Laminins 411 and 421 differentially promote tumor cell migration via α6ß1 integrin and MCAM (CD146).

α4-laminins, such as laminins 411 and 421, are mesenchymal laminins expressed by blood and lymphatic vessels and some tumor cells. Laminin-411 promotes migration of leukocytes and endothelial cells, but the effect of this laminin and laminin-421 on tumor cells is poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that laminin-411 and, to a greater extent, laminin-421 significantly promote migration of tumor cells originated from melanomas, gliomas and different carcinomas via α6ß1 integrin. In solid-phase binding assays, both laminins similarly bound α6ß1 integrin but only laminin-421, among several laminin isoforms, readily bound MCAM (CD146), a cell-surface adhesion molecule strongly associated with tumor progression. Accordingly, a function-blocking mAb to MCAM inhibited tumor cell migration on laminin-421 but not on laminins 411 or 521. In tumor tissues, melanoma cells co-expressed MCAM, laminin α4, ß1, ß2 and γ1 chains, and integrin α6 and ß1 chains. The present data highlight the novel role of α4-laminins in tumor cell migration and identify laminin-421 as a primary ligand for MCAM and a putative mediator of tumor invasion and metastasis.

Monoclonal antibodies to human laminin α4 chain globular domain inhibit tumor cell adhesion and migration on laminins 411 and 421, and binding of α6ß1 integrin and MCAM to α4-laminins.

α4-Laminins, such as laminins 411 and 421, are mesenchymal laminins expressed by vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, leukocytes and other normal cell types. These laminins are recognized by α6ß1 and α6ß4 integrins and MCAM (CD146), and promote adhesion and migration of the cells. α4-Laminins are also expressed and secreted by some tumor cells and strongly promote tumor cell migration. Moreover, the abluminal side of blood and/or lymphatic vessels and the nerve perineurium, common tracks of tumor cell dissemination, express α4-laminins, and these laminin isoforms, when expressed in the stroma, may contribute to tumor invasion. In the present study, we examined ten mAbs to human laminin α4 chain for their reactivity with the isolated laminin α4 globular domain, their ability to inhibit tumor cell adhesion and migration on laminins 411 and 421, and their effect on the binding of α6ß1 integrin and MCAM to both α4-laminins. Most of the mAbs reacted with the laminin α4 globular domain, but only two, mAbs FC10 and 084, significantly inhibited tumor cell adhesion and migration on laminin-411. When used in combination, these antibodies practically abolished the cell adhesion and migration on laminin-411 and significantly reduced the cellular responses on laminin-421. Accordingly, mAbs FC10 and 084 significantly inhibited the binding of purified α6ß1 integrin and MCAM to laminins 411 and 421. These results indicate that mAbs to the laminin α4 globular domain are able to inhibit tumor cell adhesion and migration on laminins 411 and 421, and that α6ß1 integrin and MCAM bind α4-laminins at very close sites on the globular domain. These reagents contribute to a better understanding of the biology of α4-laminins and may have a therapeutic potential in malignant and inflammatory diseases.

A novel monoclonal antibody to human laminin α5 chain strongly inhibits integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration on laminins 511 and 521.

Laminins, a large family of αßγ heterotrimeric proteins mainly found in basement membranes, are strong promoters of adhesion and migration of multiple cell types, such as tumor and immune cells, via several integrin receptors. Among laminin α (LMα) chains, α5 displays the widest tissue distribution in adult life and is synthesized by most cell types. Here, we have generated and characterized five novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the human LMα5 chain to further study the biological relevance of α5 laminins, such as laminins 511 (α5ß1γ1) and 521 (α5ß2γ1). As detected by ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, each antibody displayed unique properties when compared to mAb 4C7, the prototype LMα5 antibody. Of greatest interest, mAb 8G9, but not any other antibody, strongly inhibited α3ß1/α6ß1 integrin-mediated adhesion and migration of glioma, melanoma, and carcinoma cells on laminin-511 and, together with mAb 4C7, on laminin-521. Accordingly, mAb 8G9 abolished the interaction of soluble α3ß1 integrin with immobilized laminins 511 and 521. Binding of mAb 8G9 to laminin-511 was unaffected by the other mAbs to the LMα5 chain but largely hindered by mAb 4E10 to a LMß1 chain epitope near the globular domain of laminin-511. Thus, mAb 8G9 defines a novel epitope localized at or near the integrin-binding globular domain of the LMα5 chain, which is essential for cell adhesion and migration, and identifies a potential therapeutic target in malignant and inflammatory diseases.

Melanoma cells produce multiple laminin isoforms and strongly migrate on α5 laminin(s) via several integrin receptors.

Melanoma cells express and interact with laminins (LMs) and other basement membrane components during invasion and metastasis. In the present study we have investigated the production and migration-promoting activity of laminin isoforms in melanoma. Immunohistochemistry of melanoma specimens and immunoprecipitation/western blotting of melanoma cell lines indicated expression of laminin-111/121, laminin-211, laminin-411/421, and laminin-511/521. Laminin-332 was not detected. In functional assays, laminin-111, laminin-332, and laminin-511, but not laminin-211 and laminin-411, strongly promoted haptotactic cell migration either constitutively or following stimulation with insulin-like growth factors. Both placenta and recombinant laminin-511 preparations were highly active, and the isolated recombinant IVa domain of LMα5 also promoted cell migration. Function-blocking antibodies in cell migration assays revealed α6ß1 integrin as the major receptor for laminin-111, and both α3ß1 and α6ß1 integrins for laminin-332 and laminin-511. In contrast, isolated LMα5 IVa domain-promoted melanoma cell migration was largely mediated via αVß3 integrin and inhibited by RGD peptides. Given the ubiquitous expression of α5 laminins in melanoma cells and in melanoma-target tissues/anatomical structures, as well as the strong migration-promoting activity of these laminin isoforms, the α5 laminins emerge as putative primary extracellular matrix mediators of melanoma invasion and metastasis via α3ß1 and other integrin receptors.

Preventing hypoxia/reoxygenation damage to hepatocytes by p66(shc) ablation: up-regulation of anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic proteins.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemia/reperfusion damage to the liver remains a serious concern in many clinical situations. Major mechanisms for this certainly include oxidative stress. METHODS: The effects of ablating the p66 isoform of ShcA (p66(shc)) on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative stress and cell injury in hepatocytes were investigated. RESULTS: Immediately after reoxygenation, AML12 cells were clearly under oxidative stress; many cells underwent apoptosis. However, knockdown of p66(shc) by specific RNAi markedly decreased cellular oxidative stress and H/R-induced apoptosis, as well as conferring resistance to H(2)O(2) insult. These data suggest that prevention of apoptosis conferred by ablation of p66(shc) results from changed ROS-scavenging, but not inhibition of ROS generation. These data were also confirmed in fibroblasts from p66(shc) knockout mice. Anti-oxidant molecules, such as MnSOD and Ref-1 and the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-xL were up-regulated, and pro-apoptotic FLICE was down-regulated, by ablation of p66(shc). Interestingly, catalase expression was not affected in p66(shc)-knockdown-AML12 cells although it is a major target in other cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in hepatocytes, ablation of p66(shc) is cytoprotective against H/R-induced oxidative stress, with MnSOD and Ref-1 playing critical roles, and with up-regulation of Bcl-xL and down-regulation of FLICE contributing jointly to preventing cells from undergoing oxidant-induced apoptosis.

Identification of de novo STAT3 target gene in liver regeneration.

UNLABELLED: The process of liver regeneration is regulated by complex mechanisms. Although signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), a transcription factor which targets mainly mitotic genes, definitely plays an important role in liver regeneration, the exact roles of STAT3 are not completely understood. AIM: In this report, we tried to search for a new target of STAT3 involved in liver regeneration in mice. METHODS: We generated liver-specific STAT3 knockout (L-S3KO) mice and a STAT3 knockout cell line of mouse origin. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we screened 12 genes to which STAT3 binds after partial hepatectomy (PH). Of these genes, we analyzed the S3-IE3 clone that is located on chromosome-3 and possesses STAT3 binding sites in it. RESULTS: We showed that STAT3 binds to a specific site on S3-IE3, and that interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulates its transcriptional activity. The mRNA and protein levels of the net gene, which is located downstream of S3-IE3, were negatively regulated in the control cells, but not in the STAT3 knockout cells after IL-6 stimulation. Similarly in in vivo mouse PH, the mRNA and protein levels of net were also negatively regulated after PH, but not in L-S3KO mice. CONCLUSION: The net gene is located downstream of a newly-recognized STAT3 binding site (S3-IE3) and negatively regulated after IL-6 stimulation and PH, although its role is still unclear.

Mucous and ciliated cell metaplasia in epithelial linings of odontogenic inflammatory and developmental cysts.

The incidence of mucous and ciliated cells in epithelial linings was examined among odontogenic inflammatory cysts (radicular cysts) and developmental cysts (dentigerous and primordial cysts). Mucous cells were found in 20.8% of all cysts examined, while ciliated cells were found in 11.4%; however, ciliated cells were always accompanied by mucous cells. The incidence of mucous cells in radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts and that of ciliated cells in radicular cysts was higher in the maxilla than in the mandible, while the incidence of mucous cells in primordial cysts and that of ciliated cells in dentigerous cysts and primordial cysts was higher in the mandible than in the maxilla. The present results regarding mucous cells and ciliated cells in the epithelial linings of intraosseous odontogenic cysts indicate a metaplasic origin, but the cause and biological significance of this phenomenon is not known. Mucous cells were present in the surface layer of epithelial linings, and intraepithelial gland-like structures lined with mucous cells were observed in the hyperplastic regions of epithelial linings of several radicular and dentigerous cysts. Such gland-like structures lined by mucous cells in the thickened epithelial lining, which have not been demonstrated previously, resembled the glandular structures of "glandular odontogenic cysts".

Latent form of multiple dermoid cysts in the jaw bone.

Dermoid cysts of the jaw are exceedingly rare, and only six such cases have been documented. The present paper reports a case with multiple microcysts showing histological characteristics of dermoid cyst in the surgically resected mandibular bone. These cysts were located near the inferior border of the mandibular bone, and histologically composed of an inner thin layer of squamous epithelium with marked hyperorthokeratinization and an outer layer of fibrous tissue containing numerous mature sebaceous glands. In addition, a hair follicle-like epithelial sphere was seen in part. The present microcysts suggest that it arises de novo, and one possible cause of jaw cysts could be sequestration of the stomadeal ectoderm that may have been trapped deep in the surface and embedded in the developing mandibular bone during embryogenesis. It may not be possible that such cysts developed from the odontogenic epithelial remnant undergoing dermoid metaplasia.

Sialolith of the submandibular gland with bone formation.

An unusual case of sialolith with bone formation, occurring in the submandibular gland of a 33-year-old woman, is reported. In addition to the irregularly laminated structure of sialolith, sparsely scattered foci of bone tissue were found. Some of them were mature, lamellar bone with lacunae containing osteocytes, endosteum and a bone marrow-like element. Others were immature bone associated with or without multinucleated giant cells. Foci of bone tissue were in contact with caliculi or fibrous tissue, and no epithelial component was seen around them. These observations suggest that bone formation in the present case may be in the nature of pathological ossification, and that in the earlier stage, the bone that is deposited is woven and is replaced through successive remodeling cycles by lamellar bone. This is the first case of sialolith with bone formation, although sialolithiasis is a common disease of the salivary glands.