Alteration of the neonatal pulmonary physiology after total cardiopulmonary bypass

PURPOSE: Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is an essential feature of the intimal hyperplastic process that so frequently limits the patency of vascular reconstructions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a series of integrins, or cell surface receptors that mediate cellular attachment, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein-induced migration of human SMCs. METHODS: Immunofluorescence staining was used to search for various integrins and subunits on the surface of SMCs derived from human saphenous vein. Chemotaxis and haptotaxis of SMCs to various matrix proteins and PDGF were assayed using a 48-well microchemotaxis chamber in the presence or absence of antibodies that blocked the function of these integrins. RESULTS: Several subunits (beta 1, alpha 2, alpha 5) and one integrin (alpha v beta 3) were identified in saphenous vein SMCs. The beta 1 integrin antibody inhibited chemotaxis to collagen I and IV, laminin, and PDGF. The alpha 2 integrin antibody inhibited collagen I and IV, and laminin-induced chemotaxis. The alpha 5 integrin antibody had no effect on SMC migration. The alpha v beta 3 integrin antibody inhibited chemotaxis to PDGF but not to the ECM proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Integrins are necessary for SMC migration induced by PDGF and ECM proteins. The integrin or subunits responsible for facilitating migration varies with the stimulant. Agonists designed to inhibit integrin function might be used to suppress SMC migration and suppress the formation of intimal hyperplasia.     

A two-step mechanism for recruitment of Pip by PU.1

Vasoactive effects of soluble matrix proteins and integrin-binding peptides on arterioles are mediated by alphav beta3 and alpha5 beta1 integrins. To examine the underlying mechanisms, we measured L-type Ca2+ channel current in arteriolar smooth muscle cells in response to integrin ligands. Whole-cell, inward Ba2+ currents were inhibited after application of soluble cyclic RGD peptide, vitronectin (VN), fibronectin (FN), either of two anti-beta3 integrin antibodies, or monovalent beta3 antibody. With VN or beta3 antibody coated onto microbeads and presented as an insoluble ligand, current was also inhibited. In contrast, beads coated with FN or alpha5 antibody produced significant enhancement of current after bead attachment. Soluble alpha5 antibody had no effect on current but blocked the increase in current evoked by FN-coated beads and enhanced current when applied in combination with an appropriate IgG. The data suggest that alphavbeta3 and alpha5 beta1 integrins are differentially linked through intracellular signaling pathways to the L-type Ca2+ channel and thereby alter control of Ca2+ influx in vascular smooth muscle. This would account for the vasoactive effects of integrin ligands on arterioles and provide a potential mechanism for wound recognition during tissue injury.     

Mineralocorticoids and hypertension]

The degree of lumen narrowing in advanced lesions correlates poorly with the amount of intimal mass accumulated in the atherosclerotic plaque. As an alternate mechanism of stenosis, we propose that human smooth muscle cells bind to fibrin deposited in the matrix and exert contractile forces to cause a narrowing of the lumen. In the present study we demonstrated in vitro that human newborn aortic smooth muscle cell lines can contract and adhere to fibrin clots composed of either fibronectin-depleted plasma ("plasma") or recombinant fibrin. By using neutralizing antibodies and RGD peptides, we showed that members of the integrin family mediated the interaction between human newborn smooth muscle cells and fibrin. Neutralizing antibodies against the integrin alphavbeta3 (c7E3 Fab and LM609) did not inhibit either plasma clot contraction or recombinant fibrin clot contraction by human newborn smooth muscle cells. In contrast, antibodies against alpha5, beta1, and alpha5/beta1 inhibited contraction of clots composed of either plasma or recombinant fibrin. Anti-alphavbeta3, anti-alphav, anti-alpha5, anti-beta1, and anti-alpha5beta1 antibodies inhibited human newborn smooth muscle cell adhesion to plasma clots; however, only anti-alpha5, anti-beta1, and anti-alpha5beta1 antibodies significantly inhibited adhesion to recombinant fibrin. While the linear RGD peptides had no effect, the cyclic peptide penRGD inhibited adhesion to plasma clots and recombinant fibrin. However, it did not block contraction of recombinant fibrin clots. These results suggest that during the interaction of human newborn smooth muscle cell lines with fibrin, alpha5beta1 plays a significant role. This interaction is of potential interest as a target for efforts to block vascular contraction.     

A collagen peptide motif activates tyrosine kinase-dependent calcium signalling pathways in human osteoblast-like cells

A collagen peptide motif (DGEA) which is a putative alpha 2 beta 1 integrin binding site was examined for its ability to activate Ca2+ signalling pathways in the human osteoblast-like cell line SaOS-2. We show that these cells express both alpha 2 beta 1 integrin subunits (by immunocytochemistry) and that an anti-beta 1 monoclonal antibody (DF5) mobilizes Ca2+ in these cells. DGEA elevated intracellular Ca2+ in fura-2-loaded cells, in a concentration- and sequence-dependent fashion, with an EC50 of 250 microM. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A reduced the number of cells responding to DGEA and to transforming growth factor alpha. Thrombin also stimulated a rise in intracellular Ca2+, but the number of cells responding was not reduced by herbimycin A. The DGEA response was dependent on extracellular Ca2+, but was not due to Ca2+ influx, since it was blocked by thapsigargin and not by lanthanum. Using three different anti-alpha 2 monoclonal antibodies, we were unable to show that the DGEA-induced Ca2+ signal was mediated by the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin. In summary, the DGEA collagen motif does appear to activate receptor-mediated Ca2+ signalling events in SaOS-2 cells, in a divalent cation-dependent manner, but we were unable to demonstrate a role for alpha 2 beta 1 integrin in this response.     

CD11b/CD18 mediates the neutrophil chemotactic activity of fibrin degradation product D domain

Coagulation and fibrinolysis universally accompany tissue injury and repair. The accumulation of regionally generated fibrin degradation products (FDP) may modify the local inflammatory response. We have found FDP to be potent neutrophil chemotaxins. We separated plasmin FDP by chromatofocusing and found chemotactic activity limited to fractions containing the fibrinogen D domain (D-D dimer and D monomer). The bioactivity of the D-D dimer did not require an intact cross link site as removal of this sequence with puff adder venom or hypocalcemic plasmic digestion did not decrease chemotaxis. Peptide inhibition studies confirmed that the chemotactic region did not involve terminal gamma chain sequences or alpha chain RGD motifs. The internal gamma chain peptide KYGWTVFQKRLDGSV (P1), known to bind CD11b/CD18, exhibited concentration dependent chemotactic activity. Similarly, monoclonal antibodies directed against CD11b/CD18 blocked PMN migration to FDP without similar inhibition of chemotaxis to IL-8 or LTB4. Thus, neutrophil chemotaxis to FDP is mediated by interactions between the fibrinogen D domain and CD11b/CD18.     

Integrin activation suppresses etoposide-induced DNA strand breakage in cultured murine tumor-derived endothelial cells

Tumor endothelium is critical for solid tumor growth and is a potential site for anticancer drug action. Within 2 h, etoposide caused marked DNA strand breakage in xenograft tumor-derived endothelial cells (TDECs). Etoposide-induced DNA breakage was inhibited by culturing TDECs on gelatin, type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and the integrin ligand hexapeptide, GRGDSP, but not the inactive peptide, GRADSP. It was also inhibited when TDECs were on surfaces coated with antibodies to alpha 5, beta 1, or beta 3 integrin subunits and by clustering integrins with soluble antibodies. After 8 h with etoposide, TDECs detached from the monolayer, and 50-kb DNA fragments were seen. Fibronectin inhibited both processes. Thus, integrins are survival factors for TDEC that inhibit the genotoxicity of etoposide and may influence the sensitivity of tumors to drugs.     

Sequence-specific DNA alkylation of novel tallimustine derivatives

beta 1D is a recently identified isoform of the beta 1 integrin subunit selectively expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles. In the present study we determined the temporal expression of beta 1D and its association with alpha subunits during mouse development. By immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis we demonstrated that beta 1D begins to be expressed in skeletal muscles of 17 days embryo (stage E17). Its level progressively increases reaching maximal values few days after birth and remaining high in adult mice. At earlier stages of development (E11-E17) the beta 1A isoform is expressed in skeletal muscle cells. After E17 beta 1A is downregulated and disappears from muscle fibers few days after birth. In cardiac muscle the regulation of the beta 1D expression is different: beta 1D and beta 1A are coexpressed in the heart of E11 embryo. Subsequently expression of beta 1A declines, while beta 1D increases until it becomes the unique beta 1 isoform in cardiomyocytes few days after birth. Previous studies (Belkin et al J. Cell Biol. 132: 211-226, 1996) demonstrated that beta 1D in adult mouse cardiomyocytes is exclusively associated with alpha 7B. Western blot analysis shows that alpha 7B starts to be expressed in the heart only at stage E17, while beta 1D is expressed already at E11 embryo, indicating that alpha subunits other than alpha 7 should associate with beta 1D in early developmental stages. To investigate this aspect, beta 1 associated alpha subunits were identified by western blotting from cardiomyocytes integrin complexes immunoprecipitated with alpha subunit specific antibodies. We found that, during cardiomyocyte development, beta 1D associates with several alpha subunits namely with alpha 5, alpha 6A and alpha 7B. In conclusion these data show that the expression of the beta 1D muscle specific integrin during development occurs much earlier in heart than in skeletal muscle and it can dimerize with different alpha subunits.     

Identification of integrin-dependent and -independent cell adhesion domains in COOH-terminal globular region of laminin-5 alpha 3 chain

Laminin-5 is an isoform of laminin that consists of alpha 3, beta 3, and gamma 2 chains and has potent cell adhesion- and cell migration-promoting activities. In this study, five subdomains in the COOH-terminal globular (G) domain of human laminin alpha 3 chain were individually expressed in Escherichia coli, and their biological activities were investigated. Recombinant G2, G4, and G5 domains promoted adhesion to plastic plates of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells, and ECV304 vascular endothelial cells. For the cell adhesion activity, the G2 domain required a divalent cation and heat-sensitive conformation more strongly than G4 and G5. The cell adhesion to G2 but not G4 and G5 was effectively inhibited by an anti-integrin alpha 3 antibody. A cell adhesion sequence of 22 amino acids, alpha 3G2A, that was homologous to the integrin alpha 3 beta 1-binding sequence GD-6 of laminin alpha 1 chain was identified within the G2 structure. The cell adhesion to alpha 3G2A peptide was also inhibited by the anti-integrin alpha 3 antibody. The cell adhesion to G2, alpha 3G2A, G4, and G5 was strongly inhibited by heparin, but that to native laminin-5 was inhibited less effectively. Moreover, G5 potently stimulated chemotactic migration of rat liver epithelial cells in Boyden chambers, but G2 and G4 did not. These results indicate that the G domain of laminin alpha 3 contains multiple cell binding sites with different mechanisms and different functions. The G2 domain seems to recognize integrin alpha 3 beta 1, whereas G4 and G5 may interact with heparin-like molecules on cell surface.     

Interactions of type IV collagen and its domains with human mesangial cells

Type IV collagen (COL-IV) interacts with a variety of cell types. We present evidence that human mesangial cells (HMC) bind directly to COL-IV, its major triple helical domain, and the main non-collagenous, NC1 domain. A synthetic peptide, HEP-III, and its triple helical counterpart (THP-III), previously reported to be a heparin-binding domain, also promoted approximately 15% adhesion of HMC. HMC bound to solid-phase-immobilized, intact COL-IV (approximately 75%), isolated NC1 domain (approximately 15%), and a pepsin-derived triple helical fragment,which lacks Hep-III (approximately 65%). We further examined inhibition of HMC adhesion to COL-IV and its domains by using anti-integrin antibodies. Blocking monoclonal antibodies against the alpha2 integrin resulted in 70% inhibition of adhesion to COL-IV and 80% inhibition to HEP-III. Moderate inhibition was observed on the NC1 and triple helical fragments. Anti-alpha1 antibodies inhibited the binding of HMC to COL-IV, the NC1, and triple helical domains, but not to peptide HEP-III. Anti-beta1 antibodies inhibited almost completely (>95%) the adhesion to COL-IV, the NC1, and triple helical fragments; inhibition on HEP-III was approximately 30%. Affinity chromatography studies with solid-phase HEP-III and mesangial cell lysate also demonstrated the presence of integrin alpha2 beta1 along with alpha3 beta1. We conclude that alpha2 beta1 and alpha1 beta1 integrins mediate HMC adhesion to COL-IV. Peptide HEP-III is a major, specific site for alpha2 integrin-mediated binding of mesangial cells to COL-IV. Both the alpha1 beta1 and alpha2 beta1 integrins interact with the NC1 and triple helical fragments of COL-IV. Therefore, we demonstrate that several sites for integrin-mediated interactions exist on several collagenous and non-collagenous domains of COL-IV.     

Structural interlock between ligand-binding site and stalk-like region of beta1 integrin revealed by a monoclonal antibody recognizing conformation-dependent epitope

Integrin activation and sebsequent ligand binding to it are regulated by intracellular mechanisms called inside-out signaling, which are not fully understood and are accompanied by dynamic structural changes of the integrin molecule itself. A monoclonal antibody recognizing a conformation-dependent epitope on human beta1 integrin was produced and characterized in detail. This antibody, AG89, reacted with human integrin beta1 chain regardless of the alpha subunit. AG89 can recognize resting state beta1 integrin on the cells, but the reactivity is increased approximately 2-fold upon integrin activation by activating anti-beta1 antibodies and approximately 3-fold by Mn2+. Furthermore, occupation of the ligand-binding pocket by a soluble ligand (RGD peptide for alpha(v)beta1 and CS-1 peptide for alpha4beta1) resulted in maximum binding of AG89, indicating that the epitope for AG89 is exposed during the conformational changes of beta1 integrin upon activation/ligation. Epitope mapping by using interspecies chimeric beta1 revealed that the epitope for AG89 lies within residues 426-587, which corresponds to the cysteine-rich repeat structure located in the middle of the beta1 chain. The fact that binding of AG89 itself could activate the resting beta1 integrin indicates that exposure of the AG89 epitope in the membrane-proximal stalk-like domain and "opening" of the ligand-binding pocket at the outermost domain are physically linked. We propose that the integrin "signaling" is mediated by this direct physical transduction of conformational information along the integrin molecule.     

Post-translational modifications of alpha5beta1 integrin by glycosaminoglycan chains. The alpha5beta1 integrin is a facultative proteoglycan

Cell-fibronectin interactions, mediated through several different receptors, have been implicated in a wide variety of cellular properties. Among the cell surface receptors for fibronectin, integrins are the best characterized, particularly the prototype alpha5beta1 integrin. Using [125I]iodine cell surface labeling or metabolic radiolabeling with sodium [35S]sulfate, we identified alpha5beta1 integrin as the only sulfated integrin among beta1 integrin heterodimers expressed by the human melanoma cell line Mel-85. This facultative sulfation was confirmed not only by immunoprecipitation reactions using specific monoclonal antibodies but also by fibronectin affinity chromatography, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and chemical reduction. The covalent nature of alpha5beta1 integrin sulfation was evidenced by its resistance to treatments with high ionic, chaotrophic, and denaturing agents such as 4 M NaCl, 4 M MgCl2, 8 M urea, and 6 M guanidine HCl. Based on deglycosylation procedures as chemical beta-elimination, proteinase K digestion, and susceptibility to glycosaminoglycan lyases (chondroitinase ABC and heparitinases I and II), it was demonstrated that the alpha5beta1 heterodimer and alpha5 and beta1 integrin subunits were proteoglycans. The importance of alpha5beta1 sulfation was strengthened by the finding that this molecule is also sulfated in MG-63 (human osteosarcoma) and HCT-8 (human colon adenocarcinoma) cells.     

Involvement of integrins with adhesion-promoting, heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen in cultured human corneal epithelial cells

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to identify the integrin subunits present on the cell surface of human corneal epithelial cells. The authors determined to show whether type IV collagen, heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen (Hep-I, Hep-II, and Hep-III), fibronectin, and GRGDSP promote cell adhesion of human corneal epithelial cells. Type IV collagen and heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen may be important in corneal epithelial cell adhesion in normal and pathologic conditions and reepithelialization. The authors assess the role of cell surface integrins in mediating cell adhesion to these proteins and peptides. METHODS: Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis was used to determine the integrin subunits expressed at the cell surface of the cultured human corneal epithelial cells. Cell adhesion was assessed with type IV collagen, heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen, fibronectin, and GRGDSP: Antibodies to the integrin subunits were used to determine the potential role of integrins in cell adhesion to the above proteins and peptides. RESULTS: FACS analysis identified the beta 1, beta 4, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5, alpha 6, and alpha v integrin subunits on human corneal epithelial cells grown as primary cultures. The anti-beta 1 antibody inhibited cell adhesion to heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen, type IV collagen, fibronectin, and GRGDSP: Antibodies to the alpha 2 integrin subunit inhibited cell adhesion to the heparin-binding peptides of type IV collagen and slightly inhibited cell adhesion to intact type IV. Antibodies to the alpha 3 integrin subunit exhibited a somewhat lesser effect compared to the anti-alpha 2 integrin antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin of human corneal epithelial cells recognize heparin-binding peptide sequences derived from human type IV collagen. It seems likely that these sequences play an important role in integrin-mediated corneal epithelial cell adhesion. In addition, the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin may mediate similar events.     

Laminin-5 and modulation of keratin cytoskeleton arrangement in FG pancreatic carcinoma cells: involvement of IFAP300 and evidence that laminin-5/cell interactions correlate with a dephosphorylation of alpha 6A integrin

Under normal culture conditions, epithelial cells of the FG line, derived from a pancreatic tumor, characteristically grow in mounds and fail to flatten efficiently onto their substrate. In such cells, keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) are concentrated in the perinuclear region. Furthermore, the IF associated protein, IFAP300, primarily localizes along these keratin bundles. Additionally, alpha 6 beta 4 integrin heterodimers localize in streaks or spots towards the edges of cells while alpha 3 beta 1 integrin is predominantly at cell-cell surfaces. Neither show any obvious interaction with IF. Remarkably, upon plating FG cells into medium containing soluble rat laminin-5, FG cells rapidly adhere and spread onto their substrate. Moreover, FG cells "capture" rat laminin-5 and place it basally in circles or arcs at areas of cell-substrate interaction. Double label immunofluorescence microscopy reveals colocalization of IFAP300 as well as alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 1 integrin with the polarized laminin-5. Concomitantly, alpha 6 integrin undergoes dephosphorylation on serine residue 1041. Laminin-5-induced rapid adhesion can be blocked by antibodies against the alpha 3 integrin subunit. In contrast, while alpha 6 integrin antibodies do not block laminin-5-induced rapid adhesion, they prevent FG cells from assuming an epithelial-like morphology. Keratin IF bundles associate with IFAP300-alpha 6 beta 4/alpha 3 beta 1 integrin complexes along the cell-substratum-attached surface of FG cells coincubated in laminin-5-containing medium. Coprecipitation results suggest that in these complexes, IFAP300 may associate with the alpha 6 beta 4 integrin heterodimer. Based on our results and published evidence that IFAP300 binds keratin in vitro [Skalli et al., 1994; J. Cell Biol. 125:159-170], we propose that laminin-5/FG cell interaction results in a novel integrin dephosphorylation event, which subsequently induces IFAP300 association with alpha 6 beta 4 integrin. IFAP300 then mediates the interaction of IFs with the cell surface via the alpha 6 beta 4 integrin heterodimer.     

A role of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan binding site in alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated melanoma cell adhesion

We have previously reported that alpha4beta1 (but not alpha5beta1) integrin-mediated melanoma cell adhesion is inhibited by removal of cell surface chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CSGAG), suggesting that melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan plays a role in modulating the adhesive function of alpha4beta1 integrin. In the current study, we demonstrated that alpha4beta1 integrin binds to CSGAG. We have identified a peptide from within alpha4 integrin termed SG1 (KKEKDIMKKTI) that binds to cell surface melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, indicating that SG1 represents a CSGAG binding site within the alpha4 integrin subunit. Soluble SG1 inhibits alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated human melanoma cell adhesion to CS1. Polyclonal antibody generated against the peptide inhibits melanoma cell adhesion to CS1, and the inhibition is reversed by Mn2+ and an activating monoclonal antibody anti-beta1 (8A2). Additionally, pretreatment of cells with anti-SG1 IgG inhibits the expression of the monoclonal antibody 15/7 epitope in the presence of soluble CS1 peptide, suggesting that anti-SG1 IgG prevents ligand binding by alpha4beta1 integrin. These results demonstrate that alpha4beta1 integrin interacts directly with CSGAG through SG1 site, and that this site can affect the ligand binding properties of the integrin.     

Laminin and fibronectin promote the chemotaxis of human malignant plasma cell lines

We examined chemotaxis of human plasma cells (PCs) in response to extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs) in the human PC cell lines FR4ds and OPM-1ds. The FR4ds cells expressed beta 1+, beta 3-, alpha 2-, alpha 3-, alpha 4+, alpha 5+, alpha 6+, and alpha v+ integrins, whereas the OPM-1ds cells expressed beta 1+, beta 3-, alpha 2-, alpha 3+, alpha 4+, alpha 5-, alpha 6+, and alpha v+. Fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) promoted the chemotaxis of the PCs. An inhibitory assay with anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) showed that anti-alpha 4 MoAb partially inhibited the chemotaxis of FR4ds and completely inhibited the chemotaxis of OPM-1ds. Anti-alpha 5 MoAb alone had no effect on either of these two lines. Nevertheless, anti-alpha 5 MoAb completely inhibited chemotaxis when it was added with anti-alpha 4 in FR4ds, demonstrating a novel complementary role of VLA-5 toward VLA-4 in the chemotaxis induced by FN. LN facilitated chemotaxis both in OPM-1ds expressing alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrins and in FR4ds expressing alpha 6 integrin alone. Anti-alpha 6 MoAb completely inhibited FR4ds chemotaxis, whereas anti-alpha 3 and -alpha 6 MoAb had synergistic inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis of OPM-1ds. These results indicated that the distribution of PCs in human tissue are determined by at least two factors: the concentration of the ECM proteins FN and LN and the expression of integrins.     

A functional role for specific spliced variants of the alpha7beta1 integrin in acetylcholine receptor clustering

The clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) on skeletal muscle fibers is an early event in the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Recent studies show that laminin as well as agrin can induce AChR clustering. Since the alpha7beta1 integrin is a major laminin receptor in skeletal muscle, we determined if this integrin participates in laminin and/or agrin-induced AChR clustering. The alternative cytoplasmic domain variants, alpha7A and alpha7B, and the extracellular spliced forms, alpha7X1 and alpha7X2, were studied for their ability to engage in AChR clustering. Immunofluorescence microscopy of C2C12 myofibers shows that the alpha7beta1 integrin colocalizes with laminin-induced AChR clusters and to a much lesser extent with agrin-induced AChR clusters. However, together laminin and agrin promote a synergistic response and all AChR colocalize with the integrin. Laminin also induces the physical association of the integrin and AChR. High concentrations of anti-alpha7 antibodies inhibit colocalization of the integrin with AChR clusters as well as the enhanced response promoted by both laminin and agrin. Engaging the integrin with low concentrations of anti-alpha7 antibody initiates cluster formation in the absence of agrin or laminin. Whereas both the alpha7A and alpha7B cytoplasmic domain variants cluster with AChR, only those isoforms containing the alpha7X2 extracellular domain were active. These results demonstrate that the alpha7beta1 integrin has a physiologic role in laminin-induced AChR clustering, that alternative splicing is integral to this function of the alpha7 chain, and that laminin, agrin, and the alpha7beta1 integrin interact in a common or convergent pathway in the formation of neuromuscular junctions.     

Alternative splicing gives rise to two novel long isoforms of Zn-alpha 2-glycoprotein, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily

The integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (GPIIb/IIIa) mediates platelet aggregation by a change in affinity for the ligand fibrinogen. The amino acids 991-995 (GFFKR) at the NH2-terminus of the cytoplasmic domain are highly conserved in all known integrin alpha subunits. We postulated that the GFFKR-region is important for the inside-out signal transduction and has an influence on the affinity state of integrins. To test this hypothesis, a mutant with a deletion in the GFFKR region was designed. The DNA-constructs were constructed by PCR, sequenced, cotransfected with the beta 3 subunit into CHO cells and cell surface expression was proven with immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry. The GFFKR-deletion mutant demonstrated a high affinity binding of the mAb PAC-1 and I125-labeled fibrinogen. The metabolic inhibitors 2-deoxyglucose and NaN3 did not change the affinity state of the deleted receptor. Neither did the truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of the beta 3 subunit. Additionally, expression of the deleted integrin in the erythropoetic cell line K562 revealed a high affinity state. A deletion of the GFFKR-region in the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit locks integrin alpha IIb beta 3 in a high affinity state. This is an intrinsic property of the deleted receptor since there is no energy dependence and no cell type specifity. Thus, the GFFKR-region is involved in inside-out signaling in alpha IIb beta 3. Furthermore, cell lines expressing this activated alpha IIb beta 3 integrin may be used as models for activated platelets.     

Restoration of beta1A integrins is required for lysophosphatidic acid-induced migration of beta1-null mouse fibroblastic cells

Cells lacking the beta1 integrin subunit or expressing beta1A with certain cytoplasmic mutations have poor directed cell migration to platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor, ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases (Sakai, T., Zhang, Q., F?ssler, R., and Mosher, D. F. (1998) J. Cell Biol. 141, 527-538). We investigated the effect of expression of beta1A integrins on lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced migration of fibroblastic cells derived from beta1-null mouse embryonic stem cells. These cells expressed edg-2, a G-protein-linked receptor for LPA, as well as the related edg-1 receptor. Cells expressing wild type beta1A demonstrated enhanced cell migration across filters coated with gelatin or adhesive proteins in response to LPA, whereas beta1-deficient cells lacked LPA-induced cell migratory ability. Checkerboard analyses indicated that LPA causes both chemotaxis and chemokinesis of beta1-replete cells. Cells expressing beta1A with mutations of prolines or tyrosines in conserved cytoplasmic NPXY motifs, threonine in the inter-motif sequence, or a critical aspartic acid in the extracellular domain had low migratory responses to LPA. These findings indicate that active beta1A integrin is required for cell migration induced by LPA and that the cytoplasmic domain of ligated beta1A interacts with pathways that are common to both receptor tyrosine kinase and G-protein-linked receptor signaling.     

Identification of a structural element in phospholipase C beta2 that interacts with G protein betagamma subunits

To delineate the specific regions of phospholipase C beta2 (PLC beta2) involved in binding and activation by G protein betagamma subunits, we synthesized peptides corresponding to segments of PLC beta2. Two overlapping peptides corresponding to Asn-564-Lys-583 (N20K) and Glu-574-Lys-593 (E20K) inhibited the activation of PLC beta2 by betagamma subunits (IC50 50 and 150 microM, respectively), whereas two control peptides did not. N20K and E20K, but not the control peptides, inhibited betagamma-dependent ADP-ribosylation of Galphai1 by pertussis toxin and betagamma-dependent activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. To demonstrate direct binding of the peptides to betagamma subunits, the peptides were chemically cross-linked to purified beta1gamma2. N20K and E20K cross-linked to both beta1 and gamma2 subunits, whereas the control peptides did not. Cross-linking to beta and gamma was inhibited by incubation with excess PLC beta2 or PLC beta3, whereas cross-linking to gamma but not beta was inhibited by r-myr-alphai1. These data together demonstrate specificity of N20K and E20K for G betagamma binding and inhibition of effector activation by betagamma subunits. The results suggest that an overlapping region of the two active peptides, Glu-574-Lys-583, mimics a region of PLC beta2 that is involved in binding to betagamma subunits. Changing a tyrosine to a glutamine in this overlapping region of the peptides inhibited binding of the peptide to betagamma subunits. Alignment of these peptides with the three-dimensional structure from PLC delta1 identifies a putative alpha helical region on the surface of the catalytic domain of PLC beta2 that could interact with betagamma subunits.