Cell migration: Interactions among integrins, IGFs and IGFBPs

The migratory behaviour of cells is fundamental to diverse biologic processes such as tumor metastasis, development of atherosclerotic plaques, embryonic development and wound healing. We have examined the effects of IGF-I and IGFBPs on the migration of Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells, smooth muscle cells (SMC) and human breast cancer cells (HBC) and have studied the involvement of integrin receptors in migration induced by IGF-I and by IGFBPs.

Using a monolayer wounding assay, we determined the effect of IGFBP-1 on SMC to be qualitatively similar to its effect we reported earlier on CHO cells, in that there is a direct stimulation of migration mediated by the α5β1 integrin. IGFBP-2 has no direct effect on SMC migration, and although it also contains the ArgGlyAsp sequence, we can detect no integrin binding. Unlike CHO cells, SMC are stimulated to migrate by IGF-I. IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-1 both inhibit this IGF-I receptor-mediated stimulation. We have also studied the migration of HBC using a Boyden chamber apparatus and have shown a potent chemotactic effect of IGF-I.

We have investigated the mechanisms for IGF-I stimulation of SMC and HBC migration. IGF-I stimulation of SMC migration requires the presence of either 0.2% serum or vitronectin, because of a requirement for ligand binding by the αVβ3 integrin (vitronectin receptor). MCF-7 HBC migrate toward a concentration gradient of IGF-I, the only growth factor that was able to stimulate these cells to migrate. Integrin ligand binding was also necessary for MCF-7 cells to migrate in response to IGF-I; αVβ5 integrin was required for migration on vitronectin and α2β1 was required on collagen.

These studies demonstrate that the stimulation of cell migration by IGFBP-1 and IGF-I involves signaling by members of the integrin family of receptors. The mechanisms by which the IGF-I receptor and integrin receptors interact are not yet known.