Moieties of Complement iC3b Recognized by the I-domain of Integrin αXβ2.

Complement fragment iC3b serves as a major opsonin for facilitating phagocytosis via its interaction with complement receptors CR3 and CR4, also known by their leukocyte integrin family names, αMβ2 and αXβ2, respectively. Although there is general agreement that iC3b binds to the αM and αX I-domains of the respective β2-integrins, much less is known regarding the regions of iC3b contributing to the αX I-domain binding. In this study, using recombinant αX I-domain, as well as recombinant fragments of iC3b as candidate binding partners, we have identified two distinct binding moieties of iC3b for the αX I-domain.

Fibronectin and vitronectin induce AP-1-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression through integrin α(5)β(1)/α(v)β(3)-dependent Akt, ERK and JNK signaling pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which selectively degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), is critical in angiogenesis. Conversely, changes in ECM composition/structure alter the expression and activity of MMPs in various cell types. In the present study, we examined whether changes in ECM composition affect MMPs expression/activity of endothelial cells and thereby alter the surrounding ECM structure.

Characterization of the residues of αX I-domain and ICAM-1 mediating their interactions.

Integrin αXβ2 performs a significant role in leukocyte functions including phagocytosis and migration, and binds to a variety of ligands, including fibrinogen, iC3b, and ICAM-1. A particular domain of the α subunit of the integrin - the αX I-domain - is a ligand binding site, and the interaction of the αX I-domain and ICAM-1 on the endothelium is an important step in leukocyte extravasation. In order to elucidate the structural aspects of this interaction, we defined the moieties of the αX and ICAM-1 relevant to their interaction in this study.

A point mutation in KINDLIN3 ablates activation of three integrin subfamilies in humans.

Monogenic deficiency diseases provide unique opportunities to define the contributions of individual molecules to human physiology and to identify pathologies arising from their dysfunction. Here we describe a deficiency disease in two human siblings that presented with severe bleeding, frequent infections and osteopetrosis at an early age. These symptoms are consistent with but more severe than those reported for people with leukocyte adhesion deficiency III (LAD-III).

Identification of critical residues for plasminogen binding by the alphaX I-domain of the beta2 integrin, alphaXbeta2.

The beta2 integrins on leukocytes play important roles in cell adhesion, migration and phagocytosis. One of the beta2 integrins, alphaXbeta2 (CD11c/CD18), is known to bind ligands such as fibrinogen, Thy-1 and iC3b, but its function is not well characterized. To understand its biological roles, we attempted to identify novel ligands.

Critical residues of alphaX I-domain recognizing fibrinogen central domain.

Integrin alphaXbeta2 (CD11c/CD18), which binds several ligands such as fibrinogen and iC3b, has important roles in leukocyte functions including phagocytosis and migration. Establishment of structure and functional relationship in alphaX I-domain, which is a ligand-binding moiety, is important in understanding leukocyte biology and integrin function. Previously we showed that two loops (alpha3-alpha4, betaD-alpha5) around a ligand-binding face of alphaX I-domain are important for the binding of the fibrinogen molecule.

Characterization of alphaX I-domain binding to Thy-1.

The beta2 integrins are found exclusively in leukocytes and they are composed of a common beta chain, CD18, and one of four unique alpha chains, CD11a (alphaL subunit), CD11b (alphaM subunit), CD11c (alphaX subunit), or CD11d (alphaD subunit). alphaX-beta2 which binds several ligands including fibrinogen and iC3b is expressed in monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells playing an important role in the host defense. Despite the unique characteristics on expression and regulation, alphaX-beta2 is less functionally characterized than other beta2 integrins.