Human lung tumor-associated antigen identified as an extracellular matrix adhesion molecule

J Exp Med. 1991 May 1;173(5):1111-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.173.5.1111.

Abstract

A single chain glycoprotein with an estimated molecular mass of 160 kD (gp160) was previously identified as a human lung tumor-associated antigen. This tumor marker is shown here to be associated noncovalently with a second 130-kD protein. Sequential immunoprecipitation studies of surface iodinated lung tumor cell lysates reveal that this heterodimeric complex is indistinguishable serologically and structurally from the integrin VLA-2, found originally on activated T lymphocytes and platelets. The VLA-2-like complex expressed on the lung tumors possesses similar characteristic Mg2+ dependent binding of collagen and laminin as observed with VLA-2 on normal cells. RNA analysis indicates that human lung tumors express at least 20 times more VLA-2 alpha chain message than normal adult human lung tissue. The results presented here raise the possibility that the overproduction of VLA-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of human lung tumors by modulating the invasive and metastatic potential of the tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / analysis*
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / genetics
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / chemistry*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
  • Humans
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Receptors, Very Late Antigen / analysis*
  • Receptors, Very Late Antigen / genetics
  • Receptors, Very Late Antigen / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / pathology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Laminin
  • Receptors, Very Late Antigen
  • Collagen