Histatin‐1, a histidine‐rich peptide in human saliva, promotes cell‐substrate and cell‐cell adhesion. Issue 8 (22nd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Dijk, Irene A.; Nazmi, Kamran; Bolscher, Jan G. M.; Veerman, Enno C. I.; Stap, Jan
• Is Part Of: FASEB journal. Volume 29:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 3124
• Page End: 3132
• Publication Date: 2015-04-22
• Subjects: cell spreading -- transepithelial resistance -- barrier function; Biology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-266825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6638

Abstract

Abstract : Histatins (Hsts) are histidine‐rich peptides exclusively present in the saliva of higher primates. In this study, we explored the effects of Hsts on cell‐substrate and cell‐cell adhesion. Histatin (Hst)‐1 caused a significant (>2‐fold) increase (EC50 = 1 μM) in the ability of human adherent cells to attach and spread, even in conditions that impaired cell spreading. Other tested Hsts did not stimulate cell spreading, indicating a specific effect of Hst1. The effect of Hst1 on cell‐cell adhesion was investigated by using transepithelial resistance (TER) measurements in the human cell line Caco‐2, a widely used model for the epithelial layer. We found that 10 μM Hst1 caused a 20% increase in TER compared to the negative control, indicating a function for Hst1 in intercellular cell adhesion and epithelial integrity. A role for Hst1 in both cell‐substrate and cell‐cell adhesion is highly conceivable, because these 2 modes of adhesion are closely related via shared components and connected signaling pathways.—Van Dijk, I. A., Nazmi, K., Bolscher, J. G. M., Veerman, E. C. I., Stap, J. Histatin‐1, a histidine‐rich peptide in human saliva, promotes cell‐substrate and cell‐cell adhesion. FASEB J. 29, 3124‐3132 (2015). www.fasebj.org