Endothelial cell laminin isoforms, laminins 8 and 10, play decisive roles in T cell recruitment across the blood-brain barrier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

An active involvement of blood-brain barrier endothelial cell basement membranes in development of inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been considered to date. Here we investigated the molecular composition and possible function of the extracellular matrix encountered by extravasating T lymphocytes during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Endothelial basement membranes contained laminin 8 (alpha4beta1gamma1) and/or 10 (alpha5beta1gamma1) and their expression was influenced by proinflammatory cytokines or angiostatic agents. T cells emigrating into the CNS during EAE encountered two biochemically distinct basement membranes, the endothelial (containing laminins 8 and 10) and the parenchymal (containing laminins 1 and 2) basement membranes. However, inflammatory cuffs occurred exclusively around endothelial basement membranes containing laminin 8, whereas in the presence of laminin 10 no infiltration was detectable. In vitro assays using encephalitogenic T cell lines revealed adhesion to laminins 8 and 10, whereas binding to laminins 1 and 2 could not be induced. Downregulation of integrin alpha6 on cerebral endothelium at sites of T cell infiltration, plus a high turnover of laminin 8 at these sites, suggested two possible roles for laminin 8 in the endothelial basement membrane: one at the level of the endothelial cells resulting in reduced adhesion and, thereby, increased penetrability of the monolayer; and secondly at the level of the T cells providing direct signals to the transmigrating cells.     

Vasculogenic and angiogenic potential of adipose stromal vascular fraction cell populations in vitro

Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a heterogeneous cell source that contains endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, stem cells, and other accessory immune and stromal cells. The SVF cell population has been shown to support vasculogenesis in vitro as well vascular maturation in vivo. Matrigel, an extracellular matrix (ECM) mixture has been utilized in vitro to evaluate tube formation of purified endothelial cell systems. We have developed an in vitro system that utilizes freshly isolated SVF and ECM molecules both in pure form (fibrin, laminin, collagen) as well as premixed form (Matrigel) to evaluate endothelial tip cell formation, endothelial stalk elongation, and early stages of branching and inosculation. Freshly isolated SVF rat demonstrate cell aggregation and clustering (presumptive vasculogenesis) on Matrigel ECM within the first 36 h of seeding followed by tip cell formation, stalk cell formation, branching, and inosculation (presumptive angiogenesis) during the subsequent 4 days of culture. Purified ECM molecules (laminin, fibrin, and collagen) promote cell proliferation but do not recapitulate events seen on Matrigel. We have created an in vitro system that provides a functional assay to study the mechanisms of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in freshly isolated SVF to characterize SVF’s blood vessel forming potential prior to clinical implantation.     

A Bacillus stearothermophilus Esterase Produced by a Recombinant Bacillus brevis Stabilized by Sulfhydryl Compounds

In the microvascular system, pericytes are located at the abdominal side of capillary endothelial cells.

To discover the role of pericytes in the microvascular system, we have analyzed the extracellular proteins secreted from pericytes isolated from microvessel fragments of rat epididymal fat pads and found that they synthesize substantial amounts of basement membrane components such as type IV collagen and laminins. Secretion of type IV collagen was markedly stimulated by ascorbic acid phosphate. Reducing and non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed that pericytes produce six laminin chains assembled into different trimeric isoforms. Two of them were similar to laminin variants produced by aortic and pulmonal endothelial cells but others were suggested to be novel variants.     

Bridging structure with function: structural, regulatory, and developmental role of laminins

The basement membrane is a highly intricate and organized portion of the extracellular matrix that interfaces with a variety of cell types including epithelial, endothelial, muscle, nerve, and fat cells. The laminin family of glycoproteins is a major constituent of the basement membrane. The 16 known laminin isoforms are formed from combinations of alpha, beta, and gamma chains, with each chain containing specific domains capable of interacting with cellular receptors such as integrins and other extracellular ligands. In addition to its role in the assembly and architectural integrity of the basement membrane, laminins interact with cells to influence proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration, processes activated in normal and pathologic states. In vitro these functions are regulated by the post-translational modifications of the individual laminin chains. In vivo laminin knockout mouse studies have been particularly instructive in defining the function of specific laminins in mammalian development and have also highlighted its role as a key component of the basement membrane. In this review, we will define how laminin structure complements function and explore its role in both normal and pathologic processes.     

Endothelial basement membrane limits tip cell formation by inducing Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo

How individual components of the vascular basement membrane influence endothelial cell behaviour remains unclear. Here we show that laminin α4 (Lama4) regulates tip cell numbers and vascular density by inducing endothelial Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo. Lama4 deficiency leads to reduced Dll4 expression, excessive filopodia and tip cell formation in the mouse retina, phenocopying the effects of Dll4/Notch inhibition. Lama4-mediated Dll4 expression requires a combination of integrins in vitro and integrin β1 in vivo. We conclude that appropriate laminin/integrin-induced signalling is necessary to induce physiologically functional levels of Dll4 expression and regulate branching frequency during sprouting angiogenesis in vivo.     

Laminin 5 processing and its integration into the ECM.

Laminins are a family of multi-functional basement membrane proteins. Their C-terminal domain binds to cell surface receptors and is thereby responsible for cell anchorage and the initiation of specific outside-in and inside-out signals. With their N-terminal parts, laminins interact with proteins of the extracellular matrix scaffold to secure the basement membrane to the underlying mesenchymal tissue. Laminins 5A (alpha3Abeta3gamma2), 5B (alpha3Bbeta3gamma2) and 6 (alpha3Abeta1gamma1) are isoforms specific of the basement membrane underneath the epidermis and they undergo a sequential series of extracellular proteolytic changes, which might successively turn on and off one or several of their biological and mechanical functions. Under physiological conditions, such as in adult human skin, epithelial laminins have lost part of the C- and N-terminal domains of the alpha3 and gamma2 chains, respectively. In contrast, in cylindromatosis, a rare inherited disease characterised by major ultrastructural alterations of the basement membrane and altered expression/distribution of integrin receptors, laminin processing has not been completed. Together, these results suggest that laminin processing may regulate signalling pathways and the architecture of the basement membrane by restricting the repertoire of interactions with cell surface receptors and extracellular matrix components.     

CCN2/connective tissue growth factor is essential for pericyte adhesion and endothelial basement membrane formation during angiogenesis

CCN2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) is a matricellular protein that regulates cell adhesion, migration, and survival. CCN2 is best known for its ability to promote fibrosis by mediating the ability of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) to induce excess extracellular matrix production. In addition to its role in pathological processes, CCN2 is required for chondrogenesis. CCN2 is also highly expressed during development in endothelial cells, suggesting a role in angiogenesis. The potential role of CCN2 in angiogenesis is unclear, however, as both pro- and anti-angiogenic effects have been reported. Here, through analysis of Ccn2-deficient mice, we show that CCN2 is required for stable association and retention of pericytes by endothelial cells. PDGF signaling and the establishment of the endothelial basement membrane are required for pericytes recruitment and retention. CCN2 induced PDGF-B expression in endothelial cells, and potentiated PDGF-B-mediated Akt signaling in mural (vascular smooth muscle/pericyte) cells. In addition, CCN2 induced the production of endothelial basement membrane components in vitro, and was required for their expression in vivo. Overall, these results highlight CCN2 as an essential mediator of vascular remodeling by regulating endothelial-pericyte interactions. Although most studies of CCN2 function have focused on effects of CCN2 overexpression on the interstitial extracellular matrix, the results presented here show that CCN2 is required for the normal production of vascular basement membranes.     

β1 Integrin Maintains Integrity of the Embryonic Neocortical Stem Cell Niche

During embryogenesis, the neural stem cells (NSC) of the developing cerebral cortex are located in the ventricular zone (VZ) lining the cerebral ventricles. They exhibit apical and basal processes that contact the ventricular surface and the pial basement membrane, respectively. This unique architecture is important for VZ physical integrity and fate determination of NSC daughter cells. In addition, the shorter apical process is critical for interkinetic nuclear migration (INM), which enables VZ cell mitoses at the ventricular surface. Despite their importance, the mechanisms required for NSC adhesion to the ventricle are poorly understood. We have shown previously that one class of candidate adhesion molecules, laminins, are present in the ventricular region and that their integrin receptors are expressed by NSC. However, prior studies only demonstrate a role for their interaction in the attachment of the basal process to the overlying pial basement membrane. Here we use antibody-blocking and genetic experiments to reveal an additional and novel requirement for laminin/integrin interactions in apical process adhesion and NSC regulation. Transient abrogation of integrin binding and signalling using blocking antibodies to specifically target the ventricular region in utero results in abnormal INM and alterations in the orientation of NSC divisions. We found that these defects were also observed in laminin α2 deficient mice. More detailed analyses using a multidisciplinary approach to analyse stem cell behaviour by expression of fluorescent transgenes and multiphoton time-lapse imaging revealed that the transient embryonic disruption of laminin/integrin signalling at the VZ surface resulted in apical process detachment from the ventricular surface, dystrophic radial glia fibers, and substantial layering defects in the postnatal neocortex. Collectively, these data reveal novel roles for the laminin/integrin interaction in anchoring embryonic NSCs to the ventricular surface and maintaining the physical integrity of the neocortical niche, with even transient perturbations resulting in long-lasting cortical defects.     

Role of laminin terminal globular domains in basement membrane assembly

Laminins contribute to basement membrane assembly through interactions of their N- and C-terminal globular domains. To further analyze this process, recombinant laminin-111 heterotrimers with deletions and point mutations were generated by recombinant expression and evaluated for their ability to self-assemble, interact with nidogen-1 and type IV collagen, and form extracellular matrices on cultured Schwann cells by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Wild-type laminin and laminin without LG domains polymerized in contrast to laminins with deleted alpha1-, beta1-, or gamma1-LN domains or with duplicated beta1- or alpha1-LN domains. Laminins with a full complement of LN and LG domains accumulated on cell surfaces substantially above those lacking either LN or LG domains and formed a lamina densa. Accumulation of type IV collagen onto the cell surface was found to require laminin with separate contributions arising from the presence of laminin LN domains, nidogen-1, and the nidogen-binding site in laminin. Collectively, the data support the hypothesis that basement membrane assembly depends on laminin self-assembly through formation of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-LN domain complexes and LG-mediated cell surface anchorage. Furthermore, type IV collagen recruitment into the laminin extracellular matrices appears to be mediated through a nidogen bridge with a lesser contribution arising from a direct interaction with laminin.     

Functional symbiosis between endothelium and epithelial cells in glomeruli

In some capillary beds, pericytes regulate endothelial growth. Capillaries with high filtration capacity, such as those in renal glomeruli, lack pericytes. Glomerular endothelium lies adjacent to visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) that are anchored to and cover the anti-luminal surface of the basement membrane. We have tested the hypothesis that podocytes can function as endothelial supporting cells. Endothelial cells were outgrown from circulating endothelial progenitors of normal subjects and were extensively characterized. These blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) expressed endothelial markers, lacked stem cell markers, and expressed the angiopoietin-1 receptor, Tie-2, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, Flk-1. Differentiated podocytes in culture expressed and secreted VEGF, which was upregulated 4.5-fold by high glucose. In complete medium, BOECs formed thin cell-cell connections and multicellular tubes on Matrigel, the in vitro correlate of angiogenesis. This was impaired in deficient media but rescued by co-incubation with Transwell Anopore inserts containing differentiated podocytes. To assess whether VEGF was the major podocyte-derived signal that rescued BOEC angiogenesis, we examined angiogenesis of control and Flk-1-deficient BOECs. Co-incubation with podocytes or addition of recombinant VEGF each rescued angiogenesis in control BOECs, but both failed to support maintenance and angiogenesis in Flk-1-deficient BOECs. Finally, co-culture with podocytes increased BOEC-proliferation. In concert, these findings suggest a model in which glomerular visceral epithelial cells function as pericyte-like endothelial supporting cells. Podocyte-derived VEGF is a required and sufficient regulator of vascular endothelial maintenance, and its upregulation in podocytes by high glucose may be the mechanism for the increased glomerular angiogenesis that is observed in vivo in early diabetic glomerular injury. These studies were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH-NIDDK 63360) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF-1-2004-78).     

Differences in the character of interaction of normal and transformed human keratinocytes with laminin isoforms

Laminins constitute a family of heterotrimeric glycoproteins of basement membranes. Laminins promote cell adhesion, migration, growth, and differentiation. So far, at least 12 different isoforms of laminin have been known. However, no sufficient knowledge is available on the nature of cell response on different laminins. The study was aimed to compare adhesive properties of two laminin isoforms, laminin-1 and laminin-2/4, with respect to normal (freshly isolated keratinocytes) and transformed (A-431) human skin cells. We have used the following assays: cell adhesion to the substrate covered with laminin isoformes, interaction of latex beads (D = 1 micron) coated with the same proteins with cells in suspension, and a comparative study of the cytoskeleton structure of cells spread on the immobilized laminins. It was demonstrated that laminin-2/4 is a more effective potent promotor of adhesion for both normal keratinocytes and transformed A-431 cells, compared with laminin-1. A comparison of many attached protein-covered beads allowed to estimate a relative quantity of cell surface receptors to laminin isoforms in different cell types. The relative number of receptors to laminin-2/4 on the keratinocyte surface is 7 times higher than that to laminin-1 after a 30 min incubation with cells, and is 6 times higher after 1 hour. As for A-431 cells, their attachment to laminin-2/4 beads is 5 times higher than that to laminin-1-beads after a 1 min incubation, but as early as after 5 min this distinction disappeared, owing to bead internalization. The presence of a specific receptor to laminin-2/4 but not to laminin-1 on the keratinocyte surface has been suggested. Keratin differences in cytoskeleton organization in normal and transformed skin cells spread on the substrates covered with laminin-1 and laminin-2/4 were demonstrated.     

Basement membrane protein distribution in LYVE-1-immunoreactive lymphatic vessels of normal tissues and ovarian carcinomas

The endothelial cells of blood vessels assemble basement membranes that play a role in vessel formation, maintenance and function, and in the migration of inflammatory cells. However, little is known about the distribution of basement membrane constituents in lymphatic vessels. We studied the distribution of basement membrane proteins in lymphatic vessels of normal human skin, digestive tract, ovary and, as an example of tumours with abundant lymphatics, ovarian carcinomas. Basement membrane proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies, whereas lymphatic capillaries were detected with antibodies to the lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1, LYVE-1. In skin and ovary, fibrillar immunoreactivity for the laminin α4, β1, β2 and γ1 chains, type IV and XVIII collagens and nidogen-1 was found in the basement membrane region of the lymphatic endothelium, whereas also heterogeneous reactivity for the laminin α5 chain was detected in the digestive tract. Among ovarian carcinomas, intratumoural lymphatic vessels were found especially in endometrioid carcinomas. In addition to the laminin α4, β1, β2 and γ1 chains, type IV and XVIII collagens and nidogen-1, carcinoma lymphatics showed immunoreactivity for the laminin α5 chain and Lutheran glycoprotein, a receptor for the laminin α5 chain. In normal lymphatic capillaries, the presence of primarily α4 chain laminins may therefore compromise the formation of endothelial basement membrane, as these truncated laminins lack one of the three arms required for efficient network assembly. The localization of basement membrane proteins adjacent to lymphatic endothelia suggests a role for these proteins in lymphatic vessels. The distribution of the laminin α5 chain and Lutheran glycoprotein proposes a difference between normal and carcinoma lymphatic capillaries.     

The alpha4 laminin subunit regulates endothelial cell survival

The alpha4 laminin subunit is a major structural component of assembling basement membranes of endothelial cells. We have been investigating its functions with regard to endothelial cell survival. An anti-laminin alpha4 antibody (2A3), directed against the G domain of the alpha4 laminin subunit of laminins-8 and -9, inhibits proliferation and enhances apoptosis of endothelial cells when cells are maintained in vitro. Activation of caspases-9 and -3 plays a role in 2A3 antibody-induced apoptosis, since inhibitors specific for these caspases and overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L), but not c-FLIP, inhibit 2A3 antibody-triggered endothelial cell death. Extracellular matrix is known to play a role in regulating programmed cell death in an integrin-dependent fashion. The alpha4 laminin subunit conforms to this idea since activation of beta1 integrin subunits on endothelial cells blocks the ability of 2A3 antibody to induce endothelial cell death. In summary, our data indicate that complexes composed of alpha4 laminin/beta1 subunit-containing integrins at the cell surface support endothelial cell survival. Furthermore, we propose that antagonists of alpha4 laminin function, including antibody 2A3, have value as angiogenesis inhibitors in a clinical setting where blocking aberrant growth of blood vessel by triggering apoptosis of endothelial cells may be therapeutic.     

PDGFRbeta+ perivascular progenitor cells in tumours regulate pericyte differentiation and vascular survival

The microvasculature consists of endothelial cells and their surrounding pericytes. Few studies on the regulatory mechanisms of tumour angiogenesis have focused on pericytes. Here we report the identification of tumour-derived PDGFRbeta (+) (platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta) progenitor perivascular cells (PPCs) that have the ability to differentiate into pericytes and regulate vessel stability and vascular survival in tumours. A subset of PDGFRbeta (+) PPCs is recruited from bone marrow to perivascular sites in tumours. Specific inhibition of PDGFRbeta signalling eliminates PDGFRbeta (+) PPCs and mature pericytes around tumour vessels, leading to vascular hyperdilation and endothelial cell apoptosis in pancreatic islet tumours of transgenic Rip1Tag2 mice.     

Laminins of the dermo-epidermal junction.

Laminins are the most abundant structural non-collagenous glycoproteins ubiquitously present in basement membranes. They are multidomain molecules constituting a family of possibly more than 50 members. Some members such as laminins 5, 6 and 10 are specific of the basal lamina present under stratified epithelia. Although only few intact laminin isoforms have been purified from cultivated cells or tissues, genetic engineering has opened the way for a rapid development of laminin structural biology. Moreover, the phenotypes resulting from gene targeting in mouse or from laminin defects in acquired or inherited human diseases highlight the pivotal role of laminins in morphogenesis, development, and physiology. Indeed, the laminins display a remarkable repertoire of functions, most importantly as structural elements forming a network throughout the basement membrane to which other collagenous or non-collagenous glycoproteins and proteoglycans attach. Furthermore, they are signaling molecules providing adjacent cells with diverse information by interacting with cell surface components.     

Laminin isoforms in endothelial and perivascular basement membranes

Laminins, one of the major functional components of basement membranes, are found underlying endothelium, and encasing pericytes and smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall. Depending on the type of blood vessel (capillary, venule, postcapillary venule, vein or artery) and their maturation state, both the endothelial and mural cell phenotype vary, with associated changes in laminin isoform expression. Laminins containing the α4 and α5 chains are the major isoforms found in the vessel wall, with the added contribution of laminin α2 in larger vessels. We here summarize current data on the precise localization of these laminin isoforms and their receptors in the different layers of the vessel wall, and their potential contribution to vascular homeostasis.