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Integrin binding to immobilized collagen and fibronectin stimulates the proliferation of human thyroid cells in culture.

The expression of integrins of the beta1 family and their possible biological effects were investigated in normal human thyroid cells in monolayer culture. The expression of beta1 and alpha(1-6) integrin subunits was determined by flow cytofluorometry with specific antibodies. Follicular cells of subconfluent monolayer cultures expressed alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 at high levels, while alpha1beta1 was only slightly expressed, and alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1, and alpha6beta1 were never detected. Cell attachment assays were performed in fibronectin-, type I collagen-, and laminin-coated microtiter plates. Thyroid cells, while adherent to collagen and fibronectin, showed poor attachment to laminin despite the abundance of their putative receptors alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1. In serum-free medium, collagen and fibronectin induced cytoskeletal organization, change of cell shape from round to flat, and cell spreading. [3H]Thymidine incorporation and proliferation assays were used to evaluate the effects of collagen and fibronectin on DNA synthesis and cell growth in the absence of a change in spreading or cell shape. Both substrates, in low serum-containing medium, induced a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation partially inhibited by RGD-containing peptides that blocked the cell attachment. Thyrocytes cultured in low serum-containing medium on immobilized fibronectin or collagen showed a dose-dependent stimulation of proliferation. These data indicate that fibronectin and collagen can regulate the cytoskeletal organization and cell shape and stimulate the proliferation of normal human thyroid cells in culture and that integrins mediate these effects of extracellular matrix proteins.

Cell Adhesion↗

alpha5 integrin distribution and TGFbeta1 gene expression in supraglottic carcinoma: their role in neoplastic local invasion and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck carcinomas are characterized by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) producing cytokines. Adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), and cytokines regulate cell-cell and cell-ECMPs interactions. We investigated the distribution of these proteins to contribute to better understanding of their role in local tumor invasion and metastasis. METHODS: Distribution of integrins, laminin, type IV collagen, tenascin, and fibronectin was immunohistochemically evaluated in 13 supraglottis carcinomas. Cytokines gene expression was assessed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Neoplastic cells were alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1 and alpha6beta1 positive. Normal and metaplastic epithelium was alpha5beta1 negative; the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors was tenascin and fibronectin positive. TGFbeta1 and IFNgamma gene expression was observed in the majority of tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Because TGFbeta1 is known to down-modulate immune processes and to increase alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, and tenascin distribution, we propose that their expression in neoplastic cells of supraglottis carcinoma might represent an immune-related process able to help tumor growth and progression.

Antigens, CD↗

Increased adhesion of the promyelocytic leukaemia cell line, NB4, to fibronectin and thrombospondin upon all-trans-retinoic acid treatment.

We have evaluated the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) on the adhesion of the human promyelocytic cell line NB4 to various components of the extracellular matrix. NB4 cells, radiolabelled with (111)Indium, showed a 2-3-fold increase (P < 0.001) in adhesion to fibronectin and thrombospondin upon RA (3 x 10(-7) microM) treatment, whereas adhesion to collagen I, laminin and vitronectin was not modified. The increase in cell adhesion, observed as early as day 1, preceded cell differentiation and was concomitant with tyrosine phosphorylation events. Using flow cytometry, we analysed the expression of major receptors for fibronectin (alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1) and for thrombospondin (alpha(v)beta3, alpha(IIb)beta3, CD36 and CD47) on NB4 cells before and after RA treatment. Except for alpha(IIb)beta3, which was induced on RA-treated cells, we found no significant increase in the expression of the other receptors, and a decrease in the expression of CD36, upon RA treatment. Preincubation of RA-treated cells with blocking antibodies demonstrated a role for alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 in cell adhesion to fibronectin and alpha5beta1, alpha(IIb)beta3, CD36 and CD47 in cell adhesion to thrombospondin. Experiments with the synthetic peptides GRGDS (0.2 mM) and CSVTCG (0.2 mM) confirmed the participation of integrins, and integrins and CD36, in adhesion of RA-treated cells to fibronectin and thrombospondin, respectively. Further inhibition by heparin (10 microg/ml) and/or recombinant heparin-binding domain of thrombospondin (TSP18) indicated the additional participation of heparin-like receptors in cell adhesion to thrombospondin. Our results indicate that increase in NB4 cell adhesion to fibronectin and thrombospondin upon RA treatment is likely to occur through a modulation of the functional state of several receptors for these proteins.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Generation of monoclonal antibodies to integrin-associated proteins. Evidence that alpha3beta1 complexes with EMMPRIN/basigin/OX47/M6.

The alpha3beta1 integrin forms complexes with other cell-surface proteins, including transmembrane-4 superfamily (TM4SF) proteins (e. g. CD9, CD53, CD63, CD81, and CD82). To identify additional cell-surface proteins associated with alpha3beta1 integrin, a monoclonal antibody selection protocol was developed. Mice were immunized with integrin alpha3beta1-containing complexes isolated from HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, and then 712 hybridoma clones were produced, and 95 secreted antibodies that recognized the HT1080 cell surface. Among these, 12 antibodies directly recognizing integrin alpha3 or beta1 subunits were eliminated. Of the remaining 83, 16 co-immunoprecipitated proteins that resembled integrins under non-stringent detergent conditions. These 16 included 15 monoclonal antibodies recognizing EMMPRIN/basigin/OX-47/M6, a 45-55-kDa transmembrane protein with two immunoglobulin domains. The EMMPRIN protein associated with alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1, but not alpha2beta1 or alpha5beta1, as shown by reciprocal immunoprecipitation experiments. Also, association with alpha3beta1 was confirmed by cell-surface cross-linking and immunofluorescence co-localization experiments. Importantly, EMMPRIN-alpha3beta1 complexes appear not to contain TM4SF proteins, suggesting that they are distinct from TM4SF protein-alpha3beta1 complexes.

Animals↗

Differential pattern of integrin receptor expression in differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines.

Adhesion of tumor cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial step for the development of metastatic disease and is mediated by specific integrin receptor molecules (IRM). The pattern of metastatic spread differs substantially among the various histotypes of thyroid cancer (TC). However, IRM have only occasionally been characterized in TC until now. IRM expression was investigated in 10 differentiated (FTC133, 236, 238, HTC, HTC TSHr, XTC, PTC4.0/4.2, TPC1, Kat5) and two anaplastic TC cell lines (ATC, C643, Hth74), primary cultures of normal thyroid tissue (Thy1,3), and thyroid cancer specimens (TCS). Expression of 16 IRM (beta1-4, beta7, alpha1-6, alphaV, alphaIIb, alphaL, alphaM, alphaX) and of four IRM heterodimers (alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, alphaVbeta3, alphaVbeta5), was analyzed by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunohistochemical staining. Thyroid tumor cell adhesion to ECM proteins and their IRM expression in response to thyrotropin (TSH) was assessed. Follicular TC cell lines presented high levels of integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, beta1, beta3 and low levels of alpha1, whereas papillary lines expressed a heterogenous pattern of IRM, dominated by alpha5 and beta1. ATC mainly displayed integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, alpha6, beta1 and low levels of alpha1, alpha4 and alphaV. Integrin heterodimers correlated with monomer expression. Evaluation of TCS largely confirmed these results with few exceptions, namely alpha4, alpha6, and beta3. The ability of TC cell lines to adhere to purified ECM proteins correlated with IRM expression. TSH induced TC cell adhesion in a dose-dependent fashion, despite an unchanged array of IRM expression or level of a particular IRM. Thyroid carcinoma cell lines of different histogenetic background display profoundly different patterns of IRM expression that appear to correlate with tumor aggressiveness. In vitro adhesion to ECM proteins and IRM expression concur. Finally, TSH-stimulated adhesion of thyroid tumor cell lines to ECM may not be associated with altered IRM expression.

Carcinoma↗

Streptococcal modulation of cellular invasion via TGF-beta1 signaling.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and other bacterial pathogens are known to interact with integrins as an initial step in a complex pathway of bacterial ingestion by host cells. Efficient GAS invasion depends on the interaction of bound fibronectin (Fn) with integrins and activation of integrin signaling. TGF-beta1 regulates expression of integrins, Fn, and other extracellular matrix proteins, and positively controls the integrin signaling pathway. Therefore, we postulated that TGF-beta1 levels could influence streptococcal invasion of mammalian cells. Pretreatment of HEp-2 cells with TGF-beta1 increased their capacity to ingest GAS when the bacteria expressed fibronectin-binding proteins (M1 or PrtF1). Western blots revealed significant induction of alpha5 integrin and Fn expression by HEp-2 cells in response to TGF-beta1. Increased ingestion of streptococci by these cells was blocked by a specific inhibitor of the TGF-beta1 receptor I and antibodies directed against alpha5 integrin and Fn, indicating that increased invasion depends on TGF-beta1 up-regulation of both the alpha5 integrin and Fn. The capacity of TGF-beta1 to up-regulate integrin expression and intracellular invasion by GAS was reproduced in primary human tonsil fibroblasts, which could be a source of TGF-beta1 in chronically infected tonsils. The relationship between TGF-beta1 and GAS invasion was strengthened by the observation that TGF-beta1 production was stimulated in GAS-infected primary human tonsil fibroblasts. These findings suggest a mechanism by which GAS induce a cascade of changes in mammalian tissue leading to elevated expression of the alpha5beta1 receptor, enhanced invasion, and increased opportunity for survival and persistence in their human host.

Cells, Cultured↗

Matrix adhesion characteristics of corneal myofibroblasts.

PURPOSE: To investigate the adhesion characteristics of corneal myofibroblasts in a cell culture model. METHODS: Immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis, and attachment assays were used to evaluate matrix adhesion characteristics of myofibroblasts. RESULTS: Myofibroblasts, defined by their expression of the smooth muscle isoform of alpha-actin, were evaluated and compared with fibroblasts. Myofibroblasts had larger vinculin-containing focal adhesions and expressed more of the classic fibronectin receptor (FNR) alpha5beta1 per cell. However, myofibroblasts had less surface expression of the higher molecular weight alpha4 subunit of another FNR, alpha4beta1, than did fibroblasts. Myofibroblasts adhered more avidly in an integrin-dependent manner to fibronectin than did fibroblasts. The attachment to fibronectin was actin-dependent for both phenotypes, but the myofibroblasts' adhesion was more resistant to disruption by cytochalasin than were fibroblasts'. In addition to the previously described expression of a 135-kDa classic cadherin, myofibroblasts also expressed a 115-kDa mesenchymal cadherin, cadherin-11. CONCLUSIONS: Differentiation of corneal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is associated with characteristics that would indicate that the latter have a special role in wound closure. The increase in focal and cell adhesion molecules that accompanies smooth muscle-specific actin expression provides the basis for the myofibroblasts' enhanced cell-fibronectin and cell-cell adhesion.

Animals↗

beta1 Integrin-extracellular matrix protein interaction modulates the migratory response to chemokine stimulation.

It is well established that chemokines have a major role in the stimulation of cell movement on extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates. However, it is also clear that ECM substrates may influence the ability of cells to undergo migration. Using the migration chamber method, we assessed the migratory response of human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK) transfectant cells expressing the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) (HEK-CCR5) to stimulation by chemokines (macrophage inflamatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and regulated on activation normal-T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)) on ECM substrates (collagen type I and fibronectin). Using filters coated with collagen (20 microg/mL), results showed that the chemokines differed in their ability to elicit cell movement according to the order MIP-1beta > RANTES MIP-1alpha. In contrast, using filters coated with fibronectin (20 microg/mL), all three chemokines were similar in their ability to stimulate migration of HEK-CCR5 cells. In addition, the migratory response with respect to the concentrations of ECM substrates appeared biphasic: thus, chemokine-stimulated cell movement was inhibited at high ECM concentrations (100 microg/mL). To determine the involvement of beta1 integrins, results showed that the migratory response to chemokine stimulation on collagen was largely inhibited by monoclonal antibody (mAb) to alpha2beta1; however, complete inhibition required a combination of mAbs to alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1. In comparison, migration on fibronectin was inhibited by mAb to alpha3beta1 and alpha5beta1. Our results suggest that the migratory response to CCR5 stimulation may vary quantitatively with both the CCR5 ligand (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES), as well as the nature and concentration of the ECM substrate involved.

Cell Line↗

Role of beta1 and beta3 integrins in human smooth muscle cell adhesion to and contraction of fibrin clots in vitro.

The degree of lumen narrowing in advanced lesions correlates poorly with the amount of intimal mass accumulated in the atherosclerotic plaque. As an alternate mechanism of stenosis, we propose that human smooth muscle cells bind to fibrin deposited in the matrix and exert contractile forces to cause a narrowing of the lumen. In the present study we demonstrated in vitro that human newborn aortic smooth muscle cell lines can contract and adhere to fibrin clots composed of either fibronectin-depleted plasma ("plasma") or recombinant fibrin. By using neutralizing antibodies and RGD peptides, we showed that members of the integrin family mediated the interaction between human newborn smooth muscle cells and fibrin. Neutralizing antibodies against the integrin alphavbeta3 (c7E3 Fab and LM609) did not inhibit either plasma clot contraction or recombinant fibrin clot contraction by human newborn smooth muscle cells. In contrast, antibodies against alpha5, beta1, and alpha5/beta1 inhibited contraction of clots composed of either plasma or recombinant fibrin. Anti-alphavbeta3, anti-alphav, anti-alpha5, anti-beta1, and anti-alpha5beta1 antibodies inhibited human newborn smooth muscle cell adhesion to plasma clots; however, only anti-alpha5, anti-beta1, and anti-alpha5beta1 antibodies significantly inhibited adhesion to recombinant fibrin. While the linear RGD peptides had no effect, the cyclic peptide penRGD inhibited adhesion to plasma clots and recombinant fibrin. However, it did not block contraction of recombinant fibrin clots. These results suggest that during the interaction of human newborn smooth muscle cell lines with fibrin, alpha5beta1 plays a significant role. This interaction is of potential interest as a target for efforts to block vascular contraction.

Antibodies↗

Defective up-regulation of CD49d in final maturation of NOD mouse macrophages.

Macrophages are potent regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity. They play a central role in the development of autoimmune diabetes and are among the first cells to appear in peri-islet infiltrates of NOD mice that spontaneously develop diabetes. Since efficient adhesion and migration are crucial for proper macrophage trafficking, we examined the migration and fibronectin (FN) adhesion capacity of NOD macrophages, as well as the regulation and expression of the FN receptors alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1. When compared to macrophages from control strains, resident NOD macrophages showed a reduced ability to adhere to and migrate on FN, a delayed clearance following peritoneal inflammation, and substantially lower expression levels of the alpha4beta1 integrin alpha chain, CD49d. NOD bone marrow-derived macrophages were specifically defective in the LPS-induced increase in CD49d expression. Moreover, the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 negatively regulated macrophage CD49d expression and strongly suppressed its expression in NOD macrophages. The data presented herein indicate that the LPS-activated signaling cascade plays a critical role in CD49d expression of macrophages. Mature NOD macrophages are characterized by decreased CD49d expression and show defective CD49d-mediated adhesion to FN.

Animals↗

Fibronectin interaction with alpha4beta1 integrin prevents apoptosis in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: correlation with Bcl-2 and Bax.

B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) consists of the accumulation of malignant cells that apparently escape normal apoptotic regulation. We have studied the role of alpha4beta1 integrin/fibronectin interaction in preventing apoptosis of these cells in vitro. B cells from 16 patients showed constant expression of alpha4beta1 and little or no alpha5beta1. B-CLL cells cultured on fibronectin or two previously described fibronectin recombinant fragments (H89 and H0) which contain the ligands for alpha4beta1, consistently showed higher viability than control cells cultured on poly-lysine. The H89 fragment, containing the high affinity ligand CS-1, was the most efficient substrate with mean cell viability values of 72, 60 and 35% at days 2, 5 and 8 of culture, respectively. For control cells these values were 40, 27 and 15%, respectively. Parallel cell cycle analysis confirmed these results. The anti-apoptotic effect required direct contact with immobilized substrata since it was not observed when using B-CLL conditioned media alone or when clustering alpha4beta1 with specific mAbs in suspension. Quantitation of the apoptosis regulatory proteins Bcl-2 and Bax revealed that cells cultured on the H89 fragment showed high/moderate levels of Bcl-2 (with some interpatient variation) and low levels of Bax resulting in an elevated Bcl-2/Bax ratio. These results indicate that adhesion of B-CLL cells to fibronectin upregulate the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and this may contribute to the anti-apoptotic effect induced via alpha4beta1 integrin.

Adult↗

Activated K-ras is involved in regulation of integrin expression in human colon carcinoma cells.

Integrins participate in controlling proliferation and migration. Therefore, changes in integrin expression might be responsible for unrestrained proliferation and invasiveness of tumor cells. Alterations of integrin subunit expression have been observed in human colon carcinoma, especially loss or reduction of the alpha5 subunit, which was observed consistently. The mechanisms responsible for reduction of alpha5 expression and alteration of expression of other integrins are not fully understood. Circumstantial evidence from previous investigations points to an involvement of activated ras oncogenes in repression of integrin expression. The K-ras protooncogene is activated by point mutation in 50% of human colon carcinomas. Thus, we choose an antisense approach for specific inactivation of activated K-ras in the human colon carcinoma cell line SW 480 in order to test whether activated K-ras contributes to changes in integrin expression on colon carcinoma cells. Cell surface expression of the alpha1 and the alpha5 subunit was increased in K-ras antisense transfected clones, cell surface expression of the alpha3 subunit and the alphav subunit was decreased. This shows, in a human system, that activated K-ras is involved in diminishing cell surface expression of the alpha1beta1 collagen/laminin receptor and the alpha5beta1 fibronectin receptor, both of which are implicated in maintenance of a non-transformed phenotype. Moreover, activated K-ras contributes to increased cell surface expression of the alpha3beta1 laminin/collagen/fibronectin receptor and the alphavbeta5 vitronectin receptor, which might play a role in metastatic behavior of tumor cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Tumor dormancy induced by downregulation of urokinase receptor in human carcinoma involves integrin and MAPK signaling.

Mechanisms that regulate the transition of metastases from clinically undetectable and dormant to progressively growing are the least understood aspects of cancer biology. Here, we show that a large ( approximately 70%) reduction in the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) level in human carcinoma HEp3 cells, while not affecting their in vitro growth, induced a protracted state of tumor dormancy in vivo, with G(0)/G(1) arrest. We have now identified the mechanism responsible for the induction of dormancy. We found that uPA/uPAR proteins were physically associated with alpha5beta1, and that in cells with low uPAR the frequency of this association was significantly reduced, leading to a reduced avidity of alpha5beta1 and a lower adhesion of cells to the fibronectin (FN). Adhesion to FN resulted in a robust and persistent ERK1/2 activation and serum-independent growth stimulation of only uPAR-rich cells. Compared with uPAR-rich tumorigenic cells, the basal level of active extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) was four to sixfold reduced in uPAR-poor dormant cells and its stimulation by single chain uPA (scuPA) was weak and showed slow kinetics. The high basal level of active ERK in uPAR-rich cells could be strongly and rapidly stimulated by scuPA. Disruption of uPAR-alpha5beta1 complexes in uPAR-rich cells with antibodies or a peptide that disrupts uPAR-beta1 interactions, reduced the FN-dependent ERK1/2 activation. These results indicate that dormancy of low uPAR cells may be the consequence of insufficient uPA/uPAR/alpha5beta1 complexes, which cannot induce ERK1/2 activity above a threshold needed to sustain tumor growth in vivo. In support of this conclusion we found that treatment of uPAR-rich cells, which maintain high ERK activity in vivo, with reagents interfering with the uPAR/beta1 signal to ERK activation, mimic the in vivo dormancy induced by downregulation of uPAR.

Animals↗

Alphavbeta3 integrin binding affinity and specificity of SM256 in various species.

This study was undertaken to define the alphavbeta3 binding affinity and specificity of the low-molecular-weight nonpeptide integrin antagonist, SM256. SM256 demonstrated high potency (IC50, 0.057+/-0.030 nM) in inhibiting vitronectin binding to purified human alphavbeta3 receptors. Additionally, SM256 inhibited alphavbeta3-mediated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) or 293/beta3 (beta3-transfected cell line) adhesion to fibrinogen with IC50 values of 0.0054+/-0.0058 and 0.0023+/-0.0012 microM, respectively. SM256 demonstrated a relatively high degree of specificity for human alphavbeta3-mediated functions as compared with other human integrins including alphavbeta5 (IC50, 0.92+/-0.69 microM), alphaIIbbeta3 (IC50, 0.72+/-0.07 microM), alpha4/beta1 (IC50, >100 microM) and alpha5/beta1 (IC50, 2.3+/-2.1 microM). SM256 demonstrated different degree of species specificity in blocking alphavbeta3-mediated cellular adhesion with relatively higher affinity to dog (IC50, 0.005+/-0.002 microM), rabbit (IC50, 0.021+/-0.01 microM), mouse (IC50, 0.035+/-0.01 microM), and pig (IC50, 0.41+/-0.24 microM) endothelial or smooth-muscle cell alphavbeta3-mediated adhesion. Additionally, SM256 demonstrated high degree of alphavbeta3 specificity as compared with alphavbeta5, alpha5beta1, or alphaIIbbeta3-mediated binding in these species. SM256 is a potent alphavbeta3, antagonist with high affinity and specificity for alphavbeta3-mediated functions. Additionally, a comparable alphavbeta3 affinity for SM256 was demonstrated with endothelial cells obtained from various species (dog, mouse, rabbit, and pig) as compared with that from human.

Animals↗

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator inhibits alpha 4 beta 1 integrin-mediated T lymphocyte adhesion to fibronectin independently of its catalytic activity.

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA)/plasmin system plays an important role in promoting cell migration and invasion, an effect which is largely ascribed to the proteolytic activity of these enzymes. We investigated whether u-PA modulates integrin-dependent T lymphocyte migration and adhesion on fibronectin independently of its plasminogen activator function. Here we report that u-PA reduced the spontaneous and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced migration of peripheral blood T lymphocytes on fibronectin by 20-50%, decreased the T lymphocyte and alpha4beta1(+)/alpha5beta1(+) K562 cell adhesion on fibronectin by 30-40%, and completely suppressed integrin alpha4beta1-dependent T lymphocyte and alpha4beta1(+)/alpha5beta1(+) K562 cell adhesion to the LDV-containing 40-kDa fibronectin fragment. The u-PA receptor was not essential for this effect. In contrast, adhesion of alpha4beta1(-)/alpha5beta1(+) K562 cells to an RGD-containing fibronectin fragment was unaffected. A recombinant protein comprising the N-terminal fragment of u-PA, but lacking its proteolytic domain, had the same inhibitory effect. Decreased adhesion was neither associated with a diminished cell surface expression of alpha4beta1 nor with a suppression of alpha4beta1 ligand-binding function. Our results demonstrate that u-PA inhibits alpha4beta1- but not alpha5beta1-mediated lymphocyte/leukocyte adhesion to fibronectin independently of its proteolytic activity. This finding provides additional evidence that matrix proteinases may participate in cell adhesion and migration control independently of their matrix-degrading activity.

Catalysis↗

A non-RGD-based integrin binding peptide (ATN-161) blocks breast cancer growth and metastasis in vivo.

PURPOSE: Integrins are expressed by numerous tumor types including breast cancer, in which they play a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the ability of ATN-161 (Ac-PHSCN-NH2), a 5-mer capped peptide derived from the synergy region of fibronectin that binds to alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3 in vitro, to block breast cancer growth and metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were inoculated s.c. in the right flank, or cells transfected with green fluorescent protein (MDA-MB-231-GFP) were inoculated into the left ventricle of female BALB/c nu/nu mice, resulting in the development of skeletal metastasis. Animals were treated with vehicle alone or by i.v. infusion with ATN-161 (0.05-1 mg/kg thrice a week) for 10 weeks. Tumor volume was determined at weekly intervals and tumor metastasis was evaluated by X-ray, microcomputed tomography, and histology. Tumors were harvested for histologic evaluation. RESULT: Treatment with ATN-161 caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in tumor volume and either completely blocked or caused a marked decrease in the incidence and number of skeletal as well as soft tissue metastases. This was confirmed histologically as well as radiographically using X-ray and microcomputed tomography. Treatment with ATN-161 resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase, microvessel density, and cell proliferation in tumors grown in vivo. CONCLUSION: These studies show that ATN-161 can block breast cancer growth and metastasis, and provides a rationale for the clinical development of ATN-161 for the treatment of breast cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Acute cellular rejection following human heart transplantation is associated with increased expression of vitronectin receptor (integrin alphavbeta3).

The vitronectin receptor (integrin alphavbeta3), a cell-surface adhesion receptor, has been shown to play a significant role in endothelial cell migration, apoptosis, atherosclerosis, and T-lymphocyte activation. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that cardiac allograft rejection is associated with increased expression of alphavbeta3. We also determined whether fibronectin receptor (alpha5beta1) and tissue factor are up-regulated in the presence of acute cellular rejection. We evaluated endomyocardial biopsy specimens with histologic evidence of different degrees of acute cellular rejection (grade 0, n = 10; grade 1A, n = 10; grade 2, n = 10; grade 3A, n = 10). Biopsies were obtained 2-4weeks after cardiac transplantation. Immunoperoxidase staining was performed for alphavbeta3, tissue factor, and alpha5beta1, and protein levels were further determined by Western blot analysis. Specimens with grade 2 and grade 3A rejection showed positive staining of alphavbeta3 in lymphocytic aggregates and vascular endothelial cells. By immunoblotting, we identified significantly increased expression of alphavbeta3 in the presence of acute rejection, grade 2 (3-fold, p = 0.01) and grade 3A (3.6-fold, p = 0.005) compared to grade 0 and 1 A specimens. There was no evidence of increased expression of alpha5beta1 or tissue factor. Acute cellular rejection, a process characterized by T-lymphocyte activation and release of inflammatory cytokines, is associated with increased expression of alphavbeta3.

Acute Disease↗

The effect of the single substitution of arginine within the RGD tripeptide motif of a modified neurotoxin dendroaspin on its activity of platelet aggregation and cell adhesion.

The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) tripeptide unit is a cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix recognition sequence of some integrins that is found within several extracellular matrix glycoproteins and dendroaspin, a disintegrin-like venom protein isolated from the snake venom of the Dendroaspis jamsonii. In the present study, the RGD motif in dendroaspin was substituted by Lys-Gly-Asp (KGD), His-Gly-Asp (HGD), Gln-Gly-Asp (QGD) and Ala-Gly-Asp (AGD) denoted as KGD-den, HGD-den, QGD-den and AGD-den, respectively. Each of the mutants exhibited activity as inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation with IC50 values of 0.26, 2.5, 6, and 17 microM for KGD-den, HGD-den, QGD-den, and AGD-den, respectively, as compared with RGD-den (IC50 = 0.18 microM). Interestingly, HGD-den was approx. two-fold more potent and a more selective inhibitor than either the KGD-den or QGD-den counterpart at blocking A375-SM human melanoma cell adhesion to fibrinogen (beta3-mediated). KGD-den, HGD-den, and QGD-den were preferentially antagonists of A375-SM human melanoma cell adhesion to fibrinogen rather than to fibronectin (alpha5beta1-, beta3-mediated). Both HGD-den and KGD-den were equipotent as inhibitors of human erythroleukaemia (HEL) cell adhesion to fibrinogen (IC50 = 0.15 microM) and also preferential inhibitors of HEL cell adhesion to fibrinogen (beta3 and beta1-mediated) rather than to fibronectin. These findings show that the presence of the arginine within the RGD motif of dendroaspin is not obligatory and substitution of this residue can modulate inhibitory potency and integrin binding selectivity.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗