Two Barriers or not? Dynamic Force Spectroscopy on the Integrin α7β1\alpha_7\beta_1 Invasin Complex

AbstractDynamic force spectroscopy was used to test force-induced dissociation of the complex between the integrin α7β1 and the bacterial protein invasin. Both proteins were used in truncated forms comprising the respective binding sites. Using the biomembrane force-probe, the bond system was exposed to 14 different loading rates ranging from 18 pN/s to 5.3 nN/s. At each rate, bond rupture spectra were collected. Median forces ranged from 8 to 72 pN. These showed two linear regimes when plotted against the logarithm of the force-loading rate. However, a statistical analysis of the full rupture force spectra including the detection limits of the setup showed that all measured data are well described by dissociation over a single barrier

Endothelial endoglin is involved in inflammation: role in leukocyte adhesion and transmigration

Human endoglin is an RGD-containing transmembrane glycoprotein identified in vascular endothelial cells. Although endoglin is essential for angiogenesis and its expression is up-regulated in inflammation and at sites of leukocyte extravasation, its role in leukocyte trafficking is unknown. This function was tested in endoglin heterozygous mice (Eng+/-) and their wild-type siblings Eng+/+ treated with carrageenan or LPS as inflammatory agents. Both stimuli showed that inflammation-induced leukocyte transendothelial migration to peritoneum or lungs was significantly lower in Eng+/- than in Eng+/+ mice. Leukocyte transmigration through cell monolayers of endoglin transfectants was clearly enhanced in the presence of endoglin. Coating transwells with the RGD-containing extracellular domain of endoglin, enhanced leukocyte transmigration, and this increased motility was inhibited by soluble endoglin. Leukocytes stimulated with CXCL12, a chemokine involved in inflammation, strongly adhered to endoglincoated plates and to endoglin-expressing endothelial cells. This endoglin-dependent adhesion was abolished by soluble endoglin, RGD peptides, the anti-integrin α5β1 inhibitory antibody LIA1/2 and the chemokine receptor inhibitor AMD3100. These results demonstrate for the first time that endothelial endoglin interacts with leukocyte integrin α5β1 via its RGD motif, and this adhesion process is stimulated by the inflammatory chemokine CXCL12, suggesting a regulatory role for endoglin in transendothelial leukocyte trafficking. © 2013 by The American Society of Hematology.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of Spain (SAF2010-61 827, SAF2010-15 881); Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER); Red de Investigacion Cooperativa en Enfermedades Renales (REDINDEN)Peer Reviewe