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L T Furcht

Publications and source records attributed to L T Furcht.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A heparan sulfate-containing fraction of bone marrow stroma induces maturation of HL-60 cells in vitro.

Constituents of the bone marrow microenvironment have the capacity to influence both normal and malignant hematopoietic cell behavior. For example, HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro display a more mature phenotype when grown on a bone marrow stroma-derived matrix. To elucidate which component(s) of the stromal matrix is capable of modulating HL-60 cell phenotype, matrices were treated with a variety of chemicals and enzymes prior to being used in the differentiation assay. Treatment of matrices with collagenase, pronase, chondroitinase, or chloroform:methanol:ether could not abolish the differentiation-promoting activity of bone marrow stroma. In contrast, the activity was destroyed by alkali treatment (0.5 M NaOH for 18 h) or heparinase/heparitinase enzymes. Heparin added to cultures increased maturation of HL-60 cells as determined by esterase production, Fc rosette formation, and morphological appearance. Other stromal components such as laminin, fibronectin, collagen I, collagen IV, or chondroitin sulfate did not alter the HL-60 leukemia cell phenotype. Stroma-derived matrix material which labeled with [35S]sulfate and eluted on a DEAE ion-exchange column as a high ionic fraction in 1.5 M LiCl and 7.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate contained the active fraction. A heparan sulfate proteoglycan component isolated by polyacrylamide-agarose gel electrophoresis induced a more mature HL-60 phenotype, and digestion with heparinase/heparitinase in the presence of protease inhibitors abrogated the effects on HL-60 phenotype. We conclude that a heparan sulfate-associated fraction of the bone marrow matrix plays a key role in the regulation of leukemic cell maturation.

Autoradiography↗

Differential effects of transforming growth factor beta 1 on the growth of poorly and highly metastatic murine melanoma cells.

We have examined the effects of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on the growth of paired murine melanoma cell clones that differ with respect to their experimental metastatic potential. Neither poorly (clone 16) nor highly (clone M2) metastatic cells were capable of anchorage-independent growth in 0.3% agar/Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the absence of serum. However, both clones were capable of anchorage-independent growth in 0.3% agar/Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% calf serum. Colony formation in the presence of 10% calf serum was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by TGF-beta 1 (half-maximal dose, 0.1 ng/ml) and was 5- to 10-fold greater than colony formation in the presence of 10% calf serum alone. Under anchorage-dependent (monolayer) conditions, neither clone grew in the absence of serum or in medium containing less than 1% calf serum. The monolayer growth of poorly metastatic cells (clone 16) was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by TGF-beta 1 in medium supplemented with calf serum. Growth was 3.5-fold and 2.3-fold greater than untreated controls after 5 days in submitogenic (0.5%) and mitogenic (10%) concentrations of calf serum, respectively. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 had no effect on the monolayer growth of highly metastatic cells (clone M2) either in submitogenic (0.5%) or mitogenic (10%) concentrations of serum. TGF-beta 1 did not directly stimulate DNA synthesis by either poorly or highly metastatic cells when measured 24 h after TGF-beta 1 treatment. The ability of TGF-beta 1 to stimulate the anchorage-independent growth of metastatic melanoma cells suggests that this potent growth factor may play a role in the growth of these cells in vivo. In addition, the differential sensitivity of poorly and highly metastatic cells to TGF-beta 1 may be relevant to their metastatic potential in vivo. While the mechanism(s) by which TGF-beta 1 stimulates the growth of these cells remains unknown, these differentially metastatic clones of the K-1735 murine melanoma should provide a useful model in which to study the effects of transforming growth factor beta on the metastatic phenotype.

Animals↗

RGD-independent cell adhesion to the carboxy-terminal heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin involves heparin-dependent and -independent activities.

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin has a complex basis, involving multiple determinants on the molecule that react with discrete cell surface macromolecules. Our previous results have demonstrated that normal and transformed cells adhere and spread on a 33-kD heparin binding fragment that originates from the carboxy-terminal end of particular isoforms (A-chains) of human fibronectin. This fragment promotes melanoma adhesion and spreading in an arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) independent manner, suggesting that cell adhesion to this region of fibronectin is independent of the typical RGD/integrin-mediated binding. Two synthetic peptides from this region of fibronectin were recently identified that bound [3H]heparin in a solid-phase assay and promoted the adhesion and spreading of melanoma cells (McCarthy, J. B., M. K. Chelberg, D. J. Mickelson, and L. T. Furcht. 1988. Biochemistry. 27:1380-1388). The current studies further define the cell adhesion and heparin binding properties of one of these synthetic peptides. This peptide, termed peptide I, has the sequence YEKPGSP-PREVVPRPRPGV and represents residues 1906-1924 of human plasma fibronectin. In addition to promoting RGD-independent melanoma adhesion and spreading in a concentration-dependent manner, this peptide significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment or intact fibronectin. Polyclonal antibodies generated against peptide I also significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the peptide, to the 33-kD fragment, but had minimal effect on melanoma adhesion to fibronectin. Anti-peptide I antibodies also partially inhibited [3H]heparin binding to fibronectin, suggesting that peptide I represents a major heparin binding domain on the intact molecule. The cell adhesion activity of another peptide from the 33-kD fragment, termed CS1 (Humphries, M. J., A. Komoriya, S. K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K. M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem., 262:6886-6892) was contrasted with peptide I. Whereas both peptides promoted RGD-independent cell adhesion, peptide CS1 failed to bind heparin, and exogenous peptide CS1 failed to inhibit peptide I-mediated cell adhesion. The results demonstrate a role for distinct heparin-dependent and -independent cell adhesion determinants on the 33-kD fragment, neither of which are related to the RGD-dependent integrin interaction with fibronectin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a synthetic peptide from type IV collagen that promotes melanoma cell adhesion, spreading, and motility.

The adhesion and motility of tumor cells on basement membranes is a central consideration in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Basement membrane type IV collagen directly promotes the adhesion and migration of various tumor cell types in vitro. Our previous studies demonstrated that tumor cells adhered and spread on surfaces coated with intact type IV collagen or either of the two major enzymatically purified domains of this protein. Only one of these major domains, the pepsin-generated major triple helical fragment, also supported tumor cell motility in vitro, implicating the involvement of the major triple helical region in type IV collagen-mediated tumor cell invasion in vivo. The present studies extend our previous observations using a synthetic peptide approach. A peptide, designated IV-H1, was derived from a continuous collagenous region of the major triple helical domain of the human alpha 1(IV) chain. This peptide, which has the sequence GVKGDKGNPGWPGAP, directly supported the adhesion, spreading, and motility of the highly metastatic K1735 M4 murine melanoma cell line, as well as the adhesion and spreading of other cell types, in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. Furthermore, excess soluble peptide IV-H1, or polyclonal antibodies directed against peptide IV-H1, inhibited type IV collagen-mediated melanoma cell adhesion, spreading, and motility, but had no effect on these cellular responses to type I collagen. The full complement of cell adhesion, spreading, and motility promoting activities was dependent upon the preservation of the three prolyl residues in the peptide IV-H1 sequence. These studies indicate that peptide IV-H1 represents a cell-specific adhesion, spreading, and motility promoting domain that is active within the type IV collagen molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a multifunctional, cell-binding peptide sequence from the a1(NC1) of type IV collagen.

We have previously identified three distinctive amino acid sequences from type IV collagen which specifically bound to heparin and also inhibited the binding of heparin to intact type IV collagen. One of these chemically synthesized domains, peptide Hep-I, has the sequence TAGSCLRKFSTM and originates from the a1(noncollagenous [NC1]) chain of type IV collagen (Koliakos, G. G., K. K. Koliakos, L. T. Furcht, L. A. Reger, and E. C. Tsilibary. 1989. J. Biol. Chem. 264:2313-2323). We describe in this report that this same peptide also bound to intact type IV collagen in solid-phase assays, in a dose-dependent and specific manner. Interactions between peptide Hep-I and type IV collagen in solution resulted in inhibition of the assembly process of this basement membrane glycoprotein. Therefore, peptide Hep-I should represent a major recognition site in type IV collagen when this protein polymerizes to form a network. In addition, solid phase-immobilized peptide Hep-I was able to promote the adhesion and spreading of bovine aortic endothelial cells. When present in solution, peptide Hep-I competed for the binding of these cells to type IV collagen- and NC1 domain-coated substrata in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, radiolabeled peptide Hep-I in solution also bound to endothelial cells in a dose-dependent and specific manner. The binding of radiolabeled Hep-I to endothelial cells could be inhibited by an excess of unlabeled peptide. Finally, in the presence of heparin or chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycan side chains, the binding of endothelial cells to peptide Hep-I and NC1 domain-coated substrates was also inhibited. We conclude that peptide Hep-I should have a number of functions. The role of this type IV collagen-derived sequence in such diverse phenomena as self-association, heparin binding and cell binding and adhesion makes Hep-I a crucial domain involved in the determination of basement membrane ultrastructure and cellular interactions with type IV collagen-containing matrices.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recognition of the A chain carboxy-terminal heparin binding region of fibronectin involves multiple sites: two contiguous sequences act independently to promote neural cell adhesion.

Cellular interactions with fibronectin-treated substrata have a complex molecular basis involving multiple domains. A carboxy-terminal cell and heparin binding region of fibronectin (FN) is particularly interesting because it is a strong promoter of neurite outgrowth (Rogers, S.L., J.B. McCarthy, S.L. Palm, L.T. Furcht, and P.C. Letourneau, 1985. J. Neurosci. 5:369-378) and cell attachment (McCarthy, J.B., S.T. Hagen, and L.T. Furcht. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 102:179-188). To further understand the molecular mechanisms of neuronal interactions with this region of FN, we screened two peptides from the 33-kD heparin binding fragment of the FN A chain, FN-C/H II (KNNQKSEPLIGRKKT) and CS1 (Humphries, M.J., A. Komoriya, S.K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K.M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:6886-6892), for their ability to promote B104 neuroblastoma cell-substratum adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Both FN-C/H II and CS1 promoted B104 cell attachment in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner, with attachment to FN-C/H II exceeding attachment to CS1. In solution, both exogenous FN-C/H II or CS1 partially inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment. Similar results were obtained with anti-FN-C/H II antibodies. In contrast, soluble GRGDSP did not affect B104 cell adhesion to FN-C/H II. These results indicate that both FN-C/H II and CS1 represent distinct, RGD-independent, cell adhesion-promoting sites active within the 33-kD fragment, and further define FN-C/H II as a novel neural recognition sequence in FN. B104 adhesion to FN-C/H II and CS1 differs in sensitivity to heparin, yet each peptide inhibited adhesion to the other peptide, suggesting cell adhesion is somehow related at the cellular level. Within the A chain 33-kD fragment, FN-C/H II and CS1 are contiguous, and might represent components of a larger domain with greater neurite-promoting activity since only the 33-kD fragment, and neither individual peptide, was effective at promoting B104 neurite outgrowth. These data further support the hypothesis that cell responses to FN are mediated by multiple sites involving both heparin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Human keratinocytes adhere to a unique heparin-binding peptide sequence within the triple helical region of type IV collagen.

The present studies were aimed at further characterizing the interaction between basement membrane molecules and normal cultured human keratinocytes because of the intimate association between basal keratinocytes and the basement membrane. The studies show that keratinocytes adhere to type IV collagen-coated substrata to a greater degree than substrata coated with similar concentrations of fibronectin and laminin. To further define cell-binding regions within type IV collagen, studies were performed using purified pepsin-generated triple helical fragments of type IV collagen and show that keratinocytes bind to sites within the triple-helical region of type IV collagen. To delineate specific cell adhesion promoting sequences, we studied a series of chemically synthesized peptides derived from the triple-helical region of type IV collagen. One peptide, designated Hep III, which is thirteen amino acids in length and binds heparin, was active in directly promoting keratinocyte adhesion. Furthermore, in competition assays, this peptide in solution was shown to inhibit keratinocyte adhesion to substrata coated with Hep III or intact type IV collagen. These studies show that keratinocytes bind directly to type IV collagen and chemically define a major cell-adhesion-promoting site within the triple helical region.

Cell Adhesion↗

Laminin alterations after in vitro nonenzymatic glycosylation.

Laminin, a basement membrane protein derived from the matrix of the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm murine tumor, was nonenzymatically glycosylated in vitro in the presence of increasing glucose concentrations. The amount of glucose incorporated per laminin molecule was shown to be proportional to the molarity of glucose used. Nonenzymatic glycosylation resulted in formation of cross-links and alterations of the cruciform shape of laminin molecules; these alterations were dramatic when high concentrations of glucose were used. One of the functions of laminin, the process of self-assembly, was shown to be impaired after in vitro nonenzymatic glycosylation. Glucose incorporation resulted in a dramatic decrease of long-to-long laminin dimers, which normally form during the initial steps of assembly. Furthermore, nonenzymatic glycosylation of laminin reduced its ability to self-associate into complexes larger than dimers, as judged by turbidimetry. The observed decrease of maximal turbidity was proportional to the degree of nonenzymatic glycosylation. Aminoguanidine, which has been suggested to inhibit cross-link formation, was shown to restore to a large extent the shape of laminin, the percentage of long-to-long arm dimers, and the maximal turbidity when included in the mixtures of laminin and glucose. These data suggest that structural and functional alterations of laminin may be primarily due to formation of cross-links. Such modifications of laminin (along with our basement membrane components) may contribute to the morphological and physiological changes observed in basement membranes under diabetic conditions.

Animals↗

The effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on glycosaminoglycan production by human marrow cultures.

We have assayed the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), a potent modulator of hematopoiesis, on glycosaminoglycan production in human marrow cultures. Glycosaminoglycans are a component of the extracellular matrix known to affect cell growth and differentiation. TGF-beta 1 and [35S]sulfate were added simultaneously to hematopoietically active human marrow cultures, and radiolabeled glycosaminoglycan production was determined by cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation. TGF-beta 1 at 15 ng/ml for 72 h increased [35S]sulfate incorporation into media glycosaminoglycans to 190% of control levels but did not affect the [35S]sulfate incorporation into cell-associated glycosaminoglycans. Approximately 90% of the glycosaminoglycans in the media fraction and 85% of the glycosaminoglycans in the cell-associated fraction were susceptible to degradation by chondroitin ABCase in both treated and control cultures. Pulse-chase experiments suggested that the increase in glycosaminoglycan [35S]sulfate incorporation was not due to decreased glycosaminoglycan degradation. This concentration of TGF-beta 1 did not alter nonadherent granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) number per flask but significantly decreased the more primitive adherent CFU-GM number per flask (by 50%-70%). These data suggest that the ability of TGF-beta 1 to modulate hematopoiesis may be due, in part, to its effects on glycosaminoglycan production.

Bone Marrow↗

G-protein involvement in matrix-mediated motility and invasion of high and low experimental metastatic B16 melanoma clones.

Membranes from a B16 murine melanoma clone of high experimental metastatic capacity show increased amounts of pertussis toxin (PT) substrate when compared to a low metastatic counterpart. Using specific antibodies, we identified Gi2 as the PT-sensitive G-protein uniquely abundant in highly metastatic cells. ADP ribosylation of a G-protein alpha subunit by PT decreased both the migration of tumor cells through Matrigel (Collaborative Research, Bedford, MA) and the fibronectin-, laminin-, and collagen type IV-mediated motility of a high metastatic clone. Treatment of cells from a low metastatic clone with PT did not alter either the relatively low invasive capacity or lower motility of these cells. While cholera toxin treatment of cells resulted in decreased invasion and motility of both high and low metastatic clones, there were significant qualitative and quantitative differences, when compared to the PT effects, which indicated that the two toxins were acting on different second messenger systems. PT treatment of B16 clones of high or low experimental metastatic capacity does not result in any alteration in cellular cyclic AMP accumulation suggesting that the PT substrate is not linked with the adenylyl cyclase enzyme complex. The data suggest that a PT-sensitive G-protein, possibly Gi2, regulates second messenger pathways that contribute to the metastatic capacity of B16 melanoma cells.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Mapping of three major heparin-binding sites on laminin and identification of a novel heparin-binding site on the B1 chain.

Laminin, a major basement membrane glycoprotein, interacts with many basement membrane- and cell surface-associated heparin-like macromolecules. In order to understand these interactions better, we have tried to map heparin-binding sites on laminin precisely. Electron microscopy revealed three major heparin-binding sites: 1) on the globule of the long arm; 2) on the outer globule of the short arms; and 3) on the inner globule of the short arms. Elution of heparin bound to a laminin affinity column with a linear salt gradient produced three peaks at 0.15, 0.17, and 0.20 M NaCl. When the laminin-heparin interaction was examined in the presence of increasing salt concentrations by the technique of rotary shadowing, the weakest binding was assigned to the inner globule of the short arms and the strongest to the globule of the long arm. One peptide termed AC15, with the sequence Arg-Ile-Gln-Asn-Leu-Leu-Lys-Ile-Thr-Asn-Leu-Arg-Ile-Lys-Phe-Val-Lys from the B1 chain, was identified as a heparin-binding sequence localized on the outer globule of the lateral short arm. Because the two stronger heparin-binding sites were mapped in domains participating in laminin self-association, the effect of heparin on this phenomenon was examined using turbidity and electron microscopy. At low heparin concentrations, laminin oligomer and polymer formation was slightly enhanced. At high heparin concentrations, a drastic inhibition of polymerization was observed, and laminin was detected to be mainly monomeric in rotary-shadowed samples. These results suggest that local variation in the concentration of heparin-like macromolecules might be a crucial factor in determining the association of matrix macromolecules and therefore the structure of basement membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The binding of heparin to type IV collagen: domain specificity with identification of peptide sequences from the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) which preferentially bind heparin.

Three distinctive heparin-binding sites were observed in type IV collagen by the use of rotary shadowing: in the NC1 domain and at distances 100 and 300 nm from the NC1 domain. Scatchard analysis indicated different affinities for these sites. Electron microscopic analysis of heparin-type IV collagen interaction with increasing salt concentrations showed the different affinities to be NC1 greater than 100 nm greater than 300 nm. The NC1 domain bound specifically to chondroitin/dermatan sulfate side chains as well. This binding was observed at the electron microscope and in solid-phase binding assays (where chondroitin sulfate could compete for the binding of [3H]heparin to NC1-coated substrata). The triple helix-rich, rod-like domain of type IV collagen did not bind to chondroitin/dermatan sulfate side chains. In solid-phase binding assays only heparin could compete for the binding of [3H]heparin to this domain. In order to more precisely map potential heparin-binding sites in type IV collagen, we chemically synthesized 17 arginine- and lysine-containing peptides from the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains. Three peptides from the known sequence of the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains were shown to specifically bind heparin: peptide Hep-I (TAGSCLRKFSTM), from the alpha 1(NC1) chain, peptide Hep-II (LAGSCLARFSTM), a peptide corresponding to the same sequence in peptide Hep-I from the alpha 2 (NC1) chain, and peptide Hep-III (GEFYFDLRLKGDK) which contained an interruption of the triple helical sequence of the alpha 1(IV) chain at about 300 nm from the NC1 domain, were demonstrated to bind heparin in solid-phase binding assays and compete for the binding of [3H]heparin to type IV collagen-coated substrata. Therefore, each of these peptides may represent a potential heparin-binding site in type IV collagen. The mapping of the binding of heparin or related structures, such as heparan sulfate proteoglycan, to specific sequences of type IV collagen could help the understanding of several structural and functional properties of this basement membrane protein as well as interactions with other basement membrane and/or cell surface-associated macromolecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 binds to immobilized fibronectin.

We have characterized the interaction of homodimeric porcine transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) with affinity-purified human plasma fibronectin. Using a solid-phase binding assay, we have demonstrated that TGF-beta 1 binds to fibronectin immobilized on Immunlon ITM microtiter plates. TGF-beta 1 binding increased with time, reaching a plateau after 4-6 h, and was dependent upon the concentration of both labeled TGF-beta 1 and immobilized fibronectin present. The binding of radiolabeled TGF-beta 1 to fibronectin was saturable and was reduced 75% in the presence of a 100-fold excess of unlabeled TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 1 bound to fibronectin with an association rate constant (Ka) of 2.96 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 and did not readily dissociate under various conditions. The binding of TGF-beta 1 to fibronectin was insensitive to variations in ionic strength over a range of 0.1-1.0 M NaCl and was relatively insensitive to divalent cation concentration in the range of 0.1-10.0 mM as well. These data suggest that the binding of TGF-beta 1 to fibronectin may not be dependent upon the interaction of charged amino acids within these two molecules. However, the binding of TGF-beta 1 to fibronectin was strongly pH-dependent and binding decreased dramatically below pH 4.0 and above pH 10.0, suggesting that charged amino acids may influence TGF-beta 1/fibronectin interactions. The association of TGF-beta 1 with immobilized fibronectin or other extracellular matrix components and subsequent dissociation under acidic conditions or by an as-yet-unidentified mechanism may play a role in the distribution and/or activity of this potent growth regulator at sites of tissue injury and inflammation in vivo.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of laminin in the basement membranes of normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human prostate.

We examined the effects of fixatives and antibody sources on the immunohistologic localization of laminin in normal and cancer-containing human prostates and studied the localization patterns in carcinomas of varying degrees of histologic differentiation. Two different polyclonal antibodies were localized in paraffin-embedded or cryostat sections of fixed (alcohol, formalin, and paraformaldehyde) or unfixed tissue, using the immunofluorescence (IF) or immunoperoxidase (IP) techniques, with positive and negative controls. We found that the IF reactions were more intense in unfixed or alcohol-fixed sections than in paraformaldehyde-fixed specimens. IP reactions were very weak or absent in fixed and paraffin-embedded sections, but pepsin treatment of these sections resulted in more intense and uniform IP reaction products, stronger than in unfixed or ethanol-fixed cryostat sections. With the IP technique, laminin localization was intense and uniform in the basement membranes (BM) of acini, blood vessels, smooth muscle, and nerve fibers in normal prostate, benign hyperplasia (BPH), and well-differentiated carcinomas. The BM of poorly differentiated carcinomas showed widespread absence of laminin reactivity. In normal BPH and well-differentiated tumors, occasional epithelial cells and their surface and acinar lumina had laminin reactivity. However, in higher grade tumors, numerous neoplastic cells had laminin reactivity in cytoplasm, their surface, and secretory material. Some macrophages and neutrophils also contained laminin reactivity, presumably of degraded laminin. In some moderately and poorly differentiated tumors, the BM of small capillaries did not contain laminin. The BM of larger vessels always had laminin reactivity, even in the higher grade tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Adhesion of lymphoid cells to the carboxyl-terminal heparin-binding domains of fibronectin.

Previously, we have shown that some lymphoid cell lines adhere to fibronectin (FN)-coated substratum, whereas others do not. In this study, the adhesion of five adherent lymphoid cell lines to different FN domains was examined. These cell lines ranged in their adherence to substratum coated with FN, the cell-binding domain (CBD) fragment, or the heparin-binding domain (HBD) fragments. None of the cell lines adhered to substratum coated with the gelatin-binding domain fragment. Three of the lymphoid cell lines adhered preferentially to HBD over CBD, whereas two other lymphoid cell lines and BHK fibroblasts adhered preferentially to CBD. These results suggest that two distinct adhesive interactions occur between cells and FN and that the pattern of interaction varies among cell types. Using MOPC 315 (which adheres preferentially to HBD) as a cell model to study the cell-HBD interaction, the HBD-promoted adhesion was found to be independent of the RGD sequence and could be inhibited by anti-FN antibodies. Moreover, the MOPC 315-HBD interaction had the following characteristics: (1) adhesion was temperature dependent, (2) presence of divalent cations was necessary, (3) integrity of cellular microfilaments but not microtubules was required, (4) inhibition of protein synthesis abolished adhesion, (5) pretreatment of cells with trypsin inhibited adhesion, and (6) the adhesion was mediated by the carboxyl-terminal HBD.

Cell Adhesion↗

Immunohistochemical localization of fibronectin in the chinchilla cochlea.

The purpose of this study was to better understand the molecular composition of the cochlea. Fibronectin (FN), a well characterized adhesive glycoprotein, was localized by immunofluorescence microscopy in fresh and fixed cochlear tissues, and in fixed kidney tissue, using a polyclonal, affinity-purified, rabbit, anti-fibronectin antibody and a secondary antibody coupled to FITC. The FN antibody was free from cross-reactivity with other known basement membrane and cell matrix molecules. FN reactivity in the cochlea was most intense in the basilar membrane, latero-basal borders of Boettcher's cells, otic capsule, endothelial basement membranes (particularly those of the stria vascularis), and as a diffuse, fan-shaped network radiating into the spiral ligament. Little FN labelling was present in the epithelial basement membranes. Negative control tissue showed no immunoreactivity; whereas, positive kidney control tissue showed appropriate FN immunoreactivity in the mesangium of the glomerulus. The most significant finding of this study was that FN is a major component of the basilar membrane and its distribution appears to correspond to the amorphous ground substance. FN was not localized in the organ of Corti or at the tips of the hair-cell stereocilia.

Animals↗

Herpes simplex virus inhibits endothelial cell attachment and migration to extracellular matrix proteins.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection may be involved in various endothelial-injury syndromes, including vasculitis and atherosclerosis. In a previous study, it was reported that HSV-infected human umbilical endothelial cells are more vulnerable to detachment mediated by granulocyte-secreted proteases. To elucidate the molecular basis of this observation, the authors examined the interaction of infected endothelial cells with the purified basement membrane proteins, fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen. HSV-infected endothelial cells exhibited defects in their ability to adhere, spread, and migrate on all three matrix components. This defective adhesion could be partially overcome by increasing concentrations of fibronectin; in contrast, no abrogation of deficient binding occurs with increased levels of laminin or collagen type IV. This suggests that endothelial cells may use different surface constituents for binding to the three proteins and use multiple "receptors" for adhesion to the fibronectin molecule--"receptors" that are variably affected by HSV infection. The authors investigated this supposition by assaying adhesion of normal and infected endothelial cells to two non-overlapping cell-adhesion promoting fragments of fibronectin: 1) a 75 kd motility-promoting fragment which contains the arginyl-glycyl-aspartylserine (RGDS) adhesion sequence, and 2) a 33 kd carboxyl-terminal heparin binding fragment, which promotes cell adhesion by an RGDS-independent mechanism. Normal endothelial cells adhered and spread on both purified fragments. In contrast, while infected endothelial cells could adhere, albeit rather poorly, to high coating concentrations of the 75 kd fragment, these cells did not bind to the 33 kd heparin binding fragment of fibronectin at all. These results support the concept that endothelial cells adhere to multiple domains of fibronectin, and that HSV infection preferentially abrogates binding to the heparin-binding domain, while leaving relatively intact receptors for the RGDS-containing domain. In support, soluble RGDS significantly blocked fibronectin adhesion of infected, but not control, endothelial cells. It is concluded that HSV infection inhibits the interaction of endothelial cells with basement membrane proteins and weakens their tethering to substratum. This tethering is inadequate for proper cell spreading or movement to occur and may result in both excessive endothelial lift-off and impaired vascular repair in HSV infections.

Cell Adhesion↗

Granulocyte-mediated injury to herpes simplex virus-infected human endothelium.

Some endothelial-injury syndromes, including atherosclerosis, may involve herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Examining the mechanism of injury, we found adherence of unstimulated granulocytes to HSV infected endothelium to be twice that to uninfected endothelium (34.8 +/- 1.1 versus 18.8 +/- 0.5%; mean +/- SEM; p less than 0.001) which further increased in the presence of anti-HSV antibodies. Enhanced adhesion was accompanied by excessive granulocyte-mediated lysis of 51Cr-labeled, HSV-infected endothelium (16.4 +/- 0.9%, HSV-infected versus 0.9 +/- 4.5% for uninfected endothelium; p less than 0.01). HSV infection also increased granulocyte-mediated endothelial cell detachment from its substratum (14.7 +/- 1.7% versus 3.3 +/- 0.3% for uninfected endothelium; p less than 0.001), which further increased (p less than 0.01) in the presence of immune complexes (IgG-sensitized erythrocytes). This suggests that neo-Fc receptors of infected endothelium bind IgG-coated particles, which, in turn, attract and stimulate granulocytes. In support, granulocyte-mediated detachment was not enhanced by immune complexes if endothelium was infected with a mutant HSV strain (E3/3) that does not produce glycoprotein E, the viral glycoprotein having Fc-receptor activity. Exaggerated endothelial detachment correlated with poor binding of infected endothelial cells to the substratum matrix protein, fibronectin. Resuspended, virus-infected endothelial cells bound significantly less well to tissue-culture wells coated with both low (p less than 0.001) and high (p less than 0.05) concentrations of fibronectin as compared with uninfected endothelial cells, a dichotomy further worsened in the presence of granulocyte-released elastase. We conclude that HSV-infected human endothelium is vulnerable to granulocyte-mediated injury by opposing alterations in its adhesive properties: its increased binding of granulocytes and its weakened tethering to matrix fibronectin, particularly when exposed to secreted granulocyte proteases, such as elastase.

Cell Adhesion↗