Role of Integrin Receptors for Fibronectin, Collagen and Laminin in the Regulation of Ovarian Carcinoma Functions in Response to a Matrix Microenvironment

Abstract
Integrins play an important role in cellular matrix interactions requisite for cancer cell adhesion, growth, migration and invasion. In this study, we have investigated the expression of integrin subunits α3, α6, αv and β1 in normal ovaries, benign ovarian tumors and ovarian carcinomas of different pathological grades. The expression of these integrins in ovarian cancer cell lines was also investigated, and their role in sustaining proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion in cohort with the activation of signaling pathways in response to extracellular matrices (ECM) was evaluated. We demonstrate a differential expression pattern of α3, α6, αv and β1 integrin subunits in ovarian carcinomas compared to normal ovaries and benign ovarian tumors. Ovarian cancer cell lines (Hey, Ovcar3 and Peo.36) demonstrated significantly high expression of α3, α6, αv and β1 integrin subunits. A significant increase in proliferation and adhesion (PPin vivo.