Opposing effects of engagement of integrins and stimulation of cytokine receptors on cell cycle progression of normal human hematopoietic progenitors

We evaluated the effect of beta 1-integrin receptor engagement on the expre ssion and activity of cell cycle regulatory proteins in CD34(+) cells under conditions that mimic the steady-state marrow microenvironment and in the presence of supraphysiological concentrations of interleukin-a (IL3) and st em cell factor (SCF), Adhesion of CD34(+) progenitors to fibronectin (FN) w as similar whether IL3 or SCF was present or absent Engagement of beta-inte grins blocked S-phase entry of CD34(+) cells in the absence of IL3 or SCF, whereas addition of 10 ng/mL IL3 or SCF prevented such a block in S-phase e ntry, In the absence of IL3 or SCF, cyclin-E levels were significantly lowe r and p27(KIP1) levels significantly higher in FN-adherent than in FN-nonad herent cells, or than In poly-L-lysine (PLL)-adherent or (PLL)-nonadherent cells. Cyclin-dependent-kinase (cdk)-2 activity was decreased and levels of cyclin-E-cdk2 complexes were lower in FN-adherent than in PLL-adherent cel ls, In contrast, cyclin-E and p27(KIP1) protein levels and cdk2 activity in cells adherent to FN in the presence of IL3 or SCF were similar to those i n PLL-adherent and FN-nonadherent or PLL-nonadherent cells. In conclusion, under physiological cytokine conditions, integrin engagement prevents S-pha se entrance of CD34(+) cells, which is associated with elevated levels of t he contact-dependent cyclin kinase Inhibitor p27(KIP1). Supraphysiological concentrations of IL3 or SCF prevent p27(KIP1) elevation and override the i ntegrin-mediated Inhibition of entry into S phase. (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.