Cre-loxP-mediated inactivation of the alpha6A integrin splice variant in vivo: evidence for a specific functional role of alpha6A in lymphocyte migration but not in heart development

The Musashi proteins direct post-transcriptional control of protein expression and alternate exon splicing in vertebrate photoreceptors

The Musashi proteins, MSI1 and MSI2, are conserved RNA binding proteins with a role in the maintenance and renewal of stem cells. Contrasting with this role, terminally differentiated photoreceptor cells express high levels of MSI1 and MSI2, pointing to a role for the two proteins in vision. Combined knockout of Msi1 and Msi2 in mature photoreceptor cells abrogated the retinal response to light and caused photoreceptor cell death. In photoreceptor cells the Musashi proteins perform distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic functions. In the nucleus, the Musashi proteins promote splicing of photoreceptor-specific alternative exons. Surprisingly, conserved photoreceptor-specific alternative exons in genes critical for vision proved to be dispensable, raising questions about the selective pressures that lead to their conservation. In the cytoplasm MSI1 and MSI2 activate protein expression. Loss of Msi1 and Msi2 lead to reduction in the levels of multiple proteins including proteins required for vision and photoreceptor survival. The requirement for MSI1 and MSI2 in terminally differentiated photoreceptors alongside their role in stem cells shows that, depending on cellular context, these two proteins can control processes ranging from cell proliferation to sensory perception.

Regulation of hemidesmosome dynamics and cell signaling by integrin α6β4

Hemidesmosomes (HDs) are specialized multiprotein complexes that connect the keratin cytoskeleton of epithelial cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the skin, these complexes provide stable adhesion of basal keratinocytes to the underlying basement membrane. Integrin α6β4 is a receptor for laminins and plays a vital role in mediating cell adhesion by initiating the assembly of HDs. In addition, α6β4 has been implicated in signal transduction events that regulate diverse cellular processes, including proliferation and survival. In this Review, we detail the role of α6β4 in HD assembly and beyond, and we discuss the molecular mechanisms that regulate its function.

α6-Integrin alternative splicing: distinct cytoplasmic variants in stem cell fate specification and niche interaction

α6-Integrin subunit (also known as CD49f) is a stemness signature that has been found on the plasma membrane of more than 30 stem cell populations. A growing body of studies have focused on the critical role of α6-containing integrins (α6β1 and α6β4) in the regulation of stem cell properties, lineage-specific differentiation, and niche interaction. α6-Integrin subunit can be alternatively spliced at the post-transcriptional level, giving rise to divergent isoforms which differ in the cytoplasmic and/or extracellular domains. The cytoplasmic domain of integrins is an important functional part of integrin-mediated signals. Structural changes in the cytoplasmic domain of α6 provide an efficient means for the regulation of stem cell responses to biochemical stimuli and/or biophysical cues in the stem cell niche, thus impacting stem cell fate determination. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the structural variants of the α6-integrin subunit and spatiotemporal expression of α6 cytoplasmic variants in embryonic and adult stem/progenitor cells. We highlight the roles of α6 cytoplasmic variants in stem cell fate decision and niche interaction, and discuss the potential mechanisms involved. Understanding of the distinct functions of α6 splicing variants in stem cell biology may inform the rational design of novel stem cell-based therapies for a range of human diseases.

Control of Hoxd gene transcription in the mammary bud by hijacking a preexisting regulatory landscape

Vertebrate Hox genes encode transcription factors operating during the development of multiple organs and structures. However, the evolutionary mechanism underlying this remarkable pleiotropy remains to be fully understood. Here, we show that Hoxd8 and Hoxd9, two genes of the HoxD complex, are transcribed during mammary bud (MB) development. However, unlike in other developmental contexts, their coexpression does not rely on the same regulatory mechanism. Hoxd8 is regulated by the combined activity of closely located sequences and the most distant telomeric gene desert. On the other hand, Hoxd9 is controlled by an enhancer-rich region that is also located within the telomeric gene desert but has no impact on Hoxd8 transcription, thus constituting an exception to the global regulatory logic systematically observed at this locus. The latter DNA region is also involved in Hoxd gene regulation in other contexts and strongly interacts with Hoxd9 in all tissues analyzed thus far, indicating that its regulatory activity was already operational before the appearance of mammary glands. Within this DNA region and neighboring a strong limb enhancer, we identified a short sequence conserved in therian mammals and capable of enhancer activity in the MBs. We propose that Hoxd gene regulation in embryonic MBs evolved by hijacking a preexisting regulatory landscape that was already at work before the emergence of mammals in structures such as the limbs or the intestinal tract.

Soluble ligands and their receptors in human embryo development and implantation

Extensive evidence suggests that soluble ligands and their receptors mediate human preimplantation embryo development and implantation. Progress in this complex area has been ongoing since the 1980s, with an ever-increasing list of candidates. This article specifically reviews evidence of soluble ligands and their receptors in the human preimplantation stage embryo and female reproductive tract. The focus will be on candidates produced by the human preimplantation embryo and those eliciting developmental responses in vitro, as well as endometrial factors related to implantation and receptivity. Pathways to clinical translation, including innovative diagnostics and other technologies, are also highlighted, drawing from this collective evidence toward facilitating joint improvements in embryo quality and endometrial receptivity. This strategy could not only benefit clinical outcomes in reproductive medicine but also provide broader insights into the peri-implantation period of human development to improve fetal and neonatal health.

Regulated splicing of the α6 integrin cytoplasmic domain determines the fate of breast cancer stem cells

Although the α6β1 integrin has been implicated in the function of breast and other cancer stem cells (CSCs), little is known about its regulation and relationship to mechanisms involved in the genesis of CSCs. We report that a CD44(high)/CD24(low) population, enriched for CSCs, is comprised of distinct epithelial and mesenchymal populations that differ in expression of the two α6 cytoplasmic domain splice variants: α6A and α6B. α6Bβ1 expression defines the mesenchymal population and is necessary for CSC function, a function that cannot be executed by α6A integrins. The generation of α6Bβ1 is tightly controlled and occurs as a consequence of an autocrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling that culminates in the transcriptional repression of a key RNA-splicing factor. These data alter our understanding of how α6β1 contributes to breast cancer, and they resolve ambiguities regarding the use of total α6 (CD49f) expression as a biomarker for CSCs.

Lack of exon 10 in the murine tau gene results in mild sensorimotor defects with aging

BACKGROUND

Complex species-specific, developmental- and tissue-dependent mechanisms regulate alternative splicing of tau, thereby diversifying tau protein synthesis. The functional role of alternative splicing of tau e.g. exon 10 has never been examined in vivo, although genetic studies suggest that it is important to neurodegenerative disease.

RESULTS

Gene-targeting was used to delete exon 10 in murine tau on both alleles (E10-/-) to study its functional role. Moreover, mice devoid of exon 10 (E10+/-) on one allele were generated to investigate the effects of 1:1 balanced expression of 4R-/3R-tau protein, since equal amounts of 4R-/3R-tau protein are synthesized in human brain. Middle-aged E10-/- mice displayed sensorimotor disturbances in the rotarod when compared to age-matched E10+/- and wild-type mice, and their muscular grip strength was less than that of E10+/- mice. The performance of E10+/- mice and wild-type mice (E10+/+) was similar in sensorimotor tests. Cognitive abilities or anxiety-like behaviours did not depend on exon 10 in tau, and neither pathological inclusions nor gene-dependent morphological abnormalities were found.

CONCLUSION

Ablation of exon 10 in the murine tau gene alters alternative splicing and tau protein synthesis which results in mild sensorimotor phenotypes with aging. Presumably related microtubule-stabilizing genes rescue other functions.

Transgene- and locus-dependent imprinting reveals allele-specific chromosome conformations

When positioned into the integrin α-6 gene, an Hoxd9lacZ reporter transgene displayed parental imprinting in mouse embryos. While the expression from the paternal allele was comparable with patterns seen for the same transgene when present at the neighboring HoxD locus, almost no signal was scored at this integration site when the transgene was inherited from the mother, although the Itga6 locus itself is not imprinted. The transgene exhibited maternal allele-specific DNA hypermethylation acquired during oogenesis, and its expression silencing was reversible on passage through the male germ line. Histone modifications also corresponded to profiles described at known imprinted loci. Chromosome conformation analyses revealed distinct chromatin microarchitectures, with a more compact structure characterizing the maternally inherited repressed allele. Such genetic analyses of well-characterized transgene insertions associated with a de novo-induced parental imprint may help us understand the molecular determinants of imprinting.

Impact of copy number variations (CNVs) on long-range gene regulation at the HoxD locus

Copy number variations are genomic structural variants that are frequently associated with human diseases. Among these copy number variations, duplications of DNA segments are often assumed to lead to dosage effects by increasing the copy number of either genes or their regulatory elements. We produced a series of large targeted duplications within a conserved gene desert upstream of the murine HoxD locus. This DNA region, syntenic to human 2q31-32, contains a range of regulatory elements required for Hoxd gene transcription, and it is often disrupted and/or reorganized in human genetic conditions collectively known as the 2q31 syndrome. Unexpectedly, one such duplication led to a transcriptional down-regulation in developing digits by impairing physical interactions between the target genes and their upstream regulatory elements, thus phenocopying the effect obtained when these enhancer sequences are deleted. These results illustrate the detrimental consequences of interrupting highly conserved regulatory landscapes and reveal a mechanism where genomic duplications lead to partial loss of function of nearby located genes.

FLP recombinase-mediated site-specific recombination in silkworm, Bombyx mori

A comprehensive understanding of gene function and the production of site-specific genetically modified mutants are two major goals of genetic engineering in the post-genomic era. Although site-specific recombination systems have been powerful tools for genome manipulation of many organisms, they have not yet been established for use in the manipulation of the silkworm Bombyx mori genome. In this study, we achieved site-specific excision of a target gene at predefined chromosomal sites in the silkworm using a FLP/FRT site-specific recombination system. We first constructed two stable transgenic target silkworm strains that both contain a single copy of the transgene construct comprising a target gene expression cassette flanked by FRT sites. Using pre-blastoderm microinjection of a FLP recombinase helper expression vector, 32 G3 site-specific recombinant transgenic individuals were isolated from five of 143 broods. The average frequency of FLP recombinase-mediated site-specific excision in the two target strains genome was approximately 3.5%. This study shows that it is feasible to achieve site-specific recombination in silkworms using the FLP/FRT system. We conclude that the FLP/FRT system is a useful tool for genome manipulation in the silkworm. Furthermore, this is the first reported use of the FLP/FRT system for the genetic manipulation of a lepidopteran genome and thus provides a useful reference for the establishment of genome manipulation technologies in other lepidopteran species.

A regulatory archipelago controls Hox genes transcription in digits

The evolution of digits was an essential step in the success of tetrapods. Among the key players, Hoxd genes are coordinately regulated in developing digits, where they help organize growth and patterns. We identified the distal regulatory sites associated with these genes by probing the three-dimensional architecture of this regulatory unit in developing limbs. This approach, combined with in vivo deletions of distinct regulatory regions, revealed that the active part of the gene cluster contacts several enhancer-like sequences. These elements are dispersed throughout the nearby gene desert, and each contributes either quantitatively or qualitatively to Hox gene transcription in presumptive digits. We propose that this genetic system, which we call a "regulatory archipelago," provides an inherent flexibility that may partly underlie the diversity in number and morphology of digits across tetrapods, as well as their resilience to drastic variations.

A regulatory 'landscape effect' over the HoxD cluster

Faithful expression of Hox genes in both time and space is essential for proper patterning of the primary body axis. Transgenic approaches in vertebrates have suggested that this collinear activation process is regulated in a largely gene cluster-autonomous manner. In contrast, more recently co-opted expression specificities, required in other embryonic structures, depend upon long-range enhancer sequences acting from outside the gene clusters. This regulatory dichotomy was recently questioned, since gene activation along the trunk seems to be partially regulated by signals located outside of the cluster. We investigated these alternative regulatory strategies by engineering a large inversion that precisely separates the murine HoxD complex from its centromeric neighborhood. Mutant animals displayed posterior transformations along with subtle deregulations of Hoxd genes, indicating an impact of the centromeric landscape on the fine-tuning of Hoxd gene expression. Proximal limbs were also affected, suggesting that this 'landscape effect' is generic and impacts upon regulatory mechanisms of various qualities and evolutionary origins.

Integrin α6β4 in colorectal cancer

The ability of cells to interact with extracellular matrix macromolecules is at the forefront of the regulation of cell phenotype and organization. Indeed most if not all cells bear specific cell surface receptors for these molecules, namely the integrins, which are specific for the ligation of various macromolecules such as the laminins, fibronectins and tenascins. It is now well established that integrins can regulate a variety of biological activities, most notably cell cycle and tissue-specific gene expression. In the intestine, several observations suggest functional roles for cell-matrix interactions in the regulation of epithelial cell functions. This article focuses on integrin α6β4 as a paradigm to illustrate the importance as well as the complexity of integrins in the mediation of cell-matrix interactions. Indeed, α6β4 has been well-characterized for its involvement as a link between the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix molecules as well as in the activation of a variety of intracellular signalization processes in cooperation with growth factor receptors. Furthermore, recent studies show that distinct forms of α6 and β4 subunits are expressed in the human intestine and, more importantly, recent work provides experimental evidence that various forms of α6β4 can differentially regulate intestinal epithelial cell functions under both normal and pathological conditions. For instance, it has been discovered that colorectal cancer cells express a hybrid form of α6β4 that is never seen in normal cells. Although further work is needed, integrin α6β4 is emerging as a key regulator of intestinal functions in both intestinal health and disease.

Integrin alpha6Bbeta4 inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and c-Myc activity

BACKGROUND

Integrins are known to be important contributors to cancer progression. We have previously shown that the integrin beta4 subunit is up-regulated in primary colon cancer. Its partner, the integrin alpha6 subunit, exists as two different mRNA splice variants, alpha6A and alpha6B, that differ in their cytoplasmic domains but evidence for distinct biological functions of these alpha6 splice variants is still lacking.

METHODS

In this work, we first analyzed the expression of integrin alpha6A and alpha6B at the protein and transcript levels in normal human colonic cells as well as colorectal adenocarcinoma cells from both primary tumors and established cell lines. Then, using forced expression experiments, we investigated the effect of alpha6A and alpha6B on the regulation of cell proliferation in a colon cancer cell line.

RESULTS

Using variant-specific antibodies, we observed that alpha6A and alpha6B are differentially expressed both within the normal adult colonic epithelium and between normal and diseased colonic tissues. Proliferative cells located in the lower half of the glands were found to predominantly express alpha6A, while the differentiated and quiescent colonocytes in the upper half of the glands and surface epithelium expressed alpha6B. A relative decrease of alpha6B expression was also identified in primary colon tumors and adenocarcinoma cell lines suggesting that the alpha6A/alpha6B ratios may be linked to the proliferative status of colonic cells. Additional studies in colon cancer cells showed that experimentally restoring the alpha6A/alpha6B balance in favor of alpha6B caused a decrease in cellular S-phase entry and repressed the activity of c-Myc.

CONCLUSION

The findings that the alpha6Bbeta4 integrin is expressed in quiescent normal colonic cells and is significantly down-regulated in colon cancer cells relative to its alpha6Abeta4 counterpart are consistent with the anti-proliferative influence and inhibitory effect on c-Myc activity identified for this alpha6Bbeta4 integrin. Taken together, these findings point out the importance of integrin variant expression in colon cancer cell biology.

ADAM-9, ADAM-15, and ADAM-17 are upregulated in macrophages in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and carotid and femoral arteries--Tampere vascular study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The expression of disintegrin and metalloprotease ADAM-9, ADAM-15, and ADAM-17 has been associated with cell-cell, cell-platelet, and cell-matrix interactions and inflammation. They are possibly implicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Whole-genome expression array and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed that ADAM-9, ADAM-15, and ADAM-17 are upregulated in advanced human atherosclerotic lesions in samples from carotid, aortic, and femoral territories compared to samples from internal thoracic artery (ITA) free of atherosclerotic plaques. Western analysis indicated that the majority of these ADAMs were in the catalytically active form. ADAM-9, ADAM-15, and ADAM-17-expressing cells were shown to co-localize with CD68-positive cells of monocytic origin in the atherosclerotic plaques using immunohistochemistry and double-staining immunofluorescence analysis. Co-localization was demonstrated in all vascular territories. In the carotid territory, cells expressing the ADAMs co-distributed also with smooth muscle cells and, in femoral territory, with CD31-positive endothelial cells, indicating that the ADAM expression pattern depends on vascular bed territory.

CONCLUSIONS

Present findings provide strong evidence for the involvement of catalytically active ADAM-9, ADAM-15, and ADAM-17 in advanced atherosclerosis, most notably associated with cells of monocytic origin.

Recombination between inverted loxP sites is cytotoxic for proliferating cells and provides a simple tool for conditional cell ablation

The loxP/Cre recombination system is a widely used tool for mouse functional genomics, in particular for in vivo conditional mutagenesis. Depending on the relative orientation and position of loxP sites, Cre-mediated recombination can result in a variety of targeted genomic rearrangements. It was previously reported that loss of the loxP-carrying chromosome can occur when loxP sites are arranged in inverse orientation. By using a chromosome 2 carrying inverted loxP sites, we found that Cre-mediated recombination not only causes chromosomal loss but also triggers apoptosis. We show that targeted recombination between inverted loxP sites (TRIP) triggers cell death specifically in proliferating Cre-expressing cells, and we provide evidence that TRIP is an efficient tool to ablate proliferating cells within genetically defined cell populations. Furthermore, the procedure requires only a simple, one-step intercross but neither the use of toxins nor the additional step of prodrug injection. With the large repertoire of tissue-specific or inducible Cre-expressing transgenes available, TRIP-mediated cell ablation is valuable to investigate the function of a large variety of cell populations in the context of a whole organism, which includes mechanisms underlying organ development and tissue homeostasis.

The impact of alternative splicing in vivo: mouse models show the way

Alternative splicing is widely believed to have a major impact on almost all biological processes since it increases proteome complexity and thereby controls protein function. Recently, gene targeting in mice has been used to create in vivo models to study the regulation and consequences of alternative splicing. The evidence accumulated so far argues for a nonredundant, highly specific role of individual splicing factors in mammalian development, and furthermore, demonstrates the importance of distinct protein isoforms in vivo. In this review, we will compare phenotypes of mouse models for alternative splicing to crystallize common themes and to put them into perspective with the available in vitro data.

Extracellular matrix and integrin signaling in lens development and cataract

During development of the vertebrate lens there are dynamic interactions between the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lens capsule and lens cells. Disruption of the ECM causes perturbation of lens development and cataract. Similarly, changes in cell signaling can result in abnormal ECM and cataract. Integrins are key mediators of ECM signals and recent studies have documented distinct repertoires of integrin expression during lens development, and in anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) and posterior caspsule opacification (PCO). Increasingly, studies are being directed to investigating the signaling pathways that integrins modulate and have identified Src, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) as downstream kinases that mediate proliferation, differentiation and morphological changes in the lens during development and cataract formation.

Laminin-binding integrins in rat lens morphogenesis and their regulation during fibre differentiation

Mammalian lens development involves cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. As integrins are a major family of cell adhesion molecules, we examined the expression patterns of several integrin subunits (alpha3A, alpha3B, alpha6A, alpha6B, beta1 and beta4) during rat lens development. RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to investigate expression of integrin subunits during lens development and differentiation. RT-PCR showed expression of alpha3A, alpha6A, alpha6B and beta1A but not alpha3B or beta4 subunits in postnatal rat lenses. Each subunit displayed distinct spatio-temporal expression patterns. beta1 integrin was expressed in both epithelium and fibres. alpha3A subunit expression was restricted to the epithelium; expression ceased abruptly at the lens equator. Expression of the alpha6A subunit increased during fibre differentiation, whereas alpha6B expression was predominantly associated with epithelial cells during lens development. In lens epithelial explants, FGF induced some of the changes in integrin expression that are characteristic of fibre differentiation in vivo. One notable exception was the inability of FGF to reproduce the distinctive down-regulation of the alpha3 isoform that is associated with initiation of elongation in vivo. Interestingly, vitreous treatment was able to reproduce this shift in alpha3 expression indicating that another factor(s), in addition to FGF, may be required for full and complete transition from an epithelial cell to a fibre cell. Integrin subunit expression therefore appears to be highly regulated during lens development and fibre differentiation with evidence of major changes in alpha3 and alpha6 isoform expression. These results indicate that integrins may play important roles in development and growth of the lens. How specific integrin subunits influence the behaviour of cells in different developmental compartments of the lens remains to be determined.

Inversion-induced disruption of the Hoxd cluster leads to the partition of regulatory landscapes

The developmental regulation of vertebrate Hox gene transcription relies on the interplay between local and long-range controls. To study this complex genomic organization, we designed a strategy combining meiotic and targeted recombinations to induce large chromosomal rearrangements in vivo without manipulating embryonic stem cells. With this simple approach (called STRING), we engineered a large 7-cM inversion, which split the Hoxd cluster into two independent pieces. Expression analyses showed a partition of global enhancers, allowing for their precise topographic allocation on either side of the cluster. Such a functional organization probably contributed to keeping these genes clustered in the course of vertebrate evolution. This approach can be used to study the relationship between genome architecture and gene expression, such as the effects of genome rearrangements in human diseases or during evolution.

Targeting hearing genes in mice

The rate of identification of genes for hearing has clearly outpaced the rate of determination of the functions of these genes' products. The use of transgenic and knock-out mouse models is a powerful approach to the elucidation of gene function in the ear. A large number of gene-targeted mice with auditory defects have recently been created and characterized, and nine independent mouse lines in which Cre recombinase activity begins to be expressed during early embryonic development of the ear or is specifically expressed in hair cells during postnatal development will be useful for ear-specific gene manipulation when combined with mouse lines that have loxP sites flanking the genes of interest. Existing gene-trapped embryonic stem (ES) cells and existing targeting constructs are readily available; new targeting constructs can easily be created by modifying bacterial artificial chromosomes and using them to directly transfect and screen ES cells; and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis of ES cells can create point mutations in specific genes. To minimize variation in hearing phenotypes and avoid undesired hearing defects, mutant mice in the common gene-targeting background strains (129 and C57BL/6) should be transferred into congenic CBA/CaJ, a strain with "gold standard" normal hearing. Valuable mutant strains can be maintained, distributed, and cryopreserved in one of four NIH-sponsored Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Centers. Targeting hearing genes in mice will provide unprecedented opportunities for collaboration and new directions in the hearing research community.

Alpha6-integrin is expressed on germinal centre B cells and modifies growth of a B-cell line

The production of high-affinity antibodies requires diversification of the antibody repertoire by somatic hypermutation followed by selection of those B cells bearing the highest affinity antibodies. Whilst many surface molecules that mediate the cell-cell interactions required for germinal centre formation have been identified, little is known of the importance of interactions with components of the extracellular matrix, i.e. fibronectin, collagen and laminin. We demonstrate that the laminin-binding alpha6-integrin is expressed on germinal centre B cells and is induced during the in vitro activation of naïve splenic B cells. A laminin network is demonstrated within the germinal centre. Analysis of an alpha6-integrin-expressing mouse B-cell line, A20, demonstrates that this molecule is essential for binding to laminin, and that blocking by anti-alpha6-integrin immunoglobulin causes loss of adhesion associated with an increase in proliferation. There is no correlation with changes in BCL-6 or Blimp-1 expression, suggesting that alpha6-integrin does not play a role in differentiation.

Hemidesmosomes: molecular organization and their importance for cell adhesion and disease

In the skin, basal epithelial cells constantly divide to renew the epidermis. The newly formed epithelial cells then differentiate in a process called keratinization, ultimately leading to the death of these cells and a pile-up of cell material containing vast amounts of keratins. The basal keratinocytes in skin are attached to their underlying basement membrane via specialized adhesion complexes termed hemidesmosomes (HDs). These complexes ascertain stable adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis, and mutations in components of these complexes often result in tissue fragility and blistering of the skin. In this review, we will describe the various hemidesmosomal proteins in detail as well as, briefly, the protein families to which they belong. Specifically, we will report the protein-protein interactions involved in the assembly of hemidesmosomes and their molecular organization. Some signaling pathways involving primarily the alpha6beta4 integrin will be discussed, since they appear to profoundly modulate the assembly and function of hemidesmosomes. Furthermore, the importance of these hemidesmosomal components for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and their involvement in various clinical disorders will be emphasized. Finally, we will present a model for the assembly of HDs, based on our present knowledge.

Growth hormone stimulates the selective trafficking of thymic CD4+CD8- emigrants to peripheral lymphoid organs

Growth hormone (GH) has been shown to stimulate T cell development. However, its mechanisms of action on the peripheral T cell pool remain unknown. To address this question, intrathymic injection of GH in combination with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to assess the effects of GH on T cell trafficking from the thymus to the periphery. GH promoted a significant increase in the percentage and differential distribution of thymic CD4+CD8-FITC+ cells in secondary lymphoid organs. A significantly higher percentage of CD4+CD8-FITC+ cells was observed in the lymph nodes, while a relative decrease of these cells was found in the spleen. Moreover, we verified that GH treatment resulted in increased numbers of CD62L+CD4+CD8-FITC+ T cells in the lymph nodes, while the same treatment resulted in a decline in the percentage of VLA-6+CD4+CD8-FITC+ T cells in the spleen. Together, these findings suggest that GH is a potent immunoregulatory molecule which selectively stimulates the preferential homing of CD4+CD8- thymic emigrants to the subcutaneous lymph nodes possibly via the differential expression of CD62L and VLA-6.

Regulated splicing of the fibronectin EDA exon is essential for proper skin wound healing and normal lifespan

Fibronectins (FNs) are multifunctional high molecular weight glycoproteins present in the blood plasma and in the ECMs of tissues. The FN primary transcript undergoes alternative splicing in three regions generating up to 20 main different variants in humans. However, the precise role of the FN isoforms is poorly understood. One of the alternatively spliced exons is the extra domain A (EDA) or extra type III homology that is regulated spatially and temporally during development and aging. To study its in vivo function, we generated mice devoid of EDA exon-regulated splicing. Constitutive exon inclusion was obtained by optimizing the splice sites, whereas complete exclusion was obtained after in vivo CRE-loxP-mediated deletion of the exon. Homozygous mouse strains with complete exclusion or inclusion of the EDA exon were viable and developed normally, indicating that the alternative splicing at the EDA exon is not necessary during embryonic development. Conversely, mice without the EDA exon in the FN protein displayed abnormal skin wound healing, whereas mice having constitutive inclusion of the EDA exon showed a major decrease in the FN levels in all tissues. Moreover, both mutant mouse strains have a significantly shorter lifespan than the control mice, suggesting that EDA splicing regulation is necessary for efficient long-term maintenance of biological functions.

Laminin isoform-specific promotion of adhesion and migration of human bone marrow progenitor cells

Laminins are alphabetagamma heterotrimeric extracellular proteins that regulate cellular functions by adhesion to integrin and nonintegrin receptors. Laminins containing alpha4 and alpha5 chains are expressed in bone marrow, but their interactions with hematopoietic progenitors are unknown. We studied human bone marrow cell adhesion to laminin-10/11 (alpha5beta1gamma1/alpha5beta2gamma1), laminin-8 (alpha4beta1gamma1), laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1), and fibronectin. About 35% to 40% of CD34(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-) stem and progenitor cells adhered to laminin-10/11, and 45% to 50% adhered to fibronectin, whereas they adhered less to laminin-8 and laminin-1. Adhesion of CD34(+)CD38(-) cells to laminin-10/11 was maximal without integrin activation, whereas adhesion to other proteins was dependent on protein kinase C activation by 12-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) analysis showed expression of integrin alpha6 chain on most CD34(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-) cells. Integrin alpha6 and beta1 chains were involved in binding of both cell fractions to laminin-10/11 and laminin-8. Laminin-10/11 was highly adhesive to lineage-committed myelomonocytic and erythroid progenitor cells and most lymphoid and myeloid cell lines studied, whereas laminin-8 was less adhesive. In functional assays, both laminin-8 and laminin-10/11 facilitated stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha)-stimulated transmigration of CD34(+) cells, by an integrin alpha6 receptor-mediated mechanism. In conclusion, we demonstrate laminin isoform-specific adhesive interactions with human bone marrow stem, progenitor, and more differentiated cells. The cell-adhesive laminins affected migration of hematopoietic progenitors, suggesting a physiologic role for laminins during hematopoiesis.

Extension and integration of the gene ontology (GO): combining GO vocabularies with external vocabularies

Structured vocabulary development enhances the management of information in biological databases. As information grows, handling the complexity of vocabularies becomes difficult. Defined methods are needed to manipulate, expand and integrate complex vocabularies. The Gene Ontology (GO) project provides the scientific community with a set of structured vocabularies to describe domains of molecular biology. The vocabularies are used for annotation of gene products and for computational annotation of sequence data sets. The vocabularies focus on three concepts universal to living systems, biological process, molecular function and cellular component. As the vocabularies expand to incorporate terms needed by diverse annotation communities, species-specific terms become problematic. In particular, the use of species-specific anatomical concepts remains unresolved. We present a method for expansion of GO into areas outside of the three original universal concept domains. We combine concepts from two orthogonal vocabularies to generate a larger, more specific vocabulary. The example of mammalian heart development is presented because it addresses two issues that challenge GO; inclusion of organism-specific anatomical terms, and proliferation of terms and relationships. The combination of concepts from orthogonal vocabularies provides a robust representation of relevant terms and an opportunity for evaluation of hypothetical concepts.

Integrins alpha(6A)beta 1 and alpha(6B)beta 1 promote different stages of chondrogenic cell differentiation

The differentiation of chondrocytes and of several other cell types is associated with a switch from the alpha(6B) to the alpha(6A) isoform of the laminin alpha(6)beta(1) integrin receptor. To define whether this event plays a functional role in cell differentiation, we used an in vitro model system that allows chick chondrogenic cells to remain undifferentiated when cultured in monolayer and to differentiate into chondrocytes when grown in suspension culture. We report that: (i) upon over-expression of the human alpha(6B), adherent chondrogenic cells differentiate to stage I chondrocytes (i.e. increased type II collagen, reduced type I collagen, fibronectin, alpha(5)beta(1) and growth rate, loss of fibroblast morphology); (ii) the expression of type II collagen requires the activation of p38 MAP kinase; (iii) the over-expression of alpha(6A) induces an incomplete differentiation to stage I chondrocytes, whereas no differentiation was observed in alpha(5) and mock-transfected control cells; (iv) a prevalence of the alpha(6A) subunit is necessary to stabilize the differentiated phenotype when cells are transferred to suspension culture. Altogether, these results indicate a functional role for the alpha(6B) to alpha(6A) switch in chondrocyte differentiation; the former promotes chondrocyte differentiation, and the latter is necessary in stabilizing the differentiated phenotype.

Function of the tetraspanin CD151-alpha6beta1 integrin complex during cellular morphogenesis

Upon plating on basement membrane Matrigel, NIH3T3 cells formed an anastomosing network of cord-like structures, inhibitable by anti-alpha6beta1 integrin antibodies. For NIH3T3 cells transfected with human CD151 protein, the formation of a cord-like network was also inhibitable by anti-CD151 antibodies. Furthermore, CD151 and alpha6beta1 were physically associated within NIH3T3 cells. On removal of the short 8-amino acid C-terminal CD151 tail (by deletion or exchange), exogenous CD151 exerted a dominant negative effect, as it almost completely suppressed alpha6beta1-dependent cell network formation and NIH3T3 cell spreading on laminin-1 (an alpha6beta1 ligand). Importantly, mutant CD151 retained alpha6beta1 association and did not alter alpha6beta1-mediated cell adhesion to Matrigel. In conclusion, the CD151-alpha6beta1 integrin complex acts as a functional unit that markedly influences cellular morphogenesis, with the CD151 tail being of particular importance in determining the "outside-in" functions of alpha6beta1-integrin that follow ligand engagement. Also, antibodies to alpha6beta1 and CD151 inhibited formation of endothelial cell cord-like networks, thus pointing to possible relevance of CD151-alpha6beta1 complexes during angiogenesis.

PDZ interaction sites in integrin alpha subunits. T14853, TIP/GIPC binds to a type I recognition sequence in alpha 6A/alpha 5 and a novel sequence in alpha 6B

We used published peptide library data to identify PDZ recognition sequences in integrin alpha subunit cytoplasmic domains and found that the alpha(6)A and alpha(5) subunits contain a type I PDZ binding site (TSDA*) (asterisk indicates the stop codon). The alpha(6)A cytoplasmic domain was used for screening a two-hybrid library to find interacting proteins. The bulk of the captured cDNAs (60%) coded for TIP-2/GIPC, a cytoplasmic protein with one PDZ domain. The interaction of TIP-2/GIPC with different integrin subunits was tested in two-hybrid and in vitro binding assays. Surprisingly, TIP-2/GIPC bound strongly to the C terminus of both alpha(6)A and alpha(6)B, although the alpha(6)B sequence (ESYS*) is not suggestive of a PDZ binding site because of its polar C-terminal residue. For high affinity interaction with TIP-2/GIPC, at least one of the residues at positions -1 and -3 must be negatively charged. An aliphatic residue at position 0 increases the affinity of but is not required for this interaction. The alpha(5) integrin subunit also bound to TIP-2/GIPC. The alpha(6) integrin and TIP-2/GIPC co-localize in retraction fibers in carcinoma cells plated on laminin, a finding suggesting a functional interaction in vivo. Our results demonstrate that both splice variants of alpha(6) integrin contain a conserved PDZ binding site that enables interaction with TIP-2/GIPC. The binding site in alpha(6)B defines a new subclass of type I PDZ interaction site, characterized by a non-aliphatic residue at position 0.

Embryo effects in human implantation: embryonic regulation of endometrial molecules in human implantation

Embryonic implantation requires coordinated development of the blastocyst and the maternal endometrium. Considerable advances have been made in the understanding of the cell biology of human embryo and maternal endometrium as separate entities. Nevertheless, communication between them and their reciprocal effects on each other constitute an exciting and as-yet unsolved problem in reproductive medicine. Cross-talk among the embryo, endometrium, and the corpus luteum are known to occur in ruminants and primates; more specifically, endometrial-embryonic interactions have been reported in rodents and primates. Here, we present updated information in humans on the embryonic regulation of endometrial epithelial molecules such as chemokines, adhesion molecules, antiadhesion molecules, and leptin during the apposition and adhesion phases of human implantation. Also the embryonic induction of apoptosis in endometrial epithelial cells as a mechanism for crossing the epithelial barrier will be described.

Phosphorylation of a conserved integrin alpha 3 QPSXXE motif regulates signaling, motility, and cytoskeletal engagement

Integrin alpha 3A cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation was mapped to amino acid S1042, as determined by mass spectrometry, and confirmed by mutagenesis. This residue occurs within a "QPSXXE" motif conserved in multiple alpha chains (alpha 3A, alpha 6A, alpha 7A), from multiple species. Phosphorylation of alpha 3A and alpha 6A did not appear to be directly mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, or mu, or by any of several other known serine kinases, although PKC has an indirect role in promoting phosphorylation. A S1042A mutation did not affect alpha 3-Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell adhesion to laminin-5, but did alter 1) alpha 3-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin (in the presence or absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate stimulation), and p130(CAS) (in the absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate stimulation), 2) the shape of cells spread on laminin-5, and 3) alpha 3-dependent random CHO cell migration on laminin-5. In addition, S1042A mutation altered the PKC-dependent, ligand-dependent subcellular distribution of alpha 3 and F-actin in CHO cells. Together, the results demonstrate clearly that alpha 3A phosphorylation is functionally relevant. In addition, the results strongly suggest that alpha 3 phosphorylation may regulate alpha 3 integrin interaction with the cytoskeleton.

Laminin-8 (alpha4beta1gamma1) is synthesized by lymphoid cells, promotes lymphocyte migration and costimulates T cell proliferation

Laminins are a growing family of large heterotrimeric proteins with cell adhesive and signalling functions. They are major components of basement membranes and are found in many organs, including the vasculature and other compartments of bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes and spleen. However, expression, recognition and use of laminin isoforms by lymphoid cells are poorly understood. In the present study, lymphoid T cells (Jurkat) were found to synthesize laminin alpha4, beta1 and gamma1 mRNAs and polypeptides and to assemble the chains into laminin-8. Lymphoblastoid B (NAD-20) cells, lymphoid NK (NKL) cells and blood lymphocytes also contained laminin-8 and, after cell permeabilization, practically all blood lymphocytes reacted with mAbs to laminin beta1 and gamma1 chains. Following stimulation, blood lymphocytes secreted laminin-8, and this laminin isoform, but not laminin-10/11(alpha5beta1gamma1/alpha5beta2gamma1), promoted chemokine-induced migration of the cells. In an activation-dependent manner, purified blood CD4 T cells adhered to immobilized laminin-8 and laminin-10/11 by using alpha6beta1 integrin, but minimally to laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1). Accordingly, laminin-8 and laminin-10/11, but not laminin-1, strongly costimulated proliferation of the T cells via the same integrin. Thus, lymphoid cells are able to synthesize and secrete complete laminin molecules. In addition, synthesis of laminin-8 and recognition of laminin-8 and -10/11 by lymphocytes indicate relevance of these laminin isoforms in lymphocyte physiology.

Integrins as receptors for laminins

Laminins are a family of trimeric glycoproteins present in the extracellular matrix and the major constituents of basement membranes. Integrins are alpha beta transmembrane receptors that play critical roles in both cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion. Several members of the integrin family, including alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 1, alpha 7 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4 heterodimers serve as laminin receptors on a variety of cell types. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the involvement of individual integrins in cell interactions with laminins and the roles of laminin-binding integrins in adhesion-mediated events in vertebrates, including embryonic development, cell migration and tumor cell invasiveness, cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as basement membrane assembly. We discuss the regulation of integrin function via alternative splicing of cytoplasmic domains of alpha and beta subunits of the integrin receptors for laminins and present examples of functional collaboration between laminin-binding integrins and non-integrin laminin receptors. Advances in our understanding of the laminin-binding integrins continue to demonstrate the essential roles these receptors play in maintaining cell polarity and tissue architecture.

Paracrine regulators of implantation

Classical and contemporary studies have shown that endocrine regulation exerted by ovarian hormones priming the endometrium is essential for embryo implantation. Increasing evidence indicates that steroid-induced molecules acting as paracrine modulators are necessary for embryo-uterine interactions. That is the case for calcitonin, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor, leukaemia inhibitory factor and other molecules. Furthermore, when the blastocyst enters the uterine cavity, it starts the complex signals that will drive embryo adhesion. The paracrinology of this process is based on the local interplay of molecules, such as the secretion of cytokines that may facilitate the acquisition of endometrial receptivity by controlling the expression of adhesion and anti-adhesion proteins. Finally, during the embryonic invasive phase, uterine stromal-trophoblast dialogue may modulate this self-controlled proteolytic and immunological process to avoid damage to both the embryo and maternal environment.

In vivo functions of integrins: lessons from null mutations in mice

The integrin family (Hynes, R.O., 1992. Integrins: versatility, modulation, and signaling in cell adhesion. Cell 69, 11-25) is composed of at least 24 heterodimers formed from eight beta subunits and 18 alpha subunits. Thus far, mice expressing null mutations of seven of the eight beta subunits and 13 of the 18 known alpha subunits have been generated, With only a few exceptions, the phenotypes of each of the knockout lines are quite distinct. Studies utilizing integrin knockout mice and cells derived from these mice have provided considerable and sometimes surprising insights into unique functions of individual members of this family.

Meltrin gamma(ADAM-9) mediates cellular adhesion through alpha(6)beta(1)integrin, leading to a marked induction of fibroblast cell motility

The ADAMs (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease Domains) are a family of membrane-anchored proteins that play a role in fertilisation, myoblast fusion and ectodomain shedding of cell surface proteins. Meltrin gamma (ADAM-9) is a widely expressed member of this family and is involved in the shedding of heparin binding epidermal growth factor. Here we report that meltrin gamma can function as a cell adhesion molecule via its disintegrin domain. Using solid-phase binding assays and antibody inhibition experiments, we demonstrate that a murine meltrin gamma-Fc (Mel gamma -Fc) fusion protein binds to the integrin alpha(6)beta(1) on the surface of fibroblast cell lines, HT1080 and Wehi 164 in a specific manner. Since alpha(6)beta(1) is important for the motility of several cell types on laminin, cell migration studies using time-lapse video microscopy were performed. Cells adhering to Mel gamma-Fc displayed a rounded morphology and a marked increase (eight- to tenfold) in their motility compared to that on laminin. Furthermore, the p160 ROCK kinase inhibitor Y-27632 specifically reduced the migration of cells on meltrin gamma but had no effect on migration of cells on laminin, whilst the general tyrosine phoshorylation inhibitor, genistein, inhibited cell migration on both substrates. These results together suggest that meltrin gamma may play a role in regulating the motility of cells by binding to alpha(6)beta(1) integrin and this may be important during a variety of biological and pathological processes.

Upregulation of Integrin 6/β1 and Chemokine Receptor CCR1 by Interleukin-12 Promotes the Migration of Human Type 1 Helper T Cells

CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells and Th2 cells are distinguished based on the pattern of cytokines they are able to produce. Selectin ligands and chemokine receptors are differentially expressed in Th1 and Th2 cells, providing a basis for tissue-specific recruitment of helper T-cell subsets. However, the modes and mechanisms regulating tissue-specific localization of Th1 and Th2 cells are still largely unknown. Here, we show the preferential expression on Th1 cells of the integrin 6/β1, which is distinctly regulated by the Th1-inducing cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-alfa (IFN-). The pattern of integrin 6/β1 regulation closely mirrors that of the chemokine receptor CCR1. Analysis of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4) activation by IL-12 and IFN- shows distinct signaling kinetics by these cytokines, correlating with the pattern of CCR1 and integrin 6/β1 expression. Unlike IFN-, the ability of IL-12 to generate prolonged intracellular signals appears to be critical for inducing integrin 6/β1 upregulation in Th1 cells. The expression and upregulation of CCR1 and 6/β1 integrin promotes the migration of Th1 cells. These findings suggest that the exquisite regulation of integrin 6/β1 and CCR1 may play an important role in tissue-specific localization of Th1 cells.

Upregulation of Integrin 6/β1 and Chemokine Receptor CCR1 by Interleukin-12 Promotes the Migration of Human Type 1 Helper T Cells

CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells and Th2 cells are distinguished based on the pattern of cytokines they are able to produce. Selectin ligands and chemokine receptors are differentially expressed in Th1 and Th2 cells, providing a basis for tissue-specific recruitment of helper T-cell subsets. However, the modes and mechanisms regulating tissue-specific localization of Th1 and Th2 cells are still largely unknown. Here, we show the preferential expression on Th1 cells of the integrin 6/β1, which is distinctly regulated by the Th1-inducing cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-alfa (IFN-). The pattern of integrin 6/β1 regulation closely mirrors that of the chemokine receptor CCR1. Analysis of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4) activation by IL-12 and IFN- shows distinct signaling kinetics by these cytokines, correlating with the pattern of CCR1 and integrin 6/β1 expression. Unlike IFN-, the ability of IL-12 to generate prolonged intracellular signals appears to be critical for inducing integrin 6/β1 upregulation in Th1 cells. The expression and upregulation of CCR1 and 6/β1 integrin promotes the migration of Th1 cells. These findings suggest that the exquisite regulation of integrin 6/β1 and CCR1 may play an important role in tissue-specific localization of Th1 cells.

Integrins: alternative splicing as a mechanism to regulate ligand binding and integrin signaling events

Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins composed of heterodimers of alpha and beta subunits. With their extracellular domain they bind extracellular matrix proteins or other cell surface molecules, and their cytoplasmic domain binds to cytoskeletal and signaling proteins. Thus, they are in an ideal position to transfer information from the extracellular environment to the interior of the cell and vice versa. For several integrin subunits, alternative splicing of mRNA leads to variations in the sequence of both extracellular and cytoplasmic domains. Many integrin splice variants have specific expression patterns, but for some time, functional differences between these variants were not evident. Recent experiments using transfected cell lines and gene targeting of specific splice variants have contributed significantly to our understanding of the function of these splice variants. The results indicate that alternative splicing is a mechanism to subtly regulate the ligand binding and signaling activity of integrins.