Role In Adhesive Interactions Research Articles

Role of Rap1 GTPases in Growth, Differentiation, and Migration of Myeloid Cells

Background:Rap1 is a Ras-like small-molecular-weight GTP-binding protein involved in signal transduction cascades. It cycles between a GDP-bound inactive and a GTP-bound active form. This switching is regulated by specific GEFs and GAPs. Rap1 exists in two isoforms - Rap1a and Rap1b. While Rap1 has been implicated in regulating several hematologic disorders, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, its role in the development and function of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors (HSC/Ps) has not been investigated. Macrophages play an essential role in the retention of hematopoietic cells in the mesenchymal niche. Resident macrophages in the spleen retain HSCs through VCAM1 adhesion. Previous studies have shown that loss of both isoforms of Rap1 in mice results in enhanced peripheral blood leukocyte counts and mobilization of primitive hematopoietic stem cells (Lin-KIT+Sca1+) into peripheral blood circulation. Given this loss of retention of primitive hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, we hypothesized that perhaps Rap1 plays an essential role in adhesive interactions of HSC/Ps in the bone marrow.
 Methods:To test this hypothesis, we derived macrophages from the bone marrow of wild-type (WT) and Rap1a/b double knockout (DKO) mice and compared their growth, survival and differentiation using proliferation and adhesion assays, as well as flow cytometry to assess apoptosis, macrophage differentiation, MCSF receptor expression, and expression of integrins.
 Results:Our studies show that macrophages derived from Rap1 DKO mouse bone marrow show impaired growth, survival and differentiation along with impaired adhesion in response to extracellular matrix components including fibronectin.
 Future Directions:In the future, we hope to study macrophage adhesive interactions in response to SDF1, collagen, and other extracellular matrix proteins in myeloid-specific deletion of Rap1 in mice, and to study the role of Rap1 in different lineages of hematopoietic cells using different CRE drivers.

Integrins LFA-1 and Mac-1 and Cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 in High-Cancer Mice under the Influence of Phytoadaptogen

The expression of leukocyte integrins LFA-1 and Mac-1 and cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 was studied in mice predisposed to spontaneous hepatocarcinomas. The efficacy of a phytoadaptogen in correcting these parameters was evaluated. The role of adhesive interactions between immune cells and target cells in the recovery of antitumor regulatory mechanisms was estimated.

Potentiated Activation of VLA-4 and VLA-5 Accelerates Proplatelet-Like Formation In Megakaryocytes.

AbstractAbstract 2585Several lines of reports have suggested that mature magakaryocytes (MKs) form long cytoplasmic processes containing platelets (PLT) organelles from which PLT break off due to blood flow pressures in bone marrow (BM). These cytoplasmic processes were termed ‘proplatelet’. MKs differentiated from hematopoietic stem cells by in vitro culture also develop similar processes, referred to as 'proplatelet-like formation (PPF)'. It has been already reported that fibronectin (FN) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) are essential for inducing PPF in MKs using CHRF-288 human megakaryoblastic cell line (Jiang F et al. Blood 99, 2002). FN plays important roles in megakaryocytopoiesis through the FN-receptors. The role of adhesive interactions with FN in BM stroma and FN-receptor beta1-integrins has been reported in proliferation, differentiation and maintenance of megakaryocytic lineage cells. However, the substantial role of these FN-receptors and their functional assignment in PPF are not yet fully understood. We first investigated the effects of beta1-integrins on PPF using CHRF-288 cells, which express alpha4beta1-integrin (VLA-4) and alpha5beta1-integrin (VLA-5) as FN-receptors. When the cells were cultured on FN for 3 days, PMA prompted PPF in a dose-dependent manner. While nearly 15% of the cells displayed PPF with PMA (100 ng/mL), no cells cultured with FN alone or PMA alone exhibited PPF. PPF induced by FN plus PMA combination (FN/PMA) was abrogated by addition of anti-alpha4-integrin monoclonal antibodies (mAb) plus anti-alpha5-integrin mAb combination, but not by the addition of anti-alpha4-integrin mAb alone or anti-alpha5-integrin mAb alone. Thus, the adhesive interaction with FN via VLA-4 and VLA-5 were responsible for PPF. We next investigated the effect of TNIIIA2, which enhances the adhesive interaction between FN and beta1-integrins, in PPF induced by FN/PMA. TNIIIA2 (RSTDLPGLKAATHYTITIRGVC) is a 22-mer peptide derived from the 14th FN type III-like (FNIII) repeat in tenascin (TN)-C molecule which we found recently, and it induces the conformational change necessary for functional activation of beta1-integrins (Fukai F et al. J Biol Chem 282, 2007; J Biol Chem 284, 2009). The PPF induced by FN/PMA was highly accelerated when CHRF-288 cells were enforced adhering to FN by treatment with TNIIIA2 (25 microg/mL). More than 45% of the cells displayed PPF with FN/PMA plus TNIIIA2 combination (FN/PMA/TNIIIA2). Blocking experiments using anti-beta1-integrin mAbs indicated that adhesive interaction with FN via VLA-4 and VLA-5 was also responsible for acceleration of PPF induced by FN/PMA/TNIIIA2. On the other hand, control peptide, TNIIIA2mutant (RSTDLPGLKAATHYTATARGVC) did not accelerate PPF induced by PMA/FN. The calculated yield of the cells with PPF induced by FN/PMA/TNIIIA2 was 2.5-fold more than that induced by FN/PMA. We have previously established 'a three-phase serum-free culture system' to generate large amount of PLT from human cord blood CD34+ cells (Matsunaga T et al. Stem cells 24, 2006). A study on the effect of TNIIIA2 on our ‘three-phase serum-free culture system’ is now underway. Finally, we investigated signal transduction pathways responsible for PPF induced by FN/PMA. While FN/PMA induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1/2), FN alone or PMA alone did not induce ERK1/2 activation. The results was in accordance with the data previously reported by Jiang et at (Blood 99, 2002). TNIIIA2 strongly enhanced activation of ERK1/2 by FN/PMA. However, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), p38 and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt were not stimulated by FN/PMA even in the presence of TNIIIA2. Thus, enhanced activation of ERK1/2 by FN/PMA/TNIIIA2 was responsible for acceleration of PPF by FN/PMA. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Exogenous hyalin and sea urchin gastrulation. Part III: biological activity of hyalin isolated from Lytechinus pictus embryos.

Hyalin is a large glycoprotein, consisting of the hyalin repeat domain and non-repeated regions, and is the major component of the hyaline layer in the early sea urchin embryo of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The hyalin repeat domain has been identified in proteins from organisms as diverse as bacteria, sea urchins, worms, flies, mice and humans. While the specific function of hyalin and the hyalin repeat domain is incompletely understood, many studies suggest that it has a functional role in adhesive interactions. In part I of this series, we showed that hyalin isolated from the sea urchin S. purpuratus blocked archenteron elongation and attachment to the blastocoel roof occurring during gastrulation in S. purpuratus embryos, (Razinia et al., 2007). The cellular interactions that occur in the sea urchin, recognized by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a model system, may provide insights into adhesive interactions that occur in human health and disease. In part II of this series, we showed that S. purpuratus hyalin heterospecifically blocked archenteron-ectoderm interaction in Lytechinus pictus embryos (Alvarez et al., 2007). In the current study, we have isolated hyalin from the sea urchin L. pictus and demonstrated that L. pictus hyalin homospecifically blocks archenteron-ectoderm interaction, suggesting a general role for this glycoprotein in mediating a specific set of adhesive interactions. We also found one major difference in hyalin activity in the two sea urchin species involving hyalin influence on gastrulation invagination.

Identification of Putative New Tumor Suppressor Genes in Highly Purified CD34+ Bone Marrow Cells from Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Activation of transcription of DNA by demethylation and hyperacetylation is known to cause hematologic improvement in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In this study we discriminated genes not expressed in CD34+ cells from untreated patients with MDS but activated by in vitro demethylation (2-aza-5-deoxycytidine, Decitabine) and hyperacetylation (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA). Highly purified CD34+ cells from normal individuals (n=3) and patients with low (n=3) and high (n=3) risk MDS were cultured with SCF (50 ng/ml), IL-3 (10 ng/ml) and GM-CSF (10 ng/ml). The cells were treated with 5 μmol Decitabine on day 1 and supplemented with 2.5 μmol SAHA on day 4 of culture. On day 5, global gene expression in these cells was compared to untreated cells (HG-U133A, Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). We identified 50 genes which are not expressed in untreated MDS CD34+ cells but 3-fold induced in all MDS samples by Decitabine and SAHA. Thirty-one of these genes were found to be expressed in normal CD34+ cells underlining the importance of such genes for normal hematopoiesis. This set of genes includes two genes for growth arrest and DNA damage control, the inducible protein beta (GADD45B), a regulator of growth and apoptosis and neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) that plays an important role in cell migration. Furthermore, hematological and neurological expressed 1 (HN1) which was not expressed in MDS CD34+ cells is known to have an anti-proliferative effect on tumor cell lines. N-myc downstream regulated 3 (NDRG3) is up-regulated during normal cell differentiation and suppressed in several tumor cells. In normal CD34+ cells, after in vitro treatment with Decitabine and SAHA we have discriminated 52 genes to be 3-fold up-regulated compared to untreated cells. Thirty-eight of these genes (73 %) were not inducible by demethylation and hyperacetylation in MDS CD34+ cells. These genes include chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), a receptor for a C-C type chemokine involved in signal transduction, integrin beta-7 (ITGB7) that plays a role in adhesive interactions of leukocytes, preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) which is frequently expressed in human solid cancers and acute leukemia and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B (TNFRSF1B) that recruits apoptotic suppressors and mediates most of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. The silencing of these genes is independent of methylation and acetylation state and might be due to other mechanisms. This study shows that in CD34+ cells from MDS patients several genes are suppressed by methylation and hypoacetylation but can be activated by treatment with Decitabine and SAHA. Some of these genes are present in normal untreated CD34+ cells which leads to the assumption that they might function as tumor suppressor genes. Low or absent expression of these genes may contribute to the clonal expansion of MDS CD34+ which can be overcome by treatment with Decitabine or SAHA. Furthermore, the knowledge about these target genes may enable a more specific evaluation of the mechanisms of action of demethylating/hyperacetylating agents.

Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) in normal human Sertoli cells and its up-regulation in impaired spermatogenesis.

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) is usually expressed at the luminal surface of different epithelia and is up-regulated in endothelial cells during angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate evidence of morphogenetic effects of CEACAM1 in spermatogenesis. CEACAM1 is detectable in normal testicular tissue and seminal fluid. It is present in the adluminal part of Sertoli cells extending only as far as the tight junctions between them. CEACAM1 immunostaining is significantly increased and extends to the basal part of Sertoli cells in the presence of carcinoma in situ. Also, in vitro-induced spermatogenetic disturbance leads to an enhanced CEACAM1 expression in Sertoli cells after 3 days of culture. Remarkably, seminiferous tubules containing exclusively Sertoli cells do not exhibit any CEACAM1 expression. CEACAM1 staining was absent in vascular endothelial cells of normal testicular tissue, but present in small blood vessels of seminomas. These data suggest that CEACAM1 expression in Sertoli cells depends on the presence of germ cells and plays a role in adhesive interactions between Sertoli and differentiating germ cells. Its up-regulation in Sertoli cells accompanying spermatogenic damage may contribute to reconstruction and maintenance of the tubular structure of seminiferous tubules. Additionally, CEACAM1 is apparently involved in the angiogenesis of germ cell tumours.

Expression and function of receptors for extracellular matrix molecules in the differentiation of human megakaryocytes in vitro.

The role of adhesive interactions with the extracellular matrix components of the bone marrow (BM) stroma has been widely studied in the differentiation of erythroid and myelomonocytic cells, but not in the megakaryocytic lineage. The development of efficient culture techniques for the production of megakaryocytes (Mks) from CD34+ purified BM cells, enables the study of the expression and function of adhesion receptors for collagen (VLA-2), fibronectin (VLA-4 and VLA-5) and laminin (VLA-6) during the maturation of Mks. We have shown that a significant percentage of CFU-MK (roughly 20%) adhere to fibronectin but not to collagen and laminin. The expression and adhesion of Mks developing in liquid culture from BM-CD34+ cells were tested at days 4, 7 and 10 of incubation. The expression of VLA-2, VLA-5 and VLA-6 on day 10 cultured Mks enabled purification of intermediate and large polyploid Mks by FACS sorting whereas VLA-4 appeared to label only immature Mks and myeloid cells. We observed that only a small proportion of mature Mks was able to adhere to collagen without spreading at day 10 of culture, whereas 30% of Mks adhered to fibronectin as early as day 4 of incubation, 40% of which also attached to laminin. Our data suggest that VLA-4 may be involved in the adhesion of CFU-MK and immature Mks on fibronectin, then replaced by VLA-5 in the final stages of maturation. The expression of VLA-6 and the number of adherent Mks on laminin increased sharply between day 7 and 10 of incubation. A number of mature polyploid Mks found in day 10 of culture exhibited characteristic features of intense spreading on laminin and fibronectin which were not observed on collagen.

Enhanced sialylation of mucin-associated carbohydrate structures in human colon cancer metastasis

BACKGROUNDS & AIMS: Patients with mucinous colon cancers often have a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether metastatic potential depends on specific alterations in mucin- associated carbohydrate structures. METHODS: A quantitative scoring system was used to examine the expression of mucin-associated carbohydrates in paired human primary colon cancers and metastases and in cecal tumors and liver metastases from an animal model of metastasis. Adhesion of metastatic cells to basement membrane and endothelial ligands was examined. RESULTS: Metastases expressed a decrease in mucin core structures Tn and T, a reciprocal increase in sialyl T and sialyl Tn, and an increase in peripheral sialyl Le(x) compared with the primary tumors from which they arose. Altered expression of sialylated mucin structures resulted from selective metastasis of cells that produce sialomucins. Antibodies to sialylated epitopes or desialylation inhibited adhesion of metastatic cells to basement membranes. Neutralizing antibody to endothelial-associated E- selectin (a ligand for sialyl Le(x)) inhibited adhesion of metastatic cells to cytokine-activated hepatic endothelial cells, and inhibition of sialomucin with antisense to the MUC2 gene inhibited adhesion to E- selectin. CONCLUSIONS: Increased sialylation of mucin-associated carbohydrates is characteristic of colon cancer cells that are most likely to metastasize. Sialylated carbohydrate structures on mucin play a role in adhesive interactions involving both basement membrane and endothelial-associated ligands. (Gastroenterology 1996 May;110(5):1354-67)

In situ expression of beta 1, beta 3 and beta 4 integrin subunits in non-neoplastic endothelium and vascular tumours.

Endothelial cells play an important role in adhesive interactions between circulating cells and extracellular matrix proteins. In vitro studies have shown that many of these processes are mediated by a superfamily of alpha beta heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins called integrins. The distribution patterns of beta 1, beta 3 and beta 4 integrin subunits in endothelial cells (EC) in situ were examined immunohistochemically on serial frozen sections of a wide range of non-neoplastic tissues and of vascular tumours, both benign and malignant. Expression of the beta 1 subunit was a constitutive feature of EC. Among the beta 1-associated alpha subunits, alpha 5 and alpha 6 were broadly distributed in EC, irrespective of vessel size and microenvironment. The alpha 3 subunit displayed intermediate levels of expression with a slight preference for small vessel EC. Presence of alpha 1 was confined to EC of capillaries and venules/small veins. Expression of alpha 2 in EC was inconsistent. With rare exceptions, the alpha 4 chain was absent in EC. The beta 3 and alpha v subunits were expressed in most EC, though not always concomitantly. In contrast to the beta 1 chain, however, these integrin subunits were absent in EC of glomerular capillaries and were expressed variably in sinusoidal EC. The beta 4 chain was evenly present in the great majority of EC, except for those of large vessels. In vascular tumours, the patterns of beta 1 and alpha 1 to alpha 6 subunit expression generally corresponded to those found in their non-neoplastic counterparts. Expression of beta 3, alpha v and beta 4 chains, however, decreased in neoplasia, especially in angiosarcomas. These data show that EC dispose of broad and at the same time differential repertoires of integrin subunits that presumably reflect vessel-type associated functional differences among these cells. In vascular tumours, the orthologous distribution patterns of beta 1 and alpha 1 to alpha 6 chains are conserved in most instances while the amounts of beta 3, alpha v and beta 4 subunits expressed in EC tend to decrease in the course of malignant transformation.

CD44 plays a role in adhesive interactions between glioma cells and extracellular matrix components.

Glioma invasion is a complex process involving interactions of tumour cells with host cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). The initial event in the process is recognition and attachment of glioma cells to specific ECM molecules prior to migration into proteolytically modified matrix. In comparison with other tissues, brain ECM is a relatively amorphous matrix which contains glycosaminoglycans including hyaluronan (HA). Recently CD44 which is a transmembrane adhesion molecule found on a wide variety of cells, has been suggested as the principal cell surface receptor for HA. In the present in vitro investigation we have analysed the role of CD44 in adhesive interactions between human gliomas and ECM. Our experimental procedures included immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, in vitro adhesion assay and flow cytometry. CD44 was expressed on the surface of all gliomas analysed (9) and the level of expression showed no correlation with tumour grade. Eighty, 95 and 120 kDa isoforms were demonstrated by immunoblotting. In an adhesion blocking assay it was found that ligation of CD44 with specific antibody resulted in reduced adhesion to hyaluronan, chondroitin sulphate, fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV and Matrigel. We conclude that CD44 is involved in adhesion of glioma cells to a wide range of ECM components.

Interleukin-8 induces changes in human neutrophil actin conformation and distribution: relationship to inhibition of adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelium.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) induces diverse biological responses in neutrophils, including inhibition of adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelium, which we have termed the leukocyte adhesion inhibition (LAI) effect. Pretreatment of neutrophils with cytochalasin B abolished the LAI effect of IL-8, suggesting a microfilament-dependent mechanism. Interleukin-8 induced a rapid increase (less than or equal to 15 s) in the polymerization of actin filaments in human neutrophils that was blocked by pretreatment with cytochalasin B. F-actin depolymerization occurred gradually at a rate inversely proportional to IL-8 concentration. This temporal pattern of actin polymerization-depolymerization was similar to that induced by other chemotactic factors such as C5a and N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, which also exhibit a marked LAI effect, but the lipid mediators, leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor, lack any significant LAI effect. Scanning confocal microscopy demonstrated that neutrophil actin microfilaments undergo a dramatic rearrangement prior to detachment of the neutrophil from a surface. We suggest that the ability of IL-8 and certain other leukocyte agonists to regulate the actin polymer network of neutrophils may play an important role in adhesive interactions with the vascular endothelium.

GMP-140 (P-selectin/CD62) binds to chronically stimulated but not resting CD4+ T lymphocytes and regulates their production of proinflammatory cytokines.

GMP-140 (P-selectin), a 140-kDa granular membrane glycoprotein localized to the alpha granules of platelets and the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells, is thought to play an important role in adhesive interactions predominantly between granulocytes, platelets and vascular endothelial cells during inflammation. Although GMP-140 binds to granulocytes, its binding to lymphocytes has not been demonstrated. Using genetically engineered IgG C gamma 1 fusion protein of the extracellular domains of GMP-140, we demonstrate that GMP-140 binds to chronically antigen (Ag)-stimulated CD4+ T cells. Freshly isolated CD4+ T cells did not bind GMP-140, but priming and subsequent stimulation with alloantigen induced and gradually increased expression of GMP-140-reactive structures on their surface. T cells isolated from rheumatoid synovial fluids also exhibited strong binding to GMP-140. The binding of GMP-140 to primed T cells is not influenced by preactivation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, is almost completely abolished by pretreatment of T cells with neuraminidase or trypsin, and is also strongly inhibited by EDTA, the soluble sulfated glycans dextran sulfate, fucoidan, and heparin, but not by chondroitin sulfates. In spite of its strong binding to Ag-primed T cells, GMP-140 did not modulate the proliferative responses of these cells to various stimuli. However, GMP-140 in conjunction with anti-T cell receptor alpha beta monoclonal antibodies augmented the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor GM-CSF and inhibited the production of interleukin-8 by Ag-primed T cells without influencing their tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These results suggest that GMP-140 binds to chronically stimulated CD4+ T cells and differentially modulates their production of proinflammatory cytokines. The ability of Ag-primed T cells to bind GMP-140 may facilitate interactions with activated platelets and endothelial cells affecting the course of inflammation.

Granule membrane protein 140 (GMP140) binds to carcinomas and carcinoma-derived cell lines.

The glycoproteins granule membrane protein 140 (GMP140), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1), and Leu-8 are members of a family of glycoprotein receptors (selectins or LEC-CAMs) that play an important role in adhesive interactions between circulating leukocytes and vascular endothelium. Recently it has been reported that ELAM-1 is able to mediate the binding of the colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 to cytokine-activated vascular endothelium, suggesting that tumor cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, a prerequisite for tumor extravasation and metastasis, is in part the result of adhesive interactions between blood-borne tumor cells and cell surface proteins expressed by vascular endothelium. Here, using an approach in which soluble immunoglobulin chimeras of the GMP140 and ELAM-1 receptors were prepared and used to carry out immunohistological studies, we establish that GMP140 binds to tumor cells in a variety of human carcinoma tissue sections (colon, lung, and breast), whereas ELAM-1 binds exclusively to tumor cells in colon carcinoma tissue sections. In addition, GMP140 was found to bind to the cell surface of a number of cell lines derived from various carcinomas but not from melanomas, whereas ELAM-1 bound only colon carcinoma cell lines. We further investigated the nature of the ligands of GMP140 and ELAM-1 on the surface of the carcinoma cells and found that the GMP140 ligand on the surface of tumor cells appears to be distinct from that expressed on the myeloid cell line HL-60. Neuraminidase treatment of a breast carcinoma cell line does not affect, or in some instances increases, GMP140 binding, whereas it completely abolishes GMP140 binding to HL-60 cells. On the other hand, the ligand of ELAM-1 on both the colon carcinoma and HL-60 cells is neuraminidase sensitive in accord with its identification as sialyl-CD15. Parallel results were obtained with neuraminidase-treated frozen carcinoma tissue sections. The present findings form the basis for investigating the role of GMP140 in tumor invasiveness and metastasis.

Complete amino acid sequence of an integrin beta subunit (beta 7) identified in leukocytes

The integrins are a large family of heterodimeric cell-surface glycoproteins that play key roles in the adherence of cells to other cells and to extracellular matrix proteins. We have previously reported the identification of a novel integrin beta subunit partial cDNA from leukocytes. We have now determined the complete sequence of this subunit, designated as beta 7, from overlapping clones obtained from a PEER T leukemia cell library and a peripheral T cell library. The beta 7 cDNA contains a single large open reading frame predicted to encode a 798-amino acid protein precursor (signal peptide plus mature protein). The beta 7 protein, like the other beta subunit proteins, is predicted to contain a large extracellular portion, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. The deduced beta 7 amino acid sequence is 32-46% identical to the six previously sequenced human integrin beta subunits. beta 7 is most similar to the leukocyte integrin common beta subunit (beta 2, CD18). Analysis of variant beta 7 cDNA clones and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products suggest that alternatively spliced beta 7 mRNAs can be generated by the removal of exons that encode most of the cysteine-rich region of the extracellular portion of beta 7. By Northern blot analysis, beta 7 mRNA was detected in T and B cell lines and in macrophage-like cell lines, but not in any of the nonleukocyte cell lines tested. Peripheral T cells and some lymphoma lines express little beta 7 mRNA before stimulation; but after stimulation with phorbol ester, beta 7 mRNA levels increased markedly. Integrin beta 7 is expected to play a role in adhesive interactions of leukocytes.

The role of adhesive interactions and extracellular matrix fibronectin from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the respiratory burst

The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) tripeptide and ajoene were used for studying the role of adhesive receptors in the respiratory burst. Activation of the respiratory burst was examined by using luminol-dependent and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. Recently, it was shown that ajoene, (E, Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-trien-9-oxide, a substance isolated from garlic extract, inhibits the binding of fibrinogen to activated platelets by direct interaction with fibrinogen receptor (Apitz-Castro, R., Lederma, E., Escalante, J. and Jain, M.K. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 141, 145–150). Taking into consideration the structural and functional similarity of integrins, it would be reasonable to assume that ajoene as well as RGD can inhibit adhesive interactions of human neutrophils. We have shown that the effect of various activators on the respiratory burst was abolished by ajoene or RGD treatment. The inhibitory effect of RGD and ajoene was dose-dependent. The treatment of neutrophils with antiserum against human plasma fibronectin inhibited the respiratory burst in response to formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). This effect is dose-dependent and reversible with the addition of fibronectin. These data indicate that the respiratory burst in human neutrophils is mediated by the integrin family of receptors and that interactions between the extracellular matrix fibronectin and cells are necessary for the respiratory burst.

Studies of C3d,g in Normal Human Epidermal Basement Membrane

Recent studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies directed against C3d,g, a specific 41,000-Da fragment of the third component of complement, bind normal human epidermal basement membrane in a continuous pattern. No such reactivity is present within dermal microvascular basement membranes. By direct immunofluorescence microscopy, anti-human C3d,g antibodies bind the base of the cleavage plane in 1 M NaCl split human skin. By immunoelectron microscopy, anti-human C3d,g reactivity is found along the base of the lamina densa and in the sublamina densa region. Control antibodies directed against human C3, C3c, C5, IgG, IgA, or IgM do not bind normal human epidermal basement membrane or identify in situ deposits of immune complexes in multiple samples of normal human skin that are all positive for C3d,g. Preabsorption of monoclonal or polyclonal anti-human C3d,g antibodies with purified human C3d completely blocks these reagents' epidermal basement membrane reactivity. Studies of skin samples from a patient with congenital C3 deficiency reveal that anti-human C3d,g antibodies do not bind this subject's epidermal basement membrane. Moreover, in vitro treatment of this patient's skin with normal serum, aged serum containing C3d,g, purified human C3, or zymosan-serum reaction mixtures does not restore epidermal basement membrane anti-human C3d,g binding. Studies of other primate tissues demonstrate that C3d,g is not restricted to basement membranes of stratified squamous epithelia as it is also present within renal tubule and glomerular basement membranes. While a recent study has demonstrated that C3d binds laminin in vitro, our investigations show a difference in both the regional and ultrastructural distribution of laminin and C3d,g in normal human skin. Furthermore, C3d,g is absent from laminin-rich basement membranes of papulonodular basal cell carcinomas. These findings suggest that C3d,g is not passively incorporated within selected epithelial basement membranes but rather is a previously unrecognized normal constituent. Basement membrane-associated C3d,g may play a role in adhesive interactions between leukocytes and matrix proteins. Moreover, a C3d,g binding site(s) in selected epithelial basement membranes may account for the accumulation of C3 containing immune complexes in such tissues.

Observation of fimbriae and flagella in dispersed subgingival dental plaque and fresh bacterial isolates from periodontal disease.

The interbacterial matrix of subgingival plaque obtained from 12 individuals was examined by agar‐filtration negative stain electron microscopy. Flagellated bacteria were abundant in all samples from patients having periodontal disease. In addition, the plaques of all patients having periodontal disease, with the exception of two children diagnosed as having localized severe periodontitis, had varying amounts of long thin filamentous extracellular bacterial appendages morphologically identical to bacterial fimbriae. These appendages seemed to form into bundles to which bacterial membranes, blebs, and debris appeared to attach. Further studies examined the cell surface structures of bacteria freshly isolated from several of these plaque samples. Of 113 bacterial colonies examined, 49 (43.3%) had surface fimbriae like appendages. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides gracilis, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Capnocytophaga species, Fusobacteria species, and Haemophilus species had fimbriae. Only 4 of 113 colonies bore flagella. It was concluded that bacterial extracellular appendages resembling fimbriae are common morphologie components of plaque interbacterial matrix and may pay play a significant role in adhesive interactions within plaque. Although flagellated bacteria were commonly seen within subgingival plaques, few fresh isolates were observed to produce these structures.

A chymotrypsin-sensitive step in the development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

THE cellular slime mould, Dictyostelium discoideum, is an ideal organism with which to study the changes in cell behaviour resulting from the formation of cell–cell contacts (ref. 1 and for review, ref. 2). The role of adhesive interactions in the development of this organism is understood in outline and much is known about the nature and developmental kinetics of the macromolecules thought to be involved in establishing stable cell–cell contacts during aggregation3. There is now good evidence that the formation and maintenance of contact between amoebae is necessary for the synthesis of several developmentally regulated enzymes4 and several polypeptides characteristic of post-aggregation cells5. Clearly, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in cell–cell interactions, as they not only make multicellular aggregates structurally coherent, but also induce the synthesis of developmental gene products. In our attempts to identify the cell surface structures responsible for adhesion and developmental triggering, we have allowed starving amoebae to develop in the presence of proteolytic enzymes that might modify accessible cell surface proteins. We report here that in the presence of α-chymotrypsin amoebae are able to undergo normal aggregation and cell–cell adhesion but are unable to differentiate into stalks or spores.