Alteration of integrins by interleukin-1 alpha in human pancreatic cancer cells

Introduction: Adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) protein s plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Aims: To investigate the expression of integrins in human pancreatic cancer cell lines and its alteration by interleukin (IL)-1 alpha. to examine the mechanism of adhesion of metastatic human pancreatic cancer cells to ECM pr oteins. Methodology: The expression of integrin subunits and their alteration by IL -1 alpha were examined by flow-cytometric analysis and cellular enzyme-link ed immunosorbent assay in three metastatic human pancreatic cancer cell lin es (AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and SW1990) and two nonmetastatic cancer cell lines (Pa Ca-2 and PANC-1). In addition, assays of cancer cell adhesion to ECM protei ns were performed to investigate if increased integrin expression actually affected the adhesive interaction between cancer cells and the putative int egrin ECM ligands. Results: The alpha (6) subunit expressed in metastatic cancer cells was enh anced by IL-1 alpha. Metastatic cancer cells also showed preferential adher ence to laminin compared with nonmetastatic cancer cells, and this was enha nced by IL-1 alpha. Conclusion: In pancreatic cancer, the enhancement of alpha (6)beta (1) inte grin by IL-1 alpha through IL-1 receptor type I. as well as the expression of alpha (6)beta (1) integrin, plays an important role in metastasis format ion.