Expression of Integrin αvβ3 in Gliomas Correlates with Tumor Grade and Is not Restricted to Tumor Vasculature

Abstract

In malignant gliomas, the integrin adhesion receptors seem to play a key role for invasive growth and angiogenesis. However, there is still a controversy about the expression and the distribution of αvβ3 integrin caused by malignancy. The aim of our study was to assess the extent and pattern of αvβ3 integrin expression within primary glioblastomas (GBMs) compared with low‐grade gliomas (LGGs). Tumor samples were immunostained for the detection of αvβ3 integrin and quantified by an imaging software. The expression of αvβ3 was found to be significantly higher in GBMs than in LGGs, whereby focal strong reactivity was restricted to GBMs only. Subsequent analysis revealed that not only endothelial cells but also, to a large extent, glial tumor cells contribute to the overall amount of αvβ3 integrin in the tumors. To further analyze the integrin subunits, Western blots from histologic sections were performed, which demonstrated a significant difference in the expression of the β3 integrin subunit between GBMs and LGGs. The presented data lead to new insights in the pattern of αvβ3 integrin in gliomas and are of relevance for the inhibition of αvβ3 integrin with specific RGD peptides and interfering drugs to reduce angiogenesis and tumor growth.