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Fibronectin increases the migration induced by stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha) in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

The chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha) and its receptor CXCR-4 (fusin, LESTR) are thought to be involved in the trafficking of hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells, as suggested by the chemotactic effect of SDF-1 alpha on these cells. Gene inactivation studies have shown that both SDF-1 alpha and CXCR-4 are essential for B lymphopoiesis. Migration of leukemic cells may also be dependent on SDF-1 alpha and CXCR-4. Fibronectin (FN) is a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and one of the natural supports for cell movement in their bone hematopoietic environment. In the present study, we examined the influence of FN on the chemotactic effect of SDF-1 alpha and on the CXCR-4 expression and function on human precursor-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) cells at sequential stages of development. Fourteen children with pre-B ALL were studied. Their immunophenotypes belonged to the first three stages of B cell differentiation. Despite relatively high levels of CXCR-4 expression at all stages, the responsiveness to SDF-1 alpha, measured as the percentage of migrating cells in the transwell culture system, varied with patients and seems to be less significant for pre-B3 (and pre-B1) than for pre-B2. There was no correlation (r = 0.2) between the SDF-1 alpha induced migration (range: 2.5-39%) and the cell surface density of CXCR-4 (range: 46.5-97.5%). The extracellular matrix protein FN, either coated on the filter (for more than 18 hours) or in soluble form, enhanced the SDF-1 alpha induced migration of pre-B ALL respectively (2 fold and 1.6 fold) without influencing CXCR-4 expression in short term cultures. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of the FN receptors, VLA-4 (CD49d) and VLA-5 (CD49e), by direct immunofluorescence, on these leukemic cells. VLA-4 was strongly expressed in all stages of pre-B ALL (range: 77-97%) while VLA-5 expression was more variable (range: 14-94%), but no correlation with the FN-dependent increased SDF-1 alpha chemotactic effect was noted. In conclusion, the migratory behavior of pre-B leukemic cells in response to SDF-1 alpha partly depends upon the stage of differentiation, and partly upon unexplained patient variability. Our results suggest that several molecules from the extracellular matrix, such as FN, may be implicated in this phenomenon.

Adolescent↗

Novel chemokine functions in lymphocyte migration through vascular endothelium under shear flow.

The recruitment of circulating leukocytes at vascular sites in target tissue has been linked to activation of Gi-protein signaling in leukocytes by endothelial chemokines. The mechanisms by which apical and subendothelial chemokines regulate leukocyte adhesion to and migration across endothelial barriers have been elusive. We recently found that endothelial chemokines not only stimulate integrin-mediated arrest on vascular endothelial ligands but also trigger earlier very late antigen (VLA)-4 integrin-mediated capture (tethering) of lymphocytes to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)-bearing surfaces by extremely rapid modulation of integrin clustering at adhesive contact zones. This rapid modulation of integrin avidity requires chemokine immobilization in juxtaposition with the VLA-4 ligand VCAM-1. We also observed that endothelial-bound chemokines promote massive lymphocyte transendothelial migration (TEM). It is interesting that chemokine-promoted lymphocyte TEM requires continuous exposure of lymphocytes but not of the endothelial barrier to fluid shear. It is noteworthy that lymphocyte stimulation by soluble chemokines did not promote lymphocyte TEM. Our results suggest new roles for apical endothelial chemokines both in triggering lymphocyte capture to the endothelial surface and in driving post-arrest events that promote lymphocyte transmigration across endothelial barriers under shear flow.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of transendothelial migration of THP-1 cells by ICAM-1/LFA-1 and VCAM-1/VLA-4.

The adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expressed in atherogenic lesions are thought to regulate monocyte diapedesis. To better understand their specific roles we used function-blocking antibodies and examined in a culture model the morphology, motility, and diapedesis of THP-1 cells interacting with human coronary artery endothelial cells. The number of motile THP-1 cells was reduced only when VCAM-1 or both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were blocked. Blockade of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, either separately or together, reduced to the same degree the distance that THP-1 cells traveled. Diapedesis was reduced only during the simultaneous blockade of both adhesion molecules. Blockade of either ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 inhibited pseudopodia formation, but ICAM-1 blockade induced the formation of filopodia. We suggest that the interactions of endothelial ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 with their ligands differentially regulate distinct steps of diapedesis by modulating the ratio of active and inactive forms of small GTPases such as Rho, Rac, and Cdc42.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Regulation of the very late antigen-4-mediated adhesive activity of normal and nonreleaser basophils: roles for Src, Syk, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Normal human basophils express the integrin, VLA-4, and cross-linking their high-affinity IgE receptor, FcepsilonRI, increases their VLA-4-dependent adhesion to VCAM-1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Here we show that the FcepsilonRI-mediated up-regulation of normal basophil VLA-4 adhesion is abolished by the Src inhibitor, PP1, the Syk inhibitor, ER-27319, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. PP1, but not ER-27319 or wortmannin, also reduces basal adhesion and adhesion stimulated by chemotactic peptide, by Ca(++) ionophores, and by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Nonreleaser basophils (the consistently Syk-deficient, variably Lyn-deficient, severely degranulation-impaired cells found in about 10% of donors) share the PP1 phenotype of lowered basal adhesion, no FcepsilonRI-mediated adhesion up-regulation, and reduced adhesive responses to chemoattractant ionophores and PMA. These results implicate Src kinases in the control of basal VLA-4 activity and place Syk and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the pathway linking FcepsilonRI cross-linking to VLA-4 up-regulation. Both Src and Syk-regulated components of adhesion may be impaired in nonreleaser basophils.

Acridines↗

[Effects of ovulation induction on expression of integrins alpha 4 beta 1 in endometrium].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) on the expression of integrins alpha 4 beta 1 during implantation window in endometrium. METHODS: Endometrium integrin alpha 4 beta 1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry method in the mid-secretory phase of 48 normal natural cycles. CC + hCG or CC + hMG + hCG cycles in 30 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and 48 normal women. RESULTS: The expression of endometrial integrin alpha 4 beta 1 was stronger in the natural cycles than those of ovulation induction cycles with CC + hCG or CC + hMG + hCG. So was the pregnancy cycles as compared with the non-pregnant cycles. CONCLUSION: The endometrial receptivity in the min luteal phase and pregnant rate declined during ovulation induction by CC + hCG or CC + hMG + hCG in either normal women or PCOS patients.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural study of expression of adhesion molecules between blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of activated T cells and alveolar macrophages at sites of inflammation. These cells are recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from sarcoid patients in order to evaluate the expression of various markers on cell surfaces that should determine the diagnosis in sarcoidosis. In this work we compared the expression of VLA-4, VLA-5, Mac-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM- 1 adhesion molecules, at ultrastructural level, between blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages obtained from BAL, from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Cells obtained from blood and BAL were fixed, embedded in LRWhite and then ultrathin sections were incubated with monoclonal antibodies against VLA-4, VLA-5, Mac-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The results showed a more evident labelling of all adhesion molecules on alveolar macrophages when compared to blood monocytes. The labelling was seen at cell surface, at cytoplasm and small vacuoles. The differences on adhesion molecule distributions from blood monocytes to alveolar macrophages suggest that changes in the expression of these molecules occur during pulmonary inflammatory response. Lymphocytes from BAL or blood had a weak label for these molecules.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage↗

In vitro study of intracellular IL-1beta production and beta1 integrins expression in stimulated chondrocytes--effect of rhein.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the intracellular IL-1beta production and beta1 integrins (alpha4/beta1 and alpha5/beta1) expression on chondrocytes. Chondroytes monolayer (human chondrosarcoma cell line HEM-C55) were incubated for 12, 24 and 48 hours in the presence of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, Sigma, France) or recombinant human IL-1alpha (rh-IL1alpha, Becton Dickinson, France). After direct immunolabelling, cells were either analyzed on FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, France), or observed under an epi-fluorescence inverted microscope equipped with the CellScan EPR optical scanning acquisition system (IPLab-Scanalytics, USA). We found that the IL-1beta mean fluorescence intensity in flow cytometry and in 3D microscopy was increased in the presence of TNF-alpha or rh-IL-1alpha, and alpha4/beta1 or alpha5/beta1 expression was higher on stimulated cells than on control cells. On the other hand, we have evaluated the in vitro effects of rhein (10(-5) M, Negma, France), an active metabolite of diacerein, on the intracellular IL-1beta and beta1 integrins expressed by stimulated or no-stimulated chondrocytes. The results indicated that rhein leads to a reduction of IL-1beta synthesis whereas a weak decrease of beta1 integrins receptors expression is observed. From this study, it seems that rhein partially reduce cytokine-induced intracellular IL-1beta production, and it has a weak action on alpha4/beta1 or alpha5/beta1 receptors.

Anthraquinones↗

[Stem cell factor enhances the adhesion of hematopoietic cells to fibronectin].

Adhesion to extracellular matrix plays important roles in the regulation of survival, proliferation, differentiation and homing of hematopoietic cells and is regulated by a wide variety of growth factors, adhesion receptors and other ligands that mediate the cell to matrix and cell to cell interaction. Stem cell factor (SCF) plays important roles in the regulating growth and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. In the report, the effects of stem cell factor on the adhesion of hematopoietic cells to fibronectin were observed by using a hematopoietic growth factor dependent cell line-Mo7e. Results showed that Mo7e cells express the very late antigen VLA-4 (beta1 alpha4) and VLA-5 (beta1 alpha5) integrins. The expression of the SCF receptor (c-kit) was also detected in the Mo7e cells. SCF enhances the adhesion of Mo7e cells to fibronectin in a concentration dependent manner. SCF enhanced adhesion of Mo7e cells to fibronectin was blocked by anti-beta1, alpha4 and alpha5 antibodies. Addition of PI-3 kinase inhibitors also blocked the adhesion of Mo7e cells to fibronectin induced by SCF. It was concluded that SCF enhances the adhesion of Mo7e cells to fibronectin, and this process is mediated by integrins and PI-3 kinase pathway.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Post-translational processing of the leukocyte integrin alpha 4 beta 1.

The leukocyte integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (VLA-4, CD49d/CD29) is a receptor for the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin and the endothelial adhesion protein VCAM-1. We have analyzed the biosynthesis and post-translational modifications of the two subunits of this receptor complex. The alpha 4 subunit was initially synthesized as a single-chain polypeptide that underwent the formation of complex endoglycosidase H-resistant oligosaccharide side chains and which could be proteolytically cleaved into two noncovalently associated fragments. The level and rate of alpha 4 subunit cleavage was dependent on the cell studied. The T cell tumor line HPB-ALL expressed both intact and fragmented alpha 4 on the cell surface. The interleukin-2-dependent natural killer line NK 3.3 and long term interleukin-2-dependent activated T lymphocytes cleaved the alpha 4 polypeptide earlier and more efficiently than did HPB-ALL cells and did not have detectable levels of intact alpha 4 on the cell surface. The proteolysis of alpha 4 was blocked by treating cells with either the lysosomotrophic amine NH4Cl or the carboxylic ionophore monensin. The presence of complex N-linked oligosaccharides did not seem to be necessary for alpha 4 cleavage or for binding of the alpha 4 beta 1 complex to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the binding site for this receptor on fibronectin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synchronous expression of pinopodes and alpha v beta 3 and alpha 4 beta 1 integrins in the endometrial surface epithelium of normally menstruating women during the implantation window.

OBJECTIVE: To use histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of pinopodes, and alpha v beta 3 and alpha 4 beta 1 integrins in the same endometrial biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study. Fifteen consecutive regularly menstruating women with normal hormone profiles were followed for detection of ovulation and then biopsied twice, on postovulatory days luteinizing hormone (LH) +6 and LH +8. Measurements included abundance and development stage of pinopodes and a semiquantitative assessment of intensity of antibody staining for integrins. RESULTS: All biopsies observed under light microscopy showed an in-phase endometrium. Pinopodes were found developing mostly on day LH +6 and were fully developed on day LH +8. The expression of alpha v beta 3 dimer increased significantly from day LH +6 to day LH +8, while alpha 4 beta 1 dimer did not show any significant change during the same period. Fully developed pinopodes and strong intensity of alpha v beta 3 integrin were the most common findings. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a coordinated, synchronous change in morphology and adhesion molecule expression of endometrial epithelial cells on day LH +8 of a normal menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

[Restoring beta1 integrin activation function in K562 cells transfected with antisense VEGF121 cDNA].

To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on beta1 integrin (VLA-4 and VLA-5) activation ability in K562 cells transfected with antisense VEGF121 cDNA, K562 cells were transfected with antisense (As), sense (S) and vector (V, pcDNA(3)). Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression rate of VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) and VLA-5 (CD49e/CD29) and beta1 integrin activation ability in the transfected K562 cells. The results showed that the expression rates of VLA-4 and VLA-5 were more than 92% in the transfected K562 cells and there was no difference among the K562/V, K562/S and K562/As cells. However, beta1 integrin activated 9EG7 expression rate in K562/As cells was higher than that in K562/V cells [(75.6 +/- 10.5)% vs (41.2 +/- 2.1)%, P < 0.01)] after activation with beta1 integrin activator 8A2. It is concluded that function of beta1 integrin to be activated is restored in K562 cells transfected with antisense VEGF121 cDNA.

DNA↗

Integrin pattern in human endometrium--new diagnostic tool in pelvic endometriosis?

OBJECTIVES: The only possibility to diagnose peritoneal endometriosis is laparoscopy or laparotomy with tissue sampling for histology. Women with impalpable endometriosis not visible on ultrasound suffering from infertility or teenagers with pelvic pain, where endometriosis may also be expected, would greatly benefit from an inoperative diagnostic method. A sure and comfortable method of assessing the effectiveness of endometriosis treatment does not exist. The aim of the study was description of the alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1 integrins and beta 1 chain expression in endometrial biopsies in women suffering from endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy was performed in 32 patients because of infertility (n = 23) and/or pelvic pain (n = 11). For histochemical stainings of endometrial biopsy primary and secondary mouse antibodies to human integrins alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1 and beta 1 chain were used (DAKO). RESULTS: In 17 women peritoneal endometriosis was diagnosed by biopsy at the time of laparoscopy. An alpha 3 beta 1 integrin was more common in the glandular epithelium of women with endometriosis and beta 1 subunit was less frequently observed in the stroma of the endometriosis group than in women without endometriosis. The differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The selected integrins do not yet allow finding a pattern characteristic for endometriosis.

Adult↗

Interactions between interleukin-2-activated lymphocytes and vascular endothelium: binding to and migration across specialized and non-specialized endothelia.

A prerequisite for the successful immunotherapy of solid tumours with interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated lymphocytes is their ability to home to the tumour tissue. Lymphocyte homing is a complex process which is known to involve at least two independently regulated events: adhesion to the luminal surface of vascular endothelium and the subsequent transendothelial migration of lymphocytes. In this study we have used an in vitro model of lymphocyte homing which employs specialized high endothelium to ask whether IL-2-activated lymphocytes are able to migrate across vascular endothelium in order to leave the blood vessel. Both the adhesion of IL-2-activated cells and their migration across monolayers of cultured high endothelial cells (HEC) were increased in comparison with non-activated lymphocytes. The adhesion of IL-2-activated lymphocytes was mediated by lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and a very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4)-related pathway. LFA-1-dependent adhesion was mediated by ligands on HEC other than the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the VLA-4-related pathway was mediated by ligands other than the CS1 domain of fibronectin. HEC-adherent lymphocytes were enriched in natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells which are known to be the tumour-cytotoxic cells in IL-2-activated lymphocytes. However, there was no evidence of cytotoxicity towards the endothelial layer using a syngeneic model. The interaction of IL-2-activated lymphocytes and endothelial cells was not specific for high endothelium since equal numbers of activated lymphocytes bound to and migrated across aortic endothelium. The inability of IL-2-activated lymphocytes to discriminate between high endothelium and non-specialized 'flat' endothelium could be responsible for the widespread dissemination of the cells throughout the body following their adoptive transfer and the unwanted side-effects at non-involved sites.

Animals↗

Novel peptide ligands for integrin alpha 4 beta 1 overexpressed in cancer cells.

Using the "one-bead one-peptide" combinatorial technology, a library of random cyclic octapeptides and nonapeptides, consisting of natural and unnatural amino acids, was synthesized on polystyrene beads. This library was used to screen for peptides that promoted attachment and proliferation of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma cells (H1650), employing a "cell growth on bead" assay. Consensus peptide sequences of cNleDXXXXc and cXNleDXXXXc (where Nle is norleucine) were identified. With alanine scanning and site-directed deletion, a typical ligand consisted of a motif of -NleDI/V/Nle- with two flanking cysteines. These peptide ligands were specific for promoting cell attachment of the H1650 cells and the cells of lymphoid cancers (Jurkat and Raji) but not other selected human cell lines of lung cancer and fibroblast. In an antibody blocking assay, integrin alpha(4)beta(1), which was overexpressed in H1650, Jurkat, and Raji, was identified as a putative receptor for these peptide ligands. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with either wild-type or mutant integrin alpha(4), a critical binding site for these peptides was localized to the glycine residue at position 190 of integrin alpha(4).

Alanine↗

BIO-1211 (Biogen).

Biogen, in collaboration with Merck & Co, is developing late activator VLA-4 (alpha4beta1) integrin antagonists for the potential treatment of inflammatory conditions [271194]. Merck has begun phase II trials with the lead compound, BIO-1211, for asthma, Biogen is still conducting preclinical research for its designated indications [317648,319225]. Under the collaborative agreement, each company has worldwide rights to certain indications; Merck has rights for asthma and Biogen retains the rights to a number of smaller indications, including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, renal indications and most diseases in which the US patient population is less than 200,000 [271194]. VLA-4 inhibitors show anti-inflammatory action by inhibition of binding between adhesion factors and leukocytes, but with no loss of basophil function, and they have the advantage of specificity not seen with existing drugs [273417]. In February 1999, Lehman Brothers predicted 40% probabilities that the compound would reach the US and ex-US markets for the asthma indication (Merck), and launch onto these markets by 2003. Peak annual sales of US dollar 500 million (US) and US dollar 500 million (outside US) are predicted, both in 2010 [319225].

Journal Article↗

The CS5 peptide is a second site in the IIICS region of fibronectin recognized by the integrin alpha 4 beta 1. Inhibition of alpha 4 beta 1 function by RGD peptide homologues.

The alternatively spliced type III connecting segment (IIICS) region of fibronectin contains two distinct sites that support the adhesion of melanoma cells. These sites are contained within the synthetic peptides CS1 and CS5 (residues 1-25 and 90-109 of the IIICS, respectively). Recently, the cellular receptor for the CS1 site has been identified as the integrin heterodimer alpha 4 beta 1. In this report, we have investigated the role of the CS5 sequence in melanoma cell adhesion and the identity of its receptor. Adhesion to CS5, when presented to cells as an immobilized IgG conjugate, was blocked by antifunctional monoclonal antibodies directed against either the alpha 4 or beta 1 integrin subunits, but not by antibodies against other subunits, implying that alpha 4 beta 1 is also the receptor for CS5. In peptide inhibition experiments, CS5 was inhibitory for melanoma cell spreading on both CS5-IgG and CS1-IgG conjugates; conversely, CS1 inhibited spreading on both CS1-IgG and CS5-IgG. In both cases, peptide inhibition could be outcompeted by increasing the concentration of substrate-bound conjugate. These results suggest that CS1 and CS5 are recognized by the same or overlapping sites on alpha 4 beta 1. The minimal active sequence within CS5, the tetrapeptide Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV), is somewhat related to the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) sequence that represents a major active site in the central cell-binding domain (CCBD) of fibronectin. When RGDS peptide homologues were tested for their ability to inhibit spreading of melanoma cells on CS1- and CS5-IgG conjugates, GRGDS, GRGES, and REDV were found to be inhibitory, while GRDGS had no effect. In contrast, spreading on a fibronectin fragment containing the CCBD was inhibited by GRGDS only. GRGDS was also able to elute alpha 4 beta 1 specifically from a CS1 affinity column, confirming directly that alpha 4 beta 1-IIICS interactions are sensitive to peptides containing this recognition motif. Because the minimal active sequence within CS1 is the tripeptide Leu-Asp-Val (LDV; Komoriya et al., manuscript submitted for publication), these findings together define a new adhesive recognition sequence, X-Asp-Y, used by alpha 4 beta 1 for binding to fibronectin. The central aspartate residue in this tripeptide is almost always essential, but some flexibility in the amino acid residues at X (glycine, leucine, or glutamic acid) and Y (serine or valine) is tolerated. Potential models for the interaction of the IIICS region with alpha 4 beta 1 are discussed.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Differential expression of adhesion molecules during rat small bowel allograft rejection.

The adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) (alpha and beta chains), and very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) have an essential role in cell-cell interactions and the initiation of immune responses. This study used an indirect immunoperoxidase technique to investigate the expression of these molecules in the lamina propria of allografts and isografts after heterotopic rat small bowel transplantation. Normal untransplanted small bowel served as additional controls. Overall, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 alpha expression was significantly higher in allografts, although there was variable expression of these molecules in isografted animals. There were temporal differences in the expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 alpha in that increased ICAM-1 expression was more pronounced in the the early posttransplant period, whereas there was a progressive increase in LFA-1 alpha as rejection developed. In contrast, there was no difference between allograft and isograft expression of LFA-1 beta and VLA-4. This study has demonstrated a preferential increase in adhesion molecule expression with developing rat small bowel allograft rejection and suggests that adhesion molecules are involved in the development and progression of allograft rejection. Although the observed differences in antigen expression are not as marked as those previously reported in other organ transplants, appropriate adhesion molecules may present suitable targets for immunotherapeutic protocols after small bowel transplantation.

Animals↗

Differential expression of integrins on human thymocyte subpopulations.

Integrins represent a candidate group of cell surface receptors that may control the homing and population of the thymus by T-cell precursors and the subsequent migration of developing thymocytes through the thymic architecture. We have used multiparameter flow cytometric methods to characterize the expression of several members of the integrin family (alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 1, and alpha L beta 2) on thymocyte subpopulations and have correlated integrin expression with other well-defined thymocyte differentiation markers. alpha 4 beta 1 was expressed by all thymocytes, but expression was highest on CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) cells, high on CD+CD8+ double-positive (DP) cells, and lowest on mature single-positive (SP) cells, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, and alpha 6 beta 1 were present on 13%, 63%, and 26% of thymocytes, respectively, with maximal levels of expression on DN and SP cells, and low levels of expression on DP cells. Simultaneous analysis of alpha 4 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, and CD3 expression suggested a pathway of T-cell differentiation in the thymus in which the majority of the DN cells were alpha 4 beta 1hi alpha 5 beta 1hi, the DP cells alpha 4 beta 1hi alpha 5 beta 1lo/-, and the most mature SP cells were alpha 4 beta 1int. The stage-specific expression of integrins strongly implies their functional involvement during T-cell maturation in the thymus.

Cell Differentiation↗