Analysis of the mechanism of tumor metastasis by the transfection of integrin cDNA

Integrin plays an important role in tumor metastasis through its interaction with extracellular matrix and endothelial cell. We have examined the role of each integrin in tumor metastasis by using transfection of integrin cDNA into various cells. Transfection of integrin alpha 2 subunit into RD cells, human rhabdomyosarcoma cells which do not express integrin alpha 2 beta 1, potentiated the frequency of metastases in various organs; lung, bone, adrenal gland, lymph node. alpha 4-transfectant of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which do not have alpha 4 beta 1 on the cell surface, metastasized to bone through its interaction with VCAM-1 in the bone marrow stroma cells. On the other hand, alpha 5-transfectant of CHO cells was much less tumorgenic than parent CHO cells. These data suggest integrin influence tumor metastasis sometimes favorably and sometimes unfavorably according to the activity and the balance of various integrins.