Expression of beta 2 integrin (CD18) in embryonic mouse and chicken heart.

Integrins are heterodimeric receptors composed of alpha and beta transmembrane subunits that mediate attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix and counter-ligands such as ICAM-1 on adjacent cells. beta2 integrin (CD18) associates with four different alpha (CD11) subunits to form an integrin subfamily, which has been reported to be expressed exclusively on leukocytes. However, recent studies indicate that beta2 integrin is also expressed by other types of cells. Since the gene for beta2 integrin is located in the region of human chromosome 21 associated with congenital heart defects, we postulated that it may be expressed in the developing heart. Here, we show the results from several different techniques used to test this hypothesis. PCR analyses indicated that beta2 integrin and the alphaL, alphaM, and alphaX subunits are expressed during heart development. Immunohistochemical studies in both embryonic mouse and chicken hearts, using antibodies directed against the N- or C-terminal of beta2 integrin or against its alpha subunit partners, showed that beta2 integrin, as well as the alphaL, alphaM, and alphaX subunits, are expressed by the endothelial and mesenchymal cells of the atrioventricular canal and in the epicardium and myocardium during cardiogenesis. In situ hybridization studies further confirmed the presence of beta2 integrin in these various locations in the embryonic heart. These results indicate that the beta2 integrin subfamily may have other activities in addition to leukocyte adhesion, such as modulating the migration and differentiation of cells during the morphogenesis of the cardiac valves and myocardial walls of the heart.