 3, beta 3 and gamma 2 chains of Ln-5, but not Lns-1 or -10. In culture Ln-5 was found as small plaques beneath the adhering cells within 1 hr, while in 4 hr widely spread Ln-5 plaques were observed in colocalization with beta(4)integrin subunit. By using a quantitative cell adhesion assay and function-blocking monoclonal antibodies we showed that integrin beta(1)subunit plays a role in mediating corneal epithelial cell adhesion to mouse Ln-1. However, none of the available function-blocking antibodies to integrin alpha-subunits inhibited the adhesion. Integrin alpha(3)beta(1)complex mediated the adhesion of corneal epithelial cells to human Lns-5 and -10. Integrin complex alpha(3)beta(1), as well as laminin alpha(3)chain, was also shown to mediate cell adhesion to newly produced endogenous Ln-5. The present results show that integrin alpha(3)beta(1)complex mediates the adhesion of corneal epithelial cells to Lns-5 and -10, while a yet unknown integrin alpha subunit appears to play a role in the adhesion to Ln-1. The results also show that among corneal basement membrane laminins, Ln-5 is synthetized by epithelial cells while Ln-10 may be a product of keratocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Roles of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor in anchorage-dependent and -independent growth in human ovarian surface epithelial cell lines.

Epithelial ovarian carcinomas are thought to arise from cells of ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) covering the free surface of the human ovary. Two immortalized human cell lines, OSE2a (non-tumorigenic) and OSE2b-2 (tumorigenic), were previously established from normal OSE cells of a reproductive-age patient. In the present study, we found that expression of luteinizing hormone (LH)/chorionic gonadotropin (CG) receptor (LH/CGR) is present in OSE2a cells and absent in OSE2b-2 cells. In OSE2a cells, a low concentration (10(3) mIU/ml) of CG enhanced anchorage-dependent growth via up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), whereas a high concentration (10(5) mIU/ml) of CG induced anchorage-independent growth and down-regulation of IGF1 expression. To investigate involvement of other genes in LH/CGR-related tumorigenicity, we compared cDNA expression arrays of OSE2a and OSE2b-2 cells, and found that the following genes had lower expression in OSE2b-2 than in OSE2a: integrin beta 1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1), and Waf1/Cip1. Subsequent semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using OSE2a cells showed that expression of integrin beta 1 was down-regulated by a high concentration (10(5) mIU/ml) of CG. These results suggest that LH/CGR affects anchorage-dependent and -independent growth by mediating up- and down-regulation of IGF1 and integrin beta 1. Repetitive and excessive activation of LH/CGR may cause genetic alteration of its signal transduction pathway, resulting in stimulation of growth of OSE cells, initiation of ovarian carcinogenesis, and cancer progression.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1994

Oxygen-induced lung injury in the guinea pig proceeds through CD18-independent mechanisms.

The pathogenesis of pulmonary oxygen toxicity is postulated to be related in part to neutrophil-mediated injury. This study examined the effect of a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD11a,b,c/CD18 glycoprotein complex (beta 2 leukocyte integrins) on oxygen-induced lung injury. M8, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the beta chain of the guinea pig leukocyte integrins that facilitate neutrophil adherence to vascular endothelium, was injected into adult guinea pigs prior to and during exposure to > 98% oxygen. Control oxygen-exposed animals were injected with a noninhibitory antibody to the CD18 complex or with saline. Survival in oxygen was similar for animals treated with M8 when compared with those treated with saline (102 versus 105 h, respectively, NS). Pulmonary edema as assessed by protein in the supernatant of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was higher in the three groups of oxygen-exposed animals than in the air-exposed groups (p < 0.01), but it did not differ between the M8 antibody treatment group and the other oxygen-exposed groups. M8 antibody treatment did not decrease hyperoxia-induced neutrophil accumulation into the lung as assessed by myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) in lung homogenates or by neutrophil counts in histologic specimens. M8 antibody also did not decrease neutrophil counts or MPO in alveolar lavage fluid, both of which were significantly elevated in all oxygen-exposed groups. These results suggest that hyperoxia-induced neutrophil migration into the lung and acute lung injury occurs by CD18-independent processes in the guinea pig model of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Abnormal expression of epiligrin and alpha 6 beta 4 integrin in basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma is characterized by local invasion, and only rarely metastasizes. The role of the containing basement membrane (BM) in this tumor is unclear. Several BM components have been shown to be absent or significantly reduced in BM surrounding infiltrating tumor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the expression of epiligrin, a BM-associated glycoprotein, and the integrin chains alpha 3, alpha 6, beta 1, and beta 4 in the basement membranes surrounding basal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 20 patients with basal cell carcinomas and subjected to a standard avidin biotin complex/alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique using a panel of antibodies. RESULTS: There was a consistent abnormality of expression of epiligrin, alpha 6, and beta 4. CONCLUSION: We propose that reduced expression of epiligrin is involved in the pathogenesis of the local invasion by tumor and that an altered integrin ratio in basal cell carcinoma enhances tumor spread.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1995

Antibodies against domain E3 of laminin-1 and integrin alpha 6 subunit perturb branching epithelial morphogenesis of submandibular gland, but by different modes.

Branching epithelial morphogenesis requires interactions between the surrounding mesenchyme and the epithelium, as well as interactions between basement membrane components and the epithelium. Embryonic submandibular gland was used to study the roles of two mesenchymal proteins, epimorphin and tenascin-C, as well as the epithelial protein laminin-1 and one of its integrin receptors on branching morphogenesis. Laminin-1 is a heterotrimer composed of an alpha 1 chain and two smaller chains (beta 1 and gamma 1). Immunofluorescence revealed a transient expression of laminin alpha 1 chain in the epithelial basement membrane during early stages of branching morphogenesis. Other laminin-1 chains and alpha 6, beta 1, and beta 4 integrin subunits seemed to be expressed constitutively. Expression of epimorphin, but not tenascin-C, was seen in the mesenchyme during early developmental stages, but a mAb against epimorphin did not perturb branching morphogenesis of this early epithelium. In contrast, inhibition of branching morphogenesis was seen with a mAb against the carboxy terminus of laminin alpha 1 chain, the E3 domain. An inhibition of branching was also seen with a mAb against the integrin alpha 6 subunit. The antibodies against laminin alpha 1 chain and integrin alpha 6 subunit perturbed development in distinct fashions. Whereas treatment with the anti-E3 resulted in discontinuities of the basement membrane at the tips of the branching epithelium, treatment with the mAb against alpha 6 integrin subunit seemed to leave the basement membrane intact. We suggest that the laminin E3 domain is involved in basement membrane formation, whereas alpha 6 beta 1 integrin binding to laminin-1 may elicit differentiation signals to the epithelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Expression, regulation, and function of alpha V integrins in hepatocellular carcinoma: an in vivo and in vitro study.

The expression of alpha V integrins by neoplastic cells contributes to the promotion of local invasion and metastasis. The most characteristic extracellular ligands of alpha V integrins are vitronectin and fibronectin. Hepatocytes are the main source of vitronectin, and the capacity to synthesize and secrete vitronectin is usually retained in hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to explore the expression, regulation, and functional role of alpha V integrins in hepatocellular carcinoma. We first analyzed the expression of alpha V integrins and their ligands fibronectin and vitronectin in 80 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. alpha V integrin chain was detected in 44 cases and vitronectin in 50. Twenty-four of the 44 alpha V-positive tumors contained large amounts of vitronectin. These cases presented more frequently with adverse histoprognostic factors, including infiltrative growth pattern (62.5%), lack of capsule (71%), presence of capsular invasion (57%), and satellite nodules (50%). We then used HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines as in vitro models to study alpha V integrin regulation and function. HepG2 and Hep3B cells expressed alpha V integrin chain and used alpha V beta 1 and alpha V beta 5 for adhesion and migration on vitronectin. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta significantly increased the expression levels of alpha V integrins and stimulated the adhesion and migration of both HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines on vitronectin. The effects of growth factors on cell adhesion and migration were reproduced by incubation with conditioned medium from rat liver myofibroblasts. In conclusion, our results support the existence of an alpha V integrin/vitronectin connection in hepatocellular carcinoma and suggest that this connection may be an adverse prognostic factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A monoclonal antibody inhibits adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin of a colon carcinoma cell line and recognizes the integrins alpha v beta 3, alpha v beta 5, and alpha v beta 6.

Using whole viable human colon carcinoma HT29 cells as immunogen, we produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) termed 69-6-5. The antibody was functionally selected on its anti-cell-spreading activity. By immunoprecipitation of surface radiolabeled cell lysates from HT29-D4 cells (an HT29 cell clone), mAb 69-6-5 recognized a molecular complex resembling integrin heterodimers. Sequential immunodepletions with mAb to the integrin alpha v subunit demonstrated that this complex was composed of alpha v-containing integrins. Accordingly, mAb 69-6-5 reacted with integrin alpha v beta 3 immunopurified from melanoma cells and integrins alpha v beta 5 and alpha v beta 6 immunopurified from pancreatic carcinoma cells. In cell adhesion assays, the 69-6-5 mAb was able to inhibit strongly in a dose-dependent manner arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-mediated adhesion of HT29-D4 cells to vitronectin, fibronectin, or ProNectin F but not to laminin or collagen. Immunoprecipitations with beta chain-specific antisera indicated that these cells express integrins alpha v beta 5 (receptor for vitronectin) and alpha v beta 6 (receptor for fibronectin) but neither alpha v beta 1 nor alpha v beta 3. In summary, these results indicated that mAb 69-6-5 reacts with several alpha v integrins and that it can effectively interfere with the adhesive functions of at least alpha v beta 5 and alpha v beta 6, which represent the major receptors on HT29-D4 cells responsible for their adhesion on vitronectin and fibronectin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Glomerular extracellular matrix components and integrins.

It has become apparent that extracellular matrix components and their cellular receptors, the integrins, are important regulators of glomerular development and function. In this rapidly evolving field we studied the production of extracellular matrix components and integrins by rat glomerular visceral epithelial and mesangial cells, using molecular probes and antibodies that have recently become available. Special attention was paid to laminin isoforms and to splice variants of the integrin subunits alpha 3 and alpha 6. Results were compared to the in vivo expression in human fetal, newborn and adult kidneys. The mesangial cells were found to produce laminin-1, nidogen and two as yet unidentified laminin isoforms with putative alpha chains of about 395 (alpha x) and of 375 kDa (alpha y), tentatively described before as bovine kidney laminin. Furthermore, they expressed the integrins alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3A beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha v beta 3, alpha v beta 5, and small amounts of alpha 6A beta 1 and alpha 6B beta 1. The glomerular visceral epithelial cells produced the two new laminin isoforms mentioned above, laminin-5, but no laminin-1 or nidogen. The integrins alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3A beta 1, alpha 6A beta 4, alpha 6B beta 4 and the integrin subunit alpha v were found to be expressed. We show that during nephrogenesis, the laminin alpha 1 chain disappears and is replaced by another alpha chain, possibly one of the two as yet unidentified alpha chains mentioned above. The laminin beta 1 chain is replaced by the beta 2 chain somewhat later in glomerular development. In general, the integrins found to be expressed in glomeruli of adult kidney were consistent with those found in cultured glomerular visceral epithelial and mesangial cells. No splice variant switch of the integrin alpha 3 or alpha 6 subunits could be demonstrated during nephrogenesis. Our results suggest an important role for the mesangial cell in providing nidogen as a crucial component of the supramolecular structure of the glomerular basement membrane. Furthermore our results indicate that laminin alpha x beta 2 gamma 1 and alpha y beta 2 gamma 1 isoforms are important in the glomerulus of adult kidney and that the integrin alpha 3A beta 1 is the main integrin receptor for laminin isoforms on glomerular visceral epithelial and mesangial cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Distribution of integrin subunits in human diabetic kidneys.

Integrins are cell-surface protein receptors that participate in cell adhesion to multiple extracellular matrix ligands, and consist of alpha and beta chain heterodimers. This study examined altered integrin distribution in diabetic nephropathy by investigating 12 human diabetic kidney biopsies, which were compared with normal human kidney. Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by mesangial expansion and progressive thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. Based on morphometric studies of mesangial expansion, diabetic nephropathy was determined to be moderate or severe. Three different patterns (P) of altered intensity of integrin staining were observed. In the mesangial integrin P, the intensity of integrin subunit staining of mesangial cells (alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, beta 1, alpha V, alpha V beta 5) was increased in moderate diabetic nephropathy and further increased in severe diabetic nephropathy. In the epithelial integrin P, integrin subunits localized to epithelial cells (alpha V, beta 3, alpha V beta 3, alpha V beta 5) were increased to the same extent in moderate and severe diabetic nephropathy. In the endothelial integrin P, integrin subunits localized to endothelial cells (alpha 3, alpha 5, alpha 6, beta 1) were increased in moderate diabetic nephropathy but returned to normal kidney staining intensity in severe diabetic nephropathy. From these observations, it was concluded that there is significant alteration in the expression of integrin subunits in diabetic nephropathy that is related to the severity of diabetic mesangial expansion. Additionally, the spectrum of integrin subunit alteration appears to be unique to individual glomerular cell types. Given the role of integrins in cell-surface interactions with extracellular matrix components, abnormalities in the expression of these molecules may be important in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Synthetic peptides from the carboxy-terminal globular domain of the A chain of laminin: their ability to promote cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, and interact with heparin and the beta 1 integrin subunit.

The large carboxy-terminal globular domain (G domain; residues 2,110-3,060) of the A chain of murine-derived laminin has been shown to promote heparin binding, cell adhesion, and neurite outgrowth. This study was conducted to define the potential sequence(s) originating from the G domain of laminin with any of these functional activities. A series of peptides were synthesized from the G domain, termed GD peptides, each approximately 20 amino acids long and containing multiple positively charged amino acids. In direct 3H-heparin binding assays, peptides GD-1 and GD-2 bound high levels of 3H-heparin, while peptides GD-3 and GD-4 bound lower levels of 3H-heparin, and GD-5 bound essentially no 3H-heparin. The binding of 3H-heparin to peptides GD-1 and GD-2 appeared to be of high affinity, since significant binding of 3H-heparin to these two peptides was still observed even when the NaCl concentration was raised to 1.0 M. Four of the peptides, GD-1, GD-2, GD-3, and GD-4, directly promoted the adhesion and spreading of HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells as well as the outgrowth of neurites from chick spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia neurons. In addition, solutions of these peptides or antibodies generated against these peptides inhibited laminin-mediated HT-1080 cell adhesion. Antibodies against the beta 1 integrin subunit inhibited HT-1080 cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth on surfaces adsorbed with peptides GD-3 and GD-4. Therefore, laminin appears to have multiple, independent sequences in the G domain that serve a similar cell adhesion promoting function for different cell types. Furthermore, these results suggest that the sequences comprising peptides GD-3 and GD-4 use an integrin as a receptor, of which the beta 1 integrin subunit is a component for these various cell types.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Enhanced expression of integrins and CD66b on peripheral blood neutrophils and eosinophils in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the effect of glucocorticoids.

The aim of this study was to elucidate signs of granulocyte activation by studying adhesion and phagocytosis receptors on peripheral blood granulocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to observe the effect of glucocorticoids. Analyses by flow cytometry showed elevation of the neutrophil and eosinophil expression of the alpha- and beta-chains of the beta2-integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and of the CEA-gene family member 6 (CGM6, CD66b). Expression of the adhesion receptor antigens CD11a, CD29, CD49d, CD49f and CD44, and the Fcgamma receptors II and III, was unaffected. Treatment with low-dose prednisolone reduced the expression of CD11b on neutrophils and of CD11b, CD18 and CD66b on eosinophils to the same level as that found in healthy controls. Metyrapone treatment increased the surface expression of CD35 and CD49f on eosinophils, but did not affect surface expression on neutrophils. Activation of blood granulocytes may be important for the increased recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the synovial cavity in RA. Treatment with low doses of glucocorticoids in RA normalizes the enhanced expression of the studied adhesion molecules in eosinophils but has minor impact on neutrophil activation. Endogenous glucocorticoid production seems to have minimal or no effect on the expression of adhesion and phagocytosis receptors on circulating granulocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Interchangeable alpha chain cytoplasmic domains play a positive role in control of cell adhesion mediated by VLA-4, a beta 1 integrin.

Integrins can exist in a range of functional states, depending on the cell type and its state of activation. Although the mechanism that controls activity is unknown, it has been suggested that for some integrins, alpha chain cytoplasmic domains may exert either a negative effect or no effect on adhesion function. To address this issue for VLA-4 (an alpha 4 beta 1 heterodimer), we constructed an alpha 4 cytoplasmic deletion mutant and chimeric alpha chains composed of the extracellular domains of alpha 4 and the cytoplasmic domains of alpha 2, alpha 4, or alpha 5. Upon stable transfection of wild-type alpha 4, VLA-4 heterodimer was obtained that mediated (a) poor adhesion to CS1 peptide, fibronectin, or vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) (in K562 cells); (b) poor adhesion to CS1 peptide but moderate adhesion to VCAM-1 (in MIP101 cells); and (c) moderate adhesion to both CS1 peptide and VCAM-1 (in PMWK cells). Chimeric alpha 4 constructs and wild-type alpha 4 yielded similar results in these cell lines. In contrast, truncation of the alpha 4 cytoplasmic domain (after the conserved GFFKR motif) caused an almost complete loss of adhesive activity in all three cell lines. Thus, several interchangeable alpha chain cytoplasmic domains play a fundamentally positive role in determining the state of constitutive activity for VLA-4. The alpha chain cytoplasmic domain is also required for agonist-stimulated adhesion, since phorbol ester stimulated the cell adhesion mediated by wild-type and chimeric alpha chains, but not by the cytoplasmic deletion mutant. The inactivity of both wild-type VLA-4 (in K562 cells), and truncated VLA-4 (in all three cell lines) was overcome by the addition of a stimulatory anti-beta 1 monoclonal antibody. Thus, the alpha cytoplasmic domain-dependent cellular mechanism controlling both constitutive and agonist-stimulated VLA-4 activity could be bypassed by external manipulation of the integrin.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2001

Subversion of integrins by enteropathogenic Yersinia.

Enteropathogenic Yersinia are gram-negative bacterial species that translocate from the lumen of the intestine and are able to grow within deep tissue sites. During the earliest stages of disease, the organism is able to bind integrin receptors that are presented on the apical surface of M cells in the intestine, which allows its internalization and subsequent translocation into regional lymph nodes. The primary integrin substrate is the outer-membrane protein invasin, which binds with extraordinarily high affinity to at least five different integrins that have the (beta)(1) chain. Bacterial uptake into host cells is modulated by the affinity of receptor-substrate interaction, receptor concentration and the ability of the substrate to aggregate target receptors.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1992

Localization of a novel integrin of the beta 1 subfamily in human tissues.

We have previously described a novel integrin composed of a beta 1-chain non-covalently linked to an alpha-chain which is biochemically different from those known so far (i.e., alpha 1-alpha 7 and alpha v). This molecule has been identified with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) termed 10.1.2 raised against long-term cultured human thymic epithelial cells (TEC). In this study we analyzed the immunohistochemical distribution of this new integrin in a variety of human tissues. MAb 10.1.2 stains several types of endothelial and epithelial cells. Among the endothelia, a strong reaction was detected in the HEV of lymphoid organs including thymus, lymph node, tonsil, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Epithelial localizations of note were those in the basal layer of the epidermis and of other stratified squamous epithelia, where the lateral and apical but not the deep surfaces of most cells were stained. A variety of water-electrolyte transporting cells in sweat glands, salivary glands, and kidney were also stained at their deep surface. The latter findings suggest that this molecule may subserve other functions in addition to those related to cell adhesion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Adhesion receptors are differentially expressed on developing thymocytes and epithelium in human thymus.

The thymic microenvironment consists of a network of interrelated cells of epithelial, fibroblastic, endothelial, and hemopoietic origin. Within this environment, the development of specific T-lymphocyte subpopulations partially depends on the selective interaction of T-cell precursors with such cells. Human thymic epithelial cell strains, generated with a defective retroviral vector containing simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen and the neomycin resistance gene or by transfection with an SV40 plasmid defective in the origin of replication, provide useful tools for understanding the mechanisms contributing to the control of T-cell maturation. Because interepithelial, epithelial-macrophage, and lymphocyte-epithelial cell interactions are important for thymocyte differentiation, the distribution of integrin and nonintegrin adhesion receptors on these cells and on developing thymocytes in vivo and in vitro has been examined in detail. Our results indicate that the transformed human thymic epithelial cell strains express the common very late antigen (VLA)-beta 1 receptor and unique alpha chains VLA-2, VLA-3, and VLA-6. The cells are also positive for LFA-3 and ICAM-1 and weakly express beta 3, beta 4, and VNR alpha. They do not express the Leu-cellular adhesion molecules (CAM). This phenotypic profile on cultured thymic epithelium generally corresponds to the distribution of integrin and other receptor molecules on thymic epithelial cells in tissue sections. The majority of thymocytes also express the integrin VLA-beta 1 and -beta 2 chains as well as VLA-4, VLA-6, and LFA-1 alpha(L). Three-color flow cytometric analyses show differential levels of expression of these adhesion receptors on human thymocyte subsets. Taken together with the immunohistochemical localization of extracellular matrix molecules, these studies suggest that both the distribution of receptor-ligand pairs and the level of expression of adhesion molecules may influence T-cell development within the thymus.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗
PubMed1991

Expression of collagen binding integrins during cardiac development and hypertrophy.

The interaction between components of the extracellular matrix and the cell surface of cardiac myocytes appears to be regulated in part by receptors belonging to the integrin superfamily. The expression of the integrins was investigated at different stages of development of the heart as well as during cardiac hypertrophy. The characterization of the membrane proteins showed that a beta 1-integrin and associated alpha-chains were responsible for the interaction with collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Immunoprecipitation data indicated that the presence of specific alpha-chains varied with development. These data were correlated with the ability of the isolated myocytes to attach to specific components of the extracellular matrix. The expression of the alpha 1-chain was prominently associated with the recognition of interstitial collagens. The presence of the alpha 1-chain was also associated with stages when collagen synthesis was increased, especially during fetal and neonatal growth and cardiac hypertrophy. Immunohistochemical localization with the antiserum against beta 1-integrin demonstrated its specific localization near the Z lines of cardiac myocytes. The localization both in vitro and in vivo indicated that the beta 1-integrin may play a role in myofibrillogenesis during development. The present immunohistochemical, cell adhesion, and biochemical data clearly indicate that integrins play a major role in the regulation of the interaction between cardiac myocytes and the extracellular matrix during development and disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Epithelial integrins.

We have undertaken the study of integrins specifically or predominantly expressed in epithelial cells, as they may be involved in establishing and maintaining properties peculiar to epithelia, such as polarization and morphogenetic movements. We describe here recent results regarding two such integrins. One of these contains the novel beta chain, beta 6, whose structure was deduced from cDNA clones. Some initial results on distribution and possible alpha chain associated to beta 6 are discussed. Structural data are then summarized on another epithelial integrin, alpha 6 beta 4. The alpha 6 subunit and a variant form of the beta 4 subunit were recently cloned in our laboratory. Adhesion assay results indicate that alpha 6 beta 4 may mediate attachment of epithelial cells to basement membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗