Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Integrin beta3”

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 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Ligand occupancy of the alpha-V-beta3 integrin is necessary for smooth muscle cells to migrate in response to insulin-like growth factor.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been shown to migrate in response to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). However, the mechanism mediating this response has not been determined. The migration rates of porcine and human vascular SMCs were assessed in a monolayer wounding assay. IGF-I and IGF-II induced increases of 141% and 97%, respectively, in the number of cells that migrated in 4 days. The presence of 0.2% fetal bovine serum in the culture medium was necessary for the IGFs to stimulate migration over uncoated plastic surfaces. However, if vitronectin was used as the substratum, IGF-I stimulated migration by 162% even in the absence of serum. To determine the role of integrins in mediating this migration, SMC surface proteins were labeled with 125I and immunoprecipitated with specific anti-integrin antibodies. Integrins containing alpha-V (vitronectin receptor), alpha5 (fibronectin receptor), and alpha3 (collagen/laminin receptor) subunits were the most abundant. IGF-I treatment caused a 73% reduction in alpha5-integrin subunit protein and a 25% increase in alpha-V subunit. More importantly, ligand binding of alpha-V-beta3 was increased by 2.4-fold. We therefore examined whether the function of the alpha-V-beta3 integrin was important for IGF-I-mediated migration. The disintegrin kistrin was shown by affinity crosslinking to specifically bind with high affinity to alpha-V-beta3 and not to alpha5-beta1 or other abundant integrins. The related disintegrin echistatin specifically inhibited 125I-labeled kistrin binding to alpha-V-beta3, while a structurally distinct disintegrin, decorsin, had 1000-fold lower affinity. The addition of increasing concentrations of either kistrin or echistatin inhibited IGF-I-induced migration, whereas decorsin had a minimal effect. The potency of these disintegrins in inhibiting IGF-I-induced migration paralleled their apparent affinity for the alpha-V integrin. Furthermore, an alpha-V-beta3 blocking antibody inhibited SMC migration by 80%. In summary, vitronectin receptor activation is a necessary component of IGF-I-mediated stimulation of smooth muscle migration, and alpha-V-beta3 integrin antagonists appear to be important reagents for modulating this process.

Animals↗

Human malignant glioma therapy using anti-alpha(v)beta3 integrin agents.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in adults and is invariably fatal. We have investigated the effect of cyclo-(Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Val) (cRGDfV) peptide on survival of human malignant glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed the presence of alpha(v)beta3 integrin on U-87MG and U-373MG cells, but minimal expression on U-251MG cells. Treatment of U-87MG and U-373MG cells in vitro with cRGDfV (20 microg/ml), but not the linear peptide, resulted in the appearance of rounded and loosely attached cells with subsequent cell death. By comparison, neither this cyclic peptide nor its linear homolog had any significant effect on growth and morphology of U-251MG cells. The death of cRGDfV-treated (20 microg/ml) glioma cells was blocked by pretreatment (10 microM) of cells with DEVD-FMK and LEHD-FMK, inhibitors of caspase-3 and caspase-9, respectively. Moreover, when glioma cells grown as spheroids were treated with cRGDfV (50 microg/ml), spheroid formation was markedly reduced. Further, treatment of intracranial U-87MG tumors in scid mice with cyclic peptide significantly (p < 0.001) prolonged their survival. These results indicated (i) that cRGDfV induced apoptosis of human glioma cells by binding alpha(v)beta3 integrin expressed on their cell surfaces and (ii) that cRGDfV may be an effective and non-toxic direct anti-tumor therapy for alpha(v)beta3-expressing GBMs.

Animals↗

Three novel integrin beta3 subunit missense mutations (H280P, C560F, and G579S) in thrombasthenia, including one (H280P) prevalent in Japanese patients.

We analyzed three unrelated Japanese patients with type II Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) for associated mutations. Polymerase chain reaction and subsequent direct sequencing of platelet RNA and genomic DNA revealed three single nucleotide substitutions of the integrin beta3 subunit gene (His (CAT)-280 to Pro (CCT), Cys (TGT)-560 to Phe (TTT), and Gly(GGC)-579 to Ser(AGC)). Interestingly, the three unrelated patients all had the H280P mutation; one was homozygous and the other two heterozygous for this mutation. Ectopic expression of wild type and mutant complexes in Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed decreased surface expression of the mutated alphaIIbbeta3 complexes, thus demonstrating that these mutations may result in the mild GT phenotypes. The identification of three unrelated patients having the same mutation (H280P) suggests that this mutation might be prevalent in the Japanese thrombasthenic population.

Aged↗

RGD-mutants of B-lymphotropic polyomavirus capsids specifically bind to alpha(v)beta3 integrin.

Integrins are a family of cell surface proteins that function as receptors for extracellular matrix ligands and for some viruses. A subset of integrins recognises peptide sequences containing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs as ligands. The B-lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV) has a non-enveloped capsid that recognises a sialylated cell surface receptor. To change the receptor binding specificity we have replaced sets of three amino acids in three predicted surface loops of the major capsid protein VP1 of the B-lymphotropic polyomavirus LPV by RGD. Ten mutants gave rise to the expected 40 kDa VP1 protein upon expression from a baculovirus vector in insect cells. Five of the VP1 mutants representing all three surface loops have retained the ability to spontaneously assemble to capsids in the nuclei of the insect cells. Structural changes of the mutant capsid surface were shown by differential reactivity with a set of 7 neutralising monoclonal antibodies that recognise conformational surface epitopes of wildtype LPV virions. In addition all mutant capsids had lost specific binding to the LPV receptor. Three mutant capsids of one loop (BC) showed specific binding to alpha(v)beta3 integrin but not to integrins alpha(v)beta5, alpha(v)beta6, or to alpha(IIb)beta3 known also to recognise RGD containing peptide sequences. This selective binding of the mutant capsids could be inhibited by synthetic peptides that specifically bind to alpha(v)beta3 integrin with IC50 values between 10 and 40 nM.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Cooperation between VEGF and beta3 integrin during cardiac vascular development.

In the developing myocardium, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent neovascularization occurs by division of existing vessels, a process that persists for several weeks following birth. During this remodeling phase, mRNA expression of beta3 integrin in the heart decreases significantly as vessel maturation progresses. However, in male mice lacking beta3, coronary capillaries fail to mature and continue to exhibit irregular endothelial thickness, endothelial protrusions into the lumen, and expanded cytoplasmic vacuoles. Surprisingly, this phenotype was not seen in female beta3-null mice. Enhanced VEGF signaling contributes to the beta3-null phenotype, because these vessels can be normalized by inhibitors of VEGF or Flk-1. Moreover, intravenous injection of VEGF induces a similar angiogenic phenotype in hearts of adult wild-type mice. These findings show a clear vascular phenotype in the hearts of mice lacking beta3 and suggest this integrin plays a critical role in coronary vascular development and the vascular response to VEGF.

Animals↗

Activation of integrin-beta3-associated syk in platelets.

Published data suggest that the tyrosine kinase syk participates in platelet signalling through the integrin alphaIIbbeta3. Our data show an association of syk and integrin beta3 in immunoprecipitates from unstimulated and stimulated platelets. We detected syk in anti-beta3 precipitates and, conversely, beta3 in anti-syk precipitates. In vitro kinase assays with anti-beta3 precipitates demonstrated that syk activity was enhanced in ADP-stimulated platelets.

Antigens, CD↗

Mice lacking beta3 integrins are osteosclerotic because of dysfunctional osteoclasts.

Osteoclasts express the alphavbeta3 integrin, an adhesion receptor that has been implicated in bone resorption and that is therefore a potential therapeutic target. To assess the role of this heterodimer in skeletal development in vivo, we engineered mice in which the gene for the beta3 integrin subunit was deleted. Bone marrow macrophages derived from these mutants differentiate in vitro into numerous osteoclasts, thus establishing that alphavbeta3 is not necessary for osteoclast recruitment. Furthermore, the closely related integrin, alphavbeta5, does not substitute for alphavbeta3 during cytokine stimulation or authentic osteoclastogenesis. beta3 knockout mice, but not their heterozygous littermates, develop histologically and radiographically evident osteosclerosis with age. Despite their increased bone mass, beta3-null mice contain 3.5-fold more osteoclasts than do heterozygotes. These mutant osteoclasts are, however, dysfunctional, as evidenced by their reduced ability to resorb whale dentin in vitro and the significant hypocalcemia seen in the knockout mice. The resorptive defect in beta3-deficient osteoclasts may reflect absence of matrix-derived intracellular signals, since their cytoskeleton is distinctly abnormal and they fail to spread in vitro, to form actin rings ex vivo, or to form normal ruffled membranes in vivo. Thus, although it is not required for osteoclastogenesis, the integrin alphavbeta3 is essential for normal osteoclast function.

Animals↗

Molecular imaging of angiogenesis in early-stage atherosclerosis with alpha(v)beta3-integrin-targeted nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a critical feature of plaque development in atherosclerosis and might play a key role in both the initiation and later rupture of plaques that lead to myocardial infarction and stroke. The precursory molecular or cellular events that initiate plaque growth and that ultimately contribute to plaque instability, however, cannot be detected directly with any current diagnostic modality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atherosclerosis was induced in New Zealand White rabbits fed 1% cholesterol for approximately 80 days. alpha(v)beta3-Integrin-targeted, paramagnetic nanoparticles were injected intravenously and provided specific detection of the neovasculature within 2 hours by routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a clinically relevant field strength (1.5 T). Increased angiogenesis was detected as a 47+/-5% enhancement in MRI signal averaged throughout the abdominal aortic wall among rabbits that received alpha(v)beta3-targeted, paramagnetic nanoparticles. Pretreatment of atherosclerotic rabbits with alpha(v)beta3-targeted, nonparamagnetic nanoparticles competitively blocked specific contrast enhancement of the alpha(v)beta3-targeted paramagnetic agent. MRI revealed a pattern of increased alpha(v)beta3-integrin distribution within the atherosclerotic wall that was spatially heterogeneous along both transverse and longitudinal planes of the abdominal aorta. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed marked proliferation of angiogenic vessels within the aortic adventitia, coincident with prominent, neointimal proliferation among cholesterol-fed, atherosclerotic rabbits in comparison with sparse incidence of neovasculature in the control animals. CONCLUSIONS: This molecular imaging approach might provide a method for defining the burden and evolution of atherosclerosis in susceptible individuals as well as responsiveness of individual patients to antiatherosclerotic therapies.

Animals↗

Expression of alpha(v)beta3 integrin is less frequent in ovarian epithelial tumors of low malignant potential in contrast to ovarian carcinomas.

Ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMPs) histologically lack invasion and have excellent prognosis in contrast to invasive carcinomas. Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion molecules thought to play a role in cell migration and tumor progression. The alpha(v)beta3 integrin in particular mediates melanoma invasion in vitro and promotes neoplastic angiogenesis, facilitating breast cancer metastasis. In addition, alpha(v)beta3 expression has been detected in ovarian cancer cell lines and in a limited number of human ovarian cancer samples. The distribution pattern of this integrin in LMPs is not known. We examined tissue sections from 19 LMPs and 31 ovarian carcinomas for alpha(v)beta3, in addition to alpha5beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins, which have been shown to be expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines. Variable immunoreactivities of alpha5beta1 and alpha2beta1 were detected in both LMPs and ovarian carcinomas. Most (74.2%) ovarian carcinomas were alpha(v)beta3 positive, whereas only 36.8% of LMPs were positive, which is statistically significant (P = .009). These results establish the distribution pattern of alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, and alpha(v)beta3 integrins in LMPs. The biological significance of the less frequent expression of alpha(v)beta3 in LMPs compared with carcinomas of the ovary needs further elucidation.

Adult↗

Clinical significance of alpha(v)beta3 integrin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in cutaneous malignant melanoma lesions.

Several lines of experimental evidence in in vitro and animal model systems suggest that the integrin alpha(v)beta3 plays a role in the tumorigenicity of human melanoma cells and that the blocking of alpha(v)beta3 ligand binding can inhibit tumor progression. However, there is only scanty information about the role of alpha(v)beta3 in malignant melanoma in a clinical setting. Therefore, in the present study, we have analyzed the distribution in lesions of melanocyte origin and in normal tissues of the alpha(v) integrin subunit and of the alpha(v)beta3 complex and their association with histopathological and clinical parameters of malignant melanoma. We have used as probes the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) TP36.1 and VF27.263.15, which we have shown with a combination of serological and immunochemical assays to be specific for the alpha(v) subunit and for the alpha(v)beta3 complex, respectively. In immunohistochemical assays, mAb TP36.1 stained both benign and malignant lesions of melanocyte origin. In contrast, the reactivity of mAb VF27.263.15 was restricted to malignant lesions. Both mAbs displayed differential reactivity with primary melanoma lesions of different histotypes because they stained about 50% of acral lentiginous melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma lesions, at least 80% of nodular melanoma lesions, and none of the uveal melanoma lesions tested. Both mAbs TP36.1 and VF27.263.15 stained about 60% of lymph node metastases and 80% of cutaneous metastases. Expression of the alpha(v)beta3 complex in melanocytic lesions resembles that of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in several respects: (a) both are expressed in a significantly (P < 0.004) larger proportion of malignant than of benign lesions; (b) expression of both molecules in primary melanoma lesions is significantly (P < 0.05) associated with lesion thickness; and (c) expression of both molecules in primary lesions from patients with stage I melanoma is significantly (P < 0.05) associated with an increased probability of disease recurrence following surgical excision. alpha(v)beta3 and ICAM-1 in primary melanoma lesions complement each other in predicting the outcome of the disease, because the association with prognosis was enhanced when primary lesions were stained by both anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb VF27.263.15 and anti-ICAM-1 mAb CL203.4 or by neither mAb. Because alpha(v)beta3 has been suggested as a potential target of immunotherapy, its distribution in normal tissues was investigated. alpha(v)beta3 expression is restricted because it was only detected in ductal epithelium of parotid glands, thyrocytes, basal glands of the stomach, colonic and rectal epithelium glomeruli, Bowman's capsules and proximal and distal tubules of kidneys, and endometrial epithelium. These findings suggest that renal function will be a critical clinical parameter to monitor in therapies of malignant diseases relying on systemic administration of anti-alpha(v)beta3 mAb.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Leptin upregulates beta3-integrin expression and interleukin-1beta, upregulates leptin and leptin receptor expression in human endometrial epithelial cell cultures.

Human endometrium and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) either cultured alone or cocultured with human embryos express leptin and leptin receptor. This study compares the effect of leptin with that of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on the expression of beta3-EEC integrin, a marker of endometrial receptivity. Both cytokines increased the expression of beta3-EEC at concentrations in the range of 0.06-3 nM; however, leptin exhibited a significantly greater effect than IL-1beta. We also determined the regulatory effects of IL-1beta on leptin secretion and on the expression of leptin and leptin receptor at the protein level in both EEC and endometrial stromal cell (ESC) cultures. In EEC cultures, IL-1beta upregulated secretion of leptin and expression of both leptin and leptin receptors. No effect of IL-1beta was found in the ESC cultures. However, leptin exhibited marginal upregulation of leptin receptor. The upregulation of beta3-integrin and leptin/leptin receptor expression by IL-1beta in EEC cultures indicates that both cytokines may be implicated in embryonic-maternal cross-talk during the early phase of human implantation. Our present data also raise the possibility that leptin is an endometrial molecular effector of IL-1beta action on beta3-integrin upregulation. Thus, a new role for leptin in human reproduction as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of endometrial receptivity is proposed.

Antigens, CD↗

Up-regulated transforming growth factor beta-inducible gene h3 in rheumatoid arthritis mediates adhesion and migration of synoviocytes through alpha v beta3 integrin: Regulation by cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the expression of transforming growth factor beta-inducible gene h3 (betaIG-H3) in rheumatoid synovitis and to determine the regulatory role of betaIG-H3 in the adhesion and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). METHODS: Synovial tissue was obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during joint replacement surgery, and FLS were isolated using enzymatic treatment. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to show the expression of betaIG-H3 within rheumatoid synovium. Synthesis of betaIG-H3 from FLS was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell adhesion and migration assays were performed using the YH18 peptide in the fourth fas-1 domain of betaIG-H3 and function-blocking antibodies to integrins. RESULTS: Expression of betaIG-H3 was up-regulated in RA synovial tissue compared with synovial tissue from patients with osteoarthritis. FLS isolated from RA synovial tissue constitutively produced betaIG-H3, which was up-regulated by transforming growth factor beta1, interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Although FLS expressed a variety of integrins, betaIG-H3 mediated adhesion and migration of FLS through interaction with alpha v beta3 integrin. Cytokines failed to affect the betaIG-H3-mediated adhesion. However, migration of FLS guided by betaIG-H3 was enhanced by interferon-gamma and platelet-derived growth factor type BB. The YH18 peptide in the fourth fas-1 domain of betaIG-H3 inhibited adhesion and migration in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that betaIG-H3, which is abundantly expressed in RA synovial tissue, plays a regulatory role in chronic destructive inflammation through the modulation of the adhesion and migration of FLS. This finding indicates the relevance of betaIG-H3 and alpha v beta3 integrin-interacting motifs as potential therapeutic targets in this disease.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Role of alphaII(b)beta3 integrin in prostate cancer metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Integrins participate in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In this study we determined whether alphaII(b)beta3 integrin is involved in metastasis of human prostate adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines express alphaII(b)beta3. Northern blotting, 5'-RACE, and immunofluorescent localization confirmed expression of alphaIIb integrin in prostate adenocarcinoma cells. We used orthotopic/ectopic site of implantation and lung colonization assays in SCID mice to determine whether alphaII(b)beta3 participates in metastatasis of tumor cells. RESULTS: Immunofluorescent localization of alphaIIb integrin in fibronectin-adherent DU-145 and PC-3 cells is remarkably different. In DU-145 cells the integrin localizes to focal contact sites, whereas it is predominantly intracellular in PC-3 cells. Both tumor cell lines are tumorigenic when implanted subcutaneously or intraprostatically in SCID mice, but only DU-145 cells injected intraprostatically metastasize. Flow cytometry with a mAb directed to alphaII(b)beta3 revealed higher expression of alphaII(b)beta3 in DU-145 tumor cell suspensions isolated from the prostate when compared to DU-145 tumor cells from the subcutis. Function-blocking mAbs to alphaII(b)beta3 inhibit lung colonization of tail vein-injected DU-145 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data suggest that alphaII(b)beta3 integrin participates in the metastatic progression of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

ETS-1 converts endothelial cells to the angiogenic phenotype by inducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and integrin beta3.

The transcription factor ETS-1 is induced in endothelial cells (ECs) by angiogenic growth factors and the specific elimination of ETS-1 synthesis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibited angiogenesis in vitro (Iwasaka et al., 1996, J Cell Physiol 169:522-531). To understand the precise role of ETS-1 in angiogenesis, we established both high and low ETS-1 expression EC lines and compared angiogenic properties of these cell lines with those of the parental murine EC line, MSS-31. Although growth rate was almost identical for each cell line, the invasiveness was markedly enhanced in high ETS-1 expression cells and reduced in low ETS-1 expression cells compared with that of parental cells. The gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9) and gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 were significantly increased in high ETS-1 expression cells. Low ETS-1 expression cells could not spread on a vitronectin substratum, and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase was markedly impaired because of the reduced expression of integrin beta3. These results indicate that ETS-1 is a principal regulator that converts ECs to the angiogenic phenotype.

Actins↗

The expression of alpha(v) and beta3 integrin subunits in the normal human Fallopian tube epithelium suggests the occurrence of a tubal implantation window.

The co-expression of alpha1beta1, alpha4beta1 and alphavbeta3 integrins in the human endometrium coincides with the implantation window. The alphavbeta3 integrin is expressed in the apical surface of the luminal epithelium and may serve to anchor trophoblast cells in the adhesion phase of implantation. Using immunohistochemistry, we compared the expression of alphav, alpha1, alpha4 and beta3 integrin subunits in samples of normal human Fallopian tube and endometrium obtained from five women in the non-receptive period (luteal phase days 2-4) and from another five women in the receptive period (luteal phase days 6-8). The staining was quantified visually on a scale of 0 to ++, according to the intensity and density of stained cells. The alphav subunit is expressed in the Fallopian tube epithelium during both periods in a pericellular distribution. The beta3 subunit is also expressed in the same location, but it is up-regulated during the period of endometrial receptivity. The other subunits are expressed in localizations which are not relevant to trophoblast adhesion and exhibit little or no difference in the level of expression between the non-receptive and receptive periods. Based on these results we postulate that the expression of the beta3 subunit in the human tubal epithelium is under the same systemic controlling signals as in the endometrium and that the normal tubal epithelium may have an implantation window, at about the same time as the endometrium, that affords the opportunity for trophoblast attachment should a 5-7 day embryo be unduly retained in the tube.

Antigens, CD↗

A peptidomimetic antagonist of the alpha(v)beta3 integrin inhibits bone resorption in vitro and prevents osteoporosis in vivo.

Osteoclastic bone degradation requires intimacy between the matrix and the resorptive cell. While the precise role the integrin alpha(v)beta3 plays in the process is not yet understood, occupancy of the heterodimer by soluble ligand or by blocking antibody effectively inhibits bone resorption in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that alpha(v)beta3 blockade may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, we identified a synthetic chemical peptide mimetic, beta-[2-[[5-[(aminoiminomethyl)amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-1-+ ++oxoethyl]amino-3-pyridinepropanoic acid, bistrifluoroacetate (SC56631) based upon the alpha(v)beta3 ligand, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), which recognizes the isolated integrin, and its relative, alpha(v)beta5, as effectively as does the natural peptide. The mimetic dampens osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, intravenous administration of the mimetic prevents the 55% loss of trabecular bone sustained by rats within 6 wk of oophorectomy. Histological examination of bones taken from SC56631-treated, oophorectomized animals also demonstrates the compound's bone sparing properties and its capacity to decrease osteoclast number. Thus, an RGD mimetic prevents the rapid bone loss that accompanies estrogen withdrawal.

Amino Acids↗

Antigenic homology of HIV-1 GP41 and human platelet glycoprotein GPIIIa (integrin beta3).

Fifty-eight of 89 serum samples (65.17%) from HIV-1-infected individuals at various disease stages contain antibodies that react with a platelet peptide located in the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta3, glycoprotein GPIIIa (aa749-761; sequence DRKEFAKFEEERA). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the synthetic platelet peptide also react with the structurally homologous HIV-1 gp41-derived peptide (EKNEQELLELDKW(A)) and bind to a Western blot band with molecular weight corresponding to HIV-1 gp41. These findings point to molecular mimicry between HIV-1 and a human membrane protein found in platelets and other cells that could be of pathologic consequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Up-regulated expression of the beta3 integrin and the 92-kDa gelatinase in human HT-144 melanoma cell tumors grown in nude mice.

In situ changes in the repertoire of integrins and proteolytic enzymes have been demonstrated during melanoma metastasis. To investigate whether established human melanoma cell lines, injected into nude mice, could undergo phenotypic changes similar to those observed in in situ lesions, we studied 3 melanoma cell lines of distinct metastatic origin, adherent HT-144 and SK-MEL-2 cells, and non-adherent SK-MEL-1 cells for integrin expression, proteolytic enzyme repertoire and invasive potential after in vitro culture. Heterogeneity in integrin expression, such as elevated levels in alpha(v)beta3 in SK-MEL-1 and SK-MEL-2 cells and low expression in HT-144 cells, correlated with their in vitro invasiveness, since only the adherent HT-144 and SK-MEL-2 cells were able to invade Matrigel, and in addition, secreted a 72-kDa gelatinase. In contrast, no similar correlation could be established in nude mice, as all 3 cell lines, including the non-adherent SK-MEL-1 cells, were tumorigenic when injected s.c., while only HT-144 consistently produced experimental lung metastasis. Immunochemical analysis of the integrin profile in s.c. xenografts revealed over-expression of alpha(v), beta1 and beta3 integrins exclusively in HT-144 cells, as well as increased expression of beta3 in HT-144 cell lung metastases, as confirmed by PCR analysis using species-specific primers, while zymography and Western-blot analysis demonstrated de novo expression of the 92-kDa gelatinase MMP-9 in HT-144 xenografts. Our results highlight a positive correlation between up-regulated beta3 integrin and MMP-9 expression in human HT-144 melanoma cell tumors grown in nude mice.

Animals↗