Immunoelectronmicroscopic localization of extracellular matrix components produced by bovine corneal endothelial cells in vitro

Bovine corneal endothelial cells deposit an extracellular matrix in short-term cultures, which contains various morphologically distinct structures when analysed by electron microscopy after negative staining. Amongst these were long-spacing fibers with a 150 nm periodicity, which appeared also to be assembled into more complex hexagonal lattices. Another structure was fine filaments, 10-40 nm in diameter, which occasionally exhibited 67 nm periodic cross-striation. Non-striated 10-20 nm filaments sometimes formed radially oriented bundles arranged in networks and fuzzy granular material was associated with the filaments in the bundles. Often, these bundles extended into solitary filaments, 10-20 nm in diameter, with a smooth surface. In addition, amorphous patches were seen, which contained dense aggregates of fibrillar and granular material. In longer-term cultures, some of the structures coalesced to form large fibrillar bundles. By using specific antibodies to various extracellular matrix components and immunolabeling with gold some of these structures could be identified as to their protein composition. Whereas fibronectin antibodies labeled a variety of structures--fine filaments with granular materials, radially oriented bundles, patchy amorphous aggregates and small granular material scattered throughout the background--type III collagen antibody predominantly labeled filaments with periodic banding (10-40 nm in diameter). A small amount of type III specific labeling was also observed over the networks of radially oriented fibrils and fine filaments associated with granular material. Type IV collagen and laminin antibodies localized in areas of the patchy amorphous aggregates. Type VI collagen antibodies, on the other hand, labeled fine filaments and the gold particles showed a pattern of 100 nm periodicity. Many of the fine 10-20 nm filaments exhibited a tubular appearance on cross-section, but they were not reactive with any of the antibodies used. Also negative were the long-spacing fibers and assemblies--including hexagonal lattices--containing this structural element.     

Hypoxia affects in vitro proliferation and differentiation of mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell

This study was to investigate the proliferation and differentiation of mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell in hypoxic airlift culture. Mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell line progenitor cells were cultured under airlift with normoxic and hypoxic conditions for various durations up to 2 wk. Under normoxic conditions when exposed to air, the hyperproliferation and abnormal epidermal-like differentiation of mouse corneal epithelium was induced, whereas when exposed to air under hypoxic conditions, although we observed augmented proliferation, the abnormal differentiation was inhibited. The mechanism by which hypoxia prevents abnormal differentiation may involve downregulation of Wnt signaling pathways, which were inhibited in cells cultured with hypoxic airlift technique. In conclusion, hypoxia can prevent abnormal differentiation while enhancing the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells by blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Separation and in vitro growth of mammalian corneal epithelial and endothelial cells

A double Rose chamber technique is described for simultaneously separating the endothelial and epithelial cells from the corneas of a variety of animals. Endothelial cells, although few in number at harvest, quickly grew into thriving cultures. Epithelial cells, although obtained in large numbers from the corneas, were more difficult to establish and grow. These two types of cells from one tissue differ greatly in culture and are useful materials for various comparative studies. Cells from X-irradiated animals produced multinucleated gaint cells and abnormal fibroblastic cells.     

Characterization of extracellular matrix-associated glycosaminoglycans produced by untransformed and transformed bovine corneal endothelial cells in culture

A cloned bovine corneal endothelial cell line was transformed in vitro by simian virus 40, and the subendothelial extracellular matrix-associated sulfated glycosaminoglycans synthesized by the cells were isolated and compared with their untransformed counterpart. The transformed endothelial cells grew at faster rates to higher stationary cell densities in the absence of fibroblast growth factor than did the untransformed cells. On a per-cell basis, the transformed cells produced slightly lower amounts of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The rate of production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in extracellular matrix increased during seven days of culture. At confluency the extracellular matrix-associated sulfated glycosaminoglycans synthesized by the untransformed endothelial cells consisted of about 80% heparan sulfate and about 20% chondroitin sulfate. Extracellular matrix-associated sulfated glycosaminoglycans of transformed endothelial cells were composed of about 70% heparan sulfate and about 30% chondroitin sulfate plus dermatan sulfate. High-speed gel permeation chromatography profiles on Fractogel TSK HW-55(S) of matrix-associated heparan sulfate from untransformed and transformed endothelial cells were very similar, and gave single peaks (Kav = 0.19). Apparent Mr estimated from the eluting position of the peaks were approximately 47000. Heparan sulfate from both untransformed and transformed endothelial cells was degraded by incubation with a metastatic B16 melanoma cell lysate containing heparanase (heparan-sulfate-specific endo-beta-glucuronidase). The eluting position of the heparan sulfate degradation products on gel permeation column were similar (Kav = 0.43). Size analysis and anion-exchange chromatography of the degradation products after nitrous acid deamination at low pH indicated that the degree of N-sulfation of heparan sulfate was similar in untransformed and transformed endothelial cells. The results indicated that transformation of endothelial cells only slightly changes the molecular nature of subendothelial matrix-associated sulfated glycosaminoglycans.     

Adenosinetriphosphatase activity in the cell membranes of kidney tubule cells

This cytochemical study demonstrates high levels of apparent ATPase activity in the infolded cell membranes of the proximal tubules (dog, rat, human, mouse, monkey, and opossum) and ascending loops of Henle (dog, rat, human and, to a variable degree, mouse). Electron microscopy has shown (see Rhodin (1)) that these membranes separate adjacent cells where they interlock with one another by multiple cytoplasmic lamellae containing oriented mitochondria. The significance of the high ATPase activity is considered in relation to possible movements of the membranes and to "active transport" believed to occur there. In the rat, enzyme activity in the proximal tubule membranes does not survive formol-calcium fixation, and it is therefore necessary to use unfixed sections for its demonstration. However, in edematous rats with experimental nephrosis (induced by the injection of aminonucleoside or with antikidney serum) marked ATPase activity is exhibited in these membranes even after formol-calcium fixation. When proximal tubule or Henle loop cells of the dog acquire an altered metabolism, as indicated by accumulated lipide spheres or by "droplets," the infolded ATPase-rich membranes are no longer demonstrable.     

A model for in vitro proliferation of undifferentiated bovine mammary epithelial cells

A method for culturing bovine undifferentiated mammary epithelial cells embedded in collagen gels is described. Cell growth was quantitated by incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Maximal rate of incorporation was achieved in media supplemented with sera, however considerable growth was observed in serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin and selenium. The growth promoting effect of insulin was maximally expressed only at high nonphysiological concentrations.     

Factors involved in the control of proliferation of bovine corneal endothelial cells maintained in serum-free medium

Experimental conditions have been defined that allow bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) cells to grow in the complete absence of serum. Low density BCE cell cultures maintained on extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated dishes and plated in the total absence of serum proliferate actively when exposed to a synthetic medium supplemented with high density lipoprotein (HDL 500 μg protein/ml), transferrin (10 μg/ml), insulin (5 μg/ml), and fibroblast (FGP) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) added at concentrations of 100 or 50 ng/ml, respectively. Omission of any of these components results in a lower growth rate and/or final cell density of the cultures. BCE cell cultures plated on plastic dishes and exposed to the same synthetic medium grow very poorly. The longevity of BCE cultures maintained on plastic versus ECM and exposed to serum-free versus serum-containing medium has been studied. The use of ECM-coated dishes extended the life span of BCE cultures maintained in serum-supplemented medium to over 120 generations, as compared to less than 20 generations for cultures maintained on plastic. Likewise, BCE cells maintained on ECM and exposed to a synthetic medium supplemented with optimal concentrations of HDL, transferrin, insulin, and FGF underwent 85 generations, whereas control cultures maintained on plastic could not be passaged. The enhancing effect of ECM on BCE cell growth and culture longevity clearly illustrates the importance of the cell substrate in the control of proliferation of these cells.     

Incomplete fusion of the epithelial and endothelial basement membranes in interspecies hybrid glomeruli

Avascular, undifferentiated mouse kidneys transplanted onto quail chorioallantoic membrane differentiate and become vascularized by quail vessels. The glomeruli which form under these conditions consist of mouse podocytes and quail endothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry has shown that the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) has a dual origin, as integral basement membrane components are produced by both podocytes and endothelial cells. In electron microscopy this GBM is composed of two partially separated layers, an epithelial and an endothelial basal lamina which both have a lamina densa and a lamina rara. These two basal laminas are partially fused, but there are large areas where this fusion does not occur. In some places of incomplete fusion, fibrillar extracellular material is seen between and beneath the GBM. It is concluded that basement membrane components derived from the different species can interact partially, but the fusion is incomplete. The abnormal assembly of the epithelial and the endothelial basal laminas might be due to molecular differences between the components produced by the two cell lineages. In spite of the incomplete fusion, the system used serves as a good model-system to study basement membrane formation, since the cells organize in a histiotypic fashion and form true vascularized glomeruli.     

Rapamycin inhibits proliferation and differentiation of human endothelial progenitor cells in vitro

Bone-marrow-derived, circulating endothelial precursor cells contribute to neoangiogenesis in various diseases. Rapamycin has recently been shown to have anti-angiogenic effects in an experimental tumor model. Our group has developed a culture system that allows expansion and endothelial differentiation of human CD133(+) precursor cells. We could show by PCR analysis that mTOR, the rapamycin-binding protein, was expressed in fresh CD133(+) cells, in expanded cells after 28 days, and in differentiated endothelial cells. Rapamycin inhibited proliferation of CD133(+) cells dose dependently at similar concentrations as hematopoietic Jurkat or HL-60 cells. Apoptosis was induced by rapamycin after 48 h of treatment, which could be reduced by preincubation with FK 506. Furthermore, the development of adherent endothelial cells from expanded CD133(+) cells was dose dependently inhibited. Expression of endothelial antigens CD144 and von Willebrand factor on differentiating endothelial precursors was reduced by rapamycin. In summary, rapamycin inhibits proliferation and differentiation of human endothelial precursor cells underlining its anti-angiogenic effects.     

In vitro growth and differentiation of human kidney tubular cells on a basement membrane substrate

Summary Kidney cortical tubular cells, mainly proximal tubular cells, isolated from human kidney and grown either on a basement membrane substrate in chemically defined medium or on plastic in serum-supplemented medium, had substantial proliferative potential and could be propagated for more than 10 generations or 8 passages before senescence. Basement membrane produced on a plastic substrate by the HR-9 endodermal cell line could replace serum supplementation in promoting tubular cell growth. Tubular cells grown on an HR-9 basement membrane substrate exhibited stable epithelial morphology over an extended period of time; in the presence of 5% serum they differentiated into organized structures such as hemicysts and cell cords. Cells grown on plastic failed to differentiate and gradually degenerated. Tubular cells on HR-9 basement membrane were characterized by densely packed microvilli, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and free polysomes, basal cell membrane interdigitations, a well-developed endocytotic apparatus, and conspicuous junctional complexes—all features of the proximal tubular cell. Compared with cells on plastic substrate, there were higher levels of the brush border enzymes γ-glutamyl transpeptidase,l-leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase in cells maintained on an HR-9 basement membrane substrate, further supporting the conclusion that a basement membrane substrate promoted differentiation of tubular cells. These data and morphological observations indicate that a basement membrane substrate can promote growth and both functional and morphologic differentiation of human kidney tubular cells. This work was supported by the Veterans Administration.     

Glutathione peroxidase-3 produced by the kidney binds to a population of basement membranes in the gastrointestinal tract and in other tissues

Glutathione peroxidase-3 (Gpx3), the extracellular glutathione peroxidase synthesized largely in the kidney, binds to basement membranes of renal cortical epithelial cells. The present study assessed extrarenal expression of Gpx3 using RT-PCR and presence of Gpx3 protein using immunocytochemistry. Gpx3 expression was higher in kidney and epididymis than in other tissues. Gpx3 bound to basement membranes of epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract, the efferent ducts connecting the seminiferous tubules with the epididymis, the bronchi, and type II pneumocytes. It was not detected on the basement membrane of type I pneumocytes. Gpx3 was also present in the lumen of the epididymis. Transplantation of Gpx3(+/+) kidneys into Gpx3(-/-) mice led to Gpx3 binding to the same basement membranes to which it bound in Gpx3(+/+) mice but not to its presence in the epididymal lumen. These results show that Gpx3 from the blood binds to basement membranes of specific epithelial cells and indicate that the cells modify their basement membranes to cause the binding. They further indicate that at least two Gpx3 compartments exist in the organism. In one compartment, kidney supplies Gpx3 through the blood to specific basement membranes in a number of tissues. In the other compartment, the epididymis provides Gpx3 to its own lumen. Tissues other than kidney and epididymis express Gpx3 at lower levels and may supply Gpx3 to other compartments.     

Stereospecificity of the hydroxyeicosatetraenoic and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids produced by cultured bovine endothelial cells

Characterization of the stereospecificity of the derivatives of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid produced by endothelial cells is needed to define the enzymatic origin of these compounds and their role in vascular physiology. In studies utilizing two bovine endothelial cell lines (CPAE and AG04762), both free 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 11-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (11-HETE) were generated during incubations with exogenous arachidonic acid and both free 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE) and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) were generated during incubations with exogenous linoleic acid. Esterification of 15-HETE, 9-HODE and 13-HODE during these incubations was demonstrated. The analyses included reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography of the free acid and its methyl ester and chiral separation of the methyl ester on straight phase chiral columns. The ratio of 9-HODE/13-HODE averaged 2.7 in the chromatographic analyses of the extracts of the incubations with linoleic acid. The combined production of 13-HODE and 9-HODE from linoleic acid was four times greater than that of 15-HETE and 11-HETE from arachidonic acid. With regard to the products of the CPAE endothelial cell line, the S/R ratio of the stereoisomers averaged 1.5 for free 15-HETE, 5.7 for free 13-HODE and 0.2 for free 9-HODE. The 11-HETE had strict (R) stereospecificity. The products from the AG04762 endothelial cell line had similar stereochemistry. All these stereochemical findings point to the activity of a cyclooxygenase rather than that of a lipoxygenase.     

Analysis of the collagen types synthesized by bovine corneal endothelial cells in culture.

Bovine corneal endothelial cells synthesize in culture predominantly type III collagen, with lesser amounts of types I and V and apparently little if any type IV. This pattern of synthesis is observed in both dividing and post-confluent cultures and irrespective of whether cells are attached to plastic or collagen-coated surface.     

Enhanced synthesis of basement membrane proteins during the differentiation of rat mammary tumour epithelial cells into myoepithelial-like cells in vitro

Rama 25, an epithelial cell line obtained from a dimethylbenzanthracene-induced rat mammary tumour differentiates spontaneously in culture forming elongated myoepithelial-like cells. The elongated cells form multilayered ridge structures from which cultures of elongated cells, relatively uncontaminated by epithelial cells, can be obtained. By using immunofluorescence techniques, both the elongated cells and the cells in ridges, but not undifferentiated Rama 25 cells, have been demonstrated to synthesize three basement membrane proteins, laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin. The identity of these basement membrane proteins has been confirmed by immunoprecipitation. These proteins appear to be located in a fibrillar extracellular matrix. We suggest that the ability to synthesize basement membrane proteins by mammary epithelial cells in vitro on plastic is a characteristic of myoepithelial-like cells.     

CNF1 improves astrocytic ability to support neuronal growth and differentiation in vitro

Modulation of cerebral Rho GTPases activity in mice brain by intracerebral administration of Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1) leads to enhanced neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and improves learning and memory. To gain more insight into the interactions between CNF1 and neuronal cells, we used primary neuronal and astrocytic cultures from rat embryonic brain to study CNF1 effects on neuronal differentiation, focusing on dendritic tree growth and synapse formation, which are strictly modulated by Rho GTPases. CNF1 profoundly remodeled the cytoskeleton of hippocampal and cortical neurons, which showed philopodia-like, actin-positive projections, thickened and poorly branched dendrites, and a decrease in synapse number. CNF1 removal, however, restored dendritic tree development and synapse formation, suggesting that the toxin can reversibly block neuronal differentiation. On differentiated neurons, CNF1 had a similar effacing effect on synapses. Therefore, a direct interaction with CNF1 is apparently deleterious for neurons. Since astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuronal differentiation and synaptic regulation, we wondered if the beneficial in vivo effect could be mediated by astrocytes. Primary astrocytes from embryonic cortex were treated with CNF1 for 48 hours and used as a substrate for growing hippocampal neurons. Such neurons showed an increased development of neurites, in respect to age-matched controls, with a wider dendritic tree and a richer content in synapses. In CNF1-exposed astrocytes, the production of interleukin 1β, known to reduce dendrite development and complexity in neuronal cultures, was decreased. These results demonstrate that astrocytes, under the influence of CNF1, increase their supporting activity on neuronal growth and differentiation, possibly related to the diminished levels of interleukin 1β. These observations suggest that the enhanced synaptic plasticity and improved learning and memory described in CNF1-injected mice are probably mediated by astrocytes.     

Mesosecrin: a secreted glycoprotein produced in abundance by human mesothelial, endothelial, and kidney epithelial cells in culture

Human mesothelial cells, endothelial cells, and type II kidney epithelial cells growing in culture devote approximately 3% of their total protein synthesis to the production of an Mr approximately 46-kD, pI 7.1, secreted glycoprotein (designated Sp46). Fibroblasts make about 1/10th as much Sp46 as these cell types, and their synthesis is dependent upon hydrocortisone. Keratinocytes, urothelial cells, conjunctival epithelial cells, and mammary epithelial cells do not make detectable amounts of Sp46. Mesothelial cells secrete Sp46 onto the substratum, and from there it is subsequently released into the medium. Immunofluorescence analysis using specific antisera discloses that Sp46 is deposited beneath cells as a fine coating on the substratum. In sparse cultures, Sp46 is detected in trails behind motile cells. In contrast, secreted fibronectin coalesces into fibers, most of which remain in contact with and on top of the cells; thus Sp46 does not preferentially bind to fibronectin. About 6 kD of the mass of human Sp46 is N-linked oligosaccharide, which is terminally sialated before secretion. Sp46 has a low glycine content, indicating that it is not a collagenlike protein. Its NH2-terminal sequence over the first 40 amino acids does not resemble any protein for which sequence information is available. Sp46 appears to be a novel extracellular glycoprotein, high-level constitutive expression of which is restricted to mesoderm-derived epithelial and endothelial cells. We therefore propose for it the name "mesosecrin."