Stimulation of beta1 integrin down-regulates ICAM-1 expression and ICAM-1-dependent adhesion of lung cancer cells through focal adhesion kinase

Adhesion molecules are involved in intracellular signaling in various physiological and pathological processes including metastasis and growth of tumor cells. Tumor cells interact with various host cells as well as with extracellular matrices through certain adhesion molecules such as integrins. We here propose that stimulation of beta1 integrin reduces intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1-mediated interaction of lung cancer cells with CTLs. This concept is based on the following findings: (a) engagement of beta1 integrins on certain lung cancer cells by a specific antibody or by ligand matrices such as fibronectin and collagen markedly reduced ICAM-1 expression on the cell surface and induced sICAM-1; (b) down-regulation of ICAM-1 by stimulation of beta1 integrins was abrogated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors or by transfection of dominant negative truncations of focal adhesion kinase (FAK); (c) engagement of beta1 integrins also reduced ICAM-1-dependent adhesion of lung cancer cells to T cells, a process completely inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and by transfection of dominant negative forms of FAK; and (d) stimulation of beta1 integrins prevented killing of lung cancer cells by autologous CTLs. In malignant tumors, cancer cells, including lung cancer cells, are surrounded by extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin and collagen. This suggests that the engagement of beta1 integrins by matrix proteins potentially occurs in cancer cells in vivo and that continuous stimulation via beta1 integrins reduces ICAM-1-expression, ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of cancer cells to CTLs and their killing by CTLs. Our results suggest that such processes can lead to the escape of lung cancer cells in vivo from immunological surveillance.     

A Defect in Cell–to–cell Adhesion via Integrin–Fibronectin Interactions in a Highly Metastatic Tumor Cell Line

We investigated the role of integrin–fibronectin (FN) interactions in tumor cell adhesion. Two cloned tumor cell lines designated OV–LM (low–metastatic) and OV–HM (high–metastatic) were isolated from a murine ovarian carcinoma, OV2944. OV–LM and OV–HM cells exhibited high and low RGDS–sequence–dependent adhesiveness to FN, respectively. Both lines expressed comparable levels of α5 and αv integrins, which are capable of reacting with RGDS on FN. To compare the functions of these integrins between the two tumor lines, the signaling mechanism following FN stimulation was examined. Significant levels of phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase(FAK)were detected in bothOV–LM and OV–HM cells before FN stimulation. Whereas the level of FAK phosphorylation was appreciably enhanced in OV–LM cells stimulated with FN, stimulation of OV–HM cells with FN induced a reduction in the FAK phosphorylation in association with a significant decrease in theamount of FAK protein in the soluble compartment of cell lysates. A difference in the deposition of FN on the cell surfacewas also observed between the two types of tumor lines; OV–HM cells had an appreciably smaller amount of FN than OV–LM. Consistent with the functional abnormality of the integrin–FAK system and the smaller amount of FN on OV–HM, this clone exhibited a reduced cell–cell adhesion in the in vitro cell aggregation assay. Namely, OV–LM cells displayed a time–dependent increase in the formation of cell aggregates, whereas most OV–HM cells remained single. The formation of aggregates by OV–LM cells was inhibited by addition of RGDS peptide. These results indicate that the highly metastatic clone, OV–HM, exhibits a decreased capacity of cell–cell adhesion mediated by integrin–FN interactions and suggest that this defect is mainly due to the dysfunction of integrins/FAK rather than a decrease in the amount of integrins expressed on tumor cells.     

p190RhoGEF (Rgnef) promotes colon carcinoma tumor progression via interaction with focal adhesion kinase

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) functions downstream of integrins and growth factor receptors to promote tumor cell motility and invasion. In colorectal cancer, FAK is activated by amidated gastrin, a protumorigenic hormone. However, it is unclear how FAK receives signals from the gastrin receptor or other G-protein-coupled receptors that can promote cell motility and invasion. The Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factor p190RhoGEF (Rgnef) binds FAK and facilitates fibroblast focal adhesion formation on fibronectin. Here we report that Rgnef mRNA and protein expression are significantly increased during colorectal tumor progression. In human colon carcinoma cells, Rgnef forms a complex with FAK and upon gastrin stimulation, FAK translocates to newly-forming focal adhesions where it facilitates tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. short hairpin (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of Rgnef or FAK, or pharmacological inhibition of FAK activity, is sufficient to block gastrin-stimulated paxillin phosphorylation, cell motility, and invadopodia formation in a manner dependent upon upstream cholecystokinin-2 receptor expression. Overexpression of the C-terminal region of Rgnef (Rgnef-C, amino acid 1,279-1,582) but not Rgnef-CΔFAK (amino acid 1,302-1,582 lacking the FAK binding site) disrupted endogenous Rgnef-FAK interaction and prevented paxillin phosphorylation and cell motility stimulated by gastrin. Rgnef-C-expressing cells formed smaller, less invasive tumors with reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin upon orthotopic implantation, compared with Rgnef-CΔFAK-expressing cells. Our studies identify Rgnef as a novel regulator of colon carcinoma motility and invasion, and they show that a Rgnef-FAK linkage promotes colon carcinoma progression in vivo.     

Prostatic carcinoma cell migration via alpha(v)beta3 integrin is modulated by a focal adhesion kinase pathway

The highly invasive human prostate cancer PC3 cell line was found to express the alpha(v)beta3 integrin; in contrast, the noninvasive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line did not express alpha(v)beta3. PC3 cells adhered to and migrated on vitronectin (VN), an alpha(v)beta3 ligand expressed in mature bone where prostate cancer cells preferentially metastasize. In contrast, LNCaP cells did not adhere to or migrate on VN. Analysis of primary human prostate cancer cells isolated from 16 surgical specimens, showed that these cells expressed alpha(v)beta3, whereas normal prostate epithelial cells did not. In addition, only primary prostate cancer cells adhered to and migrated on VN. The role of alpha(v)beta3 in mediating prostate epithelial cell migration was confirmed using LNCaP cell transfectants expressing beta3 (beta3-LNCaP). Exogenous expression of alpha(v)beta3 induced LNCaP cells to adhere to and migrate on VN. In response to alpha(v)beta3 engagement, increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signaling molecule activated by integrins and able to modulate cell migration, was detected. Transfection of FAK-related nonkinase, known to compete with FAK for its correct localization and phosphorylation, caused inhibition of beta3-LNCaP cell migration, specifically on VN. These data indicate that de novo expression of alpha(v)beta3 integrin in prostate cancer cells generates a migratory phenotype that is modulated by a FAK signaling pathway. This study points to alpha(v)beta3 as potential target in prostate cancer cell invasion and metastasis.     

LIM domain‐containing adaptor,leupaxin, localizes in focal adhesion and suppresses the integrin‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin

Focal adhesion (FA) consists of multiple cellular proteins including paxillin and serves as a center for adhesion‐mediated signaling. The assembly and disassembly of FAs is regulated by locally produced intracellular signals, and tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin has been implicated in this process. A Lin‐11 Isl‐1 Mec‐3 (LIM) domain‐containing adaptor protein, leupaxin, a member of the paxillin family, is expressed in leukocytes as well as in certain cancer cells, and shares overall structural characteristics with paxillin. However, it remains unknown whether leupaxin and paxillin cooperate with or antagonize each other in integrin signaling. Here we show that leupaxin potently represses the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. When expressed in mouse thymoma BW5147 cells bound to ICAM‐1, leupaxin accumulated in FA‐like patches in the cell periphery. When expressed in NIH3T3 and HEK293T cells, leupaxin localized to FAs upon cell adhesion to fibronectin and strongly suppressed the integrin‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. In integrin‐stimulated HEK293T cells, leupaxin’s LIM3 domain appeared essential for selective FA localization and the suppression of paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Leupaxin’s LD3 motif, which is critical for stable association with FAK, was dispensable for leupaxin’s suppressive ability. In addition, leupaxin reduced the spreading of NIH3T3 cells on fibronectin, which required both the LD3 motif and LIM3 domain. When expressed in human leukocytic K562 cells, leupaxin significantly suppressed integrin α5β1‐mediated cell adhesion to fibronectin and the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. These findings indicate that leupaxin functions as a paxillin counterpart that potently suppresses the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin during integrin signaling. (Cancer Sci 2009)     

Paxillin null embryonic stem cells are impaired in cell spreading and tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase.

Paxillin is a focal-adhesion associated protein implicated in the regulation of integrin signaling and organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Paxillin associates with numerous signaling molecules including adaptor molecules (p130Cas, CRK), kinases (FAK, Pyk2, PAK and SRC), tyrosine phosphatases (PTP-PEST), ARF-GAP proteins (p95pkl, PAG3) and papillomavirus E6 oncoproteins. Although paxillin is tyrosine phosphorylated in cellular processes such as cell attachment and spreading, little direct evidence is available about paxillin's role in these events. Targeted gene disruption was used to generate paxillin null mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and paxillin null differentiated cells. Paxillin null ES cells exhibit delayed spreading on integrin binding substrates fibronectin and laminin, and there is reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK). Both of these phenotypes are recovered in paxillin knockout cells upon exogenous re-expression of paxillin. The individual LD motifs of paxillin that are binding sites for FAK, vinculin and ARF-GAP proteins, as well as tyrosine residues that when phosphorylated create binding sites for CRK family members, are dispensable for FAK phosphorylation and early cell spreading. These results demonstrate that paxillin contributes to attachment-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and early cell spreading in ES cells.     

Biological activity of substrate-bound basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2): recruitment of FGF receptor-1 in endothelial cell adhesion contacts

Substrate-bound FGF2 promotes endothelial cell adhesion by interacting with alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. Here, endothelial GM7373 cells spread and organize focal adhesion plaques on immobilized FGF2, fibronectin (FN), and vitronectin (VN). alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, vinculin and pp60(src) localize in cell-substratum contact sites on FGF2, FN or VN. However, only immobilized FGF2 induces a long-lasting activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(1/2) (ERK(1/2)) and cell proliferation that was inhibited by the ERK(1/2) inhibitor PD 098059 and the tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor tyrphostin 23, pointing to the engagement of FGF receptor (FGFR) at the basal side of the cell. To assess this hypothesis, GM7373 cells were transfected with a dominant negative TK(-)-DeltaFGFR1 mutant (GM7373-DeltaFGFR1 cells) or with the full-length receptor (GM7373-FGFR1 cells). Both transfectants adhere and spread on FGF2 but GM7373-DeltaFGFR1 cells do not proliferate. Also, parental and GM7373-FGFR1 cells, but not GM7373-DeltaFGFR1 cells, undergo morphological changes and increased motility on FGF2-coated plastic. Finally, FGFR1, but not TK(-)-DeltaFGFR1, localizes in cell adhesion contacts on immobilized FGF2. In conclusion, substrate-bound FGF2 induces endothelial cell proliferation, motility, and the recruitment of FGFR1 in cell-substratum contacts. This may contribute to the cross talk among intracellular signaling pathways activated by FGFR1 and alpha(v)beta(3) integrin in endothelial cells.     

Recruitment of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin to β1 integrin promotes cancer cell migration via mitogen activated protein kinase activation

Background

Integrin-extracellular matrix interactions activate signaling cascades such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). Integrin binding to extracellular matrix increases tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Inhibition of FAK activity by expression of its carboxyl terminus decreases cell motility, and cells from FAK deficient mice also show reduced migration. Paxillin is a focal adhesion protein which is also phosphorylated on tyrosine. FAK recruitment of paxillin to the cell membrane correlates with Shc phosphorylation and activation of MAPK. Decreased FAK expression inhibits papilloma formation in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model. We previously demonstrated that MAPK activation was required for growth factor induced in vitro migration and invasion by human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines.

Methods

Adapter protein recruitment to integrin subunits was examined by co-immunoprecipitation in SCC cells attached to type IV collagen or plastic. Stable clones overexpressing FAK or paxillin were created using the lipofection technique. Modified Boyden chambers were used for invasion assays.

Results

In the present study, we showed that FAK and paxillin but not Shc are recruited to the β1 integrin cytoplasmic domain following attachment of SCC cells to type IV collagen. Overexpression of either FAK or paxillin stimulated cancer cell migration on type IV collagen and invasion through reconstituted basement membrane which was dependent on MAPK activity.

Conclusions

We concluded that recruitment of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin to β1 integrin promoted cancer cell migration via the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway.

     

Inhibitory effect of antimetastatic fusion polypeptide of human fibronectin on tumor cell adhesion to extracellular matrices

We investigated the inhibitory mechanism of liver metastasis by using recombinant fragments with cell- and/or heparin-binding domains (C-274, H-271 or the fusion fragment CH-271). Intravenous co-injection of L5178Y-ML25 cells with CH-271 was more effective for the inhibition of liver metastasis than C-274, H-271 or C-274 + H-271. Reduction of the arrest and retention of the radiolabeled tumor cells in the liver of mice was found when CH-271 was co-injected with tumor cells. L5178Y-ML25 cells adhered both concentration- and time-dependently to the substrates precoated with fibronectin, laminin and reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel. The tumor cell adhesions to the substrates were inhibited in the presence of CH-271. The tumor cell interaction with CH-271-substrate was inhibited by heparin, and monoclonal antibodies (IST-1 or IST-2) against the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin. However, monoclonal antibodies against the cell-binding domain failed to block the interaction. Similarly, CH-271-mediated antimetastatic activity was also inhibited by the treatment of CH-271 with IST-1 before the co-injection with tumor cells, whereas monoclonal antibody against the cell-binding domain had no effect. Thus, the antimetastatic effect of CH-271 fusion fragment on liver metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 cells may be partly due to interference with the adhesive interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrix or basement membrane components by a heparin-binding domain-dependent mechanism.     

Inhibitory Effect of Antimetastatic Fusion Polypeptide of Human Fibronectin on Tumor Cell Adhesion to Extracellular Matrices

We investigated the inhibitory mechanism of liver metastasis by using recombinant fragments with cell- and/or heparin-binding domains (C-274, H-271 or the fusion fragment CH-271). Intravenous co-injection of L5178Y-ML25 cells with CH-271 was more effective for the inhibition of liver metastasis than C-274, H-271 or C-274+H-271. Reduction of the arrest and retention of the radiolabeled tumor cells in the liver of mice was found when CH-271 was co-injected with tumor cells. L5178Y-ML25 cells adhered both concentration- and time-dependently to the substrates precoated with fibronetin, laminin and reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel. The tumor cell adhesions to the substrates were inhibited in the presence of CH-271. The tumor cell interaction with CH-271-substrate was inhibited by heparin, and monoclonal antibodies (IST-1 or IST-2) against the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin. However, monoclonal antibodies against the cell-binding domain failed to block the interaction. Similarly, CH-271-mediated antimetastatic activity was also inhibited by the treatment of CH-271 with IST-1 before the co-injection with tumor cells, whereas monoclonal antibody against the cell-binding domain had no effect. Thus, the antimetastatic effect of CH-271 fusion fragment on liver metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 cells may be partly due to interference with the adhesive interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrix or basement membrane components by a heparin-binding domain-dependent mechanism.     

Hepatocyte growth factor induces tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin and enhances cell-matrix interactions

This study examined the effects of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on the adhesion of HT115 (human colon) and MDA MB 231 (human breast) tumour cells to an extracellular matrix, Matrigel, together with the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin. Treatment of cells with HGF increased cell adhesion to matrix. Following adhesion to Matrigel, FAK and paxillin were quickly phosphorylated and located to the focal adhesion area. HGF/SF increased both tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and also increased formation of focal adhesion. HGF also induced an increased spreading on matrix. It is concluded therefore that HGF/SF stimulated FAK and paxillin phosphorylation resulting in an increased tumour-matrix adhesion.     

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor inhibits the metastasis of hematogenous and non-hematogenous tumors in mice.

We studied the effects of in vivo administrations of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on the metastasis of murine hematogenous and non-hematogenous tumors in spontaneous and experimental metastasis models. Spontaneous lung metastasis caused by intra-footpad injections of B16-BL6 melanoma and Lewis-lung-carcinoma (3LL) cells were inhibited by intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of rhG-CSF after excision of the primary tumors. Recombinant hG-CSF significantly inhibited liver metastasis when administered i.v. after i.v. injection of L5178Y-ML25 T-lymphoma cells. Multiple i.v. administration of rhG-CSF after the tumor inoculation prolonged the survival times of mice inoculated i.v. with L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells. Recombinant hG-CSF did not directly affect the growth of B16-BL6 and L5178Y-ML25 cells in vitro. During the administration periods, both i.v. and s.c. injections of rhG-CSF increased the number of total white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood to approximately 3 times the normal level in normal and tumor-bearing mice. We also found that the administration of rhG-CSF stimulates neutrophils to become cytostatic against these tumor cells. Our results indicate that the injection of rhG-CSF is effective in inhibiting lung and liver metastases by activating neutrophils and increasing cell number.     

Inhibitory Effect of Recombinant Fibronectin Polypeptides on the Adhesion of Liver-metastatic Lymphoma Cells to Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Tumor Invasion

We have investigated the inhibitory mechanism of the initial arrest of L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells in a target organ (liver) by using recombinant fibronectin fragments with cell- and/or heparin-binding domains (C-274, H-271 or the fusion fragment CH-271). Pretreatment of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial (HSE) cell monolayers with lymphoma cells or their conditioned medium for 4 to 6 h resulted in the enhancement of lymphoma cell adhesion to HSE cell monolayer. The increased tumor adhesiveness was completely abolished by preincubation of the conditioned medium with anti interleukin-1β monoclonal antibody (mAb). Synthetic sialyl Le^x (SLe^x) as a ligand for endothelial cell leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) adhesion receptor and anti ELAM-1 mAb blocked the conditioned medium-induced enhancement of tumor-endothelial cell interaction, while pretreatment of the activated HSE cell monolayer with anti vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mAb did not affect the enhanced tumor cell adhesion. These results indicate that tumor cell interaction with the stimulated HSE cells is mediated by ELAM-1 molecules on HSE cells. However, the expression of SLe^x and SLe^a on the tumor surface was not observed by flow cytometric analysis. ELAM-1-mediated enhancement of tumor cell adhesion to HSE monolayer was also inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by CH-271 fusion polypeptide or the sulfated chitin derivative sulfated carboxyntethyl-chitin, which can bind to the heparin-binding domain of CH-271. In addition, CH-271 inhibited not only tumor-endothelium interaction hut also tumor cell invasion into reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel in vitro .     

Bombesin and gastrin releasing peptide increase tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin in non-small cell lung cancer cells

The effects of some oncogenes, growth factors and neuropeptides are mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)) and paxillin cytoskeletal proteins. In this study the ability of bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (BB/GRP) to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H1299 cells was investigated. BB, 100 nM caused increased p125(FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation maximally after 1 min. The effect of BB on p125(FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation was concentration-dependent, being half maximal at 4-8 nM. Also, 100 nM GRP, GRP(14-27) but not GRP(1-16) increased p125(FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation indicating that the C-terminal of GRP is essential. BW2258U89, a GRP receptor antagonist, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of BB-stimulated p125(FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation with an IC50 value of 3 microM. Cytochalasin D (0.3 microM), which inhibits actin polymerization, reduced the ability of BB to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin. Genistein (50 microM) and H-7 (50 microM), which are kinase inhibitors, reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin stimulated by BB. Also, treatment of NCI-H1299 cells with FAK antisense resulted in decreased FAK tyrosine kinase activity and proliferation. These results suggest that p125(FAK) is an important enzyme for NSCLC proliferation.     

Gamma linolenic acid inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin and tumour cell matrix interaction

Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is an anti-cancer agent recently reported to inhibit tumour cell-matrix attachment. This study examined the effects of GLA on the adhesion of two tumour cell lines, HT115 (human colon) and MDA MB 231 (human breast), to an extracellular matrix, Matrigel. The action of GLA on focal adhesion kinase(FAK) and paxillin was also investigated. Following cell adhesion to Matrigel in control experiments, both FAK and paxillin were quickly tyrosine phosphorylated and become concentrated at focal adhesion areas. Inclusion of GLA resulted in an inhibition of the tyrosine phosphorylation of both FAK and paxillin leading to a reduced attachment of both cell types to Matrigel. FAK and paxillin were also less well distributed in the focal adhesions compared with the controls. It is concluded, therefore, that GLA inhibits tumour-matrix adhesion via the inhibition of FAK and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation.     

A scaffold protein in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway is associated with focal adhesion kinase and tyrosine-phosphorylated

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) becomes activated and tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins in a variety of cell types, and associates with a number of signaling molecules, structural proteins, and beta integrin cytoplasmic domains. Here we demonstrated that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (JSAP1), a scaffold factor in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, forms a complex with the N-terminus of FAK. The complex formation was further stimulated by c-Src, in which JSAP1 was tyrosine-phosphorylated and other FAK/Src signaling molecules were recruited. Fibronectin (FN) stimulation of cells expressing JSAP1 induced its tyrosine phosphorylation concomitant with association with FAK. Expression of JSAP1 in Hela cells facilitated formation of well-organized focal contacts and actin stress fibers, and promoted cell spreading onto FN. Taken together, these results suggest that JSAP1 is involved an integrin-mediated signaling pathway through FAK/Src by recruiting other signaling molecules, resulting in promotion of cell spreading onto FN.     

Antimetastatic Effect by Anti-adhesion Therapy with Cell-adhesive Peptide of Fibronectin in Combination with Anticancer Drugs

We have investigated the therapeutic effect of CH-271 fusion polypeptide containing both cell-binding domain (C-274) and heparin-binding domain (H-271) of fibronectin in combination with anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) or mitomycin C (MMC) on tumor metastasis of different types of tumors. CH-271 fusion polypeptide alone significantly inhibited both liver and lung metastasis when it was co-injected with L5178Y-ML25 T-lymphoma, RAW117-H10 B-lymphoma or B16-BL6 melanoma cells, and spontaneous lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells when administered i.v. seven times before or after surgical excision of the primary tumors. Combined treatments with CH-271 and either DOX or MMC significantly inhibited liver and lung metastasis of lymphoma or melanoma cells respectively, as compared with either treatment alone or the untreated control. Administrations of CH-271 and DOX in combination substantially prolonged the survival time of mice injected i.v. with L5178Y-ML25 cells. CH-271 or DOX was effective for inhibiting the invasion of LS178Y-ML25 cells into Matrigel in a concentration-dependent manner. Our previous study has shown that CH-271-mediated inhibition of tumor invasion may be due in part to the anti-cell adhesive property without affecting the cell growth, whereas the anti-invasive effect of DOX was established to have resulted from the growth inhibition of tumor cells. Moreover, the combination of CH-271 with DOX provided a more effective inhibition of tumor invasion into Matrigel than did either alone. Thus, we have demonstrated that the combination of anti-cell adhesive CH-271 and anticancer drugs such as DOX or MMC, i.e. anti-adhesion therapy and chemotherapy, is a new approach that offers enhanced (additive) inhibitory effects on tumor metastasis and invasion.     

Murine liver metastasis model using L5178Y-ML lymphoma and the effect of antitumor agents on the metastasis

A reproducible tumor model for liver metastasis has been developed from murine L5178Y lymphoma line by sequential cycles of subcutaneous inoculation of liver tumor cells, that were originally generated in livers of female (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 mice by injecting the parental cells into the tail vein. This variant (L5178Y-ML) metastasized predominantly to the liver after intravenous or subcutaneous injection. The livers of the animals killed 9 days after intravenous implantation of 5 x 10(5) tumor cells were about 3 times the weight of control livers. All tumor-bearing mice died 10 to 12 days after inoculation. Subcutaneous implantation of L5178Y-ML in the side flank of mice induced metastatic nodules spontaneously in the livers. The tumor cells proliferated more in livers than in the implanted sites, compared with the parental L5178Y cells. The effects of 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, cis-platinum and doxorubicin on the liver metastasis of L5178Y-ML were examined at subtoxic doses; 5-fluorouracil was the most effective in both inhibiting the tumor growth in livers and prolonging the survival period of mice. This model provides a useful tool for the experimental therapy of hepatic tumors in mice.     

Different adhesion properties of highly and poorly metastatic HT-29 colon carcinoma cells with extracellular matrix components: role of integrin expression and cytoskeletal components.

Integrin-mediated tumour cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) components is an important step in the development of metastatic lesions. Thus, integrin expression and integrin-mediated adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to various ECM components was examined. Poorly (HT-29P) and highly (HT-29LMM) liver-metastatic colon carcinoma cells were used to study the rates of adhesion to collagen I (C I), collagen IV (C IV), laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN), or vitronectin (VN) in a static adhesion assay (10-120 min). Cells were untreated or treated with oligopeptides (RGD, GRGDS, YIGSR, RGES), anti-integrin antibodies, or colchicine, nocodazole, cycloheximide, acrylamide or cytochalasin D (to disrupt cytoskeletal structures). Both cell lines expressed similar patterns of integrin expression (alpha2, alpha3, ,alpha6, alphav, beta1, beta4, and beta5) by immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation. HT-29LMM cells showed significantly higher rates of adhesion to LN (P < 0.001) and FN (P < 0.001), but significantly poorer rates of adhesion to C I (P < 0.05) and C IV (P < 0.001) than HT-29P cells, respectively, adhesion to VN was insignificant. RGD and GRGDS inhibited HT-29LMM cell adhesion to FN only. Pretreatment with anti-beta, or anti-alpha2 integrin subunits suppressed adhesion to C I and C IV, and adhesion to LN was inhibited with anti-beta1 or anti-alpha6 integrin. Anti-beta1 or anti-alphav blocked adhesion to FN. Pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin D, cycloheximide or acrylamide inhibited adhesive interactions of both cell lines to the ECM components. In contrast, colchicine and nocodazole had no effect. The results demonstrate that adhesion of HT-29 cells to ECM is mediated, in part, by different integrins, depending on the substrate. Poorly and highly metastatic HT-29 cells possessed different patterns of adhesion to the various ECM substrates, but these differences were not due to different expression of integrin subunits. The results also suggested that the initial adhesion of poorly or highly metastatic HT-29 cells to ECM components requires, in part, the presence of native action and intermediate filaments, but not of microtubules. Thus the adhesion of tumour cells to ECM components may be dependent on signal transduction and assembly of microfilaments.     

Extracellular pressure stimulates tumor cell adhesion in vitro by paxillin activation

Metastasizing colon cancer cells bind target tissues primarily via integrins. Extracellular pressure or shear stress stimulates integrin-mediated adhesion to matrix proteins or endothelial cells by activating the focal adhesion proteins FAK and Src. Because this effect is blocked by cytoskeletal perturbation and paxillin may link the cytoskeleton to the focal adhesion complex, we evaluated the role of paxillin in pressure-induced malignant colonocyte adhesion. We studied SW620 colon cancer cells and confirmed key results in Caco-2 colon cancer cells, primary human colon cancer cells, and a murine colonic adenocarcinoma. We evaluated adhesion to collagen at ambient and 15 mmHg increased pressure after 30 minutes, and paxillin, FAK, and Src phosphorylation in suspended cells prior to adhesion. Some cells were treated with siRNA to paxillin or FAK, or the Src inhibitor PP2. We also compared pressure-induced signals in suspended cells with adhesion-induced signals after adhesion to collagen. Pressure stimulated adhesion and paxillin phosphorylation in SW620 and Caco-2 cells and human primary colon cancer cells. Pressure also increased paxillin phosphorylation in murine carcinoma cells. SiRNA to paxillin decreased SW620 and Caco-2 paxillin without altering basal levels of phosphorylated paxillin. Paxillin reduction decreased basal adhesion to collagen, and inhibited pressure-stimulated adhesion, as well as paxillin, FAK397, FAK576, and Src476 phosphorylation. Neither PP2 nor siRNA to FAK inhibited induction of paxillin phosphorylation by pressure. In contrast, adhesion stimulated FAK, Src, and paxillin phosphorylation regardless of paxillin reduction. In summary, pressure induced paxillin phosphorylation in colon cancer cells. Paxillin reduction inhibited basal adhesion and blocked the pressure-mediated increase in adhesion, as well as pressure-induced FAK and Src signals, while adhesion-induced signals were preserved. Paxillin may be an upstream mediator of pressure-stimulated adhesion, important in metastasis.