Distribution of integrins alpha v beta 5, alpha v beta 3 and alpha v in normal human cornea: possible implications in clinical and therapeutic adenoviral infection.
OBJECTIVE
Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Adenoviral entry into human cells has been shown to be dependent on integrins alpha v beta 5 and alpha v beta 3 that promote viral internalisation. We studied the distribution of integrins alpha v beta 5, alpha v beta 3 and the alpha v chain in normal human cornea to investigate possible mechanisms of adenoviral entry to specific corneal cell types.


METHODS
We used immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies to study the distribution of alpha v beta 5, alpha v beta 3 and alpha v in normal human corneas maintained for up to 4 days in corneal storage medium (Optisol) at 4 degrees C (n = 9).


RESULTS
Both alpha v beta 5 and alpha v were present to a variable extent on the corneal epithelium and corneal endothelium of most specimens. In some specimens staining of both alpha v beta 5 and alpha v in the epithelium was graded, with more basal than superficial staining, alpha v beta 3 was not detectable in either the corneal epithelium or the corneal endothelium in those specimens tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The integrin alpha v beta 5 is present on both epithelium and endothelium in the normal human cornea. The role of alpha v integrins in clinical infection and in adenoviral entry for gene transfer is discussed.
Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. strayner@ic.ac.uk
S A
SA
Rayner
J L
JL
Gallop
A J
AJ
George
D F
DF
Larkin
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D003315:Cornea / Q000737:chemistry*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000737:chemistry; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000737:chemistry; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D039564:Integrin alphaV; D016023:Integrins / Q000032:analysis*; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000032:analysis
D015703:Antigens, CD; D039564:Integrin alphaV; D016023:Integrins; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin; C064660:integrin alphaVbeta5