Epithelial cell migration on laminins

The study explored the role of hemidesmosome components, particularly collagen XVII and tetraspanin CD151, in regulating keratinocyte migration in cooperation with laminin-binding integrins. It was found that collagen XVII-deficient cells were more motile, and CD151, when bound to integrins, inhibited cell migration. Disruption of the CD151-integrin complex enhanced migration, particularly in HaCaT cells treated with a monoclonal antibody against CD151, TS151r, which responded to laminin 1 with increased migration. The study also demonstrated that different laminin isoforms, laminin 1 and 5, activated distinct integrins and Rho GTPases, influencing cell morphology and migration patterns. Laminin 1 primarily activated Cdc42, while laminin 5 activated Rac1 and down-regulated RhoA, affecting the formation of cell structures like lamellipodia and filopodia. These findings highlighted the complex signaling pathways involved in epithelial cell migration and the specific roles of laminins and integrins in this process.