Fibronectin (Fn) is a major adhesive protein found in the hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM). In adult rats, the in vivo turnover of plasma Fn (pFn) incorporated into the liver ECM is relatively rapid, i.e., <24 h, but the regulation of its turnover has not been defined. We previously reported that cellular Fn (cFn) and enzymatically desialylated plasma Fn (aFn), both of which have a high density of exposed terminal galactose residues, rapidly interact with hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGP-R) in association with their plasma clearance after intravenous infusion. With the use of adult male rats (250–350 g) and measurement of the deoxycholate (DOC)-insoluble125I-labeled Fn in the liver, we determined whether the ASGP-R system can also influence the hepatic matrix retention of various forms of Fn. There was a rapid deposition of 125I-pFn,125I-aFn, and125I-cFn into the liver ECM after their intravenous injection. Although125I-pFn was slowly lost from the liver matrix over 24 h, more than 90% of the incorporated125I-aFn and125I-cFn was cleared within 4 h ( P < 0.01). Intravenous infusion of excess nonlabeled asialofetuin to competitively inhibit the hepatic ASGP-R delayed the rapid turnover of both aFn and cFn already incorporated within the ECM of the liver. ECM retention of both125I-aFn and125I-cFn was also less than125I-pFn ( P < 0.01) as determined in vitro using liver slices preloaded in vivo with either tracer form of Fn. The hepatic ASGP-R appears to participate in the turnover of aFn and cFn within the liver ECM, whereas a non-ASGP-R-associated endocytic pathway apparently influences the removal of normal pFn incorporated within the hepatic ECM, unless it becomes locally desialylated.
On the influence of the hidden and exposed terminal problems on asynchronous IEEE 802.15.5 networks
