ICAM3 mediates tumor metastasis via a LFA-1-ICAM3-ERM dependent manner

ICAM3 was reported to promote metastasis in tumors. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we disclosed that the expression of ICAM3 was closely correlated with the TNM stage of human breast and lung cancer, as well as the dominant overexpression in high aggressive tumor cell lines (231 and A549 cells). Moreover, the knockdown of ICAM3 inhibited tumor metastasis whereas the ectopic expression of ICAM3 promoted tumor metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, exploration of the underlying mechanism demonstrated that ICAM3 not only binds to LFA-1 with its extracellular domain and structure protein ERM but also to lamellipodia with its intracellular domain which causes a tension that pulls cells apart (metastasis). Furthermore, ICAM3 extracellular or intracellular mutants alternatively abolished ICAM3 mediated tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo. As a therapy strategy, LFA-1 antibody or Lifitegrast restrained tumor metastasis via targeting ICAM3-LFA-1 interaction. In summary, the aforementioned findings suggest a model of ICAM3 in mediating tumor metastasis. This may provide a promising target or strategy for the prevention of tumor metastasis.