Search results for "extracellular matrix ()"
showing 10 items of 101 documents
Tenectin is a novel alphaPS2betaPS integrin ligand required for wing morphogenesis and male genital looping in Drosophila.
2010
International audience; Morphogenesis of the adult structures of holometabolous insects is regulated by ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones and involves cell-cell interactions mediated in part by the cell surface integrin receptors and their extracellular matrix (ECM) ligands. These adhesion molecules and their regulation by hormones are not well characterized. We describe the gene structure of a newly described ECM molecule, tenectin, and demonstrate that it is a hormonally regulated ECM protein required for proper morphogenesis of the adult wing and male genitalia. Tenectin's function as a new ligand of the PS2 integrins is demonstrated by both genetic interactions in the fly and by cell s…
Reelin expression in human prostate cancer: a marker of tumor aggressiveness based on correlation with grade
2007
Reelin is a glycoprotein that plays a critical role in the regulation of neuronal migration during brain development and, since reelin has a role in the control of cell migration, it might represents an important factor in cancer pathology. In this study, 66 surgical specimens of prostate cancer were analyzed for reelin expression by immunohistochemical method. The reelin expression was correlated with Gleason score and individual Gleason patterns. Reelin expression was found in 39% prostate cancers. Stromal tissues, normal epithelial cells and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) of any grade around and distant from cancer were always negative for reelin. Reelin was found in malignant …
Ocular Phenotype of Relaxin Gene Knockout (Rln-/-) Mice
2020
Purpose: To test if relaxin deficiency affects ocular structure and function we investigated expression of relaxin (Rln) and RXFP receptors (Rxfp1, Rxfp2), and compared ocular phenotypes in relaxin gene knockout (Rln-/- ) and wild type (Rln+/+ ) mice. Materials and Methods: Rln, Rxfp1 and Rxfp2 mRNA expression was detected in ocular tissues of Rln+/+ mice using RT-PCR. The eyes of 11 Rln-/- and 5 Rln+/+ male mice were investigated. Corneal and retinal thickness was assessed using optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressure was measured using a rebound tonometer. Retinal, choroidal and sclera morphology and thickness were evaluated histologically. Eyes were collected and fixed for imm…
Recurrent Granular Dystrophy of the Cornea
2006
Purpose: To describe a case of severe corneal granular dystrophy with clinicopathologic and molecular genetic findings. Methods: The DNAs of a 53-year-old male patient suffering from corneal granular dystrophy and nonaffected family members was analyzed by molecular genetic methods. Clinical features, and histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings from the penetrating keratoplasty specimen, are described. Results: Histopathologic and molecular genetic findings confirmed the diagnosis. A new genetic polymorphism is described. Histopathologic evidence supports the assumption of the epithelial origin of the described dystrophy. Conclusions: A severe course of corneal granular dystrophy c…
Human nasoseptal chondrocytes maintain their differentiated phenotype on PLLA scaffolds produced by thermally induced phase separation and supplement…
2018
Damage of hyaline cartilage such as nasoseptal cartilage requires proper reconstruction, which remains challenging due to its low intrinsic repair capacity. Implantation of autologous chondrocytes in combination with a biomimetic biomaterial represents a promising strategy to support cartilage repair. Despite so far mostly tested for bone tissue engineering, bioactive glass (BG) could exert stimulatory effects on chondrogenesis. The aim of this work was to produce and characterize composite porous poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/1393BG scaffolds via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique and assess their effects on chondrogenesis of nasoseptal chondrocytes. The PLLA scaffolds without or…
Dynamic Tuning of Viscoelastic Hydrogels with Carbonyl Iron Microparticles Reveals the Rapid Response of Cells to Three-Dimensional Substrate Mechani…
2021
Current methods to dynamically tune three-dimensional hydrogel mechanics require specific chemistries and substrates that make modest, slow, and often irreversible changes to their mechanical properties, exclude the use of protein-based scaffolds, or alter hydrogel microstructure and pore size. Here, we rapidly and reversibly alter the mechanical properties of hydrogels consisting of extracellular matrix proteins and proteoglycans by adding carbonyl iron microparticles (MP) and applying external magnetic fields. This approach drastically alters hydrogel mechanics: rheology reveals that application of a 4,000 Oe magnetic field to a 5 mg/mL collagen hydrogel containing 10 wt% MPs increases th…
The effect of extracellular matrix proteins on the cellular response of HUVECS and HOBS after covalent immobilization onto titanium
2014
Biomimetic surface modifications are regarded as promising approach to stimulate cellular behavior at the interface of implant materials. Aim of the study was an evaluation of the cellular response of human umbilical cord cells (HUVECS) and human osteoblasts (HOBS) on titanium covalently coated with the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins fibrinogen, collagen, laminin, and osteopontin. For the surface modification, titanium discs were first amino-functionalized by plasma polymerization of allylamine. The ECM protein conjugation was performed using the linker molecule α, ω-bis-N-hydroxysuccinimide polyethylene glycol (Di-NHS linker). For surface characterization, infrared spectroscopy and fl…
News from an Ancient World: Two Novel Astacin Metalloproteases from the Horseshoe Crab
2008
In this work, we report the cloning, heterologous expression, and characterization of two novel astacin proteases from the chelicerate Limulus polyphemus (horseshoe crab), designated as LAST (Limulus astacin) and LAST_MAM (Limulus astacin containing a MAM domain), respectively. The expression pattern showed ubiquitous occurrence of LAST_MAM, while LAST was predominantly restricted to the eyes and brain, indicating a function in the nervous system. Both enzymes contain the characteristic metzincin-type zinc-binding region and Met turn. While LAST is made up only of the typical prodomain and astacin-like protease domain, LAST_MAM contains an additional MAM (meprin A5 protein tyrosine phosphat…
Sizzled Is Unique among Secreted Frizzled-related Proteins for Its Ability to Specifically Inhibit Bone Morphogenetic Protein-1 (BMP-1)/Tolloid-like …
2012
BMP-1/tolloid-like proteinases (BTPs) are major enzymes involved in extracellular matrix assembly and activation of bioactive molecules, both growth factors and anti-angiogenic molecules. Although the control of BTP activity by several enhancing molecules is well established, the possibility that regulation also occurs through endogenous inhibitors is still debated. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) have been studied as possible candidates, with highly contradictory results, after the demonstration that sizzled, a sFRP found in Xenopus and zebrafish, was a potent inhibitor of Xenopus and zebrafish tolloid-like proteases. In this study, we demonstrate that mammalian sFRP-1, -2, and …
Papillote and Piopio:DrosophilaZP-domain proteins required for cell adhesion to the apical extracellular matrix and microtubule organization
2005
Adhesion between epithelial cells and extracellular substrates is normally mediated through basal adhesion complexes. However, some cells also possess comparable junctions on their apical surface. Here, we describe two new Drosophila proteins, Piopio and Papillote, that are required for the link between the apical epithelial surface and the overlying apical extracellular matrix (aECM). The two proteins share a zona pellucida (ZP) domain with mammalian aECM components, including the tectorins found in the vertebrate inner ear. Tagged versions of both proteins localized to the apical epithelial surface. Mutations in piopio, papillote and dumpy (another gene encoding a ZP-domain protein) cause…