Kindlin-3 is required for beta2 integrin-mediated leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells

Nat Med. 2009 Mar;15(3):300-5. doi: 10.1038/nm.1921. Epub 2009 Feb 22.

Abstract

Integrin activation is essential for the function of all blood cells, including platelets and leukocytes. The blood cell-specific FERM domain protein Kindlin-3 is required for the activation of the beta1 and beta3 integrins on platelets. Impaired activation of beta1, beta2 and beta3 integrins on platelets and leukocytes is the hallmark of a rare autosomal recessive leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome in humans called LAD-III, characterized by severe bleeding and impaired adhesion of leukocytes to inflamed endothelia. Here we show that Kindlin-3 also binds the beta2 integrin cytoplasmic domain and is essential for neutrophil binding and spreading on beta2 integrin-dependent ligands such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the complement C3 activation product iC3b. Moreover, loss of Kindlin-3 expression abolished firm adhesion and arrest of neutrophils on activated endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas selectin-mediated rolling was unaffected. Thus, Kindlin-3 is essential to activate the beta1, beta2 and beta3 integrin classes, and loss of Kindlin-3 function is sufficient to cause a LAD-III-like phenotype in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD18 Antigens / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / cytology*
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • CD18 Antigens
  • FERMT3 protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins