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Biomedical subjects

J Varani

Publications and source records attributed to J Varani.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Thrombospondin binding by keratinocytes: modulation under conditions which alter thrombospondin biosynthesis.

Our recent studies have shown that thrombospondin (TSP) is a potent adhesion factor for normal human keratinocytes. Stimulation of adhesion is presumed to result from the binding of TSP to high-affinity receptors on the surface of responsive cells. The present study indicates that keratinocytes bind TSP in a receptor-like manner. Binding is time- and concentration-dependent, saturable, reversible and specific. Approximately 180 ng of TSP can be bound per 1 x 10(5) cells at saturation and half-maximal binding occurs at 22 nM. A series of monoclonal antibodies to various regions of the TSP molecule were examined for effects on TSP binding and TSP-induced adhesion. An antibody directed against the heparian-binding domain of the TSP molecule significantly inhibited TSP binding but had no effect on adhesion. In contrast, three antibodies which recognize epitopes in the 140-kDa fragment of the molecule inhibited both binding and adhesion. In a previous study we showed that treatment of keratinocytes with interferon-gamma inhibited TSP production and inhibited adhesion under unstimulated conditions as well as in response to TSP. The present study shows that interferon-gamma also inhibits TSP binding by keratinocytes. When the data from the present study are taken together with our past data, they suggest that normal human keratinocytes have the capacity to bind TSP and use this capacity to bind endogenously synthesized TSP. This provides a mechanism for utilizing the endogenously produced TSP to stimulate adhesion.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Organotypic arrangement of mouse embryonic lung cells on a basement membrane extract: involvement of laminin.

The behavior of embryonic murine lung cells on a basement membrane extract (Matrigel) was investigated. Single cell suspensions generated by trypsinization of lungs removed from day 12 embryos were plated on Matrigel and cultured for up to one week. The basement membrane extract was used as a gel, and as a wet or dried film. In all of these instances, organotypic arrangement of the embryonic lung cells was observed. This process consisted of cell aggregation, sorting, polarization and formation of a tridimensional organization resembling embryonic lung. The maximal degree of organotypic development was obtained by using a thick gel; minimal reorganization was observed using a dried film. A rabbit polyclonal serum to laminin inhibited organotypic pattern formation while normal rabbit serum did not. Culture of lung cells on laminin gels promoted epithelial cyst formation but poor mesenchymal organization. By studying the behavior of epithelial and/or mesenchymal enriched cell populations on Matrigel, it was concluded that organotypic pattern formation on Matrigel required the presence of both cell populations. Cultivation of dissociated lung cells on a gel consisting of a mixture of collagens type I and III (Vitrogen-100) produced only cell aggregation. Cultivation of lung cells on a thin film of Vitrogen-100 or on uncoated tissue culture plastic produced monolayers of mesenchymal cells alone. Cultivation of lung cells in suspension also failed to induce organotypic arrangement even at maximal cell densities. The present study strongly supports a role for the basement membrane in the organotypic rearrangement of embryonic lung cells and subsequent in vitro cyst formation and budding of the reestablished epithelium. This, in turn, reinforces the concept of the basement membrane as a major regulator of organogenesis.

Animals↗

H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity of rat pulmonary endothelial cells. Changes in adenosine triphosphate and purine products and effects of protective interventions.

H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity (as measured by 51Cr-release) of rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells was time-dependent and related to the concentration of H2O2 employed. The cytotoxic effects of H2O2 were, as expected, prevented by catalase and the degree of protection was directly related to its time of addition. Endothelial cells were incubated with [14C]adenosine to achieve intracellular labeling of ATP, after which the cells were exposed to H2O2. Based on analysis of cell extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography, there was a time-dependent loss of intracellular radioactivity and ATP with the simultaneous appearance of purine degradation products including xanthine/hypoxanthine. Approximately 50% of the intracellular ATP was lost after 15 minutes of exposure and up to 80% was lost by 30 minutes. The extracellular fluid of cells exposed to H2O2 contained significant amounts of xanthine/hypoxanthine. The ferric iron chelator deferoxamine provided almost complete protection against H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity. Two inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, allopurinol and oxypurinol, were also protective as was deoxycoformycin, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase. Remarkably, cells protected by these agents showed the same loss of intracellular ATP as unprotected, H2O2-treated cells. These findings demonstrate the dissociation between ATP loss per se and oxidant injury of endothelial cells. ATP breakdown may be an important event leading to cellular injury in that this results in the formation of substrate for xanthine oxidase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Retinoic acid stimulation of human dermal fibroblast proliferation is dependent on suboptimal extracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Human dermal fibroblasts failed to proliferate when cultured in medium containing 0.15 mmol/l (millimolar) Ca2+ (keratinocyte growth medium [KGM]) but did when the external Ca2+ concentration was raised to 1.4 mmol/l. All-trans retinoic acid (retinoic acid) stimulated proliferation in KGM but did not further stimulate growth in Ca2(+)-supplemented KGM. The ability of retinoic acid to stimulate proliferation was inhibited in KGM prepared without Ca2+ or prepared with 0.03 mmol/l Ca2+ and in KGM treated with 1 mmol/l ethylene-glycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetra acetic acid. Using 45Ca2+ to measure Ca2+ influx and efflux, it was found that retinoic acid minimally increased Ca2+ uptake into fibroblasts. In contrast, retinoic acid treatment of fibroblasts that had been pre-equilibrated for 1 day with 45Ca2+ inhibited release of intracellular Ca2+ into the extracellular fluid. Retinoic acid also stimulated 35S-methionine incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material but in contrast to its effect on proliferation, stimulation of 35S-methionine incorporation occurred in both high-Ca2+ and low-Ca2+ medium. These data indicate that retinoic acid stimulation of proliferation, but not protein synthesis, is dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ in the extracellular environment.

Calcium↗

Monocyte killing of human squamous epithelial cells: role for thrombospondin.

Human peripheral blood monocytes maintained in culture for 18 h were examined for killing of normal human keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cells. Keratinocytes grown under conditions which maintain the undifferentiated state were highly sensitive to killing but these cells became resistant to killing after induction of differentiation. A line of squamous carcinoma cells obtained from an undifferentiated tumor (designated as UM-SCC-11B) was sensitive to killing while a second line obtained from a more well-differentiated tumor (designated as UM-SCC-22B) was resistant. Several observations suggested that interaction of monocytes with the squamous epithelial cells was mediated, in part, through thrombospondin (TSP). Monocytes synthesized TSP and were positive by immunofluorescence for surface TSP. The normal and malignant squamous epithelial cells also expressed surface TSP as well as unoccupied TSP receptors and our previous studies have shown that both TSP and its receptor are much more prominently displayed on the undifferentiated cells than on the differentiated cells. A series of anti-TSP monoclonal antibodies inhibited killing. These included an antibody directed against the Mr 25,000 NH2-terminal region of the molecule which has heparin-binding activity and three antibodies the epitopes of which lie within the Mr 140,000 non-heparin-binding fragment of TSP. High concentrations of exogenously added TSP as well as the recombinant form of the heparin-binding domain from the TSP molecule also partially inhibited killing while laminin and fibronectin were ineffective. Taken together, these data suggest that TSP and TSP receptors on monocytes and squamous epithelial cells play a role in monocyte-mediated killing of the squamous epithelial cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fibronectin/laminin and their receptors in aberrant growth control in FR3T3 cells transformed by Ha-ras oncogene and epidermal growth factor gene.

FR3T3 cells transfected with either the Ha-ras oncogene or the epidermal-growth-factor (EGF) gene demonstrate the transformed phenotype as indicated by in vitro and in vivo criteria. We have examined non-transformed FR3T3 cells as well as Ha-ras-oncogene-transformed and EGF-gene-transformed cells for expression of cell surface fibronectin and cell surface laminin. Fibronectin was absent from the surface of the Ha-ras-oncogene-transformed cells but present on both the EGF-gene-transformed cells and the non-transformed FR3T3 cells. Laminin was present on the cell surface in all 3 lines. The lack of surface fibronectin on the Ha-ras-oncogene-transformed cells was associated with reduced fibronectin production as indicated by immunoblotting of whole cell extracts and by ELISA. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction of fibronectin binding by the Ha-ras-oncogene-transformed cells was compared to their EGF-gene-transformed and non-transformed counterparts. The Ha-ras-oncogene-transformed cells demonstrated reduced cell-substrate adhesiveness relative to the other two cell lines, as indicated by rates of attachment and spreading on plastic culture dishes in the presence of bovine serum albumin. They also demonstrated reduced adhesiveness in response to fibronectin but not laminin. Taken together, our results suggest that aberrant expression of fibronectin/fibronectin receptors is associated with Ha-ras-oncogene-induced transformation. In contrast, transformation by the EGF gene does not appear to involve aberrant expression of fibronectin/fibronectin receptors.

Animals↗

Laminin receptor expression on murine tumor cells: correlation with sensitivity to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Previous studies have identified a relationship between the presence of cell surface laminin receptors on murine tumor cells and sensitivity to killing by natural killer (NK) cells. On the basis of these observations, we suggested that laminin and laminin receptors may function to facilitate the interaction of NK-sensitive murine target cells with NK cells. Our original studies were conducted with a number of genetically unrelated tumor cell lines. In order to extend these earlier observations, studies have now been conducted in which sensitivity to NK-mediated lysis and responsiveness to laminin were compared in a number of variant populations derived from the NK-sensitive cell lines Yac-1 and RL-1 and from the NK/NC-resistant line P815. All of the lines which interacted with murine NK cells as indicated by sensitivity to killing and/or by ability to "cold-target" compete with the killing of sensitive Yac-1 cells were able to bind 125I-laminin and to respond to laminin in an aggregation assay. Of 4 NK-resistant populations identified in these studies, 3 failed to respond to laminin. These studies indicate that even among genetically related tumor cell lines there is a relationship between laminin receptor expression and interaction with NK cells.

Animals↗

Diverse cellular responses elicited from human colon carcinoma cells by transforming growth factor-beta.

We have recently characterized the growth-inhibitory and cellular responses [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) secretion, protein secretion, protein expression, fibronectin and laminin synthesis] of the human colon carcinoma MOSER cell line to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) (Cancer Res., 47: 2950, 1987; 48: 4059, 1988). We have also recently isolated a subline (MOSER R2) from the parental MOSER cells which, unlike the parental line, is relatively resistant to the growth-inhibitory effect of TGF-beta (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 150: 711, 1988). We now report on the characterization of the cellular responses of this resistant MOSER R2 subline to TGF-beta and compare its responses to that of the highly growth-inhibition-sensitive MOSER cell line. In view of the reported relationship between CEA expression and differentiation in colon cancer and the ability of colon-derived substrata material to modulate the phenotypic properties of colon cancer cells, additional characterization and direct comparison of the effects of TGF-beta on the two cell lines were also performed with respect to (a) cellular expression of CEA and CEA cross-reactive glycoproteins; and (b) colon-derived substrata material. Unlike the growth-inhibition-sensitive MOSER cells, TGF-beta had no effects on fibronectin/laminin synthesis nor on the cellular morphology of the resistant MOSER R2 cells. TGF-beta was also unable to modulate protein secretion and deposition of substrata material by these cells. However, several other responses of the resistant cells to TGF-beta were found to be similar to that of the sensitive MOSER cells. These responses include: (a) a prolonged and stable secretion of CEA; (b) a prolonged and stable induction of elevated cellular expression of CEA and CEA cross-reactive glycoproteins; and (c) enhancement of the expression of three cellular proteins with molecular weights corresponding to 52,000, 48,000, and 42,000. We further report that the differences observed in the responses to TGF-beta in the two cell lines were not due to differences in TGF-beta binding or other receptor parameters such as the expression of distinct TGF-beta receptor subspecies.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Fibronectin does not enhance epidermal growth factor-mediated acceleration of corneal epithelial wound closure.

Concomitant use of epidermal growth factor and fibronectin for the treatment of corneal epithelial wounds has a putative advantage of promoting complementary aspects of wound healing: epidermal growth factor enhances mitosis, while fibronectin increases cell-to-substrate adhesiveness and possibly cell motility. To determine if the combination of epidermal growth factor and fibronectin is synergistic in accelerating the speed of corneal epithelial wound coverage, epithelial wound closure rates were compared in serum-free rat corneal organ cultures among epidermal growth factor alone, fibronectin alone, their combination, and drug-free controls. Epidermal growth factor (50 to 1000 ng/mL) significantly increased the rate of wound closure over that of the drug-free controls, while fibronectin (50 to 100 micrograms/mL) had not significant effect. Wound closure rates with combined epidermal growth factor and fibronectin were no faster than with epidermal growth factor alone. The results indicate that fibronectin does not accelerate the rate of corneal epithelial migration when used alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor. This may reflect that the major role of fibronectin may be in the enhancement of cell-to-substrate adhesion and not of migration per se.

Animals↗

Formation and use of poly-L-histidine-catalase complexes: protection of cells from hydrogen peroxide-mediated injury.

Insoluble complexes of poly-L-histidine (polyhistidine) and catalase were prepared by mixing the two reactants together in solution at pH 5.5 and subsequently elevating the pH to approximately 7.0, at which point they precipitated. Complexes formed at optimal ratios of polyhistidine to catalase contained essentially all of the catalase present in the original solution. The catalase present in such complexes contained greater than 50% of the H2O2-inhibiting activity of the native catalase used to prepare the complexes. The insoluble complexes rapidly bound to viable endothelial cells and were resistant to removal by extensive washing. The presence of polyhistidine-catalase complexes on the cell surface protected the cells against injury mediated by H2O2 or activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These data show that polyhistidine-catalase complexes can be prepared that have a high affinity for cells and that retain catalase activity. These complexes may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions in which it is necessary to maintain a high local concentration of inhibitor.

Animals↗

Interaction of mammalian cells with polymorphonuclear leukocytes: relative sensitivity to monolayer disruption and killing.

Monolayers of murine fibrosarcoma cells that had been treated either with histone-opsonized streptococci, histone-opsonized Candida globerata, or lipoteichoic acid-anti-lipoteichoic acid complexes underwent disruption when incubated with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Although the architecture of the monolayers was destroyed, the target cells were not killed. The destruction of the monolayers was totally inhibited by proteinase inhibitors, suggesting that the detachment of the cells from the monolayers and aggregation in suspension were induced by proteinases releases from the activated PMNs. Monolayers of normal endothelial cells and fibroblasts were much resistant to the monolayer-disrupting effects of the PMNs than were the fibrosarcoma cells. Although the fibrosarcoma cells were resistant to killing by PMNs, killing was promoted by the addition of sodium azide (a catalase inhibitor). This suggests that the failure of the PMNs to kill the target cells was due to catalase inhibition of the hydrogen peroxide produced by the activated PMNs. Target cell killing that occurred in the presence of sodium azide was reduced by the addition of a "cocktail" containing methionine, histidine, and deferoxamine mesylate, suggesting that hydroxyl radicals but not myeloperoxidase-catalyzed products were responsible for cell killing. The relative ease with which the murine fibrosarcoma cells can be released from their substratum by the action of PMNs, coupled with their insensitivity to PMN-mediated killing, may explain why the presence of large numbers of PMNs at the site of tumors produced in experimental animals by the fibrosarcoma cells is associated with an unfavorable outcome.

Animals↗

Lysophosphatides enhance superoxide responses of stimulated human neutrophils.

Human neutrophils which are pretreated with subtoxic concentrations of a variety of lysophosphatides (lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine oleoyl, lysophosphatidylcholine myrioyl, lysophosphatidylcholine stearoyl, lysophosphatidylcholine gamma-O-hexadecyl, lysophosphatidylinositol, and lysophosphatidylglycerol) act synergistically with neutrophil agonists phorbol myristate acetate, immune complexes, poly-L-histidine, phytohemagglutinin, and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyalanine to cause enhanced generation of superoxide (O2-). None of the lyso compounds by themselves caused generation of O2-. The lyso compounds strongly bound to the neutrophils and could not be washed away. All of the lyso compounds that collaborated with agonists to stimulate O2- generation were hemolytic for human red blood cells. On the other hand, lyso compounds that were nonhemolytic for red blood cells (lysophosphatidylcholine caproate, lysophosphatidylcholine decanoyl, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylserine) failed to collaborate with agonists to generate synergistic amounts of O2-. However, in the presence of cytochalasin B, both lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylserine also markedly enhanced O2- generation induced by immune complexes. O2- generation was also very markedly enhanced when substimulatory amounts of arachidonic acid or eicosapentanoic acid were added to PMNs in the presence of a variety of agonists. On the other hand, neither phospholipase C, streptolysin S (highly hemolytic), phospholipase A2, phosphatidylcholine, nor phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl (all nonhemolytic) had the capacity to synergize with any of the agonists tested to generate enhanced amounts of O2-. The data suggest that in addition to long-chain fatty acids, only those lyso compounds that possess fatty acids with more than 10 carbons and that are also highly hemolytic can cause enhanced generation of O2- in stimulated PMNs.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Production and utilization of extracellular matrix components by human melanocytes.

Normal human melanocytes were separated from keratinocytes and maintained in culture using KGM medium supplemented with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and cholera toxin. The melanocytes were examined for the production of extracellular matrix molecules including fibronectin, laminin, and thrombospondin and for the utilization of these molecules in adhesion and motility assays. Melanocytes produced significant amounts of fibronectin as indicated by biosynthetic labeling/immunoprecipitation and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fibronectin was expressed on the surface of these cells. Laminin was also produced by melanocytes and expressed on the cell surface. The amount of laminin produced was significantly less than the amount of fibronectin. In contrast, melanocytes did not produce measurable thrombospondin as indicated by biosynthetic labeling/immunoprecipitation. Only traces of thrombospondin were detected by ELISA and no surface fluorescence was observed. When examined in adhesion and motility assays, melanocytes were found to utilize fibronectin for both processes. Laminin also stimulated adhesion but it was much less effective than fibronectin. Thrombospondin did not stimulate either attachment and spreading or motility. The pattern of extracellular matrix molecule production and utilization by melanocytes is significantly different from that shown previously for human epidermal keratinocytes (J. Varani et al., 1988, J. Clin. Invest. 81, 1537). These differences may underlie the differences with which the two cell types interact with basement membranes in vivo.

Cells, Cultured↗

Vascular endothelial cell killing by combinations of membrane-active agents and hydrogen peroxide.

Previous studies have demonstrated that a number of membrane-active agents are capable of binding to the surface of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) resulting in an augmentation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in response to soluble stimuli. It is now demonstrated that these same membrane-active agents can bind to the surface of endothelial cells and enhance their susceptibility to killing by H2O2. Membrane-active agents which are capable of synergizing with H2O2 include cationic proteins, cationic poly-amino acids, lysophosphatides and enzymes which are capable of degrading membrane phospholipids (e.g., phospholipase C, phospholipase A2 and streptolysin S). In each case, treatment of the target cells with the membrane-active agent and H2O2 produces greater damage than the sum of the damage produced by either agent separately. Since inflammatory lesions, particularly sites of bacterial infection, may contain a rich mixture of cationic substances, phospholipases and phospholipid breakdown products, these substances may contribute to the tissue damage observed at sites of inflammation by enhancing endothelial cell sensitivity to PMN-generated H2O2 as well as by augmenting the generation of H2O2 by PMNs.

Animals↗

Modification of disease by preventing free radical formation: a new concept in pharmacological intervention.

There is considerable clinical and both in vivo and in vitro experimental evidence that toxic oxygen radicals contribute to the development of tissue injury associated with the inflammatory response. There is also strong evidence that cell injury caused by activation of phagocytic cells is iron dependent. Several of the clinical studies and in vivo and in vitro experimental models supporting these conclusions and suggesting mechanisms through which iron may participate in inflammation are discussed.

Animals↗

All-trans retinoic acid stimulates growth of adult human keratinocytes cultured in growth factor-deficient medium, inhibits production of thrombospondin and fibronectin, and reduces adhesion.

Human epidermal keratinocytes were established in culture using a low-Ca2+ (0.15 mM), serum-free keratinocyte growth medium (KGM) as the culture medium. Early passage keratinocytes (i.e., between passages 3-8) were incubated for 1 or 2 d in KGM, in KGM supplemented with 1.4 mM Ca2+, or in growth factor-deprived keratinocyte basal medium (KBM). The cells were concomitantly treated with all-trans retinoic acid (0.1-2.5 micrograms/ml), and cell growth was quantitated at the end of the incubation period. The keratinocytes were simultaneously examined for adhesiveness and production of two extracellular matrix molecules, e.g., thrombospondin (TSP) and fibronectin (FN). Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid inhibited proliferation of keratinocytes that were rapidly growing in KGM. Proliferation was also inhibited in KGM supplemented with 1.4 mM Ca2+, but all-trans retinoic acid did not reverse the morphologic features associated with differentiation induced by high Ca2+. In contrast to these effects, all-trans retinoic acid treatment of keratinocytes in KBM, in which the cells were normally quiescent, stimulated growth. In the presence of optimal concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid (0.5 microgram/ml), the rate of keratinocyte proliferation in KBM was approximately 35% of the rate obtained in KGM (maximal proliferation rate). Keratinocyte adhesion (resistance to trypsin-mediated release from the substrate and attachment to the substrate) was inhibited by all-trans retinoic acid under all three conditions. In regard to extracellular matrix production, TSP production was inhibited by greater than 90% under all three conditions in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid. FN production was also inhibited but to a lesser degree. Concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid required to maximally inhibit keratinocyte adhesion and matrix production were higher (1.0-2.5 microgram/ml) than the concentration required to stimulate proliferation in KBM. These in vitro observations may have implications in the effects of retinoids on intact skin, including enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and thickening of the epidermis after topical application to photoaged skin and inhibition of proliferation and cell-cell cohesion after systemic administration in cases of psoriasis.

Calcium↗

Cytoplasts and Mo1-deficient neutrophils pretreated with plasma and LPS induce lung injury.

We hypothesized that neutrophil adhesion and lung injury could occur independent of the surface receptor glycoprotein, Mo1 (C3bi receptor). We investigated whether preincubation of human neutrophil-derived cytoplasts (cell fragments that lack nuclei and granules and have a fixed number of surface Mo1 receptors) with plasma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) would augment the cytoplasts' ability to cause lung injury when activated. We also investigated whether preincubating normal human neutrophils treated with anti-Mo1 antibody with plasma and LPS would increase the neutrophils' ability to adhere and cause lung injury. Human neutrophils infused into isolated salt-perfused rat lungs subsequently stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in lung injury as assessed by the accumulation of 125I-bovine serum albumin in the lung parenchyma. The infusion of cytoplasts resulted in significantly less injury. Cytoplasts preincubated in 20% human plasma and LPS caused an increase in lung injury. Similarly, neutrophils treated with plasma, LPS, and anti-Mo1 antibody or neutrophils congenitally deficient in the Mo1 surface receptor and treated with plasma and LPS augmented lung injury. Plasma and LPS preincubation also increased anti-Mo1 antibody-treated neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cell monolayers after activation by PMA. Thus, plasma and LPS increase adhesion and lung injury caused by neutrophils or neutrophil fragments that share defects in Mo1 receptor expression.

Animals↗

Products of cells cultured from gliomas. VII. Extracellular matrix proteins of gliomas which contain glial fibrillary acidic protein.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) components of two glial fibrillary acidic protein positive (GFAP+) glioma lines U251 and UM6 were studied by silver stain, morphometry, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and biosynthetic labeling. Both GFAP+ lines expressed the following qualitative features in common with previously studied GFAP-negative gliomas: (a) laminin, (b) type IV collagen, (c) extracellular fibrils of silver-reducing collagen (d) pattern of reactivity with lectins. Quantitative differences in GFAP+ glioma proteins included less collagen and more laminin than GFAP-negative gliomas. Sparse collagen of GFAP+ gliomas aggregated as extracellular masses. Individual cells of UM6 simultaneously expressed GFAP and mesenchymal ECM components. Results show qualitative similarities of ECM expression among GFAP+ and negative gliomas suggesting a common lineage of these two glioma cell types and universal expression of two epithelial components of ECM, laminin and type IV collagen, among cultured gliomas. Moreover, there is a diversity of quantity and type of ECM proteins of GFAP+ gliomas with the U251 line most restricted in its expression of ECM components and with UM6 manifesting markers of epithelial and mesenchymal lineage. This diversity suggests a capacity for regulation of phenotypic expression of ECM beyond that explained simply by the presence of two cell types of different lineage.

Collagen↗