In vitro adhesion of mouse fetal germ cells to extracellular matrix components

Mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) isolated from the dorsal mesentery and gonadal ridges of 10.5–12.5 days post coitum (dpc) embryos showed a progressively increasing adhesiveness to laminin and fibronectin coated substrates, whereas type I collagen and various glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid, heparin and chondroitinsulphates) were poor adhesive substrates. At later stages germ cells appeared to lose their adhesiveness to fibronectin and laminin substrates; the ability to adhere to laminin decreased very rapidly in male and slowly in female germ cells. Oocytes and prospermatogonia from 15.5 dpc fetal gonads showed poor adhesiveness to all substrates tested. PGC adhesion to laminin and fibronectin substrates did not require calcium but was markedly trypsin sensitive. Antibodies against the fibronectin receptor of CHO fibroblasts and short peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence greatly reduced PGC adhesion to fibronectin. Following adhesion to laminin or fibronectin, most PGCs did not exhibit a morphology typical of motile cells, but remained spherical. A significant proportion (about 30%) of oocytes from 13.5–14.5 dpc embryos appeared, however, able to spread and elongate following attachment to laminin. The results support the hypothesis that mouse PGCs may utilize laminin and/or fibronectin as adhesive substrates during migration and gonad colonization, but indicate that additional factors are probably required to promote PGC motility. In addition, our data provide indirect evidence that binding sites for specific components of extracellular matrix are present in PGCs, and that their expression may be developmentally regulated.     

The heterotrimeric laminin coiled-coil domain exerts anti-adhesive effects and induces a pro-invasive phenotype

Laminins are large heterotrimeric cross-shaped extracellular matrix glycoproteins with terminal globular domains and a coiled-coil region through which the three chains are assembled and covalently linked. Laminins are key components of basement membranes, and they serve as attachment sites for cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In this work, we produced a recombinant fragment comprising the entire laminin coiled-coil of the α1-, β1-, and γ1-chains that assemble into a stable heterotrimeric coiled-coil structure independently of the rest of the molecule. This domain was biologically active and not only failed to serve as a substrate for cell attachment, spreading and focal adhesion formation but also inhibited cell adhesion to laminin when added to cells in a soluble form at the time of seeding. Furthermore, gene array expression profiling in cells cultured in the presence of the laminin coiled-coil domain revealed up-regulation of genes involved in cell motility and invasion. These findings were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR and zymography assays. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that the laminin coiled-coil domain displays anti-adhesive functions and has potential implications for cell migration during matrix remodeling.     

Laminin alpha subunits and their role in C. elegans development

Laminins are heterotrimeric (alpha/beta/gamma) glycoproteins that form a major polymer within basement membranes. Different alpha, beta and gamma subunits can assemble into various laminin isoforms that have different, but often overlapping, distributions and functions. In this study, we examine the contributions of the laminin alpha subunits to the development of C. elegans. There are two alpha, one beta and one gamma laminin subunit, suggesting two laminin isoforms that differ by their alpha subunit assemble in C. elegans. We find that near the end of gastrulation and before other basement membrane components are detected, the alpha subunits are secreted between primary tissue layers and become distributed in different patterns to the surfaces of cells. Mutations in either alpha subunit gene cause missing or disrupted extracellular matrix where the protein normally localizes. Cell-cell adhesions are abnormal: in some cases essential cell-cell adhesions are lacking, while in other cases, cells inappropriately adhere to and invade neighboring tissues. Using electron microscopy, we observe adhesion complexes at improper cell surfaces and disoriented cytoskeletal filaments. Cells throughout the animal show defective differentiation, proliferation or migration, suggesting a general disruption of cell-cell signaling. The results suggest a receptor-mediated process localizes each secreted laminin to exposed cell surfaces and that laminin is crucial for organizing extracellular matrix, receptor and intracellular proteins at those surfaces. We propose this supramolecular architecture regulates adhesions and signaling between adjacent tissues.     

Relationship between neuronal migration and cell-substratum adhesion: laminin and merosin promote olfactory neuronal migration but are anti- adhesive

Regulation by the extracellular matrix (ECM) of migration, motility, and adhesion of olfactory neurons and their precursors was studied in vitro. Neuronal cells of the embryonic olfactory epithelium (OE), which undergo extensive migration in the central nervous system during normal development, were shown to be highly migratory in culture as well. Migration of OE neuronal cells was strongly dependent on substratum- bound ECM molecules, being specifically stimulated and guided by laminin (or the laminin-related molecule merosin) in preference to fibronectin, type I collagen, or type IV collagen. Motility of OE neuronal cells, examined by time-lapse video microscopy, was high on laminin-containing substrata, but negligible on fibronectin substrata. Quantitative assays of adhesion of OE neuronal cells to substrata treated with different ECM molecules demonstrated no correlation, either positive or negative, between the migratory preferences of cells and the strength of cell-substratum adhesion. Moreover, measurements of cell adhesion to substrata containing combinations of ECM proteins revealed that laminin and merosin are anti-adhesive for OE neuronal cells, i.e., cause these cells to adhere poorly to substrata that would otherwise be strongly adhesive. The evidence suggests that the anti- adhesive effect of laminin is not the result of interactions between laminin and other ECM molecules, but rather an effect of laminin on cells, which alters the way in which cells adhere. Consistent with this view, laminin was found to interfere strongly with the formation of focal contacts by OE neuronal cells.     

Analysis of PC12 cell adhesion to muscle and non-muscle cells and components of the extracellular matrix

The relative strength of PC12 cell adhesion to monolayers of myoblasts and fibroblasts as well as to purified components of the extracellular matrix has been determined. PC12 cell adhesion to myoblasts and fibroblasts was dependent on temperature, and the relative strength of adhesion to both increased over a 4-h period. The strength of adhesion to myoblasts was consistently found to be greater than that to fibroblasts. Whereas coating tissue culture plastic with purified collagen and laminin increased its ability to support PC12 cell adhesion, coating with plasma fibronectin or gelatin reduced cell adhesion. Trypsin treatment of PC12 cells was without effect on their adhesion to collagen and laminin and only partially reduced the strength of adhesion to myoblasts. In contrast trypsinized cells showed a greatly reduced ability to adhere to fibroblast monolayers. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with NGF had no obvious effect on the ability of the cells to adhere to any of the above substrata.     

The short arm of the laminin gamma2 chain plays a pivotal role in the incorporation of laminin 5 into the extracellular matrix and in cell adhesion

Laminin 5 is a basement membrane component that actively promotes adhesion and migration of epithelial cells. Laminin 5 undergoes extracellular proteolysis of the gamma2 chain that removes the NH(2)-terminal short arm of the polypeptide and reduces the size of laminin 5 from 440 to 400 kD. The functional consequence of this event remains obscure, although lines of evidence indicate that cleavage of the gamma2 chain potently stimulated scattering and migration of keratinocytes and cancer cells. To define the biological role of the gamma2 chain short arm, we expressed mutated gamma2 cDNAs into immortalized gamma2-null keratinocytes. By immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical studies, cell detachment, and adhesion assays, we found that the gamma2 short arm drives deposition of laminin 5 into the extracellular matrix (ECM) and sustains cell adhesion. Our results demonstrate that the unprocessed 440-kD form of laminin 5 is a biologically active adhesion ligand, and that the gamma2 globular domain IV is involved in intermolecular interactions that mediate integration of laminin 5 in the ECM and cell attachment.     

Syndecans in cell adhesion and differentiation

Syndecans are transmembrane proteoglycans expressed on adherent cells. They are a family of four proteins, which participate in cell-matrix adhesion, the regulation of growth factors (FGFs, VEGF, HGF) binding and signaling. The extracellular domain of syndecans contains heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains. Syndecans have transmembrane region and a short cytoplasmic domain. The cytoplasmic domain attaches activated protein kinase Calpha, phosphatidyl-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate, syntenin, beta-catenin and many others molecules. Syndecans bind numerous ligands, which are present in extracellular matrix: growth factors, enzymes, extracellular matrix molecules (fibronectin, laminin). They form connections with actin cytoskeleton. The changes in syndecan expression influence on cell adhesion and migration, structure of focal contacts and cytoskeleton. Syndecans participate in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.     

The LG3 module of laminin-5 harbors a binding site for integrin alpha3beta1 that promotes cell adhesion, spreading, and migration

Laminins are a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins involved in cell adhesion and migration. A major obstacle to understanding their structure-function relationships is the lack of small laminin domains capable of replicating integrin-binding, cell-adhesive, and migratory functions of the intact molecule. Here, we show that the recombinant LG3 (rLG3) module (26 kDa) of laminin-5 (Ln-5) alpha(3) chain replicated key Ln-5 activities. rLG3 but not rLG1 or rLG2 supported cell adhesion and migration of at least two distinct cell lines, in an integrin alpha(3)beta(1)-dependent manner. Cell adhesion to rLG3 was regulated by divalent cations and accompanied by cell spreading and tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK focal adhesion kinase. The integrin binding activity of rLG3 was confirmed by rLG3 affinity chromatography of detergent cell lysates, which resulted in specific purification of integrin alpha(3)beta(1). To our knowledge, this is the first report directly demonstrating that a recombinant laminin LG module is an active domain capable of supporting integrin-dependent cell adhesion and migration.     

The kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator inhibits extracellular matrix-induced adhesion and migration of endothelial cells

The recombinant two-kringle domain of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (TK1-2) was found to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth. Recently, we found that TK1-2 inhibits adhesive differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells, and its contribution to tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of TK1-2 on extracellular matrix-induced adhesion, signaling, and migration in order to understand the mechanism of action of TK1-2. When human umbilical vein endothelial cells were pretreated with TK1-2 and then allowed to adhere to immobilized fibronectin, vitronectin, or gelatin, cell adhesion to all the tested matrices decreased dose-dependently upon TK1-2 treatment. TK1-2 also inhibited the formation of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions upon attachment to each matrix. Moreover, fibronectin- and vitronectin-induced endothelial cell migration was dose-dependently inhibited by TK1-2. TK1-2 also suppressed fibronectin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Hence the results suggest that disturbance of extracellular matrix-induced adhesion, signaling, and migration of endothelial cells is involved in the anti-angiogenic activity of TK1-2.     

Response to fibronectin of mouse primordial germ cells before, during and after migration.

The adhesive extracellular matrix glycoprotein fibronectin is thought to play a central role in cell migration during embryogenesis. In order to define this role, we have examined the response to fibronectin in cell culture of mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) before, during and after their migration from the hindgut into their target tissue, the genital ridges. Using an explant culture system, we show that PGCs will emigrate from tissue fragments containing hindgut, and that fibronectin stimulates this migration. Adhesion assays show that the start of PGC migration is associated with a fall in adhesion to fibronectin. Double-labelling studies using in situ hybridization and histochemistry demonstrate that migrating PGCs do not contain detectable fibronectin mRNA, suggesting that they do not synthesize and secrete the fibronectin within their migratory substratum. Taken together, these findings are consistent with an important role for fibronectin in stimulating PGC migration. In addition, however, they suggest that the interaction between PGCs and fibronectin may be important in timing the start of migration, with the fall in adhesion allowing the PGCs to commence their migration towards the genital ridges.     

The interaction of plasminogen activator with a reconstituted basement membrane matrix and extracellular macromolecules produced by cultured epithelial cells

Laminin and fibronectin are glycoproteins that influence cell behavior and mediate cell/substratum adhesion. We have examined the interaction of these macromolecules with the serine protease plasminogen activator (PA) in two types of extracellular matrices; one produced by the murine Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor (Matrigel), and another by normal kidney epithelial cells in culture. Matrigel was found to contain significant quantities of tissue-type PA (tPA). Two of the major components of Matrigel, laminin and type IV collagen, were also examined. Tissue-type PA was associated with purified preparations of laminin; however, it was not found associated with type IV collagen. Normal kidney epithelial cells in culture secrete large amounts of urokinase (UK) and deposit a subepithelial matrix containing both laminin and fibronectin. These matrix macromolecules were isolated from the deposited matrix by immunoprecipitation, examined by zymography, and found to contain UK. The potential role of this interaction in the mechanisms of cell migration and matrix remodeling is discussed.     

Laminin and fibronectin promote the haptotactic migration of B16 mouse melanoma cells in vitro

The migration of tumor cells through basement membranes and extracellular matrices is an integral component of tumor invasion and metastasis. Laminin and fibronectin are two basement membrane- and extracellular matrix-associated noncollagenous glycoproteins that have been shown to promote both cell adhesion and motility. Purified preparations of laminin and fibronectin stimulated the directed migration of B16 murine metastatic melanoma cells in vitro as assessed in modified Boyden chambers. The stimulation of migration occurred over a concentration range of 1-100 micrograms/ml of laminin or fibronectin, with a peak response occurring between 12.5 and 25 micrograms/ml. The maximal response of these cells was 80-120-fold higher than control migration. Affinity-purified antibody preparations specifically abrogated the migration of these cells in response to the respective proteins. Tumor cells in suspension were preincubated in physiologic levels of plasma fibronectin prior to assay to partially mimic what occurs when a metastasizing cell is in the blood stream. This preincubation with plasma fibronectin had no effect on the subsequent migration of cells in response to either laminin or fibronectin. Furthermore, experiments using filters precoated with fibronectin or laminin indicated that these cells could migrate by haptotaxis to these two proteins. We conclude that tumor cell migration in response to such noncollagenous adhesive glycoproteins could be an important aspect in the invasion and metastasis of certain malignant cell types.     

The mucin epiglycanin on TA3/Ha carcinoma cells prevents alpha 6 beta 4- mediated adhesion to laminin and kalinin and E-cadherin-mediated cell- cell interaction

TA3/Ha murine mammary carcinoma cells grow in suspension, do not adhere to extracellular matrix molecules, but do adhere to hepatocytes and form liver metastases upon intraportal injection. Recently we showed that the integrin alpha 6 beta 4 on the TA3/Ha cells is involved in adhesion to hepatocytes. However, despite high cell surface levels of alpha 6 beta 4, TA3/Ha cells do not adhere to the alpha 6 beta 4 ligands laminin and kalinin. Here we show that this is due to the mucin epiglycanin that is highly expressed on TA3/Ha cells. Some monoclonal antibodies generated against epiglycanin induced capping of most of the epiglycanin molecules. TA3/Ha cells treated with these mAb did adhere to laminin and kalinin, and an epithelial monolayer was formed on kalinin, with alpha 6 beta 4 localized in HD1-containing hemidesmosome- like structures and E-cadherin at the cell-cell contact sites. Similar results were obtained after treatment of TA3/Ha cells with O- sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase which removes all epiglycanin. In addition, the enzyme induced E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell aggregation. Both treatments also enhanced the adhesion to hepatocytes, but given the potent antiadhesive effect of epiglycanin it is remarkable that nontreated TA3/Ha cells adhere to hepatocytes at all. We found that during this interaction, epiglycanin was redistributed. We conclude that epiglycanin can completely prevent both intercellular and matrix adhesion, but that this effect can be overcome in certain intercellular interactions because of the induced redistribution of the mucin.     

Bridging structure with function: structural, regulatory, and developmental role of laminins

The basement membrane is a highly intricate and organized portion of the extracellular matrix that interfaces with a variety of cell types including epithelial, endothelial, muscle, nerve, and fat cells. The laminin family of glycoproteins is a major constituent of the basement membrane. The 16 known laminin isoforms are formed from combinations of alpha, beta, and gamma chains, with each chain containing specific domains capable of interacting with cellular receptors such as integrins and other extracellular ligands. In addition to its role in the assembly and architectural integrity of the basement membrane, laminins interact with cells to influence proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration, processes activated in normal and pathologic states. In vitro these functions are regulated by the post-translational modifications of the individual laminin chains. In vivo laminin knockout mouse studies have been particularly instructive in defining the function of specific laminins in mammalian development and have also highlighted its role as a key component of the basement membrane. In this review, we will define how laminin structure complements function and explore its role in both normal and pathologic processes.     

Characterization of the laminin binding domains of the Lutheran blood group glycoprotein

Lutheran (Lu) blood group antigens and the basal cell adhesion molecule antigen reside on two glycoproteins that belong to the Ig superfamily (IgSF) and carry five Ig-like extracellular domains. These glycoproteins act as widely expressed adhesion molecules and represent the unique receptors for laminin-10/11 in erythroid cells. Here, we report the mapping of IgSF domains responsible for binding to laminin. In plasmonic resonance surface experiments, only recombinant Lu proteins containing the N-terminal IgSF domains 1-3 were able to bind laminin-10/11 and to inhibit binding of laminin to Lu-expressing K562 cells. Mutant recombinant proteins containing only IgSF domain 1, domains 1 + 2, domains 1 + 3, domains 2 + 3, domain 3, domain 4, domain 5, and domains 4 + 5 failed to bind laminin as well as a construct containing all of the extracellular domains except domain 3. Altogether, these results indicate that IgSF domains 1-3 are involved in laminin binding and that a specific spatial arrangement of these three first domains is most probably necessary for interaction. Neither the RGD nor the N-glycosylation motifs present in IgSF domain 3 were involved in laminin binding.     

Cell interactions with laminin and its proteolytic fragments during outgrowth of mouse primary trophoblast cells.

Mouse blastocysts in serum-free culture for 24-48 h become attachment-competent, adhere to fibronectin- or laminin-coated surfaces, and subsequently form trophoblast outgrowths. The blastocyst laminin receptor was characterized in outgrowth studies using modified laminin. Trophoblast cells interacted with the peptide portion of laminin, but not the oligosaccharide moiety since its adhesive activity was reduced by boiling or trypsin treatment, but not by treatments that removed or modified its carbohydrate. Laminin outgrowth-promoting activity was further localized within its structural domains by use of the well-characterized proteolytic fragments of laminin, E1-4, and E8, and a synthetic peptide, CDPGYIGSR. The E1-4 fragment of laminin did not promote embryo outgrowth. However, the E8 fragment, which contains a heparin-binding domain as well as sites recognized during cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, vigorously promoted outgrowth in both the presence and absence of heparin, heparan sulfate, or heparinase. Consistent with these results, outgrowth on intact laminin was not inhibited by CDPGYIGSR, a sequence within the E1-4 fragment that is known to mediate the adhesion of some cell types. It is concluded from these results that early trophoblast cells adhere to peptide in the E8 domain of laminin using a mechanism that is independent of the one used for adhesion to fibronectin.     

Involvement of a protein kinase C and protein phosphatases in adhesion of CD4+ T cells to and detachment from extracellular matrix proteins.

For immune surveillance and function to be effective, T lymphocytes constantly recirculate via lymph and blood between lymphoid organs and body tissues. To enable efficient cell movement and migration, cell adhesion to components of the basement membrane and the extracellular matrix (ECM) must be a rapid and transitory process. Whether phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of cellular proteins are involved in this phenomena was explored by monitoring the adhesion of T cells to immobilized ECM proteins. A short exposure of 51Cr-labeled human CD4+ T cells to phorbol esters in vitro induced a rapid beta 1-integrin-mediated adhesion to both fibronectin and laminin, as determined by inhibition with anti-integrin antibodies. Adhesion was reversible; detachment from the immobilized ECM ligands occurred between 20 and 120 min without further intervention. This T cell adhesion was regulated by the activation of protein kinase C because (a) staurosporine and H-7 inhibitors of protein kinase C suppressed T cell adhesion, and (b) PMA-induced down-regulation of intracellular levels of protein kinase C was associated with the abrogation of the T cell adhesiveness to fibronectin and laminin. Furthermore, inhibition of protein phosphatases activity by okadaic acid delayed the detachment of the T cells from fibronectin or laminin. Thus, we suggest that T cell-ECM interactions such as adhesion and detachment are regulated, respectively, by protein kinase C and protein phosphatases.     

A comparison of fibronectin, laminin, and galactosyltransferase adhesion mechanisms during embryonic cardiac mesenchymal cell migration in vitro

Embryonic hearts contain a homogeneous population of mesenchymal cells which migrate through an extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) to become the earliest progenitors of the cardiac valves. Since these cells normally migrate through an ECM containing several adhesion substrates, this study was undertaken to examine and compare three ECM binding mechanisms for mesenchymal cell migration in an in vitro model. Receptor mechanisms for the ECM glycoproteins fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) and the cell surface receptor galactosyltransferase (GalTase), which binds an uncharacterized ECM substrate, were compared. Primary cardiac explants from stage 17 chick embryos were cultured on three-dimensional collagen gels. Mesenchymal cell outgrowth was recorded every 24 hr and is reported as a percentage of control. Migration was perturbed using specific inhibitors for each of the three receptor mechanisms. These included the hexapeptide GRGDSP (300-1000 micrograms/ml), which mimics a cell binding domain of FN, the pentapeptide YIGSR (300-1000 micrograms/ml), which mimics a binding domain of LM, and alpha-lactalbumin (1-10 mg/ml), a protein modifier of GalTase activity. The functional role of these adhesion mechanisms was further tested using antibodies to avian integrin (JG22) and avian GalTase. While the FN-related peptide had no significant effect on cell migration it did produce a rounded cellular morphology. The LN-related peptide inhibited mesenchymal migration 70% and alpha-lactalbumin inhibited cell migration 50%. Antibodies against integrin and GalTase inhibited mesenchymal cell migration by 80 and 50%, respectively. The substrate for GalTase was demonstrated to be a single high molecular weight substrate which was not LM or FN. Control peptides, proteins and antibodies demonstrated the specificity of these effects. These data demonstrate that multiple adhesion mechanisms, including cell surface GalTase, are potentially functional during cardiac mesenchymal cell migration. The sensitivity of cell migration to the various inhibitors suggests that occupancy of specific ECM receptors can modulate the activity of other, unrelated, ECM adhesion mechanisms utilized by these cells.     

Basement membrane and its components on lymphocyte adhesion, migration, and proliferation.

During inflammation and recirculation, lymphocytes migrate into tissues by traversing the capillary endothelium, a process known as extravasation. After crossing the endothelial cells, lymphocytes come into contact with the basement membrane, which is a specialized layer of extracellular matrix containing predominantly laminin, collagen type IV, entactin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. In tissue invasion by inflammatory cells and metastatic tumor cells, the basement membrane serves as a substratum for cell adhesion and migration. However, the role of basement membrane in lymphocyte extravasation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of basement membrane on lymphocyte adhesion, migration, and proliferation, using matrigel as a model for basement membrane. We observed that matrigel promotes both lymphocyte adhesion and migration, with entactin primarily responsible for promoting adhesion and laminin for promoting migration. In addition, activation of lymphocytes by anti-CD3 enhances their adhesion and migration on matrigel-coated substratum. We also observed that matrigel inhibits the proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated by Con A. Furthermore, we demonstrated that laminin is the matrigel component responsible for inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation. However, matrigel has no effect on the proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated by LPS. These results suggest that matrigel has different effects on lymphocyte subpopulations. In agreement with the results on proliferation, matrigel also inhibits the production of IL-2 by Con A-stimulated lymphocytes.     

Migration,proliferation and potency of primordial germ cells

In most species, the cells allocated to the germ line, the primordial germ cells (PGCs) arise very early in embryo-genesis, and migrate to join the somatic cells at the site where the gonad will form. In three widely studied animals; the mouse, the frog and Drosophila, the PGCs associate with the developing gut, from which they migrate during the period of organogenesis to the gonads. During this migration, the germ cell population increases by an amount which is more or less constant for a particular species. Genes important in the control of PGC migration and population are being identified in two ways. In invertebrates, and to a lesser extent in mice, genetic approaches have identified important loci or gene products. Culturing PGCs in a variety of conditions has been an alternative approach in mouse embryos. From these latter studies, it is now known that a number of growth factors, released from surrounding tissues, control many aspects of PGC behaviour, including their proliferation, migration, potency, and survival. Attention is also focusing on changes in PGC adhesiveness during migration.