Tumor necrosis factor-α increased the integrin α2β1 expression and cell attachment to type I collagen in human dermal fibroblasts

Abstract Cell adhesion molecules of human dermal fibroblasts play an important role in the processes of wound healing. The effects of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF) on the expression of integrin β 1 subfamily in human dermal fibroblasts were examined. TNF preferentially induced the expression of α 2 β 1 integrins, receptors for collagen and laminin, in a time and dose dependent manner. Cell attachment to type I collagen increased by the treatment with TNF. However, cell attachment to fibronectin and laminin was not increased. This TNF-induced cell attachment could be reduced significantly by anti-integrin α 2 β 1 antibody. Antibodies against receptors other than α 2 β 1 integrin did not significantly reduce cell attachment. These data suggest that the increased attachment of human dermal fibroblasts to type I collagen appears to be mediated predominantly through the augmentation of integrin α 2 β 1 expression by TNF.