Matrix Vesicles Promote Mineralization in a Gelatin Gel

Extracellular matrix vesicles (MVs) are associated with initial calcification in a variety of tissues, but the mechanisms by which they promote mineralization are not certain. In this study, MVs isolated from fourth passage rat growth plate chondrocyte cultures were included within a gelatin gel into which calcium and phosphate ions diffused from opposite ends. In this gel, apatite formation occurs by 3.5 days in the absence of mineralization promoters, allowing measurement of the ability of different factors to ``nucleate' apatite before this time or to assess the effects of molecules which modulate the rate and extent of mineral deposition. Mineral ion accumulation and crystal type are assayed at 5 days. In this study, MV protein content in the central band of a 10% gelatin gel was varied by including 100 μl of a Tris-buffered solution containing 0–300 μg/ml MV protein. There was a concentration-dependent increase in mineral accretion. Whereas 10 μg MV protein in the gel did not significantly promote apatite formation as compared with vesicle-free gels, 20 and 30 μg MV protein in the gel did promote apatite deposition. Inclusion of 10 mM β-glycerophosphate in the gels, along with MVs, did not significantly increase apatite formation despite the demonstrable alkaline phosphatase activity of the MVs. In contrast, MVs at all concentrations significantly increased apatite accumulation when proteoglycan aggregates or ATP, inhibitors of apatite formation and proliferation, were included in the gel. Slight increases in calcium, but not phosphate accumulation, were also noted when an ionophore was included with the MVs to facilitate Ca ion transport into the vesicles. FT-IR analysis of the mineral formed in the vesicle-containing gels revealed the presence of a bone-like apatite. These data suggest that MVs facilitate mineralization by providing enzymes that modify inhibitory factors in the extracellular matrix, as well as by providing a protected environment in which mineral ions can accumulate. Received: 28 January 1996 / Accepted: 9 August 1996     

低氧对口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子和MMP-2的影响

目的 :研究低氧对体外培养的口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor ,VEGF)和明胶酶 A(matrixmetalloproteinase 2 ,MMP 2 )的影响。 方法 :分别用酶联免疫吸附实验 (ELISA)和半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)测定了低氧处理不同时间段时口腔鳞癌细胞系TSCCa和GNM细胞的细胞中VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA表达情况。结果 :低氧处理 4h时 ,VEGF和MMP 2的活性便显著增加 ,8h时达到最高 ,GNM细胞中VEGF和MMP 2分别增加 2倍和 2 .5倍 ;而TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的更为明显 ,分别增加了 6倍和 4倍。RT PCR结果显示GNM细胞VEGF和MMP 2mRNA表达水平均较TSCCa细胞高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,低氧处理时在TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的尤为明显。结论 :低氧可通过调节口腔鳞癌细胞VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA的表达在口腔鳞癌血管形成中起重要作用     

Détermination de la tortuosité pour la détection des rétinopathies vasculaires sur les images d''angiographie rétinienne

Les rétinopathies vasculaires peuvent être accompagnées d'une modification de la forme des vaisseaux. Les patients atteints courent le risque de perdre la vue. Jusqu'ici, les méthodes utilisées par les ophthalmologistes pour analyser ces modifications sont qualitatives. Nous proposons une méthode nouvelle d'analyse de la tortuosité des vaisseaux de la rétine en vue d'élaborer par la suite un outil d'aide au diagnostic des rétinopathies vasculaires. La première étape de la méthode est une représentation symbolique de la structure vasculaire de la rétine. La deuxième étape appelée reconstitution 2D est la classification des entités vasculaires en gros vaisseaux (artères ou veines) et en petits vaisseaux (artérioles ou veinules) en utilisant la moyenne du diamèetre et du niveau de gris des segments de vaisseau comme paramètres discriminants. La dernière étape consiste à calculer l'excentricité des vaisseaux pour décrire leur tortuosité. Pour s'assurer de la capacité de l'excentricitéà décrire les petites modifications de forme, un second paramètre a été défini à titre comparatif. Les résultats obtenus permettent de quantifier les modifications de forme des vaisseaux.     

The surfaces of the parasitic nematodes Trichinella spiralis and Toxocara canis differ in the binding of post-C3 components of human complement by the alternative pathway

The binding of human complement components C3, C5 and C9 to the surface of the infective larvae of the nematode parasites Toxocara canis and Trichinella spiralis, by the alternative pathway, was examined by direct and indirect immunofluorescence on the intact parasites. This showed that although C3 bound to both nematodes, they differed markedly in the binding of C5 and C9; C5 bound only minimally to T. spiralis, and C9 binding to this parasite was barely detectable. In contrast, both early and late components bound to T. canis to a high density, comparable to, or in excess of, the binding of these components to the infective larvae of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni. The lack of binding of the post-C3 components to T. spiralis did not correlate with enhanced binding of the control protein, Factor H.     

多种肿瘤标志物联合检测肺癌的临床意义

目的 评价血清肿瘤标志物甲胎蛋白(AFP)、癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原50(CA50)、糖类抗原19—9(CA19—9)、铁蛋白(SF)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、细胞角蛋白19片段(CYFlRA21—1)水平对肺癌诊断的临床价值。方法 测定72例肺癌患者和40例良性肺病患者的血清AFP、CEA、CA50、CA19—9、SF、NSE、CYFRA21—1水平，比较两组的差异。结果 肺癌组患者CEA、CA50、CA19—9、SF、NSE、CY—FRA21—1水平高于良性肺病组，AFP对肺癌的诊断价值不大。NSE CYF、RA21—1的联合检测具有良好的阳性和阴性预测值。六项联合检测的敏感性和准确性最高，但与两项联合检测的敏感性和准确性差异无统计学意义。结论 NSE CYFRA21—1的联合检测具有良好的临床应用前景。     

羊间接性颞下颌关节损伤后髁突软骨中基质金属蛋白酶-3表达及其意义

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-3(matrix metalloproteinase-3，MMP-3)在羊颞下颌关节((temporomandibular joint，TMJ))间接创伤后骨关节病发生中的作用。方法 用自制撞击装置造成山羊双侧颞下颌关节间接性创伤，分别于伤后1周、1，3，6个月取TMJ髁突软骨，并以正常TMJ作为对照，用免疫荧光组织化学方法观察MMP-3的表达。结果 TMJ髁突软骨中MMP-3伤后1个月表达开始增强，后期进一步增强；荧光着色于软骨破坏区及增生的滑膜样组织、软骨肥大带及骨髓内较强，正常对照组基本呈阴性反应。结论 MMP-3参与了TMJ创伤所致TMJ骨关节病过程，并起了重要作用。     

分娩时子宫下段MMP-9及其组织抑制剂TIMP-1的变化

目的:探讨基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)及其组织抑制剂(TIMP)在分娩发动、宫颈成熟和扩张中的作用和机制.方法:采用ELISA方法测定子宫下段组织中MMP-9和TIMP-1的浓度.有宫缩剖宫产组56例,其中第一产程组44例,第二产程组12例.以无宫缩剖宫产组16例为对照组.结果:有宫缩剖宫产组子宫下段组织中MMP-9和TIMP-1的浓度分别明显高于无宫缩剖宫产组(P<0.05,P<0.05).第一产程组中随宫口开大,MMP-9和TIMP-1的浓度各组间无显著性差异.第二产程组MMP-9和TIMP-1的浓度分别明显高于第一产程组(P<0.01,P<0.05).结论:MMPs和TIMPs的动态变化是分娩发动、宫颈成熟和扩张过程中的重要中间环节.     

Matrix vesicles are enriched in metalloproteinases that degrade proteoglycans

Summary This study examined the presence of extracellular matrix processing enzymes in matrix vesicles produced by rat costochondral resting zone and growth zone chondrocytes in culture. Optimum procedures for the extraction of each enzyme activity were determined. Enzyme activity associated with chondrocyte plasma membrane microsomes was used for comparison. There was a differential distribution of the enzyme activities related to the cartilage zone from which the cells were isolated. Acid and neutral metalloproteinase (TIMP), plasminogen activator, and betaglucuronidase were highest in the growth zone chondrocyte (GC) membrane fractions when compared with matrix vesicles and plasma membranes isolated from resting zone chondrocyte (RC) cultures. There was a threefold enrichment of total and active acid metalloproteinase in GC matrix vesicles, whereas no enrichment in enzyme activity was observed in RC matrix vesicles. Total and active neutral metalloproteinase were similarly enriched twofold in GC matrix vesicles. TIMP, plasminogen activator, and betaglucuronidase activities were highest in the plasma membranes of both cell types. No collagenase, lysozyme, or hyaluronidase activity was found in any of the membrane fractions. The data indicate that matrix vesicles are selectively enriched in enzymes which degrade proteoglycans. The highest concentrations of these enzymes are found in matrix vesicles produced by growth zone chondrocytes, suggesting that this may be a mechanism by which the more differentiated cell modulates the matrix for calcification.     

脱细胞尿道及其海绵体基质制备的实验研究

目的 探索脱细胞尿道及其海绵体基质的制备方法。方法取健康壮年兔完整尿道及其海绵体组织，以Triton-X100与NH3H2O联合提取法进行脱细胞处理。标本做HE染色，组织学观察分析脱细胞效果。结果脱细胞处理11天后，成功获得脱细胞及其海绵体基质，所得基质外观良好。HE染色观察无细胞存在。弹力纤维排列规整，间隙较大，结构无破坏。结论利用Triton-X100与NH3H2O联合提取法可成功制备完整无细胞尿道及其海绵体基质，为尿道再造修复提供崭新思路。