Novel function for β1 integrins in keratinocyte cell-cell interactions

Abstract

We have examined the expression, localization, and function of β1 integrins on cultured human epidermal keratinocytes using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the β1, α2, α3, and α5 integrin subunits. The β1 polypeptide, common to all class 1 integrins, was localized primarily in areas of cell-cell contacts of cultured keratinocytes, as were α2 and α3 polypeptides, suggesting a possible role in cell-cell adhesion for these integrin polypeptides. In contrast, the fibronectin receptor α5 subunit showed no such accumulations in regions of cell-cell contact but was more diffusely distributed in the keratinocyte plasma membrane, consistent with the absence of fibronectin at cell-cell contact sites. Colonies of cultured keratinocytes could be dissociated by treatment with monoclonal antibody specific to the β1 polypeptide. Such dissociation of cell-cell contacts also occurred under conditions where the monoclonal antibody had no effect on cell-substrate adhesion. Therefore, β1 integrin-dependent cell-cell adhesion can be inhibited without affecting other cell-adhesive interactions. Antibody treatment of keratinocytes maintained in either low (0.15 mM) or high (1.2 mM) CaCl2 also resulted in the loss of organization of intracellular F-actin filaments and β1 integrins, even when the anti-β1 monoclonal antibody had no dissociating effect on keratinocyte colonies at the higher calcium concentration. Our results indicate that β1 integrins play roles in the maintenance of cell-cell contacts between keratinocytes and in the organization of intracellular microfilaments. They suggest that in epithelial cells integrins can function in cell-cell interactions as well as in cell-substrate adhesion.