Extracellular Engagement of α6 Integrin Inhibited Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator–Mediated Cleavage and Delayed Human Prostate Bone Metastasis

MO Ports, RB Nagle, GD Pond, AE Cress - Cancer research, 2009 - AACR
MO Ports, RB Nagle, GD Pond, AE Cress
Cancer research, 2009AACR
Expression of α6 integrin, a laminin receptor, on tumor cell surfaces is associated with
reduced patient survival and increased metastasis in a variety of tumors. In prostate cancer,
tumor extracapsular escape occurs in part via laminin-coated nerves and vascular
dissemination, resulting in clinically significant bone metastases. We previously identified a
novel form of α6 integrin, called α6p, generated by urokinase-type plasminogen activator-
dependent cleavage of the laminin-binding domain from the tumor cell surface. Cleavage …
Abstract
Expression of α6 integrin, a laminin receptor, on tumor cell surfaces is associated with reduced patient survival and increased metastasis in a variety of tumors. In prostate cancer, tumor extracapsular escape occurs in part via laminin-coated nerves and vascular dissemination, resulting in clinically significant bone metastases. We previously identified a novel form of α6 integrin, called α6p, generated by urokinase-type plasminogen activator-dependent cleavage of the laminin-binding domain from the tumor cell surface. Cleavage increased laminin-dependent migration. Currently, we used the known conformation sensitivity of integrin function to determine if engagement of the extracellular domain inhibited integrin cleavage and the extravasation step of metastasis. We show that α6 integrin was present on prostate carcinoma escaping the gland via nerves. Both endogenous and inducible levels of α6p were inhibited by engaging the extracellular domain of α6 with monoclonal antibody J8H. J8H inhibited tumor cell invasion through Matrigel. A severe combined immunodeficient mouse model of extravasation and bone metastasis produced detectable, progressive osteolytic lesions within 3 weeks of intracardiac injections. Injection of tumor cells, pretreated with J8H, delayed the appearance of metastases. Validation of the α6 cleavage effect on extravasation was confirmed through a genetic approach using tumor cells transfected with uncleavable α6 integrin. Uncleavable α6 integrin significantly delayed the onset and progression of osseous metastases out to six weeks post-injection. The results suggest that α6 integrin cleavage permits extravasation of human prostate cancer cells from circulation to bone and can be manipulated to prevent metastasis. [Cancer Res 2009;69(12):5007–14]
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