The ups and downs of alpha 2 beta 1-integrin expression: contributions to epithelial cell differentiation and the malignant phenotype

The alpha(2) integrin subunit-deficient mouse: a multifaceted phenotype including defects of branching morphogenesis and hemostasis

The alpha(2)beta(1) integrin is a collagen/laminin receptor expressed on platelets, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. To define the role of the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin in vivo, we created a genetically engineered mouse in which expression of the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin was completely eliminated. Mice deficient in the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin are viable, fertile, and develop normally with no excess lethality of homozygotes. Both alpha(2)beta(1)-integrin protein and alpha(2) mRNA were undetectable in the alpha(2)-null mice. Gross and histological evaluation of the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, skin, and reproductive tracts revealed no abnormalities. However, quantitative analysis of mammary gland branching morphogenesis demonstrated that branching complexity is markedly diminished in the alpha(2)-deficient animals. Studies in the alpha(2)-deficient animals do not support the proposed roles for the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin on fibroblasts and keratinocytes in wound healing. When compared to platelets from wild-type littermates, platelets from alpha(2)-null mice failed to adhere to type I collagen under either static or shear-stress conditions. Although platelets from alpha(2)-deficient animals aggregated in response to collagen, they did so with prolonged lag time and lessened intensity. The alpha(2)beta(1) integrin-null mouse thus exhibits diverse, sometimes subtle, phenotypes consistent with the widespread pattern of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin expression.

Functional cloning of ARM-1, an adhesion-regulating molecule upregulated in metastatic tumor cells

Interactions of tumor cells with the endothelium and tissue stroma are considered to be critical steps in metastasis formation and progression of cancer. To identify cellular receptors that mediate the binding of tumor cells to endothelium, a murine T cell lymphoma-derived expression library was screened for adhesion-inducing cDNA clones. We identified a novel cell adhesion-promoting molecule, termed ARM-1 (adhesion regulating molecule-1), which is homologous to a human Mr 110,000 tumor-associated antigen. The ARM-1 cDNA codes for a type I transmembrane protein of 407 amino acids with potential O- and N-glycosylation sites that does not belong to any of the known families of cell adhesion molecules. Overexpression of ARM-1 in 293T human embryonic kidney cells significantly increased adhesion to different endothelial cells. ARM-1 expression in 293T cells did not alter integrin expression or beta1-integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Northern blot analysis of human breast cancer cell lines revealed 3- to 5-fold elevated ARM-1 mRNA levels in metastatic as compared to non-metastatic cells. In conclusion, we have identified ARM-1 as a novel cell adhesion-promoting receptor that is upregulated in metastatic cancer cells.