Integrin beta 6
Integrin beta-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITGB6 gene.[5][6][7] It is the β6 subunit of the integrin αvβ6. Integrins are αβ heterodimeric glycoproteins which span the cell’s membrane, integrating the outside and inside of the cell. Integrins bind to specific extracellular proteins in the extracellular matrix or on other cells and subsequently transduce signals intracellularly to affect cell behaviour. One α and one β subunit associate non-covalently to form 24 unique integrins found in mammals.[8] While some β integrin subunits partner with multiple α subunits, β6 associates exclusively with the αv subunit. Thus, the function of ITGB6 is entirely associated with the integrin αvβ6.
Discovery
The β6 subunit and ITGB6 sequence was discovered by Professor Dean Sheppard and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco in the early 1990s in guinea pig cells.[9] Further investigation by research groups from the University of Madrid and University of Auckland found that ITGB6 was located on chromosome 2q at position 24.2.[10]
In the past decade, significant research has been performed toward identifying the location of regions within the ITGB6 gene which both promote and suppress ITGB6 expression. Of note, binding regions for transcription factors STAT3 and C/EBPα were found, and basic normal cell expression of ITGB6 is thought to be regulated primarily by these proteins.[11][12] Other transcription factors such as Ets-1 and Smad3 have also been shown to increase ITGB6 expression,[13] while Elk1 binding is able to decrease expression.[14] It is also known that ITGB6 expression is regulated epigenetically via histone acetylation.[15]
It is also known that αvβ6 expression is regulated post-transcriptionally. ITGB6 mRNA is characteristically ‘weak’, meaning it is less likely to be translated than ‘strong’ mRNA. eIF4E is a protein which binds to ‘weak’ mRNA to upregulate translation of the protein.[16] Disruption of eIF4E expression results in a significantly reduced expression of ITGB6.[17]
Mouse models
The first ITGB6-knockout mouse model was developed in 1996.[18] The mice grew normally, with no difference in wound healing ability. However, there was a significant amount of inflammation in the skin and lungs. This was the observation eventually leading to the discovery that αvβ6 activates TGF-β1,[19] as the mice had a similar phenotype to TGF-β1 deficient mice. The mice also developed temporary baldness, possibly due to the role αvβ6 plays in hair follicle regeneration.
While both TGF-β-/- and itgb6-/- mice have many similar characteristics, TGF-β1 deficient mice suffer from poorer health and symptoms not observed in itgb6-/- mice. This is because TGF-β1 can still be activated by other proteins such as Thrombospondin-1. In itgb6/thrombospondin 1 (tsp-1) double-null mice, there is a higher incidence of inflammation more consistent with the TGF-β1 null mice phenotype.[20] Additionally, this study observed that the itgb6-/- mice developed many more benign and malignant tumours compared to both the wild type and tsp-1-/- mice.
Studies with longer term follow up of itgb6-/- mice observed an eventual development of emphysema.[21] Matrix metallopeptidase 12 (MMP12) is an enzyme strongly associated with the development of emphysema, and was expressed 200-fold higher compared to the normal mice in alveolar macrophages. The mice also had abnormally large alveoli which worsened as the mice aged.
Another consistent observation in itgb6-/- mice is periodontitis.[22] αvβ6 is expressed in the junctional epithelium of the gums, and is involved in the adhesion of the gingiva to the teeth. Incomplete adhesion of the gums to the teeth can cause ‘pockets’ to form which are prone to infection, resulting in chronic periodontal disease.[23] Some mice also develop amelogenesis imperfecta, a disorder causing the teeth to develop abnormally.[24]
Function
Integrin αvβ6 is found exclusively on epithelial cells.[25] In most resting normal cells, little ITGB6 is produced, however the highest levels are found in the stomach, gall bladder and lung. ITGB6 levels increase in cells remodelling tissues so αvβ6 expression is increased in development,[25] wound healing,[26][27] but also in fibrosis[19] and cancer.[28]
The principal function of αvβ6 is the activation of cytokine transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-β1).[19][29] Latent-TGF-β1 is bound to the extracellular matrix, covered by its pro-peptide latency associated peptide (LAP).[29] αvβ6 binds LAP, and through cytoskeletal force releases TGF-β1.[30] TGF-β1 regulates multiple processes including cell proliferation,[31][32] differentiation,[32] angiogenesis,[33] epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)[34] and immune suppression.[35] These processes combine to heal wounds but when uncontrolled can promote tissue pathologies.
Clinical Significance
While αvβ6 promotes normal functions such as wound repair, excess αvβ6 production promotes diseases such fibrosis and cancer. Thus high αvβ6 expression in fibrosis and cancer is usually associated with a poorer prognosis.
Fibrosis
Fibrosis occurs in response to chronic tissue insult and results in the deposit of excess collagen by activated fibroblasts in the matrix resulting in hardening of tissue. Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells in all tissues that maintain the normal tissue matrix. When they become activated, as occurs in wound healing, they secrete extra matrix proteins and cytokines to promote wound repair.[36] Chronic activation of fibroblasts can result in diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis,[37] where the hardening and thickening of the lung tissue makes it difficult for patients to breathe.
A major driver of fibroblast activation is TGF-β[38] and as αvβ6 expression is increased in response to tissue damage,[26] and is a principal activator of TGF-β, it is therefore a potential drug target in treating fibrosis. αvβ6 can promote fibrosis in kidney, lung and skin, despite αvβ6 being almost absent in their healthy equivalents.
Cancer
Increased αvβ6 expression occurs in up to one third of solid tumours including breast cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Because it is not found on most normal cells, it is a potential therapeutic and imaging target in cancer research. When αvβ6 is over-expressed in cancers it often correlates with poorer overall survival.
Integrin αvβ6 promotes tumour progression in multiple ways. Through its cytoplasmic tail it promotes cancer cell migration,[39] increased secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that can degrade the ECM,[40] leading to increased invasion. Intracellular signals generated by αvβ6 increase pErk and pAkt that increase cell proliferation and survival, respectively.[41] Through its extracellular domain it activates TGF-β1 which increases processes that aid cancer progression including angiogenesis,[33] activation of fibroblasts (now called Cancer Associated Fibroblasts),[42] immune suppression.[35] and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)[34] EMT is the process by which epithelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype, breaking away from neighbouring epithelial cells and becoming more migratory, a crucial stage in the development of cancer.[43] In cancer, this promotes invasion of the local healthy tissue and ultimately spread to other parts of the body. αvβ6 can be found in cells which are undergoing EMT.[44][45]
ITGB6 deficiency Rare Disease
Recorded cases of people who are ITGB6 deficient are rare. The first reported case was in 2013 following whole genome sequencing of a 7-year-old girl with amelogenesis imperfecta,[46] a disease affecting the development of teeth. While multiple patients with Amelogenesis Imperfecta have since been found to have ITGB6 mutations,[47][48] there were no other clinical symptoms reported in the majority of these cases.
In 2016 a family in Pakistan were found to have dysfunctional ITGB6 resulting in alopecia, intellectual disabilities and symptoms consistent with amelogenesis imperfecta.[48] The clinical phenotype of these cases does not fully reflect the phenotype observed in mouse models, and of note, there was no reference to any chronic inflammation or emphysema.
Notes
References
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Further reading
- Bowen JA, Hunt JS (April 2000). "The role of integrins in reproduction". Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 223 (4): 331–43. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1373.2000.22348.x. PMID 10721002.
- Jiang WM, Jenkins D, Yuan Q, Leung E, Choo KH, Watson JD, Krissansen GW (September 1992). "The gene organization of the human beta 7 subunit, the common beta subunit of the leukocyte integrins HML-1 and LPAM-1". International Immunology. 4 (9): 1031–40. doi:10.1093/intimm/4.9.1031. PMID 1382574.
- Busk M, Pytela R, Sheppard D (March 1992). "Characterization of the integrin alpha v beta 6 as a fibronectin-binding protein". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 267 (9): 5790–6. PMID 1532572.
- Sheppard D, Rozzo C, Starr L, Quaranta V, Erle DJ, Pytela R (July 1990). "Complete amino acid sequence of a novel integrin beta subunit (beta 6) identified in epithelial cells using the polymerase chain reaction". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 265 (20): 11502–7. PMID 2365683.
- Weinacker A, Ferrando R, Elliott M, Hogg J, Balmes J, Sheppard D (May 1995). "Distribution of integrins alpha v beta 6 and alpha 9 beta 1 and their known ligands, fibronectin and tenascin, in human airways". American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 12 (5): 547–56. doi:10.1165/ajrcmb.12.5.7537970. PMID 7537970.
- Huang XZ, Chen A, Agrez M, Sheppard D (August 1995). "A point mutation in the integrin beta 6 subunit abolishes both alpha v beta 6 binding to fibronectin and receptor localization to focal contacts". American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 13 (2): 245–51. doi:10.1165/ajrcmb.13.2.7626292. PMID 7626292.
- Fernández-Ruiz E, Sánchez-Madrid F (June 1994). "Regional localization of the human integrin beta 6 gene (ITGB6) to chromosome 2q24-q31". Genomics. 21 (3): 638–40. doi:10.1006/geno.1994.1325. PMID 7959743.
- Cone RI, Weinacker A, Chen A, Sheppard D (June 1994). "Effects of beta subunit cytoplasmic domain deletions on the recruitment of the integrin alpha v beta 6 to focal contacts". Cell Adhesion and Communication. 2 (2): 101–13. doi:10.3109/15419069409004430. PMID 8081887.
- Yokosaki Y, Monis H, Chen J, Sheppard D (September 1996). "Differential effects of the integrins alpha9beta1, alphavbeta3, and alphavbeta6 on cell proliferative responses to tenascin. Roles of the beta subunit extracellular and cytoplasmic domains". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 271 (39): 24144–50. doi:10.1074/jbc.271.39.24144. PMID 8798654.
- Pilewski JM, Latoche JD, Arcasoy SM, Albelda SM (July 1997). "Expression of integrin cell adhesion receptors during human airway epithelial repair in vivo". The American Journal of Physiology. 273 (1 Pt 1): L256-63. doi:10.1152/ajplung.1997.273.1.L256. PMID 9252563.
- Ostergaard K, Salter DM, Petersen J, Bendtzen K, Hvolris J, Andersen CB (May 1998). "Expression of alpha and beta subunits of the integrin superfamily in articular cartilage from macroscopically normal and osteoarthritic human femoral heads". Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 57 (5): 303–8. doi:10.1136/ard.57.5.303. PMC 1752603. PMID 9741315.
- Munger JS, Huang X, Kawakatsu H, Griffiths MJ, Dalton SL, Wu J, et al. (February 1999). "The integrin alpha v beta 6 binds and activates latent TGF beta 1: a mechanism for regulating pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis". Cell. 96 (3): 319–28. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80545-0. PMID 10025398.
- Wixler V, Geerts D, Laplantine E, Westhoff D, Smyth N, Aumailley M, et al. (October 2000). "The LIM-only protein DRAL/FHL2 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of several alpha and beta integrin chains and is recruited to adhesion complexes". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275 (43): 33669–78. doi:10.1074/jbc.M002519200. PMID 10906324.
- Arihiro K, Kaneko M, Fujii S, Inai K, Yokosaki Y (January 2000). "Significance of alpha 9 beta 1 and alpha v beta 6 integrin expression in breast carcinoma". Breast Cancer. 7 (1): 19–26. doi:10.1007/bf02967183. PMID 11029766. S2CID 71157551.
- Hartley JL, Temple GF, Brasch MA (November 2000). "DNA cloning using in vitro site-specific recombination". Genome Research. 10 (11): 1788–95. doi:10.1101/gr.143000. PMC 310948. PMID 11076863.
- Arend LJ, Smart AM, Briggs JP (December 2000). "Mouse beta(6) integrin sequence, pattern of expression, and role in kidney development". Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 11 (12): 2297–305. PMID 11095652.
- Wiemann S, Weil B, Wellenreuther R, Gassenhuber J, Glassl S, Ansorge W, et al. (March 2001). "Toward a catalog of human genes and proteins: sequencing and analysis of 500 novel complete protein coding human cDNAs". Genome Research. 11 (3): 422–35. doi:10.1101/gr.GR1547R. PMC 311072. PMID 11230166.