Summary
The integrin VLA-4 is important for the metastatic dissemination of melanoma cells.
We could recently show that heparin can block VLA-4 binding, which contributes, next
to blocking P-and L-selectin, to the understanding of antimetastatic activities of
heparin. The matricellular ligand Cyr61, secreted by numerous tumours, is responsible
for increased tumourigenicity and metastasis. This has been attributed to Cyr61 binding
to, and thus activating integrins. However, a VLA-4/Cyr61 axis has not yet been reported.
Since Cyr61 possesses heparin binding capabilities, Cyr61 can be supposed as potential
target for heparin to indirectly interfere with integrin functions. The present in vitro studies address (i) the existence of a Cyr61/VLA-4 axis and (ii) the functional relevance
of heparin interference via Cyr61. The C-terminal module III of Cyr61 could be exposed
as nanomolar affine binding site for VLA-4. A shRNA-based knockdown of Cyr61 in MV3
human melanoma cells reduced VLA-4-mediated cell binding to VCAM-1, migration on fibronectin,
and integrin signalling functions significantly. Using a biosensor approach we provide
insight into heparin interference with this process. The low-molecular-weight heparin
tinzaparin, but not the pentasaccharide fondaparinux, binds module IV of Cyr61 with
micromolar affinity. But tinzaparin cannot interfere with Cyr61 accumulation onto
syndecan-4, indicating different Cyr61 binding sites for heparin and other GAGs. Nonetheless,
tinzaparin affects the VLA-4 binding and signalling functions selectively via Cyr61
already at very low concentration most likely by blocking the cellular secreted free
Cyr61. This study emphasises Cyr61 as promising, and hitherto not considered target
for heparin to selectively influence integrin functions.
Keywords
Cyr61/CCN-1 - heparin - melanoma cell adhesion - migration - VLA-4