The tetraspanin CD9 associates with the integrin α6β4 in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes and is involved in cell motility

Barbara Baudoux, Diego Castanares-Zapatero, Michèle Leclercq-Smekens, Nancy Berna, Yves Poumay

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Abstract

Integrins are involved in several ways in keratinocyte physiology including cell motility. CD9 is a member of the tetraspanin protein family which is found in association with other transmembrane proteins like the integrins. CD9 is expressed in the epidermal tissue, but this expression is not regulated by differentiation. The present work focuses on association of CD9 with the integrin α6β4 in keratinocytes. In vivo, CD9 does not co-localize with α6β4, and is not internalized with the integrin upon basal detachment with dispase. In vitro, CD9 is found partly in co-localization with α6β4 and is internalized with the integrin after keratinocyte detachment with dispase. Using blocking antibodies in a phagokinetic tracks assay, we show that CD9, and to a lesser extent α6β4, but not the tetraspanin CD82, promote motility of subconfluent keratinocytes on collagen I. Our observations also suggest that CD9 is involved in the formation of lamellipodia. We also report that the phorbol ester TPA has no effect on CD9 expression and association with α6β4 but increases keratinocyte motility, possibly through modulation of integrin subunits expression, or through upregulation of collagenase-1 expression. Together, these results confirm that CD9 associates with α6β4 in cultured keratinocytes, possibly in order to regulate the function of the integrin, and that CD9 is involved in keratinocyte motility on collagen. The data suggest that regulation of adhesion characteristics by CD9 in keratinocytes may play a role in epidermal repair.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-51
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean journal of cell biology
Volume79
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2000

Keywords

  • CD9
  • Cell motility
  • Epidermis
  • Integrin α6β4
  • Keratinocytes

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