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Fungal beta-glucan interacts with vitronectin and stimulates tumor necrosis factor alpha release from macrophages.

beta-Glucans are polymers of D-glucose which represent major structural components of fungal cell walls. It was shown previously that fungi interact with macrophages through beta-glucan receptors, thereby inducing release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Additional studies demonstrated that vitronectin, a host adhesive glycoprotein, binds to fungi and enhances macrophage recognition of these organisms. Since vitronectin contains a carbohydrate-binding region, we postulated that vitronectin binds fungal beta-glucans and subsequently augments macrophage TNF-alpha release in response to this fungal component. To study this, we first determined the release of TNF-alpha from alveolar macrophages stimulated with fungal beta-glucan. Maximal TNF-alpha release occurred with moderate concentrations of beta-glucan (100 to 200 micrograms/ml), whereas higher concentrations of beta-glucan (> or = 500 micrograms/ml) caused apparent suppression of the TNF-alpha activity released. This suppression of TNF-alpha activity by high concentrations of beta-glucan was mediated by the particulate beta-glucan binding soluble TNF-alpha, through the lectin-binding domain of the cytokine, rendering the TNF-alpha less available for measurement. Next, we assessed the interaction of vitronectin with beta-glucan. Binding of 125I-vitronectin to particulate fungal beta-glucan was dose dependent and specifically inhibitable by unlabeled vitronectin. Furthermore, treatment of beta-glucan with vitronectin substantially augmented macrophage TNF-alpha release in response to this fungal component. These findings demonstrate that fungal beta-glucan can directly modulate TNF-alpha release from macrophages. Further, these studies indicate that the host adhesive glycoprotein vitronectin specifically binds beta-glucan and augments macrophage cytokine release in response to this fungal element.

Animals↗

Quantitation of vitronectin in serum: evaluation of its usefulness in routine clinical practice.

AIMS: To make a preliminary assessment of the clinical relevance of serum vitronectin concentrations in various disease groups, using a recently available commercial radial immunodiffusion kit. METHODS: Serum vitronectin concentrations were measured in 80 control subjects and 144 patients with various diseases. The following characteristics were used to evaluate the test procedures: linearity of method, inter- and intrabatch precision, effect of storage, temperature and in vitro activation of the classical and alternative complement pathways on vitronectin concentrations. RESULTS: Significantly reduced serum vitronectin concentrations were found in patients with liver disease, renal disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (normal C3 and C4 concentrations, when compared with normal subjects. This particular method was suitable for measuring vitronectin concentrations in serum samples provided they were stored at -20 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical value of measuring serum vitronectin seems to be limited, but a larger study may be justified to ascertain the clinical importance of reduced serum vitronectin concentrations in liver diseases, and the possible role of vitronectin in other disease processes.

Adolescent↗

Vitronectin protects alveolar macrophages from silica toxicity.

Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silicon dioxide. Current concepts suggest that a crucial step in the development of silicosis is silica-induced injury of alveolar macrophages (AM). The adhesive protein vitronectin is a natural constituent of the lung, in which its function is largely unexplored. This study investigated a possible role for vitronectin in protecting AM from silica exposure. In this study, the concentration of vitronectin was shown to be increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of silica-treated rats. Vitronectin affinity for silica was shown both in vitro and in vivo by immunostaining. Vitronectin reduced silica-induced injury to cultured AM as determined with the (51)Cr release assay. Vitronectin reduced silica-induced free radical production as determined with a cell-free thiobarbituric acid assay. Additionally, vitronectin reduced the silica-induced respiratory burst in AM as determined with chemiluminescence. This study suggests that vitronectin may protect AM during the initial exposure to silica.

Animals↗

Identification of the collagen-binding domain of vitronectin using monoclonal antibodies.

Vitronectin is a 75 kilodalton (kDa) cell-adhesive glycoprotein found in animal blood and connective tissue, also termed serum spreading factor, S-protein, and epibolin. It promotes attachment and spreading of animal cells on tissue culture dishes, and it also binds to collagen. We established four mouse hybridoma lines producing monoclonal antibodies (M1, M2, M4 and M5) to human vitronectin. By immunoblotting, both epitopes recognized by M4 and M5 were suggested to exist in the amino terminal 5 kDa portion of vitronectin, and both M1 and M2 bound to the adjacent 35 kDa portion. Cell spreading on vitronectin-coated dishes was inhibited by M4 = M5 greater than M1, but not by M2. Collagen binding to vitronectin was inhibited by M2 greater than M4 = M5, but not by M1. These results indicate that the collagen-binding site is located near the cell-binding site in the amino terminal half of vitronectin. Independent inhibition of vitronectin binding to the cell and to collagen by these monoclonal antibodies will provide a potential tool to dissect the structure and function of vitronectin.

Animals↗

Changes in plasma concentrations of vitronectin in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

To investigate the role of vitronectin in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, plasma concentrations of vitronectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with diabetes mellitus and compared with normal control subjects. In diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria and microalbuminuria, plasma concentrations of vitronectin were significantly higher than those of control subjects. Plasma concentrations of vitronectin in diabetic patients with chronic renal failure were significantly lower than those with normal renal function. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma concentration of vitronectin and blood platelet counts. In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, vitronectin may be increased caused by synthesis from activated platelets. With progression of diabetic nephropathy, plasma vitronectin may be decreased because of accumulation in sclerotic glomeruli and arteriosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, the plasma concentration of vitronectin appears to be an important marker for the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Aged↗

Characterization of vitronectins in atherosclerotic lesions.

Vitronectin is one of the major extracellular matrix proteins that accumulates in atherosclerotic lesions. A monoclonal antibody (EMR1a/212D) specifically stained the extracellular regions in thickened intima which colocalized well with lipid deposition. The antigenic glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 66KDa was revealed to be rabbit vitronectin. When homogenates of WHHL rabbit atheroma were subjected to immunoblot analysis using EMR1a/212D, four molecules with molecular weight 66, 56, 50 and 47KDa were detected. To confirm whether these smaller immunopositive bands were derived from mature vitronectin, another monoclonal antibody (EMR1b/244H) recognizing the polypeptide region of vitronectin was prepared. All four molecules were detected by EMR1b/244H as well as by EMR1a/212D. Two smaller vitronectins (56KDa and 50KDa) were found in atherosclerotic lesions and increased markedly during the development of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, the vitronectin detected in normal rabbit aorta was mainly of the mature type, while 56KDa and 47KDa forms were not detected. The total amount of the four vitronectins in atherosclerotic lesions was 38.5 +/- 5.0 ng/mg wet weight tissue, a value approximately 9.5 fold higher than that found in normal aorta. In conclusions, we found massive accumulation of these vitronectins concomitant with atherosclerotic development in rabbit aorta.

Animals↗

Association of thrombin-antithrombin III complex with vitronectin in serum.

Purification of vitronectin by identical procedures from serum instead of plasma results in the coisolation of an additional protein component with mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of 82 kDa. We show that this component is the thrombin-antithrombin III complex based on the following evidence. Similar to a complex constructed using purified thrombin and antithrombin III, the 82-kDa component has a reduced molecular size of 69 kDa if it is not boiled prior to SDS-PAGE. Upon prolonged boiling in SDS it dissociates into 56- and 32-kDa components which co-migrate in SDS-PAGE with purified antithrombin III and thrombin, respectively. The 82- and 56-kDa components react with an antiserum against antithrombin III, and an antiserum prepared against the 82-kDa complex reacts with purified antithrombin III. Thrombin-antithrombin III complex, from either serum or recalcified clotted plasma, bound to vitronectin immobilized on Sepharose or plastic. However, purified antithrombin III which had not reacted with thrombin lacked affinity for vitronectin as did antithrombin III from citrated plasma. Purified antithrombin III acquired affinity for immobilized vitronectin if it was complexed with thrombin or was modified by radioiodination. Binding of vitronectin to antithrombin III coated on plastic was demonstrated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results demonstrate that vitronectin binds thrombin-antithrombin III complexes through a cryptic site in antithrombin III which can be exposed when antithrombin III is radioiodinated, bound to plastic, or complexed with thrombin. Since vitronectin can interact with cells, the binding of vitronectin to the thrombin-antithrombin III complex may serve to facilitate the interaction of this complex with cell surfaces.

Antithrombin III↗

Exposure of binding sites for vitronectin on platelets following stimulation.

Vitronectin is a glycoprotein that mediates cell adhesion and spreading in a number of cell culture systems. Liposomes containing platelet glycoproteins IIb-IIIa complex have been shown to bind vitronectin-coated surfaces through an Arg-Gly-Asp cell attachment mechanism. We examined the expression of the binding sites for vitronectin on the surface of intact, resting platelets and following stimulation. 125I-Labeled vitronectin bound specifically in a saturable manner to platelets treated with physiological concentrations of thrombin. The binding reached saturation at 100 nM concentration, and, at saturation, approximately 5000 specific binding sites were detected per platelet. The binding was divalent cation-dependent and only partially reversible after complete saturation. A synthetic hexapeptide containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence inhibited vitronectin binding to platelets. A monoclonal antibody against platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex also inhibited the binding of vitronectin to stimulated platelets. These data suggest that platelets possess an inducible divalent cation-dependent receptor for vitronectin and that the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex is involved in the expression of the vitronectin receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Immunohistochemical studies on vitronectin in elastic tissue disorders, cutaneous amyloidosis, lichen ruber planus and porphyria.

Vitronectin, identical with serum-spreading factor and S-protein of complement, is a glycoprotein present in both plasma and tissue. It stimulates cell adhesion and spreading and affects the complement and coagulation pathways. Vitronectin immunoreactivity was recently found in conjunction with dermal and renal elastic fibres, in renal amyloid deposits in cases of AL- and AA-amyloidosis, and in sclerotic glomerular lesions. Skin specimens from lesions of patients with selected skin diseases were investigated with an avidin-biotin peroxidase technique using both monoclonal and polyclonal anti-vitronectin antibodies and an alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique using monoclonal anti-vitronectin antibodies. Vitronectin immunoreactivity was found in association with the abnormal elastic tissue in solar elastosis and pseudoxanthoma elasticum. It was also found in conjunction with dermal amyloid deposits in primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis and in Civatte bodies in cases of lichen ruber planus. In cases of erythropoietic protoporphyria and porphyria cutanea tarda, hyaline perivascular deposits also demonstrated positive vitronectin immunoreactivity. The presence of vitronectin immunoreactivity not only in normal and degenerated elastic fibres but also in various pathological tissue deposits suggests that vitronectin occurs both in elastic fibres and in different types of abnormal protein deposits.

Amyloidosis↗

Thiolutin, an inhibitor of HUVEC adhesion to vitronectin, reduces paxillin in HUVECs and suppresses tumor cell-induced angiogenesis.

Recent studies have shown that integrin alpha v beta 3, a receptor for vitronectin, plays an important role in tumor-induced angiogenesis and tumor growth and that antagonists of alpha v beta 3 inhibit angiogenic processes including endothelial cell adhesion and migration. On the other hand, most inhibitors of integrin alpha v beta 3 are peptide antagonists that include the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif. We therefore reasoned that non-peptide inhibitors of endothelial cell adhesion to vitronectin might be useful for inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in vivo. We screened for low-molecular-weight natural products able to inhibit adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to vitronectin, and pyrrothine group compounds including aureothricin, thioaurin and thiolutin were isolated from microbial culture broths. Of these compounds, thiolutin inhibited adhesion of HUVECs to vitronectin the most effectively (IC(50), 0.83 microM). In vivo experiments showed that thiolutin significantly suppressed angiogenesis induced by tumor cells (S-180), a pathological form of neovascularization, in a mouse dorsal air sac assay system. To explore the mechanism of inhibition of HUVEC adhesion to vitronectin by thiolutin, we examined the effect of this agent on intracellular cell adhesion signaling. We found that the amount of paxillin in HUVECs was significantly reduced by thiolutin treatment, while those of other focal adhesion proteins including vinculin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were not. Metabolic labeling experiments showed that thiolutin enhanced degradation of paxillin in HUVECs. Protease inhibitors (MG115 and E64-D) decreased the rate of degradation of the paxillin induced by thiolutin and partially restored thiolutin-induced inhibition of HUVEC adhesion to vitronectin. Based on these findings, we concluded that thiolutin, an inhibitor of HUVEC adhesion to vitronectin, reduces the paxillin level in HUVECs and suppresses tumor cell-induced angiogenesis in vivo.

Animals↗

The vitronectin receptor alpha v beta 3 binds fibronectin and acts in concert with alpha 5 beta 1 in promoting cellular attachment and spreading on fibronectin.

The vitronectin receptor (alpha v beta 3) is a member of the integrin superfamily of adhesive protein receptors that mediate a wide spectrum of adhesive cellular interactions, including attachment to vitronectin, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, and thrombospondin. We have studied the binding of fibronectin to the purified vitronectin receptor, and the role of this receptor in the attachment of cells to fibronectin. A solid-phase microtiter assay was developed to investigate the binding properties of the vitronectin receptor. Purified alpha v beta 3 bound fibronectin with high affinity in a saturable, divalent cation-dependent manner. Binding was inhibited by soluble vitronectin, by RGD-containing peptides, and by LM609, a monoclonal antibody against the vitronectin receptor known to inhibit the binding of adhesive proteins to alpha v beta 3. Immunoinhibition experiments showed that M21 human melanoma cells, which express the fibronectin receptor, alpha 5 beta 1, as well as alpha v beta 3, used both of these integrins to attach and spread on fibronectin. In support of this finding, M21-L cells, a variant cell line that specifically lacks alpha v beta 3 but expresses alpha v beta 1, attached and spread poorly on fibronectin. In addition, alpha v beta 3 from surface-labeled M21 cells was retained, and selectively eluted by RGDS from a fibronectin affinity column. These results indicate that alpha v beta 3 acts in concert with alpha 5 beta 1 in promoting fibronectin recognition by these cells. We conclude that fibronectin binds to the alpha v beta 3 vitronectin receptor specifically and with high affinity, and that this interaction is biologically relevant in supporting cell adhesion to matrix proteins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Is vitronectin the velcro that binds the gametes together?

Evidence has been presented that the adhesion of human spermatozoa to the oolemma is mediated by integrins recognizing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence (RGD). Fibronectin and vitronectin, glycoproteins that contain functional RGD sequences, are both present on human spermatozoa, and integrins that recognize these ligands have been detected on spermatozoa and eggs. In this work, we studied the effects of oligopeptides specifically designed to block fibronectin or vitronectin receptors on the interaction of human spermatozoa with zona-free hamster oocytes. GRGDdSP, a peptide blocking cell attachment to fibronectin, was without effect, while GdRGDSP, which blocks both fibronectin and vitronectin receptors, significantly inhibited the binding of human spermatozoa to the oolemma of zona-free hamster eggs, in a concentration-dependent manner, over a range 1-100 microM. As these experiments suggested that a vitronectin receptor plays a role in sperm-oolemmal adhesion, we performed a series of experiments studying the effects of exogenous vitronectin, when added to spermatozoa and oocytes, on gamete interactions. Sperm-oolemmal adherence, as well as sperm aggregation, was promoted by vitronectin, over range of 2.2 nM to 1 microM, but only in the presence of calcium ions. We propose that vitronectin released during the sperm acrosome reaction is recognized by both gametes and plays a role in their adhesion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Vitronectin enhances internalization of crocidolite asbestos by rabbit pleural mesothelial cells via the integrin alpha v beta 5.

The mechanism by which pleural mesothelial cells, the likely progenitor cells of asbestos-induced mesothelioma, recognize and internalize crocidolite asbestos is unknown. Because incubation of asbestos fibers with serum increases their association with cells, we asked whether a protein coat on asbestos increased internalization of fibers via specific cellular receptors. Coating crocidolite with citronectin, but not with fibronectin or other proteins, increased fiber internalization by rabbit pleural mesothelial cells, as measured by a new technique using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Receptors for vitronectin, alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5, were identified on mesothelial cells. Inhibiting vitronectin receptors by plating cells on a vitronectin substrate or incubating cells with excess soluble vitronectin reduced internalization of vitronectin-coated crocidolite. Inhibition of alpha v beta 5, but not alpha v beta 3, with blocking antibodies similarly reduced internalization. In addition, alpha v beta 5, but not alpha v beta 3, showed immunocytochemical colocalization with fibers. Of biologic relevance, coating crocidolite with serum also increased internalization via alpha v beta 5, an effect dependent on the vitronectin in serum. We conclude that pleural mesothelial cells recognize and internalize vitronectin- and serum-coated asbestos via the integrin alpha v beta 5. Since integrins initiate some of the same signaling pathways as does asbestos, our findings may provide insights into the mechanisms of asbestos-induced biologic effects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specific roles of the alpha V beta 1, alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 integrins in avian neural crest cell adhesion and migration on vitronectin.

To identify potentially important extracellular matrix adhesive molecules in neural crest cell migration, the possible role of vitronectin and its corresponding integrin receptors was examined in the adhesion and migration of avian neural crest cells in vitro. Adhesion and migration on vitronectin were comparable to those found on fibronectin and could be almost entirely abolished by antibodies against vitronectin and by RGD peptides. Immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry analyses revealed that neural crest cells expressed primarily the alpha V beta 1, alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 integrins as possible vitronectin receptors. Inhibition assays of cellular adhesion and migration with function-perturbing antibodies demonstrated that adhesion of neural crest cells to vitronectin was mediated essentially by one or more of the different alpha V integrins, with a possible preeminence of alpha V beta 1, whereas cell migration involved mostly the alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 integrins. Immunofluorescence labeling of cultured motile neural crest cells revealed that the alpha V integrins are differentially distributed on the cell surface. The beta 1 and alpha V subunits were both diffuse on the surface of cells and in focal adhesion sites in association with vinculin, talin and alpha-actinin, whereas the alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 integrins were essentially diffuse on the cell surface. Finally, vitronectin could be detected by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry in the early embryo during the ontogeny of the neural crest. It was in particular closely associated with the surface of migrating neural crest cells. In conclusion, our study indicates that neural crest cells can adhere to and migrate on vitronectin in vitro by an RGD-dependent mechanism involving at least the alpha V beta 1, alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 integrins and that these integrins may have specific roles in the control of cell adhesion and migration.

Animals↗

Novel effect of cyclicization of the Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide on vitronectin binding to platelets.

Vitronectin is one of the glycoproteins that mediate cell adhesion and spreading of a variety of cells through the RGD(S) sequence. Vitronectin is demonstrated to bind to glycoprotein IIb-IIIa and play a role in platelet aggregation. Synthetic peptides containing the RGD(S) sequence can inhibit vitronectin binding to platelets, but the affinity of these peptides is less than 1/100th that of native vitronectin. The present study thus examined the ability of modified RGD(S)-containing peptide to inhibit vitronectin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets. The cyclicization of GRGDSPA peptide was done by the linkage of NH2-terminal glycin and the COOH-terminal alanin. The circular dichroism spectrum of cyclic GRGDSPA peptide only showed negative minimum at approximately 220 nm, but those of other linear peptides such as GRGDSPA and GRGESPA had no effect. This result indicated that only the cyclic GRGDSPA peptide retained some conformational structure to restrict its flexibility. Inhibition experiments revealed that the affinities of the ligands for the receptor decreased in the order of vitronectin = fibronectin = fibrinogen = von Willebrand factor (vWF) greater than cyclic GRGDSPA peptide greater than GRGDSPA peptide. GRGESPA peptide had no effect. These results demonstrate that the conformational structure of the RGD(S) sequence plays the important role for the affinity of vitronectin binding to activated platelets and the increased affinity of the modified peptide is a prerequisite for the potential antithrombotic use.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of vitronectin-binding proteins of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common microorganism that is isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infection patients. Vitronectin adsorbed on the surface of implants may mediate bacterial adhesion and colonization. To characterize vitronectin-binding properties, we analyzed S. epidermidis BD5703 isolated from a CSF shunt infection. Expression of vitronectin-binding protein(s) depended on culture media. Two proteins (60 and 52 kDa) were purified from vitronectin affinity chromatography. Two other vitronectin-binding proteins (21 and 16 kDa) were purified from an ion-exchange column. All purified proteins blocked bacterial binding of immobilized vitronectin significantly except the 16-kDa protein. The N-terminal sequences of the 21- and 16-kDa proteins did not show any appreciable amino acid sequence homology. The 52-kDa protein was sequenced by mass spectrometry and identified as an autolysin. This report demonstrates that interaction of vitronectin with multiple recognition sites on BD5703 surface may contribute to bacterial colonization.

Autoradiography↗

Multiple interactions between human vitronectin and Staphylococcus aureus.

Multiple interactions between human vitronectin and Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 were observed. An upward-curved Scatchard plot indicated both high-affinity binding (Kd1 = 7.4 x 10(-10) M) with 260 binding sites per bacterial cell and moderate-affinity binding (Kd2 = 7.4 x 10(-8) M) with 5240 copies per cell. Negative cooperativity of this binding was characterized by its Hill coefficient of less than unity (0.70 +/- 0.08). Up to 60% of the vitronectin-bacteria interaction was unaffected by high ionic strength (i.e., 2.4 M NaCl), and was not inhibited by highly-charged heparin oligosaccharides. Various oligosaccharides (4-20 monosaccharide units) generated by partial deaminative cleavage of heparin were found to affect vitronectin binding to S. aureus. Short-chain-length oligosaccharides increase and long oligosaccharides inhibit vitronectin binding, in accordance with direct association of these saccharides with multimeric vitronectin. A protein having a molecular mass of 60 kDa was identified as a putative high-affinity staphylococcal vitronectin-binding protein. These results indicate that interaction of multimeric vitronectin, mostly present at extracellular matrix sites with multiple recognition sites on the S. aureus surface, may contribute to bacterial colonisation.

Binding Sites↗

Matrix Gla protein C-terminal region binds to vitronectin. Co-localization suggests binding occurs during tissue development.

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) regulates calcification in cartilage and arteries. MGP synthesis during embryonic development and its binding and regulation of growth factors and morphogens of the TGF-beta/BMP superfamily suggests that it has additional functions. Assay by far-western gel overlays and gel filtration shift shows MGP binds vitronectin. Binding is saturable and consistent with a single class of binding sites. MGP binds to vitronectin but not collagen, fibromodulin, heparin, osteocalcin, chondroitin sulfate, laminin, ovalbumin or albumin. We have identified a vitronectin binding site within a 17-amino acid peptide 61-77 near the carboxyl-terminus that corresponds to a naturally occurring MGP C-terminus. MGP and the 61-77 MGP peptide also binds to fibronectin. MGP and vitronectin are focally co-localized in embryonic tissues. Co-localization in vivo suggests that the MGP and vitronectin interactions may modify cell-matrix interactions. Alternatively, vitronectin-bound MGP may have altered function for modulating BMP2 or TGF-beta activity. The current study demonstrates that MGP has a novel binding activity for vitronectin, an extracellular protein that promotes cell-matrix interactions and regulates coagulation.

Animals↗