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.     

Bioactive polymer fibers to direct endothelial cell growth in a three-dimensional environment

This study reports the fabrication of bioactive polymer fibers onto which signaling molecules can control and direct cell responses. To encourage and control directional biological responses, GRGDS peptides were immobilized onto the surface of 100 microm diameter poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET) fibers (monofilaments). PET fiber surfaces were first coated with a thin polymeric interfacial bonding layer bearing amine groups by plasma polymerization. Carboxy-methyl-dextran (CMD) was covalently grafted onto the surface amine groups using water-soluble carbodiimide chemistry. GRGDS were covalently immobilized onto CMD-coated fiber surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses enabled characterization of the multilayer fabrication steps. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were seeded and grown on fibers to investigate cell patterning behavior (i.e., adhesion, spreading, cytoskeleton organization, and cell orientation). Cell adhesion was reduced on CMD-coated fibers, whereas amine- and GRGDS-coated fibers promoted cell adhesion and spreading. Cell adhesion was enhanced as the GRGDS concentration increased. Epifluorescence microscopic visualization of cells on RGD-coated substrates showed well-defined stress fibers and sharp spots of vinculin, typical of focal adhesions. In comparison to plasticware commonly used in cell cultures, fiber curvature promoted cell orientation along the fiber axis.     

Fibrinogen induces adhesion, spreading, and microfilament organization of human endothelial cells in vitro

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) have been shown to attach to a substratum of fibrinogen (fg). Later, ECs undergo spreading, organization of thick microfilament bundles of the stress fiber type, and formation of focal contacts (adhesion plaques) that correspond to accumulation of vinculin at the cytoplasmic aspect of the ventral membrane. The rate of attachment to fg and the type of spreading is virtually identical to that obtained on substrata coated with fibronectin (FN). Antibodies to fg, but not to FN, prevent EC adhesion to fg; conversely, antibodies to FN, but not to fg, prevent adhesion of ECs to a FN-coated substratum. The removal of residual FN contamination from fg preparations by means of DEAE-cellulose chromatography does not result in any difference in EC adhesion on fg. Moreover, pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of synthesis and release of proteins does not impair their adhesion capacity on an fg-coated substratum. In contrast, human arterial smooth muscle cells do not adhere and spread on fg substrata but do so on FN. The synthetic peptides (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp[GRGD] and Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro[GRGDSP]) containing the tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), originally found to be responsible for the cell binding activity of FN, have been found to inhibit EC spreading and the redistribution of their cytoskeleton, including the formation of stress fibers and the localization of vinculin either on fg or on FN. Conversely, the synthetic peptide Arg-Gly-Gly (RGG) was completely uneffective in inhibiting the adhesion and the sequence of events leading to spreading and cytoskeletal organization. These results indicate that ECs, but not smooth muscle cells, specifically adhere and spread on an fg substratum and this occurs by recognition mechanisms similar to those reported for FN.     

An RGD spacing of 440 nm is sufficient for integrin alpha V beta 3- mediated fibroblast spreading and 140 nm for focal contact and stress fiber formation

The synthetic peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Tyr (GRGDY), which contains the RGD sequence of several adhesion molecules, was covalently grafted to the surface of otherwise poorly adhesive glass substrates and was used to determine the minimal number of ligand-receptor interactions required for complete spreading of human foreskin fibroblasts. Well-defined adhesion substrates were prepared with GRGDY between 10(-3) fmol/cm2 and 10(4) fmol/cm2. As the adhesion ligand surface concentration was varied, several distinct morphologies of adherent cells were observed and categorized. The population of fully spread cells at 4 h reached a maximum at 1 fmol/cm2, with no further increases up to 10(4) fmol/cm2. Although maximal cell spreading was obtained at 1 fmol/cm2, focal contacts and stress fibers failed to form at RGD surface concentrations below 10 fmol/cm2. The minimal peptide spacings obtained in this work correspond to 440 nm for spreading and 140 nm for focal contact formation, and are much larger than those reported in previous studies with adsorbed adhesion proteins, adsorbed RGD-albumin conjugates, or peptide-grafted polyacrylamide gels. Vitronectin receptor antiserum specific for integrin alpha V beta 3 blocked cell adhesion and spreading on substrates containing 100 fmol/cm2 of surface-bound GRGDY, while fibronectin receptor antiserum specific for alpha 5 beta 1 did not. Furthermore, alpha V beta 3 was observed to cluster into focal contacts in spread cells, but alpha 5 beta 1 did not. It was thus concluded that a peptide-to-peptide spacing of 440 nm was required for alpha V beta 3-mediated cellular spreading, while 140 nm was required for alpha V beta 3-mediated focal contact formation and normal stress fiber organization in human foreskin fibroblasts; these spacings represent much fewer ligands than were previously thought to be required.     

The effect of a collagen tripeptide fragment (GER) on fibroblast adhesion and spreading depends on properties of an adhesive surface

The effect of collagen tripeptide fragment GER on the adhesion and spreading of mouse embryonic fibroblasts STO to different substrates (polystyrene plastic, poly-L-lysine, fibronectin, gelatin) has been studied. It was found that tripeptide GER was involved in fibroblast adhesion and spreading. The cell response depended both on the mode of tripeptide addition to culture medium and the substrate type. Coincubation of fibroblasts with tripeptide stimulated the cell attachment and spreading to untreated plastic and plastic coated with fibronectin or gelatin but did not change cell adhesion to immobilized poly-L-lysine. Preincubation of cells with tripeptide resulted in partial inhibition of fibroblast adhesion and spreading on fibronectin- and gelatin-coated substrata. It was shown that activation and inhibition of adhesive processes after tripeptide treating was higher on fibronectin than gelatin. The data obtained support the assumption about concerted action of tripeptide GER (activity was dependent both on the used concentration of the tripeptide and the mode of tripeptide addition to culture medium) and chemical characteristics of substrate (polymers of styrene and L-lysine, ECM proteins in native (fibronectin) or partly denatured (gelatin) form) on the cell adhesion and spreading. The main targets that GER peptide may affect during the formation of cell-substrate interactions are discussed.     

Thrombospondin modulates focal adhesions in endothelial cells

We examined the effects of thrombospondin (TSP) in the substrate adhesion of bovine aortic endothelial cells. The protein was tested both as a substrate for cell adhesion and as a modulator of the later stages of the cell adhesive process. TSP substrates supported the attachment of some BAE cells, but not cell spreading or the formation of focal adhesion plaques. In contrast, cells seeded on fibrinogen or fibronectin substrates were able to complete the adhesive process, as indicated by the formation of focal adhesion plaques. Incubation of cells in suspension with soluble TSP before or at the time of seeding onto fibronectin substrates resulted in an inhibition of focal adhesion formation. Furthermore, the addition of TSP to fully adherent cells in situ or prespread on fibronectin substrates caused a reduction in the number of cells, which were positive for focal adhesions, although there was no significant effect on cell spreading. In a dose-dependent manner, TSP reduced the number of cells with adhesion plaques to approximately 60% of control levels. The distribution of remaining adhesion plaques in TSP-treated cells was also altered: plaques were primarily limited to the periphery of cells and were not present in the central cell body, as in control cells treated with BSA. The observed effects were specific for TSP and were not observed with platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, or fibronectin. The TSP-mediated loss of adhesion plaques was neutralized by the addition of heparin, fucoidan, other heparin-binding proteins, and by a monoclonal antibody to the heparin binding domain of TSP, but not by antibodies to the core or carboxy-terminal regions of TSP. The interaction of the heparin- binding domain of TSP with cell-associated heparan sulfate appears to be an important mechanistic component for this activity of TSP. These data indicate that TSP may have a role in destabilizing cell adhesion through prevention of focal adhesion formation and by loss of preformed focal adhesions.     

Von Willebrand factor promotes endothelial cell adhesion via an Arg-Gly- Asp-dependent mechanism

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a constitutive and specific component of endothelial cell (EC) matrix. In this paper we show that, in vitro, vWF can induce EC adhesion and promote organization of microfilaments and adhesion plaques. In contrast, human vascular smooth muscle cells and MG63 osteosarcoma cells did not adhere and spread on vWF. Using antibodies to the beta chains of fibronectin (beta 1) and vitronectin (beta 3) receptors it was found that ECs adherent to vWF show clustering of both receptors. The beta 1 receptor antibodies are arranged along stress fibers at sites of extracellular matrix contact while the beta 3 receptor antibodies were sharply confined at adhesion plaques. ECs release and organize endogenous fibronectin early during adhesion to vWF. Upon blocking protein synthesis and secretion, ECs can equally adhere and spread on vWF but, while the beta 3 receptors are regularly organized, the beta 1 receptors remain diffuse. This suggests that the organization of the beta 1 receptors depend on the release of fibronectin and/or other matrix proteins operated by the same cell. Antibodies to the beta 3 receptors fully block EC adhesion to vWF and detach ECs seeded on this substratum. In contrast, antibodies to the beta 1 receptors are poorly active. Overall these results fit with an accessory role of beta 1 receptors and indicate a leading role for the beta 3 receptors in EC interaction with vWF. To identify the EC binding domain on vWF we used monoclonal antibodies produced against a peptide representing the residues Glu1737-Ser1750 of the mature vWF and thought to be important in mediating its binding to the platelet receptor glycoprotein IIb-IIIa. We found that the antibody that recognizes the residues 1,744-1,746, containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, completely inhibit EC adhesion to vWF whereas a second antibody recognizing the adjacent residues 1,740-1,742 (Arg-Gly-Asp-free) is inactive. Both antibodies do not interfere with EC adhesion to vitronectin. This defines the molecular domain on vWF that is specifically recognized by ECs and reaffirms the direct role of the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence as the integrin receptor recognition site also in the vWF molecule.     

PC12 adhesion and neurite formation on selected substrates are inhibited by some glycosaminoglycans and a fibronectin-derived tetrapeptide

The effects of added soluble glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on adhesion and neurite formation by cultured PC12 pheochromocytoma cells on several substrates were tested. PC12 cells adhere more rapidly to Petri plastic coated with fibronectin, laminin, poly-L-lysine, or conA, than to either uncoated Petri plastic or tissue culture plastic. Adhesion to poly-L-lysine, fibronectin- and laminin-coated dishes was significantly inhibited by added dextran sulfate and to a lesser extent heparin--but not by chondroitin sulfate. PC12 adhesion to fibronectin could also be totally inhibited by the putative fibronectin cell binding tetrapeptide L-arginyl-glycyl-L-aspartyl-L-serine (Pierschbacher, MD & Ruoslahti, E, Nature 309 (1984) 30). The inhibitory effects of combinations of this tetrapeptide and heparin or dextran sulfate (but not chondroitin sulfate or hyaluronic acid) were additive. Nerve growth factor (NGF) pretreatment increased the percentage of PC12 cells adherent to all substrates and reduced the GAG inhibition of adhesion. PC12 cells previously treated with NGF to induce morphologic differentiation will rapidly re-extend neurites when plated on all four substrates. On fibronectin and poly-L-lysine-coated dishes this neurite growth is inhibited by added heparin and dextran sulfate, while on laminin it is not. Neurite formation on fibronectin-coated dishes was also inhibited by low concentrations of fibronectin tetrapeptide. In summary, PC12 adhesion and neurite formation can be inhibited by sulfated GAGs on some substrates, including fibronectin, but not other substrates, suggesting that these cells have at least two independent molecular adhesion mechanisms.     

The fibronectin cell attachment sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser promotes focal contact formation during early fibroblast attachment and spreading

Cultured fibroblasts form focal contacts (FCs) associated with actin microfilament bundles (MFBs) during attachment and spreading on serum- or fibronectin (FN)-coated substrates. To determine if the minimum cellular adhesion receptor recognition signal Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) is sufficient to promote FC and MFB formation, rat (NRK), hamster (Nil 8), and mouse (Balb/c 3T3) fibroblasts in serum-free media were plated on substrates derivatized with small synthetic peptides containing RGDS. These cultures were studied with interference reflection microscopy to detect FCs, Normarski optics to identify MFBs, and immunofluorescence microscopy to observe endogenous FN fiber formation. By 1 h, 72-78% of the NRK and Nil 8 cells plated on RGDS-containing peptide had focal contacts without accompanying FN fibers, while these fibroblasts lacked FCs on control peptide. This early FC formation was followed by the appearance of coincident MFBs and colinear FN fibers forming fibronexuses at 4 h. NRK and Nil 8 cultures on substrates coated with native FN or 75,000-D FN-cell binding fragment showed similar kinetics of FC and MFB formation. In contrast, the Balb/c 3T3 mouse fibroblasts plated on Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptide-derivatized substrates, or on coverslips coated with 75,000-D FN cell-binding fragment, were defective in FC formation. These results demonstrate that the apparent binding of substrate-linked RGDS sequences to cell surface adhesion receptors is sufficient to promote early focal contact formation followed by the appearance of fibronexuses in some, but not all, fibroblast lines.     

细胞外间质-整合素在牵张刺激心肌细胞肥大中的作用

应用牵张刺激培养细胞的模型,观察原原、纤维连接蛋白、层粘连素对牵张刺激心肌细胞肥大的影响,探讨细胞外间质－融洽纱受体在超负荷心肌肥大的跨膜信号传导机制中的作用。发现,胶原、纤维连接蛋白、层粘连素明显有助于培养心肌细胞的贴壁、伸展。牵张刺激后,胶原、纤维连接蛋白基质组心肌细胞的＾３Ｈ－亮氨酸掺入率和心肌细胞表面积均显著大于对照组,而层粘连素组无显著变化;可溶性纤维连接蛋白、ＲＧＤ肽均可显著抑制牵张刺     

细胞外间质-整合素在牵张刺激心肌细胞肥大中的作用

应用牵张刺激培养细胞的模型 ,观察胶原、纤维连接蛋白、层粘连素对牵张刺激心肌细胞肥大的影响 ,探讨细胞外间质 -整合素受体在超负荷心肌肥大的跨膜信号传导机制中的作用。结果发现 ,胶原、纤维连接蛋白、层粘连素明显有助于培养心肌细胞的贴壁、伸展。牵张刺激后 ,胶原、纤维连接蛋白基质组心肌细胞的 3H -亮氨酸掺入率和心肌细胞表面积均显著大于对照组 ,而层粘连素组无显著变化 ;可溶性纤维连接蛋白、RGD肽均可显著抑制牵张刺激诱导的培养心肌细胞 (胶原为粘附基质 )的3H -亮氨酸掺入率升高和心肌细胞表面积增大 ,而层粘连素无明显作用。结果表明 ,特异的细胞外间质 -整合素在超负荷心肌肥大机制中发挥了跨膜信号传导作用。     

Analysis of fibronectin receptor function with monoclonal antibodies: roles in cell adhesion, migration, matrix assembly, and cytoskeletal organization

We have developed two rat mAbs that recognize different subunits of the human fibroblast fibronectin receptor complex and have used them to probe the function of this cell surface heterodimer. mAb 13 recognizes the integrin class 1 beta polypeptide and mAb 16 recognizes the fibronectin receptor alpha polypeptide. We tested these mAbs for their inhibitory activities in cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and matrix assembly assays using WI38 human lung fibroblasts. mAb 13 inhibited the initial attachment as well as the spreading of WI38 cells on fibronectin and laminin substrates but not on vitronectin. Laminin-mediated adhesion was particularly sensitive to mAb 13. In contrast, mAb 16 inhibited initial cell attachment to fibronectin substrates but had no effect on attachment to either laminin or vitronectin substrates. When coated on plastic, both mAbs promoted WI38 cell spreading. However, mAb 13 (but not mAb 16) inhibited the radial outgrowth of cells from an explant on fibronectin substrates. mAb 16 also did not inhibit the motility of individual fibroblasts on fibronectin in low density culture and, in fact, substantially accelerated migration rates. In assays of the assembly of an extracellular fibronectin matrix by WI38 fibroblasts, both mAbs produced substantial inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition of matrix assembly resulted from impaired retention of fibronectin on the cell surface. Treatment of cells with mAb 16 also resulted in a striking redistribution of cell surface fibronectin receptors from a streak-like pattern to a relatively diffuse distribution. Concomitant morphological changes included decreases in thick microfilament bundle formation and reduced adhesive contacts of the streak-like and focal contact type. Our results indicate that the fibroblast fibronectin receptor (a) functions in initial fibroblast attachment and in certain types of adhesive contact, but not in the later steps of cell spreading; (b) is not required for fibroblast motility but instead retards migration; and (c) is critically involved in fibronectin retention and matrix assembly. These findings suggest a central role for the fibronectin receptor in regulating cell adhesion and migration.     

Involvement of plasma membrane dipeptidyl peptidase IV in fibronectin-mediated adhesion of cells on collagen

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV is an exopeptidase found in the serum and in plasma membranes of most animal tissues. The role of this enzyme in cell-matrix interaction of BHK cells and hepatocytes grown on collagen-coated surfaces was investigated by three different approaches. 1) Glass surfaces were derivatized with bovine serum albumin which resulted in a cell-repulsing substratum. When it was further modified with Gly-Pro-Ala tripeptide, which is a substrate for dipeptidyl peptidase IV, BHK fibroblasts spread on it rapidly. The spreading could be inhibited by addition of free Gly-Pro-Ala or other substrates of the enzyme as well as by an inhibitor peptide Val-Pro-Leu. It was not influenced by tripeptides which were neither substrates nor inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV. 2) The addition of Gly-Pro-Ala to seeded cells slowed down the initial process of cell spreading on denatured collagen in the presence of fibronectin. The presence of both collagen and fibronectin was a necessary precondition for the spreading of cells in a manner sensitive to Gly-Pro-Ala. 3) Antiserum raised against mouse liver dipeptidyl peptidase IV added to the medium delayed the spreading of rat hepatocytes on denatured collagen in the presence of fibronectin in a manner similar to when Gly-Pro-Ala was added to the medium. These observations lead to the conclusion that plasma membrane dipeptidyl peptidase IV may be involved in the initial phase of fibronectin-mediated cell spreading on collagen.     

Mesenchymal stem cell responses to bone-mimetic electrospun matrices composed of polycaprolactone, collagen I and nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite

The performance of biomaterials designed for bone repair depends, in part, on the ability of the material to support the adhesion and survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, a nanofibrous bone-mimicking scaffold was electrospun from a mixture of polycaprolactone (PCL), collagen I, and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles with a dry weight ratio of 50/30/20 respectively (PCL/col/HA). The cytocompatibility of this tri-component scaffold was compared with three other scaffold formulations: 100% PCL (PCL), 100% collagen I (col), and a bi-component scaffold containing 80% PCL/20% HA (PCL/HA). Scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent live cell imaging, and MTS assays showed that MSCs adhered to the PCL, PCL/HA and PCL/col/HA scaffolds, however more rapid cell spreading and significantly greater cell proliferation was observed for MSCs on the tri-component bone-mimetic scaffolds. In contrast, the col scaffolds did not support cell spreading or survival, possibly due to the low tensile modulus of this material. PCL/col/HA scaffolds adsorbed a substantially greater quantity of the adhesive proteins, fibronectin and vitronectin, than PCL or PCL/HA following in vitro exposure to serum, or placement into rat tibiae, which may have contributed to the favorable cell responses to the tri-component substrates. In addition, cells seeded onto PCL/col/HA scaffolds showed markedly increased levels of phosphorylated FAK, a marker of integrin activation and a signaling molecule known to be important for directing cell survival and osteoblastic differentiation. Collectively these results suggest that electrospun bone-mimetic matrices serve as promising degradable substrates for bone regenerative applications.     

Role of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans in endothelial cell migration and mechanotransduction

Endothelial cell (EC) migration is critical in wound healing and angiogenesis. Fluid shear stress due to blood flow plays an important role in EC migration. However, the role of EC surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in EC adhesion, migration, and mechanotransduction is not well understood. Here, we investigated the effects of HSPG disruption on the adhesion, migration, and mechanotransduction of ECs cultured on fibronectin. We showed that disruption of HSPGs with heparinase decreased EC adhesion rate by 40% and adhesion strength by 33%. At the molecular level, HSPG disruption decreased stress fibers and the size of focal adhesions (FAs), increased filopodia formation, and enhanced EC migration. Under flow condition, heparinase treatment increased EC migration speed, but inhibited shear stress-induced directionality of EC migration and the recruitment of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase in the flow direction, suggesting that HSPGs are important for sensing the direction of shear stress. In addition, decreasing cell adhesion by lowering fibronectin density enhanced EC migration under static and flow condition, but did not affect the directional migration of ECs under flow. Based on our results, we propose that HSPGs play dual roles as mechanotransducer on the EC surface: (1) HSPGs-matrix interaction on the abluminal surface regulates EC migration speed through an adhesion-dependent manner, and (2) HSPGs without binding to matrix (e.g., on the luminal surface) are involved in sensing the direction of flow through an adhesion-independent manner.     

Hydrolysis of thionopeptides by the aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica: insight into substrate binding

A series of L-leucine aniline analogues were synthesized that contained either a carbonyl or thiocarbonyl as a part of the amide bond. Additionally, the para-position on the phenyl ring of several substrates was altered with various electron-withdrawing or donating groups. The kinetic constants K(m) and k(cat) were determined for the hydrolysis of each of these compounds in the presence of the aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (AAP) containing either Zn(II) or Cd(II). The dizinc(II) form of AAP ([ZnZn(AAP)]) was able to cleave both carbonyl and thiocarbonyl containing peptide substrates with similar efficiency. However, the dicadmium(II) form of AAP ([CdCd(AAP)]) was unable to cleave any of the carbonyl-containing compounds tested but was able to cleave the thionopeptide substrates. This is consistent with the borderline hard/soft nature of Zn(II) vs Cd(II). The trends observed in the K(m) values suggest that the oxygen atom of the amide bond directly interacts with the dinuclear active site of AAP. Heterodimetallic forms of AAP that contained one atom of Zn(II) and one of Cd(II) (i.e., [CdZn(AAP)] and [ZnCd(AAP)]) were also prepared. The K(m) values for the thionopeptides substrates are the smallest when Cd(II) is in the first metal binding site, suggesting that substrate binds to the first metal binding site. 1-Phenyl-2-thiourea (PTU) and urea (PU) were also examined to determine the differences between thionopeptide and peptide binding to AAP. PTU and PU were found to be competitive inhibitors of AAP with inhibition constants of 0.24 and 4.6 mM, respectively. The electronic absorption and EPR spectra of [CoCo(AAP)], [CoZn(AAP)], and [ZnCo(AAP)] were recorded in the absence and presence of both PU and PTU. Spectral changes were observed for PTU binding to [CoCo(AAP)] and [CoZn(AAP)] but not for [ZnCo(AAP)], while no spectral changes were observed for any of the Co(II)-substituted forms of AAP upon the addition of PU. These data indicate that carbonyl binding occurs only at the first metal binding site. In light of the data presented herein, the substrate binding step in the proposed mechanism of AAP catalyzed peptide hydrolysis can be further refined.     

Interactions between Skeletal Muscle Myoblasts and their Extracellular Matrix Revealed by a Serum Free Culture System

Decellularisation of skeletal muscle provides a system to study the interactions of myoblasts with muscle extracellular matrix (ECM). This study describes the efficient decellularisation of quadriceps muscle with the retention of matrix components and the use of this matrix for myoblast proliferation and differentiation under serum free culture conditions. Three decellularisation approaches were examined; the most effective was phospholipase A2 treatment, which removed cellular material while maximizing the retention of ECM components. Decellularised muscle matrices were then solubilized and used as substrates for C2C12 mouse myoblast serum free cultures. The muscle matrix supported myoblast proliferation and differentiation equally as well as collagen and fibronectin. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that myoblasts seeded on muscle matrix and fibronectin differentiated to form long, well-aligned myotubes, while myoblasts seeded on collagen were less organized. qPCR analyses showed a time dependent increase in genes involved in skeletal muscle differentiation and suggested that muscle-derived matrix may stimulate an increased rate of differentiation compared to collagen and fibronectin. Decellularized whole muscle three-dimensional scaffolds also supported cell adhesion and spreading, with myoblasts aligning along specific tracts of matrix proteins within the scaffolds. Thus, under serum free conditions, intact acellular muscle matrices provided cues to direct myoblast adhesion and migration. In addition, myoblasts were shown to rapidly secrete and organise their own matrix glycoproteins to create a localized ECM microenvironment. This serum free culture system has revealed that the correct muscle ECM facilitates more rapid cell organisation and differentiation than single matrix glycoprotein substrates.     

Identification of multiple cell adhesion receptors for collagen and fibronectin in human fibrosarcoma cells possessing unique alpha and common beta subunits

Using monoclonal antibody technology and affinity chromatography we have identified four distinct classes of cell surface receptors for native collagen on a cultured human fibrosarcoma cell line, HT-1080. Two classes of monoclonal antibodies prepared against HT-1080 cells inhibited adhesion to extracellular matrix components. Class I antibodies inhibited cell adhesion to collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. These antibodies immunoprecipitated two noncovalently linked proteins (subunits) with molecular masses of 147 and 125 kD, termed alpha and beta, respectively. Class II antibodies inhibited cell adhesion to native collagen only and not fibronectin or laminin. Class II antibodies immunoprecipitated a single cell surface protein containing two noncovalently linked subunits with molecular masses of 145 and 125 kD, termed alpha and beta, respectively. The two classes of antibodies did not cross-react with the same cell surface protein and recognized epitopes present on the alpha subunits. Pulse-chase labeling studies with [35S]methionine indicated that neither class I nor II antigen was a metabolic precursor of the other. Comparison of the alpha and beta subunits of the class I and II antigens by peptide mapping indicated that the beta subunits were identical while the alpha subunits were distinct. In affinity chromatography experiments HT-1080 cells were extracted with Triton X-100 or octylglucoside detergents and chromatographed on insoluble fibronectin or native type I or VI collagens. A single membrane protein with the biochemical characteristics of the class I antigen was isolated on fibronectin-Sepharose and could be immunoprecipitated with the class I monoclonal antibody. The class I antigen also specifically bound to type I and VI collagens, consistent with the observation that the class I antibodies inhibit cell adhesion to types VI and I collagen and fibronectin. The class II antigen, however, did not bind to collagen (or fibronectin) even though class II monoclonal antibodies completely inhibited adhesion of HT-1080 cells to types I and III-VI collagen. The class I beta and II beta subunits were structurally related to the beta subunit of the fibronectin receptor described by others. However, none of these receptors shared the same alpha subunits. Additional membrane glycoprotein(s) with molecular mass ranges of 80-90 and 35-45 kD, termed the class III and IV receptors, respectively, bound to types I and VI collagen but not to fibronectin. Monoclonal antibodies prepared against the class III receptor had no consistent effect on cell attachment or spreading, suggesting that it is not directly involved in adhesion to collagen-coated substrates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

RGD peptides may only temporarily inhibit cell adhesion to fibronectin

When human fibroblasts were cultured on fibronectin for 4 h in the presence of 0.5 mg/ml of the GRGDSP peptide derived from the fibronectin cell-binding site, they adhered and spread normally and organized talin and integrin alpha 5 and beta 1 subunits into focal adhesions. When the adherent cells were quantitated as a function of time, submaximal peptide concentrations were found to delay cell adhesion on fibronectin, but they had no effect on the maximum. When the cells were plated on vitronectin, however, even relatively low peptide concentrations lowered the maximal amount of cells adhering and abolished cell spreading. The results suggest a different mechanism for cell adhesion on fibronectin and vitronectin.     

Smooth muscle cell rigidity and extracellular matrix organization influence endothelial cell spreading and adhesion formation in coculture

Efforts to develop functional tissue-engineered blood vessels have focused on improving the strength and mechanical properties of the vessel wall, while the functional status of the endothelium within these vessels has received less attention. Endothelial cell (EC) function is influenced by interactions between its basal surface and the underlying extracellular matrix. In this study, we utilized a coculture model of a tissue-engineered blood vessel to evaluate EC attachment, spreading, and adhesion formation to the extracellular matrix on the surface of quiescent smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ECs attached to and spread on SMCs primarily through the alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin complex, whereas ECs used either alpha(5)beta(1)- or alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin to spread on fibronectin (FN) adsorbed to plastic. ECs in coculture lacked focal adhesions, but EC alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin bound to fibrillar FN on the SMC surface, promoting rapid fibrillar adhesion formation. As assessed by both Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, coculture suppressed the expression of focal adhesion proteins and mRNA, whereas tensin protein and mRNA expression were elevated. When attached to polyacrylamide gels with similar elastic moduli as SMCs, focal adhesion formation and the rate of cell spreading increased relative to ECs in coculture. Thus, the elastic properties are only one factor contributing to EC spreading and focal adhesion formation in coculture. The results suggest that the softness of the SMCs and the fibrillar organization of FN inhibit focal adhesions and reduce cell spreading while promoting fibrillar adhesion formation. These changes in the type of adhesions may alter EC signaling pathways in tissue-engineered blood vessels.