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Ultrastructural characterization of an artificial basement membrane produced by cultured keratinocytes
Author(s) -
Inoue Sadayuki,
Reinisch Christina,
Tschachler Erwin,
Eckhart Leopold
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.30285
Subject(s) - basement membrane , immunolabeling , ultrastructure , membrane , materials science , type iv collagen , biophysics , laminin , matrix (chemical analysis) , extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , anatomy , biochemistry , composite material , immunohistochemistry , immunology
A recent study in our laboratories on the growth of keratinocytes at the culture medium/air interface has led to the identification of a novel thin sheet‐like matrix that supports adherent cells. This novel matrix consists of components secreted by keratinocytes, including type IV collagen, and laminins 1 and 5, that self‐assembled to a membrane structure. In the present study, a detailed ultrastructural characterization of this membrane was done with high‐resolution electron microscopy after negative staining. The basic organization of the membrane was found to be a dense network of 8‐ to 10‐nm‐wide irregular rod‐like elements. High‐resolution examination and immunolabeling showed that type IV collagen filaments form the core of these elements, and other components including heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the form of 4.5‐ to 5‐nm‐wide ribbon‐like “double tracks” are aggregated around it. These detailed features of the membrane strikingly resembled those of the basement membrane in vivo . These ultrastructural similarities indicate that the membrane may also have basement membrane‐like functional properties, and suggest that it should be considered for testing in future medical applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 73A: 158–164, 2005