The renin-angiotensin system and extracellular matrix

Summary A hallmark of vascular disease is the inappropriate proliferative and synthetic behaviour of vascular smooth muscle cells. This phenotypically immature behaviour arises as a consequence of the myocytes undergoing phenotypic conversion and/or clonal proliferation of a fetal type of smooth muscle cell preexisting in the vessel wall. De-differentiation and initiation of proliferation is not only induced by endothelial desquamation and acute exposure of smooth muscle cells to platelet-derived mitogens, but also occurs in the uninjured blood vessel. Therefore normal components of the blood vessel are implicit in the pathological process. These include vasoconstrictor peptides, growth factor peptides and extracellular matrix molecules. In vitro and in vivo experimentation has indicated that while some of these compounds individually are only mild stimulators of smooth muscle proliferative metabolism, they may act synergistically to induce robust responses. Here we discuss the effects of the vasoconstrictor peptide angiotensin II, which can be locally generated within the vessel wall itself, on the expression of extracellular matrix molecules in vitro and in vivo. We focus on the angiotensin II-modulated expression of extracellular matrix glycoproteins, e.g. thrombospondin, tenascin, fibronectin and laminin.Abbreviations VSMC vascular smooth muscle cell - ECM extracellular matrix - Ang II Angiotensin II - ACE angiotensin converting enzyme - PDGF platelet-derived growth factor - TGFß transforming growth factor     

Alterations in extracellular matrix components in transplant glomerulopathy

The distribution pattern of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in transplant glomerulopathy was studied in relation to light microscopic features, actin expression of mesangial cells, and intraglomerular inflammatory cells. Nine cases of mild (group I) and nine cases of severe (group II) transplant glomerulopathy were stained with antisera against fibronectin (FN), tenascin (TN), collagen types III and IV, smooth muscle actin, CD45RO, CD68, and Ki-67 antigen. The composition of ECM was similar in the two groups. The expanded mesangium was diffusely stained by type-IV collagen, FN and TN, and focally and weakly stained by type-III collagen and smooth muscle actin. Type-IV collagen was linearly stained along the capillary walls, imparting a double-contour feature, whereas FN and TN showed granular staining along the capillary walls. CD68 positive cells were increased in severe transplant glomerulopathy, but this increase was not related to ECM deposition. These findings suggest that increased glomerular deposition of normal and abnormal ECM components participate in the evolution of transplant glomerulopathy. Received: 5 October 1999 / Accepted: 17 January 2000     

Bovine megakaryocyte integrins: their association with extracellular matrix in vivo

In an effort to define the megakaryocyte microenvironment and the megakaryocyte integrin receptors which might interact with this environment, we undertook a detailed immunofluorescence and immunogold study of bovine bone marrow. Examination of bovine bone marrow using antibodies to laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen revealed a highly specialised microenvironment with all matrix proteins being present at the basement membranes of fat-cells, vascular sinuses and blood vessels, as well as at the interface with megakaryocytes. In addition, elements of the marrow stroma were heavily labelled by antibody to fibronectin. Lighter labelling was also observed with antibodies to type IV collagen. Immunofluorescence studies were conducted using antibodies to the late antigen (VLA) subgroup of the integrin super family which are receptors for mature proteins. Specifically, antibodies to the a antibodies to the subunit of VLA-2 (collagen), VLA-5 (fibronectin) and VLA-6 (laminin) demonstrated that all of these integrin subunits were diffusely present throughout the megakaryocyte. Antibody staining with the common ₁ subunit for these integrins revealed intense staining of megakaryocyte cytoplasm. Confocal examination of ₁ stained marrow demonstrated a clear punctate distribution with equal intensity from the perinuclear zone through to the peripheral zone. These data, as well as in vitro data generated from our laboratory and others, suggest that the specialised megakaryocyte microenvironment and its interaction with the cell's integrins may localise megakaryocytes to the abluminal side of the vascular sinus, thus positioning them for further interaction with the sinus.     

不同类型胶质瘤移动性的比较及其与细胞外基质成分关系的研究

用３株不同类型的恶性胶质瘤进行细胞体外移动性及其与细胞外基质成分关系的比较研究。结果表明，髓母细胞瘤移动性最强，多形性胶质母细胞瘤次之，ＳＷＯ－３８胶质瘤最弱。３株胶质瘤体外移动性受Ⅰ型胶原，Ⅳ型胶原，层粘连蛋白（ｌａｍｉｎｉｎ，ＬＮ）和纤维结合蛋白（ｆｉｂｒｏｎｅｃｔｉｎ，ＦＮ）等细胞外基质成分的影响基本上是一致的。故不能以此解释其移动性差异的原因。Ⅳ型胶原蛋白和ＬＮ能促进瘤细胞在体外的移动，但Ⅳ型胶原和ＬＮ两者之间不表现出叠加作用，也无拮抗作用。Ⅰ型胶原网能明显地阻遏肿瘤细胞的体外移动性。ＦＮ对这３株胶质瘤的移动性影响不大，但对非神经系统肿瘤（ＧＬＣ－８２肺腺癌）却有较明显的趋触作用。     

Cell-Matrix interactions, the role of fibronectin and integrins. A survey

In this review, we present several aspects of cell-matrix interactions, especially the role of fibronectin and integrins in the mediation of these interactions. As this field of investigations literally exploded over the last decades, we had to limit this review to some aspects of this field. We cited experiments giving details on the modifications of fibronectin molecules during their interactions with cells as well as on recent progress of the molecular mechanisms of fibronectin-integrin interactions. We insisted on the molecular details which were shown to play a role in the bi-directional signals "sent" by cells to the surrounding matrix (inside-out and outside-in). A number of recent publications confirmed the physiopathological importance of these messages both for the normal function of tissues as well as for the understanding of their pathological modifications. We insist also on the importance of fibronectin-fragments during some pathologies.     

Alterations in the extracellular matrix components in human glomerular diseases

Summary We investigated the distribution of extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin, laminin, type III, IV, V, and VI collagens and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in normal and diseased glomeruli using the indirect immunofluorescence method. This study included 96 renal biopsies: 7 controls, 3 minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 47 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (PGN), 25 membranous nephropathy (MN) and 14 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) including 3 lupus nephritis. Fibronectin was detected predominantly in the mesangium and less prominently in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) of normal glomeruli. Laminin and type IV collagen were present in the mesangium and GBM, type III collagen in the interstitium, and type V collagen in the mesangium, interstitium and a part of GBM. Type VI collagen was observed in the mesangium, interstitium and slightly in GBM. Anti-HSPG antibody reacted with the mesangium and GBM. MCNS showed a distribution of these antigens similar to that in normal controls. The finding that staining for HSPG was not decreased in the GBM and mesangium indicated that there was no change in the core protein of HSPG. Fibronectin, laminin, type IV collagen and HSPG were increased in the thickened GBM of MN and in the expanded mesangium of PGN. In MPGN, these matrix components were increased in the mesangium and GBM with remarkable increase of type V and VI collagens. While type III collagen was not found in normal glomeruli, it became detectable in the mesangium and a part of GBM in MPGN. No significant decrease in the intensity of fluorescence for HSPG was observed in the glomeruli from nephrotic patients.These findings suggest that proteinuria might be caused by the structural alteration in the glycosaminoglycan portion of HSPG, changes in any anionic material other than HSPG, or both, and also indicate that the glomerular mesangial sclerosis is closely related to the increase of type V and VI collagens.     

An in vitro cell invasion assay: Determination of cell surface proteolytic activity that degrades extracellular matrix

Summary A correlative morphological and biochemical method is described that facilitates assaying the invasive phenotype of tumor cells in vitro. The method involves a labeled matrix substrata to measure the activity of cell surface proteases, and uses the covalent linkage of fluorescence-labeled fibronectin (or other purified extracellular matrix components) to the surface of crosslinked gelatin substrata. We have investigated the invasiveness of tissue culture cells based on two criteria: the ability of the cells to form invadopodia and create surface indentations into crosslinked gelatin films that can be visualized by differential interference contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, as well as their ability to locally degrade fibronectin or other matrix components coated on loosely crosslinked gelatin films by fluorescence microscopy. In using this method, we have demonstrated the existence of cell surface proteases that may be important in the invasion of cells into the extracellular matrix. Also, we have identified various cell types including embryonic fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus, malignant human melanoma cell lines, breast carcinoma cell lines, neural microglia, and neural crest cells that are invasive in culture.     

Fluvastatin prevents nephropathy likely through suppression of connective tissue growth factor-mediated extracellular matrix accumulation

Diabetic nephropathy is related to glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation that leads to glomerulosclerosis. Fluvastatin as a lipid-lowering medicine significantly prevents diabetic nephropathy, probably not only through its lipid-lowering action, but also mainly through its direct suppression of glomerular ECM accumulation. To test this hypothesis, in the present study, a five-sixths nephrectomized (5/6Nx) rat model to induce a renal ECM accumulation without coexistence of hyperlipidemia was used to investigate the effect of fluvastatin on renal function, glomerular ECM accumulation and expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). 5/6Nx induced a significant nephropathy in rats at 13 weeks, indicated by renal dysfunction including increases in blood urine nitrogen, creatinine and urinary protein excretion, and renal histopathological changes. Administration of fluvastatin significantly prevented the renal dysfunction and histological abnormalities in the 5/6Nx rats. Furthermore, both significant suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity such as MMP-2 and significant activation of tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) such as TIMP-2 observed in the 5/6Nx rats were almost completely prevented by fluvastatin, resulting in a significant prevention of glomerular ECM accumulation. For upstream mediator of ECM accumulation, 5/6Nx significantly up-regulated CTGF mRNA expression, but fluvastatin treatment prevented CTGF up-regulation. These results suggest that fluvastatin, as one of well-known lipid-lowering agents, plays an important role in the prevention of nephropathy, likely through suppression of CTGF-mediated ECM accumulation. Therefore, fluvastatin may be a potential candidate for developing a pharmaceutical approach to the prevention of diabetic nephropathy due to its both lipid-lowering and direct anti-renal ECM accumulation actions.     

Targeting fibronectins of glioma extracellular matrix by CLT1 peptide-conjugated nanoparticles

The abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) in the glioma microenvironment play a critical role in the maintenance of glioma morphology, glioma cells differentiation and proliferation, but little has been done to understand the feasibility of ECM as the therapeutic target for glioma therapy. In this study, a drug delivery system targeting fibronectins (FNs), a prevailing component in the ECM of many solid tumors, was constructed for glioma therapy based on the interaction between the abundant FNs in glioma tissues and the FNs-targeting moiety CLT1 peptide. CLT1 peptide was successfully conjugated to PEG-PLA nanoparticles (CNP). FNs were demonstrated to be highly expressed in the ECM of glioma spheroids in vitro and glioma tissues in vivo. CLT1 modification favored targeting nanoparticles penetration into the core of glioma spheroids and consequently induced more severe inhibitive effects on glioma spheroids growth than traditional NP. In vivo imaging, ex vivo imaging and glioma tissue slides showed that CNP enhanced nanoparticles retention in glioma site, distributed more extensively and more deeply into glioma tissues than that of conventional NP, and mainly located in glioma cells rather than in extracellular matrix as conventional NP. Pharmacodynamics outcomes revealed that the median survival time of glioma-bearing mice models treated with paclitaxel-loaded CNP (CNP-PTX) was significantly prolonged when compared with that of any other group. TUNEL assay demonstrated that more extensive cell apoptosis was induced by CNP-PTX treatment compared with other treatments. Altogether, these promising results indicated that this ECM-targeting drug delivery system enhanced retention and glioma cell uptake of nanoparticles and might have a great potential for glioma therapy in clinical applications.     

Mouse polymorphonuclear granulocyte binding to extracellular matrix molecules involves β1 integrins

The mechanism of adhesion of purified mouse polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) to extracellular matrix proteins characteristic of basement membranes and the interstitium has been investigated and compared with the adhesion of a mouse progranulocytic cell line, 32DC13, and a mouse monocytic cell line, WEHI 78/24. All three cell types bound specifically to fibronectin and vitronectin to different degrees under different cellular activation states. 32DC13 bound to fibronectin and vitronectin strongly, and this binding increased upon cellular activation with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) but not with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. Only 32DC13 showed significant binding to laminin-1. By contrast, WEHI 78/24 and PMN bound only fibronectin and vitronectin; this binding was weak and was altered only marginally upon activation with PMA. In the case of WEHI 78/24, a slight increase in adhesion both to fibronectin and to vitronectin was observed after cellular activation with PMA, while PMN adhesion to both substrates was slightly reduced. The mechanism of binding to fibronectin and vitronectin was similar in the three cell types. The integrin α5β1 mediated fibronectin adhesion, demonstrating for the first time the existence of a functionally active β1 integrin on mouse PMN. Vitronectin binding was mediated by αvβ3, as demonstrated by the ability of αv-specific cyclic L -Arg-L -Gly-L -Asp-D -Phe-L -Val (RGDfV) peptide (EMD66203), and anti-β3 antibody to inhibit cell adhesion. 32DC13 adhesion to laminin-1 was via the α6β1 integrin. None of the three cell types tested bound to the basement membrane proteins collagen type IV and perlecan, or to the interstitial stromal constituents tenascin, collagen types I, V and VI. Interestingly, perlecan and collagen type IV were found to repel all three cell types. The relative inability of PMN, WEHI 78/24, and 32DC13 to bind to extracellular matrix proteins characteristic of basement membranes and their ability to bind inflammatory markers of the interstitium is discussed with respect to leukocyte extravasation processes.     

Immunolocalization of extracellular matrix proteins and integrins in sarcoid lymph nodes

 To improve our understanding of the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and integrins during the processes of granuloma formation in sarcoidosis, we examined the distribution of ECM proteins and the expression of integrins in sarcoid lymph nodes by immunohistochemical methods. We also examined the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which is one of major regulators for synthesis of ECM proteins. Most ECM proteins were detected in the periphery of the granulomas in a concentric pattern, and fibronectin was diffusely detected from an early to a regressive stage. Compared with normal lymph nodes, most β1-integrin subfamilies (α1, α4, α5 and α6) were more strongly expressed on lymphocytes around the granulomas. Epithelioid cells exhibited strong expression of the α5 molecule. Fibroblasts exhibited the expression of the α2 and α5 molecules surrounding ECM proteins. The α5β1 molecule had a distribution similar to that of fibronectin. TGF-β1 was detected in epithelioid cells throughout the various evolutional stages and its expression was especially marked in mature granulomas. Interaction of fibronectin and the α5β1 molecule may have an important role in the process of formation of sarcoid granuloma. The expression of TGF-β1 may be involved in the regression of sarcoid granuloma by initiating fibrosis and atrophy of epithelioid cells. Received: 2 December 1997 / Accepted: 19 February 1998     

Basement membrane formation and re-distribution of the β1 integrins in a human intestinal co-culture system

We have developed a co-culture system suited for the study of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the human fetal small intestine. As the epithelial component of this model, we used the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 that is unique in its property to differentiate in vitro into a mature fetal enterocyte-like cell type. A sheet of human intestinal mesenchymal cells, which we derived from an 18-week-old fetus, was used as mesenchymal element. Expression and distribution of cell-specific markers (cytokeratin 18 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV), major basement membrane components, and β1 integrins were analyzed. In 14-day co-cultures, Caco-2 cells formed a cytokeratin 18-positive epithelial-like sheet covering the vimentin-positive HIM cell layers. As assessed by brush border dipeptidyl peptidase IV expression, co-cultured Caco-2 cells achieved cytodifferentiation as when cultured on plastic. A complete deposition of all known major human fetal intestinal basement membrane components occurred at the Caco-2/HIM interface. Type IV collagen and tenascin were produced from the mesenchymal compartment, whereas laminin and fibronectin were contributed by both cell types. Interestingly, synthesis and deposition of basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan were exclusively observed in co-cultures, suggesting modulation of epithelial expression of this molecule by HIM cells. Finally, we observed that epithelial integrin-β1 chains redistributed at the basal domain of co-cultured Caco-2 cells. Taken to gether, these observations indicate that the Caco-2/HIM co-culture model is a valuable system to study in vitro human basement membrane formation in the context of intestinal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cross talk between the extracellular matrix and the immune system in the context of endocrine pancreatic islet transplantation. A review article

This review aims to highlight the importance of the bidirectional influence of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune cells in the context of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and endocrine pancreatic islet transplantation. We introduced the main classes of molecules and proteins constituting the ECM as well as cells and cytokines of the immune system with the aim to further examine their roles in T1DM and islet transplantation. Integrins expressed by immune cells and their functions are detailed. Finally, this article reviews the roles of the ECM and the immune system in islet transplantation as well as ECM-related cytokines and their influence on the ECM and immune cells.     

Get a grip: integrins in cell-biomaterial interactions

Integrin adhesion receptors have emerged as central regulators of cell–biomaterial interactions. This opinion paper discusses how integrins control cellular and host responses to biomaterials and new strategies to manipulate these adhesive interactions in order to elicit specific cellular responses.     

Localization of extracellular matrix components in developing mouse salivary glands by confocal microscopy

The importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in developing organisms is well established. Proteoglycans and interstitial collagens are required for the growth, morphogenesis, and differentiation of epithelial organs and the distribution of these molecules has been described. However, much less is known about other ECM macromolecules in developing epithelial organs. We used confocal microscopy to examine the distribution of laminin, heparan sulfate (BM-1) proteoglycan, fibronectin, and collagen types I, IV, and V, in mouse embryonic salivary glands. Organ rudiments were isolated from gestational day 13 mouse embryos and cultured for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Whole mounts were stained by indirect immunofluorescence and then examined using a Zeiss Laser Scan Microscope. We found that each ECM component examined had a distinct distribution and that the distribution of some molecules varied with culture time. Laminin was mainly restricted to the basement membrane. BM-1 proteoglycan was concentrated in the basement membrane and also formed a fine network throughout the mesenchyme. Type IV collagen was mainly located in the basement membrane of the epithelium, but it was also present throughout the mesenchyme. Type V collagen was distributed throughout the mesenchyme at 24 hours, but at 48 hours was principally located in the basement membrane. Type I collagen was distributed throughout the mesenchyme at all culture times, and accumulated in the clefts and particularly at the epithelial-mesenchymal in terface as time in culture increased. Fibronectin was observed throughout the mesenchyme at all times.© Willey-Liss, Inc.     

细胞外基质促血管平滑肌细胞迁移及β3整合素和粘着斑激酶表达

目的:研究细胞外基质(ECM)蛋白促血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)迁移与β₃整合素及粘着斑激酶(FAK)表达之间的关系。方法:应用细胞迁移实验观察骨桥蛋白(OPN)和纤连蛋白(FN)对VSMC迁移活性的影响,利用RT-PCR和Western印迹探讨β₃整合素、FAK和转录因子Gax表达与细胞迁移之间的关系。结果:VSMC经10、20mg/LOPN和20mg/LFN处理后,迁移活性分别达对照组的1.36、1.57和1.26倍(P＜0.05)。用相同浓度(20mg/L)OPN和FN刺激细胞,随着作用时间延长,VSMC迁移距离逐渐增加。Western印迹和RT-PCR结果证实,两种基质蛋白促进VSMC迁移与诱导β₃整合素和FAK基因表达及抑制转录因子Gax表达有关。结论:β₃整合素-FAK是介导OPN和FN促VSMC迁移的信号途径之一。     

Signaling by epidermal growth factor differentially affects integrin-mediated adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix proteins

 The adhesion of different epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) expressing cell lines to various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is influenced by EGF. To investigate a putative receptor cross-talk between EGFR and integrins we chose two cell lines for a more detailed analysis: the highly metastatic rat mammary carcinoma clone MTLn3 that showed increased adhesion to a panel of ECM proteins in the presence of 10 ng/ml EGF and the nonmetastatic human vulva carcinoma cell line A431 which showed a decreased adhesion under the same conditions. These EGF-mediated stimulatory or inhibitory effects on adhesion were observed within a few minutes. On human A431 cells the inhibitory effect was blocked by an EGFR-specific antibody that interferes with ligand binding. In cell adhesion assays performed in the presence of divalent cations MTLn3 and A431 cells exhibited the typical behavior described for integrin-dependent matrix adhesion: Mn²⁺ enhanced binding to collagen IV and fibronectin whereas Ca²⁺ inhibited adhesion to collagen IV but not to fibronectin. Adhesion-inhibition assays with anti-human integrin antibodies revealed that A431 cells adhere to collagen via α₁β₁ and α₂β₁, and that adhesion to fibronectin is mediated predominantly through α₅β₁. The interaction of MTLn3 cells with fibronectin was in part RGD dependent, indicating the involvement of either α₃β₁ or α₅β₁. Addition of EGF in these assays showed that affecting the integrin extracellular domains by addition of either bivalent cations, RGD peptides, or function-blocking integrin antibodies did not prevent the effects mediated by EGF. We conclude that signals downstream of EGFR can modulate integrin-mediated adhesion to ECM proteins in both an inhibitory and a stimulatory manner. Received: 8 May 1996 / Accepted: 1 July 1996     

Extracellular matrix components of the mouse thymus microenvironment. IV. Modulation of thymic nurse cells by extracellular matrix ligands and receptors

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins can influence cell migration and differentiation in a variety of cell systems. Within the thymus, these molecules are heterogeneously distributed, and their physiological role is poorly understood. This prompted us to carry out in vitro studies using the thymic nurse cell (TNC) model. We observed that fibronectin and laminin accelerate spontaneous in vitro release of thymocytes from TNC, whereas anti-ECM antibodies exhibited a blocking effect. Similar results were obtained with anti-ECM receptor reagents. Moreover, these antibodies abrogated in vitro reconstitution of TNC complexes and thymocyte adhesion to TNC-derived epithelial cultures. Our results indicate that lymphocyte traffic in TNC (comprising both entrance into and exit from the epithelial structure) is affected by interactions involving extracellular matrix ligands and receptors. In this respect, the dynamic analysis of thymic nurse cell complexes should be regarded as a relevant in vitro tool for functional studies of distinct adhesion molecules in intrathymic lymphocyte traffic.     

Beating behavior of primary neonatal cardiomyocytes and cardiac-differentiated P19.CL6 cells on different extracellular matrix components

Stem cell-based therapy in cardiac tissue engineering is an emerging field that shows great potential for treating heart diseases. However, even preliminary issues, such as the ideal niche for cardiomyocytes, have not been clarified yet. In the present study, the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) components on the beating duration of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (RCMs) and on the cardiac differentiation of P19.CL6 carcinoma stem cells were studied. RCMs were cultured on gelatin-, fibronectin-, and collagen type I-coated dishes and on noncoated polystyrene dishes, and their beating rate, beating duration, and cardiac gene expression were evaluated. The beating period and the expression of troponin T type-2 (TNNT2) and troponin C type-1 (TNNC1) of cardiomyocytes cultured on gelatin-coated dishes were longer and higher than for those on dishes with other coatings. For the cardiac differentiation of P19.CL6 cells, troponin T type-2 expression on gelatin- and fibronectin-coated dishes was five times that on collagen type I-coated dishes or polystyrene dishes 11days after induction. These results indicate that a gelatin-coated surface has a high ability not only to maintain the cardiac phenotype but also to enhance cardiac differentiation.     

Distribution of the extracellular matrix components in human glomerular lesions

Most glomerular pathologies are associated with alterations of the matrix compartment. Using reagents directed against the α/α2 and α3 chains of type IV collagen [α1/α2(IV), α3(IV)], laminin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HPG), fibronectin, collagen I, and collagen III, we investigated the modifications of the glomerular matrix components in several human glomerular lesions compared with normal kidney. In type I membranous glomerulo-nephritis (MGN) (nine cases), we did not observe alterations in the matrix component distribution. In MGN types II and III (five cases), the spikes and chainettes were made of the α3(IV) chain, laminin, and HPG, while the α1/α2(IV) chains were localized along the subendothelial side of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). In focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (six cases), fibronectin, α1/α2(IV) chains, laminin, and small amounts of interstitial collagens were detected within the collapsed capillary loops; the newly formed matrix material between the podocytes and the GBM contained the α1/α2(IV) chains, laminin, and HPG but not the α3(IV) chain. In crescentic glomerulo-nephritis (six cases), fibronectin was the most abundant and, in purely cellular crescents, the unique component. A basement membrane-like network containing laminin, HPG, α1/α2(IV) chains, and interstitial collagens developed in a second step between the crescent cells. Interstitial collagens were present in the crescent framework, even when the integrity of Bowman's capsule was preserved. In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (five cases), we observed strong accumulation of fibronectin in the thickened mesangial spaces together with accumulation of laminin, α1/α2(IV) chains, and HPG; type I collagen was also present in the central part of the mesangial areas. This study shows that each glomerular lesion is characterized by particular alterations of the matrix components.