Molecules and structures involved in the adhesion of natural killer cells to vascular endothelium.

The present study was designed to define molecules and structures involved in the interaction of natural killer (NK) cells with the vascular endothelium in vitro. Resting and interleukin 2 (IL-2)-activated NK cells were studied for their capacity to adhere to resting and IL-1-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC). In the absence of stimuli, NK cells showed appreciable adhesion to EC, with levels of binding intermediate between polymorphs and monocytes. The binding ability was increased by pretreatment of NK cells with IL-2. Using the appropriate monoclonal antibody, the beta 2 leukocyte integrin CD18/CD11a was identified as the major adhesion pathway of NK cells to unstimulated EC. Activation of EC with IL-1 increased the binding of NK cells. In addition to the CD18-CD11a/intercellular adhesion molecule pathway, the interaction of resting or IL-2-activated NK cells to IL-1-activated EC involved the VLA-4 (alpha 4 beta 1)-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 receptor/counter-receptor pair. No evidence for appreciable involvement of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule was obtained. Often, NK cells interacted either with the culture substrate or with the EC surface via dot-shaped adhesion structures (podosomes) protruding from the ventral surface and consisting of a core of F-actin surrounded by a ring of vinculin and talin. The identification of molecules and microanatomical structures involved in the interaction of NK cells with EC may provide a better understanding of the regulation of NK cell recruitment from blood, their extravasation, and their migration to tissues.

Leukocyte recruitment in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice with experimental meningitis is inhibited by an antibody to junctional adhesion molecule (JAM).

The mechanisms that govern leukocyte transmigration through the endothelium are not yet fully defined. Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) is a newly cloned member of the immunoglobulin superfamily which is selectively concentrated at tight junctions of endothelial and epithelial cells. A blocking monoclonal antibody (BV11 mAb) directed to JAM was able to inhibit monocyte transmigration through endothelial cells in in vitro and in vivo chemotaxis assays. In this study, we report that BV11 administration was able to attenuate cytokine-induced meningitis in mice. The intravenous injection of BV11 mAb significantly inhibited leukocyte accumulation in the cerebrospinal fluid and infiltration in the brain parenchyma. Blood-brain barrier permeability was also reduced by the mAb. We conclude that JAM may be a new target in limiting the inflammatory response that accompanies meningitis.

Regulation of the VLA integrin-ligand interactions through the beta 1 subunit.

Integrins from the very late activation antigen (VLA) subfamily are involved in cellular attachment to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and in intercellular adhesions. It is known that the interaction of integrin proteins with their ligands can be regulated during cellular activation. We have investigated the regulation of different VLA-mediated adhesive interactions through the common beta 1 chain. We have found that certain anti-beta 1 antibodies strongly enhance binding of myelomonocytic U-937 cells to fibronectin. This beta 1-mediated regulatory effect involved both VLA-4 and VLA-5 fibronectin receptors. Moreover, anti-beta 1 mAb also induced VLA-4-mediated binding to a recombinant soluble form of its endothelial cell ligand VCAM-1. Non-activated peripheral blood T lymphocytes, unable to mediate VLA-4 interactions with fibronectin or VCAM-1, acquired the ability to bind these ligands in the presence of anti-beta 1 mAb. The anti-beta 1-mediated changes in the affinities of beta 1 integrin for their ligands were comparable to those triggered by different lymphocyte activation agents such as anti-CD3 mAb or phorbol ester. Adhesion of melanoma cells to other ECM proteins such as laminin or collagen as well as that of alpha 2-transfected K-562 cells to collagen, was also strongly enhanced by anti-beta 1 mAb. These beta 1-mediated regulatory effects on different VLA-ligand interactions do not involve changes in cell surface membrane expression of different VLA heterodimers. The anti-beta 1-mediated functional effects required an active metabolism, cytoskeleton integrity and the existence of physiological levels of intracellular calcium as well as a functional Na+/H+ antiporter. Beta 1 antibodies not only increased cell attachment but also promoted spreading and cytoplasmic extension of endothelial cells on plates coated with either fibronectin, collagen, or laminin as well as induced the rapid appearance of microspikes in U-937 cells on fibronectin. Moreover, both beta 1 integrin and the cytoskeletal protein talin colocalized in the anti-beta 1 induced microspikes. These results emphasize the central role of the common beta 1 chain in regulating different adhesive functions mediated by VLA integrins as well as cellular morphology.

Junctional adhesion molecule, a novel member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that distributes at intercellular junctions and modulates monocyte transmigration.

Tight junctions are the most apical components of endothelial and epithelial intercellular cleft. In the endothelium these structures play an important role in the control of paracellular permeability to circulating cells and solutes. The only known integral membrane protein localized at sites of membrane-membrane interaction of tight junctions is occludin, which is linked inside the cells to a complex network of cytoskeletal and signaling proteins. We report here the identification of a novel protein (junctional adhesion molecule [JAM]) that is selectively concentrated at intercellular junctions of endothelial and epithelial cells of different origins. Confocal and immunoelectron microscopy shows that JAM codistributes with tight junction components at the apical region of the intercellular cleft. A cDNA clone encoding JAM defines a novel immunoglobulin gene superfamily member that consists of two V-type Ig domains. An mAb directed to JAM (BV11) was found to inhibit spontaneous and chemokine-induced monocyte transmigration through an endothelial cell monolayer in vitro. Systemic treatment of mice with BV11 mAb blocked monocyte infiltration upon chemokine administration in subcutaneous air pouches. Thus, JAM is a new component of endothelial and epithelial junctions that play a role in regulating monocyte transmigration.

Inhibition of cultured cell growth by vascular endothelial cadherin (cadherin-5/VE-cadherin).

Endothelial cell proliferation is inhibited by the establishment of cell to cell contacts. Adhesive molecules at junctions could therefore play a role in transferring negative growth signals. The transmembrane protein VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial cadherin/cadherin-S) is selectively expressed at intercellular clefts in the endothelium. The intracellular domain interacts with cytoplasmic proteins called catenins that transmit the adhesion signal and contribute to the anchorage of the protein to the actin cytoskeleton. Transfection of VE-cadherin in both Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and L929 cells confers inhibition of cell growth. Truncation of VE-cadherin cytoplasmic region, responsible for linking catenins, does not affect VE-cadherin adhesive properties but abolishes its effect on cell growth. Seeding human umbilical vein endothelial cells or VE-cadherin transfectants on a recombinant VE-cadherin amino-terminal fragment inhibited their proliferation. These data show that VE-cadherin homotypic engagement at junctions participates in density dependent inhibition of cell growth. This effect requires both the extracellular adhesive domain and the intracellular catenin binding region of the molecule.

Tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells: endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 as an inducible adhesive receptor specific for colon carcinoma cells.

Activation of endothelial cells by the two inflammatory mediators interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor strongly increases tumor cell adhesion. We describe antibody inhibition studies showing that the endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), a cell-surface glycoprotein selectively expressed by cytokine-activated endothelial cells and responsible for neutrophil adhesion, is the major, if not the only, mediator of colon carcinoma cell adhesion to activated endothelial cells. Among the different tumor cell lines tested, seven colon carcinoma cell lines were sensitive to ELAM-1 antibodies. Adhesion of melanoma, osteosarcoma, and lung, cervix, or kidney carcinoma cell lines to IL-1-treated endothelial cells was not affected by the ELAM-1 antibody. This result suggests that ELAM-1 is selectively recognized by colon carcinoma cells and that adhesion of tumor cells to activated endothelial cells could be mediated by different and specific mechanisms.

Heterogeneity in human melanoma cell adhesion to cytokine activated endothelial cells correlates with VLA-4 expression.

Tumor cell attachment to endothelial cells (EC) is one of the critical steps of the metastatic process. It was previously reported that interleukin 1 treatment of EC induces expression of membrane molecules that promote tumor cell adhesion. In this paper we report that a panel of six clones isolated from a human metastatic melanoma presented a marked heterogeneity in their ability to adhere to interleukin 1 activated EC. This was correlated with integrin VLA-4 expression by the clones. Antibodies directed to VLA-4 and to its endothelial ligand INCAM110/VCAM-1 abolished interleukin 1 induced increase in melanoma cell adhesion to EC. These data demonstrate intratumor heterogeneity in the expression of VLA-4 and that this can represent a crucial determinant of tumor cell interaction with EC during secondary spread.

Involvement of the very late antigen 4 integrin on melanoma in interleukin 1-augmented experimental metastases.

We have previously reported that treatment with interleukin 1 (IL-1) induced the augmentation of lung tumor colonies by a human melanoma in nude mice. Here we have investigated the involvement of the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin, the very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) in this augmentation. A375M melanoma cells expressed high levels of VLA-4 and preferentially adhered to a surface coated with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), the ligand for VLA-4 on activated endothelial cells. This adhesion was inhibited by treating tumor cells with saturating concentrations of mAb to VLA-4. The production of lung colonies was significantly enhanced in nude mice given an injection of IL-1 before A375M melanoma cells. Immunoperoxidase staining showed that VCAM-1 could be expressed on lung vascular endothelium of mice in response to IL-1. Pretreatment of melanoma cells with a mAb to VLA-4 completely abrogated the IL-1-induced augmentation of lung colonies. Using two metastatic melanoma clones (clones 2/4 and 2/60) that expressed different levels of VLA-4, we found that only VLA-4-bearing cells adhered to a VCAM-1-coated surface and formed enhanced numbers of lung colonies in IL-1-treated nude mice. This augmentation was inhibited by pretreating the tumor cells with anti-VLA-4 mAb. These results demonstrate, in vivo, the functional involvement of VLA-4 on melanoma cells in IL-1-mediated lung colony augmentation, most probably involving the interaction of tumor cells with VCAM-1 on activated endothelial cells.

Identification and characterisation of human Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM).

It is widely believed that migrating immune cells utilise the intercellular junctions as routes of passage, and in doing so cause the transient disruption of junctional structures. Thus there is much interest in the molecules that have been identified at cell-cell contact points and their potential involvement in the control of leukocyte diapedesis. In this report we describe the human orthologue to Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM), a recently identified member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed at intercellular junctions (Martin-Padura et al., 1998). The human protein shares a highly conserved structure and sequence with the murine protein. However it is distinct in that it is constitutively expressed on circulating neutrophils, monocytes, platelets and lymphocyte subsets. This broad expression pattern is similar to another IgSF molecule, CD31, expressed at intercellular junctions, and may indicate further complexities in the control of leukocyte/ endothelial interactions.

The circulating endothelial cell in cancer: towards marker and target identification.

Circulating endothelial cell (CEC) and progenitor (CEP) number and viability are modulated in various pathological conditions including cancer. There is increasing evidence showing that CEC and CEP play a role in cancer progression and metastasis in different animal models. At the clinical level, emerging data support that CEC and CEP kinetics and viability might predict the efficacy on anticancer drug combinations that include antiangiogenic agents. On the basis of these observations, CEC and CEP measurements have attractive potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications for malignant diseases.

Brown adipose tissue thermogenesis above the lower critical temperature.

Heat-acclimated rats show lighter IBAT deposit with different gross composition and lower GDP-binding than controls at thermoneutrality. A thermal disactivation of the tissue is then inferred. Cafeteria regime increased IBAT mass and GDP-binding when offered to rats at a thermoneutral ambient temperature. These results indicate that BAT thermogenesis at thermoneutrality is not the lowest one of the tissue and that diet-induced thermogenesis can take place even at thermoneutrality.

Differential stimulation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase by sphingosine 1-phosphate.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SphP), a metabolite of cellular sphingolipids, has been shown to induce cell proliferation by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a novel cytosolic tyrosine kinase which mediates activation of the MAPK or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways in response to a variety of stimuli that elevate intracellular calcium. In this report, we show that SphP stimulates both tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 and MAPK activation in a transient and dose-dependent manner in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Further studies indicate that Pyk2 phosphorylation, but not MAPK activation, is dependent on a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptor as well as partially on actin cytoskeleton. In addition, both intracellular calcium mobilization and protein kinase C (PKC) are required for optimal Pyk2 phosphorylation while either calcium increase or PKC activation is sufficient for MAPK activation in response to SphP. Finally, we show that a tyrosine kinase(s) other than Pyk2 is necessary for MAPK activation by SphP. Together, these results suggest that SphP stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 through a G-protein coupled receptor, which is dissociated from its activation of the MAPK pathway in these cells.

Triggering of beta 1-integrin chain induces platelet adhesion to cultured endothelium.

We report here that platelets adhere to cultured endothelial cells (EC) on exposure to the integrin beta 1 activating monoclonal antibody (mAb) BV7. The effect of BV7 is exerted mostly on platelets rather than EC. BV7 does not induce platelet aggregation or 5-hydroxytyptamine (5-HT) release and does not increase platelet adhesion to matrix proteins. Another activating beta 1 mAb, Lia1/2, triggers an effect similar to BV7. Blocking antibodies to alpha 2 and beta 1, but not to other integrin chains, are able to inhibit BV7-mediated adhesion. Moreover, the effect of BV7 requires active cellular metabolism and is not inhibited by platelet treatment with aspirin, by the PAF receptor antagonist BN50730, the phosphokinase C inhibitor staurosporin, or by the cAMP or cGMP enhancers prostaglandin E1 and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. Finally, BV7-mediated adhesion was enhanced by the endoperoxide analogue U46619. These data describe a novel mechanism of platelet adhesion to endothelial cells. This adhesion pathway appears to be mediated by alpha 2 beta 1-integrin on platelets and a still-undefined endothelial counter receptor.

Molecules involved in the adhesion and cytotoxicity of activated monocytes on endothelial cells.

Our study was designed to investigate the surface molecules involved in the adhesion and cytotoxicity of activated human monocytes on resting and IL-1-stimulated endothelial cells (EC). Monocytes, exposed to the prototypic activating stimuli IFN-gamma and LPS, showed increased binding to resting and IL-1-treated EC. Activated monocytes were cytotoxic for resting and IL-1-treated EC in a 24- to 48-h [3H]TdR release assay. Anti-CD18 mAb significantly inhibited binding of monocytes on EC: in particular they caused 59 and 22% inhibition of adhesion of activated monocytes to resting and IL-1-stimulated EC, respectively. Anti-VLA4 mAb had little or no effect on binding when used alone, but combined use with anti-CD18 revealed an important role for this adhesion pathway: in particular, VLA4-dependent adhesion accounted for 40% of the binding of activated monocytes on IL-1-treated EC. Anti-CD18 mAb caused similar inhibition (77 and 81%) of the cytotoxicity of activated monocytes on resting and IL-1-treated EC in spite of the fact that this pathway accounted for only 22% of binding to activated EC. Moreover, anti-VLA4 mAb, alone or in combination with anti-CD18, had no effect on cytotoxicity. These results suggest that adhesion of activated monocytes to activated EC involves the CD18- and VLA4-dependent pathways, but that the former is dominant for the expression of cytotoxicity. Thus, in the ensemble of adhesion molecules available for interaction between endothelium and activated monocytes, the hierarchy of their importance may vary for different functions.

A novel mechanism of colon carcinoma cell adhesion to the endothelium triggered by beta 1 integrin chain.

We have found a monoclonal antibody, called BV7, that rapidly stimulated by 6-10-folds HT-29 colon carcinoma cell adhesion to resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This effect was directed to tumor cells and not to endothelial cells and was cell-specific. BV7 was also active on the HCCP-2998 but did not change adhesion to endothelial cells of other tumor cells (MG63 osteosarcoma, A375 melanoma, MHCC-1410 and Lovo colon carcinoma) even if, by flow cytometry, this monoclonal antibody could bind to them. Additionally, BV7 effect was substratum-specific, since it did not increase but rather blocked HT-29 adhesion to matrix proteins. Immunoprecipitation analysis and binding to specific transfectants revealed that BV7 recognizes beta 1-subunit of integrin receptors and antibody blocking experiments showed that alpha 2 beta 1 antibodies were able to counteract BV7 effect on HT-29 adhesion to endothelial cells. In contrast, antibodies directed to other integrins or endothelial adhesive receptors (E- and P-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, ICAM-2) were ineffective. Induction of HT-29 adhesion to endothelial cells by BV7 was Fc- and protein synthesis-independent but required metabolically active cells. The presence of physiological concentrations of divalent cations and of cytoskeletal integrity was not needed. Comparative studies with eight different prototypic beta 1 antibodies showed that five of them induced HT-29 adhesion to endothelial cells in a way unrelated to their ability to interfere with HT-29 adhesion to matrix proteins. Cross-blocking binding assays demonstrated that all the five antibodies recognized a topographically related epitope. Taken together these results provide evidence that beta 1 antibodies may trigger a novel pathway of HT-29 colon carcinoma adhesion to endothelial cells with different features in respect to other described mechanisms of tumor cell interaction with the endothelium.

Clustering of vitronectin and RGD peptides on microspheres leads to engagement of integrins on the luminal aspect of endothelial cell membrane.

In previous work (Conforti et al, Blood 80:437, 1992), we have shown that integrins in endothelial cells (EC) are not polarized to the basal cell membrane, but are also exposed on the apical cell surface, in contact with blood. Therefore, endothelial integrins might be available for binding circulating plasma proteins. However soluble plasma vitronectin (vn) bound very poorly to EC apical surface and this interaction was unaffected by Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides or an anti-alpha v beta 3 serum. In contrast, beads (diameter, 4.5 microns) coupled with plasma vn associated to EC apical surface in a time- and concentration-dependent way. Addition of antibodies directed to vn, alpha v beta 3, and RGD-containing peptides blocked the interaction of vn beads with EC. In contrast, heparin and antibodies directed to alpha v beta 5 and beta 1 integrin chain had no effect. Beads coupled with Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro bound to the EC surface, but not those coupled with Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro. This interaction was blocked by alpha v beta 3 antibodies and RGD peptides, but not by alpha v beta 5 antibody. Overall, these results indicate that luminal alpha v beta 3 retains its binding capacity for surface-linked vn and RGD-containing ligands, but binding is observed only when the ligand is offered in a clustered, multivalent form. We propose that when vn or RGD-containing proteins are bound to circulating cells, they can act as bridging molecules by promoting adhesion of the cells to the endothelium via apical integrins.

Regulated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human malignant melanoma.

Expression of the endothelial adhesion molecule VCAM-1 was studied in human malignant melanoma lines by flow cytometry. Clones 2/4 and 2/14 (derived from the same lesion) had appreciable levels of VCAM-1 expression, whereas clone 2/21 and the lines A2058, Mel24, and A375 were negative. Clone 2/14 was selected for further analysis. Exposure to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) markedly augmented VCAM-1 on melanoma cells. Surface VCAM-1 was associated with expression of specific transcripts that were augmented by TNF. Analysis by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction using appropriate primers revealed that TNF-stimulated melanoma cells expressed both 7 and 6 immunoglobulin domain transcripts with predominance of the longer species. Tumor necrosis factor--stimulated melanoma cells bound more VLA-4-expressing cells (melanoma and monocytes) than resting tumor cells and anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibodies significantly inhibited binding, thus suggesting that surface VCAM-1 on melanoma is functional. Analysis of melanoma tissue sections demonstrated that VCAM-1 is not a marker of transformation of melanocytes because it can be detected in benign nevi. Although, unlike ICAM-1, VCAM-1 is not correlated with tumor progression, its expression in a fraction of primary melanomas indicates that it may play a role in regulating host immune response and homotypic interactions in some malignant melanomas.

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1-dependent adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to vascular endothelium is inhibited by an antibody to Lewis fucosylated type I carbohydrate chain.

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) has been determined to be the mediator of adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to interleukin-1 (IL-1)-activated endothelial cells. To identify ELAM-1 ligand in colon carcinoma cells, we have screened a series of 11 monoclonal antibodies directed to these cells and found that only one MBr8 was able to inhibit the IL-1-induced increment in adhesion of HT29 and of SW948 colon carcinoma lines to endothelial cells. In contrast, MBr8 did not bind to polymorphonuclear cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes and did not inhibit polymorphonuclear adhesion to IL-1-activated endothelial cells. As expected, an ELAM-1 monoclonal antibody strongly inhibited IL-1 induced increment of adhesion of HT29, SW948, and polymorphonuclear cells. As negative control, MG63 osteosarcoma cells were used. These cells adhere more efficiently to IL-1 activated endothelial cells but MBr8 and ELAM-1 monoclonal antibodies did not affect their adhesion. The effect of MBr8 was also tested in an experimental system in vivo. As described previously, radiolabeled HT29 cell retention in the lung of nude mice was increased in animals given IL-1. MBr8 administration to nude mice or pretreatment of tumor cells with it inhibited this effect. These data suggest that cell adhesion to ELAM-1 might be mediated by different, cell type specific, sugar ligands.

Inhibitory effect of recombinant intracellular interleukin 1 receptor antagonist on endothelial cell activation.

This investigation was designed to elucidate whether an intracellular version of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra) interferes with the action of IL-1 at the level of vascular cells. Recombinant icIL-1ra inhibited the IL-1-induced production of IL-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein by human endothelial cells (HEC). Moreover, icIL-1ra inhibited induction of adhesion molecules by IL-1. Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an IL-1 inducer, stimulated a spectrum of functions in EC similar to that activated by IL-1, but icIL-1ra did not interfere with the LPS activation of EC. This observation suggests that induction of extracellular IL-1 is not an important intermediate event in the response of EC to LPS. Unlike LPS-stimulated monocytes, EC exposed to different inducers did not express appreciable levels of IL-1ra mRNA transcripts as assessed by northern blot analysis. IL-1ra produced by mononuclear phagocytes, represents a negative regulator circuit of the action of IL-1 on EC and could be important in the control of vascular participation in inflammation and immunity.

Functional properties of human vascular endothelial cadherin (7B4/cadherin-5), an endothelium-specific cadherin.

Human vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin, 7B4/cadherin-5) is an endothelial-specific cadherin localized at the intercellular junctions. To directly investigate the functional role of this molecule we cloned the full-length cDNA from human endothelial cells and transfected its coding region into Chinese hamster ovary cells. The product of the transfected cDNA had the same molecular weight as the natural VE-cadherin in human endothelial cells, and reacted with several VE-cadherin mouse monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, it selectively concentrated at intercellular junctions, where it codistributed with alpha-catenin. VE-cadherin conferred adhesive properties to transfected cells. It mediated homophilic, calcium-dependent aggregation and cell-to-cell adhesion. In addition, it decreased intercellular permeability to high-molecular weight molecules and reduced cell migration rate across a wounded area. Thus, VE-cadherin may exert a relevant role in endothelial cell biology through control of the cohesion and organization of the intercellular junctions.