A Role for the αvβ3 Integrin in the Transmigration of Monocytes

The β2 integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are important for monocyte migration through inflammatory endothelium. Here we demonstrate that the integrin αvβ3 is also a key player in this process. In an in vitro transendothelial migration assay, monocytes lacking β3 integrins revealed weak migratory ability, whereas monocytes expressing β3 integrins engaged in stronger migration. This migration could be partially blocked by antibodies against the integrin chains αL, β2, αv, or IAP, a protein functionally associated with αvβ3 integrin. Transfection of β3 integrin chain cDNA into monocytes lacking β3 integrins resulted in expression of the αvβ3 integrin and conferred on these cells an enhanced ability to transmigrate through cell monolayers expressing ICAM-1. These monocytes also engaged in αLβ2-dependent locomotion on recombinant ICAM-1 which was enhanced by αvβ3 integrin occupancy. Antibodies against IAP were able to revert this αvβ3 integrin-dependent cell locomotion to control levels. Finally, adhesion assays revealed that occupancy of αvβ3 integrin could decrease monocyte binding to ICAM-1.In conclusion, we show that αvβ3 integrin modulates αLβ2 integrin-dependent monocyte adhesion to and migration on ICAM-1. This could represent a novel mechanism to promote monocyte motility on vascular ICAM-1 and initiate subsequent transendothelial migration.     

Noninvasive Visualization of the Activated αvβ3 Integrin in Cancer Patients by Positron Emission Tomography and [18F]Galacto-RGD

BackgroundThe integrin αvβ3 plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumor cell metastasis, and is currently being evaluated as a target for new therapeutic approaches. Several techniques are being studied to enable noninvasive determination of αvβ3 expression. We developed [¹⁸F]Galacto-RGD, a ¹⁸F-labeled glycosylated αvβ3 antagonist, allowing monitoring of αvβ3 expression with positron emission tomography (PET).ConclusionsMolecular imaging with [¹⁸F]Galacto-RGD and PET can provide important information for planning and monitoring anti-angiogenic therapies targeting the αvβ3 integrins and can reveal the involvement and role of this integrin in metastatic and angiogenic processes in various diseases.     

Proinflammatory Secreted Phospholipase A2 Type IIA (sPLA-IIA) Induces Integrin Activation through Direct Binding to a Newly Identified Binding Site (Site 2) in Integrins αvβ3, α4β1, and α5β1

Integrins are activated by signaling from inside the cell (inside-out signaling) through global conformational changes of integrins. We recently discovered that fractalkine activates integrins in the absence of CX3CR1 through the direct binding of fractalkine to a ligand-binding site in the integrin headpiece (site 2) that is distinct from the classical RGD-binding site (site 1). We propose that fractalkine binding to the newly identified site 2 induces activation of site 1 though conformational changes (in an allosteric mechanism). We reasoned that site 2-mediated activation of integrins is not limited to fractalkine. Human secreted phospholipase A2 type IIA (sPLA2-IIA), a proinflammatory protein, binds to integrins αvβ3 and α4β1 (site 1), and this interaction initiates a signaling pathway that leads to cell proliferation and inflammation. Human sPLA2-IIA does not bind to M-type receptor very well. Here we describe that sPLA2-IIA directly activated purified soluble integrin αvβ3 and transmembrane αvβ3 on the cell surface. This activation did not require catalytic activity or M-type receptor. Docking simulation predicted that sPLA2-IIA binds to site 2 in the closed-headpiece of αvβ3. A peptide from site 2 of integrin β1 specifically bound to sPLA2-IIA and suppressed sPLA2-IIA-induced integrin activation. This suggests that sPLA2-IIA activates αvβ3 through binding to site 2. sPLA2-IIA also activated integrins α4β1 and α5β1 in a site 2-mediated manner. We recently identified small compounds that bind to sPLA2-IIA and suppress integrin-sPLA2-IIA interaction (e.g. compound 21 (Cmpd21)). Cmpd21 effectively suppressed sPLA2-IIA-induced integrin activation. These results define a novel mechanism of proinflammatory action of sPLA2-IIA through integrin activation.     

The Binding of Monomeric C-Reactive Protein (mCRP) to Integrins αvβ3 and α4β1 Is Related to Its Pro-Inflammatory Action

The prototypic acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) is not only a marker but also a potential contributor to inflammatory diseases. CRP exists as the circulating native, pentameric CRP (pCRP) and the monomeric isoform (mCRP), formed as a result of a dissociation process of pCRP. mCRP is highly pro-inflammatory, but pCRP is not. The mechanism of pro-inflammatory action of mCRP is unclear. We studied the role of integrins in pro-inflammatory action of mCRP. Docking simulation of interaction between mCRP and integrin αvβ3 predicted that mCRP binds to αvβ3 well. We found that mCRP actually bound to integrins αvβ3 and α4β1 well. Antagonists to αvβ3 or α4β1 effectively suppressed the interaction, suggesting that the interaction is specific. Using an integrin β1 mutant (β1-3-1) that has a small fragment from the ligand binding site of β3, we showed that mCRP bound to the classical RGD-binding site in αvβ3. We studied the role of integrins in CRP signaling in monocytic U937 cells. Integrins αvβ3 and α4β1 specifically mediated binding of mCRP to U937 cells. mCRP induced AKT phosphorylation, but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation, in U937 cells. Notably, mCRP induced robust chemotaxis in U937 cells, and antagonists to integrins αvβ3 and α4β1 and an inhibitor to phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase, but not an MEK inhibitor, effectively suppressed mCRP-induced chemotaxis in U937 cells. These results suggest that the integrin and AKT/phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase pathways play a role in pro-inflammatory action of mCRP in U937 cells. In contrast, pCRP is predicted to have a limited access to αvβ3 due to steric hindrance in the simulation. Consistent with the prediction, pCRP was much less effective in integrin binding, chemotaxis, or AKT phosphorylation. These findings suggest that the ability of CRP isoforms to bind to the integrins is related to their pro-inflammatory action.     

Interactions of Soluble Recombinant Integrin αvβ5 with Human Adenoviruses

αv integrins have been identified as coreceptors for adenovirus (Ad) internalization; however, direct interactions of these molecules with Ad have not been demonstrated. We report here the expression of soluble integrin αvβ5, which retains the ability to recognize the Ad penton base as well as vitronectin, an Arg Gly Asp (RGD)-containing extracellular matrix protein. Soluble integrin αvβ5 reacted with seven different Ad serotypes (subgroups A to E) in solid-phase binding assays. The soluble integrin exhibited different levels of binding to each Ad serotype; however, binding to multiple Ad types required the presence of divalent metal cations and was inhibited by a synthetic RGD peptide, indicating that RGD and cation-binding sequences regulate Ad interactions with αvβ5. Incubation of Ad particles with soluble αvβ5 integrin also inhibited subsequent Ad internalization into epithelial cells as well as virus attachment to monocytic cells. These findings suggest that soluble αv integrins or antagonists of these coreceptors could be used to limit infection by multiple Ad types. The generation of soluble αv integrins should also permit further detailed kinetic and structural analysis of Ad interactions with its coreceptors.     

Angiopoietin-2 Stimulation of Endothelial Cells Induces αvβ3 Integrin Internalization and Degradation

The angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2) have been identified as agonistic and antagonistic ligands of the endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2, respectively. Both ligands have been demonstrated to induce translocation of Tie2 to cell-cell junctions. However, only Ang-1 induces Tie2-dependent Akt activation and subsequent survival signaling and endothelial quiescence. Ang-2 interferes negatively with Ang-1/Tie2 signaling, thereby antagonizing the Ang-1/Tie2 axis. Here, we show that both Ang-1 and Ang-2 recruit β3 integrins to Tie2. This co-localization is most prominent in cell-cell junctions. However, only Ang-2 stimulation resulted in complex formation among Tie2, αvβ3 integrin, and focal adhesion kinase as evidenced by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Focal adhesion kinase was phosphorylated in the FAT domain at Ser⁹¹⁰ upon Ang-2 stimulation and the adaptor proteins p130Cas and talin dissociated from αvβ3 integrin. The αvβ3 integrin was internalized, ubiquitinylated, and gated toward lysosomes. Taken together, the experiments define Tie2/αvβ3 integrin association-induced integrin internalization and degradation as mechanistic consequences of endothelial Ang-2 stimulation.     

Growth Factor–dependent Activation of αvβ3 Integrin in Normal Epithelial Cells: Implications for Tumor Invasion

Integrin activation is a multifaceted phenomenon leading to increased affinity and avidity for matrix ligands. To investigate whether cytokines produced during stromal infiltration of carcinoma cells activate nonfunctional epithelial integrins, a cellular system of human thyroid clones derived from normal glands (HTU-5) and papillary carcinomas (HTU-34) was employed. In HTU-5 cells, αvβ3 integrin was diffused all over the membrane, disconnected from the cytoskeleton, and unable to mediate adhesion. Conversely, in HTU-34 cells, αvβ3 was clustered at focal contacts (FCs) and mediated firm attachment and spreading. αvβ3 recruitment at FCs and ligand-binding activity, essentially identical to those of HTU-34, occurred in HTU-5 cells upon treatment with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). The HTU-34 clone secreted HGF/SF and its receptor was constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated suggesting an autocrine loop responsible for αvβ3 activated state. Antibody-mediated inhibition of HGF/SF function in HTU-34 cells disrupted αvβ3 enrichment at FCs and impaired adhesion. Accordingly, activation of αvβ3 in normal cells was produced by HTU-34 conditioned medium on the basis of its content of HGF/SF. These results provide the first example of a growth factor–driven integrin activation mechanism in normal epithelial cells and uncover the importance of cytokine-based autocrine loops for the physiological control of integrin activation.     

The RGD-binding integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8 are receptors for mouse adenovirus-1 and -3 infection

Mammalian adenoviruses (AdVs) comprise more than ~350 types including over 100 human (HAdVs) and just three mouse AdVs (MAdVs). While most HAdVs initiate infection by high affinity/avidity binding of their fiber knob (FK) protein to either coxsackievirus AdV receptor (CAR), CD46 or desmoglein (DSG)-2, MAdV-1 (M1) infection requires arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) binding integrins. To identify the receptors mediating MAdV infection we generated five novel reporter viruses for MAdV-1/-2/-3 (M1, M2, M3) transducing permissive murine (m) CMT-93 cells, but not B16 mouse melanoma cells expressing mCAR, human (h) CD46 or hDSG-2. Recombinant M1 or M3 FKs cross-blocked M1 and M3 but not M2 infections. Profiling of murine and human cells expressing RGD-binding integrins suggested that αvβ6 and αvβ8 heterodimers are associated with M1 and M3 infections. Ectopic expression of mβ6 in B16 cells strongly enhanced M1 and M3 binding, infection, and progeny production comparable with mαvβ6-positive CMT-93 cells, whereas mβ8 expressing cells were more permissive to M1 than M3. Anti-integrin antibodies potently blocked M1 and M3 binding and infection of CMT-93 cells and hαvβ8-positive M000216 cells. Soluble integrin αvβ6, and synthetic peptides containing the RGDLXXL sequence derived from FK-M1, FK-M3 and foot and mouth disease virus coat protein strongly interfered with M1/M3 infections, in agreement with high affinity interactions of FK-M1/FK-M3 with αvβ6/αvβ8, determined by surface plasmon resonance measurements. Molecular docking simulations of ternary complexes revealed a bent conformation of RGDLXXL-containing FK-M3 peptides on the subunit interface of αvβ6/β8, where the distal leucine residue dips into a hydrophobic pocket of β6/8, the arginine residue ionically engages αv aspartate215, and the aspartate residue coordinates a divalent cation in αvβ6/β8. Together, the RGDLXXL-bearing FKs are part of an essential mechanism for M1/M3 infection engaging murine and human αvβ6/8 integrins. These integrins are highly conserved in other mammals, and may favour cross-species virus transmission.     

αvβ3 Integrin Boosts the Innate Immune Response Elicited in Epithelial Cells through Plasma Membrane and Endosomal Toll-Like Receptors

We report that αvβ3 integrin strongly affects the innate immune response in epithelial cells. αvβ3 integrin greatly increased the response elicited via plasma membrane Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by herpes simplex virus or bacterial ligands. The endosomal TLR3, not the cytosolic sensor interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), was also boosted by αvβ3 integrin. The boosting was exerted specifically by αvβ3 integrin but not by αvβ6 or αvβ8 integrin. Current and previous work indicates that integrin-TLR cooperation occurs in epithelial and monocytic cells. The TLR response should be considered an integrin-TLR response.     

Enhanced Expression of Integrin αvβ3 Induced by TGF-β Is Required for the Enhancing Effect of Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF1) in TGF-β-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Mammary Epithelial Cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in cancer metastasis, and is regulated by growth factors such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and fibroblast growth factors (FGF) secreted from the stromal and tumor cells. However, the role of growth factors in EMT has not been fully established. Several integrins are upregulated by TGF-β1 during EMT. Integrins are involved in growth factor signaling through integrin-growth factor receptor crosstalk. We previously reported that FGF1 directly binds to integrin αvβ3 and the interaction was required for FGF1 functions such as cell proliferation and migration. We studied the role of αvβ3 induced by TGF-β on TGF-β-induced EMT. Here, we describe that FGF1 augmented EMT induced by TGF-β1 in MCF10A and MCF12A mammary epithelial cells. TGF-β1 markedly amplified integrin αvβ3 and FGFR1 (but not FGFR2). We studied if the enhancing effect of FGF1 on TGF-β1-induced EMT requires enhanced levels of both integrin αvβ3 expression and FGFR1. Knockdown of β3 suppressed the enhancement by FGF1 of TGF-β1-induced EMT in MCF10A cells. Antagonists to FGFR suppressed the enhancing effect of FGF1 on EMT. Integrin-binding defective FGF1 mutant did not augment TGF-β1-induced EMT in MCF10A cells. These findings suggest that enhanced integrin αvβ3 expression in addition to enhanced FGFR1 expression is critical for FGF1 to augment TGF-β1-induced EMT in mammary epithelial cells.     

Integrin αvβ3 Requirement for Sustained Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activity during Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis depends on growth factors and vascular cell adhesion events. Integrins and growth factors are capable of activating the ras/MAP kinase pathway in vitro, yet how these signals influence endothelial cells during angiogenesis is unknown. Upon initiation of angiogenesis with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), endothelial cell mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK) activity was detected as early as 5 min yet was sustained for at least 20 h. The initial wave of ERK activity (5–120 min) was refractory to integrin antagonists, whereas the sustained activity (4–20 h) depended on integrin αvβ3, but not β1 integrins. Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) during this sustained αvβ3-dependent ERK signal blocked the formation of new blood vessels while not influencing preexisting blood vessels on the CAM. Inhibition of MEK also blocked growth factor induced migration but not adhesion of endothelial cells in vitro. Therefore, angiogenesis depends on sustained ERK activity regulated by the ligation state of both a growth factor receptor and integrin αvβ3.     

Significant improvement of pig cloning efficiency by treatment with LBH589 after somatic cell nuclear transfer

The low success rate of animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) associates with epigenetic aberrancy, including the abnormal acetylation of histones. Altering the epigenetic status by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) enhances the developmental potential of SCNT embryos. In the current study, we examined the effects of LBH589 (panobinostat), a novel broad-spectrum HDACi, on the nuclear reprogramming and development of pig SCNT embryos in vitro. In experiment 1, we compared the in vitro developmental competence of nuclear transfer embryos treated with different concentrations of LBH589. Embryos treated with 50 nM LBH589 for 24 hours showed a significant increase in the rate of blastocyst formation compared with the control or embryos treated with 5 or 500 nM LBH589 (32.4% vs. 11.8%, 12.1%, and 10.0%, respectively, P < 0.05). In experiment 2, we examined the in vitro developmental competence of nuclear transfer embryos treated with 50 nM LBH589 for various intervals after activation and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Embryos treated for 24 hours had higher rates of blastocyst formation than the other groups. In experiment 3, when the acetylation of H4K12 was examined in SCNT embryos treated for 6 hours with 50 nM LBH589 by immunohistochemistry, the staining intensities of these proteins in LBH589-treated SCNT embryos were significantly higher than in the control. In experiment 4, LBH589-treated nuclear transfer and control embryos were transferred into surrogate mothers, resulting in three (100%) and two (66.7%) pregnancies, respectively. In conclusion, LBH589 enhances the nuclear reprogramming and developmental potential of SCNT embryos by altering the epigenetic status and expression, and increasing blastocyst quality.     

Direct Binding of the EGF-like Domain of Neuregulin-1 to Integrins (αvβ3 and α6β4) Is Involved in Neuregulin-1/ErbB Signaling

Integrin-growth factor receptor cross-talk plays a role in growth factor signaling, but the specifics are unclear. In a current model, integrins and growth factor receptors independently bind to their ligands (extracellular matrix and growth factors, respectively). We discovered that neuregulin-1 (NRG1), either as an isolated EGF-like domain or as a native multi-domain form, binds to integrins αvβ3 (with a K_D of 1.36 × 10⁻⁷ m) and α6β4. Docking simulation predicted that three Lys residues at positions 180, 184, and 186 of the EGF-like domain are involved in integrin binding. Mutating these residues to Glu individually or in combination markedly suppressed integrin binding and ErbB3 phosphorylation. Mutating all three Lys residues to Glu (the 3KE mutation) did not affect the ability of NRG1 to bind to ErbB3 but markedly reduced the ability of NRG1 to induce ErbB3 phosphorylation and AKT and Erk1/2 activation in MCF-7 and T47D human breast cancer cells. This suggests that direct integrin binding to NRG1 is critical for NRG1/ErbB signaling. Notably, stimulation of cells with WT NRG1 induced co-precipitation of ErbB3 with α6β4 and with αvβ3 to a much lower extent. This suggests that WT NRG1 induces integrin-NRG1-ErbB3 ternary complex formation. In contrast, the 3KE mutant was much less effective in inducing ternary complex formation than WT NRG1, suggesting that this process depends on the ability of NRG1 to bind to integrins. These results suggest that direct NRG1-integrin interaction mediates integrin-ErbB cross-talk and that α6β4 plays a major role in NRG-ErbB signaling in these cancer cells.     

Interactions between Growth Factors and Integrins: Latent Forms of Transforming Growth Factor-β Are Ligands for the Integrin αvβ1

The multipotential cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is secreted in a latent form. Latency results from the noncovalent association of TGF-β with its processed propeptide dimer, called the latency-associated peptide (LAP); the complex of the two proteins is termed the small latent complex. Disulfide bonding between LAP and latent TGF-β–binding protein (LTBP) produces the most common form of latent TGF-β, the large latent complex. The extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates the activity of TGF-β. LTBP and the LAP propeptides of TGF-β (isoforms 1 and 3), like many ECM proteins, contain the common integrin-binding sequence RGD. To increase our understanding of latent TGF-β function in the ECM, we determined whether latent TGF-β1 interacts with integrins. A549 cells adhered and spread on plastic coated with LAP, small latent complex, and large latent complex but not on LTBP-coated plastic. Adhesion was blocked by an RGD peptide, and cells were unable to attach to a mutant form of recombinant LAP lacking the RGD sequence. Adhesion was also blocked by mAbs to integrin subunits αv and β1. We purified LAP-binding integrins from extracts of A549 cells using LAP bound to Sepharose. αvβ1 eluted with EDTA. After purification in the presence of Mn²⁺, a small amount of αvβ5 was also detected. A549 cells migrated equally on fibronectin- and LAP-coated surfaces; migration on LAP was αvβ1 dependent. These results establish αvβ1 as a LAP-β1 receptor. Interactions between latent TGF-β and αvβ1 may localize latent TGF-β to the surface of specific cells and may allow the TGF-β1 gene product to initiate signals by both TGF-β receptor and integrin pathways.     

Foot-and-mouth disease virus forms a highly stable, EDTA-resistant complex with its principal receptor, integrin alphavbeta6: implications for infectiousness

The initial stage of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection is virus binding to cell surface integrins via the RGD motif in the GH loop of the VP1 capsid protein. As for all ligand/integrin interactions, the initial contact between FMDV and its integrin receptors is cation dependent and hence inhibited by EDTA. We have investigated this binding process with RGD-containing peptides derived from the VP1 capsid protein of FMDV and discovered that, upon binding, some of these peptides form highly stable, EDTA-resistant associations with integrin αvβ6. Peptides containing specific substitutions show that this stable binding is dependent on a helical structure immediately C terminal to the RGD and, specifically, two leucine residues at positions RGD +1 and RGD +4. These observations have a biological consequence, as we show further that stable, EDTA-resistant binding to αvβ6 is a property also exhibited by FMDV particles. Thus, the integrin-binding loop of FMDV appears to have evolved to form very stable complexes with the principal receptor of FMDV, integrin αvβ6. An ability to induce such stable complexes with its cellular receptor is likely to contribute significantly to the high infectiousness of FMDV.     

Localization of αυβ6 Integrin-TGF-β1/Smad3, mTOR and PPARγ in Experimental Colorectal Fibrosis

A simultaneous action of several pro-fibrotic mediators appears relevant in the development of fibrosis. There are evidences that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad3 pathway forms with αvβ6 integrin, mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) a complex signalling network with extensive crosstalk and strong effects on fibrosis development. The present study evaluated the expression of TGFβ, Smad3, αvβ6 integrin, mTOR and PPARγ in 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colorectal fibrosis in Smad3 wild-type (WT) and null mice. Smad3 WT mice treated with TNBS developed a marked colorectal fibrosis and showed a concomitant up-regulation of TGFβ, Smad3, αvβ6 and mTOR and a reduction of PPARγ expression. On the other hand, Smad3 Null mice similarly treated with TNBS did not develop fibrosis and showed a very low or even absent expression of TGFβ, Smad3, αvβ6 and mTOR and a marked over-expression of PPARγ. At the same time the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (a marker of activated myofibroblasts), collagen I-III and connective tissue growth factor (a downstream effector of TGFβ/Smad3-induced extracellular matrix proteins) were up-regulated in Smad3 WT mice treated with TNBS compared to Null TNBS-treated mice. These preliminary results suggest a possible interaction between these pro-fibrotic molecules in the development of intestinal fibrosis.Key words: intestinal fibrosis, integrins, TGF-β, SMAD, mTOR, PPAR, IBD     

Recombinant disintegrin targets α(v) β(3) integrin and leads to mediator production

Integrin αvβ3 is most likely the foremost modulator of angiogenesis among all known integrins. Recombinant disintegrin DisBa-01, originally obtained from snake venom glands, binds to αvβ3, thereby significantly inhibiting adhesion and generating in vivo anti-metastatic ability. However, its function in mediator production is not clear. Here, we observed that the mediators VEGF-A, IL-8, and TGF-β are not produced by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC cell line) or monocyte/macrophage cells (SC cell line) when cells adhered to vitronectin. However, when exposed to DisBa-01, HUVECs produced higher levels of TGF-β, and SC cells produced higher levels of VEGF-A. Nonetheless, HUVECs also showed an enhancement of apoptosis after losing adherence when exposed to disintegrin, which is a characteristic of anoikis. We propose that disintegrin DisBa-01 could be used to modulate integrin αvβ3 functions.     

Tetraspanin CD9 links junctional adhesion molecule-A to αvβ3 integrin to mediate basic fibroblast growth factor–specific angiogenic signaling

Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is a member of the immunoglobulin family with diverse functions in epithelial cells, including cell migration, cell contact maturation, and tight junction formation. In endothelial cells, JAM-A has been implicated in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-regulated angiogenesis through incompletely understood mechanisms. In this paper, we identify tetraspanin CD9 as novel binding partner for JAM-A in endothelial cells. CD9 acts as scaffold and assembles a ternary JAM-A-CD9-αvβ3 integrin complex from which JAM-A is released upon bFGF stimulation. CD9 interacts predominantly with monomeric JAM-A, which suggests that bFGF induces signaling by triggering JAM-A dimerization. Among the two vitronectin receptors, αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrin, which have been shown to cooperate during angiogenic signaling with bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), respectively, CD9 links JAM-A specifically to αvβ3 integrin. In line with this, knockdown of CD9 blocks bFGF- but not VEGF-induced ERK1/2 activation. JAM-A or CD9 knockdown impairs endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Our findings indicate that CD9 incorporates monomeric JAM-A into a complex with αvβ3 integrin, which responds to bFGF stimulation by JAM-A release to regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, endothelial cell migration, and angiogenesis. The data also provide new mechanistic insights into the cooperativity between bFGF and αvβ3 integrin during angiogenic signaling.     

Syndecan-1-Induced ECM Fiber Alignment Requires Integrin αvβ3 and Syndecan-1 Ectodomain and Heparan Sulfate Chains

Expression of the cell surface proteoglycan syndecan-1 (Sdc1) is frequently induced in stromal fibroblasts of invasive breast carcinomas. We have recently identified a correlation between stromal Sdc1 expression and extracellular matrix (ECM) fiber alignment, both in vitro and in vivo. ECMs derived from Sdc1-positive human mammary fibroblasts (HMF) showed an aligned fiber architecture, which contrasted markedly with the more random fiber arrangement in the ECM produced by Sdc1-negative HMFs. We further demonstrated that aligned fiber architecture promotes the directional migration and invasion of breast carcinoma cells. To decipher the molecular mechanisms governing the formation of an aligned, invasion-permissive ECM, a series of Sdc1 mutants was introduced into HMF. We found that both the ectodomain and heparan sulfate chains of Sdc1 were required for full activity of Sdc1 in regulating ECM alignment, while transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains were dispensable. Sdc1 regulates the activities of several integrins via its ectodomain. Integrins are key players in the assembly of fibronectin-rich ECM. In addition, integrins are capable of regulating cell morphology and cell shape and orientation may affect ECM architecture. Therefore, we investigated the role of integrins in Sdc1-mediated ECM fiber alignment. Sdc1-overexpressing HMF gained an enhanced spindle-shaped morphology when cultured in an overconfluent state under conditions permissive for ECM production, which was partially reversed by siRNA-mediated silencing of β3 integrin expression. Moreover, suppression of αvβ3 integrin activity by a function-blocking antibody or β3 knockdown largely abolished the aligned ECM fiber architecture and consequently the invasion-permissive properties of the ECM induced by Sdc1. The results suggest that Sdc1 may modulate fibronectin fibrillogenesis and/or alter cell morphology during ECM production through αvβ3 integrin, thereby mediating ECM fiber alignment. Understanding the mechanisms governing ECM organization may lead to the development of novel stroma-targeted therapy for breast cancer, aiming at converting an invasion-permissive to an invasion-restrictive microenvironment.     

Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structure of an Adenovirus-Integrin Complex Indicates Conformational Changes in both Penton Base and Integrin

A structure of adenovirus type 12 (HAdV12) complexed with a soluble form of integrin αvβ5 was determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) image reconstruction. Subnanometer resolution (8 Å) was achieved for the icosahedral capsid with moderate resolution (27 Å) for integrin density above each penton base. Modeling with αvβ3 and α_IIbβ3 crystal structures indicates that a maximum of four integrins fit over the pentameric penton base. The close spacing (∼60 Å) of the RGD protrusions on penton base precludes integrin binding in the same orientation to neighboring RGD sites. Flexible penton-base RGD loops and incoherent averaging of bound integrin molecules explain the moderate resolution observed for the integrin density. A model with four integrins bound to a penton base suggests that integrin might extend one RGD-loop in the direction that could induce a conformational change in the penton base involving clockwise untwisting of the pentamer. A global conformational change in penton base could be one step on the way to the release of Ad vertex proteins during cell entry. Comparison of the cryoEM structure with bent and extended models for the integrin ectodomain reveals that integrin adopts an extended conformation when bound to the Ad penton base, a multivalent viral ligand. These findings shed further light on the structural basis of integrin binding to biologically relevant ligands, as well as on the molecular events leading to HAdV cell entry.A growing number of viruses have been identified as using one of the 24 types of integrin heterodimers as a receptor for cell entry (32). Integrins are cell surface molecules involved in the regulation of adhesion, migration, growth, and differentiation (11). The large multidomained extracellular segments of α and β integrin subunits bind a variety of ligands, including viral ligands, while the smaller intracellular domains interact with cytoskeletal proteins (Fig. ​(Fig.1A).1A). These extracellular and intracellular interactions facilitate bidirectional signaling, with the initiating events occurring either outside of the cell (outside-in signaling) or within the cell (inside-out signaling) (24). Integrin clustering has been established as having an important role in outside-in signaling (9, 19, 20, 44). Clustering results in the formation of focal adhesions, which are organized intracellular complexes, that facilitate downstream signaling cascades within the cell (24).Open in a separate windowFIG. 1.Integrin domains and conformations. (A) Structural domains of integrin αv and β chains, including the extracellular domains, transmembrane-spanning regions, and small cytoplasmic domains, shown in extended schematic forms. The domains are represented as 10Å-resolution density maps based on crystallographic coordinates. The membrane is represented by a gray bar. (Modified from Stewart and Nemerow (32) and reprinted with permission from Elsevier.) (B) Models for soluble αvβ5 integrin with Fos/Jun dimerization domains. Each chain has a six residue glycine-rich linker between the ectodomain and the Fos or Jun dimerization domain. The model of a bent integrin conformation (left) was built as a composite of αvβ3 integrin crystal structures, PDB-IDs 1L5G and 1U8C (42, 43), and the crystal structure of c-Fos/c-Jun bound to DNA, PDB-ID 1FOS (6). The model of an extended integrin conformation (right) is similar to the extended model docked into the HAdV12/αvβ5 cryo structure (Fig. ​(Fig.8B8B).Studies of adenovirus (Ad) interactions with αv integrins provided some of the first evidence of the virus-induced signaling events (13, 14). The Ad penton base capsid protein, which sits at the 12 vertices of the icosahedral capsid, has five prominent Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) containing loops that are flexible and protrude from the viral surface (31, 48). Receptor-mediated endocytosis of Ad is stimulated by interaction of the RGD-containing penton base with αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins (34). This interaction leads to receptor clustering, followed by tyrosine phosphorylation/activation of focal adhesion kinase, as well as activation of p130CAS, phosphatidylinositol 3-OH-kinase, and the Rho family of small GTPases, and subsequent actin polymerization and Ad internalization (32). Integrin signaling events also lead to production of proinflammatory cytokines (23) and may result in increased survival of certain host cells through subsequent signaling to protein kinase B (AKT) (25).Multiple studies indicate that after interaction with an RGD-containing ligand a straightening of the integrin extracellular domains occurs, leading to the “extension” or “switchblade” model for integrin activation (16, 45). In the extension model the headpiece domains, which are closest to the RGD interaction site, have a “closed” conformation in the low-affinity, unliganded state. This state is characterized by the close proximity of the α and β subunits at the “knees” or midpoints of the extracellular segments. In contrast, the high-affinity, ligand-bound state in the extension model is distinguished by an “open” headpiece conformation with separation at the knees of the extracellular segments. The location of the RGD binding site between the α-subunit β-propellor and the β-subunit I domain was first visualized in the crystal structure of the αvβ3 extracellular segment with a bound RGD peptide (43). In this structure the RGD site is folded back toward the membrane, and the integrin is in a closed conformation. The closed conformation has also been observed in crystal structures of the αvβ3 ectodomain without an RGD peptide (41) and the α_IIbβ3 ectodomain (47).The open integrin conformation has been characterized as having a large separation of up to ∼70 Å between the knees of α and β subunits (16). Four slightly different open headpiece conformations were observed in crystal structures of the α_IIbβ3 headpiece with bound fibrinogen-mimetic therapeutics (38). These structures show that the change from a closed to an open headpiece conformation is accompanied by a piston-like motion of helix α7 in the β-chain I domain and a large swing of the β-chain hybrid domain of up to 69°, as well as extension and separation of the two integrin chains. Comparison of the available αvβ3 and α_IIbβ3 crystal structures is providing information on the interdomain angle variation and flexibility between domains (47).One aspect of the extension model is that separation of the C-terminal, intracellular portions of the α and β subunits leads to inside-out activation. This concept is supported by nuclear magnetic resonance structures of the cytoplasmic tails of α_IIbβ3 showing that the membrane-proximal helices engage in a weak interaction that can be disrupted by constitutively activating mutations or by talin, a protein found in high concentrations in focal adhesions (33). The concept that the integrin α and β subunits must also separate during outside-in signaling is supported by a study involving a disulfide-bonded mutant of α_IIbβ3 integrin (46). When the α and β subunits are linked in the vicinity of the transmembrane helices the mutant α_IIbβ3 is still able to bind ligand, mediate adhesion, and undergo antibody-induced clustering. However, the disulfide-bonded mutant exhibits defects in focal adhesion formation and focal adhesion kinase activation. Reduction of the disulfide bond or single cysteine mutants rescues signaling.A competing model for integrin activation, called the “deadbolt” model, proposes only small conformational changes in the integrin β-chain I domain upon RGD binding (2). This model is based on crystal structures of the αvβ3 ectodomain with or without an RGD peptide (41, 43). Both of these αvβ3 structures reveal a bent integrin conformation with a closed headpiece conformation. However, the RGD peptide was soaked into a preformed crystal of αvβ3 and crystal contacts may have prevented conformational changes.There are relatively few and only moderate resolution structures of virus-integrin complexes. A moderate resolution cryoEM structure has been determined for the Picornavirus echovirus 1 (EV1) in complex with the I domain of the α2 integrin subunit (39). Docking of crystal structures of EV1 and the α2 I domain into the cryoEM density indicates that the I domain binds within a canyon on the surface of EV1 and that five integrins could potentially bind at one vertex of the icosahedral capsid. Confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments indicated that EV1 causes integrin clustering on human osteosarcoma cells stably transfected with α2 integrin. However, it could not be determined whether the bound integrins were in the inactive (bent) or active (extended) conformation.Moderate resolution (∼21 Å) cryoEM structures of Ad type 2 (HAdV2) and HAdV12 in complex with a soluble form of αvβ5 integrin revealed a ring of integrin density over each penton base capsid protein (5). Better-defined integrin density was observed in the HAdV12/integrin complex, supporting the idea suggested from sequence alignments that the RGD loop of the HAdV12 penton base is shorter and less flexible than that of HAdV2. This study also suggested that the precise spatial arrangement of the five RGD protrusions on the penton base might promote integrin clustering, which may lead to the intracellular signaling events required for virus internalization into a host cell. A similar spacing of RGD-containing integrin-binding sites around the fivefold axis of icosahedral virions has been noted for Ad, foot-and-mouth disease virus, and coxsackievirus A9 (32).We present here a significantly higher-resolution cryoEM structure of HAdV12 complexed with soluble αvβ5 that provides insight into the Ad-integrin interaction. The resolution of the icosahedral capsid portion of the Ad-integrin complex was improved to 8 Å, and the capsid shows clearly resolved α-helices, which allows accurate docking of the penton base crystal structure within the cryoEM density. The resolution of the integrin density is more moderate due to flexibility of the RGD-containing surface loop of penton base and incoherent averaging of integrin heterodimers. Nevertheless, modeling studies with available integrin crystal structures have enabled us to distinguish between a bent or extended conformation (Fig. ​(Fig.1B)1B) when αvβ5 binds to the multivalent ligand presented by the Ad penton base. The cryoEM structural analysis also indicates that integrin induces a conformational change in penton base.