Effect of stretching on gene expression of beta1 integrin and focal adhesion kinase and on chondrogenesis through cell-extracellular matrix interactions

Differentiation of skeletal tissues, such as bone, ligament and cartilage, is regulated by complex interaction between genetic and epigenetic factors. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the possible role of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion on the inhibitory regulation in chondrogenesis responding to the tension force. The midpalatal suture cartilages in rats were expanded by orthopedic force. In situ hybridization for type I and II collagens, immunohistochemical analysis for fibronectin, alpha5 and beta1 integrins, paxillin, and vinculin, and cytochemical staining for actin were used to demonstrate the phenotypic change of chondrocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis for phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 was performed. The role of the cell-ECM adhesion in the response of the chondroprogenitor cells to mechanical stress and the regulation of gene expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and integrins were analyzed by using an in vitro system. A fibrous suture tissue replaced the midpalatal suture cartilage by the expansive force application for 14 days. The active osteoblasts that line the surface of bone matrix in the newly formed suture tissue strongly expressed the type I collagen gene, whereas they did not express the type II collagen gene. Although the numbers of precartilaginous cells expressing alpha5 and beta1 integrin increased, the immunoreactivity of alpha5 integrin in each cell was maintained at the same level throughout the experimental period. During the early response of midpalatal suture cartilage cells to expansive stimulation, formation of stress fibers, reorganization of focal adhesion contacts immunoreactive to a vinculin-specific antibody, and phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of ERK-1/2 were observed. In vitro experiments were in agreement with the results from the in vivo study, i.e. the inhibited expression of type II collagen and upregulation in integrin expression. The arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-containing peptide completely rescued chondrogenesis from tension-mediated inhibition. Thus, we conclude that stretching activates gene expression of beta1 integrin and FAK and inhibits chondrogenesis through cell-ECM interactions of chondroprogenitor cells.     

Adhesion, actin cytoskeleton organisation and the spreading of colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by EGF are mediated by α2β1 integrin low clustering through focal adhesion kinase

Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the extracellular matrix components have been implicated in the pathobiology of adenocarcinomas by somewhat poorly understood mechanisms. We have addressed this problem using an in vitro model comprising the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29-D4, wherein the role of EGF and type IV collagen on cell adhesion was examined. We demonstrated that the effect of EGF on HT29-D4 cell adhesion was regulated by type IV collagen in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The incorporation of a panel of monoclonal antibodies to integrins alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 in adhesion medium revealed that EGF-mediated increase in the cell adhesion was mediated essentially by alpha2beta1, and the use of flow cytometry led us to conclude that this EGF effect was mediated by an increase in alpha2beta1 activation and not by an increase in cell surface expression of integrin. An indirect immunofluorescence technique was employed to demonstrate that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and alpha2beta1 integrin were present in focal complexes in large EGF-induced lamellipodia whereas actin cytoskeleton was organised in small tips that colocalised with FAK. This pattern was observed at early time points (15 min) with a strong FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and with an increase in mitogen-activated protein kinase activity (5-15 min) as measured by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. We conclude that at early time points of cell adhesion and spreading, EGF exerted an inside-out regulation of alpha2beta1 integrin in HT29-D4 cells. This regulation seemed to be mediated by EGF-dependent FAK phosphorylation entailing an increase in integrin activation and their recruitment in numerous focal complexes. Furthermore after activation, FAK induced aggregation of actin-associated proteins (paxillin, vinculin and other tyrosine phosphorylated proteins) in focal complexes, leading to organisation of actin cytoskeleton that is involved in lamellipodia formation. Finally, activated alpha2beta1 integrins intervened in all these processes clustered in small focal complexes but not in focal adhesions.     

Outside-in regulation of integrin clustering processes by ECM components per se and their involvement in actin cytoskeleton organization in a colon adenocarcinoma cell line

We investigated in a colon adenocarcinoma cell line, the exclusive role of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the absence of soluble factors regarding the integrin clustering processes, and their implication in cell adhesion, spreading and organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Caco-2 cells were shown to express at the plasma membrane 11 integrins, some of which (e.g. alpha3beta1, alpha5beta1, alpha6beta1/beta4, alpha8beta1 and alpha(v)beta1/beta5/beta6) were identified for the first time in this cell line. Cell adhesion and spreading processes were governed essentially by lamellipodium, the regulation of which was shown to be induced by two types of integrin clustering processes mediated by ECM proteins alone. During these phenomena, alpha2beta1, alpha(v)beta6 and alpha6beta1 integrins, the Caco-2 cell specific receptors of type IV collagen, fibronectin and laminin, respectively, were clustered in small focal complexes (point contacts), whereas alpha(v)beta5, the vitronectin receptor in this cell line, was aggregated in focal adhesions. The two levels of integrin clustering induced only F-actin cortical web formation organized in thin radial and/or circular filaments. We conclude thus that ECM components per se through their action on integrin clustering are involved in cell adhesion, cortical actin cytoskeleton organization and cell spreading.     

Heparin II domain of fibronectin uses alpha4beta1 integrin to control focal adhesion and stress fiber formation, independent of syndecan-4

Co-signaling events between integrins and cell surface proteoglycans play a critical role in the organization of the cytoskeleton and adhesion forces of cells. These processes, which appear to be responsible for maintaining intraocular pressure in the human eye, involve a novel cooperative co-signaling pathway between alpha5beta1 and alpha4beta1 integrins and are independent of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Human trabecular meshwork cells isolated from the eye were plated on type III 7-10 repeats of fibronectin (alpha5beta1 ligand) in the absence or presence of the heparin (Hep) II domain of fibronectin. In the absence of the Hep II domain, cells had a bipolar morphology with few focal adhesions and stress fibers. The addition of the Hep II domain increased cell spreading and the numbers of focal adhesions and stress fibers. Cell spreading and stress fiber formation were not mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans because treatment with chlorate, heparinase, or soluble heparin did not prevent Hep II domain-mediated cell spreading. Cell spreading and stress fiber formation were mediated by alpha4beta1 integrin because soluble anti-alpha4 integrin antibodies inhibited Hep II domain-mediated cell spreading and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (alpha4beta1 ligand)-induced cell spreading. This is the first demonstration of the Hep II domain mediating cell spreading and stress fiber formation through alpha4beta1 integrin. This novel pathway demonstrates a cooperative, rather than antagonistic, role between alpha5beta1 and alpha4beta1 integrins and suggests that interactions between the Hep II domain and alpha4beta1 integrin could modulate the strength of cytoskeleton-mediated processes in the trabecular meshwork of the human eye.     

Integrins in point contacts mediate cell spreading: factors that regulate integrin accumulation in point contacts vs. focal contacts

We have studied the function and distribution of the alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1 heterodimers on type-1 astrocytes with antibodies specific for integrin subunits (alpha 1, alpha 5, alpha 6, and beta 1). The alpha 1 beta 1 heterodimer mediates adhesion to laminin and collagen, the alpha 5 beta 1 to fibronectin in an RGD- dependent manner. The alpha 5 beta 1 integrin is found in focal contacts in long-term cultures of well-spread astrocytes colocalizing with vinculin and the termini of actin stress fibers. alpha 1 beta 1 heterodimers can occasionally be found as small aggregates within focal contacts but they do not accumulate there. Instead, alpha 1 beta 1 integrins are found in punctate deposits called point contacts which are distributed over the upper and the lower cell surfaces whether laminin, collagen, fibronectin or polylysine is used as a substratum. Unlike focal contacts, point contacts contain clathrin but rarely codistribute with actin or vinculin. Two observations indicate that these point contacts are functional. First, mAb 3A3, directed against the rat alpha 1 subunit, inhibits the attachment of astrocytes to laminin and collagen. Second, during the spreading of astrocytes, a band of point contacts forms around the cell perimeter at a time when no focal contacts are visible. While alpha 1 beta 1 integrins are found only in point contacts in astrocytes, the alpha 6 beta 1 integrin, another laminin receptor, is localized within focal contacts. Moreover, alpha 1 beta 1 heterodimers accumulate in focal contacts in fibroblasts. Thus, the alpha subunit contributes, independent of its ligand, to functional integrin heterodimer accumulation in focal contacts or in point contacts. This accumulation varies among different cell types with apparently identical heterodimers as well as with the motile state (spreading vs. flattened) of the same cells.     

Expression of beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 integrins by human epidermal keratinocytes and non-differentiating keratinocytes

We have compared the adhesive properties and integrin expression profiles of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes and a strain of nondifferentiating keratinocytes (ndk). Both cell types adhered to fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I and IV, but ndk adhered more rapidly and at lower coating concentrations of the proteins. Antibody blocking experiments showed that adhesion of both cell types to fibronectin was mediated by the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin and to laminin by alpha 3 beta 1 in synergy with alpha 2 beta 1. Keratinocytes adhered to collagen with alpha 2 beta 1, but an antibody to alpha 2 did not inhibit adhesion of ndk to collagen. Both cell types adhered to vitronectin by alpha v-containing integrins. Immunoprecipitation of surface-iodinated and metabolically labeled cells showed that in addition to alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, and alpha 5 beta 1, both keratinocytes and ndk expressed alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha v beta 5. ndk expressed all these integrins at higher levels than normal keratinocytes. ndk, but not normal keratinocytes, expressed alpha v beta 1 and alpha v beta 3; they also expressed alpha 1 beta 1, an integrin that was not consistently detected on normal keratinocytes. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that in stratified cultures of normal keratinocytes integrin expression was confined to cells in the basal layer; terminally differentiating cells were unstained. In contrast, all cells in the ndk population were integrin positive. Our observations showed that the adhesive properties of ndk differ from normal keratinocytes and reflect differences in the type of integrins expressed, the level of expression and the distribution of integrins on the cell surface. ndk thus have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from normal basal keratinocytes.     

Parathyroid hormone (1-34) regulates integrin expression in vivo in rat osteoblasts.

Intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) activates new sites of bone formation by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and function resulting in an increase in bone mass. Because integrins have been shown to play a crucial role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, in the present study, we evaluated whether human PTH (1-34) upon administration to rats, influenced integrin expression in osteoblastic cells isolated from the metaphysis and the diaphysis of rat long bones. Initial immunohistochemical evaluation of bone sections demonstrated that the osteoblasts expressed at least alphav, alpha2, alpha3, and alpha5beta1 integrins. Immunocolocalization studies for integrins and vinculin established that alphav, alpha2, and alpha5beta1, but not alpha3 integrins were present in the focal adhesion sites of osteoblasts attached to FN coated surfaces. Osteoprogenitor cells isolated from metaphyseal (but not diaphyseal) marrow of rats injected with intermittent PTH (1-34) exhibited greater alphav and reduced alpha2 levels, with no apparent changes in alpha3, and alpha5beta1 integrin levels, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, Northern, and Western blot analyses. However, these changes were not observed on the same cells treated with PTH in vitro. These observations suggest that integrin modulation by PTH is likely to be indirect and that selective phenotypic expression of integrin subtypes is part of the cascade of events that lead to PTH (1-34) mediated osteoblast differentiation.     

Environmental modulation of alpha(v), alpha(2) and beta(1) integrin subunit expression in human oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas

Integrins are cell adhesion molecules pivotal in regulating normal cell behaviour. Ectopic expression of integrins, characteristic of transformed cells, is instrumental in differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, matrix degradation and migration. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a propensity to metastasize and hence an extremely poor prognosis. It is shown here that oesophageal SCCs express alpha(v)strongly and that normal oesophageal tissue does not express alpha(v). This makes alpha(v)a significant indicator of the transformed phenotype. alpha(2)and beta(1)integrin subunits are down-regulated in oesophageal SCCs compared to normal oesophagus. Dominance of the alpha(2)beta(1)heterodimer is symptomatic of potential loss of other beta(1)binding integrins in oesophageal SCCs. These results suggest a decrease in rigid cell adhesion possibly increasing migratory potential, whilst simultaneously permitting the adhesion and migration of SCC cells on a large repertoire of ligands due to de novo alpha(v)expression.     

Integrin dynamics and matrix assembly: tensin-dependent translocation of alpha(5)beta(1) integrins promotes early fibronectin fibrillogenesis

Fibronectin matrix assembly is a multistep, integrin-dependent process. To investigate the role of integrin dynamics in fibronectin fibrillogenesis, we developed an antibody-chasing technique for simultaneous tracking of two integrin populations by different antibodies. We established that whereas the vitronectin receptor alpha(v)beta(3) remains within focal contacts, the fibronectin receptor alpha(5)beta(1) translocates from focal contacts into and along extracellular matrix (ECM) contacts. This escalator-like translocation occurs relative to the focal contacts at 6.5 +/- 0.7 microm/h and is independent of cell migration. It is induced by ligation of alpha(5)beta(1) integrins and depends on interactions with a functional actin cytoskeleton and vitronectin receptor ligation. During cell spreading, translocation of ligand-occupied alpha(5)beta(1) integrins away from focal contacts and along bundles of actin filaments generates ECM contacts. Tensin is a primary cytoskeletal component of these ECM contacts, and a novel dominant-negative inhibitor of tensin blocked ECM contact formation, integrin translocation, and fibronectin fibrillogenesis without affecting focal contacts. We propose that translocating alpha(5)beta(1) integrins induce initial fibronectin fibrillogenesis by transmitting cytoskeleton-generated tension to extracellular fibronectin molecules. Blocking this integrin translocation by a variety of treatments prevents the formation of ECM contacts and fibronectin fibrillogenesis. These studies identify a localized, directional, integrin translocation mechanism for matrix assembly.     

Fibronectin receptor functions in embryonic cells deficient in alpha 5 beta 1 integrin can be replaced by alpha V integrins.

alpha 5 beta 1 integrin mediates cell adhesion to extracellular matrix by interacting with fibronectin (FN). Mouse lines carrying null mutations in genes encoding either the alpha 5 integrin subunit or FN have been generated previously. Both mutations are embryonic lethal with overlapping defects, but the defects of alpha 5-null embryos are less severe. Primary embryonic cells lacking alpha 5 beta 1 are able to adhere to FN, form focal contacts, migrate on FN, and assemble FN matrix. These results suggest the involvement of (an)other FN receptors(s). In this study, we examined functions of alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha V integrins in embryonic cells lacking alpha 5 beta 1. Our analysis of cells lacking both alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 showed that alpha 4 beta 1 is also not required for these FN-dependent functions. Using alpha V-specific blocking reagents, we showed that alpha V integrins are required for alpha 5-null cells, but not wild-type cells, to adhere and spread on FN. Our data also showed that, although the expression levels of alpha V integrins on the wild-type and alpha 5-null cells are similar, there is an increase in recruitment of alpha V integrins into focal contacts in alpha 5-null cells plated on FN, indicating that alpha V integrins can compensate functionally for the loss of alpha 5 beta 1 in focal contacts of alpha 5-null cells. Finally, our data suggested possible roles for alpha V integrins in replacing the role of alpha 5 beta 1 in FN matrix assembly in vitro and in FN-dependent embryonic functions in vivo.     

Chemical modulation of VLA integrin affinity in human breast cancer cells

The fact that disruption of integrin-extracellular matrix contacts leads to cell death, has converted cell adhesion into a potential target for the control of invasive cancer. In this work, we studied the functional consequences of the interference with the activity of the very late activation antigen (VLA) family of integrins in human breast cancer cell lines of distinct malignancy. The alpha2beta1-mediated adhesion reduced the entry of highly malignant, hormone-independent breast cancer cells into apoptosis. Adhesion of breast cancer cells through the VLA integrins alpha2beta1 and alpha5beta1 was significantly reduced by an apoptosis-inducing natural triterpenoid, dehydrothyrsiferol (DT), when studied on low amounts of extracellular matrix. This effect was dose-dependent, not related to cell toxicity and not shared with apoptosis-inducing standard chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin and taxol. The compound did not affect either the cell surface expression level of VLA integrins or cell distribution of vinculin and actin during cell spreading. In addition, neither phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase pp125FAK on Tyr397 nor the protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) on Ser473 was significantly altered by DT. The integrin activation level, assessed by binding of soluble collagen to the alpha2beta1 integrin, was reduced upon cell treatment with DT. Importantly, the TS2/16, an anti-beta1 activating monoclonal antibody was able to rescue DT-treated cells from apoptosis. Since the activation state of integrins is increasingly recognized as an essential factor in metastasis formation, findings presented herein reveal that the chemical regulation of integrin affinity may be a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer therapy.     

Distinct functions of alpha3 and alpha(v) integrin receptors in neuronal migration and laminar organization of the cerebral cortex

Changes in specific cell-cell recognition and adhesion interactions between neurons and radial glial cells regulate neuronal migration as well as the establishment of distinct layers in the developing cerebral cortex. Here, we show that alpha3beta1 integrin is necessary for neuron-glial recognition during neuronal migration and that alpha(v) integrins provide optimal levels of the basic neuron-glial adhesion needed to maintain neuronal migration on radial glial fibers. A gliophilic-to-neurophilic switch in the adhesive preference of developing cortical neurons occurs following the loss of alpha3beta1 integrin function. Furthermore, the targeted mutation of the alpha3 integrin gene results in abnormal layering of the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that alpha3beta1 and alpha(v) integrins regulate distinct aspects of neuronal migration and neuron-glial interactions during corticogenesis.     

L-plastin peptide activation of alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated adhesion requires integrin conformational change and actin filament disassembly

L-plastin (LPL) is a leukocyte actin binding protein previously implicated in the activation of the integrin alpha(M)beta(2) on polymorphonuclear neutrophils. To determine the role for LPL in integrin activation, K562 cell adhesion to vitronectin via alpha(v)beta(3), a well-studied model for activable integrins, was examined. Cell permeant versions of peptides based on the N-terminal sequence of LPL and the LPL headpiece domain both activated alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated adhesion. In contrast to adhesion induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), LPL peptide-activated adhesion was independent of integrin beta(3) cytoplasmic domain tyrosines and was not inhibited by cytochalasin D. Also in contrast to PMA, LPL peptides synergized with RGD ligand or Mn(2+) for generation of a conformational change in alpha(v)beta(3) associated with the high affinity state of the integrin, as determined by binding of a ligand-induced binding site antibody. Although LPL and ligand showed synergy for ligand-induced binding site expression when actin depolymerization was inhibited by jasplakinolide, LPL peptide-induced adhesion was inhibited. Thus, both actin depolymerization and ligand-induced integrin conformational change are required for LPL peptide-induced adhesion. We hypothesize that the critical steps of increased integrin diffusion and affinity enhancement may be linked via modulation of the function of the actin binding protein L-plastin.     

Purified integrin adhesion complexes exhibit actin-polymerization activity

BACKGROUND: Cell adhesion and motility are accomplished through a functional linkage of the extracellular matrix with the actin cytoskeleton via adhesion complexes composed of integrin receptors and associated proteins. To determine whether this linkage is attained actively or passively, we isolated integrin complexes from nonadherent hematopoietic cells and determined their influence on the polymerization of actin. RESULTS: We observed that alpha(V)beta3 complexes are capable of dramatically accelerating the rate of actin assembly, resulting in actin fibers tethered at their growing ends by clustered integrins. The ability to enhance actin polymerization was dependent upon Arg-Gly-Asp-ligand-induced beta3 tyrosine phosphorylation, agonist-induced cellular activation, sequestration of Diaphanous formins, and clustering of the receptor. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adhesion complexes actively promote actin assembly from their cytosolic face in order to establish a mechanical linkage with the extracellular matrix.     

Distinct functions of integrin alpha and beta subunit cytoplasmic domains in cell spreading and formation of focal adhesions

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion often results in cell spreading and the formation of focal adhesions. We exploited the capacity of recombinant human alpha IIb beta 3 integrin to endow heterologous cells with the ability to adhere and spread on fibrinogen to study the role of integrin cytoplasmic domains in initiation of cell spreading and focal adhesions. The same constructs were also used to analyze the role of the cytoplasmic domains in maintenance of the fidelity of the integrin repertoire at focal adhesions. Truncation mutants of the cytoplasmic domain of alpha IIb did not interfere with the ability of alpha IIb beta 3 to initiate cell spreading and form focal adhesions. Nevertheless, deletion of the alpha IIb cytoplasmic domain allowed indiscriminate recruitment of alpha IIb beta 3 to focal adhesions formed by other integrins. Truncation of the beta 3 subunit cytoplasmic domain abolished cell spreading mediated by alpha IIb beta 3 and also abrogated recruitment of alpha IIb beta 3 to focal adhesions. This truncation also dramatically impaired the ability of alpha IIb beta 3 to mediate the contraction of fibrin gels. In contrast, the beta 3 subunit cytoplasmic truncation did not reduce the fibrinogen binding affinity of alpha IIb beta 3. Thus, the integrin beta 3 subunit cytoplasmic domain is necessary and sufficient for initiation of cell spreading and focal adhesion formation. Further, the beta 3 cytoplasmic domain is required for the transmission of intracellular contractile forces to fibrin gels. The alpha subunit cytoplasmic domain maintains the fidelity of recruitment of the integrins to focal adhesions and thus regulates their repertoire of integrins.     

A correlation between membrane cholesterol level, cell adhesion and tumourigenicity of polyoma virus transformed cells

We have investigated the implications of the rise in membrane cholesterol levels on several in vitro and in vivo properties of polyoma virus transformed rat fibroblasts (PyF), with a special emphasis on alpha5beta1 integrin functions. We show that increased membrane cholesterol causes the PyF cells to change their shape and become more bipolar in appearance. These cells also show significantly higher adhesion to the cell-binding domain of fibronectin, increased localization of alpha5beta1 integrin and talin molecules in focal adhesions and a more robust actin cytoskeleton organization. PyF cells with increased membrane cholesterol show reduced growth in vitro and tumours caused by these cells in nude mice are slow growing. These changes in the growth properties of PyF cells are reversible when the cholesterol levels of PyF cells become normal. Our results suggest that changes in membrane cholesterol levels influence the growth and morphological properties of transformed cells, which can be exploited in controlling the growth of tumours in vivo.     

Enterophilin-1 interacts with focal adhesion kinase and decreases beta1 integrins in intestinal Caco-2 cells

Intestinal cell growth and differentiation are tightly regulated by growth factors and extracellular matrix components along the crypt-villus axis. We previously described enterophilin-1 (Ent-1) as a new intestinal protein associated with growth arrest and enterocyte differentiation. Ent-1 interacted with sorting nexin 1 and decreased cell surface epidermal growth factor receptor. Because beta(1) integrins are mostly found in vivo in the proliferative crypt cells, we investigated the role of Ent-1 in the fate of beta(1) integrin subunits. In undifferentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells, overexpression of Ent-1 induces a marked decrease of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin pools, whereas alpha(2)beta(1) integrin is weakly affected. Conversely, overexpression of sorting nexin 1 has no effect on integrin levels despite its ability to interact with Ent-1. Interestingly, we identified focal adhesion kinase as a new Ent-1 partner using yeast two-hybrid screening and co-precipitation experiments. Furthermore by confocal microscopy, we observed that Ent-1 and beta(1) integrins partly co-localize on vesicular structures, suggesting a role for Ent-1 in integrin trafficking. Because focal adhesion kinase is able to bind both Ent-1 and beta(1) integrins, the kinase might act as a molecular bridge between the two proteins. Altogether, these results support a role of Ent-1 in regulating beta(1) integrin expression that could favor intestinal differentiation.     

Beta1 integrin antisense oligodeoxynucleotides: utility in controlling osteoclast function.

The involvement of beta1 integrins in osteoclast function has been investigated by utilising an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) approach. 18-mer antisense and control phosphorothioate ODNs were made to a conserved internal region of beta1 integrin sequence (nucleotide positions 1634-1651 of the human beta1 fibronectin receptor). These were tested on rabbit osteoclasts for anti-adhesive and resorptive effects mediated by alphaVbeta3 and alpha2beta1, the major integrins of osteoclasts. Antisense, but not control, beta1 ODNs inhibited osteoclast adhesion to collagen-coated glass (by up to 70%), but not to glass coated with vitronectin, fibronectin or fibrinogen. Adhesion to dentine and subsequent resorption were also inhibited (up to 60%) in a sequence-specific manner. The mechanism of action was verified using both a melanoma cell line, DX3, which expresses multiple integrins at high level including alphaVbeta3 and alpha2beta1, and in a rabbit osteoclast marrow culture (BMC) system. Exposure of DX3 cells to antisense ODN for up to 48 hours reduced adhesion to FCS- and collagen-coated glass, and concomitantly inhibited beta1 protein expression assessed by FACS and Western blot analysis; expression of other integrin subunits, alphaV and beta3, was unaffected. Similarly, the beta1 protein levels in the BMC were reduced by > 75% without any effect on actin expression. These data reveal the utility of antisense ODNs in exploring osteoclast biology and further define the functional role of osteoclastic beta1 integrin(s).     

Possible role of ILK-affixin complex in integrin-cytoskeleton linkage during platelet aggregation

Integrin-mediated adhesion induces the formation of focal adhesions that link the extracellular matrix and intracellular actin cytoskeletal networks. We previously showed that integrin-linked kinase (ILK), which can interact with beta1 and beta3 integrins, and its interacting protein, affixin, play an essential role in the initial assembly of focal adhesion structures and actin stress fibers. Although the relevant structures are also observed in integrin alphaIIbbeta3 in platelets, the precise underlying molecular mechanism remains unclarified. Here, we found that ILK stably forms a complex with ss-affixin in platelets. Thrombin stimulation induces their association with integrin beta3, which is followed by their incorporation into the Triton-insoluble membrane-cytoskeletal fraction. During the course of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, ILK activity was enhanced within 90s to 2.1-fold of the basal level, independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Taken together with the observation that the treatment with an anti-integrin beta3 antibody stimulates ILK activity without inducing platelet aggregation, these results suggest that the outside-in signaling induced by fibrinogen binding to integrin enhances ILK activity and results in the initial phase to reorganize the actin cytoskeleton.     

Down-regulation of the expression of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase V promotes integrin beta1 maturation

In previous study, we have shown that beta1,4-galactosyltransferase V (GalT V) functions as a positive growth regulator in glioma. Here, we reported that down-regulation of the expression of GalT V in SHG44 cells by transfection with antisense cDNA specifically up-regulated the expression of cell surface integrin beta1 without the change of its mRNA, and with integrin beta1 125 kDa mature form increased and 105 kDa precursor form decreased. It is well known that the N-glycans of integrins modulate the location and functions of integrins. The SHG44 cells transfected with antisense cDNA of GalT V demonstrated decreased Golgi localization of integrin beta1, strengthened the interaction between integrin alpha5 and beta1 subunit, and enhanced the adhesion ability to fibronectin and the level of focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. Our results suggested that the down-regulation of the expression of GalT V could promote the expression of cell surface integrin beta1 and subsequently inhibit glioma malignant phenotype.