An activating beta1 integrin mutation increases the conversion of benign to malignant skin tumors

The VEGFA-Induced MAPK-AKT/PTEN/TGFβ Signal Pathway Enhances Progression and MDR in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Gastric cancer (GC) is a globally frequent cancer, in particular leading in mortality caused by digestive tract cancers in China. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is excessively expressed in cancers including GC; its involvement in GC development, particularly in multidrug resistance (MDR), and the signal route it affects in GC remain unknown. To explore the roles VEGFA plays during progression and MDR formation in GC, we studied its function in a VEGFA-deleted GC cell platform.

METHODS

We initially assessed the importance of VEGFA in GC and MDR using database analysis. Then, using CCK8, wound healing, transwell, scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and other techniques, the alterations in tumor malignancy-connected cell behaviors and microstructures were photographed and evaluated in a VEGFA-gene-deleted GC cell line (VEGFA-/-SGC7901). Finally, the mechanism of VEGFA in GC progression and MDR was examined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Database analysis revealed a strong correlation between high VEGFA expression and a poor prognosis for GC. The results showed that VEGFA deletion reduced GC cell proliferation and motility and altered microstructures important for motility, such as the depolymerized cytoskeleton. VEGFA deletion inhibited the growth of pseudopodia/filopodia and suppressed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The occurrence of MDR is induced by overactivation of the MAPK-AKT and TGFβ signaling pathways, while PTEN inhibits these pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

All findings suggested that VEGFA acts as a cancer enhancer and MDR inducer in GC via the MAPK-AKT/PTEN/TGFβ signal pathway.

Cutaneous manifestations in Costello syndrome: HRAS p.Gly12Ser affects RIN1-mediated integrin trafficking in immortalized epidermal keratinocytes

Heterozygous germline missense variants in the HRAS gene underlie Costello syndrome (CS). The molecular basis for cutaneous manifestations in CS is largely unknown. We used an immortalized human cell line, HaCaT keratinocytes, stably expressing wild-type or CS-associated (p.Gly12Ser) HRAS and defined RIN1 as quantitatively most prominent, high-affinity effector of active HRAS in these cells. As an exchange factor for RAB5 GTPases, RIN1 is involved in endosomal sorting of cell-adhesion integrins. RIN1-dependent RAB5A activation was strongly increased by HRASGly12Ser, and HRAS-RIN1-ABL1/2 signaling was induced in HRASWT- and HRASGly12Ser-expressing cells. Along with that, HRASGly12Ser expression decreased total integrin levels and enriched β1 integrin in RAB5- and EEA1-positive early endosomes. The intracellular level of active β1 integrin was increased in HRASGly12Ser HaCaT keratinocytes due to impaired recycling, whereas RIN1 disruption raised β1 integrin cell surface distribution. HRASGly12Ser induced co-localization of β1 integrin with SNX17 and RAB7 in early/sorting and late endosomes, respectively. Thus, by retaining β1 integrin in intracellular endosomal compartments, HRAS-RIN1 signaling affects the subcellular availability of β1 integrin. This may interfere with integrin-dependent processes as we detected for HRASGly12Ser cells spreading on fibronectin. We conclude that dysregulation of receptor trafficking and integrin-dependent processes such as cell adhesion are relevant in the pathobiology of CS.

Ligand-independent integrin β1 signaling supports lung adenocarcinoma development

Integrins - the principal extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors of the cell - promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, which are key events for cancer growth and metastasis. To date, most integrin-targeted cancer therapeutics have disrupted integrin-ECM interactions, which are viewed as critical for integrin functions. However, such agents have failed to improve cancer patient outcomes. We show that the highly expressed integrin β1 subunit is required for lung adenocarcinoma development in a carcinogen-induced mouse model. Likewise, human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with integrin β1 deletion failed to form colonies in soft agar and tumors in mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that these effects do not require integrin β1-mediated adhesion to ECM but are dependent on integrin β1 cytoplasmic tail-mediated activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). These studies support a critical role for integrin β1 in lung tumorigenesis that is mediated through constitutive, ECM binding-independent signaling involving the cytoplasmic tail.

Parallels between the extracellular matrix roles in developmental biology and cancer biology

Interaction of a tumor with its microenvironment is an emerging field of investigation, and the crosstalk between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix is of particular interest, since cancer patients with abundant and stiff extracellular matrices display a poorer prognosis. At the post-juvenile stage, the extracellular matrix plays predominantly a structural role by providing support to cells and tissues; however, during development, matrix proteins exert a plethora of diverse signals to guide the movement and determine the fate of pluripotent cells. Taking a closer look at the communication between the extracellular matrix and cells of a developing body may bring new insights into cancer biology and identify cancer weaknesses. This review discusses parallels between the extracellular matrix roles during development and tumor growth.

Mutational drivers of cancer cell migration and invasion

Genomic instability and mutations underlie the hallmarks of cancer-genetic alterations determine cancer cell fate by affecting cell proliferation, apoptosis and immune response, and increasing data show that mutations are involved in metastasis, a crucial event in cancer progression and a life-threatening problem in cancer patients. Invasion is the first step in the metastatic cascade, when tumour cells acquire the ability to move, penetrate into the surrounding tissue and enter lymphatic and blood vessels in order to disseminate. A role for genetic alterations in invasion is not universally accepted, with sceptics arguing that cellular motility is related only to external factors such as hypoxia, chemoattractants and the rigidity of the extracellular matrix. However, increasing evidence shows that mutations might trigger and accelerate the migration and invasion of different types of cancer cells. In this review, we summarise data from published literature on the effect of chromosomal instability and genetic mutations on cancer cell migration and invasion.

Genomic landscape and clonal architecture of mouse oral squamous cell carcinomas dictate tumour ecology

To establish whether 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide-induced carcinogenesis mirrors the heterogeneity of human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we have performed genomic analysis of mouse tongue lesions. The mutational signatures of human and mouse OSCC overlap extensively. Mutational burden is higher in moderate dysplasias and invasive SCCs than in hyperplasias and mild dysplasias, although mutations in p53, Notch1 and Fat1 occur in early lesions. Laminin-α3 mutations are associated with tumour invasiveness and Notch1 mutant tumours have an increased immune infiltrate. Computational modelling of clonal dynamics indicates that high genetic heterogeneity may be a feature of those mild dysplasias that are likely to progress to more aggressive tumours. These studies provide a foundation for exploring OSCC evolution, heterogeneity and progression.

Loss of Rab25 promotes the development of skin squamous cell carcinoma through the dysregulation of integrin trafficking

Rab25 can function as both a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter across different tissues. This study sought to clarify the role of Rab25 as a tumor suppressor in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Rab25 loss was closely associated with neoplastic transition in both humans and mice. Rab25 loss was well correlated with increased cell proliferation and poor differentiation in human SCC. While Rab25 knockout (KO) in mice did not induce spontaneous tumor formation, it did significantly accelerate tumor generation and promote malignant transformation in a mouse two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. Xenografting of a Rab25-deficient human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, also elicited neoplastic transformation. Notably, Rab25 deficiency led to dysregulation of integrins β1, β4, and α6, which matched well with increased epidermal proliferation and impaired desmosome-tight junction formation. Rab25 deficiency induced impairment of integrin recycling, leading to the improper expression of integrins. In line with this, significant attenuation of integrin β1, β4, and α6 expression was identified in human SCCs where Rab25 was deficient. Collectively, these results suggest that loss of Rab25 promotes the development and neoplastic transition of SCC through dysregulation of integrin trafficking. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Integrin Signaling in Cancer: Mechanotransduction, Stemness, Epithelial Plasticity, and Therapeutic Resistance

Integrins mediate cell adhesion and transmit mechanical and chemical signals to the cell interior. Various mechanisms deregulate integrin signaling in cancer, empowering tumor cells with the ability to proliferate without restraint, to invade through tissue boundaries, and to survive in foreign microenvironments. Recent studies have revealed that integrin signaling drives multiple stem cell functions, including tumor initiation, epithelial plasticity, metastatic reactivation, and resistance to oncogene- and immune-targeted therapies. Here, we discuss the mechanisms leading to the deregulation of integrin signaling in cancer and its various consequences. We place emphasis on novel functions, determinants of context dependency, and mechanism-based therapeutic opportunities.

Identifying Extrinsic versus Intrinsic Drivers of Variation in Cell Behavior in Human iPSC Lines from Healthy Donors

Large cohorts of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from healthy donors are a potentially powerful tool for investigating the relationship between genetic variants and cellular behavior. Here, we integrate high content imaging of cell shape, proliferation, and other phenotypes with gene expression and DNA sequence datasets from over 100 human iPSC lines. By applying a dimensionality reduction approach, Probabilistic Estimation of Expression Residuals (PEER), we extracted factors that captured the effects of intrinsic (genetic concordance between different cell lines from the same donor) and extrinsic (cell responses to different fibronectin concentrations) conditions. We identify genes that correlate in expression with intrinsic and extrinsic PEER factors and associate outlier cell behavior with genes containing rare deleterious non-synonymous SNVs. Our study, thus, establishes a strategy for examining the genetic basis of inter-individual variability in cell behavior.

Pericyte-like spreading by disseminated cancer cells activates YAP and MRTF for metastatic colonization

Metastatic seeding by disseminated cancer cells principally occurs in perivascular niches. Here, we show that mechanotransduction signalling triggered by the pericyte-like spreading of disseminated cancer cells on host tissue capillaries is critical for metastatic colonization. Disseminated cancer cells employ L1CAM (cell adhesion molecule L1) to spread on capillaries and activate the mechanotransduction effectors YAP (Yes-associated protein) and MRTF (myocardin-related transcription factor). This spreading is robust enough to displace resident pericytes, which also use L1CAM for perivascular spreading. L1CAM activates YAP by engaging β₁ integrin and ILK (integrin-linked kinase). L1CAM and YAP signalling enables the outgrowth of metastasis-initiating cells both immediately following their infiltration of target organs and after they exit from a period of latency. Our results identify an important step in the initiation of metastatic colonization, define its molecular constituents and provide an explanation for the widespread association of L1CAM with metastatic relapse in the clinic.

Extracellular Matrix as a Regulator of Epidermal Stem Cell Fate

Epidermal stem cells reside within the specific anatomic location, called niche, which is a microenvironment that interacts with stem cells to regulate their fate. Regulation of many important processes, including maintenance of stem cell quiescence, self-renewal, and homeostasis, as well as the regulation of division and differentiation, are common functions of the stem cell niche. As it was shown in multiple studies, extracellular matrix (ECM) contributes a lot to stem cell niches in various tissues, including that of skin. In epidermis, ECM is represented, primarily, by a highly specialized ECM structure, basement membrane (BM), which separates the epidermal and dermal compartments. Epidermal stem cells contact with BM, but when they lose the contact and migrate to the overlying layers, they undergo terminal differentiation. When considering all of these factors, ECM is of fundamental importance in regulating epidermal stem cells maintenance, proper mobilization, and differentiation. Here, we summarize the remarkable progress that has recently been made in the research of ECM role in regulating epidermal stem cell fate, paying special attention to the hair follicle stem cell niche. We show that the destruction of ECM components impairs epidermal stem cell morphogenesis and homeostasis. A deep understanding of ECM molecular structure as well as the development of in vitro system for stem cell maintaining by ECM proteins may bring us to developing new approaches for regenerative medicine.

Expression of β1integrin in normal epithelium, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

The possible reason suggested for epithelial atrophy in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is ischemia. Dysregulation in the epithelial proliferation and maturation is also thought to be a cause. The β1 integrin identifies the oral epithelial stem cells. The changes induced by the arecanut on these cells may result in epithelial alterations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stem cells distribution and percentage by assessing the β1 integrin expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included normal oral mucosa (15 cases) and disease group (97 cases). The disease group was further subdivided into early (29 cases), moderate (34 cases), advanced OSMF (18 cases) and oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) associated with OSMF (16 cases). The tissues were stained for β1 integrin antibodies. The positive cells and staining intensities were analysed to determine the staining index, and statistically evaluated using KW test statistics.

RESULTS

β1 integrin was observed in retepegs region and the percentage of positive cells was 14%- 30% in the control. In OSMF, the β1 integrin positivity was observed in basal and suprabasal layers, and the percentage was ranged from 2%-71%. β1 integrin expression in OSCC was observed both in central and peripheral cells and ranged from 17%-85%. On comparison, the difference in staining index among normal, OSMF and carcinomas was significant at p<0.01. The stem cells percentage was increased both in OSMF and carcinomas. The non-dysplastic epithelium of OSMF with severe atrophy showed lowest percentage. It is inferred that absence of stem cells and proliferation may attribute for the atrophy.

Relevance of the mouse skin initiation-promotion model for the classification of carcinogenic substances encountered at the workplace

The Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) evaluates chemical substances using scientific criteria to prevent adverse effects on health at the work place. As part of this task there is a need to evaluate tumor promoting activity of chemicals (enhancement of formation of squamous cell carcinomas via premalignant papillomas) obtained from two-stage initiation/promotion experiments using the mouse skin model. In the present communication we address this issue by comparing responses seen in mouse skin with those in humans. We conclude that tumor promotional effects seen in such animal models be carefully analyzed on a case by case basis. Substances that elicit a rather non-specific effect that is restricted to the high dose range are considered to be irrelevant to humans and thus do not require classification as carcinogens. In contrast, substances that might have both a mode of action and a potency similar to the specific effects seen with TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), the prototype tumor promoter in mouse skin, which triggers receptor-mediated signal cascades in the very low dose range, have to be classified in a category for carcinogens.

Integrins and epithelial cell polarity

Cell polarity is characterised by differences in structure, composition and function between at least two poles of a cell. In epithelial cells, these spatial differences allow for the formation of defined apical and basal membranes. It has been increasingly recognised that cell-matrix interactions and integrins play an essential role in creating epithelial cell polarity, although key gaps in our knowledge remain. This Commentary will discuss the mounting evidence for the role of integrins in polarising epithelial cells. We build a model in which both inside-out signals to polarise basement membrane assembly at the basal surface, and outside-in signals to control microtubule apical-basal orientation and vesicular trafficking are required for establishing and maintaining the orientation of epithelial cell polarity. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the basal integrin polarity axis to cancer. This article is part of a Minifocus on Establishing polarity.

Kindler syndrome in mice and men

Kindler syndrome (KS) in humans is a severe skin blistering disease associated with inflammation and increased risk of epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This disease is known to be caused by loss-of-function mutations in Kindlin-1, a focal adhesion β-integrin binding protein. Thus far, it has been unclear what specific signaling events occur in KS keratinocytes to promote tumorigenesis, especially since loss of β-integrins and focal adhesion complexes has been previously shown to prevent or delay tumor formation. In the April issue of Nature Medicine, Rognoni and colleagues generate a transgenic mouse lacking Kindlin-1 in the epidermis to model the key features of KS, and show that Kindlin-1 regulates Wnt and TGFβ signaling independent of β-integrins. These β1-integrin-independent functions of Kindlin-1 may contribute to the increased SCC risk in KS patients.

Nanoparticle-formulated siRNA targeting integrins inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression in mice

Integrins play an important role during development, regulating cell differentiation, proliferation and survival. Here we show that knockdown of integrin subunits slows down the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using nanoparticulate delivery of short interfering RNAs targeting β1 and αv integrin subunits we downregulate all integrin receptors in hepatocytes. Short-term integrin knockdown (two weeks) does not cause apparent structural or functional perturbations of normal liver tissue. Alterations in liver morphology accumulate upon sustained integrin downregulation (seven weeks). The integrin knockdown leads to significant retardation of HCC progression, reducing proliferation and increasing tumour cell death. This tumour retardation is accompanied by reduced activation of MET oncogene as well as expression of its mature form on the cell surface. Our data suggest that transformed proliferating cells from HCC are more sensitive to knockdown of integrins than normal quiescent hepatocytes, highlighting the potential of siRNA-mediated inhibition of integrins as an anti-cancer therapeutic approach.

Kindlin-1 controls Wnt and TGF-β availability to regulate cutaneous stem cell proliferation

Kindlin-1 is an integrin tail binding protein that controls integrin activation. Mutations in the FERMT-1 gene lead to Kindler Syndrome in man, which is characterized by skin blistering, premature skin ageing and skin cancer of unknown etiology. Here we show that loss of Kindlin-1 in mouse keratinocytes recapitulates Kindler Syndrome, and in addition produces enlarged and hyperactive stem cell compartments, which lead to hyperthickened epidermis, ectopic hair follicle development and increased skin tumor susceptibility. Mechanistically, Kindlin-1 controls keratinocyte adhesion through β₁-class integrins and proliferation and differentiation of cutaneous epithelial stem cells by promoting α_vβ₆ integrin-mediated TGFβ activation and by inhibiting Wnt-β-catenin signaling through an integrin-independent regulation of Wnt ligand expression. Our findings assign Kindlin-1 the novel and essential task to control cutaneous epithelial stem cell homeostasis by balancing TGFβ mediated growth inhibitory and Wnt-β-catenin mediated growth-promoting signals.

Isolation and characterization of squamous cell carcinoma-derived stem-like cells: role in tumor formation

In human epidermis, keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) are characterized by high levels of β₁-integrin, resulting in the rapid adhesion to type IV collagen. Since epithelial tumors originate from KSC, we evaluated the features of rapidly adhering (RAD) keratinocytes derived from primary human squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (cSCC). RAD cells expressed higher levels of survivin, a KSC marker, as compared to non-rapidly adhering (NRAD) cells. Moreover, RAD cells proliferated to a greater extent and were more efficient in forming colonies than NRAD cells. RAD cells also migrated significantly better than NRAD cells. When seeded in a silicone chamber and grafted onto the back skin of NOD SCID mice, RAD cells formed tumors 2–4 fold bigger than those derived from NRAD cells. In tumors derived from RAD cells, the mitotic index was significantly higher than in those derived from NRAD cells, while Ki-67 and survivin expression were more pronounced in RAD tumors. This study suggests that SCC RAD stem cells play a critical role in the formation and development of epithelial tumors.

Focal adhesion complex proteins in epidermis and squamous cell carcinoma

Focal adhesions (FAs) are large, integrin-containing, multi-protein assemblies spanning the plasma membrane that link the cellular cytoskeleton to surrounding extracellular matrix. They play critical roles in adhesion and cell signaling and are major regulators of epithelial homeostasis, tissue response to injury, and tumorigenesis. Most integrin subunits and their associated FA proteins are expressed in skin, and murine genetic models have provided insight into the functional roles of FAs in normal and neoplastic epidermis. Here, we discuss the roles of these proteins in normal epidermal proliferation, adhesion, wound healing, and cancer. While many downstream signaling mechanisms remain unclear, the critically important roles of FAs are highlighted by the development of therapeutics targeting FAs for human cancer.

Role of the extracellular matrix in regulating stem cell fate

The field of stem cells and regenerative medicine offers considerable promise as a means of delivering new treatments for a wide range of diseases. In order to maximize the effectiveness of cell-based therapies - whether stimulating expansion of endogenous cells or transplanting cells into patients - it is essential to understand the environmental (niche) signals that regulate stem cell behaviour. One of those signals is from the extracellular matrix (ECM). New technologies have offered insights into how stem cells sense signals from the ECM and how they respond to these signals at the molecular level, which ultimately regulate their fate.

A tale of two collagen receptors, integrin β1 and discoidin domain receptor 1, in epithelial cell differentiation

As increase in collagen deposition is no longer taken as simply a consequence but, rather, an inducer of disease progression; therefore, the understanding of collagen signal transduction is fundamentally important. Cells contain at least two types of collagen receptors: integrins and discoidin domain receptors (DDRs). The integrin heterodimers α1β1, α2β1, α10β1, and α11β1 are recognized as the non-tyrosine kinase collagen receptors. DDR1 and 2, the tyrosine kinase receptors of collagen, are specifically expressed in epithelium and mesenchyme, respectively. While integrin β1 and DDR1 are both required for cell adhesion on collagen, their roles in epithelial cell differentiation during development and disease progression seem to counteract each other, with integrin β1 favoring epithelium mesenchyme transition (EMT) and DDR1 inducing epithelial cell differentiation. The in vitro evidence shows that the integrin β1 and DDR1 exert opposing actions in regulation of membrane stability of E-cadherin, which itself is a critical regulator of epithelial cell differentiation. Here, we review the functional roles of integrin β1 and DDR1 in regulation of epithelial cell differentiation during development and disease progression, and explore the underlining mechanisms regarding to the regulation of membrane stability of E-cadherin.

Beta1 integrin cytoplasmic tyrosines promote skin tumorigenesis independent of their phosphorylation

β1 integrin tyrosine phosphorylation by oncogenic kinases, such as Src, has been predicted to induce tumorigenesis by disrupting adhesion and modifying integrin signaling. We directly tested this hypothesis by subjecting mice with "nonphosphorylatable" tyrosine-to-phenylalanine substitutions in the conserved β1 cytoplasmic tail NPxY motifs to a model of cutaneous carcinogenesis in the presence or absence of elevated Src activity. We found that hydrophobic phenylalanine substitutions of both tyrosines diminished the binding of tail-interacting proteins, including talins and kindlins, resulting in reduced β1-mediated adhesion, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling, and epidermal progenitor cell-derived skin tumors. However, increased Src activity drove tumor formation independent of the phenylalanine substitutions by enhancing FAK activity, which in turn maintained the epidermal progenitor state and blocked keratinocyte differentiation. We conclude that a Src/FAK signaling unit inhibits differentiation to promote tumorigenesis downstream of β1 integrin and independent of β1 integrin tyrosine phosphorylation.

Cell-extracellular matrix interactions in normal and diseased skin

Mammalian skin comprises a multi-layered epithelium, the epidermis, and an underlying connective tissue, the dermis. The epidermal extracellular matrix is a basement membrane, whereas the dermal ECM comprises fibrillar collagens and associated proteins. There is considerable heterogeneity in ECM composition within both epidermis and dermis. The functional significance of this extends beyond cell adhesion to a range of cell autonomous and nonautonomous processes, including control of epidermal stem cell fate. In skin, cell-ECM interactions influence normal homeostasis, aging, wound healing, and disease. Disturbed integrin and ECM signaling contributes to both tumor formation and fibrosis. Strategies for manipulating cell-ECM interactions to repair skin defects and intervene in a variety of skin diseases hold promise for the future.

Keratinocyte stem cells: friends and foes

Skin and its appendages provide a protective barrier against the assaults of the environment. To perform its role, epidermis undergoes an ongoing renewal through a balance of proliferation and differentiation/apoptosis called homeostasis. Keratinocyte stem cells reside in a special microenvironment called niche in basal epidermis, adult hair follicle, and sebaceous glands. While a definite marker has yet to be detected, data raised part in humans and part in the mouse system point to a critical role of stem and its progeny transit amplifying cells in epidermal homeostasis. Stem cells are protected from apoptosis and are long resident in adult epidermis. This renders them more prone to be the origin of skin cancer. In this review, we will outline the main features of adult stem cells in mouse and humans and discuss their fate in relation to differentiation, apoptosis, and cancer.

beta1-integrin is dispensable for the induction of ErbB2 mammary tumors but plays a critical role in the metastatic phase of tumor progression

Cross-talk between integrin receptors and activated growth factor receptors has been hypothesized to play a critical role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Despite in vitro evidence documenting the important role of integrin receptors in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation, the relative contribution of the integrin receptors to the initiation and progression of tumors remains unclear. Previous studies with a polyomavirus middle T mammary tumor model have indicated that targeted disruption of beta1-integrin in the mammary glands of these mice completely blocks tumor induction. To further explore the general significance of these observations, we have crossed these conditional beta1-integrin strains to a strain of mice carrying mouse mammary tumor virus/activated erbB2 (herein referred to as the NIC strain). In contrast to the tumor induction block in the polyomavirus middle T model, tumor onset in the beta1-integrin-deficient NIC mice was delayed by only 30 d and was 100% penetrant. This modest effect on tumor induction was not a result of inefficient excision, as all tumors were confirmed as beta1-integrin-null. Animals bearing beta1-integrin-deficient ErbB2 tumors exhibited significantly reduced tumor volume, which was associated with increased tumor cell apoptosis and a reduction in tumor angiogenesis. In addition, beta1-integrin-deficient tumors were compromised in their capacity to metastasize to the lung, a deficiency associated with abrogation of adhesion signaling. Taken together, these observations suggest that, although beta1-integrin is dispensable for the initiation of ErbB2 tumor induction, it plays a critical role in metastatic phase of tumor progression.

A previously unreported function of β(1)B integrin isoform in caspase-8-dependent integrin-mediated keratinocyte death

Integrins regulate adhesive cell-matrix interactions and mediate survival signals. On the other hand, unligated or free cytoplasmic fragments of integrins induce apoptosis in many cell types (integrin-mediated death). We have previously shown that β(1) integrin expression protects keratinocyte stem cells from anoikis, whereas the role of the β(1)B integrin isoform has not been clarified. In this study we report that suspended keratinocytes undergo apoptosis through the activation of caspase-8, independently of the Fas/Fas ligand system. Indeed, anti-β(1) integrin-neutralizing antibodies induced apoptosis in short hairpin RNA Fas-associated death domain-treated cells. Moreover, before and during suspension, caspase-8 directly associated with β(1) integrin, which in turn internalized and progressively degraded, shedding the cytoplasmic domain. β(1)B was expressed only in the cytoplasm in a perinuclear manner and remained unaltered during suspension. At 24 hours, as β(1)A was located close to the nucleus, β(1)B colocalized with β(1)A and coimmunoprecipitated with caspase-8. Caspase-8 was activated earlier in β(1)B integrin-transfected keratinocytes, and these cells underwent a higher rate of apoptosis than mock cells. In contrast, caspase-8 was not activated in small interfering RNA (siRNA) β(1)B-transfected cells. These results indicate that when β(1)A is unligated, β(1)B is responsible for "integrin-mediated death" in human keratinocytes.

The hair follicle-a stem cell zoo

Recent studies on stem cells in the adult hair follicle (HF) have uncovered a veritable menagerie of exceptionally diverse and dynamic keratinocytes with stem cell properties located in distinct regions of the HF. Although endowed with specific functions during normal hair follicle maintenance, the majority of these cells can act as multipotent stem cells in stress situations, such as physical injury, which argues for an unanticipated degree of plasticity of these cells. This review provides an overview of the different epithelial stem cell populations, identified in the mouse HF, and their relationships with one another, and envisions possible cellular mechanisms underlying normal HF maintenance and skin regeneration.