Production of fibronectin and collagen types I and III by chick embryo dermal cells cultured on extracellular matrix substrates

Dermal cells isolated from the back skin of 7-day chick embryos were cultured on homogeneous two-dimensional substrates consisting of one or two extracellular matrix components (type I, III, or IV collagen, fibronectin and several glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): hyaluronate, chondroitin-4, chondroitin-6, dermatan and heparan sulfates). The effect of these substrates on the production of fibronectin, of types I, III and IV collagen by cells was compared with that of culture dish polystyrene. Using immunofluorescent labeling of cultured cells, it was observed that, on all substrates, in 1-day and 7-day cultures, 85 to 95% of cells contain type I collagen in the perinuclear cytoplasm; label was absent from cell processes. Type I collagen was also detected in extracellular fibers extending between neighboring cells. By contrast, on all substrates, only 5 to 20% of cells produced type III collagen. Otherwise distribution of type III collagen was similar to that of type I collagen. With anti-type IV collagen antibody no staining of either cell content or extracellular spaces was detected. Staining with anti-fibronectin antibody revealed two types of distribution patterns. On polystyrene and on all but type I collagen substrates, labeling revealed clusters of short thick strands and patches of fibronectin-rich material in extracellular spaces. On type I collagen substrate, however, immunostaining revealed a delicate network of regularly spaced parallel fibrils of fibronectin extending between and along cells. Using quantitative radioimmunoassay of the culture media, it was shown that, after 7 days of culture, cells secreted more type I than type III collagen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ovarian carcinoma cells synthesize both chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate cell surface proteoglycans that mediate cell adhesion to interstitial matrix

Metastatic ovarian carcinoma metastasizes by intra-peritoneal, non-hematogenous dissemination. The adhesion of the ovarian carcinoma cells to extracellular matrix components, such as types I and III collagen and cellular fibronectin, is essential for intra-peritoneal dissemination. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cell surface proteoglycans (a class of matrix receptors) are produced by ovarian carcinoma cells, and whether these proteoglycans have a role in the adhesion of ovarian carcinoma cells to types I and III collagen and fibronectin. Proteoglycans were metabolically labeled for biochemical studies. Both phosphatidylinositol-anchored and integral membrane-type cell surface proteoglycans were found to be present on the SK-OV-3 and NIH:OVCAR-3 cell lines. Three proteoglycan populations of differing hydrodynamic size were detected in both SK-OV-3 and NIH:OVCAR-3 cells. Digestions with heparitinase and chondroitinase ABC showed that cell surface proteoglycans of SK-OV-3 cells had higher proportion of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (75:25 of chondroitin sulfate:heparan sulfate ratio), while NIH:OVCAR-3 cells had higher proportion of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (10:90 of chondroitin sulfate:heparan sulfate ratio). RT-PCR indicated the synthesis of a unique assortment of syndecans, glypicans, and CD44 by the two cell lines. In adhesion assays performed on matrix-coated titer plates both cell lines adhered to types I and III collagen and cellular fibronectin, and cell adhesion was inhibited by preincubation of the matrix with heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, or chondroitin glycosaminoglycans. Treatment of the cells with heparitinase, chondroitinase ABC, or methylumbelliferyl xyloside also interfered with adhesion confirming the role of both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate cell surface proteoglycans as matrix receptors on ovarian carcinoma cells.     

Effects of hyaluronate and heparan sulphate on collagen-fibronectin interactions

Interactions of fibronectin and glycosaminoglycans and the involvement of heparan sulphate and hyaluronate in fibronectin-collagen interactions have been studied by affinity chromatography. Partially periodate-oxidized glycosaminoglycans were coupled to adipic acid dihydrazide-substituted agarose. The elution of fibronectin was performed by using increasing concentrations of NaCl. Of the copolymeric glycosaminoglycans, heparin and self-associating heparan sulphates display the highest affinity towards fibronectin while hyaluronic acid and chondroitin 6-sulphate do not bind fibronectin. Competitive release experiments suggest the existence of common binding sites for copolymeric glycosaminoglycans on the fibronectin backbone. Heparan sulphate favours the formation of collagen-fibronectin complexes at low molarity, while hyaluronate is ineffective at low concentrations and prevents the formation of complexes when present at concentrations > 1 mg ml^?1. It is suggested that heparan sulphate promotes the formation of complexes which bind with fibronectin thus producing steric changes that increase the affinity for collagen, while hyaluronate prevents the binding of fibronectin to collagen by a steric exclusion mechanism.     

Macromolecular composition of the sarcolemma and endomysium in the rat

The macromolecular composition of sarcolemma and endomysium was studied by classical staining methods for glycosaminoglycans and using immunological techniques for proteins. Both proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (heparan sulphate, dermatan sulphate, chondroitin sulphate) could be detected in the sarcolemma. Type IV and type V collagen and laminin were found exclusively in the sarcolemma and endomysium. Type I and type III collagen as well as fibronectin were detected both in the endomysium and perimysium.     

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans from mouse mammary epithelial cells. Cell surface proteoglycan as a receptor for interstitial collagens

A heparan sulfate-rich proteoglycan is on the surface of NMuMG mouse mammary epithelial cells apparently intercalated into their plasma membranes. Mild treatment of the cells with trypsin releases the GAG-bearing region (ectodomain) of this molecule as a discrete proteoglycan which is readily purified. At physiological pH and ionic strength, the ectodomain binds collagen types I, III, and V but not types II, IV, or denatured type I. The proteoglycan binds to a single class of high affinity saturable sites on type I collagen fibrils, sites which are selective for heparin-like glycosaminoglycans. The binding of NMuMG cells to type I collagen duplicates that of their cell surface proteoglycan; cells bind to native but not denatured collagen, and binding is inhibited by heparin but not by other glycosaminoglycans. These binding properties suggest that cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans could act as receptors for interstitial collagens and mediate changes in cell behavior induced by collagenous matrices.     

Correlation between cell substrate attachment in vitro and cell surface heparan sulfate affinity for fibronectin and collagen

Heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan, isolated from the cell surface of nonadhering murine myeloma cells (P3X63-Ag8653), does not bind to plasma fibronectin, but binds partially to collagen type I, as assayed by affinity chromatography with proteins immobilized on cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. Identical results were obtained when myeloma heparan sulfate was cochromatographed, on the same fibronectin and collagen columns, with cell surface heparan sulfates collagen columns, with cell surface heparan sulfates from adhering Swiss mouse 3T3 and SV3T3 cells. These latter heparan sulfates do, however, bind to both fibronectin and collagen, as reported earlier (Stamatoglou, S.C., and J.M. Keller, 1981, Biochim. Biophys. Acta., 719:90-97). Cell adhesion assays established that hydrated collagen substrata can support myeloma cell attachment, but fibronectin cannot. Saturation of the heparan sulfate binding sites on the collagen substrata with heparan sulfate or heparin, prior to cell inoculation, abolished the ability to support cell adhesion, whereas chondroitin 4 sulfate, chondroitin 6 sulfate, and hyaluronic acid had no effect.     

Binding of hyaluronate to the surface of cultured cells

The binding of hyaluronate to SV-3T3 cells was measured by incubating a suspension of cells (released from the substratum with EDTA) with 3H-labeled hyaluronate and then applying the suspension to glass fiber filters which retained the cells and the bound hyaluronate. The extent of binding was a function of both the concentration of labeled hyaluronate and the cell number. Most of the binding took place within the first 2 min of the incubation and was not influenced by the presence or absence of divalent cations. The binding of labeled hyaluronate to SV-3T3 cells could be prevented by the addition of an excess of unlabeled hyaluronate. High molecular weight preparations of hyaluronate were more effective in preventing binding than low molecular weight preparations. The binding of [3H]hyaluronate was inhibited by high concentrations of oligosaccharide fragments of hyaluronate consisting of six sugars or more, and by chondroitin. The sulfated glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparin, and heparan sulfate) had little or no effect on the binding. The labeled hyaluronate bound to the cells could be totally removed by incubating the cells with testicular hyaluronidase, streptomyces hyaluronidase, or trypsin, indicating that the hyaluronate-binding sites are located on the cell surface.     

Distribution of connective tissue proteins in chick muscle spindles as revealed by monoclonal antibodies: a unique distribution of brachionectin/tenascin

The distribution of chick muscle spindles of eight connective tissue proteins (collagen types I, IV, V, and VI, laminin, heparan sulfate, fibronectin, and brachionectin/tenascin) was examined by immunofluorescent histochemistry. Intrafusal fibers were surrounded by layers of collagen type VI and fibronectin, and by an external lamina containing collagen type IV, laminin, and heparan sulfate. Most of these layers displayed a different pattern of staining at the sensory region of the equator than at the polar region. The crescent-like sheath that caps each intrafusal fiber and sensory terminal at the equator was strongly positive for collagen type I and weakly positive for collagen type V. The outer spindle capsule contained laminin, heparan sulfate, collagen types IV and VI, brachionectin/tenascin, fibronectin, and to a lesser degree also collagen types I and V. Brachionectin/tenascin had the narrowest distribution of any of the connective tissue macromolecules studied. It was found only in the outer capsule and in the coverings of blood vessels and nerves associated with the outer capsule.     

Bronchial branching correlates with specific glycosidase activity, extracellular glycosaminoglycan accumulation, TGF beta(2), and IL-1 localization during chick embryo lung development.

During organ differentiation, cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions are required. The components of the ECM, such as glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin, laminin, and collagens, change in relation to cytokine and enzyme activity. Moreover, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are components of the ECM that play an important role in both cytokine regulation and cell activities. In this work we studied the accumulation of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (PGs), beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activity, the presence of transforming growth factor beta(2) (TGF beta(2)), and interleukin-1 (IL-1), and the localization of fibronectin, laminin, and collagen I and IV during the early stages of chick embryo lung development. We also determined the levels of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate GAGs and the activity of beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase with biochemical methods. Our data show that beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activity increases in each cell, especially in the epithelial growth front at the emergence of each bronchial bud, where hyaluronic acid and IL-1 are located in the surrounding mesenchymal areas. Chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate PGs, fibronectin, laminin, and collagen I and IV are evident in the area near the basal membrane along the sides where the forming structures are stabilized. Biochemical data show that beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activity increases in cells during lung development and is related to GAG decrease and to modifications of the nonsulfated/sulfated GAG ratio. These modifications could change cytokine activity and play an important role in bronchial branching development.     

Immunohistochemistry of the intercellular matrix components and the epithelio-mesenchymal junction of the human tooth germ

Summary The immunohistochemical localization of heparan sulphate, collagen type I, III and IV, laminin, tenascin, plasma- and cellular fibronectin was studied in tooth germs from human fetuses. The lamina basalis ameloblastica or membrana preformativa, which separates the pre-ameloblasts from the pre-dentin and dentin, contained heparan sulphate, collagen type IV, laminin and fibronectin. Enamel reacted with antifibronectin, but the reaction varied depending on the type of fibronectin and the source of antibody. In early pre-dentin, collagen type I, laminin, tenascin and fibronectin were present. In late pre-dentin and dentin collagen type I was found in intertubular dentin and in the zone between enamel and dentin. The close relationship between collagen type I in dentin and fibronectin in immature enamel is interesting, as it may contribute to the stabilization of the amelodentinal interface. In dental pulp, collagen type IV and laminin were found in the endothelial basement membranes. Collagen type I and III, tenascin and fibronectin were localized to the mesenchymal intercellular matrix.The results of this study have supported the assumption that the lamina basalis ameloblastica is a basement membrane, and have lead to the suggestion that ameloblasts are producers of fibronectin or a fibronectin-like substance.     

Localization of binding sites for laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin on basement membrane (type IV) collagen

Rotary shadowing electron microscopy was used to examine complexes formed by incubating combinations of the basement membrane components: type IV collagen, laminin, large heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin. Complexes were analyzed by length measurement from the globular (COOH) domain of type IV collagen, and by examination of the four arms of laminin and the two arms of fibronectin. Type IV collagen was found to contain binding sites for laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin. With laminin the most frequent site was centered approximately 81 nm from the carboxy end of type IV collagen. Less frequent sites appeared to be present at approximately 216 nm and approximately 291 nm, although this was not apparent when the sites were expressed as a fraction of the length of type IV collagen to which they were bound. For heparan sulfate proteoglycan the most frequent site occurred at approximately 206 nm with a less frequent site at approximately 82 nm. For fibronectin, a single site was present at approximately 205 nm. Laminin bound to type IV collagen through its short arms, particularly through the end of the lateral short arms and to heparan sulfate proteoglycan mainly through the end of its long arm. Fibronectin bound to type IV collagen through the free end region of its arms. Using a computer graphics program, the primary laminin binding sites of two adjacent type IV collagen molecules were found to align in the "polygonal" model of type IV collagen, whereas with the "open network" model, a wide meshed matrix is predicted. It is proposed that basement membrane may consist of a lattice of type IV collagen coated with laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin.     

Comparison between ectoderm-conditioned medium and fibronectin in their effects on chondrogenesis by limb bud mesenchymal cells

Limb bud ectoderm inhibits chondrogenesis by limb bud mesenchymal cells cultured at high density or on collagen gels. This ectodermal antichondrogenic influence has been postulated to function in vivo in regulating the spatial patterning of cartilage and soft connective tissue in the limb. We have developed a method for preparing ectoderm-conditioned medium containing antichondrogenic activity. Using a simple bioassay, we have investigated some characteristics of the ectodermal products and their effects on limb bud mesenchymal cells. Inhibition of chondrogenesis by ectoderm-conditioned medium was tested on limb bud mesenchymal cells cultured on collagen gels. The antichondrogenic influence involves enhanced cell spreading and is alleviated by agents, such as cytochalasin D, that induce cell rounding. Fibronectin resembles ectoderm-conditioned medium in its ability to inhibit chondrogenesis and promote cell spreading in collagen gel cultures of limb bud mesenchymal cells. However, Western blot analysis shows that the antichondrogenic activity of ectoderm-conditioned medium is not due to fibronectin in the medium. Peptides related to the fibronectin cell-binding domain block the antichondrogenic effect of fibronectin, but not that of ectoderm-conditioned medium. On the other hand, an antibody to an integrin, as well as heparan sulfate, alleviates the antichondrogenic effects of both fibronectin and ectoderm-conditioned medium. The antichondrogenic effect of ectoderm-conditioned medium may be mediated by an integrin and by a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, but it does not depend directly upon fibronectin-mediated cell spreading.     

Influence of dermal equivalent maturation on the development of a cultured skin equivalent.

Histologic and immunofluorescence methods were used to analyse the presence of fibronectin, chondroitin-4-sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate, type III and IV collagens, laminin, and keratins to assess the maturation level of cultured dermal and skin equivalents. In a first phase, fibroblasts in monolayer culture were compared with dermal equivalents in which fibroblasts are embedded in a type I collagen gel. Different fluorescent patterns were observed depending on the culture system used. A sequential appearance of macromolecules was noticed in dermal equivalents. Fibronectin was first detected after 4 days of culture, whereas chondroitin-4-sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate and type III collagen were present after 7 days. In contrast, all three macromolecules were detected at 24 h of culture in fibroblastic monolayer cultures. In a second phase, the quality of our skin equivalents was evaluated according to the seeding time of epidermal cells upon dermal equivalents (1, 4, or 7 days). A satisfactory stratification was obtained when keratinocytes were seeded after 4 and 7 days of dermal equivalent culture. Laminin and fibronectin were detected at the dermo-epidermal junction, but type IV collagen was absent. Various keratins, as detected by the AE1, AE2, and AE3 antibodies, were present in the epidermal layer. Following keratinocyte confluence, a change in the organization pattern of type III collagen in the dermal fraction of the skin equivalent was also noticed. Our comparative results show that seeding of epidermal cells on a more mature dermal equivalent leads to improved differentiation status of the epidermal layer.     

Inhibition of neural crest cell migration by aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans is mediated by their hyaluronan-binding region.

We have recently shown that the large hyaluronan-aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan from cartilage (PG-LA) is unfavorable as a substrate for neural crest cell migration in vitro and that this macromolecule inhibits cell dispersion on fibronectin substrates when included in the medium (R. Perris and S. Johansson, 1987, J. Cell Biol. 105, 2511-2521). In this study we present data on the specificity of the migration-repressing activity of PG-LA and data on the molecular mechanisms by which the proteoglycan might impair neural crest cell motility. Soluble PG-LA potently impaired cell migration on substrates of laminin/laminin-nidogen, vitronectin, and collagen types I, III, IV, and VI. When tested in solid-phase binding assays, PG-LA bound avidly to substrates of collagen types I-III and V. Conversely, minimal amounts of the proteoglycan bound to substrates of laminin-nidogen, vitronectin, collagen types IV and VI, and fibronectin or to a proteolytic fragment encompassing its cell-binding domain (105 kDa). Preincubation of these substrates with soluble PG-LA prior to plating of the cells had no effect on their locomotory behavior. These results indicate that PG-LA affects neural crest cell movement primarily through an interaction with the cell surface, rather than by association with the cell motility-promoting substrate molecules. The molecular interaction of soluble PG-LA with neural crest cells was further examined by analyzing the effects of isolated domains of the proteoglycan on cell migration on fibronectin. Addition of chondroitin sulfate chains, the core protein free of glycosaminoglycans, the isolated hyaluronan-binding region (HABr), or a proteolytic fragment corresponding to the keratan sulfate-enriched domain of the PG-LA to neural crest cells migrating on fibronectin or the 105-kDa fibronectin fragment had no significant effect on their motility. After reduction and alkylation, PG-LA was considerably less efficient in perturbing cell movement on fibronectin substrates and virtually ineffective in altering migration on the 105-kDa fragment. In the presence of hyaluronan fragments of 16-30 monosaccharides in length, or an antiserum against the HABr, the migration repressing activity of PG-LA was reduced in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the inhibitory action of PG-LA was significantly reduced by treatment of the cells with Streptomyces hyaluronidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Connective tissue of the livers of newborn and adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Immunofluorescence microscopic and electron microscopic investigations revealed components of the matrix and of the basal lamina (collagen type I, III, IV and V, BL-heparan sulfate and fibronectin) in the sinus wall (Disse's space) of the livers of newborn and adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Collagen type I was missing in both the two age groups. Small amounts of laminin were present in the livers of newborn and absent in those of adult animals, whereas collagen type III occurred in the form of delicate fibres. Light microscopic inspection showed a continuous distribution of all other components in the sinus wall. The amount of collagen type III and V increased depending on the age. Electron microscopic investigations revealed single or bundled fibrils (20-30 nm) and filaments (10-12 nm). After addition of tannic acid, plaques of a fine-filamentous network and incorporated granules were observed. After addition of resting Ruthenium Red, electron-dense granules (20-60 nm) were irregularly distributed in the structureless space, resting on collagenous fibrils and cell membranes. The fibrils were allocated to collagen type III, the filaments to collagen type V. The plaques were supposed to contain heparan sulfate, collagen type IV and fibronectin. The absence of a Lamina densa of the basal lamina was attributed to the absence of laminin which probably plays an important role in the formation of this layer. Differences in the distribution pattern of the matrix components and thus a functional mosaic of the permeability of Disse's space were assumed. The complete absence of collagen type I and laminin in the lobules makes the adult marmoset liver especially suited for studies on the importance of this collagen type under pathological conditions, since both components are expressed in this way.     

Light microscopic immunolocalization of type IV collagen, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and fibronectin in the basement membranes of a variety of rat organs

Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine whether type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan were present in diverse basement membranes. Antisera or antibodies against each substance were prepared, tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and exposed to frozen sections of duodenum, trachea, kidney, spinal cord, cerebrum, and incisor tooth from rats aged 20 days to 34 months. Bound antibodies were then localized by indirect or direct peroxidase methods for examination in the light microscope. Immunostaining for type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan was observed in all of the basement membranes encountered. Fibronectin was also found in connective tissue. In general, the intensity of immunostaining was strong for type IV collagen and laminin, moderate for heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and weak for fibronectin. The pattern was similar in the age groups under study. Very recently the sulfated glycoprotein, entactin, was also detected in the basement membranes of the listed tissues in 20-day-old rats. It is accordingly proposed that, at least in the organs examined, type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin are present together in basement membranes.     

Complexing of fibronectin glycosaminoglycans and collagen

Collagen-fibronectin complexes, formed by binding of fibronectin to gelatin or collagen insolubilized on Sepharose, were found to bind 20–40% of radioactivity in [³⁵S]heparin. Fibronectin attached directly to Sepharose also bound [³⁵S]heparin, while gelatin-Sepharose without fibronectin did not. Unlabeled heparin and highly sulfated heparan sulfate efficiently inhibited the binding of [³⁵S]heparin, hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate were slightly inhibitory, while chondroitin sulfates and heparan sulfate with a low sulfate content did not inhibit.The interaction of heparin with fibronectin bound to gelatin resulted in complexes which required higher concentrations of urea to dissociate than complexes of fibronectin and gelatin alone. Heparin as well as highly sulfated heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid brought about agglutination of plastic beads coated with gelatin when fibronectin was present. Neither fibronectin nor glycosaminoglycans alone agglutinated the beads.It is proposed that the multiple interactions of fibronectin, collagen and glycosaminoglycans revealed in these assays could play a role in the deposition of these substances as an insoluble extracellular matrix. Alterations of the quality or quantity of any one of these components could have important effects on cell surface interactions, including the lack of cell surface fibronectin in malignant cells.     

Composition of glycosaminoglycans in human pancreatic cancer

Five glycosaminoglycans were isolated from tryptic digestion of both cancerous and normal tissues of the human pancreas and were assayed by determining the carbohydrate content of materials. Separation of these five polymers was achieved by Dowex 1-X2 column chromatography and fractionation with Benedict's solution. They were identified as hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin-4-sulfate, and chondroitin-6-sulfate, respectively. The total amount of glycosaminoglycans in cancer tissue increased in comparison to the controls. The increase in tissue content of glycosaminoglycans was accompanied by increases in chondroitin-4-sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate levels.     

Lack of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in a discontinuous and irregular placental basement membrane

A discontinuous basement membrane of variable width that surrounds spongiotrophoblast cells of rat placenta was examined for the presence of type IV collagen, laminin, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin, and fibronectin using monospecific antibodies or antisera and the indirect peroxidase technique. At the level of the light microscope, the basement membrane was immunostained for type IV collagen, laminin, entactin, and fibronectin. Heparan sulfate proteoglycan immunostaining, however, was virtually absent even after pretreatment of sections with 0.1 N acetic acid, pepsin (0.1 microgram/ml) or 0.13 M sodium borohydride. Examination in the electron microscope confirmed the lack of immunostaining for heparan sulfate proteoglycan, whereas the other substances were mainly localized to the lamina densa part of the basement membrane. The absence of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in this discontinuous and irregular basement membrane even though type IV collagen, laminin, entactin, and fibronectin are present, suggests that heparan sulfate proteoglycan may have a structural role in the formation of basement membrane.     

Amyloid precursor-like protein 2 promotes cell migration toward fibronectin and collagen IV.

Previous studies have established that in response to wounding, the expression of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) in the basal cells of migrating corneal epithelium is greatly up-regulated. To further our understanding of the functional significance of APLP2 in wound healing, we have measured the migratory response of transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing APLP2 isoforms to a variety of extracellular matrix components including laminin, collagen types I, IV, and VII, fibronectin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). CHO cells overexpressing either of two APLP2 variants, differing in chondroitin sulfate (CS) attachment, exhibit a marked increase in chemotaxis toward type IV collagen and fibronectin but not to laminin, collagen types I and VII, and HSPGs. Cells overexpressing APLP2-751 (CS-modified) exhibited a greater migratory response to fibronectin and type IV collagen than their non-CS-attached counterparts (APLP2-763), suggesting that CS modification enhanced APLP2 effects on cell migration. Moreover, in the presence of chondroitin sulfate, transfectants overexpressing APLP2-751 failed to exhibit this enhanced migration toward fibronectin. The APLP2-ECM interactions were also explored by solid phase adhesion assays. While overexpression of APLP2 isoforms moderately enhanced CHO adhesion to laminin, collagen types I and VII, and HSPGs lines, especially those overexpressing APLP2-751, exhibited greatly increased adhesion to type IV collagen and fibronectin. These observations suggest that APLP2 contributes to re-epithelialization during wound healing by supporting epithelial cell adhesion to fibronectin and collagen IV, thus influencing their capacity to migrate over the wound bed. Furthermore, APLP2 interactions with fibronectin and collagen IV appear to be potentiated by the addition of a CS chain to the core proteins.