Dual functionality of the anti-β1 integrin antibody, 12G10, exemplifies agonistic signalling from the ligand binding pocket of integrin adhesion receptors

Although integrins are known to mediate connections between extracellular adhesion molecules and the intracellular actin cytoskeleton, the mechanisms that are responsible for coupling ligand binding to intracellular signaling, for generating diversity in signaling, and for determining the efficacy of integrin signaling in response to ligand engagement are largely unknown. By characterizing the class of anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that stimulate integrin activation and ligand binding, we have identified integrin-ligand-mAb complexes that exhibit differential signaling properties. Specifically, addition of 12G10 mAb to cells adhering via integrin alpha 4 beta 1 was found to trigger disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and prevent cell attachment and spreading, whereas mAb addition to cells adhering via alpha 5 beta 1 stimulated all of these processes. In contrast, soluble ligand binding to either alpha 4 beta 1 or alpha 5 beta 1 was augmented or unaffected by 12G10. The regions of the integrin responsible for differential signaling were then mapped using chimeras. Surprisingly, a chimeric alpha 5 integrin containing the beta-propeller domain from the ligand binding pocket of alpha 4 exhibited the same signaling properties as the full-length alpha 4 integrin, whereas exchanging or removing cytoplasmic domains had no effect. Thus the mAb 12G10 demonstrates dual functionality, inhibiting cell adhesion and spreading while augmenting soluble ligand binding, via a mechanism that is determined by the extracellular beta-propeller domain of the associating alpha-subunit. These findings therefore demonstrate a direct and variable agonistic link between the ligand binding pocket of integrins and the cell interior that is independent of the alpha cytoplasmic domains. We propose that either ligand-specific transmembrane conformational changes or ligand-specific differences in the kinetics of transmembrane domain separation underlie integrin agonism.