Regulates Integrin Signaling Research Articles

Peripheral glia and neurons jointly regulate activity-induced synaptic remodeling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

In the nervous system, reliable communication depends on the ability of neurons to adaptively remodel their synaptic structure and function in response to changes in neuronal activity. While neurons are the main drivers of synaptic plasticity, glial cells are increasingly recognized for their roles as active modulators. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, using Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model system for a tripartite synapse, we show that peripheral glial cells collaborate with neurons at the NMJ to regulate activity-induced synaptic remodeling, in part through a protein called shriveled (Shv). Shv is an activator of integrin signaling previously shown to be released by neurons during intense stimulation at the fly NMJ to regulate activity-induced synaptic remodeling. We demonstrate that Shv is also present in peripheral glia, and glial Shv is both necessary and sufficient for synaptic remodeling. However, unlike neuronal Shv, glial Shv does not activate integrin signaling at the NMJ. Instead, it regulates synaptic plasticity in two ways: 1) maintaining the extracellular balance of neuronal Shv proteins to regulate integrin signaling, and 2) controlling ambient extracellular glutamate concentration to regulate postsynaptic glutamate receptor abundance. Loss of glial cells showed the same phenotype as loss of Shv in glia. Together, these results reveal that neurons and glial cells homeostatically regulate extracellular Shv protein levels to control activity-induced synaptic remodeling. Additionally, peripheral glia maintains postsynaptic glutamate receptor abundance and contribute to activity-induced synaptic remodeling by regulating ambient glutamate concentration at the fly NMJ.

KMT2D regulates activation, localization, and integrin expression by T-cells.

Individuals with Kabuki syndrome present with immunodeficiency; however, how pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the histone-modifying enzyme lysine methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) lead to immune alterations remain poorly understood. Following up on our prior report of KMT2D-altered integrin expression in B-cells, we performed targeted analyses of KMT2D's influence on integrin expression in T-cells throughout development (thymocytes through peripheral T-cells) in murine cells with constitutive- and conditional-targeted Kmt2d deletion. Using high-throughput RNA-sequencing and flow cytometry, we reveal decreased expression (both at the transcriptional and translational levels) of a cluster of leukocyte-specific integrins, which perturb aspects of T-cell activation, maturation, adhesion/localization, and effector function. H3K4me3 ChIP-PCR suggests that these evolutionary similar integrins are under direct control of KMT2D. KMT2D loss also alters multiple downstream programming/signaling pathways, including integrin-based localization, which can influence T-cell populations. We further demonstrated that KMT2D deficiency is associated with the accumulation of murine CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes and shifts in both human and murine peripheral T-cell populations, including the reduction of the CD4+ recent thymic emigrant (RTE) population. Together, these data show that the targeted loss of Kmt2d in the T-cell lineage recapitulates several distinct features of Kabuki syndrome-associated immune deficiency and implicates epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of integrin signaling.

SEMA7a primes integrin α5β1 engagement instructing fibroblast mechanotransduction, phenotype and transcriptional programming

Integrins are cellular receptors that bind the extracellular matrix (ECM) and facilitate the transduction of biochemical and biophysical microenvironment cues into cellular responses. Upon engaging the ECM, integrin heterodimers must rapidly strengthen their binding with the ECM, resulting in the assembly of force-resistant and force-sensitive integrin associated complexes (IACs). The IACs constitute an essential apparatus for downstream signaling and fibroblast phenotypes. During wound healing, integrin signaling is essential for fibroblast motility, proliferation, ECM reorganization and, ultimately, restoration of tissue homeostasis. Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7a) has been previously implicated in post-injury inflammation and tissue fibrosis, yet little is known about SEMA7a's role in directing stromal cell, particularly fibroblast, behaviors. We demonstrate that SEMA7a regulates integrin signaling through cis-coupling with active integrin α5β1 on the plasma membrane, enabling rapid integrin adhesion strengthening to fibronectin (Fn) and normal downstream mechanotransduction. This molecular function of SEMA7a potently regulates fibroblast adhesive, cytoskeletal, and migratory phenotype with strong evidence of downstream alterations in chromatin structure resulting in global transcriptomic reprogramming such that loss of SEMA7a expression is sufficient to impair the normal migratory and ECM assembly phenotype of fibroblasts resulting in significantly delayed tissue repair in vivo.

Inhibition of SRC-mediated integrin signaling in bone marrow niche enhances hematopoietic stem cell function

SummaryInteraction with microenvironmental factors is crucial for the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. Stroma derived factor (SDF)-1α supports HSCs in the quiescent state and is central to the homing of transplanted HSCs. Here, we show that integrin signaling regulates Sdf-1α expression transcriptionally. Systemic deletion of Periostin, an Integrin-αv ligand, showed increased expression of Sdf-1α in bone marrow (BM) niche. Pharmacological inhibition or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of SRC, resulted in a similar increase in the chemokine expression in vitro. Importantly, systemic SRC-inhibition led to increase in SDF-1α levels in BM plasma. This resulted in a robust increase (14.05 ± 1.22% to 29.11 ± 0.69%) in the homing efficiency of transplanted HSCs. In addition, we observed enhancement in the recovery of blood cell counts following radiation injury, indicating an enhanced hematopoietic function. These results establish a role of SRC-mediated integrin signaling in the transcriptional regulation of Sdf-1α. This mechanism could be harnessed further to improve the hematopoietic function.

Pulmonary surfactants and the respiratory-renal connection in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome of childhood

SummarySteroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in childhood is usually due to minimal change disease (MCD). Unlike many glomerular conditions, SSNS/MCD is commonly precipitated by respiratory infections. Of interest, pulmonary inflammation releases surfactants in circulation which are soluble agonists of SIRPα, a podocyte receptor that regulates integrin signaling. Here, we characterized this pulmonary-renal connection in MCD and performed studies to determine its importance. Children with SSNS/MCD in relapse but not remission had elevated plasma surfactants and urinary SIRPα. Sera from relapsing subjects triggered podocyte SIRPα signaling via tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 and nephrin dephosphorylation, a marker of podocyte activation. Further, addition of surfactants to MCD sera from patients in remission replicated these findings. Similarly, nasal instillation of toll-like receptor 3 and 4 agonists in mice resulted in elevated serum surfactants and their binding to glomeruli triggering proteinuria. Together, our data document a critical pulmonary-podocyte signaling pathway involving surfactants and SIRPα signaling in SSNS/MCD.

Genome-Wide ChIP-seq and RNA-seq Analyses of STAT3 Target Genes in TLRs Activated Human Peripheral Blood B Cells.

Toll like receptors (TLRs) induced response plays a vital role in B-cell development and activation, in which TLR7-mediated and TLR9-mediated response interact together and play antagonistic or cooperative roles at different situations. Previous studies showed that the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 was one of the key transcriptional factors (TFs) needed for both TLR7 and TLR9 signaling in B cell, and patients with autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndromes (AD-HIES) due to STAT3 mutations having defective TLRs response in B cells. However, how STAT3 affects its target genes and the downstream signaling pathways in B cell upon TLRs stimulation remains unclarified on a genome-wide level. ChIP-seq and RNA-seq was used in this study to identify the STAT3 targets in response to TLRs stimulation in human B cell. STAT3 ChIP-seq results showed a total of 611 and 2,289 differential STAT3-binding sites in human B cell after TLR7 and TLR9 agonists stimulation, respectively. RNA-seq results showed 1,186 and 1,775 differentially expressed genes after TLR7 and TLR9 activation, respectively. We identified 47 primary STAT3 target genes after TLR7 activation and 189 target genes after TLR9 activation in B cell by integration of STAT3 ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data. Among these STAT3 primary targets, we identified 7 TFs and 18 TFs for TLR7 and TLR9 response, respectively. Besides, we showed that STAT3 might regulate TLR9, but not TLR7 response in B cells through directly regulating integrin signaling pathway, which might further affect the antagonism between TLR7 and TLR9 signaling in B cell. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanism of human TLRs response in B cell and how it can be regulated, which helps to better understand and modulate TLR-mediated pathogenic immune responses in B cell.

Gα13-Mediated β2 Integrin Outside-in Signaling in Neutrophil Migration

Transendothelial migration of neutrophils requires chemoattractant signals and also integrin family of adhesion receptors, particularly the β 2 family of integrins, including Mac-1 and LFA-1. Signals transmitted by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) for chemoattractants and cytokines induces inside-out signaling activating the ligand binding function of integrins. Conversely ligand binding to integrins stimulates outside-in signaling, leading to cell spreading, retraction and migration. The heterotrimeric G protein subunit, Gα13, is important for GPCR signaling leading to RhoA activation but also binds to integrins, including β2 integrins to stimulate outside-in signaling. To study the roles of Gα13 in neutrophil migration, we tested the effect of Gα13 knockout on transendothelial migration of neutrophils stimulated by chemoattractant fMIVIL. We demonstrate that transendothelial migration of Gα13 knockout neutrophils was significantly but partially reduced as compared with wild type mice. Transendothelial migration of Gα13 knockout neutrophils is similar to wild type neutrophil migration neutralized with an anti-Mac1 (anti-αm) antibody, and was not further inhibited by the anti-Mac1 antibody, suggesting that transendothelial migration mediated by integrin αmβ2 was predominantly Gα13-dependent. Interestingly, either anti-β2 antibody or anti-LFA1 (anti-αL) antibody appeared to inhibit transendothelial migration of not only wild type neutrophils, but also to a degree, Gα13-knockout neutrophils, suggesting a minor LFA1-dependent but Gα13-independent component of transendothelial migration in addition to the Gα13-dependent transendothlial migration. Furthermore, even though the fibrinogen and ICAM-1 are both β2 ligands, we show that more neutrophils migrated through ICAM-1-coated transwells than fibrinogen-coated transwells, and only ICAM-1-mediated neutrophil migration is Gα13 dependent, suggesting that Gα13-dependent neutrophil migration is selective for certain β2 integrin ligand (ICAM-1). Importantly, Gα13 knockout selectively inhibited the velocity of neutrophil migration on integrin ligand ICAM-1, but had no effect on the directionality of neutrophil migration which requires GPCR-dependent chemoattactant signaling. To understand whether and how Gα13 regulate integrin signaling, we show that Gα13 knockout did not affect the static adhesion of neutrophils to ICAM1, but significantly inhibited neutrophil spreading on ICAM-1. Furthermore, Gα13 bound to β2 integrins in neutrophils adherent on ICAM-1, and this binding was inhibited by the ExE motif peptide MB2mP6 derived from the Gα13 binding site of β2 integrin cytoplasmic domain. MB2mP6 also inhibited transendothelial cell migration similarly as Gα13 knockout. These data suggest that Gα13 plays an important role in promoting β2-integrin dependent neutrophil transendothelial migration mainly by mediating integrin outside-in signaling. Consistent with previous findings of the role of Gα13-dependent outside-in signaling in negative regulation of RhoA in other integrin subtypes, both Gα13 knockout and MB2mP6 abolished the transient inhibition in RhoA during adhesion of neutrophils on ICAM-1. These data suggest that Gα13 mediates outside-in signaling and transient inhibition of RhoA, and thus promotes neutrophil spreading and migration on integrin ligands. To test the role of Gα13 in neutrophil migration in vivo, we showed that neutrophil infiltration in vivo was reduced in leukocyte-selective Gα13 knockout mice using both thioglycolate-induced peritoneal neutrophil infiltration model and LPS-induced neutrophil lung infiltration model in vivo. Furthermore, MB2mP6 inhibited neutrophil infiltration in cardiac tissues in the cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury model in mice. These data suggest that Gα13-integrin interaction plays an essential role in the integrin-dependent transendothelial migration and is likely to be important in neutrophils' immune and inflammatory functions. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Pulmonary Surfactants and the Respiratory-Renal Connection in Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome of Childhood

Background: Steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in childhood is usually due to minimal change disease (MCD) and unlike many glomerular conditions, it is commonly precipitated by respiratory infections. Of interest, pulmonary inflammation is known to release surfactants in the blood that can bind SIRPα, which is expressed by podocytes and regulates integrin signaling. We performed studies to determine if surfactant-SIRPα interactions may be occurring in MCD. Methods: Studies included developing a novel model of proteinuria by nasal instillation of toll-like receptor ligands (lipopolysaccharide -LPS- and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid -Poly:IC-), evaluation of serum and urine from 17 children with SSNS/MCD in relapse or remission, and studies using cultured human podocytes treated with sera from children with MCD in remission or relapse. Results: Children with active SSNS/MCD had elevated surfactant proteins A and D in their sera and elevated urinary SIRPα levels, and both decreased when the subjects were in remission. Sera from subjects with SSNS/MCD in relapse, but not in remission, could activate podocyte SIRPα in vitro , leading to release of Src homology 2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) and Nephrin dephosphorylation thus leading to the activation of the podocyte. The addition of surfactant protein A to MCD sera from a patient in remission could replicate these findings. Similar data was found in mice with nasal instillation of toll-like receptor 4 and 3 agonists LPS and polyI:C which resulted in elevated serum surfactants and their binding to glomeruli triggering proteinuria. Summary: Our data documents a novel pulmonary-podocyte signaling pathway involving surfactants, SIRPα, SHP-2 and Nephrin dephosphorylation in childhood SSNS/MCD.

Molecular Drivers of Platelet Activation: Unraveling Novel Targets for Anti-Thrombotic and Anti-Thrombo-Inflammatory Therapy.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally—partly a consequence of increased population size and ageing—and are major contributors to reduced quality of life. Platelets play a major role in hemostasis and thrombosis. While platelet activation and aggregation are essential for hemostasis at sites of vascular injury, uncontrolled platelet activation leads to pathological thrombus formation and provokes thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. Platelet activation and thrombus formation is a multistage process with different signaling pathways involved to trigger platelet shape change, integrin activation, stable platelet adhesion, aggregation, and degranulation. Apart from thrombotic events, thrombo-inflammation contributes to organ damage and dysfunction in CVDs and is mediated by platelets and inflammatory cells. Therefore, in the past, many efforts have been made to investigate specific signaling pathways in platelets to identify innovative and promising approaches for novel antithrombotic and anti-thrombo-inflammatory strategies that do not interfere with hemostasis. In this review, we focus on some of the most recent data reported on different platelet receptors, including GPIb-vWF interactions, GPVI activation, platelet chemokine receptors, regulation of integrin signaling, and channel homeostasis of NMDAR and PANX1.

Silencing of CD276 suppresses lung cancer progression by regulating integrin signaling.

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the cancers with the highest morbidity and mortality among the world. Studies have shown that the invasion and metastasis of tumor are biological characteristics of lung cancer, and also the main cause of treatment failure and patient death. In-depth study of lung cancer invasion related genes will help to explore the etiology of lung cancer, molecular typing and individualized treatment of lung cancer. Studies have shown that CD276 molecules are closely related to the prognosis of tumors, but the exact mechanism remains to be unclear.MethodsWe used the UALCAN and KM-plotter databases to investigate the expression of CD276 in human NSCLC and adjacent normal tissues, and its correlation with clinicopathology. In addition, we analyzed the function of CD276 in NSCLC cell by suppressing the expression of CD276 in A549 and H460 cells.ResultsIn this study, we found that CD276 expression was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC tissues, and its expression was positively correlated with tumor stage in NSCLC. Silencing in CD276 inhibited cell invasion and migration by reducing integrin-associated protein expression.ConclusionsOur results indicate functional role of CD276 in the progression of NSCLC.

Periostin and Integrin Signaling in Stem Cell Regulation.

Stem cell function is regulated by a huge repertoire of external cues along with stem cell intrinsic genetic and epigenetic factors. These interactions come through a variety of cell adhesion receptors, of which integrins are one of the most important classes. They interact with extracellular matrix (ECM) components and various bound proteins. Apart from inside-out signaling through which integrins ensure that the cells are stably bound to the ECM, outside-in integrin signaling, through binding to a variety of ligands, play important roles in cell fate decisions. Periostin is one such ligand whose role in functional regulation of stem cells is emerging due to its wide expression profile. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements made in the field.

ITGBL1 modulates integrin activity to promote cartilage formation and protect against arthritis.

Developing and mature chondrocytes constantly interact with and remodel the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent research indicates that integrin-ECM interaction is differentially regulated during cartilage formation (chondrogenesis). Integrin signaling is also a key source of the catabolic reactions responsible for joint destruction in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, we do not understand how chondrocytes dynamically regulate integrin signaling in such an ECM-rich environment. Here, we found that developing chondrocytes express integrin-β-like 1 (Itgbl1) at specific stages, inhibiting integrin signaling and promoting chondrogenesis. Unlike cytosolic integrin inhibitors, ITGBL1 is secreted and physically interacts with integrins to down-regulate activity. We observed that Itgbl1 expression was strongly reduced in the damaged articular cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Ectopic expression of Itgbl1 protected joint cartilage against OA development in the destabilization of the medial meniscus-induced OA mouse model. Our results reveal ITGBL1 signaling as an underlying mechanism of protection against destructive cartilage disorders and suggest the potential therapeutic utility of targeting ITGBL1 to modulate integrin signaling in human disease.

Talin as a mechanosensitive signaling hub.

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), mediated by transmembrane receptors of the integrin family, is exquisitely sensitive to biochemical, structural, and mechanical features of the ECM. Talin is a cytoplasmic protein consisting of a globular head domain and a series of α-helical bundles that form its long rod domain. Talin binds to the cytoplasmic domain of integrin β-subunits, activates integrins, couples them to the actin cytoskeleton, and regulates integrin signaling. Recent evidence suggests switch-like behavior of the helix bundles that make up the talin rod domains, where individual domains open at different tension levels, exerting positive or negative effects on different protein interactions. These results lead us to propose that talin functions as a mechanosensitive signaling hub that integrates multiple extracellular and intracellular inputs to define a major axis of adhesion signaling.

MARCKS-related protein regulates cytoskeletal organization at cell–cell and cell–substrate contacts in epithelial cells

Treatment of epithelial cells with interferon-γ and TNF-α (IFN/TNF) results in increased paracellular permeability. To identify relevant proteins mediating barrier disruption, we performed proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) of occludin and found that tagging of MARCKS-related protein (MRP; also known as MARCKSL1) increased ∼20-fold following IFN/TNF administration. GFP-MRP was focused at the lateral cell membrane and its overexpression potentiated the physiological response of the tight junction barrier to cytokines. However, deletion of MRP did not abrogate the cytokine responses, suggesting that MRP is not required in the occludin-dependent IFN/TNF response. Instead, our results reveal a key role for MRP in epithelial cells in control of multiple actin-based structures, likely by regulation of integrin signaling. Changes in focal adhesion organization and basal actin stress fibers in MRP-knockout (KO) cells were reminiscent of those seen in FAK-KO cells. In addition, we found alterations in cell-cell interactions in MRP-KO cells associated with increased junctional tension, suggesting that MRP may play a role in focal adhesion-adherens junction cross talk. Together, our results are consistent with a key role for MRP in cytoskeletal organization of cell contacts in epithelial cells.

Abstract 316: Adap1 Prevents Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Interfering with Integrin Signaling

The Arf GTPase activating protein with dual PH domains 1 (Adap1), a putative regulator of the small G protein ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), might be expressed to some extent in the heart. Although Arf6 roles in cardiomyocytes are not well defined, this small G protein was shown to alter surface expression of integrins in other cell types. Considering the importance of integrins on cellular mechanisms of adhesion and spreading, we hypothesized that Adap1 might impact cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by regulating integrin signaling . In order to determine the role of Adap1 in cardiomyocytes, we analyzed its cardiac expression in Sprague Dawley rats. Comparatively to its high mRNA expression in the brain, we showed that Adap1 transcript is expressed at relatively low levels in the heart of adult and neonatal rats. However, Western blot detection of Adap1 showed that it is well expressed in the whole heart of adult and neonatal rats at levels reaching 13% and 17% relative to the brain, respectively. Moreover, Adap1 was 3-fold more abundant in isolated rat neonatal ventricular cardiomyocyte (RNVC) comparatively to partially enriched non-cardiomyocyte cells. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of ADAP1 partially prevented the increase in cell surface area of cultured RNVCs in response to increasing serum concentrations. Interestingly, ADAP1 overexpression completely blocked constitutively active mutant Mek1- and phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy of RNVCs. In these conditions, ADAP1 did not impair the Mek1ca-induced fetal gene program in RNVCs, suggesting that its anti-hypertrophic effect was not mediated by transcriptional regulation. In fact, cell surface biotin labeling indicated that ADAP1 significantly reduced the localization of integrin β1 at the membrane of RNVCs without changing its total expression. Strikingly, integrin β1 was almost completely absent from the surface of RNVCs overexpressing both ADAP1 and Mek1ca. These findings demonstrate for the first time that Adap1 expressed in cardiomyocytes interferes with the surface expression of integrin β1, thereby slowing the development of hypertrophy in vitro. Further in vivo studies are needed to characterize the anti-hypertrophic function of Adap1 in response to pathological stresses.

Functional Effect of the Mutations Similar to the Cleavage during Platelet Activation at Integrin β3 Cytoplasmic Tail when Expressed in Mouse Platelets.

Previous studies in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that truncational mutations of β3 at sites of F754 and Y759 mimicking calpain cleavage regulate integrin signaling. The roles of the sequence from F754 to C-terminus and the conservative N756ITY759 motif in platelet function have yet to be elaborated. Mice expressing β3 with F754 and Y759 truncations, or NITY deletion (β3-ΔTNITYRGT, β3-ΔRGT, or β3-ΔNITY) were established through transplanting the homozygous β3-deficient mouse bone marrow cells infected by the GFP tagged MSCV MigR1 retroviral vector encoding different β3 mutants into lethally radiated wild-type mice. The platelets were harvested for soluble fibrinogen binding and platelet spreading on immobilized fibrinogen. Platelet adhesion on fibrinogen- and collagen-coated surface under flow was also tested to assess the ability of the platelets to resist hydrodynamic drag forces. Data showed a drastic inhibition of the β3-ΔTNITYRGT platelets to bind soluble fibrinogen and spread on immobilized fibrinogen in contrast to a partially impaired fibrinogen binding and an almost unaffected spreading exhibited in the β3-ΔNITY platelets. Behaviors of the β3-ΔRGT platelets were consistent with the previous observations in the β3-ΔRGT knock-in platelets. The adhesion impairment of platelets with the β3 mutants under flow was in different orders of magnitude shown as: β3-ΔTNITYRGT>β3-ΔRGT>β3-ΔNITY to fibrinogen-coated surface, and β3-ΔTNITYRGT>β3-ΔNITY>β3-ΔRGT to collagen-coated surface. To evaluate the interaction of the β3 mutants with signaling molecules, GST pull-down and immunofluorescent assays were performed. Results showed that β3-ΔRGT interacted with kindlin but not c-Src, β3-ΔNITY interacted with c-Src but not kindlin, while β3-ΔTNITYRGT did not interact with both proteins. This study provided evidence in platelets at both static and flow conditions that the calpain cleavage-related sequences of integrin β3, i.e. T755NITYRGT762, R760GT762, and N756ITY759 participate in bidirectional, outside-in, and inside-out signaling, respectively and the association of c-Src or kindlin with β3 integrin may regulate these processes.

Endothelial Cells Require CD98 for Efficient Angiogenesis-Brief Report.

CD98 regulates integrin signaling and is critical for tumor cell proliferation. It is also expressed on endothelial cells (EC), but its role in angiogenesis is unclear. We used specific genetic targeting and antibody blockade approaches to examine the function of CD98 in EC proliferation, blood vessel growth, and tumor angiogenesis. It is upregulated on angiogenic ECs, and EC-specific deletion of CD98 in mice inhibited tumor growth, retinal angiogenesis, and EC proliferation. Reconstitution with CD98 mutants showed that integrin and CD98 interaction is necessary for EC survival and growth. Moreover, anti-CD98 treatment inhibited vessel formation and reversed EC-assisted tumor growth. Our findings demonstrate a requirement for CD98 in EC growth and suggest that CD98-specific reagents could have a dual anticancer effect: directly by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and indirectly by preventing tumor angiogenesis.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Mediates Integrin Signaling To Control RNA Polymerase I Transcriptional Activity.

RNA polymerase I-mediated rRNA production is a key determinant of cell growth. Despite extensive studies, the signaling pathways that control RNA polymerase I-mediated rRNA production are not well understood. Here we provide original evidence showing that RNA polymerase I transcriptional activity is tightly controlled by integrin signaling. Furthermore, we show that a signaling axis consisting of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and mTOR mediates the effect of integrin signaling on rRNA transcription. Additionally, we show that in kindlin-2 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, overactivation of Ras, Akt, and Src can successfully rescue the defective RNA polymerase I activity induced by the loss of kindlin-2. Finally, through experiments with inhibitors of FAK, Src, and PI3K and rescue experiments in MEFs, we found that the FAK/Src/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to control rRNA transcription is linear. Collectively, these studies reveal, for the first time, a pivotal role of integrin signaling in regulation of RNA polymerase I transcriptional activity and shed light on the downstream signaling axis that participates in regulation of this key aspect of cell growth.

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Monocyte infiltration into obese and fibrilized tissues is regulated by PILRα

Paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) is an inhibitory receptor that is mainly expressed on myeloid cells, and negatively regulates neutrophil infiltration during inflammation. However, PILRα role on monocyte has not been described. Under both steady-state and inflammatory conditions, monocytes migrate into tissues and differentiate into macrophages. Macrophages in adipose and liver tissues play important roles in tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Here, we found that PILRα controls monocyte mobility through regulating integrin signaling and inhibiting CD99-CD99 binding. Moreover, we found that Pilra(-/-) mice developed obesity and hepatomegaly with fibrosis, and the numbers of macrophages in adipose and liver tissues are significantly increased in Pilra(-/-) mice. These data suggest that immune inhibitory receptor, PILRα, plays an important role in the prevention of obesity and liver fibrosis.