Presence of α-and β-Integrin Subunits in Rabbit Lacrimal Gland Acinar Cells Cultured on a Laminin-Rich Matrix

Abstract

Integrins play critical roles in the interactions between the extracellular matrix and the cell by directing a number of functions, e.g. cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, and signal transduction. It is our hypothesis that they are also involved in modulating the regulation of secretion by lacrimal gland acinar cells, either by direct interaction with intracellular signaling cascades, or through modulation of cytoskeletal organization. Relatively little is known about the integrins in the lacrimal gland, but our laboratory is presently surveying for potential candidates capable of modulating secretion by lacrimal acinar cell. We have previously reported the presence of α₂ α_v, β₁ and β₄ integrin subunits in cells obtained by a cytospin technique.^{1, 2} The present study is an expanded survey for integrin subunits using rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells in primary culture on laminin coated multi-well slides.