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Contortrostatin, a homodimeric snake venom disintegrin, is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast attachment.

Disintegrins are small disulfide-rich proteins containing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence near their carboxyl terminus. These polypeptides inhibit binding of adhesion molecules to their receptors (integrins) on the surface of cells. Osteoclasts express integrins, heterodimeric cell surface adhesion receptors, that have been shown to be involved in interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), including attachment to bone and bone resorption. It has recently been shown that disintegrins effectively inhibit attachment of osteoclasts to components of the ECM and also disrupt osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Here we characterize the effects of contortrostatin (CTS), a novel homodimeric snake venom disintegrin, on osteoclast attachment. Plastic dishes coated with CTS were able to support osteoclast attachment with a high affinity (EC50,CTS = 86 +/- 6.7 nM) similar to that of vitronectin (VTN; EC50,VTN = 80 +/- 20 nM). Further, CTS was observed to inhibit completely osteoclast attachment to fetal bovine serum (FBS; IC50,FBS = 0.36 +/- 0.04 nM) and VTN (IC50,VTN = 0.85 +/- 0.13 nM). We used monoclonal antibodies directed against the beta1 (monoclonal antibody [MAb] CD29) and beta3 (MAb F11) integrin subunits to explore the mechanism of osteoclast attachment to immobilized CTS. Only MAb F11 inhibited attachment to immobilized CTS (IC50 = 0.41 +/- 0.12 microg/ml), suggesting that binding to CTS is mediated in part by a beta3 integrin, presumably the alpha(v)beta3 VTN receptor. In further support of an integrin-mediated mechanism, binding of osteoclasts to CTS is inhibited by the RGD peptide, GRGDSP. CTS was also more potent (IC50,FBS = 0.36 +/- 0.04 nM) at inhibiting osteoclast attachment to FBS-coated wells than the monomeric snake venom disintegrin echistatin (IC50,FBS = 8.9 +/- 1.5 nM) or VTN (IC50FBS = 97.5 +/- 25.5 nM). Taken together, these data suggest that the snake venom disintegrin CTS is a potent inhibitor of beta3 integrin-mediated osteoclast attachment, presumably involving the VTN receptor (an alpha[v]beta3 integrin). Further studies of the mechanism of CTS-osteoclast interactions may aid in the design of peptide mimetics to act as antiresorptive agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other skeletal pathology.

Animals↗

Critical cysteine residues for regulation of integrin alphaIIbbeta3 are clustered in the epidermal growth factor domains of the beta3 subunit.

Chemical or enzymic reduction/oxidation of integrin cysteine residues (e.g. by reducing agents and protein disulphide isomerase) may be a mechanism for regulating integrin function. It has also been proposed that unique cysteine residues in the integrin beta3 subunit are involved in the regulation of alphaIIbbeta3. In the present study, we studied systematically the role of disulphide bonds in beta3 on the ligand-binding function of alphaIIbbeta3 by mutating individual cysteine residues of beta3 to serine. We found that the disulphide bonds that are critical for alphaIIbbeta3 regulation are clustered within the EGF (epidermal growth factor) domains. Interestingly, disrupting only a single disulphide bond in the EGF domains was enough to activate alphaIIbbeta3 fully. In contrast, only two (of 13) disulphide bonds tested outside the EGF domains activated alphaIIbbeta3. These results suggest that the disulphide bonds in the EGF domains should be intact to keep alphaIIbbeta3 in an inactive state, and that there is no unique cysteine residue in the EGF domain critical for regulating the receptor. The cysteine residues in the EGF domains are potential targets for chemical or enzymic reduction.

Animals↗

Differential expression of endometrial integrins and progesterone receptor during the window of implantation in normo-ovulatory women treated with clomiphene citrate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) on endometrial epithelial integrins and P receptors (PR) during the window of implantation. DESIGN: Controlled, prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Teaching hospital and university research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Thirty-one fertile, normo-ovulatory women participated in this trial. Thirteen women exhibited a CC-stimulated cycle with 50 mg on days 5-9, and 18 women with spontaneous menstrual cycles served as controls. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial biopsies in the midluteal phase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immunohistochemical determination and endometrial cellular localization of alpha1, alpha v, beta3, and alpha4 epithelial integrins and PR during the window of implantation. The staining intensity was assessed by a semiquantitative index (HSCORE) and compared by nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. RESULT(S): Higher plasma levels of P and E2 and delayed histologic dating of the endometrium (38%) were features of CC-treated women. In addition, a low epithelial beta3 integrin expression and persistent PR were observed in glandular epithelial cells of "out-of-phase" endometrial biopsies from CC-treated women. In contrast, in "in-phase" biopsies, neither epithelial PR nor beta3 integrin were different from spontaneous control cycles. There was no difference in the expression of alpha1, alpha v, and alpha4 between the groups studied. CONCLUSION(S): The administration of clomiphene produces aberrant endometrial beta3 integrin expression in conjunction with a failure in the down-regulation of PR during the window of implantation in a significant number of normo-ovulatory women, notwithstanding the higher plasma P levels. Therefore, CC might affect the expression of endometrial receptivity markers.

Adult↗

Integrin-mediated activation of focal adhesion kinase is independent of focal adhesion formation or integrin activation. Studies with activated and inhibitory beta3 cytoplasmic domain mutants.

Integrin alphaIIbbeta3 functions as the fibrinogen receptor on platelets and mediates platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Among the events that occur during either "inside-out" or "outside-in" signaling through alphaIIbbeta3 is the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (pp125(FAK)) and the association of pp125(FAK) with cytoskeletal components. To examine the role of pp125(FAK) in these integrin-mediated events, pp125(FAK) phosphorylation and association with the cytoskeleton was determined in cells expressing two mutant forms of alphaIIbbeta3: alphaIIbbeta3(D723A/E726A), a constitutively active integrin in which the putative binding site for pp125(FAK) is altered, and alphaIIbbeta3(F727A/K729E/F730A), in which the putative binding site for alpha-actinin is altered. Both mutants were expressed on the cell surface and were able to bind ligand, either spontaneously or upon activation. Whereas cells expressing alphaIIbbeta3(D723A/E726A) were able to form focal adhesions and stress fibers upon adherence to fibrinogen, cells expressing alphaIIbbeta3(F727A/K729E/F730A) adhere to fibrinogen, but had reduced focal adhesions and stress fibers. pp125(FAK) is recruited to focal adhesions in adherent cells expressing alphaIIbbeta3(D723A/E726A) and is phosphorylated in adherent cells or in cells in suspension in the presence of fibrinogen. In adherent cells expressing alphaIIbbeta3(F727A/K729E/F730A), pp125(FAK) was phosphorylated despite reduced formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers. We conclude that activation of pp125(FAK) can be dissociated from two important events in integrin signaling, the assembly of focal adhesions in adherent cells and integrin activation following ligand occupation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduced intimal thickening following alpha(v)beta3 blockade is associated with smooth muscle cell apoptosis.

The adhesion integrin alpha(v)beta3 is expressed by both activated endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Peptide and antibody antagonists of alpha(v)beta3 have been shown to block angiogenesis by initiating unscheduled programmed cell death of proliferating ECs. The present study was designed to determine if antagonism of alpha(v)beta3 immediately following balloon injury might similarly lead to programmed cell death among activated SMCs, and thereby inhibit intimal thickening. LM609, a monoclonal antibody antagonist of alpha(v)beta3, was administered locally and/or systemically immediately after balloon angioplasty in a rabbit model of vascular injury. Immunohistochemical studies documented that LM609, even when administered systemically, localized to sites of vascular injury. LM609 administered immediately following balloon injury of the external iliac artery markedly reduced intimal thickening at 2 and 4 wk post-injury. Apoptosis was abundant where balloon injury resulted in expression of alpha(v)beta3. At both 2 and 4 wk, re-endothelialization at the site of balloon injury was not retarded in LM609-treated rabbits versus controls. Thus, blockade of alpha(v)beta3 inhibits intimal thickening when administered immediately following balloon injury. This favorable impact on neointimal thickening is associated with apoptosis of activated SMCs expressing alpha(v)beta3. These findings may explain the reduction in restenosis observed clinically following beta3 integrin blockade.

Animals↗

GPVI potentiation of platelet activation by thrombin and adhesion molecules independent of Src kinases and Syk.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the role of Src and Syk tyrosine kinases in signaling by G-protein coupled and platelet adhesion receptors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using Syk-/- platelets or the Src kinase inhibitor PP2, we demonstrate a critical role for Src and Syk kinases in mediating lamellipodia formation on VWF, collagen, CRP, fibrinogen, and fibronectin. In all cases, the spreading defect was overcome by addition of thrombin. Conversely, platelet aggregation and alphaIIb beta3 activation induced by thrombin was similar to controls, arguing against a functional role for Src and Syk in alphaIIb beta3 activation. Unexpectedly, CRP potentiated integrin alphaIIb beta3 activation and platelet aggregation induced by subthreshold concentrations of thrombin in Syk-/- platelets or in the presence of the Src kinase inhibitor PP2. Potentiation in the presence of PP2 was lost in the absence of FcRgamma-chain or GPVI confirming that it was mediated through the immunoglobulin receptor. Further delineation of this PP2-resistant synergy revealed that PAR4 could trigger the enhanced response in combination with CRP. CONCLUSIONS: We show that Syk is critical for lamellipodia formation on a range of immobilized proteins but that this can be overcome by addition of thrombin. Further, we reveal a novel role for GPVI in supporting thrombin-induced activation, independent of Syk and Src kinases.

Animals↗

PPARalpha inhibits TGF-beta-induced beta5 integrin transcription in vascular smooth muscle cells by interacting with Smad4.

Integrins play an important role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration, a crucial event in the development of restenosis and atherosclerosis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is highly expressed in restenotic and atherosclerotic lesions, and known to induce integrin expression. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, regulates gene expression in a variety of vascular cells. We investigated the effects of PPARalpha ligands on TGF-beta-induced beta3 and beta5 integrin expression and potential interaction between PPARalpha and TGF-beta signaling. PPARalpha ligands WY-14643 (100 micromol/L) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetranoic acid (ETYA, 50 micromol/L) inhibited TGF-beta-induced beta5 integrin protein expression by 72+/-6.8% and 73+/-7.1%, respectively (both P<0.05). TGF-beta-stimulated beta3 integrin expression was not affected by PPARalpha ligands. Both PPARalpha ligands also suppressed TGF-beta-induced beta5 integrin mRNA levels. PPARalpha ligands inhibited TGF-beta-inducible transcription of beta5 integrin by an interaction with a TGF-beta response element between nucleotides -63 and -44, which contains a Sp1/Sp3 transcription factor binding site. Nuclear complexes binding to the TGF-beta response region contained Sp1/Sp3 and TGF-beta-regulated Smad 2, 3, and 4 transcription factors. TGF-beta-stimulated Sp1/Smad4 nuclear complex formation was inhibited by WY-14643 and ETYA with a parallel induction of PPARalpha/Smad4 interactions. However, in vitro pull-down experiments failed to demonstrate direct binding between PPARalpha/Smad4. Both PPARalpha ligands blocked PDGF-directed migration of TGF-beta-pretreated VSMCs, a process mediated, in part, by beta5 integrins. The present study demonstrates that PPARalpha activators inhibit TGF-beta-induced beta5 integrin transcription in VSMCs through a novel indirect interaction between ligand-activated PPARalpha and the TGF-beta-regulated Smad4 transcription factors. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗

Effect of cyclic strain and plating matrix on cell proliferation and integrin expression by ligament fibroblasts.

The role of cell surface integrins in cell migration, proliferation, and attachment to matrix molecules is well known. Integrin-matrix interactions have been implicated in mechanotransduction and load transmission from the outside to the inside of the cell. In this study, the effect of cyclic strain on the cell proliferation, attachment, and expression of integrin subunits beta1, beta3, and alpha5 was determined in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) fibroblasts grown on polystyrene, Type I collagen, laminin, elastin, and fibronectin. ACL fibroblast proliferation was not affected by growth substrate whereas MCL cells reached confluence more rapidly on fibronectin compared with collagen or polystyrene. Exposure to 5% cyclic strain resulted in a significant decrease in ACL and MCL fibroblast proliferation on fibronectin and Type I collagen. MCL cells showed a greater strain-dependent inhibition of cells grown on a fibronectin substrate than those grown on collagen. This matrix-dependent effect of strain on cell proliferation was not seen with ACL cells. Attachment of ACL and MCL fibroblasts was stronger to fibronectin compared with Type I collagen, laminin, and polystyrene. In the absence of applied load, the expression of beta1, beta3, and alpha5 subunits was not substrate dependent and the expression of beta1 and alpha5 integrin subunits was higher in MCL cells than ACL cells on all substrates. In contrast, the expression of beta3 integrin subunit was higher in ACL cells than MCL cells. In response to 5% strain, beta1, and alpha5 expression increased in all fibroblasts with MCL cells having a higher magnitude of expression. beta3 expression showed a 90% increase in response to load when grown on laminin for both MCL and ACL fibroblasts and demonstrated no change in expression on Type I collagen or fibronectin. The duration of applied strain from 2 versus 22 h had no effect on cell proliferation or integrin expression.

Animals↗

Tissue transglutaminase is an integrin-binding adhesion coreceptor for fibronectin.

The protein cross-linking enzyme tissue transglutaminase binds in vitro with high affinity to fibronectin via its 42-kD gelatin-binding domain. Here we report that cell surface transglutaminase mediates adhesion and spreading of cells on the 42-kD fibronectin fragment, which lacks integrin-binding motifs. Overexpression of tissue transglutaminase increases its amount on the cell surface, enhances adhesion and spreading on fibronectin and its 42-kD fragment, enlarges focal adhesions, and amplifies adhesion-dependent phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. These effects are specific for tissue transglutaminase and are not shared by its functional homologue, a catalytic subunit of factor XIII. Adhesive function of tissue transglutaminase does not require its cross-linking activity but depends on its stable noncovalent association with integrins. Transglutaminase interacts directly with multiple integrins of beta1 and beta3 subfamilies, but not with beta2 integrins. Complexes of transglutaminase with integrins are formed inside the cell during biosynthesis and accumulate on the surface and in focal adhesions. Together our results demonstrate that tissue transglutaminase mediates the interaction of integrins with fibronectin, thereby acting as an integrin-associated coreceptor to promote cell adhesion and spreading.

Animals↗

Molecules mediating cell-ECM and cell-cell communication in human heart valves.

The specific phenotype of different tissues depends on the interactions of cells with neighboring cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix, which is mediated by cell adhesion receptors including integrins, immunoglobulin family members, syndecans, and selectins. The aim of this study was to investigate the adhesion profile of native human valve interstitial cells (ICs) in situ and in vitro by analyzing these adhesion receptors. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry was used to quantify the expression of the specific receptors on ICs cultured from all human cardiac valves, and immunohistochemistry were used to profile their distribution pattern in valve tissue sections. The valve leaflets and cultured ICs from all valves expressed alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, and alpha5 integrins to varying degrees and percentages with very little expression of alpha6 and alphaV. Valve leaflet ICs from all valves, expressed predominantly beta1 integrin but no beta3 or beta4 integrin. Syndecan-1 and Syndecan-4 were not detected. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was weakly detected, whereas vascular adhesion molecule-1 was barely detectable and E-selectin was not detected. This study has delineated the identity of some of the integrins synthesized and expressed by human valve ICs and the specificity of adhesion molecules with which the valve ICs interact with the extracellular matrix and mediate intercellular interactions. This pattern of expression of cell surface adhesion molecules may be considered as a basis for a fingerprint on which to base future cell alternatives and would provide useful information for valve tissue engineering.

Cell Adhesion↗

Modulation of RGD sequence motifs regulates disintegrin recognition of alphaIIb beta3 and alpha5 beta1 integrin complexes. Replacement of elegantin alanine-50 with proline, N-terminal to the RGD sequence, diminishes recognition of the alpha5 beta1 complex with restoration induced by Mn2+ cation.

Several recent studies have demonstrated that the amino acid residues flanking the RGD sequence of high-affinity ligands modulate their specificity of interaction with integrin complexes. The present study has addressed the role of the residues flanking the RGD sequence in regulating the recognition by disintegrin of the alphaIIb beta3 and alpha5beta1 complexes by construction of a panel of recombinant molecules of Elegantin (the platelet aggregation inhibitor from the venom of Trimerasurus elegans) expressing specific RGD sequence motifs. Wild-type Elegantin (ARGDNP) and several variants including Eleg. AM (ARGDMP), Eleg. PM (PRGDMP) and Eleg. PN (PRGDNP) were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. The inhibitory efficacies of the panel of Elegantin variants were analysed in platelet adhesion assays with substrates immobilized with fibrinogen and fibronectin. Elegantin molecules containing an Ala residue N-terminal to the RGD sequence (wild-type Elegantin and Eleg. AM) showed strong inhibitory activity towards alphaIIbbeta3-dependent platelet adhesion on fibronectin, whereas a Pro residue in this position (Eleg. PM and Kistrin, the inhibitor from the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma) engendered lower activity. The decreased activity could not be attributed to a decrease in the affinity of the disintegrin for the alphaIIb beta3 complex because both Eleg. AM and Eleg. PM had similar Kd (app) values. In contrast, Elegantin molecules into which a Met residue was introduced in place of the Asn residue C-terminal to the RGD sequence showed 10-13-fold elevated inhibitory activity towards platelet adhesion on fibrinogen and this was maintained with either a Pro or Ala residue N-terminal to the RGD sequence. In experiments with the alpha5 beta1 complex on K562 cells, the inhibitory efficacies of the panel of Elegantin molecules were analysed under two different cation conditions. First, in the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+, K562 cell adhesion on fibronectin was inhibited equally well by Elegantin and Eleg. AM but inhibited poorly by Eleg. PM and Kistrin. In contrast with platelets, the decreased inhibitory efficacy of the PRGDMP disintegrins was due to poor recognition of the alpha5 beta1 complex. In the presence of Mn2+ cation, K562 cell adhesion on fibrinogen was observed in an alpha5 beta1-dependent manner. Under these conditions both PRGD and ARGD containing disintegrins were strong inhibitors of K562 cell adhesion on fibrinogen and this was due to a markedly improved recognition of the alpha5 beta1 complex by the PRGD molecules. These observations demonstrate the pivotal role of the amino acids flanking the RGD sequence for disintegrin recognition of integrin complexes and highlight the subtle nature by which integrin-ligand binding specificity can be modulated by both cation and adhesive motif.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Heat shock and cytokines modulate the expression of adhesion molecules on different human gastric-cancer cell lines.

In order to understand the expression and modulation of adhesion molecules (AMs) on the surface of different gastric cancers, we studied 4 gastric-cancer cell lines including SC-M1, KATO-III, AGS and AZ-521. The expression of E-cadherin, integrins (beta1, beta2 and beta3), ICAMs (1 and 2), and CD11 (a, b and c) on the cells was detected by flow cytometry. We found that E-cadherin was only expressed on SC-M1 and KATO-III. CD29 (beta1 integrin) could be found in cells of all 4 lines. CD54 (ICAM- 1) could not be detected in AZ-521. In contrast, CD18 (beta2 integrin), CD61 (beta3 integrin), ICAM-2, CD11a, CD11b and CD11c were all absent from these cells. Heat-shock treatment (42.5 degrees C, 60 min) enhanced the expression of E-cadherin, CD29 and CD54 on SC-M1, and of CD29 on AGS. In addition, TNF-alpha (50U/ml) and IL-1beta (10U/ml) modulated the expression of these AMs, like heat-shock treatment. The increment of these adhesion molecules caused by heat shock, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta stimulation on SC-M1 was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. Functionally, these treatments increased the binding between normal human mononuclear cells and SC-Ml cells. The heat-shock treatment could induce a significant amount of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta release from SC-M1 and KATO-III, but seemed irrelevant to the expression of AMs. These results suggest that limited adhesion molecules were expressed on the surface of different gastric cancer cells. Heat shock, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha may selectively modulate the expression of these 3 molecules on some of the cells, and this is probably related to their antitumor effect.

Antigens, CD↗

Decreased resistance to bacterial infection and granulocyte defects in IAP-deficient mice.

Granulocyte [polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN)] migration to sites of infection and subsequent activation is essential for host defense. Gene-targeted mice deficient for integrin-associated protein (IAP, also termed CD47) succumbed to Escherichia coli peritonitis at inoccula survived by heterozygous littermates. In vivo, they had an early defect in PMN accumulation at the site of infection. In vitro, IAP-/- PMNs were deficient in beta3 integrin-dependent ligand binding, activation of an oxidative burst, and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis. Thus, IAP plays a key role in host defense by participating both in PMN migration in response to bacterial infection and in PMN activation at extravascular sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantification of the expression level of integrin receptor alpha(v)beta3 in cell lines and MR imaging with antibody-coated iron oxide particles.

Targeted imaging requires site-specific accumulation of a contrast agent (CA), and the properties of that agent must be selected according to the abundance of the target to obtain a signal above the detection limit of the instrument. However, numerical estimates of receptors per cell are rarely found in the literature. Integrin receptors would be particularly promising targets because of their accessibility from the blood stream and expression on activated neovascular endothelial cells. We systematically estimated the number of integrin receptors of cell lines and primary cells by flow cytometry analysis. Since integrin receptors are heterodimeric molecules, and alpha(v) forms complexes with various beta subunits, the numbers of alpha(v) and beta(3) subunits are therefore dissimilar. The observed values are 3 . 10(3)-1.4 . 10(4)/cell for alpha(v), and 5.3 . 10(2)-1.1 . 10(4)/cell for beta(3). Despite the low number of exposed receptors, we show that up to single-cell MR visualization can be achieved with the use of iron oxide beads complexed with antibodies as CAs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Characterization of the expression of key adenoviral receptors CAR and integrin beta3/beta5 subunits on the membrane of human NT2 neurons.

Expression of therapeutic gene products in differentiated human NT2 neurons (NT2/Ns) is being explored for ex vivo gene therapy of human neurological diseases. In this study we determined the efficiency of adenovirus (Ad)-mediated gene delivery into NT2/Ns and characterized the expression of several key receptors known to be required for efficient Ad-mediated gene delivery. Undifferentiated NT2 cells and NT2/Ns were infected by Ad expressing green fluorescent protein at an efficiency of 33% and 17%, respectively percentages much lower than the 92% infectivity obtained from a human non-neuronal cell line A549 cells. This relatively low infectivity of NT2/Ns might be caused by the extremely low expression of integrin subunit beta3 and the reduced expression of beta5 during differentiation. The expression of coxsackie-Ad receptor (CAR) was relatively high and remained constant during differentiation. Blocking CAR receptor using an antibody specific against CAR reduced Ad infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggest that modulating the expression of integrin subunits beta3/5 or the functional heterodimer alphavbeta3/5 in human NT2/Ns may enhance adenoviral infectivity of NT2/Ns.

Adenoviridae↗

Increased primary tumor growth in mice null for beta3- or beta3/beta5-integrins or selectins.

Expression of alphavbeta3- or alphavbeta5-integrins and selectins is widespread on blood cells and endothelial cells. Here we report that human tumor cells injected s.c. into mice lacking beta3- or beta3/beta5-integrins or various selectins show enhanced tumor growth compared with growth in control mice. There was increased angiogenesis in mice lacking beta3-integrins, but no difference in structure of the vessels was observed by histology or by staining for NG2 and smooth muscle actin in pericytes. Bone marrow transplants suggest that the absence of beta3-integrins on bone marrow-derived host cells contributes to the enhanced tumor growth in beta3-null mice, although few, if any, bone marrow-derived endothelial cells were found in the tumor vasculature. Tumor growth also was affected by bone marrow-derived cells in mice lacking any one or all three selectins, implicating both leukocyte and endothelial selectins in tumor suppression. Reduced infiltration of macrophages was observed in tumors grown in mice lacking either beta3-integrins or selectins. These results implicate cells of the innate immune system, macrophages or perhaps natural killer cells, in each case dependent on integrins and selectins, in tumor suppression.

Animals↗

Regulation of cell migration by the calcium-dependent protease calpain.

Integrin receptors play an important role during cell migration by mediating linkages and transmitting forces between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. The mechanisms by which these linkages are regulated and released during migration are not well understood. We show here that cell-permeable inhibitors of the calcium-dependent protease calpain inhibit both beta1 and beta3 integrin-mediated cell migration. Calpain inhibition specifically stabilizes peripheral focal adhesions, increases adhesiveness, and decreases the rate of cell detachment. Furthermore, these inhibitors alter the fate of integrin receptors at the rear of the cell during migration. A Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing low levels of calpain I also shows reduced migration rates with similar morphological changes, further implicating calpain in this process. Taken together, the data suggest that calpain inhibition modulates cell migration by stabilizing cytoskeletal linkages and decreasing the rate of retraction of the cell's rear. Inhibiting calpain-mediated proteolysis may therefore be a potential therapeutic approach to control pathological cell migration such as tumor metastasis.

Animals↗

Intracranial microenvironment reveals independent opposing functions of host alphaVbeta3 expression on glioma growth and angiogenesis.

alphaVbeta3 integrins are overexpressed in the host-derived vasculature of glioblastoma multiform (GBM) and are believed to contribute to angiogenesis and tumor growth. To directly address the role of host alphaVbeta3 expression in GBM growth and behavior, we intracranially implanted integrin beta3-expressing GBM cells into beta3 wild type (WT) or beta3 knock out (KO) mice and monitored angiogenesis and growth. GBM in beta3 WT animals had a vessel density greater than that in beta3 KO animals, consistent with a pro-angiogenic, pro-tumorigenic view of host integrin function. GBM in beta3 WT animals, however, were no larger than those in beta3 KO animals, because GBM in beta3WT animals were infiltrated with a higher number of tumor necrosis factor alpha-secreting, apoptosis-inducing macrophages than the tumors in the corresponding beta3 KO animals. The tumor-suppressive effects of host beta3 expression could be reversed by macrophage depletion or by transplantation of bone marrow from beta3 KO animals into beta3 WT animals, both of which significantly increased tumor growth independently of tumor vessel density. Taken together, these results show that host alphaVbeta3 integrin expression has opposing actions in the intracranial setting, enhancing tumor vascularization and growth while independently enhancing macrophage-mediated tumor elimination. Appropriate management of these functions could lead to enhanced efficacy of anti-integrin based therapies for glioma.

Animals↗