The effect of vitamin E on proliferation, integrin expression, adhesion, and migration in human glioma cells has been studied. gamma-tocopherol at 50 mu M concentration exerted more inhibitory effect than alpha-tocopherol at the same concentration on glioma cell proliferation. Integrin alpha 5 and beta 1 protein levels were increased upon both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol treatments. In parallel an increase in the alpha 5 beta 1 heterodimer cell surface expression was observed. The tocopherols inhibited glioma cell-binding to fibronectin where gamma-tocopherol treatment induced glioma cell migration. Taken together, the data reported here are consistent with the notion that the inhibition of glioma cell proliferation induced by tocopherols may be mediated, at least in parts by an increase in integrin alpha 5 and beta 1 expression. Cell adhesion is also negatively affected by tocopherols, despite a small increase in the surface appearance of the alpha 5 beta 1 heterodimer. Cell migration is stimulated by gamma-tocopherol. It is concluded that alpha 5 and beta 1 integrin expression and surface appearance are not sufficient to explain all the observations and that other integrins or in general other factors may be associated with these events. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.