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  • Tetraspanin CD63 Promotes V...
    Tugues, Sònia; Honjo, Satoshi; König, Christian; Padhan, Narendra; Kroon, Jeffrey; Gualandi, Laura; Li, Xiujuan; Barkefors, Irmeli; Thijssen, Victor L.; Griffioen, Arjan W.; Claesson-Welsh, Lena

    The Journal of biological chemistry, 06/2013, Letnik: 288, Številka: 26
    Journal Article

    CD63 is a member of the transmembrane-4 glycoprotein superfamily (tetraspanins) implicated in the regulation of membrane protein trafficking, leukocyte recruitment, and adhesion processes. We have investigated the involvement of CD63 in endothelial cell (EC) signaling downstream of β1 integrin and VEGF. We report that silencing of CD63 in primary ECs arrested capillary sprouting and tube formation in vitro because of impaired adhesion and migration of ECs. Mechanistically, CD63 associated with both β1 integrin and the main VEGF receptor on ECs, VEGFR2. Our data suggest that CD63 serves to bridge between β1 integrin and VEGFR2 because CD63 silencing disrupted VEGFR2-β1 integrin complex formation identified using proximity ligation assays. Signaling downstream of β1 integrin and VEGFR2 was attenuated in CD63-silenced cells, although their cell surface expression levels remained unaffected. CD63 was furthermore required for efficient internalization of VEGFR2 in response to VEGF. Importantly, systemic delivery of VEGF failed to potently induce VEGFR2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling in CD63-deficient mouse lungs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for CD63 in coordinated integrin and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in vitro and in vivo. Background: The tetraspanin CD63 is known to regulate protein trafficking, leukocyte recruitment, and adhesion processes. Results: Silencing of CD63 disrupts complex formation between β1 integrin and VEGFR2, resulting in impaired downstream signaling. Conclusion: CD63 supports VEGFR2 activation and signaling in vitro and in vivo. Significance: A novel role for the tetraspanin CD63 in the convergence between integrin and growth factor signaling in angiogenesis.