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Interaction between cells and elastin fibers: An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study
Author(s) -
Perdomo Juana J.,
Gou Pierre,
Schaeverbeke Madeleine,
Schaeverbeke Jean,
Groult Vanina,
Jacob Marie P.,
Robert Ladislas
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041580309
Subject(s) - elastin , microbiology and biotechnology , ultrastructure , immunocytochemistry , pseudopodia , adhesion , cell , chemistry , cell adhesion , biophysics , biology , actin , anatomy , biochemistry , organic chemistry , endocrinology , genetics
Mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells) and endothelial cells were shown to interact with elastin fibers. The strong adhesion of elastin fibers to these cells is mediated by a cell membrane complex with a major glycoprotein component of 120 kDa designated as elastonectin. This interaction was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunocytochemical techniques using antibodies raised against the elastin adhesive proteins. When fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells were cultured in presence of elastin fibers, TEM showed an adhesion mechanism that takes place over several sites along the plasma membrane of these cells. Endothelial cells showed a very close association with elastin, emitting “pseudopodia” that embody the fibers. TEM, indirect immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, and confocal microscopy showed the presence and localization of cell membrane components synthesized in large quantities when cells were incubated in presence of elastin. Cells without elastin fibers barely revealed the adhesive membrane complex. These results confirm and extend previous findings concerning the presence of an inducible cell membrane complex that mediates the adhesion of elastin fibers to these cell types. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.