Tumor necrosis factor and CD11/CD18 (beta 2) integrins act synergistically to lower cAMP in human neutrophils

The ability of neutrophils (PMN) to undergo a prolonged respiratory burst in response to cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) depends on expression of CD11/CD18 (beta 2) integrins and interaction with matrix protein-coated surfaces (Nathan, C., S. Srimal, C. Farber, E. Sanchez, L. Kabbash, A. Asch, J. Gailit, and S. D. Wright. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:1341-1349). We tested the hypothesis that changes in cAMP mediate the joint action of cytokines and integrins. When plated on FBS- or fibrinogen-coated surfaces, PMN responded to TNF with a sustained fall in intracellular cAMP. This did not occur without TNF; in suspended PMN; in PMN treated with anti-CD18 mAb; or in PMN genetically deficient in beta 2 integrins. A preceding fall in cAMP appeared essential for TNF to induce a respiratory burst, because drugs that elevate cAMP blocked the burst if added any time before, but not after, its onset. Adenosine analogues and cytochalasins also block the TNF-induced respiratory burst if added before, but not after, its onset. Both also blocked the TNF-induced fall in cAMP. The effect of cytochalasins led us to examine the relationship between cAMP and actin reorganization. The same conditions that led to a sustained fall in cAMP led at the same time to cell spreading and the assembly of actin filaments. As with the respiratory burst, cAMP-elevating agents inhibited TNF-induced cell spreading and actin filament assembly if added before, but not after, spreading began. Thus, occupation of TNF receptors and engagement of CD18 integrins interact synergistically in PMN to promote a fall in cAMP. The fall in cAMP is closely related to cell spreading and actin reorganization. These changes are necessary for TNF to induce a prolonged respiratory burst. We conclude that integrins can act jointly with cytokines to affect cell shape and function through alterations in the level of a second messenger, cAMP.     

Divalent cation substitution reveals CD18- and very late antigen-dependent pathways that mediate human neutrophil adherence to fibronectin.

We investigated the mechanisms by which Mn2+ alters human neutrophil (PMN) adherence to various connective tissue proteins. Substitution of Mn2+ for Ca2+ and Mg2+ significantly increased adhesion of human PMN to plastic well coated with fibronectin, fibrinogen, and laminin but not gelatin. Anti-CD18 mAb almost completely blocked adherence to laminin, partly blocked adherence to fibrinogen, but did not inhibit adhesion to fibronectin at all. In contrast, anti-very late antigen (VLA)-5 mAb antibodies significantly reduced Mn(2+)-mediated PMN adherence to fibronectin, but not to laminin or fibrinogen, demonstrating that VLA-5-mediated PMN adherence to fibronectin, but not to fibrinogen or laminin. This was supported by experiments in which synthetic GRGDSP peptide significantly inhibited Mn(2+)-mediated adherence to fibronectin, but not to laminin or fibrinogen. Activation of PMN with phorbol ester or C5a stimulated VLA-5-mediated adhesion to fibronectin, but the contribution of VLA-5 to the forces mediating adherence could only be detected when CD18 function was either blocked with mAb, or when CD18 was congenitally absent. VLA-5 mediated adhesion was also more transient than CD18-dependent adhesion. These data further confirm the presence of PMN VLA integrins and demonstrate that PMN VLA-5 contributes to stimulated PMN adherence to fibronectin.     

An immobile subset of plasma membrane CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) is involved in phagocytosis of targets recognized by multiple receptors

CD11b/CD18 is a heterodimeric leukocyte surface receptor which functions in both C3bi-ligand binding and homotypic and heterotypic cell adherence. We have examined the effect of several anti-CD11b/18 mAb on phagocytosis of IgG (EIgG) or complement (EC4b) opsonized erythrocytes by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes. F(ab')2 of two mAb (IB4, an anti-beta-chain mAb and Mo-1 an anti-alpha-chain mAb), inhibited both phagocytosis of EIgG and phorbol ester-stimulated phagocytosis of EC4b by PMN and monocytes. These F(ab')2 inhibited the binding of EIgG to monocytes, but they had no effect on binding of EIgG to PMN, or EC4b to either phagocyte. In addition, IB4 inhibited phorbol-ester stimulated phagocytosis of sheep E opsonized with C component 3bi (EC3bi) without inhibiting rosetting of these same targets. These data separate the anti-phagocytic effect of these mAb from effects on phagocyte-target adherence. When PMN were adherent to an anti-CD11b/CD18 F(ab')2-coated surface, EC3bi binding was abolished, but phagocytosis of EIgG or EC4b was unaffected. Subsequent addition of fluid- phase IB4 or Mo-1 F(ab')2 inhibited phagocytosis of EIgG or EC4b by the adherent cells. This suggested that the CD11b/CD18 involved in C3bi rosetting were mobile in the membrane, whereas those involved in phagocytosis of EIgG or EC4b were not. Cytochalasin treatment of PMN during adherence to F(ab')2-coated plates decreased both apical expression of CD11b/18 and subsequent ingestion of EIgG by 70%, suggesting that microfilaments are important in maintaining immobile CD11b/18 on the apical PMN surface. We conclude that there are functionally distinct populations of CD11b/CD18 on monocytes and PMN: one involved in C3bi rosetting and another involved in the process of phagocytosis mediated via several different receptors. CD11b/18 is not required for optimal target binding in all cases, but is always required for ingestion. As with several other integrins, the CD11b/18 molecules involved in phagocytosis have a functional association with the cell cytoskeleton.     

The CD11/CD18 (beta2) integrins modulate neutrophil caspase activation and survival following TNF-alpha or endotoxin induced transendothelial migration

Neutrophils (PMN) are short-lived cells but their survival is often prolonged in inflammation. The beta2 (CD11/CD18) integrins are involved in PMN migration into inflammation but their role in PMN survival is not well understood. We investigated the role of beta2 integrins in PMN caspase activation, a key enzyme cascade in apoptosis. After 20 h, caspase activation (Western blotting) was markedly decreased in PMN cultured on fibrinogen, a ligand for Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), but not on fibronectin or albumin. In the presence of TNF-alpha or endotoxin (LPS), blockade of CD18 (beta2 chain) with mAb markedly increased caspase activation in PMN on fibrinogen. PMN which migrated through endothelium in vitro in response to TNF-alpha, LPS, IL-1alpha, IL-8 or C5a contained 58% fewer active caspase positive PMN after 20 h than non-migrated PMN remaining on the endothelium. When beta2 (CD18) integrin or lymphocyte function antigen (LFA)-1 (CD11a) plus Mac1 (CD11b) were blocked by mAb (intact or Fab'), the proportion of migrated PMN (but not of non-migrated PMN) with active caspases was significantly increased (2-4-fold) and this was associated with accelerated PMN apoptosis and death. Thus, engagement of ligands on extracellular matrix and endothelium by the beta2 integrins Mac-1 and LFA-1 plays a role in delaying apoptosis in PMN recruited in response to LPS and TNF-alpha. Inhibition of beta2 integrin function may not only inhibit PMN infiltration, but also accelerate PMN clearance from inflamed tissue.     

Two leukocyte receptors (CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18) mediate transient adhesion to endothelium by binding to different ligands

Upon stimulation with C5a, TNF, or phorbol dibutyrate (PDB), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) exhibit first an increase then a decrease in adhesion to unstimulated endothelial cells (EC). Essentially all of this adhesion is mediated by the CD18 family of leukocyte integrins on PMN. To determine the individual roles of CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), CD11b/CD18 (CR3, Mac-1) and CD11c/CD18 (p150,95) in adhesion of PDB-stimulated PMN to unstimulated EC, mAb against the CD11 chains were used. mAb against CD11a or CD11b each blocked adhesion of PMN to EC by approximately 50%, but mAb against CD11c had no effect. Inasmuch as a combination of anti-CD11a and CD11b mAb completely blocked adhesion, it appears that CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18 make approximately equal contributions to binding, and CD11c does not participate. Anti-CD11a or CD11b each blocked adhesion by about 50% throughout the transient time course of PDB-stimulated adhesion, indicating that the capacity of each of these receptors to bind EC is transiently activated by PDB. We next examined the role of ICAM-1 on EC as a ligand for CD18. Two anti-ICAM-1 mAb (LB-2 and 84H10) each inhibited PMN adhesion in a dose-dependent fashion, reaching a maximal inhibition of approximately 50%. Anti-ICAM-1 mAb blocked the CD11a/CD18-dependent portion of adhesion because concomitant use of anti-CD11a and anti-ICAM-1 did not cause additive inhibition. In contrast, anti-CD11b plus anti-ICAM-1 resulted in complete blockade of adhesion. This result suggests that CD11a/CD18 recognizes ICAM-1 on EC, but CD11b/CD18 recognizes a different ligand(s). To determine if CD11b CD18 has the ability to recognize ICAM-1, human macrophages were plated on culture surfaces coated with purified ICAM-1. Interaction of CD11a/CD18 with the surface-bound ICAM-1 resulted in selective down-modulation of CD11a/CD18 from the apical portion of the macrophages. In contrast, ICAM-1-coated surfaces did not down-modulate CD11b/CD18. The data suggest that CD11b/CD18 does not recognize ICAM-1, and that this receptor functions in adhesion of PMN to EC by recognizing novel ligand(s) on EC.     

Complement receptor 3 (CR3, Mac-1, integrin alpha M beta 2, CD11b/CD18) is required for tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin in adherent and nonadherent neutrophils

Expression of the leukocyte (beta 2) integrins is required for many functions of activated neutrophils (PMN), even when there is no recognized ligand for any beta 2 integrin. To investigate the hypothesis that beta 2 integrins may be involved in a signal transduction pathway related to cytoskeletal reorganization, we examined whether beta 2 integrins have a role in tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin. Treatment of PMN in suspension with phorbol esters, f-Met-Leu-Phe, and TNF-alpha resulted in paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. However, treatment of beta 2-deficient (LAD) PMN failed to induce paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Normal PMN phosphorylated paxillin in response to adhesion to immune complexes, while the LAD PMN did not. Adhesion of phorbol ester activated-LAD PMN to the extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin, laminin, and vitronectin failed to induce paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Treatment of activated normal PMN with mAb directed against the beta 2 integrin alpha chains demonstrated that CR3 (alpha M beta 2) was required for paxillin phosphorylation. Transfection of the cell line K562 with CR3 confirmed that CR3 ligation resulted in paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. As a control, K562 transfected with CR2 (CD21) which bound equally avidly to the same complement C3-derived ligand (C3bi) as the CR3 transfectants, showed no enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin upon receptor ligation. While both CR2 and CR3 transfectants showed efficient adhesion to a C3bi-coated surface, only the CR3 transfectants spread during adhesion and phosphorylated paxillin. Together these data demonstrate that CR3 is required for paxillin phosphorylation during activation of both adherent and nonadherent PMN. Even PMN activated in suspension or by adhesion to immune complexes, when no CR3 ligand is apparent, still require CR3 for a signal transduction pathway leading to paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. This pathway is likely to be important for PMN function in inflammation and host defense.     

A role for beta(2) integrins (CD11/CD18) in the regulation of cytokine gene expression of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during the inflammatory response.

Growing evidence supports the idea that adhesion via beta(2) integrins not only allows cellular targeting, but also induces intracellular signaling, which in turn activates functional responses of adherent cells. This study investigates whether beta(2) integrin-mediated adhesion of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) has a functional impact on cytokine production. Aggregation of the beta(2) integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) by antibody cross-linking was found to induce substantial de novo synthesis of IL-8 mRNA as measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Northern blotting technique, respectively. Induction of IL-8 mRNA was also observed upon adhesion of PMN to immobilized fibrinogen, a functional equivalent of its clotting product fibrin that serves as a native ligand of Mac-1. Results were confirmed using PMN derived from CD18-deficient mice, which were unable to produce MIP-2 mRNA, a homologue of human IL-8, in the presence of immobilized fibrinogen. In contrast, a substantial increase of MIP-2 mRNA was observed when wild-type PMN were incubated on immobilized fibrinogen. In human PMN, ELISA technique showed that the gene activation that required tyrosine kinase activity resulted in a substantial production and secretion of biologically active IL-8 and IL-1beta. In contrast, no TNF-alpha or IL-6 production was found, revealing that beta(2) integrins mediate differential expression of proinflammatory cytokines. The biological relevance of the present findings was confirmed in an in vivo model of acute inflammation. Altogether, the present findings provide evidence for a functional link between clotting and inflammatory responses that may contribute to the recruitment and/or activation of PMN and other cells at sites of lesion.     

Adhesomes: specific granules containing receptors for laminin, C3bi/fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes

We have localized several major extracellular matrix protein receptors in the specific granules of human polymorphonuclear (PMN) and monocytic leukocytes using double label immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) with ultrathin frozen sections and colloidal-gold conjugates. Rabbit antibodies to 67-kD human laminin receptor (LNR) were located on the inner surface of the specific granule membrane and within its internal matrix. LNR antigens co-distributed with lactoferrin, a marker of specific granules, but did not co-localize with elastase in azurophilic granules of PMNs. Further, CD11b/CD18 (leukocyte receptor for C3bi, fibrinogen, endothelial cells, and endotoxin), mammalian fibronectin receptor (FNR), and vitronectin receptor (VNR) antigens were also co- localized with LNR in PMN specific granules. A similar type of granule was found in monocytes which stained for LNR, FNR, VNR, CD18, and lysozyme. Activation of PMNs with either PMA, f-met-leu-phe (fMLP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or monocytic leukocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induced fusion of specific granules with the cell membrane and expression of both LNR and CD18 antigens on the outer cell surface. Further, stimulation led to augmented PMN adhesion on LN substrata, and six- to eightfold increases in specific binding of soluble LN that was inhibited by LNR antibody. These results indicate that four types of extracellular matrix receptors are located in leukocyte specific granules, and suggest that up-regulation of these receptors during inflammation may mediate leukocyte adhesion and extravasation. We have thus termed leukocyte specific granules adhesomes.     

Adhesion of a chicken myeloblast cell line to fibrinogen and vitronectin through a beta 1-class integrin.

The adhesive interactions of circulating blood cells are tightly regulated, receptor-mediated events. To establish a model for studies on regulation of cell adhesion, we have examined the adhesive properties of the HD11 chick myeloblast cell line. Function-perturbing antibodies were used to show that integrins containing the beta 1 subunit mediate HD11 cell attachment to several distinct extracellular matrix proteins, specifically fibronectin, collagen, vitronectin, and fibrinogen. This is the first evidence that an integrin heterodimer in the beta 1 family functions as a receptor for fibrinogen. While the alpha v beta 1 heterodimer has been shown to function as a vitronectin receptor on some cells, this heterodimer could not be detected on HD11 cells. Instead, results suggest that the beta 1 subunit associates with different, unidentified alpha subunit(s) to form receptors for vitronectin and fibrinogen. Results using function-blocking antibodies also demonstrate that on these cells, additional receptors for vitronectin are formed by alpha v beta 3 and alpha v associated with an unidentified 100-kD beta subunit. The adhesive interactions of HD11 cells with these extracellular matrix ligands were shown to be regulated by lipopolysaccharide treatment, making the HD11 cell line attractive for studies of mechanisms regulating cell adhesion. In contrast to primary macrophage which rapidly exhibit enhanced adhesion to laminin and collagen upon activation, activated HD11 cells exhibited reduced adhesion to most extracellular matrix constituents.     

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.     

Generation of signals activating neutrophil functions by leukocyte integrins: LFA-1 and gp150/95, but not CR3, are able to stimulate the respiratory burst of human neutrophils

To address the question whether leukocyte integrins are able to generate signals activating neutrophil functions, we investigated the capability of mAbs against the common beta chain (CD18), or the distinct alpha chains of CR3, LFA-1, or gp150/95, to activate neutrophil respiratory burst. These investigations were performed with mAbs bound to protein A immobilized to tissue culture polystyrene. Neutrophils plated in wells coated with the anti-CD18 mAbs IB4 and 60.3 released H2O2; H2O2 release did not occur when neutrophils were plated in wells coated with an irrelevant, isotype-matched mAb (OKDR), or with mAbs against other molecules (CD16, beta 2-microglobulin) expressed on the neutrophil surface at the same density of CD18. Four different mAbs, OKM1, OKM9, OKM10, 60.1, which recognize distinct epitopes of CR3 were unable to trigger H2O2 or O2- release from neutrophils. However, mAbs against LFA-1 or gp150/95 triggered both H2O2 and O2- release from neutrophils. Stimulation of neutrophils respiratory burst by both anti-CD18, and anti-LFA-1 or gp150/95 mAbs was totally inhibited by the microfilaments disrupting agent, cytochalasin B, and by a permeable cAMP analogue. While the capability to activate neutrophil respiratory burst was restricted to anti-LFA-1 and gp150/95 mAbs, we observed that mAbs against all members of leukocyte integrins, including CR3, were able to trigger neutrophil spreading. These findings indicate that, in neutrophils, all three leukocyte integrins can generate signals activating spreading, but only LFA-1 and gp150/95 can generate signals involved in activation of the respiratory burst. This observation can be relevant to understand the mechanisms responsible for the activation of neutrophil respiratory burst by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which has been shown to be strictly dependent on expression of leukocyte integrins (Nathan, C., S. Srimal, C. Farber, E. Sanchez, L. Kabbash, A. Asch, J. Gailit, and S. Wright. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:13411349.     

Beta 2 integrin-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the FGR protein tyrosine kinase in human neutrophils

Stimulation of adherent human neutrophils (PMN) with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) triggers protein tyrosine phosphorylation (Fuortes, M., W. W. Jin, and C. Nathan. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 120:777-784). We investigated the dependence of this response on beta 2 integrins by using PMN isolated from a leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) patient, which do not express beta 2 integrins, and by plating PMN on surface bound anti-beta 2 (CD18) antibodies. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation increased in PMN plated on fibrinogen and this phosphorylation was enhanced by TNF. Triggering of protein tyrosine phosphorylation did not occur in LAD PMN plated on fibrinogen either in the absence or the presence of TNF. Surface bound anti-CD18, but not isotype-matched anti- Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, antibodies triggered tyrosine phosphorylation in normal, but not in LAD PMN. As the major tyrosine phosphorylated proteins we found in our assay conditions migrated with an apparent molecular mass of 56-60 kD, we investigated whether beta 2 integrins are implicated in activation of members of the src family of intracellular protein-tyrosine kinases. We found that the fgr protein-tyrosine kinase (p58fgr) activity, and its extent of phosphorylation in tyrosine, in PMN adherent to fibrinogen, was enhanced by TNF. Activation of p58fgr in response to TNF was evident within 10 min of treatment and increased with times up to 30 min. Also other activators of beta 2 integrins such as phorbol-12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), induced activation of p58fgr kinase activity. Activation of p58fgr kinase activity, and phosphorylation in tyrosine, did not occur in PMN of a LAD patient in response to TNF. Soluble anti-CD18, but not anti-Class I MHC antigens, antibodies inhibited activation of p58fgr kinase activity in PMN adherent to fibrinogen in response to TNF, PMA, and FMLP. These findings demonstrate that, in PMN, beta 2 integrins are implicated in triggering of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and establish a link between beta 2 integrin-dependent adhesion and the protein tyrosine kinase fgr in cell signaling.     

Human neutrophil adherence to thrombospondin occurs through a CD11/CD18-independent mechanism.

Thrombospondin (TSP), a 450-kDa trimeric glycoprotein secreted by platelets and endothelial cells at sites of tissue injury or inflammation, may play an important role in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to blood vessel walls before diapedesis. We have examined the adherence of PMN to TSP and compared it to adherence to other extracellular matrix proteins. PMN adherence to TSP-coated plastic was complete by 60 min with spreading completed by 2 h. The kinetics of adhesion and spreading on TSP were similar to that of vitronectin (VN), laminin (LN), and fibronectin (FN). Activation of PMN with the calcium ionophore A23187 or the chemotactic peptide FMLP increased PMN adherence to LN and FN, but not to TSP or VN, suggesting that PMN activation may differentially regulate expression of TSP and VN receptors as compared to LN and FN receptors. The specificity of PMN adherence to TSP was confirmed by competition with saturating amounts of TSP and inhibition with anti-TSP antibodies. mAb A6.1, which binds to the protease-resistant core of TSP, was the most effective in blocking PMN adherence to TSP. Using TSP proteolytic fragments, we demonstrated that the primary interaction of PMN with TSP was mediated through the 140-kDa COOH-terminal domain. Inasmuch as the 140-kDa fragment of TSP contains an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence similar to the cell recognition site of FN and VN, we determined whether RGDS peptides would inhibit PMN adhesion. RGDS did not significantly inhibit PMN adhesion to TSP, VN, or LN, but reduced PMN adhesion to FN by 50%. To determine if PMN adhesion to TSP was mediated by a beta 2 integrin receptor such as LFA-1, MO-1, or p150,95, we performed adhesion assays using PMN isolated from patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency that lack beta 2 receptors. Leukocyte adhesion deficiency PMN exhibited normal adherence to TSP. In contrast, adherence to VN, LN, and FN was reduced by 95%. Therefore, adherence to TSP is probably not mediated by a beta 2 integrin receptor. These data contribute to the accumulating evidence that PMN can interact with extracellular matrix proteins through a CD11/CD18-independent process.     

Role of hypoxia and extracellular matrix-integrin binding in the modulation of angiogenic growth factors secretion by retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of polarized cells located between retinal photoreceptors and blood vessels of the choroid. The basal surface of RPE cells rests on Bruch's membrane, a complex extracellular matrix structure which becomes abnormal in several disease processes, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ruptures or abnormalities in Bruch's membrane are frequently accompanied by choroidal neovascularization. Disturbed interaction of RPE cells with their extracellular matrix (ECM) could play a role in this process. The present study was undertaken to examine the complex interactions between hypoxia, integrin, and ECM in the regulation of RPE functions. Antibody blocking experiments demonstrated that RPE cell adhesion to vitronectin is mediated primarily through alphavbeta5 and adhesion to fibronectin occurs through alpha5beta1. RPE adhesion to immobilized laminin demonstrated highest level of non-RGD-mediated adhesion as compared to that with collagen IV or the RGD matrices such as vitronectin (alphavalpha5) , fibronectin (alpha5beta1), or thrombospondin (alpha5beta1 + alphavbeta5). Addition of soluble vitronectin, or fibrinogen to RPE cell cultures resulted in a small to moderate increase in VEGF and FGF2 in the media, while each of these growth factors was dramatically increased after addition of thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). In contrast, soluble fibronectin resulted in differential upregulation of VEGF but not FGF2. Similarly, immobilized TSP1 resulted in differential greater upregulation in VEGF but not FGF2 release from RPE as compared to other ECMs under either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Additionally, hypoxia resulted in a time-dependent increase in VEGF, but not FGF2 release in the media. RPE cells grown on TSP1-coated plates showed increased VEGF and FGF2 in their media compared to cells grown on plates coated with type IV collagen, laminin, vitronectin, or fibronectin. The TSP1-induced increase in secretion of growth factors was partially blocked by anti-alpha5beta1, anti-alphavbeta3, and anti-alphavbeta5 antibodies indicating that it may be mediated in part by TSP1 binding to those integrins. These data suggest that alterations in oxygen levels (hypoxia/ischemia) and ECM of RPE cells, a prominent feature of AMD, can cause increased secretion of angiogenic growth factors that might contribute to the development of choroidal neovascularization. These data also suggest the potential modulatory role of VEGF release from RPE by ECM and alphavbeta5 and alpha5beta1 integrins.     

Endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1-dependent and leukocyte (CD11/CD18)-dependent mechanisms contribute to polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion to cytokine-activated human vascular endothelium

We have examined the contributions of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) and the complex of leukocyte surface adhesion molecules designated CD11/CD18 to the adhesion of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to cultured human endothelial cells (HEC), activated by rIL-1 beta for 4 or 24 h. Inhibition of PMN attachment to IL-1-activated HEC was measured in a quantitative in vitro monolayer adhesion assay, after treatment with mAb directed to ELAM-1 (mAb H18/17), and to CD11a (mAb L11), CD11b (mAb 44), CD11c (mAb L29), and CD18 (mAb 10F12), alone or in combination. Pretreatment of activated HEC with mAb H18/7 inhibited PMN adhesion by 47 +/- 8% whereas control mAb had no effect. CD11/CD18-directed mAb significantly blocked PMN adhesion to activated HEC (anti-CD11a, 40 +/- 3%; anti-CD11b, 34 +/- 4%; anti-CD18, 78+/- 6% inhibition). The combination of mAb H18/7 and each of the various anti-CD11/CD18 mAb resulted in greater inhibition of PMN adhesion than any Mab alone. After 24 h of rIL-1 beta treatment, when ELAM-1 was markedly decreased but elevated PMN adhesion was still observed, mAb H18/7 had no effect on PMN adhesion. At this time, CD11/CD18-dependent adhesive mechanisms predominated and a CD11c-dependent mechanism became apparent (anti-CD11a, 67 +/- 4% inhibition; anti-CD11b, 45 +/- 9%; anti-CD11c, 26 +/- 6%; anti-CD18, 97 +/- 1%). In summary, PMN adhesion to IL-1-activated HEC involves both CD11/CD18-dependent mechanisms and an ELAM-1-dependent mechanism, and the relative contribution of these varies at different times of IL-1-induced HEC activation. The additive blocking observed at 4 h with mAb H18/7 in combination with CD11/CD18-directed Mab implies that members of the CD11/CD18 complex do not function as an obligate ligand(s) for ELAM-1.     

Motility of fibronectin receptor-deficient cells on fibronectin and vitronectin: collaborative interactions among integrins.

Cells are capable of adhering to and migrating on protein components of the extracellular matrix. These cell-matrix interactions are thought to be mediated largely through a family of cell surface receptors termed integrins. However, the manner in which individual integrins are involved in cell adhesion and motility has not been fully determined. To explore this issue, we previously selected a series of CHO variants that are deficient in expression of the integrin alpha 5 beta 1, the "classical" fibronectin receptor. Two sets of subclones of these variants were defined which respectively express approximately 20% or 2% of fibronectin receptor on the cell surface when compared to wild-type cells (Schreiner, C. L., J. S. Bauer, Y. N. Danilov, S. Hussein, M. M. Sczekan, and R. L. Juliano. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:3157-3167). In the current study, the variant clones were tested for haptotactic motility on substrata coated with fibronectin or vitronectin. Data from assays using fibronectin show that cellular motility of the 20% variants was substantially decreased (30-75% of wild type), while the motility of the 2% variants was nearly abolished (2-20% of wild type). Surprisingly, a similar pattern was seen for haptotactic motility of both 2% and 20% variants when vitronectin was used (approximately 20-30% of wild type). The reduced haptotactic motility of the fibronectin receptor-deficient variant clones on vitronectin was shown not to be due to reduced vitronectin receptor (alpha v beta 3) expression nor to a failure of these variants to adhere to vitronectin substrata. Transfection of the deficient variants with a cDNA for the human alpha 5 subunit resulted in normal levels of fibronectin receptor expression (as a human alpha 5/hamster beta 1 chimera) and restored the motility of the CHO variants on fibronectin and vitronectin. This indicates that expression of the alpha 5 subunit is required for normal haptotactic motility on vitronectin substrata and suggests that the fibronectin receptor (alpha 5 beta 1) plays a cooperative role with vitronectin receptors in cell motility.     

A peptide derived from the intercellular adhesion molecule-2 regulates the avidity of the leukocyte integrins CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18

beta 2 integrin (CD11a,b,c/CD18)-mediated cell adhesion is required for many leukocyte functions. Under normal circumstances, the integrins are nonadhesive, and become adhesive for their cell surface ligands, the intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), or soluble ligands such as fibrinogen and iC3b, when leukocytes are activated. Recently, we defined a peptide derived from ICAM-2, which specifically binds to purified CD11a/CD18. Furthermore, this peptide strongly induces T cell aggregation mainly mediated by CD11a/CD18-ICAM-1 interaction, and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. In the present study, we show that the same ICAM-2 peptide also avidly binds to purified CD11b/CD18, but not to CD11c/CD18. This binding can be blocked by the CD11b antibody OKM10. The peptide strongly stimulates CD11b/CD18-ICAM-1-mediated cell aggregations of the monocytic cell lines THP-1 and U937. The aggregations are energy and divalent cation-dependent. The ICAM-2 peptide also induces CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18-mediated binding of THP- 1 cells to fibrinogen and iC3b coated on plastic. These findings indicate that in addition to induction of CD11a/CD18-mediated cell adhesion, the ICAM-2 peptide may also serve as a "trigger" for high avidity ligand binding of other beta 2 integrins.     

Occupancy of CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) divalent ion binding site(s) induces leukocyte adhesion

The group of leukocyte integrins CD11a-c/CD18 coordinate disparate adhesion reactions in the immune system through a regulated process of ligand recognition. The participation of the receptor divalent ion binding site(s) in this mechanism of ligand binding has been investigated. As compared with other divalent cations, Mn2+ ions have the unique property to dramatically stimulate the adhesive functions of the leukocyte integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), expressed on myelo-monocytic cells. This is reflected in a three- to fivefold increased early monocyte adhesion (less than 20 min) to resting, unperturbed endothelial cells, and increased association of CD11b/CD18 with its soluble ligands fibrinogen and factor X. CD11b/CD18 ligand recognition in the presence of Mn2+ ions is specific, time and concentration dependent, and inhibited by anti-CD11b mAb. At variance with Ca(2+)-containing reactions where CD11b/CD18 functions as an inducible receptor activated by adenine nucleotides or chemoattractants, Mn2+ ions induce per se a constitutive maximal ligand binding capacity of CD11b/CD18, that is not further modulated by cell stimulation. Rather than quantitative changes in surface density, Mn2+ ions increase the affinity of CD11b/CD18 for its complementary ligands up to 10-fold, as judged by Scatchard plot analysis of receptor:ligand interaction under these conditions. Furthermore, monocyte exposure to Mn2+ ions induces the expression of activation-dependent neo-antigenic epitopes on CD11b/CD18, selectively recognized by mAb 7E3. These data suggest that in addition to cell-activating stimuli, favorable engagement of divalent ion binding site(s) can provide an alternative pathway to rapidly regulate the receptor affinity of leukocyte integrins.     

Adhesive properties of the beta 3 integrins: comparison of GP IIb-IIIa and the vitronectin receptor individually expressed in human melanoma cells

Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (alpha IIb beta 3) and the vitronectin receptor (alpha v beta 3), two integrins that share the common beta 3 subunit, have been reported to function as promiscuous receptors for the RGD-containing adhesive proteins fibrinogen, vitronectin, fibronectin, von Willebrand factor, and thrombospondin. The present study was designed to establish a cell system for the expression of either GP IIb-IIIa or the vitronectin receptor in an otherwise identical cellular environment and to compare the adhesive properties of these two integrins with those of native GP IIb-IIIa and the vitronectin receptor constitutively expressed in HEL cells or platelets. M21 human melanoma cells lack GP IIb-IIIa and use the vitronectin receptor to attach to vitronectin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor. To study the functional properties of GP IIb-IIIa in these cells, we transfected GP IIb into M21-L cells, a variant of M21 cells (Cheresh, D.A., and R.C. Spiro. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:17703-17711), which lack the expression of functional alpha v and are therefore unable to attach to vitronectin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor. Transfectants expressing GP IIb were isolated by immunomagnetic beads and surface expression of the GP IIb-IIIa complex was documented by FACS analysis and immunoprecipitation experiments performed with 125I-labeled M21-L/GP IIb cells. Comparative functional studies demonstrated that GP IIb-IIIa expressed in M21-L/GPIIb cells as well as native GP IIb-IIIa constitutively expressed in HEL-5J20 cells (an HEL variant lacking alpha v beta 3) mediated cell attachment to immobilized fibrinogen, but not to vitronectin or von Willebrand factor, whereas the vitronectin receptor expressed in M21 cells and HEL-AD1 cells (an HEL variant expressing alpha v beta 3) mediated cell attachment to fibrinogen, vitronectin, and von Willebrand factor. Similarly, PGl2-treated resting platelets attached to immobilized fibrinogen but not to vitronectin or von Willebrand factor, and this attachment could be inhibited by mAb A2A9 (directed against a functional site on the GP IIb-IIIa complex). However, in contrast to platelets, which adhered to vitronectin and von Willebrand factor after stimulation by thrombin or PMA, activation of the protein kinase C pathway in M21-L/GP IIb or HEL cells did not induce cell adhesion to vitronectin or von Willebrand factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The extracellular matrix and cytokines regulate microglial integrin expression and activation

Microglia are the primary immune effector cells resident within the CNS, whose activation into migratory, phagocytic cells is associated with increased expression of cell adhesion molecules of the integrin family. To determine which specific factors are important regulators of microglial activation and integrin expression, we have examined the influence of individual cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates by quantifying cell surface expression of MHC and individual integrins by flow cytometry. We found that the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IFN-alpha promoted microglial activation, as assessed by amoeboid morphology and increased expression of MHC class I, and also increased expression of the alpha(4)beta(1) and Mac-1 integrins. In contrast, TGF-beta1 had the opposite effect and was dominant over the other cytokines. Furthermore, the ECM substrates fibronectin and vitronectin, but not laminin, also promoted microglial activation and increased expression of the alpha(4)beta(1), alpha(5)beta(1) and Mac-1 integrins, but significantly, the influence of fibronectin and vitronectin was not diminished by TGF-beta1. Taken together, this work suggests that, in addition to cytokines, the ECM represents an important regulatory influence on microglial activity. Specifically, it implies that increases in the local availability of fibronectin or vitronectin, as a result of blood-brain barrier breakdown or increased expression in different pathological states of the CNS, could induce microglial activation and increased expression of integrins.