Arterial chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan: localization with a monoclonal antibody

We generated a monoclonal antibody (Mab) against a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) isolated from bovine aorta. This Mab (941) immunoprecipitates a CSPG synthesized by cultured monkey arterial smooth muscle cells. The immunoprecipitated CSPG is totally susceptible to chondroitinase ABC digestion and possesses a core glycoprotein of Mr approximately 400-500 KD. By use of immunofluorescence light microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy, the PG recognized by this Mab was shown to be deposited in the extracellular matrix of monkey arterial smooth muscle cell cultures in clusters which were not part of other fibrous matrix components and not associated with the cell's plasma membrane. With similar immunolocalization techniques, the CSPG antigen was found enriched in the intima and present in the medial portions of normal blood vessels, as well as in the interstitial matrix of thickened intimal lesions of atherosclerotic vessels. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that this CSPG was confined principally to the space within the extracellular matrix not occupied by other matrix components, such as collagen and elastic fibers. These results indicate that this particular proteoglycan has a specific but restricted distribution in the extracellular matrix of arterial tissue.     

Phenotypic heterogeneity influences the behavior of rat aortic smooth muscle cells in collagen lattice

Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerosis and restenosis involves responses to the surrounding microenvironment. SMCs obtained by enzymatic digestion from tunica media of newborn, young adult (YA) and old rats and from the thickened intima (TI) and underlying media of young adult rat aortas 15 days after ballooning were entrapped in floating populated collagen lattice (PCL). TI-SMCs elongated but were poor at PCL contraction and remodeling and expressed less alpha2 integrin compared to other SMCs that appeared more dendritic. During early phases of PCL contraction, SMCs showed a marked decrease in the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and myosin. SMCs other than TI-SMCs required 7 days to re-express alpha-smooth muscle actin and myosin. Only TI-SMCs in PCL were able to divide in 48 h, with a greater proportion in S and G2-M cell cycle phases compared to other SMCs. Anti-alpha2 integrin antibody markedly inhibited contraction but not proliferation in YA-SMC-PLCs; anti-alpha1 and anti-alpha2 integrin antibodies induced a similar slight inhibition in TI-SMC-PCLs. Finally, TI-SMCs rapidly migrated from PCL on plastic reacquiring their epithelioid phenotype. Heterogeneity in proliferation and cytoskeleton as well the capacity to remodel the extracellular matrix are maintained, when SMCs are suspended in PCLs.     

Reorganization of structural proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells grown in collagen gel and basement membrane matrices (Matrigel): a comparison with their in situ counterparts

When smooth muscle cells are enzyme-dispersed from tissues they lose their original filament architecture and extracellular matrix surrounds. They then reorganize their structural proteins to accommodate a 2-D growth environment when seeded onto culture dishes. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression and reorganization of the structural proteins in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells seeded into 3-D collagen gel and Matrigel (a basement membrane matrix). It was shown that smooth muscle cells seeded in both gels gradually reorganize their structural proteins into an architecture similar to that of their in vivo counterparts. At the same time, a gradual decrease in levels of smooth muscle-specific contractile proteins (mainly smooth muscle myosin heavy chain-2) and an increase in beta-nonmuscle actin occur, independent of both cell growth and extracellular matrix components. Thus, smooth muscle cells in 3-D extracellular matrix culture and in vivo have a similar filament architecture in which the contractile proteins such as actin, myosin, and alpha-actinin are organized into longitudinally arranged "myofibrils" and the vimentin-containing intermediate filaments form a meshed cytoskeletal network. However, the myofibrils reorganized in vitro contain less smooth muscle-specific and more nonmuscle contractile proteins.     

Modulation of smooth muscle cell behaviour by platelet-derived factors and the extracellular matrix

We have studied the combined effects of platelet-derived soluble factors and three types of macromolecular substrata on the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells in vitro. Bovine aortic smooth muscle cells were plated onto three-dimensional gels of type I collagen or onto cell-free extracellular matrices deposited on such gels by either bovine aortic endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells. The cells were cultured in the presence of whole-blood serum (WBS) or platelet-poor plasma (PPP). Smooth muscle cell proliferation on type I collagen gels was dependent on the presence of platelet-derived factors, i.e. the cells proliferated in the presence of WBS but not in PPP. In contrast, cell proliferation on the extracellular matrices occurred at the same rate in PPP and WBS. Smooth muscle cells plated onto collagen gels rapidly migrated down into the gel matrix; the percentage of cells migrating was inversely proportional to cell density. The presence of extracellular matrices did not alter the rate of cell migration into the underlying gel matrix. Irrespective of the substratum used, smooth muscle cell migration was independent of platelet-derived or plasma factors and occurred in the absence of proliferation. These results indicate that possible chemotactic, chemokinetic, and/or mitogenic factors produced by the vascular cells and deposited within the extracellular matrix may play an important role in modulating smooth muscle cell behaviour in the vascular wall.     

Expression of contractile proteins α-actin and myosin of smooth muscle cells and of type IV collagen in human placenta at placental insufficiency in III trimester of pregnancy

Changes of expression of contractile proteins (smooth muscle cell α-actin and myosin) and of type IV collagen in villous stroma of human placenta were studied at the diagnosed placental insufficiency (PI) in III trimester of pregnancy. The study revealed pronounced disturbances of expression of contractile proteins and type IV collagen at PI. It is shown that in perivascular sheaths of vessels of stem and intermediate villi there is present a much greater amount of cells expressing smooth muscle actin and myosin. These cells are arranged by the denser concentric layers and more compactly than in norm and fill the intervascular space inside the villi. The width of perivascular sheaths of vessels is higher, while vascular lumens are lower than in norm. In terminal villi the capillary walls are thickened and the number of pericytes immunopositive against the smooth muscle cell α-actin and myosin as well as type IV collagen is increased. The change of synthesis of the cytoskeletal contractile proteins and type IV collagen is shown to lead to structural disturbances of villi of different types and of perivascular areas and vessels, which doubtlessly indicates their participation in pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and of disturbance of placental hemodynamics.     

Diversity of vinculin/meta-vinculin in human tissues and cultivated cells. Expression of muscle specific variants of vinculin in human aorta smooth muscle cells

Microheterogeneity of different vinculin and meta-vinculin isoforms in adult human tissues and cultured cells was studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting technique. Four isoforms of vinculin (alpha, alpha', beta, and gamma) and two isoforms of meta-vinculin (alpha and beta) were resolved. alpha-, alpha'-, and beta-isoforms of vinculin were found in all cell types and tissue samples analyzed in the present study. gamma-Isoform of vinculin and both alpha- and beta-isoforms of meta-vinculin were found in smooth (aorta wall and myometrium) and cardiac muscle, rather than in skeletal muscle, liver, foreskin fibroblasts, and macrophages. In the primary culture of human aorta smooth muscle cells, the fractional content of gamma-isoform of vinculin and meta-vinculin was dramatically reduced, and, by the onset of intensive cell division, the proteins could hardly be detected. Subcultured human aorta smooth muscle cells did not contain gamma-vinculin and meta-vinculin. We analyzed the microheterogeneity of vinculin and meta-vinculin in three smooth muscle layers of human aorta wall--media, muscular-elastic (adjacent to media) intima, and subendothelial (juxtaluminal) intima. It was shown that in media the fractional content of gamma-isoform of vinculin was 45% and meta-vinculin, 42%; in muscular-elastic intima the fractional content of gamma-vinculin was 42% and meta-vinculin, 36%. However, in subendothelial intima, the share of these proteins was significantly lower than in adjacent muscular-elastic intima and media. Isoactin pattern that is characteristic of smooth muscle was identical in all aortic layers, thus proving the smooth muscle origin of subendothelial intima cells. These findings demonstrate that human aortic smooth muscle cells in vivo and in vitro undergo coordinated differential expression of smooth muscle specific variants of vinculin, i.e. gamma-vinculin and meta-vinculin.     

Fibronectin, hyaluronan, and a hyaluronan binding protein contribute to increased ductus arteriosus smooth muscle cell migration.

"Intimal cushions" which develop in the late gestation lamb ductus arteriosus (DA) are characterized by smooth muscle cells migrating into a large subendothelial space. Our previous in vitro studies, comparing DA cells with those from the aorta (Ao), have shown, even in early gestation, a 10-fold increase in DA endothelial incorporation of hyaluronan into the subendothelial matrix, a 2-fold increase in smooth muscle fibronectin synthesis and, in response to endothelial conditioned medium, a 2-fold increase in chondroitin sulfate. To determine whether these extracellular matrix components may be playing a role in inducing DA smooth muscle migration, we seeded Da or Ao smooth muscle cells onto three-dimensional collagen (2.0 mg/ml) gels and assessed migration 2, 5, and 8 days later. After 8 days, significantly greater numbers of DA compared to Ao cells were found invading the gels (23.1 +/- 3.1% vs 16.2 +/- 2.3%, P less than 0.01). Addition of GRGDS peptides (0.5 mM) or antibodies against fibronectin significantly decreased migration in the DA cells, but had no effect on migration in the Ao. Addition of endothelial conditioned medium to induce smooth muscle chondroitin sulfate production had no effect on DA cell migration. Inclusion of hyaluronan in the gel (0.5-1.5 mg), however, further enhanced DA cell migration, being greatest (31.9 +/- 3.1%) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Hyaluronan was without effect on Ao smooth muscle cell migration. The ability of hyaluronan to promote migration in cultures of DA smooth muscle cells was blocked completely by the addition of antibodies (1:100 dilution, 1 micrograms/ml) to a cell surface hyaluronan binding protein (HABP). As well, addition of anti-HABP to cells on gels containing collagen only significantly reduced migration in the DA but not the Ao. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that in DA cells, HABP was more concentrated in lamellipodia and leading edges than in Ao cells. As well, DA smooth muscle cells synthesized greater amounts of HABP as determined by Western immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation using polyclonal antisera to HABP. Thus, our studies indicate that both increased fibronectin and HABP contribute to the enhanced migration of DA smooth muscle cells. These results, together with our previous studies showing a 10-fold increase in hyaluronan accumulation in the DA endothelial matrix, would suggest a mechanism for increased DA smooth muscle migration into the subendothelial matrix observed in vivo.     

Fibrin-enhanced endothelial cell organization

We examined the synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules by human microvascular endothelial cells isolated from the dermis of neonatal (foreskin) and adult (abdominal) skin. Electron microscopy showed that both cell types produced an extracellular matrix that was strictly localized to the subendothelial space. The subendothelial matrices were initially deposited as a single discontinuous layer of filamentous, electron-dense material that progressively became multilayered. Biosynthetic studies indicated that 2-4% of the newly synthesized protein was deposited in the subendothelial matrices by both cell types. Approximately 15-20% of the radiolabeled protein was secreted into the culture medium, and the remainder was confined to the cellular compartment. Biochemical and immunochemical analyses demonstrated the extracellular secretion of type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and thrombospondin by the newborn and adult cells. Whereas type IV collagen was the predominant constituent of the matrix, fibronectin was secreted into the medium, with only small amounts being deposited in the matrix. Thrombospondin was a major constituent of the matrix produced by the newborn foreskin cells but was virtually absent in the matrix elaborated by the adult cells. However, both cell types did release comparable amounts of thrombospondin into their medium. Immunoperoxidase staining for type IV collagen revealed a fibrillar network in the subendothelial matrices produced by both adult and neonatal cells. In contrast, thrombospondin, which was detected only in the matrix of newborn cells, exhibited a spotty and granular staining pattern. The results indicate that the extracellular matrices synthesized by cultured human microvascular endothelial cells isolated from anatomically distinct sites and different stages of development and age are similar in ultrastructure but differ in their macromolecular composition.     

Basal lamina formation by cultured microvascular endothelial cells

The production of a basal lamina by microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) cultured on various substrata was examined. MEC were isolated from human dermis and plated on plastic dishes coated with fibronectin, or cell-free extracellular matrices elaborated by fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, corneal endothelial cells, or PF HR9 endodermal cells. Examination of cultures by electron microscopy at selected intervals after plating revealed that on most substrates the MEC produced an extracellular matrix at the basal surface that was discontinuous, multilayered, and polymorphous. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that the MEC synthesize and deposit both type IV collagen and laminin into the subendothelial matrix. When cultured on matrices produced by the PF HR9 endodermal cells MEC deposit a subendothelial matrix that was present as a uniform sheet which usually exhibited lamina rara- and lamina densa-like regions. The results indicate that under the appropriate conditions, human MEC elaborate a basal lamina-like matrix that is ultrastructurally similar to basal lamina formed in vivo, which suggests that this experimental system may be a useful model for studies of basal lamina formation and metabolism.     

Quantitative estimation of lipid-laden cells in atherosclerotic lesions of the human aorta.

The intima of the adult human aorta consists of three sublayers: a muscular layer lying next to the media, a median hyperplastic layer and an innermost connective tissue layer, adjoining the lumen. The cells inhabiting these sublayers were isolated by the method of alcoholic-alkaline dissociation from grossly normal areas, fatty streaks and atherosclerotic plaques. The populations obtained contained cells with different numbers of cytoplasmic inclusions and a number without any. In unaffected intima and in fatty streaks, the cells with lipid inclusions were found predominantly in the outermost intimal layer including the connective tissue and in part of the median hyperplastic layer. In the superficial layer of unaffected intima and the fatty streak, these cells accounted for 15 and 25% of the total cell population, respectively. In the plaque, most cells with lipid inclusions were localized in the median hyperplastic layer of the intima (10%). The muscular layer was characterized by the lowest content of cells with lipid inclusions both in the unaffected intima and atherosclerotic lesions (from 0.75% in unaffected intima to 5% plaques). Among the intimal smooth muscle cells of various shapes, the cells with lipid inclusions were most often found in the stellate cell subpopulation (5-35%). A possible role of stellate cells in atherogenesis is discussed.     

Cinematographic analysis of vascular smooth muscle cell interactions with extracellular matrix

Summary The interactions of vascular smooth muscle cells with growth modulators and extracellular matrix molecules may play a role in the proliferation and migration of these cells after vascular injury and during the development of atherosclerosis. Time-lapse cinematographic techniques have been used to study cell division and migration of bovine carotid artery smooth muscle cells in response to matrix molecules consisting of solubilized basement membrane (Matrigel) and type I collagen. When cells were grown adjacent to Matrigel, both migration and cell proliferation were increased and interdivision time was shortened. Cells grown in Matrigel or in type I collagen had markedly reduced migration rates but interdivision time was not altered. Further, diffusible components of the Matrigel were found to stimulate proliferation of the smooth muscle cells. This work was supported by grants HL35684 and SCOR HL14212 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

The use of freeze fracturing in combination with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy for studying the structure of the normal and atherosclerotically altered human aortic intima

Three-dimensional network of smooth muscle cells (SMC) with processes was found in the subendothelial intima of human aorta. The cells were connected with each other through gap junctions. In the direction from the media to the endothelium the number of plasma membrane caveolae increased, their distribution becoming more random. In the fatty streak, the integrity of cellular network was seen destroyed. In the extracellular matrix multilamellar ball-like structures containing large intramembranous particles appeared. In the fibrous plaque, SMCs are completely isolated by connective tissue fibres.     

Characterization of a fibroblast cell from the urinary bladder wall

Summary For the first time we report on the growth, culture, and matrix production characteristics of a cell type isolated from the lamina propria of the urinary bladder wall. A fibroblastlike cell was identified as distinct from bladder detrusor smooth muscle cells and urothelium based on morphology, growth characteristics, and immunohistochemical staining. Characterization of extracellular matrix synthesis by this cell type using³⁵S-methionine metabolic labeling demonstrated that these cells are capable of secreting components of the surrounding connective tissue, including several fibrillar collagens, a basement membrane collagen, and fibronectin.     

Morphogenesis of the intimal thickening observed in nonspecific aortoarteritis

Thickening of blood vessel segment intima (aorta, carotid, femoral and renal arteries) excised from 9 patients during surgery for nonspecific aortoarteritis was studied, using electron microscopic autoradiography. A large number of vessels of capillary and precapillary type were found among cells and in the intracellular substance of thickened intima. Vascular endotheliocytes and pericytes were easily labelled with 3H-uridine. It is suggested that cells appear in the thickened intima due to growth of small vessels of the capillary type, covered with pericytes which turn into fibroblast-like cells producing intracellular substance, and not due to smooth muscle cell migration from the media. In addition, it was found that the lumens of some vessels were filled with fibrillar material and that the cells underlying the vessel stayed apart, not forming a continuous circle. It is suggested that the damage of normal vascular structure can also result in the appearance of free cells.     

Characterization of diet induced aortic atherosclerosis in Syrian F1B hamsters

We characterized atherosclerotic lesions in Syrian F₁B hamsters fed a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly higher for treated animals than for low fat controls. After 4, 12, 18, 26, 32 and 44 weeks on either diet, the vasculature was fixed in situ and the aortic arch prepared for light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Fatty streak lesions comprised of foam cells were noted at 4 weeks along the inner curvature of the aortic arch. Fibromuscular lesions became evident at 26 weeks with excess connective tissue and a thickened media. Lesion size increased as foam cells accumulated in the subendothelial space and collagen was deposited in the upper media beneath an intact internal elastic lamina. By 44 weeks an advanced lesion had developed that consisted of a smooth muscle and extracellular matrix cap with an intact endothelium over a lipid rich core. The core consisted of foam cells, extracellular lipid, necrotic debris, cholesterol clefts, calcium deposits, and extracellular proteins. Oxidized LDL was only detected in the treated hamsters and localized to foam cells in early lesions, spread to extracellular matrix in fibrofatty lesions, and further involved medial smooth muscle cells in advanced lesions. Cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 were observed at low levels in both groups; however, cyclooxygenase-2 was noticeably upregulated in the early lesions of treated animals. Atherosclerotic lesions similar to each major stage of pathology in humans developed at a predictable site in the hamster aorta in a relatively short period.     

Inhibition of PDGF-stimulated and matrix-mediated proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells by SPARC is independent of changes in cell shape or cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors

Interactions among growth factors, cells, and extracellular matrix regulate proliferation during normal development and in pathologies such as atherosclerosis. SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine) is a matrix-associated glycoprotein that modulates the adhesion and proliferation of vascular cells. In this study, we demonstrate that SPARC inhibits human arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor or by adhesion to monomeric type I collagen. Binding studies with SPARC and SPARC peptides indicate specific and saturable interaction with smooth muscle cells that involves the C-terminal Ca2+-binding region of the protein. We also report that SPARC arrests monomeric collagen-supported smooth muscle cell proliferation in the late G1-phase of the cell cycle in the absence of an effect on cell shape or on levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Cyclin-dependent kinase-2 activity, p107 and cyclin A levels, and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation are markedly reduced in response to the addition of exogenous SPARC and/or peptides derived from specific domains of SPARC. Thus, SPARC, previously characterized as an inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor binding to its receptor, also antagonizes smooth muscle cell proliferation mediated by monomeric collagen at the level of cyclin-dependent kinase-2 activity.     

Ultrastructure of the intima in WHHL and cholesterol-fed rabbit aortas prepared by ultra-rapid freezing and freeze-etching

Intima from aortas of normal Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic (WHHL) and cholesterol-fed (10 days - 3 months) rabbits were examined by ultra-rapid freezing without chemical fixation followed by rotary shadow freeze-etching. The extracellular matrix in areas devoid of cells was seen in extraordinary detail and consisted of a reticulum of thick filaments, finer branching filaments, collagen fibrils, and granules of varying sizes. No lipid deposits were seen in normal intima. However, the subendothelial region of WHHL intima was filled with collagen fibrils surrounding and entwined between clusters of discrete lipid vesicles that ranged in size from 23 to 169 nm. Approximately 80% of the lipid vesicles in the WHHL rabbit intima measured between 70 and 169 nm. The lipid particles in the WHHL intima always appeared in clusters, many of which appeared to be fusing into larger size vesicles. These aggregates were clearly linked to the matrix filaments. A similar deposition of lipid particles was seen in the extracellular matrix of cholesterol-fed rabbits but in contrast to the particle size distribution of the WHHL intima, more than 75% of the particles in the cholesterol-fed intima had a diameter between 23 and 68 nm and 51% were between 23 and 45 nm. We conclude that in cell-free areas of WHHL and after only 10 days of cholesterol feeding, lipoprotein-derived lipid is present in the intima as clusters of vesicles enmeshed in the complex extracellular matrix.     

Nerve growth factor activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2 induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

In response to vascular injury, smooth muscle cells migrate from the media into the intima, where they contribute to the development of neointimal lesions. Increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression contributes to the migratory response of smooth muscle cells by releasing them from their surrounding extracellular matrix. MMPs may also participate in the remodeling of extracellular matrix in vascular lesions that could lead to plaque weakening and subsequent rupture. Neurotrophins and their receptors, the Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases, are expressed in neointimal lesions, where they induce smooth muscle cell migration. We now report that nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced activation of the TrkA receptor tyrosine kinase induces MMP-9 expression in both primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells and in a smooth muscle cell line genetically manipulated to express TrkA. The response to NGF was specific for MMP-9 expression, as the expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, or the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was not changed. Activation of the Shc/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway mediates the induction of MMP-9 in response to NGF, as this response is abrogated in cells expressing a mutant TrkA receptor that does not bind Shc and by pretreatment of cells with the MEK-1 inhibitor, U0126. Thus, these results indicate that the neurotrophin/Trk receptor system, by virtue of its potent chemotactic activity for smooth muscle cells and its ability to induce MMP-9 expression, is a critical mediator in the remodeling that occurs in the vascular wall in response to injury.     

Loss of collagen type VI from rat endometrial stroma during decidualization.

The expression of collagen type VI in the extracellular matrix of rat uterine endometrial stroma after a decidual stimulus was examined by immunolocalization and immunoblotting. The intermediate filament protein, desmin, was used as a marker to identify decidual cells. Tissue was examined from pregnant animals and from ovariectomized, hormone-treated rats in which decidualization had been induced artificially. In undifferentiated tissue from both groups of animals, collagen type VI was abundant, and desmin was present only in vascular smooth muscle cells. By 72 h after a decidual stimulus, however, collagen type VI had essentially disappeared from the matrix of the antimesometrial stromal compartment, and desmin was highly expressed in the decidualizing cells. During regression of the decidual tissue, collagen type VI began to reappear in the stromal matrix, whereas desmin expression declined as decidual cells degenerated. These results indicate that remodeling of the uterine extracellular matrix in response to embryo implantation is a function of the differentiating decidual cell.