Integrin α4β1 function is required for cell survival in developing retina

Abstract In the retina, integrins in the β1 family have been shown to be important in many phases of neuronal development, particularly neuroblast migration and axon outgrowth. However, the functions of specific integrin heterodimers are not well defined. In this study, we investigated the functions of β1 integrins in developing chicken retina by expression of a dominant-negative β1A construct using a replication-competent retrovirus. Inhibition of integrins using this approach resulted in alteration of cell morphology and increased apoptosis, but did not preclude migration and axon elongation. In an attempt to identify which specific β1 heterodimer was important, expression and function of the α4β1 heterodimer were also investigated. At early developmental stages, α4 protein and mRNA were detected in undifferentiated neuroblasts throughout the retina. At later stages, expression was confined to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells. A small molecule antagonist of α4 integrins was shown to inhibit neurite outgrowth on recombinant soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), a known ligand of α4β1. Introduction of α4 antagonist in vivo gave rise to increased apoptosis and led to a thinning of the retina and reduced numbers of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We conclude that the integrin α4β1 is important for survival of developing retinal neurons, including RGCs.