Integrin-associated Protein Is a Receptor for the C-terminal Domain of Thrombospondin

The C-terminal "cell-binding domain" (CBD) of thrombospondin-1 (TS1) is a binding site for many cell types. Cell-binding peptides based on the sequence RFYVVM from the CBD of TS1 affinity label a 52-kDa cell surface glycoprotein, which we show is integrin-associated protein (IAP or CD47). IAP associates with alpha v beta 3 and thereby modulates the activity of several integrins. Cells that express IAP bind strongly to TS1, the CBD, and its active cell-binding peptides while IAP negative cells do not. The 52-kDa protein is affinity labeled on IAP-positive but not IAP-negative cells, and monoclonal antibodies against IAP specifically immunoprecipitate the affinity-labeled 52-kDa protein from lysates of IAP-positive cells. Consistent with the association of IAP with alpha v beta 3 integrin, the labeled 52-kDa protein is immunoprecipitated by an anti-alpha v beta 3 antibody. Endothelial cells exhibit chemotaxis toward TS1 (at concentrations above 10 nM) and RFYVVM peptides. Chemotaxis to both agents is specifically inhibited by a function blocking anti-IAP monoclonal antibody. These data establish IAP (CD47) as a receptor for the CBD of TS1 and suggest a mechanism for the well established effects of the CBD on cell motility.