Integrin ?6 expression in human prostate carcinoma cells is associated with a migratory and invasive phenotypein vitro andin vivo

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cell adhesion and migration are important features in tumor invasion, being mediated in part by integrins (extracellular matrix receptors). Integrins are significantly decreased in human prostate cancer. An exception is α6 integrin (laminin receptor) which persists during prostate tumor progression. We have selected high (DU-H) and low (DU-L) expressors of α6 integrin from a human prostate tumor cell line, DU145, to assess experimentally the importance of α6 integrin in tumor invasion. DU-H cells exhibited a four-fold increased expression of α6 integrin on the surface compared to DU-L cells. Both cell types contained similar amounts of α3 and α5 integrin. The DU-H cells contained α6 subunits complexed with both the β1 and β4 subunits whereas DU-L cells contained α6 complexed only with β4. DU-H cells were three times more mobile on laminin as compared to DU-L, but adhered similarly on laminin. Adhesion and migration were inhibited with anti-α6 antibody. Each subline was injected intraperitoneally into SCID mice to test its invasive potential. Results showed greater invasion of DU-H compared to DU-L cells, with increased expression of a6 integrin on the tumor at the areas of invasion. These data suggest that α6 integrin expression is advantageous for prostate tumor cell invasion.