A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of tetrastatin in body fluids and tumor extracts.

Basement membrane collagens or derived fragments are measured in biological fluids such as blood and urine of patients and appear to be useful for diagnosis, prognostication, or treatment monitoring as proposed for endostatin, a fragment of collagen XVIII, or tumstatin, a fragment of collagen IV. Tetrastatin, the NC1 alpha 4 collagen IV domain, was previously reported to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method to measure tetrastatin concentrations in human fluids. We developed a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It allowed measuring tetrastatin levels in human serum, bronchial aspiration and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and lung tissue extracts. The tetrastatin level was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in healthy lung tissues. Tetrastatin competitive ELISA could be useful to quantify tetrastatin in tissues and biological fluids for the diagnosis or prognostication of diseases in which basement membrane metabolism may be altered, especially tumor progression.

Extracellular matrix and wound healing.

Extracellular matrix has been known for a long time as an architectural support for the tissues. Many recent data, however, have shown that extracellular matrix macromolecules (collagens, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and connective tissue glycoproteins) are able to regulate many important cell functions, such as proliferation, migration, protein synthesis or degradation, apoptosis, etc., making them able to play an important role in the wound repair process. Not only the intact macromolecules but some of their specific domains, that we called "Matrikines", are also able to regulate many cell activities. In this article, we will summarize main findings showing the effects of extracellular matrix macromolecules and matrikines on connective tissue and epithelial cells, particularly in skin, and their potential implication in the wound healing process. These examples show that extracellular matrix macromolecules or some of their specific domains may play a major role in wound healing. Better knowledge of these interactions may suggest new therapeutic targets in wound healing defects.

Analytical methods for measuring collagen XIX in human cell cultures, tissue extracts, and biological fluids.

Type XIX collagen is a minor collagen associated with basement membranes in vascular, neuronal, mesenchymal, and epithelial tissues. We demonstrated that the NC1, C-terminal, domain of collagen XIX inhibits the migration capacities of tumor cells and exerts a strong inhibition of tumor growth. Other basement membrane collagens or derived fragments were measured in biological fluids such as blood and urine of patients and appeared to be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment monitoring. The aim of this study was to develop and validate methods to measure collagen XIX and its fragments in human cell cultures, tissue extracts, and human biological fluids. For that purpose, we developed real-time PCR, Western blot, and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We demonstrated that the methods developed in this paper are specific for collagen XIX. We showed that it is expressed in human cell cultures, tissue extracts, and various biological fluids. These methods may be used in various human tissue extracts and biological fluids such as serum, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and many other fluids. Collagen XIX or its fragments could constitute new biomarkers for human diseases as well as for diagnosis and/or prognosis.

Matrikines in the regulation of extracellular matrix degradation.

The term "matrikines" was coined for designating peptides liberated by partial proteolysis of extracellular matrix macromolecules, which are able to regulate cell activities. Among these peptides, some of them may modulate proliferation, migration, protease production, or apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the activity of matrikines derived from elastin and interstitial or basement membrane collagens on the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases expression and/or activation, and on the plasminogen/plasmin system. Due to their activity, matrikines may play a significant role in physiological or pathological processes such as wound healing or tumor invasion.

Down-Regulation of MT1-MMP expression by the alpha3 chain of type IV collagen inhibits bronchial tumor cell line invasion.

The basement membrane (BM) is the first barrier encountered by tumor cells when they become invasive. Moreover, some invasive tumor clusters are surrounded by a remnant or neosynthetized BM material. We have previously reported the presence of a particular alpha chain of type IV collagen, the alpha3(IV) chain, in bronchopulmonary carcinomas. This chain was not detected in the normal bronchial epithelium, but was found around some invasive tumor cluster BM. In the present study, we examined the effects of the alpha3(IV) chain on the invasive properties of bronchial tumor cell lines, with special emphasis on their expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and its activator, membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), which is largely involved in tumor progression. Two epithelial bronchial cell lines (16HBE14o- and BZR), showing different invasive abilities, were evaluated. Using the Boyden chamber invasion assay, we demonstrated that the alpha3(IV) chain inhibits the invasive properties of BZR cells and modifies their morphology by inducing an epithelial cell shape. In the presence of the recombinant NC1 domain of the alpha3(IV) chain, the expression of MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) was not modified in either cell line. The NC1 alpha3(IV) domain did not modulate the MT1-MMP expression of noninvasive 16HBE14o- cells, whereas a 50% decrease of MT1-MMP mRNA was observed in invasive BZR cells. Accordingly, Western blot analyses showed a disappearance of the 45-kd MT1-MMP form when BZR cells were treated with the recombinant NC1 alpha3(IV) domain. These findings suggest that the alpha3 chain of type IV collagen may play a role in tumor invasion, at least by decreasing the expression and synthesis of MT1-MMP.

In vitro glycoxidation alters the interactions between collagens and human polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Glycation and glycoxidation processes, which are increased in diabetes mellitus, are generally considered causative mechanisms of long-term complications. With reference to our previous studies, type-I and -IV collagens could induce differentially the adhesion and stimulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). As PMNs play a role in sustained diabetic oxidative stress, the present study was designed to determine whether in vitro glycoxidation of these macromolecules could alter PMN adhesion, activation and migration. The adhesion of PMNs to in vitro-glycoxidized collagens was significantly increased when compared with control collagens: +37% (P<0.05) and +99% (P<0.01) for collagens I and IV, respectively. Glycoxidized type-I collagen increased the chemotactic properties of PMNs without significant stimulatory effect on respiratory burst, whereas pre-incubation of PMNs with glycoxidized type-I collagen induced a priming on subsequent stimulation by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Glycoxidation of type-IV collagen suppressed its inhibitory effect on further PMN stimulation or migration. Collectively, these results indicate that glycoxidation of two major extracellular-matrix collagens considerably alters their ability to modulate PMN migration and production of reactive oxygen species. This imbalance in PMN metabolism may be a major event in the increased oxidative status that characterizes diabetes mellitus.

The alpha 3(IV)185-206 peptide from noncollagenous domain 1 of type IV collagen interacts with a novel binding site on the beta 3 subunit of integrin alpha Vbeta 3 and stimulates focal adhesion kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase phosphorylation.

We have recently identified integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and the associated CD47/integrin-associated protein (IAP) together with three other proteins as the potential tumor cell receptors for the alpha(3) chain of basement membrane type IV collagen (Shahan, T.A., Ziaie, Z., Pasco, S., Fawzi, A., Bellon, G., Monboisse, J. C., and Kefalides, N. A. (1999) Cancer Res. 59, 4584-4590). Using different cell lines expressing alpha(v)beta(3), alpha(IIb)beta(3), and/or CD47 and a liquid phase receptor capture assay, we now provide direct evidence that the synthetic and biologically active alpha3(IV)185-206 peptide, derived from the alpha3(IV) chain, interacts with the beta(3) subunit of integrin alpha(v)beta(3), independently of CD47. Increased alpha3(IV) peptide binding was observed on transforming growth factor-beta(1)-stimulated HT-144 cells shown to up-regulate alpha(v)beta(3) independently of CD47. Also, incubation of HT-144 melanoma cells in suspension induced de novo exposure of ligand-induced binding site epitopes on the beta(3) subunit similar to those observed following Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) stimulation. However, RGDS did not prevent HT-144 cell attachment and spreading on the alpha3(IV) peptide, suggesting that the alpha3(IV) binding domain on the beta(3) subunit is distinct from the RGD recognition site. alpha3(IV) peptide binding to HT-144 cells in suspension stimulated time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation, while the RGDS peptide did not. Two major phosphotyrosine proteins of 120-130 and 85 kDa were immunologically identified as focal adhesion kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). A direct involvement of PI3-kinase in alpha3(IV)-dependent beta(3) integrin signaling could be documented, since pretreatment of HT-144 cells with wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, reverted the known inhibitory effect of alpha3(IV) on HT-144 cell proliferation as well as membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase gene expression. These results provide evidence that the alpha3(IV)185-206 peptide, by directly interacting with the beta(3) subunit of alpha(v)beta(3), activates a signaling cascade involving focal adhesion kinase and PI3-kinase.

Human blood monocytes interact with type I collagen through alpha x beta 2 integrin (CD11c-CD18, gp150-95).

Human blood monocytes are attracted into connective tissues during early steps of inflammation and wound healing, and locally interact with resident cells and extracellular matrix proteins. We studied the effects of type I collagen on monocyte adhesion and superoxide anion production, using human monocytes elutriated from peripheral blood and type I collagen obtained from rat tail tendon. Both acid-soluble and pepsin-digested type I collagens promoted the adhesion of monocytes, whereas only acid-soluble collagen with intact telopeptides induced the production of superoxide. Adhesion and activation of monocytes on acid-soluble type I collagen depended on the presence of divalent cations. mAbs directed against integrin subunits CD11c and CD18 specifically inhibited adhesion and activation of monocytes on type I collagen. Protein membrane extracts obtained from monocytes were submitted to affinity chromatography on collagen I-Sepharose 4B, and analyzed by Western blotting using specific anti-integrin subunit Abs. In the case of both acid-soluble and pepsin-digested collagens, two bands were revealed with mAbs against CD11c and CD18 integrin subunits. Our results demonstrate that monocytes interact with type I collagen through CD11c-CD18 (alpha x beta 2) integrins, which promote their adhesion and activation. For monocyte activation, specific domains of the type I collagen telopeptides are necessary. Interactions between monocytes and collagen are most likely involved in the cascade of events that characterize the initial phases of inflammation.

A peptide of the alpha 3(IV) chain of type IV collagen modulates stimulated neutrophil function via activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and Ser/Thr protein phosphatase.

Previous reports from our laboratories showed that type IV collagen from anterior lens capsule (ALC) inhibited stimulated neutrophil function. This property was shown to reside in the region comprising residues 185-203 of the non-collagenous domain (NC1) of the alpha 3(IV) chain. We also reported that ALC-type IV collagen or the synthetic alpha 3(IV) 185-203 peptide, induced a rise in intracellular cAMP which persisted for up to 60 minutes. In the present work we extend our previous studies on signal transduction by alpha 3(IV) 185-203 and we provide new data showing the involvement of cAMP-dependent PKA and protein phosphatases. The data also show that the alpha 3(IV) peptide triggered a rise in intracellular calcium that was dependent on phospholipase C activation. Inhibitors of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin system suppressed both the alpha 3(IV) 185-203 peptide-induced cAMP increase and the inhibitory activity of the peptide on f-Met-Leu-Phe triggered O(2)(-) generation. When alpha 3(IV) 185-203 peptide-induced calcium mobilization was blocked by U-73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C activation, or by BAPTA/AM, a chelator of intracellular calcium, the inhibitory effect of the peptide on PMA-triggered O(2)(-) production was also abolished. These findings provide evidence that signal transduction by the alpha 3(IV) peptide occurs via pathways which involve calcium. Indeed, the cAMP increase was shown to be mediated by adenosine and adenosine A2 receptors and required calcium elevation, since adenosine deaminase, theophilline, dimethylpropargylxanthine, trifluoperazine or autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide, suppressed the activity of the alpha 3(IV) peptide. The inhibitory effect of the peptide on f-Met-Leu-Phe-induced O(2)(-) generation was slightly affected by 1 microM KT5720 or H89, two inhibitors of cAMP-dependent PKA, but was completely suppressed by 10 nM calyculin A or 10 microM okadaic acid, two inhibitors of ser/thr phosphatases. These results suggest that Ser/Thr protein phosphatases and/or cAMP-dependent PKA are involved in signal transduction by the alpha 3(IV) 185-203 peptide and is consistent with the concept that adenosine receptor occupancy modulates neutrophil function.

A specific sequence of the noncollagenous domain of the alpha3(IV) chain of type IV collagen inhibits expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases by tumor cells.

The invasive properties of melanoma cells correlate with the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiological modulators (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase and membrane-type MMPs) and with that of the alphaVbeta3 integrin. We investigated the effect of anterior lens capsule type IV collagen and of the alpha3(IV) collagen chain on the invasive properties of various tumor cell lines (HT-144 melanoma cells, HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells). We demonstrated that anterior lens capsule type IV collagen or specifically the synthetic peptide alpha3(IV) 185-203 inhibited both the migration of melanoma or fibrosarcoma cells as well as the activation of membrane-bound MMP-2 by decreasing the expressions of MT1-MMP and the beta3 integrin subunit.

Regulation of tumor cell chemotaxis by type IV collagen is mediated by a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism requiring CD47 and the integrin alpha(V)beta(3).

Studies from our laboratories demonstrated that synthetic peptides from the non-collagenous (NC-1) domain of the alpha3 (IV) chain of type IV collagen (COL IV) enhanced tumor cell adhesion (Han, J., Ohno, N., Monboisse, J. C., Pasco, S., Borel, J. P., and Kefalides, N. A. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 20395-20401). We have isolated the receptors for the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide from melanoma and prostate tumor cells and identified them as CD47/integrin-associated protein and the integrin alpha(V)beta(3) (Shahan, T. A., Ziaie, Z., Pasco, S., Fawzi, A., Bellon, G., Monboisse, J. C., and Kefalides, N. A. (1999) Cancer Res. 59, 4584-4590). In the present study we have examined the effect of CD47 and the integrin alpha(V)beta(3) on in vitro tumor cell chemotaxis and Ca(2+)(i) modulation in response to COL IV, from the anterior lens capsule (ALC-COL IV) and peptides from its NC-1 domain. COL IV as well as the alpha3(IV) peptide promoted tumor cell chemotaxis with an immediate increase in intracellular [Ca(2+)]. Treating tumor cells with CD47 and integrin alpha(V)beta(3)-reactive antibodies reduced chemotaxis as well as the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) in response to ALC-COL IV or the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide but not to Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm-COL IV or fibronectin. The alpha3(IV)185-203 synthetic peptide stimulated an increase in calcium from intracellular stores exclusively, whereas ALC-COL IV, Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm-COL IV, and fibronectin stimulated Ca(2+) flux from both internal and external stores. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with Ca(2+) chelator bis-(O-aminophenoxyl)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraaceticacid- acetomethoxy ester inhibited chemotaxis toward both ALC-COL IV and the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide. These data indicate that CD47 and integrin alpha(V)beta(3) regulate tumor cell chemotaxis in response to COL IV and the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism.

Decreased contraction of glycated collagen lattices coincides with impaired matrix metalloproteinase production.

Nonenzymatic glycation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is increased in diabetes mellitus and aging and triggers cellular events leading to an imbalance in ECM homeostasis. We studied the influence of collagen glycation on matrix metalloproteinase production by dermal fibroblasts using the model of lattice cultures. Contraction of glycated collagen lattices was strongly reduced when compared to controls. Meanwhile, fibroblasts synthesized lower amounts of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1). Gelatinase A (MMP-2) production was not modified, but its activation was strongly inhibited. These effects were independent from the intensity of lattice contraction and from any simultaneous modification of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1 and 2) production. These results demonstrate that the impaired ability of fibroblasts to remodel and contract a glycated extracellular matrix coincides with a decrease in MMP production.

Identification of CD47/integrin-associated protein and alpha(v)beta3 as two receptors for the alpha3(IV) chain of type IV collagen on tumor cells.

Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that a peptide from the noncollagenous domain of the alpha3 chain of basement membrane collagen (COL IV), comprising residues 185-203, inhibits polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation and melanoma cell proliferation independently of its ability to promote cell adhesion; these properties require the presence of the triplet -SNS- at residues 189-191 (J. C. Monboisse et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269: 25475-25482, 1994; J. Han et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272: 20395-20401, 1997). More recently, we demonstrated that native COL IV and -SNS-containing synthetic peptides (10 microg/ml) added to culture medium inhibit the proliferation of not only melanoma cells but also breast, pancreas, and stomach tumor cells up to 82% and prostate tumor cells by 15%. This inhibition was shown to be dependent on a COL IV- or peptide-induced increase in intracellular cAMP (T. A. Shahan et al., Connect. Tissue Res., 40: 221-232, 1999). Attempts to identify the putative receptor(s) on tumor cells led to the isolation of five proteins (Mr 33,000, 52,000, 72,000, 95,000, and 250,000) from melanoma and prostate cells by affinity purification with the alpha3(IV)179-208 peptide. The Mr 52,000, 95,000, and 250,000 proteins were shown to be CD47/integrin-associated protein(IAP), the integrin beta3 subunit, and the alpha(v)beta3 integrin complex, respectively. The Mr 33,000 and 72,000 proteins have not yet been identified. To confirm the specificity of ligand binding to the receptors, cell membranes from either melanoma or prostate tumor cells were pretreated with the unlabeled ligand alpha3(IV)187-191 (-YYSNS-); alternatively, the peptide was pretreated with a peptide-reactive monoclonal antibody (A5D7) before receptor isolation. These treatments inhibited the purification of CD47/IAP, the integrin beta3 subunit, and the alpha(v)beta3 integrin complex from tumor cells. Furthermore, cells treated with CD47/IAP- or the alpha(v)beta3 integrin-reactive antibodies prevented the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide from inhibiting cell proliferation and the subsequent rise in intracellular cAMP. Pretreating cells with the alpha3(IV)187-191 (-YYSNS-) peptide also inhibited their adhesion to the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide substrate, whereas the inactive alpha1(IV)185-203 peptide, from the same region of the alpha1 chain as the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide, had no effect. Incubation of cells with either CD47/IAP and/or alpha(v)beta3 integrin-reactive antibodies inhibited their adhesion to the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide, whereas antibodies to the beta1 and beta2 integrin subunits were without effect. These data suggest that ALC-COL IV, through its alpha3(IV) chain, inhibits tumor cell proliferation using the receptors CD47/IAP and the alpha(v)beta3 integrin.

A peptide of the alpha3 chain of type IV collagen protects basement membrane against damage by PMN.

We have shown that basement membrane (BM) collagen (type IV), and specifically the peptide CNYYSNSYSFWLASLNPER (a.a. 185-203), from the non-collagenous domain of the alpha3 chain inhibits PMN. We examined the role of this peptide on PMN damage to BM in a vessel wall model. The presence of the endothelial monolayer as well as treatment of PMN with the alpha3(IV) 185-203 peptide reduced damage to BM by non-activated but not by activated PMN. The damage inhibition is unique to the alpha3(IV) peptide and not exhibited by comparable alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV) chain peptides. A shorter peptide alpha3(IV) 185-191, containing the -SNS- triplet, reduced damage, whereas the one lacking the triplet, residues 194-203, was not effective. The CD47-alphavbeta3 integrin complex is the receptor for the alpha3(IV) peptide. Incubation of PMN with CD47 reactive mAb followed by the alpha3(IV) peptide abolished its protective effect on BM damage.

Inhibition of tumor cell proliferation by type IV collagen requires increased levels of cAMP.

Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that a peptide from the noncollagenous domain of the alpha3 chain of basement membrane collagen (COL IV), comprising residues 185-203, inhibits polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation and melanoma cell proliferation; this property requires the presence of the triplet -SNS- in residues 189-191 (Monboisse et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269, 25475, 1994; Han et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272, 20395, 1997). In the present study, we demonstrate that whole native COL IV and -SNS- containing synthetic peptides (10 microg/ml) added to culture medium inhibit the proliferation of not only melanoma cells, but also breast-, pancreas- and stomach-tumor cells up to 67%, and prostate tumor cells by 15%. ALC-COL IV at 5 microg/ml was shown to inhibit melanoma cell proliferation maximally at 69% and the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide inhibited proliferation (62%) maximally at 10 microg/ml. Treatment of the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide with either a specific mAb or a polyclonal antibody, prepared against the sequence alpha3(IV)179-208, decreased the ability of the peptide to inhibit cell proliferation by 97%, while treatment of ALC-COL IV with the same antibodies inhibited proliferation by 44%. Exposure of the above tumor cells to COL IV or the peptides resulted in an increase of intracellular cAMP that was inhibited by prior treatment of the protein with the above antibodies. To investigate the role of cAMP in the inhibition of cell proliferation, cAMP analogs and inhibitors were used. cAMP analogs mimicked the inhibitory effect of the peptide. Rp-cAMPS, a cAMP competitive inhibitor, suppressed the inhibitory effect of ALC-COL IV and of the cAMP analogs. The protein kinase-A inhibitor H-89 blocked the ability of ALC-COL IV and of the alpha3(IV)185-203 peptide to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. These data suggest that ALC-COL IV, through its alpha3(IV) chain, inhibits tumor cell proliferation utilizing a signal transduction pathway which includes cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase(s).

[Regulation of cell activity by the extracellular matrix: the concept of matrikines]. / Régulation de l'activité cellulaire par la matrice extracelulaire: le concept de matrikines.

The activity of connective tissue cells is modulated by a number of factors present in their environment. In addition to the soluble factors such as hormones, cytokines or growth factors, cells also receive signals from the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules. Moreover, they may degrade the ECM proteins and liberate peptides which may by themselves constitute new signals for the surrounding cells. Therefore, an actual regulation loop exists in connective tissue, constituted by peptides generated by ECM degradation and connective tissue cells. The term of "matrikine" has been proposed to designate such ECM-derived peptides able to regulate cell activity. In this review, we summarize some data obtained in our laboratory with two different matrikines: the tripeptide glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK) and the heptapeptide cysteinyl-asparaginyl-tyrosyl-tyrosyl-seryl-asparaginyl-serine (CNYYSNS). GHK is a potent activator of ECM synthesis and remodeling, whereas CNYYSNS is able to inhibit polymorphonuclear leukocytes activation and decrease the invasive capacities of cancer cells.