Deposition of laminin 5 in epidermal wounds regulates integrin signaling and adhesion.

Adhesion of keratinocytes in a wound outgrowth to laminin 5 in the basement membrane via integrins alpha6beta4 and alpha3beta1 is distinct from adhesion to dermal collagen via alpha2beta1 or to fibronectin via alpha5beta1. Leading cells in the outgrowth are distinguished from following keratinocytes by deposition of laminin 5, failure to communicate via gap junctions and sensitivity to toxin B, an inhibitor of RhoGTPase. Laminin 5 deposited by leading keratinocytes onto dermal collagen dominates over dermal ligands and changes the cell signals required for adhesion from collagen-dependent to laminin-5-dependent. Thus, deposition of laminin 5 can instruct keratinocytes to switch from an activated phenotype to a quiescent and integrated epithelial phenotype.

Deposition of laminin 5 by keratinocytes regulates integrin adhesion and signaling.

Deposition of laminin 5 over exposed dermal collagen in epidermal wounds is an early event in repair of the basement membrane. We report that deposition of laminin 5 onto collagen switches adhesion and signaling from collagen-dependent to laminin 5-dependent. Ligation of laminin 5 by integrin alpha(6)beta(4) activates phosphoinositide 3-OH-kinase (PI3K) signaling. This activation allows for adhesion and spreading via integrin alpha(3)beta(1) on laminin 5 independent of RhoGTPase, a regulator of actin stress fibers. In contrast, adhesion and spreading on collagen via alpha(2)beta(1) is Rho-dependent and is inhibited by toxin B, a Rho inhibitor. Deposition of laminin 5 and ligation of alpha(6)beta(4) increases PI3K-dependent production of phosphoinositide di- and triphosphates, PI3K activity, and phosphorylation of downstream target protein c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase. Conversely, blocking laminin 5-deposition with brefeldin A, an inhibitor of vesicle transport, or with anti-laminin 5 monoclonal antibodies abolishes the PI3K-dependent spreading mediated by alpha(3)beta(1) and phosphorylation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase. Studies with keratinocytes lacking alpha(6)beta(4) or laminin 5 confirm that deposition of laminin 5 and ligation by alpha(6)beta(4) are required for PI3K-dependent spreading via alpha(3)beta(1). We suggest that deposition of laminin 5 onto the collagen substratum, as in wound repair, enables human foreskin keratinocytes to interact via alpha(6)beta(4) and to switch from a RhoGTPase-dependent adhesion on collagen to a PI3K-dependent adhesion and spreading mediated by integrin alpha(3)beta(1) on laminin 5.

Differential expression of integrins and laminin-5 in normal oral epithelia.

beta 1 and beta 4 integrins are receptors on epithelial cells mediating cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Furthermore, alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 contribute to cell-cell adhesion. Laminin-5 in epithelial basement membranes (BMs) is a ligand for alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 1. Expression of different integrins and laminin-5 was studied in oral epithelium to characterize regional variations in these adhesion molecules. Monoclonal antibodies directed against alpha 2-alpha 6 beta 1/alpha 6 beta 4 and laminin-5 were examined in cryopreserved biopsies of normal mucosa by immunohistochemistry. Laminin-5 was expressed as a line along the BMs. The junctional epithelium showed a unique phenotype: Laminin-5 was detected in the internal BM at the tooth surface and in the external BM, where excessive laminin-5 was seen in the stroma. alpha 6 beta 4 was expressed in all cells of the junctional epithelium. Integrins alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 were not detected in the epithelia, whereas alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 showed differential expression. Epithelia with well-developed rete pegs and connective tissue papillae showed polarized alpha 3 beta 1 expression along the BM in the rete pegs, in contrast to negative expression at the tips of the connective tissue papillae. A variation in the suprabasal distribution of alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 was observed between epithelia from different regions. alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 were detected in basal/parabasal cells in keratinized epithelia, whereas there was increased suprabasal expression in nonkeratinized mucosa. These results indicate inhomogeneity in the basal cell population of oral squamous epithelia and differential expression of integrins, which may reflect differences in the underlying stroma. Laminin-5 deposits in the stroma underneath the junctional epithelium may indicate subclinical gingival inflammation.

Defective integrin alpha 6 beta 4 expression in the skin of patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa and pyloric atresia.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a heterogeneous group of rare inherited skin disorders in which defects in cell adhesion components cause incomplete formation of hemidesmosomes. We have immunohistochemically examined the skin from ten JEB patients (JEB gravis, n = 4; JEB mitis, n = 3; JEB plus pyloric atresia [JEB/PA], n = 3) using monoclonal antibodies specific for the integrin adhesion receptors alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4, and for the alpha 3, beta 3, and gamma 2 subunits of the basement membrane ligand, laminin 5. Consistent with our previous reports, only the JEB gravis patients without associated pyloric atresia expressed reduced or absent epitopes for laminin-5 subunits in their epidermal basement membrane. In contrast, all three JEB/PA cases showed abnormalities in integrin alpha 6 beta 4, but not in laminin 5, expression in their basal epidermal cells. Integrin beta 4 subunit was undetectable in the biopsied epidermis of these JEB/PA individuals using five different monoclonal antibodies that recognize both intra- and extracellular epitopes. The absence of the beta 4 subunit in the epidermis of JEB/PA specimens was confirmed by Western blot analysis of tissue extracts. Epidermal expression of the integrin alpha 6 subunit was variable in the JEB/PA patients. Abnormal integrin alpha 6 beta 4 expression may define the subset of JEB cases with pyloric atresia. These results strongly implicate a functional role for alpha 6 beta 4 in the formation of complete hemidesmosomes and in stable adhesion of basal keratinocytes to the basement membrane in vivo.

Anchorage mediated by integrin alpha6beta4 to laminin 5 (epiligrin) regulates tyrosine phosphorylation of a membrane-associated 80-kD protein.

Detachment of basal keratinocytes from basement membrane signals a differentiation cascade. Two integrin receptors alpha6beta4 and alpha3beta1 mediate adhesion to laminin 5 (epiligrin), a major extracellular matrix protein in the basement membrane of epidermis. By establishing a low temperature adhesion system at 4 degrees C, we were able to examine the exclusive role of alpha6beta4 in adhesion of human foreskin keratinocyte (HFK) and the colon carcinoma cell LS123. We identified a novel 80-kD membrane-associated protein (p80) that is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to dissociation of alpha6beta4 from laminin 5. The specificity of p80 phosphorylation for laminin 5 and alpha6beta4 was illustrated by the lack of regulation of p80 phosphorylation on collagen, fibronectin, or poly-L-lysine surfaces. We showed that blocking of alpha3beta1 function using inhibitory mAbs, low temperature, or cytochalasin D diminished tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase but not p80 phosphorylation. Therefore, under our assay conditions, p80 phosphorylation is regulated by alpha6beta4, while motility via alpha3beta1 causes phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. Consistent with a linkage between p80 dephosphorylation and alpha6beta4 anchorage to laminin 5, we found that phosphatase inhibitor sodium vanadate, which blocked the p80 dephosphorylation, prevented the alpha6beta4-dependent cell anchorage to laminin 5 at 4degreesC. In contrast, adhesion at 37 degrees C via alpha3beta1 was unaffected. Furthermore, by in vitro kinase assay, we identified a kinase activity for p80 phosphorylation in suspended HFKs but not in attached cells. The kinase activity, alpha6beta4, and its associated adhesion structure stable anchoring contacts were all cofractionated in the Triton-insoluble cell fraction that lacks alpha3beta1. Thus, regulation of p80 phosphorylation, through the activities of p80 kinase and phosphatase, correlates with alpha6beta4-SAC anchorage to laminin 5 at 4 degrees C in epithelial cells of the skin and intestine. Transmembrane signaling through p80 is an early tyrosine phosphorylation event responsive to and possibly required for anchorage to laminin 5 by HFK and LS123 epithelial cells.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosis: defects in expression of epiligrin/nicein/kalinin and integrin beta 4 that inhibit hemidesmosome formation.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosis (JEB) is a heterogeneous inherited blistering disorder of human epithelial basement membranes (BMs). Characteristically, the epidermis detaches from the BM between the basal cells and the lamina lucida due to reduced numbers of hemidesmosomes (HDs). Attempts to identify a candidate gene for JEB led to the characterization of nicein, a protein complex in normal BMs that is absent from BMs of patients with JEB gravis. In independent research, two related BM glycoproteins, epiligrin and kalinin, were identified as functional adhesion components of HDs. Epiligrin was characterized as a BM ligand for basal cell adhesion via integrins alpha 3 beta 1 in focal adhesions and alpha 6 beta 4 in HDs. Kalinin was characterized as an adhesive ligand and a component of anchoring filaments. Recent antibody and sequence studies on epiligrin/nicein/kalinin have identified limited homologies with laminin. Ongoing studies in multiple laboratories seek to identify mutations in one or more of the three subunits of epiligrin that are causal in JEB gravis. Consistent with the genetic heterogeneity of JEB, we have identified a patient with a variant form of JEB that is associated with pyloric atresia. This patient has negligible HDs, normal epiligrin, but reduced expression of integrin beta 4. A defect in the beta 4 expression may define a subset of JEB cases that also present with pyloric atresia. These results testify to the dual requirements for epiligrin in the BM and integrin beta 4 in the plasma membrane in regulating function of HDs in epithelium.

Epiligrin, a component of epithelial basement membranes, is an adhesive ligand for alpha 3 beta 1 positive T lymphocytes.

The cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL), typified by mycosis fungoides, and several chronic T cell mediated dermatoses are characterized by the migration of T lymphocytes into the epidermis (epidermotropism). Alternatively, other types of cutaneous inflammation (malignant cutaneous B cell lymphoma, CBCL, or lymphocytoma cutis, non-malignant T or B cell type) do not show evidence of epidermotropism. This suggests that certain T lymphocyte subpopulations are able to interact with and penetrate the epidermal basement membrane. We show here that T lymphocytes derived from patients with CTCL (HUT 78 or HUT 102 cells), adhere to the detergent-insoluble extracellular matrix prepared from cultured basal keratinocytes (HFK ECM). HUT cell adhesion to HFK ECM was inhibitable with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed to the alpha 3 (P1B5) or beta 1 (P4C10) integrin receptors, and could be up-regulated by an activating anti-beta 1 mAb (P4G11). An inhibitory mAb, P3H9-2, raised against keratinocytes identified epiligrin as the ligand for alpha 3 beta 1 positive T cells in HFK ECM. Interestingly, two lymphocyte populations could be clearly distinguished relative to expression of alpha 3 beta 1 by flow cytometry analysis. Lymphokine activated killer cells, alloreactive cytotoxic T cells and T cells derived from patients with CTCL expressed high levels of alpha 3 beta 1 (alpha 3 beta 1high). Non-adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells, acute T or B lymphocytic leukemias, or non-cutaneous T or B lymphocyte cell lines expressed low levels of alpha 3 beta 1 (alpha 3 beta 1low). Resting PBL or alpha 3 beta 1low T or B cell lines did not adhere to HFK ECM or purified epiligrin. However, adhesion to epiligrin could be up-regulated by mAbs which activate the beta 1 subunit indicating that alpha 3 beta 1 activity is a function of expression and affinity. In skin derived from patients with graft-vs.-host (GVH) disease, experimentally induced delayed hypersensitivity reactions, and CTCL, the infiltrating T cells could be stained with mAbs to alpha 3 or beta 1 and were localized in close proximity to the epiligrin-containing basement membrane. Infiltrating lymphocytes in malignant cutaneous B disease (CBCL) did not express alpha 3 beta 1 by immunohistochemical techniques and did not associate with the epidermal basement membrane. The present findings clearly define a function for alpha 3 beta 1 in T cells and strongly suggest that alpha 3 beta 1 interaction with epiligrin may be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous inflammation.

Epiligrin, the major human keratinocyte integrin ligand, is a target in both an acquired autoimmune and an inherited subepidermal blistering skin disease.

Epiligrin, the major component of human keratinocyte extracellular matrix, serves as the preferred integrin ligand for alpha 3 beta 1 in plasma membranes and focal adhesions, and colocalizes with alpha 6 beta 4 in hemidesmosomes. In human skin, epiligrin is found in the lamina lucida subregion of epidermal basement membrane, where it is thought to be associated with anchoring filaments. We have identified three patients with an acquired mucosal predominant subepidermal blistering disease who have IgG anti-basement membrane autoantibodies that bind the lamina lucida/lamina densa interface of epidermal basement membrane, stain cultured human keratinocyte extracellular matrix, and immunoprecipitate disulfide linked polypeptides of 170, 145, 125, and 95 kD in human keratinocyte culture media in a pattern identical to that of P1E1, a murine monoclonal antiepiligrin antibody. Comparative immunoprecipitation studies of patient sera, P1E1, and GB3 monoclonal antibody show that epiligrin is identical to the antigen (i.e., BM600 or GB3 antigen) previously reported to be absent from the skin of patients with lethal junctional epidermolysis bullosa, an inherited subepidermal blistering disease. Moreover, skin from a fetus with this disease shows no evidence of reactivity to patient antiepiligrin autoantibodies or P1E1. These studies show that antiepiligrin autoantibodies are a specific marker for a novel autoimmune blistering disease and that the epidermal basement membrane antigen absent in patients with lethal junctional epidermolysis bullosa is epiligrin.

Distinct functions for integrins alpha 3 beta 1 in focal adhesions and alpha 6 beta 4/bullous pemphigoid antigen in a new stable anchoring contact (SAC) of keratinocytes: relation to hemidesmosomes.

Basal cells of stratified epidermis are anchored to the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of skin via hemidesmosomes. We previously identified integrin alpha 3 beta 1, in focal adhesions (FAs), of cultured human keratinocytes (HFKs) as a mediator of HFK adhesion to secreted BMZ-like extracellular matrix (ECM; Carter, W.G., E.A. Wayner, T.S. Bouchard, and P. Kaur. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 110: 1387-1404). Here, we have examined the relation of integrins alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 1, to bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPA), a component of hemidesmosomes. We conclude that alpha 6 beta 4 in HFKs localizes in a new stable anchoring contact (SAC) that cooperates with alpha 3 beta 1-FAs to mediate adhesion to ECM, based on the following. (a) Comparison of secreted ECM, with exogenous laminin, fibronectin and collagen identified ECM as the preferred ligand for HFK adhesion and spreading and for formation of both alpha 6 beta 4-SACs and alpha 3 beta 1-FAs. (b) Inhibition of HFK adhesion with combined anti-alpha 3 beta 1 (P1B5) and anti-alpha 6 beta 4 (GoH3) antibodies indicated that both receptors were functional in adhesion to ECM while alpha 3 beta 1 played a dominant role in spreading. (c) alpha 6 beta 4 colocalized with BPA in SACs that were proximal to but excluded from FAs. Both alpha 6 beta 4-SACs and alpha 3 beta 1-FAs were in contact with the adhesion surface as indicated by antibody exclusion and interference reflection microscopy. (d) In contrast to alpha 3 beta 1-FAs, alpha 6 beta 4-SACs were present only in nonmotile cells, not associated with stress fibers, and were relatively stable to detergents and urea, suggesting a nonmotile, or anchoring function for SACs and motility functions for alpha 3 beta 1-FAs. (e) alpha 6 beta 4 formed a detergent-insoluble complex with exogenous ECM in an affinity isolation procedure, confirming the ability of an unidentified ECM ligand to interact with alpha 6 beta 4. (f) We suggest that alpha 6 beta 4/BPA-SACs in culture restrict migration of HFKs on ECM while alpha 3 beta 1-FAs form dynamic adhesions in spreading and migrating cells. alpha 6 beta 4/BPA-SACs in culture bear functional and compositional similarities to hemidesmosomes in skin.