Uniform Overexpression and Rapid Accessibility of α5β1 Integrin on Blood Vessels in Tumors

Integrin α5β1 is among the proteins overexpressed on tumor vessels and is a potential target for diagnostics and therapeutics. Here, we mapped the distribution of α5β1 integrin in three murine tumor models and identified sites of expression that are rapidly accessible to intravascular antibodies. When examined by conventional immunohistochemistry, α5β1 integrin expression was strong on most blood vessels in RIP-Tag2 transgenic mouse tumors, adenomatous polyposis coli (apc) mouse adenomas, and implanted MCa-IV mammary carcinomas. Expression increased during malignant progression in RIP-Tag2 mice. However, immunoreactivity was also strong in normal pancreatic ducts, intestinal smooth muscle, and several other sites. To determine which sites of expression were rapidly accessible from the bloodstream, we intravenously injected anti-α5β1 integrin antibody and 10 minutes to 24 hours later examined the amount and distribution of labeling. The injected antibody strongly labeled tumor vessels at all time points but did not label most normal blood vessels or gain access to pancreatic ducts or intestinal smooth muscle. Intense vascular labeling by anti-α5β1 integrin antibody co-localized with the uniform CD31 immunoreactivity of tumor vessels and contrasted sharply with the patchy accumulation of nonspecific IgG at sites of leakage. This strategy of injecting antibodies revealed the uniform overexpression and rapid accessibility of α5β1 integrin on tumor vessels and may prove useful in assessing other potential therapeutic targets in cancer.