Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
Integrins and their extracellular-matrix ligands in gastric-cancer
Y Ramkissoon1, R Delbuono, I Filipe
1UNITED MED & DENT SCH GUYS & ST THOMASS HOSP,DEPT HISTOPATHOL,LONDON SE1 9RT,ENGLAND. ROYAL POSTGRAD MED SCH,DEPT HISTOPATHOL,LONDON W12 0NN,ENGLAND.
Abstract:
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their specific cellular receptors, play an important role in the regulation of epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation. Alterations in their expression and function have been found in a number of malignant tumours and these changes may help to explain their dedifferentiation and altered behaviour. In this study we have investigated expression and distribution of the epithelial beta 1 integrins (alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1) and their ECM ligands (fibronectin, tenascin and laminin) in normal and neoplastic tissue. An up-regulation of two isoforms of fibronectin, and tenascin was seen in tumour associated matrix compared to normal stroma. Loss or down regulation of alpha integrin chains was seen more frequently in poorly differentiated carcinomas (alpha 2 p=0.002; alpha 3 p=0.013; alpha 6 p=0.0012) irrespective of tumour type (diffuse or intestinal) than in well/moderately differentiated tumours. Cell adhesion assays revealed that the ability of gastric carcinoma cell lines to bind matrix glycoproteins correlated to their degree of differentiation. Furthermore, poorly differentiated cell lines showed a down-regulation of alpha 2 and alpha 6 integrin expression. These data indicate that architectural and cytological differentiation in gastric carcinoma relates to altered patterns of expression of matrix glycoproteins and their receptors. The traditional Lauren classification seems to reflect these differences in cell-matrix interactions. Differing patterns of expression of those molecules involved in cell-matrix interactions may prove to be a more objective and biologically more relevant means of classifying gastric cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Selectins
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
