Beta(3) integrin expression increases breast carcinoma cell responsiveness to the malignancy-enhancing effects of osteopontin

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein that has been associated with malignancy of breast and other cancers. OPN binds to several cell surface integrins including alpha(v)beta(3), alpha(v)beta(5), and alpha(v)beta(1). Although the relative contribution of these integrins to breast cancer cell malignancy is uncertain, correlative studies suggest that alpha(v)beta(3) may be particularly associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. Previously, we reported that tumorigenic, nonmetastatic 21NT mammary carcinoma cells respond to OPN through alpha(v)beta(5) and alpha(v)beta(1) but not alpha(v)beta(3). Here, we determined that 21NT cells lack beta(3) expression, and we asked whether expression of alpha(v)beta(3) could enhance the ability of breast cancer cells to respond to the malignancy-promoting effects of OPN both in vitro and in vivo. 21NT cells stably transfected with beta(3) showed significantly increased adhesion, migration, and invasion to OPN in vitro compared with vector control. To determine if beta(3) could also enhance the response of breast epithelial cells to OPN in vivo, cells stably transfected with both beta(3) and OPN (NT/Obeta(3)) were injected into the mammary fat pad of female nude mice and primary tumor growth was assessed relative to controls. Mice injected with NT/Obeta(3) cells demonstrated a significantly increased primary tumor take (75% of mice) compared with controls (0-12.5% of mice) as well as a decreased tumor doubling time and a decreased tumor latency period. These results suggest that increased expression of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin during breast cancer progression can make tumor cells more responsive to malignancy-promoting ligands such as OPN and result in increased tumor cell aggressiveness.