The integrin-growth factor receptor duet

Talin1 promotes tumor invasion and metastasis via focal adhesion signaling and anoikis resistance

Talin1 is a focal adhesion complex protein that regulates integrin interactions with ECM. This study investigated the significance of talin1 in prostate cancer progression to metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Talin1 overexpression enhanced prostate cancer cell adhesion, migration, and invasion by activating survival signals and conferring resistance to anoikis. ShRNA-mediated talin1 loss led to a significant suppression of prostate cancer cell migration and transendothelial invasion in vitro and a significant inhibition of prostate cancer metastasis in vivo. Talin1-regulated cell survival signals via phosphorylation of focal adhesion complex proteins, such as focal adhesion kinase and Src, and downstream activation of AKT. Targeting AKT activation led to a significant reduction of talin1-mediated prostate cancer cell invasion. Furthermore, talin1 immunoreactivity directly correlated with prostate tumor progression to metastasis in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate mouse model. Talin1 profiling in human prostate specimens revealed a significantly higher expression of cytoplasmic talin1 in metastatic tissue compared with primary prostate tumors (P < 0.0001). These findings suggest (a) a therapeutic significance of disrupting talin1 signaling/focal adhesion interactions in targeting metastatic prostate cancer and (b) a potential value for talin1 as a marker of tumor progression to metastasis.

Functional roles of the bisecting GlcNAc in integrin-mediated cell adhesion

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) transfers N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) from UDP-GlcNAc to core mannose with a beta1,4 linkage, so-called bisecting GlcNAc, in N-glycans. The bisecting GlcNAc is found in various hybrid and complex N-glycans. GnT-III is generally regarded as a key glycosyltransferase in N-glycan biosynthetic pathways. Introduction of a bisecting GlcNAc suppresses further processing and elongation of N-glycans catalyzed by other GlcNAc transferases to form branching structures, such as N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V), since GnT-V cannot utilize the bisected oligosaccharide as a substrate. Considering that expression of the enzyme leads to a remarkable structural alteration of the N-glycans on cell surface, it has been postulated that the enzyme is associated with various biological events such as cell adhesion, migration, cell growth, cell differentiation, and tumor invasion. Integrin is a major carrier of N-glycans. In fact, overexpression of GnT-III reduced the beta1,6 GlcNAc branching structures, in conjunction with the increase in the bisected N-glycans on integrins, and resulted in an inhibition of integrin-mediated cell spreading and migration, and the cellular phosphorylation levels. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous GnT-III expression resulted in increased cell migration, concomitant with an increase in beta1,6 GlcNAc-branched N-glycans on integrins. Thus, N-glycan could be considered as either a positive or negative regulator for biological functions of integrin.

The extracellular matrix: not just pretty fibrils

The extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM proteins are important in phenomena as diverse as developmental patterning, stem cell niches, cancer, and genetic diseases. The ECM has many effects beyond providing structural support. ECM proteins typically include multiple, independently folded domains whose sequences and arrangement are highly conserved. Some of these domains bind adhesion receptors such as integrins that mediate cell-matrix adhesion and also transduce signals into cells. However, ECM proteins also bind soluble growth factors and regulate their distribution, activation, and presentation to cells. As organized, solid-phase ligands, ECM proteins can integrate complex, multivalent signals to cells in a spatially patterned and regulated fashion. These properties need to be incorporated into considerations of the functions of the ECM.

Neuregulin-1 beta and neuregulin-1 alpha differentially affect the migration and invasion of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are the most common malignancy associated with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). These Schwann cell lineage-derived sarcomas aggressively invade adjacent nerve and soft tissue, frequently precluding surgical resection. Little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying this invasive behavior. We have shown that MPNSTs express neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) beta isoforms, which promote Schwann cell migration during development, and NRG-1 alpha isoforms, whose effects on Schwann cells are poorly understood. Hypothesizing that NRG-1 beta and/or NRG-1 alpha promote MPNST invasion, we found that NRG-1 beta promoted MPNST migration in a substrate-specific manner, markedly enhancing migration on laminin but not on collagen type I or fibronectin. The NRG-1 receptors erbB3 and erbB4 were present in MPNST invadopodia (processes mediating invasion), partially colocalized with focal adhesion kinase and the laminin receptor beta(1)-integrin and coimmunoprecipitated with beta(1)-integrin. NRG-1 beta stimulated human and murine MPNST cell migration and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner in three-dimensional migration assays, acting as a chemotactic factor. Both baseline and NRG-1 beta-induced migration were erbB-dependent and required the action of MEK 1/2, SAPK/JNK, PI-3 kinase, Src family kinases and ROCK-I/II. In contrast, NRG-1 alpha had no effect on the migration and invasion of some MPNST lines and inhibited the migration of others. While NRG-1 beta potently and persistently activated Erk 1/2, SAPK/JNK, Akt and Src family kinases, NRG-1 alpha did not activate Akt and activated these other kinases with kinetics distinct from those evident in NRG-1 beta-stimulated cells. These findings suggest that NRG-1 beta enhances MPNST migration and that NRG-1 beta and NRG-1 alpha differentially modulate this process.

Prostate cancer regulatory networks

Although the timing with which common epithelial malignancies arise and become established remains a matter of debate, it is clear that by the time they are detected these tumors harbor hundreds of deregulated, aberrantly expressed or mutated genes. This enormous complexity poses formidable challenges to identify gene pathways that are drivers of tumorigenesis, potentially suitable for therapeutic intervention. An alternative approach is to consider cancer pathways as interconnected networks, and search for potential nodal proteins capable of connecting multiple signaling networks of tumor maintenance. We have modeled this approach in advanced prostate cancer, a condition with current limited therapeutic options. We propose that the integration of three signaling networks, including chaperone-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis, integrin-dependent cell signaling, and Runx2-regulated gene expression in the metastatic bone microenvironment plays a critical role in prostate cancer maintenance, and offers novel options for molecular therapy.

Effects of integrins on laminin chemotaxis by hepatocellular carcinoma cells

To quantitatively evaluate the effects of integrins alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1, and alpha6beta1 on the chemotaxis of hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 to laminin (LN). A modified dual-micropipette system was used to dynamically and quantitatively monitor the formation of pseudopod protrusion of HCC cells toward LN in the presence or absence of specific antibodies against integrins alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and beta1. Additionally, the expression levels of different integrin subunits on the surface of the cells were determined via flow cytometry analysis. In response to equal concentrations of LN in both micropipettes, HCC cells form symmetrical pseudopod protrusions on both sides. Addition of antibodies against alpha3, alpha6, or beta1 into one micropipette leads to significant reduction of pseudopod formation on that side, while antibodies against alpha1, alpha2, alpha4, and alpha5 do not affect the symmetrical formation of pseudopods in either micropipette. The percentages of HCC cells positive for expression of integrins alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and beta1 were 95.07, 23.17, 95.55, 2.47, 34, 14.29, and 95.78%, respectively. Integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 are important cell surface receptors that mediate the chemotaxis of HCC cells toward LN.

Ephrin-independent regulation of cell substrate adhesion by the EphB4 receptor

Receptor tyrosine kinases of the Eph family become tyrosine phosphorylated and initiate signalling events upon binding of their ligands, the ephrins. Eph receptors such as EphA2 and EphB4 are highly expressed but poorly tyrosine phosphorylated in many types of cancer cells, suggesting a limited interaction with ephrin ligands. Nevertheless, decreasing the expression of these receptors affects the malignant properties of cancer cells, suggesting that Eph receptors may influence cancer cells independently of ephrin stimulation. Ligand-independent activities of Eph receptors in cancer, however, have not been demonstrated. By using siRNA (small interfering RNA) to downregulate EphB4 in MCF7 and MDA-MB-435 cancer cells, we found that EphB4 inhibits integrin-mediated cell substrate adhesion, spreading and migration, and reduces beta1-integrin protein levels. Low expression of the EphB4 preferred ligand, ephrin-B2, and minimal contact between cells in these assays suggest that cell contact-dependent stimulation of EphB4 by the transmembrane ephrin-B2 ligand does not play a role in these effects. Indeed, inhibitors of ephrin-B2 binding to endogenous EphB4 did not influence cell substrate adhesion. Increasing EphB4 expression by transient transfection inhibited cell substrate adhesion, and this effect was also independent of ephrin stimulation because it was not affected by single amino acid mutations in EphB4 that impair ephrin binding. The overexpressed EphB4 was tyrosine phosphorylated, and we found that EphB4 kinase activity is important for inhibition of integrin-mediated adhesion, although several EphB4 tyrosine phosphorylation sites are dispensable. These findings demonstrate that EphB4 can affect cancer cell behaviour in an ephrin-independent manner.

Beta1 integrin cytoplasmic variants differentially regulate expression of the antiangiogenic extracellular matrix protein thrombospondin 1

Beta(1) integrins play an important role in regulating cell proliferation and survival. Using small interfering RNA or an inhibitory antibody to beta(1), we show here that, in vivo, beta(1) integrins are essential for prostate cancer growth. Among the five known beta(1) integrin cytoplasmic variants, two have been shown to differentially affect prostate cell functions. The beta(1A) variant promotes normal and cancer cell proliferation, whereas the beta(1C) variant, which is down-regulated in prostate cancer, inhibits tumor growth and appears to have a dominant effect on beta(1A). To investigate the mechanism by which beta(1C) inhibits the tumorigenic potential of beta(1A), we analyzed changes in gene expression in cells transfected with either beta(1C) or beta(1A). The results show that beta(1C) expression increases the levels of an extracellular matrix protein, thrombospondin 1 (TSP1), an angiogenesis inhibitor. TSP1 protein levels are increased upon beta(1C) expression in prostate cancer cells as well as in beta(1)-null GD25 cells. We show that TSP1 does not affect proliferation, apoptosis, or anchorage-independent growth of prostate cancer cells. In contrast, the newly synthesized TSP1, secreted by prostate cancer cells expressing beta(1C), prevents proliferation of endothelial cells. In conclusion, our novel findings indicate that expression of the beta(1C) integrin variant in prostate glands prevents cancer progression by up-regulation of TSP1 levels and inhibition of angiogenesis.

Peripheral sensory axon growth: from receptor binding to cellular signaling

Regeneration following axonal injury of the adult peripheral sensory nervous system is heavily influenced by factors located in a neuron's extracellular environment. These factors include neurotrophins, such as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and the extracellular matrix, such as laminin. The presence of these molecules in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a major contributing factor for the dichotomy between regenerative capacities of central vs. peripheral neurons. Although PNS neurons are capable of spontaneous regeneration, this response is critically dependent on many different factors including the type, location and severity of the injury. In this article, we will focus on the plasticity of adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and how trophic factors and the extracellular environment stimulate the activation of intracellular signaling cascades that promote axonal growth in adult dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensing and their roles in fungal contact sensing

Numerous fungal species respond to contact with a surface by undergoing differentiation. Contact between plant pathogenic fungi and a surface results in the elaboration of the complex structures that enable invasion of the host plant, and for the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans, contact with a semi-solid surface results in invasive growth into the subjacent material. The ability to sense contact with an appropriate surface therefore contributes to the ability of these fungi to cause disease in their respective hosts. This Review discusses molecular mechanisms of mechanosensitivity, the proteins involved, such as mechanosensitive ion channels, G-protein-coupled receptors and integrins, and their putative roles in fungal contact sensing.

Signal co-operation between integrins and other receptor systems

The multicellular nature of metazoans means that all cellular processes need to be tuned by adhesive interactions between cells and their local microenvironment. The spatial organization of cells within tissues requires sophisticated networks of extracellular signals to control their survival and proliferation, movements and positioning, and differentiated function. These cellular characteristics are mediated by multiple inputs from adhesion systems in combination with soluble and developmental signals. In the present review we explore how one class of adhesion receptor, the integrins, co-operate with other types of receptor to control diverse aspects of cell fate. In particular we discuss: (i) how beta3 and beta1 integrins work together with growth factors to control angiogenesis; (ii) how alpha6beta4 integrin co-operates with receptor tyrosine kinases in normal epithelial function and cancer; (iii) the interplay between beta1 integrins and EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor; (iv) signal integration connecting integrins and cytokine receptors for interleukins, prolactin and interferons; and (v) how integrins and syndecans co-operate in cell migration.

Signal co-operation between integrins and other receptor systems

The multicellular nature of metazoans means that all cellular processes need to be tuned by adhesive interactions between cells and their local microenvironment. The spatial organization of cells within tissues requires sophisticated networks of extracellular signals to control their survival and proliferation, movements and positioning, and differentiated function. These cellular characteristics are mediated by multiple inputs from adhesion systems in combination with soluble and developmental signals. In the present review we explore how one class of adhesion receptor, the integrins, co-operate with other types of receptor to control diverse aspects of cell fate. In particular we discuss: (i) how β3 and β1 integrins work together with growth factors to control angiogenesis; (ii) how α6β4 integrin co-operates with receptor tyrosine kinases in normal epithelial function and cancer; (iii) the interplay between β1 integrins and EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor; (iv) signal integration connecting integrins and cytokine receptors for interleukins, prolactin and interferons; and (v) how integrins and syndecans co-operate in cell migration.

From mechanotransduction to extracellular matrix gene expression in fibroblasts

Tissue mechanics provide an important context for tissue growth, maintenance and function. On the level of organs, external mechanical forces largely influence the control of tissue homeostasis by endo- and paracrine factors. On the cellular level, it is well known that most normal cell types depend on physical interactions with their extracellular matrix in order to respond efficiently to growth factors. Fibroblasts and other adherent cells sense changes in physical parameters in their extracellular matrix environment, transduce mechanical into chemical information, and integrate these signals with growth factor derived stimuli to achieve specific changes in gene expression. For connective tissue cells, production of the extracellular matrix is a prominent response to changes in mechanical load. We will review the evidence that integrin-containing cell-matrix adhesion contacts are essential for force transmission from the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton, and describe novel experiments indicating that mechanotransduction in fibroblasts depends on focal adhesion adaptor proteins that might function as molecular springs. We will stress the importance of the contractile actin cytoskeleton in balancing external with internal forces, and describe new results linking force-controlled actin dynamics directly to the expression of specific genes, among them the extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C. As assembly lines for diverse signaling pathways, matrix adhesion contacts are now recognized as the major sites of crosstalk between mechanical and chemical stimuli, with important consequences for cell growth and differentiation.

Bicalutamide inhibits androgen-mediated adhesion of prostate cancer cells exposed to ionizing radiation

BACKGROUND

Cell adhesion plays an important role in proliferation, metastasis, and tumor growth and may represent a potential vulnerability in treatment of prostate cancer patients. Bicalutamide (Casodex) has been used as an anti-androgen agent for prostate cancer patients during hormone ablation therapy. This study focuses on the effect of Bicalutamide on cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN) in prostate cancer cells.

METHODS

Androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells were stimulated with androgen before being irradiated with doses of 0, 5, 10, or 15 Gy. Cell adhesion to fibronectin was then measured to ascertain androgen's role in integrin mediated prostate cancer cell adhesion. Flow cytometry was used to analyze surface expression of integrin subtypes in LNCaP cells.

RESULTS

LNCaP cell adhesion to FN was significantly increased by stimulation with androgen when treated with 10 or 15 Gy ionizing radiations but not at 0 or 5 Gy. This increase was inhibited by treatment with Bicalutamide. LNCaP cells exposed to high dose radiation showed an increased expression of alpha(V) and beta(1) integrins in response to androgen treatment while Bicalutamide abolished this effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that Bicalutamide inhibits the effect of androgen on cell adhesion to FN through changes of integrin subtypes in cells given high dose radiation. This suggests new molecular targets and possible treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients to improve the outcome during hormone ablation therapy and radiation therapy.

Therapeutic IMC-C225 antibody inhibits breast cancer cell invasiveness via Vav2-dependent activation of RhoA GTPase

PURPOSE

Abnormalities in the expression and signaling pathways downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) contribute to progression, invasion, and maintenance of the malignant phenotype in human cancers. Accordingly, biological agents, such as the EGFR-blocking antibody IMC-C225 have promising anticancer potential and are currently in various stages of clinical development. Because use of IMC-C225 is limited, at present, only for treatment of cancer with high EGFR expression, the goal of the present study was to determine the effect of IMC-C225 on the invasiveness of breast cancer cells with high and low levels of EGFR expression.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The effect of IMC-C225 on invasion was studied using breast cancer cell lines with high and low levels of EGFR expression.

RESULTS

The addition of EGF led to progressive stress fiber dissolution. In contrast, cells treated with IMC-C225 showed reduced invasiveness and increased stress-fiber formation. Interestingly, IMC-C225 pretreatment was accompanied by EGFR phosphorylation, as detected using an anti-phosphorylated tyrosine antibody (PY99), which correlated with phosphorylation of Vav2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor and activation of RhoA GTPase irrespective of EGFR level, and Vav2 interacted with EGFR only in IMC-C225-treated cells. The underlying mechanism involved an enhanced interaction between beta1 integrins and EGFR upon IMC-C225 treatment.

CONCLUSION

Here, we defined a new mechanism for IMC-C225 that cross-links integrins with EGFR, leading to activation of RhoA and inhibition of breast cancer cell invasion irrespective of the level of EGFR in the cells, thus providing a rationale for using IMC-C225 in the metastatic setting independent of the levels of EGFR.

IGF-I secreted by osteoblasts acts as a potent chemotactic factor for osteoblasts

Osteoblast recruitment to the site of future bone formation is essential for skeletal development, bone remodeling and fracture healing. A number of factors associated with bone tissue have been reported to induce directional migration of osteoblasts but the mechanism remains to be clarified. In this study, to explore a major chemotactic factor(s) for osteoblasts, we examined the serum-free medium conditioned by MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells for its ability to induce osteoblast migration. Employing sequential chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we purified and identified IGF-I as a potent chemotactic factor from the conditioned medium. IGF-I induced cell migration of both MC3T3-E1 cells and primary mouse osteoblasts, and checkerboard analysis revealed that IGF-I markedly induced directional migration (chemotaxis) of osteoblasts. Neutralization of mouse IGF-I with monoclonal antibodies resulted in delayed osteoblast monolayer wound healing and cellular polarization but addition of human IGF-I reversed these effects. IGF-I also promoted cell spreading on fibronectin in an integrin beta1-dependent manner. IGF-I induced Akt and Rac activation and localized accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PtdIns (3,4,5)P3) at the membrane in osteoblasts. The phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 inhibited IGF-I-induced cell migration and wound healing. Together, the results suggest that IGF-I secreted from osteoblasts in the bone tissue is a potent chemotactic factor that may play a major role in recruitment of osteoblasts during bone formation.

Integrins in prostate cancer progression

Integrins, which are transmembrane receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, play a key role in cell survival, proliferation, migration, gene expression, and activation of growth factor receptors. Their functions and expression are deregulated in several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. In this article, we review the role of integrins in prostate cancer progression and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Integrins in lens development and disease

Integrins are the major cell surface receptors for proteins in the extracellular matrix. These receptors form major cell signaling centers that are bidirectional, communicating messages between the cell and its environment. They are a large receptor family, with members well-known to regulate cellular processes essential to both development and disease. In this review we examine the literature regarding integrins in the lens. Here we cover integrin function in lens cell differentiation, in the development of the lens and in protection of the lens epithelial cell phenotype. In addition, we analyze the role of integrins in the progression of lens fibrotic diseases, focusing particularly on integrin regulation of TGFbeta signaling pathways in posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC).