Integrins are Mechanosensors That Modulate Human Eosinophil Activation

High matrix stiffness accelerates migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the integrin β1-Plectin-F-actin axis

BACKGROUND

Abundant research indicates that increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness significantly enhances the malignant characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Plectin, an essential cytoskeletal linker protein, has recently emerged as a promoter of cancer progression, particularly in the context of cancer cell invasion and metastasis. However, the responsiveness of plectin to changes in ECM stiffness and its impact on HCC progression remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether plectin responds to variations in ECM stiffness and to explore its involved molecular mechanisms in regulating HCC cell migration.

RESULTS

Our results showed that, when compared with control group (7 kPa), high ECM stiffness (53 kPa) boosts HCC cell migration by upregulating plectin and integrin β1 expression and increasing F-actin polymerization. Knockdown of integrin β1 negated the high stiffness-upregulated plectin expression. Furthermore, reducing either plectin or integrin β1 levels, or using latrunculin A, effectively prevented the high ECM stiffness-induced F-actin polymerization and HCC cell migration.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that integrin β1-plectin-F-actin axis is necessary for high matrix stiffness-driven migration of HCC cells, and provide evidence for the critical role of plectin in mechanotransduction in HCC cells.

Stiffness regulates dendritic cell and macrophage subtype development and increased stiffness induces a tumor-associated macrophage phenotype in cancer co-cultures

Mechanical properties of tissues including their stiffness change throughout our lives, during both healthy development but also during chronic diseases like cancer. How changes to stiffness, occurring during cancer progression, impact leukocytes is unknown. To address this, myeloid phenotypes resulting from mono- and cancer co-cultures of primary murine and human myeloid cells on 2D and 3D hydrogels with varying stiffnesses were analyzed. On soft hydrogels, conventional DCs (cDCs) developed, whereas on stiff hydrogels plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) developed. Soft substrates promoted T cell proliferation and activation, while phagocytosis was increased on stiffer substrates. Cell populations expressing macrophage markers CD14, Ly6C, and CD16 also increased on stiff hydrogels. In cancer co-cultures, CD86+ populations decreased on higher stiffnesses across four different cancer types. High stiffness also led to increased vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and CD206 expression; 'M2' markers expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Indeed, the majority of CD11c+ cells expressed CD206 across human cancer models. Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway led to a decrease in CD206+ cells in murine cultures only, while human CD86+ cells increased. Increased stiffness in cancer could, thus, lead to the dysregulation of infiltrating myeloid cells and shift their phenotypes towards a M2-like TAM phenotype, thereby actively enabling tumor progression. Additionally, stiffness-dependent intracellular signaling appears extremely cell context-dependent, potentially contributing to the high failure rate of clinical trials.

Talin mechanotransduction in disease

Talin protein (Talin 1/2) is a mechanosensitive cytoskeleton protein. The unique structure of the Talin plays a vital role in transmitting mechanical forces. Talin proteins connect the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton by linking to integrins and actin, thereby mediating the conversion of mechanical signals into biochemical signals and influencing disease progression as potential diagnostic indicators, therapeutic targets, and prognostic indicators of various diseases. Most studies in recent years have confirmed that mechanical forces also have a crucial role in the development of disease, and Talin has been found to play a role in several diseases. Still, more studies need to be done on how Talin is involved in mechanical signaling in disease. This review focuses on the mechanical signaling of Talin in disease, aiming to summarize the mechanisms by which Talin plays a role in disease and to provide references for further studies.

α4β1 and αMβ2 Integrin Expression and Pro-Proliferative Properties of Eosinophil Subtypes in Asthma

Eosinophilic inflammation is one of the main pathophysiological features in asthma. Two subtypes of eosinophils exist in the lung and systemic circulation: lung-resident eosinophils (rEOS) and inflammatory eosinophils (iEOS). We evaluated the expression of α₄β₁ and α_Mβ₂ integrins of eosinophil subtypes and their influence on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation and viability in asthma. We included 16 severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients, 13 steroid-free, non-severe allergic asthma (AA) patients, and 12 healthy control subjects (HS). For AA patients, a bronchial allergen challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was performed. The eosinophil subtypes were distinguished using magnetic bead-labeled antibodies against surface CD62L, and individual combined cell cultures were prepared with ASM cells. The integrins gene expression was analyzed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Proliferation was assessed by the Alamar blue assay, and viability by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. rEOS-like cells were characterized by the relatively higher gene expression of the β₁ integrin subunit, whereas iEOS-like cells were characterized by the α_M and β₂ integrin subunits. The inclusion of either eosinophil subtypes in co-culture significantly increased the proliferation of ASM cells, and the effect of rEOS-like cells was stronger than iEOS-like cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, rEOS-like cells had a more pronounced effect on reducing ASM cell apoptosis compared to that of iEOS-like cells (p < 0.05). Lastly, the bronchial allergen challenge significantly enhanced only the iEOS-like cells’ effect on ASM cell proliferation and viability in AA patients (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the different expression of α₄β₁ and α_Mβ₂ integrins on distinct eosinophil subtypes in asthma. Therefore, rEOS-like cells have a stronger effect in stimulating ASM cell proliferation and viability; however, contact with specific allergens mainly enhances pro-proliferative iEOS-like cell properties.

The Cycling of Intracellular Calcium Released in Response to Fluid Shear Stress Is Critical for Migration-Associated Actin Reorganization in Eosinophils

The magnitude of eosinophil mobilization into respiratory tissues drives the severity of inflammation in several airway diseases. In classical models of leukocyte extravasation, surface integrins undergo conformational switches to high-affinity states via chemokine binding activation. Recently, we learned that eosinophil integrins possess mechanosensitive properties that detect fluid shear stress, which alone was sufficient to induce activation. This mechanical stimulus triggered intracellular calcium release and hallmark migration-associated cytoskeletal reorganization including flattening for increased cell–substratum contact area and pseudopodia formation. The present study utilized confocal fluorescence microscopy to investigate the effects of pharmacological inhibitors to calcium signaling and actin polymerization pathways on shear stress-induced migration in vitro. Morphological changes (cell elongation, membrane protrusions) succeeded the calcium flux in untreated eosinophils within 2 min, suggesting that calcium signaling was upstream of actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. The inhibition of ryanodine receptors and endomembrane Ca²⁺-ATPases corroborated this idea, indicated by a significant increase in time between the calcium spike and actin polymerization. The impact of the temporal link is evident as the capacity of treated eosinophils to move across fibronectin-coated surfaces was significantly hampered relative to untreated eosinophils. Furthermore, we determined that the nature of cellular motility in response to fluid shear stress was nondirectional.

Blood Eosinophils Subtypes and Their Survivability in Asthma Patients

Eosinophils subtypes as lung-resident (rEOS) and inflammatory (iEOS) eosinophils are different in surface protein expression, functions, response to IL-5 and localization in lungs. rEOS- and iEOS-like eosinophils are found in blood; thus, we aimed to investigate their quantity and survivability in asthma patients. A total of 40 individuals were included: 10 steroid-free non-severe allergic asthma (AA), and 18 severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients, the control group consisted of 12 healthy non-smoking subjects (HS). A bronchial challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronysinnus allergen was performed for AA patients and HS. Blood eosinophils subtyping was completed with magnetic beads' conjugated antibodies against surface CD62L. Eosinophils adhesion to hTERT airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells was measured by evaluating their peroxidase activity and viability by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. We found that the predominant blood eosinophil subtype in AA patients was iEOS, while rEOS prevailed in SNEA patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, rEOS demonstrated higher adhesion intensity compared with iEOS in all investigated groups. Both eosinophils subtypes of SNEA patients had higher survivability over the AA group. However, iEOS survivability from AA and SNEA groups was higher compared with rEOS under standard conditions, when rEOS survivability increased after their incubation with ASM cells. Bronchial allergen challenge abolished the dominance of blood iEOS in AA patients and prolonged only iEOS survivability. Though the challenge did not affect the adhesion of any eosinophils subtypes, the direct dependence of rEOS and iEOS survivability on their interaction with ASM cells was revealed (p < 0.05). These findings provide the premise for eosinophils subtype-oriented asthma treatment.

The eosinophil actin cytoskeleton undergoes rapid rearrangement in response to fluid shear stress

The regulatory processes involved in eosinophil trafficking into tissues are poorly understood; therefore, it is crucial to elucidate these mechanisms to advance the quality of clinical care for patients with eosinophil-mediated diseases. The complex interactions between eosinophil integrin receptors and their corresponding ligands on the post-capillary venules of the bronchial endothelium result in distinct modifications to the cytoskeletal architecture that occur in coordinated, temporally regulated sequences. The current study utilizes real-time confocal microscopy and time-based immunofluorescence staining to further characterize the effects of physiologically relevant fluid shear stress on this novel phenomenon of perfusion-induced calcium response. We found that the mere perfusion of fluid over adhered human eosinophils induced a release of intracellular calcium observed in conjunction with changes in cell morphology (flattening onto the coverslip surface, an increase in surface area, and a loss of circularity), suggesting a previously unknown mechanosensing aspect of eosinophil migration out of the vasculature. Although changes in morphology and degree of calcium release remained consistent across varying perfusion rates, the latency of the response was highly dependent on the degree of shear stresses. Eosinophils were fixed post-perfusion at specific timepoints for immunofluorescence staining to track proteins of interest over time. The distribution of proteins was diffuse throughout the cell prior to perfusion; however, they quickly localized to the periphery of the cell within 5 min. The actin cytoskeleton became markedly built up at the cell edges rapidly after stimulation, forming punctate dots by 4 min, suggesting a pivotal role in directed cell motility.

In Vivo Allergen-Activated Eosinophils Promote Collagen I and Fibronectin Gene Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells via TGF-β1 Signaling Pathway in Asthma

Eosinophils infiltration and releasing TGF-β1 in the airways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, especially during acute episodes provoked by an allergen. TGF-β1 is a major mediator involved in pro-inflammatory responses and fibrotic tissue remodeling in asthma. We aimed to evaluate the effect of in vivo allergen-activated eosinophils on the expression of COL1A1 and FN in ASM cells in asthma. A total of 12 allergic asthma patients and 11 healthy subjects were examined. All study subjects underwent bronchial challenge with D. pteronyssinus allergen. Eosinophils from peripheral blood were isolated before and 24 h after the bronchial allergen challenge using high-density centrifugation and magnetic separation. Individual co-cultures of blood eosinophils and immortalized human ASM cells were prepared. The TGF-β1 concentration in culture supernatants was analyzed using ELISA. Gene expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Eosinophils integrins were suppressed with linear RGDS peptide before co-culture with ASM cells. Results: The expression of TGF-β1 in asthmatic eosinophils significantly increased over non-activated asthmatic eosinophils after allergen challenge, p < 0.001. The TGF-β1 concentration in culture supernatants was significantly higher in samples with allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils compared to baseline, p < 0.05. The effect of allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils on the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A1, and FN in ASM cells was more significant compared to non-activated eosinophils, p < 0.05, however, no difference was found on WNT-5A expression. The incubation of allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils with RGDS peptide was more effective compared to non-activated eosinophils as the gene expression in ASM cells was downregulated equally to the same level as healthy eosinophils.

The Enhanced Adhesion of Eosinophils Is Associated with Their Prolonged Viability and Pro-Proliferative Effect in Asthma

Before eosinophils migrate into the bronchial lumen, they promote airway structural changes after contact with pulmonary cells and extracellular matrix components. We aimed to investigate the impact of eosinophil adhesion to their viability and pro-proliferative effect on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and pulmonary fibroblasts during different asthma phenotypes. A total of 39 individuals were included: 14 steroid-free non-severe allergic asthma (AA) patients, 10 severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients, and 15 healthy control subjects (HS). For AA patients and HS groups, a bronchial allergen challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronysinnus was performed. Individual combined cells cultures were prepared between isolated peripheral blood eosinophils and ASM cells or pulmonary fibroblasts. Eosinophil adhesion was measured by evaluating their peroxidase activity, cell viability was performed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining, and proliferation by Alamar blue assay. We found that increased adhesion of eosinophils was associated with prolonged viability (p < 0.05) and an enhanced pro-proliferative effect on ASM cells and pulmonary fibroblasts in asthma (p < 0.05). However, eosinophils from SNEA patients demonstrated higher viability and inhibition of pulmonary structural cell apoptosis, compared to the AA group (p < 0.05), while their adhesive and pro-proliferative properties were similar. Finally, in the AA group, in vivo allergen-activated eosinophils demonstrated a higher adhesion, viability, and pro-proliferative effect on pulmonary structural cells compared to non-activated eosinophils (p < 0.05).

DS-70, a novel and potent α4 integrin antagonist, is an effective treatment for experimental allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation that involves the infiltration of immune cells into the conjunctiva via cell surface-adhesion receptors, such as integrin α₄ β₁ . These receptors interact with adhesion molecules expressed on the conjunctival endothelium and may be a target to treat this disease. We synthesized DS-70, a novel α/β-peptidomimetic α₄ integrin antagonist, to prevent the conjunctival infiltration of immune cells and clinical symptoms in a model of allergic conjunctivitis.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In vitro, DS-70 was pharmacologically characterized using a scintillation proximity procedure to measure its affinity for α₄ β₁ integrin, and its effect on cell adhesion mediated by different integrins was also evaluated. The effects of DS-70 on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-mediated degranulation of a human mast cell line and an eosinophilic cell line, which both express α₄ β₁ , and on VCAM-1-mediated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in Jurkat E6.1 cells were investigated. Effects of DS-70 administered in the conjunctival fornix of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated.

KEY RESULTS

DS-70 bound to integrin α₄ β₁ with nanomolar affinity, prevented the adhesion of α₄ integrin-expressing cells, antagonized VCAM-1-mediated degranulation of mast cells and eosinophils and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Only 20% was degraded after an 8 h incubation with serum. DS-70 dose-dependently reduced the clinical symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival α₄ integrin expression and conjunctival levels of chemokines and cytokines in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings highlight the role of α₄ integrin in allergic conjunctivitis and suggest that DS-70 is a potential treatment for this condition.

Suppression of Eosinophil Integrins Prevents Remodeling of Airway Smooth Muscle in Asthma

Background: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling is an important component of the structural changes to airways seen in asthma. Eosinophils are the prominent inflammatory cells in asthma, and there is some evidence that they contribute to ASM remodeling via released mediators and direct contact through integrin-ligand interactions. Eosinophils express several types of outer membrane integrin, which are responsible for cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. In our previous study we demonstrated that asthmatic eosinophils show increased adhesion to ASM cells and it may be important factor contributing to ASM remodeling in asthma. According to these findings, in the present study we investigated the effects of suppression of eosinophil integrin on eosinophil-induced ASM remodeling in asthma. Materials and Methods: Individual combined cell cultures of immortalized human ASM cells and eosinophils from peripheral blood of 22 asthmatic patients and 17 healthy controls were prepared. Eosinophil adhesion was evaluated using eosinophil peroxidase activity assay. Genes expression levels in ASM cells and eosinophils were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. ASM cell proliferation was measured using alamarBlue® solution. Eosinophil integrins were blocked by incubating with Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptide. Results: Eosinophils from the asthma group showed increased outer membrane α4β1 and αMβ2 integrin expression, increased adhesion to ASM cells, and overexpression of TGF-β1 compared with eosinophils from the healthy control group. Blockade of eosinophil RGD-binding integrins by Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptide significantly reduced adhesion of eosinophils to ASM cells in both groups. Integrin-blocking decreased the effects of eosinophils on TGF-β1, WNT-5a, and extracellular matrix protein gene expression in ASM cells and ASM cell proliferation in both groups. These effects were more pronounced in the asthma group compared with the control group. Conclusion: Suppression of eosinophil-ASM interaction via RGD-binding integrins attenuates eosinophil-induced ASM remodeling in asthma. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02648074.