Alpha E beta 7 integrin interaction with E-cadherin promotes antitumor CTL activity by triggering lytic granule polarization and exocytosis

Various T cell adhesion molecules and their cognate receptors on target cells promote T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated cell killing. In this report, we demonstrate that the interaction of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin with integrin alpha(E)(CD103)beta(7), often expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), plays a major role in effective tumor cell lysis. Indeed, we found that although tumor-specific CD103(+) TIL-derived cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones are able to kill E-cadherin(+)/intercellular adhesion molecule 1(-) autologous tumor cells, CD103(-) peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL)-derived counterparts are inefficient. This cell killing is abrogated after treatment of the TIL clones with a blocking anti-CD103 monoclonal antibody or after targeting E-cadherin in the tumor using ribonucleic acid interference. Confocal microscopy analysis also demonstrated that alpha(E)beta(7) is recruited at the immunological synapse and that its interaction with E-cadherin is required for cytolytic granule polarization and subsequent exocytosis. Moreover, we report that the CD103(-) profile, frequently observed in PBL-derived CTL clones and associated with poor cytotoxicity against the cognate tumor, is up-regulated upon TCR engagement and transforming growth factor beta1 treatment, resulting in strong potentiation of antitumor lytic function. Thus, CD8(+)/CD103(+) tumor-reactive T lymphocytes infiltrating epithelial tumors most likely play a major role in antitumor cytotoxic response through alpha(E)beta(7)-E-cadherin interactions.     

The alpha 4 integrin chain is a ligand for alpha 4 beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 1

The heterodimeric alpha 4 integrins alpha 4 beta 7 lymphocyte Peyer's patch adhesion molecule ([LPAM]-1) and alpha 4 beta 1 (very late antigen-4) are cell surface adhesion molecules involved in lymphocyte trafficking and lymphocyte-cell and matrix interactions. Known cellular ligands include vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which binds to alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 4 beta 7, and the mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM)-1, which binds to alpha 4 beta 7. Here we show that the alpha 4 chain of these integrins can itself serve as a ligand. The alpha 4 chain, immunoaffinity purified and immobilized on glass slides, binds thymocytes and T lymphocytes. Binding exhibits divalent cation requirements and temperature sensitivity which are characteristic of integrin-mediated interactions, and is specifically inhibited by anti-alpha 4 integrin antibodies, which exert their effect at the cell surface. Cells expressing exclusively alpha 4 beta 7 (TK-1) or alpha 4 beta 1 (L1-2) both bound avidly, whereas alpha 4-negative cells did not. A soluble 34-kD alpha 4 chain fragment retained binding activity, and it inhibited lymphocyte adhesion to alpha 4 ligands. It has been shown that alpha 4 integrin binding to fibronectin involves an leucine-aspartic acid-valine (LDV) motif in the HepII/IIICS region of fibronectin (CS-1 peptide), and homologous sequences are important in binding to VCAM-1 and MAdCAM-1. Three conserved LDV motifs occur in the extracellular sequence of alpha 4. A synthetic LDV-containing alpha 4- derived oligopeptide supports alpha 4-integrin-dependent lymphocyte adhesion and blocks binding to the 34-kD alpha 4 chain fragment. Our results suggest that alpha 4 beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 1 integrins may be able to bind to the alpha 4 subunit on adjacent cells, providing a novel mechanism for alpha 4 integrin-mediated and activation-regulated lymphocyte interactions during immune responses.     

Functional studies of truncated soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expressed in Escherichia coli.

We have expressed in Escherichia coli the two N-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). The first 188 residues of ICAM-1 were expressed with an N-terminal methionine (MP188) or as a maltose-binding fusion protein which was cleaved with factor Xa (XP188). After refolding, both MP188 and XP188 were active in binding to the leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1, which has previously been shown to bind to the N-terminal Ig domain of ICAM-1. The major group of rhinoviruses and malaria-infected erythrocytes bind to distinct sites within the first Ig-like domain of ICAM-1. Both MP188 and XP188 bound to malaria-infected erythrocytes; however, only XP188 inhibited human rhinovirus plaque formation. A product (MdQ1P188) with the initiation methionine fused to residue 2, i.e., with glutamine 1 deleted, inhibited plaque formation. MdQ1P188 was able to induce a conformational change of the virus capsid as shown by conversion of 149S particles to 85S particles, whereas MP188 had no effect. These results show that functionally active fragments of ICAM-1 can be produced in E. coli, that glycosylation is not required for ligand binding, and that the N-terminal residue of ICAM-1 is proximal to or part of the human rhinovirus-binding site.     

Aberrant activation of integrin alpha4beta7 suppresses lymphocyte migration to the gut

Integrin adhesion molecules mediate lymphocyte migration and homing to normal and inflamed tissues. While the ligand-binding activity of integrins is known to be modulated by conformational changes, little is known about how the appropriate balance of integrin adhesiveness is maintained in order to optimize the migratory capacity of lymphocytes in vivo. In this study we examined the regulation of the gut homing receptor alpha4beta7 integrin by manipulating at the germline level an integrin regulatory domain known as adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS). ADMIDAS normally serves to raise the activation threshold of alpha4beta7, thereby stabilizing it in the default nonadhesive state. Lymphocytes from knockin beta7 (D146A) mice, which harbor a disrupted ADMIDAS, not only expressed an alpha4beta7 integrin that persistently adhered to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), but also exhibited perturbed cell migration along MAdCAM-1 substrates resulting from improper de-adhesion of the lymphocyte trailing edge. In vivo, aberrantly activated alpha4beta7 enhanced adhesion to Peyer's patch venules, but suppressed lymphocyte homing to the gut, diminishing the capacity of T cells to induce colitis. Our results underscore the importance of a proper balance in the adhesion and de-adhesion of the alpha4beta7 integrin, both for lymphocyte trafficking to the gut and for colitis progression.     

Identification of the ligand-binding domains of CD22, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that uniquely binds a sialic acid-dependent ligand

CD22 is a B cell-restricted member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that functions as an adhesion receptor for leukocytes and erythrocytes. CD22 is unique among members of the Ig superfamily in that it has been suggested to bind a series of sialic acid-dependent ligands, potentially through different functional domains expressed by different splice variants of CD22. In this study, the epitopes identified by a large panel of function-blocking and non-function- blocking CD22 monoclonal antibodies were localized to specific Ig-like domains, revealing that all function-blocking monoclonal antibodies bound to the first and/or second Ig-like domains. Consistent with a single ligand-binding region, the two amino-terminal domains were the functional unit that mediated CD22 adhesion with lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and erythrocytes. The predominant cell surface species of CD22 was a full length 140,000 relative molecular mass seven Ig-like domain glycoprotein and a minor 130,000 relative molecular mass form lacking the fourth domain. While the two amino-terminal Ig-like domains of CD22 are structurally similar to those found in other members of the Ig superfamily involved in cell adhesion and containing an amino acid sequence motif associated with integrin recognition, site- directed mutagenesis of critical residues surrounding this motif did not disrupt CD22-mediated adhesion. These results demonstrate that the unique ligand-binding properties of CD22 are distinct from those of other members of the Ig superfamily involved in integrin-mediated cell adhesion.     

Lymphocyte adhesion through very late antigen 4: evidence for a novel binding site in the alternatively spliced domain of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and an additional alpha 4 integrin counter-receptor on stimulated endothelium

Recent studies demonstrate that alternative splicing of mRNA from a single gene can produce two forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1): a six-immunoglobulin (Ig) domain form (VCAM-6D) and a seven-Ig domain form (VCAM-7D). Using a COS cell transient expression assay, we investigated whether VCAM-6D and VCAM-7D differ functionally in adhesion to the integrin VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) on lymphoid cells. Binding of lymphoid cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes was completely blocked by VLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and one VCAM-1 mAb (4B9) to both VCAM-6D and VCAM-7D, whereas one VCAM-1 mAb (E1/6) completely blocked binding to VCAM-6D but only partially inhibited binding to VCAM-7D. We conclude that there is one VLA-4 binding site in the six Ig domains shared between VCAM-6D and VCAM-7D, and that the alternatively spliced domain 4 present in VCAM-7D provides a second VLA-4 binding site that is blocked by 4B9 but not the E1/6 mAb. We compared the inhibitory effects of anti-VCAM-1 and anti-VLA-4 mAbs on lymphoid cell adhesion to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The anti-VCAM-1 mAb 4B9 blocked the binding of PBL and lymphoid tumor cells to stimulated HUVEC better than the anti-VCAM-1 mAb E1/6. Because VCAM-7D is the predominant form of VCAM-1 expressed by stimulated endothelial cells, this difference in VCAM-1 mAb inhibition is attributed to lymphoid cell binding to VCAM-7D on stimulated HUVEC. Although the anti-VLA-4 mAb and anti-VCAM-1 mAb 4B9 equally inhibited PBL binding to stimulated HUVEC, mAb 4B9 inhibited the binding of two lymphoid cell lines significantly less than anti-VLA-4 mAb. Combination of 4B9 mAb with function-blocking antiserum to human fibronectin, a second known ligand for VLA-4, also failed to inhibit as much as anti-VLA-4 mAb. These findings suggest that adhesion of lymphoid cell lines through VLA-4 or other alpha 4 integrins may involve inducible counter-receptor(s) on endothelium distinct from either VCAM-1 or fibronectin. Time course experiments indicate that the fraction of alpha 4 integrin-dependent binding that can be blocked by anti-VCAM-1 mAb E1/6 rises and peaks within 2 h of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The cytoplasmic domain of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 beta subunit: sites required for binding to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and the phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation site

We have defined the regions of the cytoplasmic domain of the leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) that are required for active binding of its extracellular domain to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). The NH2-terminal 28 amino acids in the cytoplasmic domain are dispensable, but a segment of 5 amino acids including three contiguous threonines (758-760) and Phe 766 in the COOH-terminal third of the cytoplasmic domain are required for binding to ICAM-1. Mutation and phosphoamino acid analysis show that Ser 756 is the major residue phosphorylated in response to phorbol ester. Furthermore, multiple mutations demonstrate that serine phosphorylation can be dissociated from phorbol ester-stimulated binding of LFA-1 to ICAM-1. The sites we have defined are previously unremarked, are well conserved in the beta 1, beta 3, and beta 7 integrin subunits, and may be of broad importance in regulating adhesiveness of integrins.     

Truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of beta3 in a variant form of Glanzmann thrombasthenia abrogates signaling through the integrin alpha(IIb)beta3 complex.

Glanzmann thrombasthenia is an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by absence or dysfunction of the platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta3. Patient RM is a thrombasthenic variant whose platelets fail to aggregate in response to physiological agonists, despite the fact that they express abundant levels of alpha(IIb)beta3 on their surface. Binding of soluble fibrinogen or fibrinogen mimetic antibodies to RM platelets did not occur, except in the presence of ligand-induced binding site (LIBS) antibodies that transformed the RM integrin complex into an active conformation from outside the cell. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified genomic DNA and platelet mRNA revealed a C2268T nucleotide substitution in the gene encoding the integrin beta3 subunit that resulted in an Arg724Ter mutation, producing a truncated protein containing only the first eight of the 47 amino acids normally present in the cytoplasmic domain. Functional analysis of both RM platelets and CHO cells stably expressing this truncated integrin revealed that the alpha(IIb)beta3Arg724Ter complex is able to mediate binding to immobilized fibrinogen, though downstream events, including cytoskeletally-mediated cell spreading and tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, pp125FAK, fail to occur. These studies establish the importance of the membrane-distal portion of the integrin beta3 cytoplasmic domain in bidirectional transmembrane signaling in human platelets, and the role of integrin signaling in maintaining normal hemostasis in vivo.     

Interaction between human CD2 and CD58 involves the major beta sheet surface of each of their respective adhesion domains

The CD58 binding site on human CD2 was recently shown by nuclear magnetic resonance structural data in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis to be a highly charged surface area covering approximately 770A2 on the major AGFCC'C" face of the CD2 immunoglobulin-like (Ig- like) NH2-terminal domain. Here we have identified the other binding surface of the CD2-CD58 adhesion pair by mutating charged residues shared among CD2 ligands (human CD58, sheep CD58, and human CD48) that are predicted to be solvent exposed on a molecular model of the Ig-like adhesion domain of human CD58. This site includes beta strand residues along the C strand (E25, K29, and K30), in the middle of the C' strand (E37) and in the G strand (K87). In addition, several residues on the CC' loop (K32, D33, and K34) form this site. Thus, the interaction between CD2 and CD58 involves the major beta sheet surface of each adhesion domain. Possible docking orientations for the CD2-CD58 molecular complex are offered. Strict conservation of human and sheep CD58 residues within the involved C and C' strands and CC' loop suggests that this region is particularly important for stable formation of the CD2-CD58 complex. The analysis of this complex offers molecular insight into the nature of a receptor-ligand pair involving two Ig family members.     

Alpha(4)beta(7)/alpha(4)beta(1) dual integrin antagonists block alpha(4)beta(7)-dependent adhesion under shear flow

The alpha(4) integrin, alpha(4)beta(7), plays an important role in recruiting circulating lymphocytes to the gastrointestinal tract, where its ligand mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is preferentially expressed on high endothelial venules (HEVs). Dual antagonists of alpha(4)beta(1) and alpha(4)beta(7), N-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-(L)-4-(2',6'-bis-methoxyphenyl)phenylalanine (TR14035) and N-(N-[(3,5-dichlorobenzene)sulfonyl]-2-(R)-methylpropyl)-(D)-phenylalanine (compound 1), were tested for their ability to block the binding of alpha(4)beta(7)-expressing cells to soluble ligand in suspension and under in vitro and in vivo shear flow. Compound 1 and TR14035 blocked the binding of human alpha(4)beta(7) to an (125)I-MAdCAM-Ig fusion protein with IC(50) values of 2.93 and 0.75 nM, respectively. Both compounds inhibited binding of soluble ligands to alpha(4)beta(1) or alpha(4)beta(7) on cells of human or rodent origin with similar potency. Under shear flow in vitro, TR14035 and compound 1 blocked binding of human alpha(4)beta(7)-expressing RPMI-8866 cells or murine mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes to MAdCAM-Ig with IC(50) values of 0.1 and 1 microM, respectively. Intravital microscopy was used to quantitate alpha(4)-dependent adhesion of fluorescent murine lymphocytes in Peyer's patch HEVs. When cells were prestimulated with 2 mM Mn(2+) to activate alpha(4)beta(7) binding to ligand, anti-alpha(4) monoclonal antibody (mAb) [10 mg/kg (mpk) i.v.] blocked adhesion by 95%, and anti-beta(1) mAb did not block adhesion, demonstrating that this interaction was dependent on alpha(4)beta(7). TR14035 blocked adhesion to HEVs [ED(50) of 0.01-0.1 mpk i.v.], and compound 1 blocked adhesion by 47% at 10 mpk i.v. Thus, alpha(4)beta(7)/alpha(4)beta(1) antagonists blocked alpha(4)beta(7)-dependent adhesion of lymphocytes to HEVs under both in vitro and in vivo shear flow.     

Lymphocyte migration in lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1-deficient mice

Using lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1(-/-) mice, we have examined the role of LFA-1 and other integrins in the recirculation of lymphocytes. LFA-1 has a key role in migration to peripheral lymph nodes (pLNs), and influences migration into other LNs. Second, the alpha4 integrins, alpha4beta7 and alpha4beta1, have a hitherto unrecognized ability to compensate for the lack of LFA-1 in migration to pLNs. These findings are confirmed using normal mice and blocking LFA-1 and alpha4 monoclonal antibodies. Unexpectedly, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which is essential in inflammatory responses, serves as the ligand for the alpha4 integrins on pLN high endothelial venules. VCAM-1 also participates in trafficking into mesenteric LNs and Peyer's patch nodes where mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1), the alpha4beta7-specific ligand, dominates. Both alpha4beta1, interacting with ligand VCAM-1, and also LFA-1 participate in substantial lymphocyte recirculation through bone marrow. These observations suggest that organ-specific adhesion receptor usage in mature lymphocyte recirculation is not as rigidly adhered to as previously considered, and that the same basic sets of adhesion receptors are used in both lymphocyte homing and inflammatory responses.     

Modulation of cell adhesion by changes in alpha L beta 2 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18) cytoplasmic domain/cytoskeleton interaction

The integrin alpha L beta 2 (leukocyte function-associated molecule 1, CD11a/CD18) mediates activation-dependent adhesion of leukocytes. The cytoplasmic domains of alpha L beta 2 have been demonstrated to modulate adhesiveness of alpha L beta 2. Affinity changes of alpha L beta 2 for its ligand or postreceptor events can be responsible for this modulation of adhesiveness. To investigate the possible role of the alpha L beta 2 cytoplasmic domains in postreceptor events we constructed cDNA encoding chimeric proteins with intracellular alpha L beta 2 domains, which are responsible for alpha L beta 2 specific intracellular interactions, and extracellular alpha IIIb beta 3 (GP IIb/IIIa) domains, which allow the assessment of the receptor affinity state. The cDNA was stably transfected in Chinese hamster ovary cells and chimeric heterodimer formation proven by immunoprecipitations and flow cytometry. The chimeric receptors mediate adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen, and this adhesion is increased by phorbol myristate acetate and abolished by cytochalasin D. However, neither treatment affects the affinity state of the chimeric receptor, suggesting involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of alpha L beta 2 mediated cell adhesion. To exclude the possibility of postoccupancy affinity changes of the chimeric receptors, we locked the receptors into a high affinity state by creating a deletion variant. The region deleted (VGFFK) is highly conserved in integrin alpha subunit cytoplasmic domains. Cotransfection of this deletion variant with a beta subunit truncation (beta 3 delta 724) and a triple mutation at 758-760 (TTT to AAA) of beta 2 abolishes adhesion without changing the affinity state. A single mutation (TTT to TAT) reduces adhesion by half without affinity change. Scanning electron microscopy reveals impaired spreading of these truncated/mutated chimeras. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates a correlation between impaired adhesion and a decrease in the ability to form focal adhesions and to organize the cytoskeleton into stress fibers. These results describe the integrin/cytoskeleton interaction, the organization of the cytoskeleton, and cell spreading as postreceptor events modulating alpha L beta 2 cytoplasmic domain mediated cell adhesion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the cytoplasmic domain of the beta 2 subunit, and within it the TTT region, are required for these postreceptor events. Additionally, we present a new approach, using deletion variants to lock integrins in a high affinity state without interfering with the investigated integrin/cytoskeleton interaction. This approach may be generally useful to investigate the role of postreceptor events in integrin- mediated cell adhesion and migration.     

Activated endothelium binds lymphocytes through a novel binding site in the alternately spliced domain of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is induced on endothelial cells by inflammatory cytokines, and binds mononuclear leukocytes through the integrin very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) (alpha 4 beta 1). This adhesion pathway has been implicated in a diverse group of physiological and pathological processes, including B cell development, leukocyte activation and recruitment to sites of inflammation, atherosclerosis, and tumor cell metastasis. The major form of VCAM-1 (VCAM-7D) has seven extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, of which the three NH2-terminal domains (domains 1-3) are similar in amino acid sequence to domains 4-6. By functional analysis of VCAM-7D relative to VCAM-6D (a minor 6-domain form of VCAM-1 in which domain 4 is deleted because of alternative splicing), and chimeric constructs between VCAM-1 and its structural relative intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), we show that either the first or the homologous fourth domain of VCAM-1 is required for VLA-4-dependent adhesion. Either of these binding sites can function in the absence of the other. When both are present, cell binding activity is increased relative to monovalent forms of the molecule. The homologous binding regions appear to have originated by internal duplication of a portion of a monovalent ancestral gene, before the mammalian radiation. Thus VCAM-1 exemplifies evolution of a functionally bivalent cell-cell adhesion molecule by intergenic duplication. We have also produced a new class of anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibodies that block domain 4-dependent adhesion, and demonstrate that both binding sites participate in the adhesion function of VCAM-1 on endothelial cells in vitro. Therefore both sites must be blocked in clinical, animal, or in vitro studies depending on the use of anti-VCAM-1 antibodies to inactivate the VCAM-1/VLA-4 adhesion pathway.     

Lymphocyte homing to bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) is mediated by L-selectin/PNAd,alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1, and LFA-1 adhesion pathways

Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) participates in airway immune responses. However, little is known about the lymphocyte-endothelial adhesion cascades that recruit lymphocytes from blood into BALT. We show that high endothelial venules (HEVs) in BALT express substantial levels of VCAM-1, in marked contrast to HEVs in other secondary lymphoid tissues. BALT HEVs also express the L-selectin ligand PNAd. Anti-L-selectin, anti-PNAd, and anti-LFA-1 mAbs almost completely block the homing of B and T lymphocytes into BALT, whereas anti-alpha4 integrin and anti-VCAM-1 mAbs inhibit homing by nearly 40%. alpha4beta7 integrin and MAdCAM-1 are not involved. Importantly, we found that mAbs against alpha4 integrin and VCAM-1 significantly block the migration of total T cells (80% memory phenotype) but not naive T and B cells to BALT. These results suggest that an adhesion cascade, which includes L-selectin/PNAd, alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1, and LFA-1, targets specific lymphocyte subsets to BALT. This high level of involvement of alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1 is unique among secondary lymphoid tissues, and may help unify lymphocyte migration pathways and immune responses in BALT and other bronchopulmonary tissues.     

Quantitatively distinct requirements for signaling-competent cell spreading on engineered versus natural adhesion ligands.

To design synthetic microenvironments that elicit desired cell behaviors, we must better understand the molecular mechanisms by which cells interact with candidate biomaterials. Using cell lines with distinct alpha5beta1 integrin expression profiles, we demonstrate that this integrin mediates cell spreading on substrata coated with genetically engineered artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins containing the RGD sequence (RGD-containing aECM protein [aRGD]) but lacking the PHSRN synergy site. Furthermore, aRGD-mediated adhesion stimulates an intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signal that is indicative of integrin tethering. Although both aRGD and the natural ECM protein fibronectin (FN) support alpha5beta1 integrin-mediated cell spreading, quantitative single-cell analysis revealed that aRGD-mediated spreading requires ten-fold greater threshold amount of integrin expression than FN-mediated spreading. Our analysis demonstrates that aRGD-based substrata mediate both biophysical (cell spreading) and biochemical (FAK signaling) events via the alpha5beta1 integrin, albeit with efficacy quantitatively distinct from that of natural ECM proteins that possess the full spectrum of adhesion and synergy domains.     

Integrin-dependence of lymphocyte entry into the splenic white pulp

The steps involved in lymphocyte homing to the white pulp cords of the spleen are poorly understood. We demonstrate here that the integrins lymphocyte function associated (LFA)-1 and alpha 4 beta 1 make essential and mostly overlapping contributions necessary for B cell migration into white pulp cords. T cell entry to the white pulp is also reduced by blockade of LFA-1 and alpha 4 beta 1. The LFA-1 ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 is critical for lymphocyte entry and both hematopoietic cells and radiation-resistant cells contribute to this requirement. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 contributes to the alpha 4 beta 1 ligand requirement and a second ligand, possibly fibronectin, also plays a role. By contrast with the entry requirements, antigen-induced movement of B cells from follicles to the outer T zone is not prevented by integrin blocking antibodies. Comparison of the distribution of integrin-blocked B cells and B cells treated with the G alpha i inhibitor, pertussis toxin, early after transfer reveals in both cases reduced accumulation in the inner marginal zone. These observations suggest that chemokine receptor signaling and the integrins LFA-1 and alpha 4 beta 1 function together to promote lymphocyte transit from the marginal zone into white pulp cords.     

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein induces monocyte adhesion to endothelial connecting segment-1 by activating beta1 integrin

We have shown previously that treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (MM-LDL) induces monocyte but not neutrophil binding. This monocyte binding was not mediated by endothelial E-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-I, or intercellular adhesion molecule-I, suggesting an alternative monocyte-specific adhesion molecule. We now show that moncytic alpha4beta1 integrins mediate binding to MM-LDL-treated endothelial cells. We present data suggesting that the expression of the connecting segment-1 (CS-1) domain of fibronectin (FN) is induced on the apical surface of HAEC by MM-LDL and is the endothelial alpha4beta1 ligand in MM-LDL-treated cells. Although the levels of CS-1 mRNA and protein were not increased, we show that MM-LDL treatment causes deposition of FN on the apical surface by activation of beta1integrins, particularly those associated with alpha5 integrins.Activation of beta1 by antibody 8A2 also induced CS-1-mediated monocyte binding. Confocal microscopy demonstrated the activated beta1 and CS-1colocalize in concentrated filamentous patches on the apical surface of HAEC. Both anti-CS-1 and an antibody to activated beta1 showed increased staining on the luminal endothelium of human coronary lesions with active monocyte entry. These results suggest the importance of these integrin ligand interactions in human atherosclerosis.     

Integrin alpha(M)beta(2)-mediated cell migration to fibrinogen and its recognition peptides

Leukocyte migration is the hallmark of inflammation, and integrin alpha(M)beta(2) and its ligand fibrinogen (Fg) are key participants in this cellular response. Cells expressing wild-type or mutant alpha(M)beta(2) and Fg or its derivatives have been used to dissect the molecular requirements for this receptor-ligand pair to mediate cell migration. The major conclusions are that (a) Fg, its D fragment, and its P1 and P2 alpha(M)beta(2) recognition peptides support a chemotactic response; (b) when the I domain of alpha(L) was replaced with the I domain of alpha(M), the chimeric receptor supported cell migration to Fg; however, the alpha(M) subunit, containing the I domain but lacking the beta(2) subunit, supported migration poorly, thus, the alpha(M)I domain is necessary but not sufficient to support chemotaxis, and efficient migration requires the beta(2) subunit and alpha(M)I domain; and (c) in addition to supporting cell migration, P2 enhanced alpha(M)beta(2)-mediated chemotaxis to Fg and the P1 peptide. This activation was associated with exposure of the activation-dependent epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 7E3 and was observed also with human neutrophils. Taken together, these data define specific molecular requirements for alpha(M)beta(2) to mediate cell migration to Fg derivatives and assign a novel proinflammatory activity to the P2 peptide.     

CDR3 length in antigen-specific immune receptors

In both immunoglobulins (Ig) and T cell receptors (TCR), the rearrangement of V, D, and J region sequence elements during lymphocyte maturation creates an enormous degree of diversity in an area referred to as the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) loop. Variations in the particular V, D, and J elements used, precise points of recombination, and random nucleotide addition all lead to extensive length and sequence heterogeneity. CDR3 loops are often critical for antigen binding in Igs and appear to provide the principal peptide binding residues in TCRs. To better understand the physical and selective constraints on these sequences, we have compiled information on CDR3 size variation for Ig H, L (kappa and lambda) and TCR alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Ig H and TCR delta CDR3s are the most variable in size and are significantly longer than L and gamma chains, respectively. In contrast, TCR alpha and beta chain distributions are highly constrained, with nearly identical average CDR3 lengths, and their length distributions are not altered by thymic selection. Perhaps most significantly, these CDR3 length profiles suggest that gamma/delta TCRs are more similar to Igs than to alpha/beta TCRs in their putative ligand binding region, and thus gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cells may have fundamentally different recognition properties.     

Structural analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus-binding domain of CD4. Epitope mapping with site-directed mutants and anti-idiotypes

The CD4 molecule, a differentiation marker expressed primarily by T lymphocytes, plays an important role in lymphocyte activation. CD4 is also the receptor for HIV. A number of recent studies have localized the high affinity binding site of the HIV envelope glycoprotein, gp120, to the NH2-terminal (V1) domain of CD4, a region with sequence and predicted structural homology with Ig kappa chain V domains (V kappa). In this report, we show that V1 bears structural similarities with V kappa regions through detailed epitope mapping of 26 CD4 mAbs. The binding sites of these mAbs were initially defined relative to one another by crossblocking analysis and were then localized to specific domains of CD4 in blocking studies with truncated, soluble CD4 proteins. The epitopes within the V1 domain were mapped in detail with a panel of 17 substitution mutants, and the specificities of several mAbs that appear to recognize very similar epitopes were examined in crossblocking studies with anti-idiotype antibodies. The location of the epitopes is consistent with a V kappa-like structure of V1. Most of the epitopes lie within regions of predicted exposed loops. A number of these epitopes span discontinuous residues in the linear sequence that lies in close proximity in an Ig fold. Alignment of CD4 V1 with the Ig V kappa chains places these epitopes within stretches corresponding to the complimentarity-determining regions. This epitope analysis is relevant for a vaccine strategy for HIV based on anti-idiotype antibodies to CD4 mAbs and for studies with CD4 antibodies on the role of CD4 in T lymphocyte activation.