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Domains 1 and 4 of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD106) both support very late activation antigen-4

H E Chuluyan1, L Osborn, R Lobb

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Insights

Investigating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) domains, this study shows VLA-4 interaction with VCAM-1 domains 1 or 4 mediates monocyte migration. VCAM-1 variants on endothelium depend on activation duration.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is crucial for immune cell trafficking.
  • Alpha 4 beta 1 integrin (VLA-4) on monocytes interacts with VCAM-1.
  • Monocyte migration is a key process in inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific domains of human VCAM-1 (6-domain and 7-domain forms) involved in VLA-4-mediated monocyte migration.
  • To determine the role of VCAM-1 domains 1 and 4 in C5a-induced monocyte transendothelial migration.
  • To assess the influence of IL-1 activation duration on VCAM-1 expression and function.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with VCAM-1 6D and 7D variants.
  • Monocyte migration assays across CHO cell monolayers and IL-1-treated human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE).
  • Inhibition studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CD18, VLA-4 (alpha 4), VCAM-1 domain 1 (4B9), and VCAM-1 domain 4 (GH12).

Main Results:

  • Monocyte migration across CHO cells expressing VCAM-1 variants was significantly inhibited by anti-alpha 4 mAbs.
  • mAbs targeting VCAM-1 domain 1 or domain 4 partially inhibited migration across CHO VCAM-7D cells.
  • Combined mAbs to VCAM-1 domains 1 and 4 completely inhibited VLA-4-mediated migration across both CHO and HUVE cells.
  • CD18-independent migration across IL-1-activated HUVE was significantly inhibited by anti-VCAM-1 domain 1 mAb, with complete inhibition upon combining domain 1 and 4 mAbs.
  • The efficacy of anti-VCAM-1 domain 1 mAb varied with the duration of IL-1 treatment on HUVE.

Conclusions:

  • VCAM-1 domains 1 and 4 are critical mediators of VLA-4-dependent monocyte transendothelial migration.
  • Interaction with either VCAM-1 domain 1 or domain 4 is sufficient to mediate VLA-4-dependent migration.
  • The expression and functional contribution of VCAM-1 variants on activated endothelium are modulated by the duration of inflammatory stimulus.

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