Laminin-10 and Lutheran blood group glycoproteins in adhesion of human endothelial cells

Abstract

Laminin α5-chain, a constituent of laminins-10 and -11, is expressed in endothelial basement membranes. In this study we evaluated the roles of α5 laminins and Lutheran blood group glycoproteins (Lu), recently identified receptors of the laminin α5-chain, in the adhesion of human dermal microvascular and pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry showed that the endothelial cells spread on laminin-10 and formed fibronectin-positive fibrillar adhesion structures. Immunoprecipitation results suggested that the cells produced fibronectin, which they could use as adhesion substratum, during the adhesion process. When the protein synthesis during the adhesion was inhibited with cycloheximide, the formation of fibrillar adhesions on laminin-10 was abolished, suggesting that laminin-10 does not stimulate the formation of any adhesion structures. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that the cells expressed Mr78,000 and 85,000 isoforms of Lu. Quantitative cell adhesion assays showed that in the endothelial cell adhesion to laminin-10, Lu acted in concert with integrins β1and αvβ3, whereas in the adhesion to laminin-10/11, Lu and integrin β1were involved. In the cells adhering to the α5 laminins, Lu and the integrins showed uniform cell surface distribution. These findings indicate that α5 laminins stimulate endothelial cell adhesion but not the formation of fibrillar or focal adhesions. Lu mediates the adhesion of human endothelial cells to α5 laminins in collaboration with integrins β1and αvβ3.