Formation of extracellular matrix by cultured rat mesangial cells.

Formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by mesangial cells (MCs) contributes to progressive glomerulosclerosis. The authors investigated the production and distribution of ECM constituents by cultured rat MCs, using immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. Staining for all ECM constituents increased after serum feeding. Localization was strictly intracellular until confluency, when extracellular deposition of collagen IV and laminin appeared, followed by fibronectin and collagen III. In parallel, the intracellular staining for these proteins diminished markedly. Neither extracellular deposition nor intracellular loss was observed for collagen I and thrombospondin. On surfaces coated with collagen IV or laminin, extracellular deposition of ECM constituents clearly preceded confluency. These results indicate that synthesis of ECM constituents parallels MC growth, and that extracellular deposition of ECM occurs at cell-cell contact. Collagen IV or laminin secreted by MCs in the substratum accelerates production and facilitates secretion of other ECM constituents in an autocrine fashion.     

Behavior of rat mesangial cells cultured within extracellular matrix

Rat mesangial cells were cultured within hydrated laminin-rich gels prepared from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse tumor (E gel) or within type I collagen gels (C gel) to examine the effects of extracellular matrix on cell morphology, growth and proteoglycan (PG) synthesis. Rat dermal fibroblasts were also cultured under the same conditions for comparison with mesangial cells. Mesangial cells extended an array of cell processes, developing an arborized shape within E gel, whereas they were elongate and bipolar within C gel. Conversely, fibroblasts adopted a bipolar elongate morphology in both E gel and C gel. The growth rate of cultured cells was determined by autoradiography using [3H]thymidine. The growth rate of 3H-labeled mesangial cells was higher than or about the same as that of labeled fibroblasts both on glass and within C gel, whereas within E gel the growth rate of mesangial cells was significantly lower than that of fibroblasts. In both mesangial cells and fibroblasts, there was no significant difference in the amounts of [35S]sulfate incorporated into macromolecules between cultures within E gel and C gel. However, gel chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B showed changes in the hydrodynamic size of newly synthesized PGs and glycosaminoglycan chains. The 35S-labeled PGs and glycosaminoglycan chains synthesized by mesangial cells cultured within E gel were smaller than those of cells cultured within C gel. In contrast, the PGs and glycosaminoglycan chains synthesized by fibroblasts within E gel were larger than those synthesized within C gel. These findings indicate that the extracellular matrix is important in regulating the morphology, growth, and PG synthesis of mesangial cells.     

High glucose causes an increase in extracellular matrix proteins in cultured mesangial cells.

Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of the increased morbidity and mortality in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The most significant renal lesion of diabetic nephropathy is expansion of the glomerular mesangium. Thickening of the glomerular basement membrance is also apparent. Mesangial expansion is largely due to the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen. To determine whether high glucose is responsible for the observed increase in mesangial cell ECM protein accumulation, mesangial cells were grown in tissue culture medium containing 10 mmol/l (millimolar) glucose (normal) or 30 mmol/l glucose (high). The degree of ECM protein accumulation was determined by immunocytochemistry and a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed in the laboratory. Mesangial cells cultured for 1 week contained fibronectin as the most abundant ECM protein, followed by laminin and type IV collagen. Type IV collagen was seen only after the cells had piled up into 'hillocks' (approximately 4 weeks of continuous growth without passaging). After 4 weeks in 30 mmol/l glucose, mesangial cells contained increased amounts of all three matrix proteins. Fibronectin and laminin were increased by approximately 60%, while type IV collagen was increased 50%. Cells subcultured in medium containing 30 mmol/l glucose for 8 months displayed a twofold increase in fibronectin and laminin. Thus, high glucose per se can cause changes in mesangial cell ECM. This cell culture model should be useful in elucidating the mechanisms involved.     

胰岛素对高糖培养的人系膜细胞表达SGK1及合成细胞外基质的影响

目的：研究胰岛素对高糖培养的人系膜细胞（HMC）血清和糖皮质激素诱导的蛋白激酶1(SGK1)的表达及细胞外基质（ECM）合成的影响，初步探讨其主要作用环节。方法:用含有5.5 mmol/L、25 mmol/L葡萄糖和100 nmol/L胰岛素的DMEM培养基培养HMC细胞，即为对照组（NG）、高糖组（HG）、胰岛素干预对照组（NI）和胰岛素干预高糖组（HI）。4 h后检测SGK1的表达、胰岛素受体底物（IRS1和IRS2）蛋白的表达及磷酸化水平；24 h后检测结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）和纤连蛋白（FN）的表达。结果:HG组、NI组和HI组SGK1蛋白表达均显著高于NG组（P<0.01），高糖主要导致IRS2蛋白表达及磷酸化水平的增高（P<0.01）。胰岛素干预后，HI组IRS1蛋白表达及磷酸化水平明显高于HG组（P<0.05），而IRS2蛋白表达及磷酸化水平出现部分抑制（P<0.05）。高糖促进CTGF和FN的表达，胰岛素加强高糖此作用。结论:胰岛素和高糖能够通过不同的分子途径促进体外肾小球系膜细胞SGK1的表达，并最终促进ECM的合成；胰岛素的这种作用与IRS1信号转导通路密切相关。     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 expression in inflamed appendix

Bcl-2 protein expression was studied in a series of 58 MALT lymphomas using a monoclonal antibody which recognises this protein in routinely processed paraffin embedded tissue. Thirty-three of 58 cases showed heterogeneity for bcl-2 expression, 18 of 58 cases were bcl-2 positive and 7 of 58 were bcl-2 negative. High grade and low grade MALT lymphomas showed different patterns of staining. All 21 low grade tumours were positive for bcl-2, though in seven cases only a proportion of the neoplastic cells expressed this protein. In the 37 high grade tumours the majority of the neoplastic cells were negative with seven cases showing no reactivity at all. These findings give further support to the theory that MALT lymphomas differ in pathogenesis to nodal lymphomas and suggest that the good prognosis of MALT lymphomas may partly be explained by the fact that they maintain a normal pattern of bcl-2 expression.     

L-精氨酸对人肾系膜细胞胞外基质产生的影响

目的:探讨L-精氨酸(L-arg)对人肾系膜细胞胞外基质产生的影响及其作用机制。方法:运用放射免疫分析技术及羟-脯氨酸比色法分别检测L-arg作用后系膜细胞上清液中Ⅲ型前胶原与总胶原含量;运用RT-PCR技术检测L-arg对人肾系膜细胞Ⅳ型胶原基因表达的影响。结果:L-arg抑制Ⅲ型前胶原产生,抑制总胶原分泌,并抑制Ⅳ型胶原基因表达。结论:L-arg抑制人肾系膜细胞胞外基质产生,并可能与抑制胶原成分的基因转录有关。     

Cell density modulates growth, extracellular matrix, and protein synthesis of cultured rat mesangial cells.

Mesangial cell (MC) hyperplasia and accumulation of extracellular matrix are hallmarks of chronic glomerular disease. The present in vitro study examined the effects of cell density on growth, extracellular matrix formation, and protein synthesis of cultured rat MCs. A negative linear relationship was found between initial plating density and DNA synthesis per cell after 24 hours incubation in medium with 10% fetal calf serum (range: 1 x 10(3) to 7 x 10(5) MCs/2cm2, r = 0.996, P < 0.001). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the amount of fibronectin in the conditioned medium after 72 hours showed a negative relationship with increasing cell density. In contrast, the amount of cell-associated fibronectin increased to maximal values in confluent cultures, and no further increase was seen at supraconfluency. The relative collagen synthesis in the conditioned medium and cell layer--assessed by collagenase digestion after 5 hours [3H]proline pulse labeling--showed a similar pattern. Secreted collagen decreased with increasing cell density from 3.4% to 0.2% of total protein synthesis. In contrast, cell-associated collagen increased from 1.1% to 11.8% of newly synthesized protein until confluency followed by a decrease to 4.2% at supraconfluency. Specific immunoprecipitation of collagen types I, III, and IV revealed a significant (twofold) increase in collagen I synthesis per cell at confluency. Collagen III and IV synthesis was not affected by cell density. Specific protein expression in both the medium and cell layer were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (150 to 20 kd, pI 5.0 to 7.0) after 20 hours steady-state metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine. Supraconfluent MCs displayed overexpression of 10, underexpression of four, new expression of five, and changed mobility of three different intracellular proteins. Of interest was the overexpression of two proteins (89 kd, pI 5.31 and 72 kd, pI 5.32) that were identified by immunoblotting as the stress proteins heat-shock protein 90 and glucose-related protein 78, respectively. The progressive increase of cell-associated fibronectin and collagens, particularly collagen type I, in confluent MCs resembles extracellular matrix accumulation in glomerular disease. The increased expression of stress proteins in supraconfluent MCs is of interest in view of the analogy between glomerulosclerosis and atherosclerosis in which stress proteins are expressed in high concentrations.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a measure of vascular remodelling in breast cancer

The generation of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by tumours is an important pathway for neoplastic cell invasion and metastasis. Indeed in several tumour types, elevated levels of uPA, its receptor (uPAR) or its inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is associated with a poorer prognosis. Since endothelial cells also use this proteolytic system to remodel the extracellular matrix during angiogenesis and since angiogenesis, as assessed by microvessel density, is also a predictor of patient survival, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between angiogenesis and the urokinase system in breast tumours. The aims were to assess whether the uPA, uPAR and/or PAI-1 correlates with angiogenic activity and could therefore be a useful objective clinical measure of tumour neovascularization; and to clarify whether the poor outcome associated with high levels of the urokinase system is due to its association with angiogenesis. The study also sought to examine the relationship between the uPA system and vessel remodelling using loss of a basement membrane epitope (LH39) normally associated with established capillaries. The cytosolic levels of uPA, PAI-1 and uPAR were therefore measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay, together with tumour vascularity, in 136 well-characterized invasive breast carcinomas. There were significant relationships between uPA and uPAR (Spearman r=0.37, p<0.0001), uPA and PAI-1 (Spearman r=0.19, p=0.03) and between uPAR and PAI-1 (Spearman r=0.23 p=0.01). A significant correlation was also observed between PAI-1 and vessel remodelling (Spearman r=0.34, p=0.04), patient age (p=0.01), nodal status (p=0.047) and tumour grade (p=0.04), but no association between tumour vascularity and PAI (p=0.96), uPA (p=0.69) or uPAR (p=0.81) was present. No significant association was seen between any of the urokinase variables and expression of the angiogenic factor thymidine phosphorylase. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between any of the studied parameters and overall survival in a univariate analysis of the cancer patients. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model of overall survival showed that uPA (p=0.15), but not uPAR (p=0.52) or PAI-1 (p=0.61), gave no additional prognostic information. These findings show that uPA may work via an independent pathway to angiogenesis and therefore combined blockade of uPA and angiogenesis may have additional therapeutic benefits. It also shows, as recently demonstrated in animal models, that PAI-1 may be a key regulator of vascular remodelling in human cancer.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 aids nerve growth factor-induced differentiation and survival of pheochromocytoma cells by activating both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun pathways

Astrocytes are thought to be critical to neurons' surviving damage caused by ischemic stroke or other injury. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is one of the active soluble factors released by astrocytes and regulates plasminogen activator-plasmin proteolytic sequence in the CNS as a serpin. In this study, we show that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 can promote neurite outgrowth and survival of rat pheochromocytoma cells in serum-deprived conditions, and that this neuroprotective activity is correlated with enhanced activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases following a direct phosphorylation of nerve growth factor receptor, Trk A, and of c-Jun. Our results suggest that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 can act as a neurotrophic factor, protecting neurons from serum deprivation-induced neuron death not only by compensating for nerve growth factor functions, but also by activating the c-Jun/activating protein-1 pathway.     

糖基化终末产物对大鼠肾系膜细胞纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1表达韵影响

目的：观察糖基化终末产物（AGEs）对大鼠肾系膜细胞纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1（PAI-1）表达的影响及其与细胞外基质（ECM）成分含量的关系。方法：体外培养正常大鼠肾系膜细胞，分别用糖化牛血清白蛋白（AGEs）及未经糖化的牛血清白蛋白（BSA）处理，以常规培养的肾系膜细胞作为对照，检测不同时间、不同浓度AGEs对纤维连接蛋白（FN）、Ⅳ型胶原、PAI-1表达的影响。MTT法检测AGEs对系膜细胞增殖的作用，ELISA测定条件培养基中FN、Ⅳ型胶原及PAI-1蛋白含量，逆转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）检测系膜细胞PAI-1 mRNA的表达。结果：与相应浓度的BSA比较，AGEs（0—200mg／L）对系膜细胞增殖无明显影响，但可不同程度地刺激系膜细胞FN、Ⅳ型胶原、PAI-1蛋白的产生。RT—PCR检测显示，给予AGEs（100mg／L）的系膜细胞PAI-1 mRNA的表达明显增加（P〈0．01）。结论：AGEs促进系膜细胞PAI—1的表达，提示AGEs通过上调PAI-1的表达而减少细胞外基质降解，可能是糖尿病肾病细胞外基质积聚的原因之一。     

糖基化终末产物对大鼠肾系膜细胞纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1表达的影响

目的:观察糖基化终末产物(AGEs)对大鼠肾系膜细胞纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1(PAI-1)表达的影响及其与细胞外基质(ECM)成分含量的关系。方法:体外培养正常大鼠肾系膜细胞,分别用糖化牛血清白蛋白(AGEs)及未经糖化的牛血清白蛋白(BSA)处理,以常规培养的肾系膜细胞作为对照,检测不同时间、不同浓度AGEs对纤维连接蛋白(FN)、Ⅳ型胶原、PAI-1表达的影响。MTT法检测AGEs对系膜细胞增殖的作用,ELISA测定条件培养基中FN、Ⅳ型胶原及PAI-1蛋白含量,逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)检测系膜细胞PAI-1mRNA的表达。结果:与相应浓度的BSA比较,AGEs(0-200mg/L)对系膜细胞增殖无明显影响,但可不同程度地刺激系膜细胞FN、Ⅳ型胶原、PAI-1蛋白的产生。RT-PCR检测显示,给予AGEs(100mg/L)的系膜细胞PAI-1mRNA的表达明显增加(P<0.01)。结论:AGEs促进系膜细胞PAI-1的表达,提示AGEs通过上调PAI-1的表达而减少细胞外基质降解,可能是糖尿病肾病细胞外基质积聚的原因之一。     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 impairs alveolar epithelial repair by binding to vitronectin

The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is thought to involve alveolar epithelial injury that, when successfully repaired, can limit subsequent scarring. The plasminogen system participates in this process with the balance between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) being a critical determinant of the extent of collagen accumulation that follows lung injury. Because the plasminogen system is known to influence the rate of migration of epithelial cells, including keratinocytes and bronchial epithelial cells, we hypothesized that the balance of uPA and PAI-1 would affect the efficiency of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) wound repair. Using an in vitro model of AEC wounding, we show that the efficiency of repair is adversely affected by a deficiency in uPA or by the exogenous administration of PAI-1. By using PAI-1 variants and AEC from mice transgenically deficient in vitronectin (Vn), we demonstrate that the PAI-1 effect requires its Vn-binding activity. Furthermore, we have found that cell motility is enhanced by the availability of Vn in the matrix and that the AEC-Vn interaction is mediated, in part, by the alpha(v)beta(1) integrin. The significant effect of uPA and PAI-1 on epithelial repair suggests a mechanism by which the plasminogen system may modulate pulmonary fibrosis.     

Simvastatin inhibits tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression of glomerular mesangial cells in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and/or expression are upregulated in hypercholesterolemia. Despite extensive research on anti-thrombotic effect of statins, little is known about their effects on TF and PAI-1 expression in glomerular mesangial cells under hypercholesterolemic condition. Male rabbits were fed on either normal or high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Then cholesterol-fed rabbits were randomly assigned to simvastatin or starch. At the end of 12 weeks, glomerular mesangial cells were collected. The concentrations of TF and PAI-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The plasma activities of TF and PAI-1 were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chromogenic substrate method, respectively. The atherogenic diet caused a consistent increase in serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and serum triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.05), increased TF and PAI-1 mRNA expression in glomerular mesangial cells and plasma activities as compared to the normal diet (p < 0.01). Four-week simvastatin treatment resulted in significant decrease of mesangial TF and PAI-1 mRNA (p < 0.01), and also of the plasma activities of TF (p < 0.05) and PAI-1 (p < 0.01). These results suggest that simvastatin might protect kidney from the formation of microthrombus under hypercholesterolemic condition and might be a possible pathogenesis of obesity-related glomerulopathy.     

肝素和PDGF对人肾小球系膜细胞基质合成和分泌的影响

探讨肝素和血小板源性生长因子对体外培养的人肾小球系膜细胞胶原合成和分泌以及纤维蛋白，α１型胶原ｍＲＮＡ表达的影响。方法：应用＾３Ｈ－脯氨酸掺入，胶原酶消化法测定胶原含量；采用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ法检测ＦＮ，α１型胶原ｍＲＮＡ。结果：对照组，肝素组及ＰＤＧＦ组细胞内胶原含量分别为（１．２５０±０．５０１）％，（０．８０９±０．１６１）％和（２．６９０±０．５９７）％而其培养液中的含量分别为（１     

Plasminogen activator in the human prostate

The distribution of plasminogen activator in fresh human prostatic tissue has been studied, using a histological technique. The vascular endothelium consistently showed fibrinolytic activity while inconstant and lesser activity arose from the epithelial cells of glands and ducts. Increased epithelial activity was often accompanied by evidence of trauma. Activity of the secretions was insignificant. The source of the fibrinolytic activity of blood in prostatic disease and of the seminal fluid remains uncertain, and cannot yet be ascribed to the prostatic epithelium.     

Thrombospondin secretion by cultured human glomerular mesangial cells.

Thrombospondin is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein constituent of extracellular matrices of several cells in culture. Immunoreactive thrombospondin is also present within the normal human renal mesangium. To determine whether this thrombospondin could be a synthetic product of the intrinsic glomerular mesangial cells, we examined cultured human glomerular mesangial cells for the ability to synthesize and secrete thrombospondin. Well-characterized human mesangial cells were found to synthesize and secrete thrombospondin, as determined by specific immunostaining at the light- and electron-microscopic levels. Furthermore, metabolically labeled thrombospondin was immunoprecipitated from the conditioned medium of cultured cells. These studies suggest that the thrombospondin present within the normal mesangium is of intrinsic glomerular cell origin. Mesangial thrombospondin may be an important mediator of cellular function, particularly in disease states characterized by intrinsic glomerular cell proliferation.     

反义转化生长因子β1基因转染大鼠肾系膜细胞及其对纤溶？…

目的 通过对大鼠肾小球系膜细胞（ＭｓＣ）转染反义转化生长因子β１（ＴＧＦ－β１）基因,观察该细胞克隆基质金属蛋白酶家族（ＭＭＰｓ）和纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂１（ＰＡＩ－１）表达的改变,方法 采用脂质体进行基因转染,并用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ法加以鉴定,后分别应用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ、Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ和酶谱分析法检测该细胞克隆ＭＭＰｓ和ＰＡＩ－１表达的变化。结果 成功地建立低表达ＴＧＦ－