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Evolution of the concept of "extracellular matrix' in the brain.

The question as to whether an extracellular matrix exists between cells in the adult brain has been debated since the end of the last century. In the early years, zones containing neuropil and glial processes were mistakenly believed to represent this substance. But Golgi's discovery of the "perineuronal net" paved the way for future study of the true extracellular matrix. In the 1950s, application of histochemical techniques established the existence of interstitial material between nerve cells. Unfortunately the similarity between the pericellular distribution of this material and Golgi's "pericellular nets" was overlooked. The detection of an extracellular volume fraction in the central nervous system furnished further indirect proof for the existence of an extracellular matrix in the brain. However, the repeated failure of electron microscopy to reveal a substantial space between cell processes undermined the acceptance of the concept of "extracellular matrix" in the central nervous system. Nowadays this concept has, however, been firmly established.

Brain↗

Extracellular matrix molecules and their receptors: an overview with special emphasis on periodontal tissues.

Knowledge of extracellular matrix molecules and their cell receptors has increased exponentially during the last 2 decades. It is now known that the structure and function of each tissue is based on specific combinations of matrix molecules. The major constituents of the extracellular matrix are collagens, proteoglycans, and adhesive glycoproteins. The rapid development of biochemical, molecular biological, and immunological research has revealed a lot of interesting details pertaining to these molecules. Several new collagen types have been discovered. In addition to being responsible for the strength and form of tissues, each collagen type has specific sequences providing them with special features such as flexibility and the ability to interact with other matrix molecules and cells. Proteoglycans are another large group of matrix molecules with a variety of functions. Proteoglycans play an important role in tissue resilience and filtering. Some proteoglycans have a capacity to specifically bind other matrix molecules and growth factors, while others act as matrix receptors on the cell surface. An important part of regulation of the cell behavior is played by adhesive glycoproteins belonging to the fibronectin and laminin families. Several isoforms of fibronectin and laminin that result from alternative RNA splicing serve specific functions such as controlling the attachment, migration, and synthetic activity of cells. A major group of cell receptors for cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions is termed integrins. The integrins are cell surface proteins composed of two polypeptides whose structure dictates the specificity of each receptor. The cytoplasmic domain of the integrins interacts with cytoskeletal elements within the cell, and thereby relays the information from the extracellular space into the protein synthesis machinery. The expression of the integrins is controlled by the extracellular matrix and growth factors, most notably TGF beta. During periodontal diseases several aspects of the cell-matrix interactions may be disturbed. Therefore, an understanding of the special features of the extracellular matrix and their receptors in periodontal tissues is a prerequisite for developing new approaches to the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Extracellular Matrix Proteins↗

Extracellular matrix proteins modulate asthmatic airway smooth muscle cell proliferation via an autocrine mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Airway remodeling is a key feature of persistent asthma and includes alterations in the extracellular matrix protein profile around the airway smooth muscle (ASM) and hyperplasia of the ASM. We have previously shown that nonasthmatic ASM cells in culture produce a range of extracellular matrix protein proteins and that asthmatic ASM cells proliferate faster than cells from nonasthmatic patients. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the profile of extracellular matrix proteins produced by nonasthmatic and asthmatic ASM cells. We also examined the influence of these extracellular matrix protein proteins and conditioned medium derived from nonasthmatic or asthmatic ASM cells on the proliferation of nonasthmatic and asthmatic ASM cells. METHODS: Extracellular matrix proteins were measured by ELISA; proliferation of ASM cells was measured by tritiated thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Production of perlecan and collagen I by the cells from asthmatic patients were significantly increased. In contrast, laminin alpha1 and collagen IV were decreased. Chondroitin sulfate was detectable only in the cells from nonasthmatic patients. Compared with nonasthmatic extracellular matrix proteins, proteins from asthmatic cells enhanced ASM cell proliferation. Conditioned medium from asthmatic ASM cells did not induce greater proliferation compared with conditioned medium from nonasthmatic cells. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that the profile of extracellular matrix protein components is altered in asthmatic cells and that this altered profile and not soluble mediators secreted from the ASM cells has the potential to influence the proliferation of these cells. These changes are likely to contribute to the airway wall remodeling that occurs in asthma.

Adult↗

Reactivity of synthetic peptide analogs of adhesive proteins in regard to the interaction of human endothelial cells with extracellular matrix.

Vascular endothelial cells, providing a nonthrombogenic surface to the lumenal aspect of blood vessels, are anchored to matrix adhesion molecules in the subendothelium through their respective receptors belonging to a superfamily of integrins. We analyzed the reactivity of synthetic peptide analogs of adhesive proteins toward human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), assaying their detachment from extracellular matrix and attachment to extracellular matrix components in vitro. Synthetic peptide analogs Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP), Arg-Gly-Asp-Val (RGDV), Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS), and Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe (RGDF), which are analogous to "cell adhesion sites" of fibronectin, vitronectin, von Willebrand factor, and alpha-chain of human fibrinogen, respectively, caused significant detachment of HUVEC from the extracellular matrix in vitro at the concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mmol/L. They also interfered with attachment of HUVEC to surfaces coated with subendothelial extracellular matrix or its components. The synthetic peptide analog of HHLGGAKQAGDV, which is homologous to the gamma-chain of human fibrinogen sequence 400-411, did not cause any measurable effect on the integrity of HUVEC monolayers (detachment and attachment). "Hybrid" peptides bearing salient features of both sequences, ie, Ala-Lys-Gln-Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe (AKQRGDF) and Lys-Gln-Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe (KQRGDF), had an attenuated effect on the detachment of HUVEC from extracellular matrix. Thus, the integrity of the human endothelial cell monolayer anchored to the extracellular matrix, as measured in detachment and attachment assays, is disturbed by peptides containing RGD sequence whereas the synthetic peptide His-His-Leu-Gly-Gly-Ala-Lys-Gln-Ala-Gly-Asp-Val (HHLGGAKQAGDV) is nonreactive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of secreted matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in human melanoma cells by extracellular matrix proteins and cytokines.

Degradation of matrix proteins that constitute the dermal-epidermal junction and dermis by proteolytic enzymes is an essential step of melanoma invasion and metastasis, and this is primarily achieved by the matrix metalloproteinases. In this report, using zymography, we compared the basal secretion levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 to levels in response to various extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines, and growth factors in normal human melanocyte cells and melanoma cell lines from different stages of neoplastic progression. Basal matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity was only detected in vertical growth phase and metastatic melanoma cell lines, suggesting that matrix metalloproteinase-9 is a candidate biomarker for identifying vertical growth phase and metastatic melanomas. Most melanoma cell lines and cultured normal melanocytes produced high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2. In addition, both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta are strong inducers of active matrix metalloproteinase-9 in vertical growth phase melanoma cell lines, indicating a possible role of these cytokines in the switch from radial growth phase to vertical growth phase. We propose that these proinflammatory cytokines promote melanoma invasion in part through upregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9. Both these cytokines are released from keratinocytes in the epidermis by ultraviolet radiation. Thus, our study suggests that the microenvironment of melanoma cells is an important feature in melanoma progression, and ultraviolet-radiation-induced cytokines might promote the progression of melanoma through the release or activation of matrix metalloproteinases.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

An extracellular matrix molecule that is selectively expressed during development is important for gastrulation in the sea urchin embryo.

The extracellular matrix is important in the regulation of many cellular events of early development including migration, shape change, proliferation and gene expression. In the sea urchin embryo, disruption of the extracellular matrix results in selective defects in each of these events during gastrulation. Here we describe a new molecule of the extracellular matrix in Lytechinus variegatus, referred to as ECM 18, that has several important features. First, antibody interference of ECM 18 results in a profound but reversible inhibition of primary mesenchyme cell organization and endoderm morphogenesis during gastrulation. Second, during gastrulation, ECM 18 mRNA accumulates to highest levels in the invaginating endoderm and the ECM 18 protein deposited in the basal lamina surrounding the archenteron as well as in other areas of the blastocoel wall. Immunolocalization by fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrates the selective accumulation of ECM 18 in the extracellular matrix. Third, although the mRNA encoding ECM 18 is present throughout development, the protein accumulates only during gastrulation. ECM 18 protein is not detected in eggs or early embryos and analysis of polysome-associated mRNA suggests that at least part of the translational regulation of ECM 18 is at the level of ECM 18 mRNA-polysome formation. Finally, sequence analysis of ECM 18 shows that the protein contains a repeat sequence with a conserved cysteine motif, suggestive of involvement in protein-protein interactions. Thus, ECM 18 appears to be important in mediating select morphogenetic changes during gastrulation and the pattern of its expression in the embryo is unique among the extracellular matrix molecules known in this embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Coordinate gene expression during neonatal rat heart development. A possible role for the myocyte in extracellular matrix biogenesis and capillary angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal heart development is a period of active extracellular matrix deposition and capillary angiogenesis which follows the cessation of ventricular myocyte proliferation. The aim was to determine whether coordinate expression of growth factors by the ventricular myocyte could function to inhibit myocyte proliferation directly as well as indirectly by paracrine stimulation of non-myocyte extracellular matrix deposition and capillary angiogenesis. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and northern blot hybridisations were performed on ventricular samples from fetal to mature animals of the spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strains. RESULTS: Ventricular expression of types I, III, and IV collagen genes reached their "maximum" within the first 2-3 postnatal weeks and then rapidly declined. Expression of TGF beta 3 and SPARC were found to precede and accompany the changes in extracellular matrix gene expression during this same developmental period. TGF beta 3 was immunolocalised to fetal cardiomyocytes with very limited expression in neonatal/adult non-myocytes. Associated with the neonatal expression of TGF beta variants, transcripts for the type 2 IGF receptor gradually declined over the first three postnatal weeks. Myocyte TGF beta gene expression, latent TGF beta release, and paracrine mechanisms of action could be facilitated by residual type 2 IGF receptor expression to help mediate stimulation of non-myocyte extracellular matrix synthesis and deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of select growth factors, growth factor receptors, and components of the extracellular matrix appear to be highly coordinated during ventricular remodelling which occurs during neonatal heart development. A paradigm is presented which integrates the expression patterns of various myocyte derived stimuli and their postulated impact on formation of the structural components of the neonatal heart by modulation of myocyte and non-myocyte cell types.

Animals↗

Extracellular matrix collagen synthesis and degradation following coronary balloon angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is associated with intimal hyperplasia and extracellular matrix deposition of collagen, leading to restenosis in a significant number of cases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of balloon angioplasty on extracellular matrix collagen content and collagenase activity in a porcine coronary artery restenosis model 6 weeks following balloon injury. We tested the hypothesis that in balloon-injured arteries the neointimal extracellular matrix was characterized by increased collagen content and decreased metalloproteinase activity relative to non-injured arteries. Male miniswine maintained on a high cholesterol diet underwent cardiac catheterization and double balloon injury to the right and left circumflex coronary arteries. The coronary arteries were either pressure-perfusion-fixed and prepared for histological examination, or dissected free of adventitia for further collagen and matrix metalloproteinase studies. Collagen synthesis in balloon-injured coronary arteries was compared to non-injured arteries using Northern blot analysis and histochemical stains. Comparative studies on differences between balloon-injured and non-balloon-injured arterial matrix metalloproteinase activity were done using zymography. Balloon angioplasty arterial injury resulted in a significant increase in type I collagen mRNA expression, with increased collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix. In contrast, matrix metalloproteinase activity was markedly decreased. The results suggest that the increased neointimal extracellular matrix observed late in the injury response may be due to not only increased collagen synthesis, but also reduced degradation. The failure to achieve a balance between the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix collagen could serve as an important mechanism responsible for restenosis.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Reactive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) by corneal endothelial cells.

Results of experimental and histopathological studies of reactive production of extracellular matrix by corneal endothelial cells are summarized and evaluated. In anterior synechiae, epithelial ingrowth and a chronic corneal ulcer extracellular matrix was produced not only toward Descemet's membrane but also on the normally free endothelial cell surface. In some cases of anterior synechiae and cystic epithelial ingrowth, after partial separation of the new layer of extracellular matrix, recovery and regeneration of endothelial cells was possible. In diffuse epithelial invasion, extracellular matrix facilitated at the beginning the progression of epithelium over endothelium, putatively serving as a substrate; however, in longer-standing invasions endothelial cells degenerated and died. Reactive production of extracellular matrix may represent a defensive mechanism of endothelium threatened by foreign cells, tissues or materials.

Animals↗

[Integrin expression and ability to adhere to extracellular matrix and endothelial cells in human lung cancers].

Tumor cell interaction with extracellular matrix and endothelial cells constitute the most crucial factor of metastasis. Integrins are one of adhesion molecules which mediate the interaction. Most lung cancers adhered strongly to extracellular matrix corresponding with expression of integrins. Three lung cancers which expressed few or no integrins had very weak ability to adhere to extracellular matrix. Strong binding to endothelial cells was found in most lines but the three lung cancers had very little ability to adhere to endothelial cells. Binding to endothelial cells were strongly inhibited by antibodies to beta-1 subunit. Lung cancers may adhere to extracellular matrix and endothelial cells through integrins, especially the beta-1 subfamily.

Cell Adhesion↗

Human microvascular endothelial cell-extracellular matrix interaction in cellular growth state determination.

We introduce two methods, both of which are based on cellular-extracellular matrix interaction, which will facilitate the study of human microvascular endothelial cells. One method describes the means to obtain a G1 population baseline in human microvascular endothelial cells. Because of the contribution of the extracellular matrix in endothelial cell growth, synchronization in G1 was possible only after the incorporation of angiostatic levels of heparin and hydrocortisone into the extracellular matrix. In the second method, we demonstrate that selective perturbation of human microvascular endothelial cell-extracellular matrix interactions results in the induction of a transitional growth state, between proliferative and differentiated growth states, in human microvascular endothelial cells. In the functional, microtubule formation assays, transitional growth state endothelial cells display rates that are indermediate between those obtained from differentiated and proliferative endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate the importance of the human microvascular endothelial cell-extracellular matrix interaction in the determination of cellular growth state. Our findings also imply that responsiveness of microvascular endothelial cells to their cellular-extracellular matrix environs is highest during the differentiated growth state.

Adolescent↗

[Isolation of human basal keratinocytes by selective adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins].

Epidermal human cells (keratinocytes) differently interact with extracellular matrix proteins of the skin basal membrane depending on the stages of their differentiation. The pool of basal keratinocytes commonly includes stem cells and transient amplifying cells. They directly attach to the skin basal membrane. Keratinocytes change their adhesive properties during differentiation, lose direct interaction with the basal membrane and move to suprabasal epidermal strata. From this, it is suggested that basal and primarily stem cells can be isolated from a heterogenous keratinocyte population due to their selective adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins. In the current study, we analysed the specificity of interaction between primary keratinocytes and extracellular matrix proteins (collagens of I and IV types, laminin-2/4, fibronectin and matrigel). We have demonstrated that the basal keratinocytes extracted from the skin have different adhesive abilities. The rapidly spreading cells usually interacted with collagen and fibronectin rather that with laminin-2/4 or matrigel. The majority of these cells being represented by basal keratinocytes. Our data demonstrate that the applied method of keratinocyte selection may be directed for precise isolation of skin stem from a common cell population.

Cell Adhesion↗

The extracellular matrix provides directional cues for neuronal migration during cerebellar development.

Normal central nervous system development relies on accurate intrinsic cellular programs as well as on extrinsic informative cues provided by extracellular molecules. Migration of neuronal progenitors from defined proliferative zones to their final location is a key event during embryonic and postnatal development. Extracellular matrix components play important roles in these processes, and interactions between neurons and extracellular matrix are fundamental for the normal development of the central nervous system. Guidance cues are provided by extracellular factors that orient neuronal migration. During cerebellar development, the extracellular matrix molecules laminin and fibronectin give support to neuronal precursor migration, while other molecules such as reelin, tenascin, and netrin orient their migration. Reelin and tenascin are extracellular matrix components that attract or repel neuronal precursors and axons during development through interaction with membrane receptors, and netrin associates with laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and binds to the extracellular matrix receptor integrins present on the neuronal surface. Altogether, the dynamic changes in the composition and distribution of extracellular matrix components provide external cues that direct neurons leaving their birthplaces to reach their correct final location. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that orient neurons to reach precisely their final location during development is fundamental to understand how neuronal misplacement leads to neurological diseases and eventually to find ways to treat them.

Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal↗

Extracellular matrix and the regulation of lung development and repair.

During lung development the extracellular matrix regulates cellular growth, migration, and differentiation. Pulmonary cells reciprocate and regulate extracellular matrix formation by elaborating a variety of peptides that affect gene transcription, RNA processing, translation, and posttranslational modifications of proteins. This regulation involves prenatal events such as the branching of airways and postnatal events such as alveolar septal formation. Normal airway branching requires multiple extracellular matrix proteins, proteoglycans, and the expression of cellular receptors for these molecules. Alveolar septal formation exemplifies how cells regulate the production, export, and deposition of an important structural protein, elastin, which is essential for the development of normal gas exchange units. Repair after injury to the adult lung engages some of the same factors that regulate lung development. However, in this case, inflammatory cells that enter the lung after injury elaborate many of these regulatory peptides. The effects of these peptides on the resident cells, which produce extracellular matrix, are a major determinant of whether the repair restores normal pulmonary architecture or progresses to fibrosis and additional impairment of gas exchange.

Animals↗

Role of extracellular matrix proteins in heart function.

The cardiac interstitium is populated by nonmyocyte cell types including transcriptionally active cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Since these cells are the source of many components of the cardiac extracellular matrix, and because changes in cardiac extracellular matrix are suspected of contributing to the genesis of cardiovascular complications in disease states such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and congestive heart failure, interest in the mechanisms of activation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells has led to progress in understanding these processes. Recent work provides evidence for the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the pathogenesis of abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix in the cardiac interstitium during the development of inappropriate cardiac hypertrophy and failure. The cardiac extracellular matrix is also known to change in response to altered cardiac performance associated with post-natal aging, and in response to environmental stimuli including intermittent hypoxia and abnormal nutrition. It is becoming clear that the extracellular matrix mainly consists of molecules of collagen types I and III; they form fibrils and provide most of the connective material for typing together myocytes and other structures in the myocardium and thus is involved in the transmission of developed mechanical force. The data available in the literature support the view that the extracellular matrix is a dynamic entity and alterations in this structure result in the development of heart dysfunction.

Cardiomegaly↗

Spatial relationship of lectin-labelled extracellular matrix and glutamine synthetase-immunoreactive astrocytes in rat cortical forebrain regions.

Extracellular matrix proteoglycans have previously been revealed by immunocytochemical and lectin-histochemical methods as distinct perineuronal nets in the microenvironment of different types of neurons, but also as a diffuse stain throughout the neuropil in region-dependent patterns. Ultrastructural investigations of perineuronal nets in subcortical regions have demonstrated glycan components in the close vicinity of astrocyte processes, suggesting that the extracellular matrix contributes differentially to the glianeuron interface. In the present study the spatial relationship of extracellular matrix components and astrocytes was characterised at the regional and cellular level by lectin histochemistry (soybean agglutinin, Vicia villosa agglutinin, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin) and antiglutamine synthetase immunocytochemistry in the rat neocortex and hippocampus. In most cortical areas layer-specific patterns of diffuse neuropil staining revealed by the lectins could also be recognised after glutamine synthetase (GS) immunostaining. In double-labelling experiments GS-immunoreactive astrocyte processes were found to reach lectin-stained perineuronal nets. GS-immunoreactivity was often parallelled but did not coincide with the lectin label completely, but was observed to form net-like structures similar to the perineuronal lectin staining. Using immunocytochemistry with anti-GS perineuronal, net-like structures were demonstrated on certain parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons which are known to be ensheathed by lectin-stained perineuronal nets. It was evident that a single neuron may receive net-like contacts from several astrocytes and that a single astrocyte can contribute to perineuronal nets on more than one neuron. The findings support the view that N-acetylgalactosamine-containing extracellular matrix molecules and astrocytic processes are topically associated to a high degree. Different proportions of both components may specify the individual neuronal micro-environment.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

Cooperation of Ito cells and hepatocytes in the deposition of an extracellular matrix in vitro.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the deposition of extracellular matrix components in both normal and fibrotic liver are still poorly understood. We have investigated the influence of cooperation between Ito cells and hepatocytes in matrix deposition in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled proteins from media of 5-day-old Ito cell primary cultures showed that these cells secreted high levels of the major basement membrane components, ie, collagen IV, laminin, and entactin/nidogen. By immunocytochemistry, precursors of basement membrane components were found intracellularly, but only scarce deposits were seen around the cells. When hepatocytes were added to 2-day-old Ito cell primary cultures, they established close contacts with Ito cells in less than 24 hours and expressed ZO-1, a tight junction-associated protein not detectable in standard hepatocyte culture. Cytochemistry analysis revealed an abundant extracellular matrix deposited over hepatocyte cords and between hepatocytes and Ito cells. Immunocytochemistry studies showed that this matrix contained laminin, fibronectin, and collagens proIII and IV. These data indicate that a high level of matrix protein synthesis by liver cells in vitro is not sufficient to induce extracellular matrix deposition, and that cell-cell interactions are strongly involved in this process. Hepatocyte/Ito cell co-culture, which may reflect the actual situation in vivo, represents a useful tool for studying liver fibrogenesis.

Animals↗

Aspects of extracellular matrix remodeling in development and disease.

The extracellular matrix is the major constituent of organic matter in both plants and animals, where it provides the interface between individual cells. In most tissues, with some notable exceptions such as bone marrow, the volume of extracellular matrix equals or exceeds the volume of intracellular space and organelles, making matrix an abundant constituent through which cells exert their functions and receive cues. The matrix may therefore be considered the basic structural entity that supports the function of an organ, and in connective tissues the matrix is the organ itself to which function is tied throughout the life of its resident cells. In this review, a select number of proteinases involved in some of the more conspicuous matrix remodeling events of the mammalian organism are explored. Evidence from both animal models and human diseases is discussed in relation to normal physiological processes, including instances in which aberrant matrix remodeling leads to disease states.

Animals↗