Interaction of the 70,000-mol-wt amino-terminal fragment of fibronectin with the matrix-assembly receptor of fibroblasts

Plasma fibronectin binds saturably and reversibly to substrate-attached fibroblasts and is subsequently incorporated into the extracellular matrix (McKeown-Longo, P.J., and D. F. Mosher, 1983, J. Cell Biol., 97:466-472). We examined whether fragments of fibronectin are processed in a similar way. The amino-terminal 70,000-mol-wt catheptic D fragment of fibronectin bound reversibly to cell surfaces with the same affinity as intact fibronectin but did not become incorporated into extracellular matrix. The 70,000-mol-wt fragment blocked binding of intact fibronectin to cell surfaces and incorporation of intact fibronectin into extracellular matrix. Binding of the 70,000-mol-wt fragment to cells was partially abolished by cleavage into 27,000-mol-wt heparin-binding and 40,000-mol-wt gelatin-binding fragments and more completely abolished by reduction and alkylation of disulfide bonds. Binding of the 70,000-mol-wt fragment to cells was not blocked by gelatin or heparin. When coated onto plastic, the 70,000-mol-wt fragment did not mediate attachment and spreading of suspended fibroblasts. Conversely, fibronectin fragments that had attachment and spreading activity did not block binding of exogenous fibronectin to substrate-attached cells. These results indicate that there is a cell binding site in the 70,000-mol-wt fragment that is distinct from the previously described cell attachment site and is required for assembly of exogenous fibronectin into extracellular matrix.     

Multiple mechanisms of dissociated epidermal cell spreading

To test the possibility that epidermal cells use a common basement membrane protein whenever they spread, in vitro experiments were conducted using trypsin-dissociated guinea pig epidermal cells and the following proteins: human serum, bovine serum albumin, serum fibronectin, Type IV collagen, laminin, and epibolin (a recently described serum glycoprotein which supports epidermal cell spreading; Stenn, K.S., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:6907.). When the cells were added to media containing the specific proteins, all the tested proteins, except for serum albumin, supported cell spreading. Added to protein-coated substrates in defined media, the cells spread on fibronectin, epibolin, and laminin-Type IV collagen, but not on albumin or whole serum. In none of these experiments were the results qualitatively affected by the presence of cycloheximide. Antibodies to a specific protein blocked cell spreading on that protein but not on the other active proteins, e.g. whereas antibodies to epibolin blocked cell spreading on epibolin, they did not affect spreading on fibronectin, collagen, or laminin. In a second assay in which the cells were allowed to adhere to tissue culture plastic before the protein-containing medium was added, the cells spread only if the medium contained epibolin. Moreover, under these conditions the spreading activity of whole serum and plasma was neutralized by antiepibolin antibodies. These results support the conclusion that dissociated epidermal cells possess multiple spreading modes which depend, in part, on the proteins of the substrate, proteins of the medium, and the sequence of cell adhesion and protein exposure.     

Vitronectin production by human yolk sac carcinoma cells resembling parietal endoderm

Normal mesenchymal cells, normal epithelial cells and many transformed epithelial cells require serum attachment factors and extracellular matrix proteins for growth and differentiation in vitro, and recent evidence strongly supports a role for extracellular matrix molecules in the regulation of cell movement in vivo during early embryogenesis. We previously described the isolation and characterization of cell lines representative of three types of stem cells most commonly found in human adult testicular teratomas, namely embryonal carcinoma cells, yolk sac carcinoma cells resembling visceral endoderm and yolk sac carcinoma cells resembling parietal endoderm (endodermal sinus tumour cells). Of these three cell types, only endodermal sinus tumour cells, which show particularly malignant behaviour in vivo, have no serum requirement for attachment and growth in vitro. Supernatants from endodermal sinus tumour cells support the attachment of embryonal carcinoma cells in serum-free medium. We demonstrate here that endodermal sinus tumour cells, but not other cell types isolated from testicular teratomas, secrete the serum attachment protein, vitronectin (also known as serum-spreading factor, S-protein or epibolin), as well as fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen, into serum-free medium. Purified vitronectin from medium conditioned by endodermal sinus tumour cells supported both attachment and spreading of embryonal carcinoma cells in vitro, whereas cells attached but did not spread properly on surfaces coated with fibronectin or laminin. Peptides containing the RGD cell recognition sequence common to many attachment proteins blocked attachment of endodermal sinus tumour cells to untreated tissue-culture plastic in serum-free medium. The results suggest a possible role for vitronectin in regulating cell motility and growth in early development, and in the invasion and spread of teratomas in vivo.     

Tissue fibronectin is an endogenous ligand for galectin-1

A 14K ß-galactoside-binding lecttn (galectin-1) ispresent in many animal tissues. In a search for endogenous ligands,we surveyed galectin-1-binding proteins in human placenta. Extractof human placenta with 2 M urea was applied to a Sepharose 4Bcolumn conjugated with galectin-1 purified from frog (Rana catesbeiana)eggs. Two major proteins eluted with 100 mM lactose from thecolumn-bound fraction showed apparent molecular masses of 220and 180 kDa on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Western blottinganalysis using monoclonal antibodies indicated that these proteinswere fibronectin and laminin, respectively. Most placenta] andamniotic fibronectins bound strongly to the column, whereasalmost all plasma fibronectin passed through the column. Thegalectin-1, fibronectin and laminin were immunohistochemicallyshown to be co-localized in the extracellular matrix of placentaltissue. In a cell attachment assay, rhabdosarcoma cells adheredto a plate coated with placental fibronectin, even in the presenceof GRGDS peptide, if galectin-1 were also present This adhesiveeffect of galectin-1 was inhibited by lactose. These resultsindicate that tissue fibronectin, as well as laminin, serveas endogenous ligands for galectin-1, suggesting that galectin-1may play a role in assembly of the extracellular matrix, orin the control of cell adhesion based on lectin-extracellularmatrix interaction. extracellular matrix fibronectin galectin laminin placenta     

Identification of two distinct regions of the type III connecting segment of human plasma fibronectin that promote cell type-specific adhesion

The principal region of the human plasma fibronectin molecule mediating the adhesion of melanoma cells appears to be the alternatively spliced type III connecting segment (IIICS (Humphries, M. J., Akiyama, S. K., Komoriya, A., Olden, K., and Yamada, K. M. (1986a) J. Cell Biol., in press]. A series of overlapping synthetic peptides spanning the entire IIICS (CS peptides) were examined for their effects on B16-F10 melanoma cell adhesion to the parent fibronectin molecule. Two nonadjacent CS peptides, designated CS1 and CS5, were inhibitory. In contrast, neither inhibited fibronectin-mediated spreading of fibroblastic baby hamster kidney cells. When N-terminal cysteine derivatives of the CS peptides were conjugated to IgG by covalent cross-linking with N-succinimidyl-3(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, both the CS1 and CS5 conjugates promoted B16-F10 melanoma cell spreading. All conjugates were inactive for spreading of baby hamster kidney cells, confirming the cell type specificity of the IIICS adhesion site. Determination of the amounts of CS peptide required to support melanoma cell adhesion revealed that the activity of CS1 was only 2.4-fold lower than that of the intact fibronectin molecule. CS5 was approximately 320-fold less active than fibronectin, suggesting that the CS1 region may be the major site of interaction with the melanoma cell surface. The adhesion-promoting activities of CS1-IgG and CS5-IgG were additive as were the inhibitory activities of the free peptides for B16-F10 cell spreading on fibronectin. These findings suggest that both regions of the IIICS can function separately or together in mediating the interaction of melanoma cells with fibronectin. Since CS1 and CS5 are each found in separate alternatively spliced regions of the IIICS, it is conceivable that the adhesion-promoting activity of fibronectin for different cell types may be under complex regulation.     

Localization and chemical synthesis of fibronectin peptides with melanoma adhesion and heparin binding activities

Tumor cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is an important consideration in tumor metastasis. Recent results show that multiple adhesion-promoting domains for melanoma cells can be purified from proteolytic digests of fibronectin [McCarthy, J. B., Hagen, S. T., & Furcht, L. T. (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 179-188]. Monoclonal antibodies were generated against a tryptic/catheptic 33K heparin binding fragment of fibronectin derived from the carboxyl terminal of the A chain. This region contains a tumor cell adhesion-promoting domain(s). The amino-terminal sequence was determined for this fragment, as well as a tryptic 31K fragment which is located to the carboxyl-terminal side of the 33K heparin binding fragment in A chains of fibronectin. The partial sequence data demonstrate that arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) or the related arginyl-glutamyl-aspartyl-valine (REDV) is not present in the 33K heparin binding fragment, confirming earlier results which demonstrated that cells adhere to this fragment by an RGDS-independent mechanism. Two monoclonal antibodies, termed AHB-1 and AHB-2, recognized epitopes common to heparin binding fragments derived from the carboxyl terminus of both the A and B chains of fibronectin. Monoclonal antibody AHB-2 inhibited melanoma adhesion to the 33K heparin binding fragment of fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas monoclonal antibody AHB-1 had no effect on adhesion to this fragment. Neither monoclonal antibody inhibited adhesion to intact fibronectin. However, monoclonal AHB-2 potentiated the inhibitory effect of suboptimal levels of exogenous RGDS on cell adhesion to intact fibronectin. AHB-2 recognized an epitope common to both the A- and B-chain carboxyl-terminal heparin binding region of fibronectin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fibronectin-plasma membrane interaction in the adhesion of hemopoietic cells

Many hemopoietic cell lines were examined for their ability to adhere to culture dishes coated with extracellular matrix proteins. Adhesion assay was performed with murine and human leukemic cell lines representative of different stages of differentiation along both erythroid and myeloid lineages. All the hemopoietic cell lines tested adhered to fibronectin but not to laminin, types I, III, and IV collagen, serum-spreading factor, and cartilage proteoglycans. In addition to immortalized cell lines, immature erythroid and myeloid mouse bone marrow cells adhered to fibronectin. To define the fibronectin region involved in hemopoietic cell adhesion, proteolytic fragments, monoclonal antibodies, and synthetic peptides were used. Among different fibronectin fragments tested, only a 110-kD polypeptide, corresponding to the fibroblast attachment domain, was active in promoting adhesion. Moreover, a monoclonal antibody to the cell binding site located within this domain prevented hemopoietic cell adhesion. Finally, the tetrapeptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, which corresponds to the fibronectin sequence recognized by fibroblastic cells, specifically and competitively inhibited attachment of hemopoietic cells to this molecule. The cell surface molecule involved in the interaction of mouse hemopoietic cells with fibronectin was identified as a 145,000-D membrane glycoprotein by adhesion-blocking antibodies. This glycoprotein was found to be antigenically and functionally related to the GP135 membrane glycoprotein involved in the adhesion of fibroblasts to fibronectin (Giancotti, F. G., P. M. Comoglio, and G. Tarone, 1986, Exp. Cell Res., 163:47-62). On the basis of these data, we conclude that interaction of hemopoietic cells with fibronectin involves a specific fibronectin sequence and a 145,000-D cell surface glycoprotein. We speculate that this property might be relevant for the interaction of hemopoietic cells with the bone marrow stroma, which represents the natural site of hemopoiesis.     

Adhesion of human amnion epithelial cells to extracellular matrix : Evidence for multiple mechanisms

Human amnion epithelial cells attach and flatten slowly (approximately 65 min) onto plastic in the presence of serum but much more rapidly (20-30 min) onto subcellular matrix (SCM) deposited by the same cells. This matrix contains both fibronectin and laminin, but neither molecule on its own can reproduce its adhesive properties. Cells attach on surfaces containing fibronectin and laminin and extend filopodial and lamellipodial areas of cytoplasm without extensive flattening in the perinuclear region. Matrix deposited onto plastic by amnion epithelial cells has trypsin-sensitive and trypsin-resistant, papain-sensitive adhesion-promoting components. Cell spreading triggered by the latter but not the former can be inhibited by pretreating the adhering cells with heparin. Other GAGs are without effect. The results are discussed in terms of multiple interactions between epithelial cells and basal laminae.     

Inhibition of murine melanoma cell-matrix adhesion and experimental metastasis by albolabrin, an RGD-containing peptide isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus albolabris

Albolabrin, a 7.5-kDa cysteine-rich protein isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus albolabris, contains the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) cell recognition sequence found in many cell adhesion-promoting extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin and laminin. Albolabrin belongs to a family of RGD-containing peptides, termed disintegrins, recently isolated from the venom of various vipers and discovered to be potent inhibitors of both platelet aggregation and cell-substratum adhesion. Here we report that albolabrin inhibited the attachment of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells to either fibronectin or laminin absorbed on plastic. When immobilized on plastic, albolabrin promoted B16-F10 melanoma cell attachment; this was inhibited by either RGD-serine (RGDS) or antibodies to integrins, suggesting that albolabrin binds via its RGD amino sequence to integrin receptors expressed on the melanoma cell surface. In an in vivo experimental metastasis system, albolabrin at a concentration of 300-600 nM inhibited C57BL/6 mouse lung colonization by tail vein-injected mouse melanoma cells and was at least 2000 times more active than RGDS in this assay. We propose that albolabrin inhibits tumor cell metastasis by inhibiting integrin-mediated attachment of melanoma cells to RGD-containing components of the extracellular matrix in the mouse lung.     

Type XVII collagen (BP180) can function as a cell−matrix adhesion molecule via binding to laminin 332

Collagen XVII (COL17) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed on the basal surface of basal epidermal keratinocytes. Previous observations have led to the hypothesis that an interaction between COL17 and laminin 332, an extracellular matrix protein, contributes to the attachment of the basal keratinocyte to the basement membrane. In order to isolate and manipulate COL17 interactions with ECM components, we induced COL17 expression in two cells lines, SK-MEL1 and K562, that exhibit little or no capacity to attach to our test substrates, including laminin 332, types I and IV collagen, and fibronectin. Cells expressing high levels of COL17 preferentially adhered to a laminin 332 matrix, and, to a lesser extent, type IV collagen, while showing little or no binding to type I collagen or fibronectin. A quantitative analysis of cell adhesive forces revealed that, compared with COL17-negative cells, COL17-positive cells required over 7-fold greater force to achieve 50% detachment from a laminin 332 substrate. When a cell preparation (either K562 or SK-MEL1) with heterogeneous COL17 expression levels was allowed to attach to a laminin 332 matrix, the COL17-positive and COL17-negative cells differentially sorted to the bound and unbound cell fractions, respectively. COL17-dependent attachment to laminin 332 could be reduced or abolished by siRNA-mediated knock-down of COL17 expression or by adding to the assay wells specific antibodies against COL17 or laminin 332. These findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that cell surface COL17 can interact with laminin 332 and, together, participate in the adherence of a cell to the extracellular matrix.     

Entactin forms a complex with fibronectin and co-localizes in the extracellular matrix of the embryonal carcinoma-derived 4CQ cell line

A novel extracellular matrix that consists of a complex of fibronectin and entactin was synthesized by the embryonal carcinoma-derived cell line 4CQ. The matrix was devoid of laminin. High steady state levels of the messenger RNAs for fibronectin, entactin, and the B2 chain of laminin were detected in these cells. Laminin B1 message was several fold lower while laminin A chain message was undetectable. In contrast, in the sister embryonal carcinoma-derived cell M1536-B3 there were high levels of message for all three chains of laminin and for entactin but very little for fibronectin. The data suggest that the synthesis and deposition of laminin and fibronectin are inversely related. The direct binding of entactin and fibronectin was also demonstrated by affinity column chromatography and solid phase assay.     

Fluoride modifies adhesion of Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes grown in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of sodium fluoride had a diminished ability, compared to control cells, to adhere to buccal cells, collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. In addition, sodium fluoride was a competitive inhibitor of streptococcal adhesion to collagen and fibronectin, but not laminin. It is suggested that sodium fluoride may be useful in therapy or prophylaxis in infections involving group A streptococci.     

Fibrillar organization of fibronectin is expressed coordinately with cell surface gangliosides in a variant murine fibroblast

NCTC 2071A cells, a line of transformed murine fibroblasts, grow in serum-free medium, are deficient in gangliosides, synthesize fibronectin, but do not retain and organize it on the cell surface. When the cells are exposed to exogenous gangliosides, fibrillar strands of fibronectin become attached to the cell surface. A morphologically distinct variant of NCTC 2071A cells was observed to both retain cell surface fibronectin and organize it into a fibrillar network when the cells were stained with anti-fibronectin antibodies and a fluorescent second antibody. A revertant cell type appeared to resemble the parental NCTC 2071A cells in terms of morphology and fibronectin organization. All three cell types were subjected to mild NaIO4 oxidation and reduction with KB3H4 of very high specific radioactivity in order to label the sialic acid residues of surface gangliosides. The variant had much more surface gangliosides than the parental, particularly more complex gangliosides corresponding to GM1 and GD1a. The surface gangliosides of the revertant were intermediate between the parental and the variant. By using sialidase, which hydrolyzes GD1a to GM1, and 125I-labeled cholera toxin, which binds specifically to GM1, the identity and levels of these gangliosides were confirmed in the three cell types. When variant cells were exposed to sialidase for 2 d, there appeared to be little change in fibronectin organization. Concomitant treatment of the cells with the B subunit of cholera toxin, which bound to all the surface GM1 including that generated by the sialidase, however, eliminated the fibrillar network of fibronectin. In addition, exposure of the variant cells to a 70,000-mol-wt fragment of fibronectin, which lacks the cell attachment domain but contains a matrix assembly domain, inhibited the formation of fibers. Finally, all three cell types were assayed for their ability to attach to and spread on fibronectin-coated surfaces; no significant differences were found. Our results further establish that the ability of a cell to organize fibronectin into an extracellular matrix is dependent on certain gangliosides, but they also indicate that cell adhesion to fibronectin is independent of these gangliosides. We suggest that matrix organization and cell attachment and spreading are based on separate mechanisms and that these functions are associated with different cell surface "receptors."     

Tenascin-C induction by the diffusible factor epidermal growth factor in stromal-epithelial interactions

Tenascin-C, a six-armed extracellular matrix glycoprotein, is expressed in a temporally and spatially restricted pattern during carcinogenesis and invasion or metastasis of carcinoma cells in association with stromal-epithelial interactions. The human epidermoid carcinoma-derived cell lines, A431 and HEp-2, which do not express tenascin-C by themselves in vitro, do express tenascin-C after transplantation into nude mice, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) induces them to express tenascin-C in vitro. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced tenascin-C in these cells more effectively (about 3.5-fold greater) than did TGF-β1. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) had little effect on the induction of tenascin-C. EGF also induced other extracellular matrix components, fibronectin and laminin. Tenascin-C was also induced when the carcinoma cells were co-cultured with embryonic fibroblasts from mice which were homozygous for a null mutation in the tenascin-C gene, or when the conditioned medium from these cells was added. The induction of tenascin-C in the co-culture was reduced by treating the cells with antibodies against EGF or its receptor. The addition of EGF caused both cell types to disrupt their cytoskeleton and focal contacts as evidenced by the loss of stress fibers and vinculin plaques. EGF did neither induce tenascin-C nor affect the morphology in tenascin-C-nonproducing A549 carcinoma cells, which did not produce tenascin-C after transplantation. Thus, EGF induces tenascin-C in tenascin-C-nonproducing human carcinoma cells through EGF receptors. Furthermore, in stromalepithelial interactions, the diffusible factor EGF participates in the induction of human tenascin-C in these cells through EGF receptors. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Changes in the vascular extracellular matrix during embryonic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis

We have previously characterized monoclonal antibodies against chick brain cells. One of them (14-2B2) brightly stained all capillaries in frozen sections of chick brain. Here we show that this antibody is directed against chick fibronectin. Using this antibody and polyclonal antibodies against laminin, we have studied the development of the vascular extracellular matrix. Vasculogenesis, the development of capillaries from in situ differentiating endothelial cells, was studied in yolk sac blood islands and intraembryonic dorsal aorta. Blood islands produced high levels of fibronectin but not laminin. Early intraembryonic capillaries all expressed fibronectin but little if any laminin. The dorsal aorta of a 6-day-old chick embryo has several layers of fibronectin-producing cells, but is devoid of laminin. Laminin expression commenced at Day 8 and by Day 10 an adult-like distribution was found in the aortic vascular wall. Angiogenesis, the formation of capillaries from preexisting vessels, was studied during brain development. Capillary sprouts invading the neuroectoderm at Embryonic Day 4 migrated in a fibronectin-rich matrix devoid of laminin. Ultrastructural immunolocalization demonstrated the presence of fibronectin exclusively on the abluminal site of the endothelial cells. Beginning on Day 6, laminin codistributed with fibronectin in brain capillaries. We conclude that immature capillaries migrate and proliferate in a fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix, which is subsequently remodeled acquiring basement membrane-like characteristics. We suggest that laminin expression is an early indication of vascular maturation.     

RGD-independent cell adhesion to the carboxy-terminal heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin involves heparin-dependent and -independent activities

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin has a complex basis, involving multiple determinants on the molecule that react with discrete cell surface macromolecules. Our previous results have demonstrated that normal and transformed cells adhere and spread on a 33-kD heparin binding fragment that originates from the carboxy-terminal end of particular isoforms (A-chains) of human fibronectin. This fragment promotes melanoma adhesion and spreading in an arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) independent manner, suggesting that cell adhesion to this region of fibronectin is independent of the typical RGD/integrin-mediated binding. Two synthetic peptides from this region of fibronectin were recently identified that bound [3H]heparin in a solid-phase assay and promoted the adhesion and spreading of melanoma cells (McCarthy, J. B., M. K. Chelberg, D. J. Mickelson, and L. T. Furcht. 1988. Biochemistry. 27:1380-1388). The current studies further define the cell adhesion and heparin binding properties of one of these synthetic peptides. This peptide, termed peptide I, has the sequence YEKPGSP-PREVVPRPRPGV and represents residues 1906-1924 of human plasma fibronectin. In addition to promoting RGD-independent melanoma adhesion and spreading in a concentration-dependent manner, this peptide significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment or intact fibronectin. Polyclonal antibodies generated against peptide I also significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the peptide, to the 33-kD fragment, but had minimal effect on melanoma adhesion to fibronectin. Anti-peptide I antibodies also partially inhibited [3H]heparin binding to fibronectin, suggesting that peptide I represents a major heparin binding domain on the intact molecule. The cell adhesion activity of another peptide from the 33-kD fragment, termed CS1 (Humphries, M. J., A. Komoriya, S. K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K. M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem., 262:6886-6892) was contrasted with peptide I. Whereas both peptides promoted RGD-independent cell adhesion, peptide CS1 failed to bind heparin, and exogenous peptide CS1 failed to inhibit peptide I-mediated cell adhesion. The results demonstrate a role for distinct heparin-dependent and -independent cell adhesion determinants on the 33-kD fragment, neither of which are related to the RGD-dependent integrin interaction with fibronectin.     

Association of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans of Schwann cells with extracellular matrix proteins

The terminal differentiation of Schwann cells is dependent on contact with basement membrane. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in mediating Schwann cell responses to extracellular matrix contact. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-releasable cell surface HSPGs purified from cultures of neonatal rat Schwann cells were subjected to affinity chromatography on immobilized laminin and fibronectin. Binding of the HSPG to both affinity matrices was observed. The strength of the association, however, was sensitive to the ionic strength of the buffer. In 0.1 M Tris-HCl, HSPG binding was essentially irreversible whereas in physiological ionic strength buffer (e.g. 0.142 M NaCl, 10 mM Tris), weaker binding was detected as a delay in elution of the HSPG from the affinity columns. Further studies of HSPG-laminin binding suggested that the binding was mediated by the glycosaminoglycan chains of the proteoglycans. Results of equilibrium gel filtration chromatography provided additional evidence for a reversible association of the HSPG and laminin with a Kd of approximately 1 x 10(-6) M. When Schwann cells were plated on plastic dishes coated with laminin, the cells attached and extended long slender processes. Inclusion of heparin, but not chondroitin sulfate, in the assay medium resulted in partial inhibition of process extension, but at concentrations of heparin which were higher than that needed to disrupt laminin-HSPG association in vitro. Addition of anti-integrin receptor antibodies resulted in more extensive inhibition of laminin-dependent process extension. Anti-integrin antibodies plus heparin essentially totally inhibited laminin-dependent process extension. These results demonstrate that cell surface HSPGs are capable of reversible association with extracellular matrix molecules and suggest that HSPG-laminin interactions play a role in laminin-dependent Schwann cell spreading.     

Contribution of alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4 integrins and 67 kDa laminin receptor to the interaction of epidermoid carcinoma A-431 cells with laminin-2/4

Laminin-2/4 is the major laminin isoform of normal muscle and nerve tissues and plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Despite the fact that laminin-2/4 has been found in the skin basement membrane, insufficient evidence is available on the effect of laminin-2/4 on the behavior of both normal and transformed skin cells. A comparison of the contribution of alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4 integrins and 67 kDa laminin receptor on the surface of the human epidermoid carcinoma cell, A-431, to interaction with laminin-2/4 was carried out. The cell interaction with extracellular matrix component is a multistage process. We employed new methods for studying different stages of the interaction of A-431 cells with laminin-2/4. We demonstrated that integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta4 and 67 kDa laminin receptor are involved in the interaction of A-431 cells with laminin-2/4. We found that contribution of the same receptors to different stages of the interaction with laminin can be different. alpha2beta1 integrins are involved in EGF-induced A-431 cells' migration on laminin-2/4. We demonstrated the cooperation between alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 integrins during adhesion and spreading of A-431 cells on laminin-2/4-coated substrate. These results provide information about laminin-2/4 receptors and their contribution to different stages of the interaction with cells.     

Expression of fibronectin and laminin by different types of mouse glial cells cultured in a serum-free medium

The expression of fibronectin and laminin by cultured glial cells was studied. The glial culture from neonatal mouse cerebra maintained in a chemically defined, serum-free medium consisted of type-1 astrocytes, oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes. Double-labelling immunofluorescent experiments performed using the mixed glial culture indicated that fibronectin and laminin are expressed in different patterns among the glial subtypes. The staining intensities with anti-fibronectin or anti-laminin antibodies decreased in the order: type-1 astrocytes, O-2A progenitor cells and type-2 astrocytes. Both molecules were deposited in a fibrillar matrix underneath type-1 astrocytes, whereas only intracytoplasmic localization of these molecules was observed with O-2A progenitor cells and type-2 astrocytes. Western blot analysis showed that glial fibronectin has a slightly higher molecular weight than mouse plasma fibronectin (230 kDa) and that glial laminin is a variant with a 220 kDa B chain present and the 400 kDa A chain missing. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), these molecules were detected in the glial extracellular matrix at the concentration of 4 ng/10⁶ cells. A large amount of fibronectin (82 ng/10⁶ cells) was secreted into the culture medium, while secretion of laminin was not detected.     

Morphology of epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells spread on immobilized ligands

Cell interaction with extracellular matrix is a multi-step process characterized by cell attachment to substrata with subsequent cell spreading accompanied by actin cytoskeleton and cellular membrane receptor reorganization. It has been shown elsewhere that epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, spread on solid substrata coated with fibronectin, laminin-2/4 or antibodies to EGF receptor, form specific actin filament structures typical for each particular ligand. Here quantitative analysis of heterogeneous A431 cell population spread on the above ligands has been reported. Cells were subdivided into morphological classes, according to their shape and actin filament structure, and the relationship among classes under various experimental conditions were quantitatively estimated for every ligand. We studied the influence of cell detachment pattern, short-term and long-term starvation, and cell incubation in suspended state in the medium before plating on the cell population composition. It was possible to recognize the modal morphological class of cells with typical actin cytoskeleton structure dominating for the ligand in the population. Long-term starvation and incubation in suspension before cell spreading are considered as the crucial experimental parameters leading to dramatic changes in cell population.