scholarly journals Modelling fibrillogenesis of collagen-mimetic molecules

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Hafner ◽  
N. G. Gyori ◽  
C. A. Bench ◽  
L. K. Davis ◽  
A. Šarić

One of the most robust examples of self-assembly in living organisms is the formation of collagen architectures. Collagen type I molecules are a crucial component of the extracellular-matrix where they self-assemble into fibrils of well defined striped patterns. This striped fibrilar pattern is preserved across the animal kingdom and is important for the determination of cell phenotype, cell adhesion, and tissue regulation and signalling. The understanding of the physical processes that determine such a robust morphology of self-assembled collagen fibrils is currently almost completely missing. Here we develop a minimal coarse-grained computational model to identify the physical principles of the assembly of collagen-mimetic molecules. We find that screened electrostatic interactions can drive the formation of collagen-like filaments of well-defined striped morphologies. The fibril pattern is determined solely by the distribution of charges on the molecule and is robust to the changes in protein concentration, monomer rigidity, and environmental conditions. We show that the fibril pattern cannot be easily predicted from the interactions between two monomers, but is an emergent result of multi-body interactions. Our results can help address collagen remodelling in diseases and ageing, and guide the design of collagen scaffolds for biotechnological applications.Statement of SignificanceCollagen type I protein is the most abundant protein in mammals. It is a crucial component of the extracellular-matrix where it robustly self-assembles into fibrils of specific striped architectures that are crucial for the correct collagen function. The molecular features that determine such robust fibril architectures are currently not well understood. Here we develop a minimal coarse-grained model to connect the design of collagen-like molecules to the architecture of the resulting self-assembled fibrils. We find that the pattern of charged residues on the surface of molecules can drive the formation of collagen-like fibrils and fully control their architectures. Our findings can help understand changes in collagen architectures observed in diseases and guide the design of synthetic collagen scaffolds.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 35-35
Author(s):  
Maegan A Reeves ◽  
Courtney E Charlton ◽  
Terry D Brandebourg

Abstract Given adipose tissue is histologically classified as connective tissue, we hypothesized expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components are significantly altered during adipogenesis. However, little is known about the regulation of the ECM during adipose tissue development in the pig. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize expression of ECM components during porcine adipogenesis. Primary cultures of adipose tissue stromal-vascular cells were harvested from 3-day-old neonatal pigs (n=6) and preadipocytes induced to differentiate in vitro for 8 days in the presence of insulin, hydrocortisone, and rosiglitazone. Total RNA was extracted from these cultures on days 0 and 8 post-induction. Real-time PCR was then utilized to determine changes in mRNA expression for collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A), collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL2A), collagen type I alpha 3 chain (COL3A), collagen type I alpha 4 chain (COL4A), collagen type I alpha 6 chain (COL6A), biglycan, fibronectin, laminin, nitogen-1 (NID1), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), metallopeptidase inhibitor 3 (TIMP3). The mRNA abundances of COL1A, COL3A and MMP2 were significantly downregulated 2.86-fold (P < 0.05), 16.7-fold (P < 0.01) and 3.1-fold (P < 0.05) respectively in day 8 (differentiated) compared to day 0 (undifferentiated) cultures. Meanwhile, mRNA abundances were significantly upregulated during adipogenesis for the COL2A (2.82-fold; P < 0.05), COL4A (2.01-fold; P < 0.05), COL6A (2.8-fold; P < 0.05), biglycan (49.9- fold; P < 0.001), fibronectin (452-fold; P < 0.001), laminin (6.1-fold; P < 0.05), NID1(47.4-fold; P < 0.01), MMP9 (76.8- fold; P < 0.01), and TIMP3(3.04-fold; P < 0.05) genes. These data support the hypothesis that significant changes in ECM components occur during porcine adipogenesis. Modulating adipose tissue ECM remodeling might be a novel strategy to manipulate adiposity in the pig.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. BMI.S38439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Genovese ◽  
Zsolt S. Kàrpàti ◽  
Signe H. Nielsen ◽  
Morten A. Karsdal

The aim of this study was to set up an ex vivo model for renal interstitial fibrosis in order to investigate the extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover profile in the fibrotic kidney. We induced kidney fibrosis in fourteen 12-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) surgery of the right ureter. The left kidney (contralateral) was used as internal control. Six rats were sham operated and used as the control group. Rats were terminated two weeks after the surgery; the kidneys were excised and precision-cut kidney slices (PCKSs) were cultured for five days in serum-free medium. Markers of collagen type I formation (P1NP), collagen type I and III degradation (C1M and C3M), and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were measured in the PCKS supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. P1NP, C1M, C3M, and α-SMA were increased up to 2- to 13-fold in supernatants of tissue slices from the UUO-ligated kidneys compared with the contralateral kidneys ( P < 0.001) and with the kidneys of sham-operated animals ( P < 0.0001). The markers could also reflect the level of fibrosis in different animals. The UUO PCKS ex vivo model provides a valuable translational tool for investigating the extracellular matrix remodeling associated with renal interstitial fibrosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ziebart ◽  
S. Fan ◽  
C. Schulze ◽  
P. W. Kämmerer ◽  
R. Bader ◽  
...  

Objectives Enhanced micromotions between the implant and surrounding bone can impair osseointegration, resulting in fibrous encapsulation and aseptic loosening of the implant. Since the effect of micromotions on human bone cells is sparsely investigated, an in vitro system, which allows application of micromotions on bone cells and subsequent investigation of bone cell activity, was developed. Methods Micromotions ranging from 25 µm to 100 µm were applied as sine or triangle signal with 1 Hz frequency to human osteoblasts seeded on collagen scaffolds. Micromotions were applied for six hours per day over three days. During the micromotions, a static pressure of 527 Pa was exerted on the cells by Ti6Al4V cylinders. Osteoblasts loaded with Ti6Al4V cylinders and unloaded osteoblasts without micromotions served as controls. Subsequently, cell viability, expression of the osteogenic markers collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, as well as gene expression of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, were investigated. Results Live and dead cell numbers were higher after 25 µm sine and 50 µm triangle micromotions compared with loaded controls. Collagen type I synthesis was downregulated in respective samples. The metabolic activity and osteocalcin expression level were higher in samples treated with 25 µm micromotions compared with the loaded controls. Furthermore, static loading and micromotions decreased the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand ratio. Conclusion Our system enables investigation of the behaviour of bone cells at the bone-implant interface under shear stress induced by micromotions. We could demonstrate that micromotions applied under static pressure conditions have a significant impact on the activity of osteoblasts seeded on collagen scaffolds. In future studies, higher mechanical stress will be applied and different implant surface structures will be considered. Cite this article: J. Ziebart, S. Fan, C. Schulze, P. W. Kämmerer, R. Bader, A. Jonitz-Heincke. Effects of interfacial micromotions on vitality and differentiation of human osteoblasts. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:187–195. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0228.R1.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 204173141878982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Costa ◽  
Cristina González-García ◽  
José Luis Gómez Ribelles ◽  
Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez

Articular chondrocytes are difficult to grow, as they lose their characteristic phenotype following expansion on standard tissue culture plates. Here, we show that culturing them on surfaces of poly(L-lactic acid) of well-defined microtopography allows expansion and maintenance of characteristic chondrogenic markers. We investigated the dynamics of human chondrocyte dedifferentiation on the different poly(L-lactic acid) microtopographies by the expression of collagen type I, collagen type II and aggrecan at different culture times. When seeded on poly(L-lactic acid), chondrocytes maintained their characteristic hyaline phenotype up to 7 days, which allowed to expand the initial cell population approximately six times without cell dedifferentiation. Maintenance of cell phenotype was afterwards correlated to cell adhesion on the different substrates. Chondrocytes adhesion occurs via the α5 β1 integrin on poly(L-lactic acid), suggesting cell–fibronectin interactions. However, α2 β1 integrin is mainly expressed on the control substrate after 1 day of culture, and the characteristic chondrocytic markers are lost (collagen type II expression is overcome by the synthesis of collagen type I). Expanding chondrocytes on poly(L-lactic acid) might be an effective solution to prevent dedifferentiation and improving the number of cells needed for autologous chondrocyte transplantation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (4) ◽  
pp. C907-C918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Alique ◽  
Laura Calleros ◽  
Alicia Luengo ◽  
Mercedes Griera ◽  
Miguel Ángel Iñiguez ◽  
...  

Glomerular diseases are characterized by a sustained synthesis and accumulation of abnormal extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen type I. The extracellular matrix transmits information to cells through interactions with membrane components, which directly activate many intracellular signaling events. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that eicosanoids derived from cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 participate in a number of pathological processes in immune-mediated renal diseases, and it is known that protein kinase B (AKT) may act through different transcription factors in the regulation of the COX-2 promoter. The present results show that progressive accumulation of collagen I in the extracellular medium induces a significant increase of COX-2 expression in human mesangial cells, resulting in an enhancement in PGE2 production. COX-2 overexpression is due to increased COX-2 mRNA levels. The study of the mechanism implicated in COX-2 upregulation by collagen I showed focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. Furthermore, we observed that the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway by collagen I and collagen I-induced COX-2 overexpression was abolished by PI3K and AKT inhibitors. Additionally, we showed that the cAMP response element (CRE) transcription factor is implicated. Finally, we studied COX-2 expression in an animal model, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hypertensive rats. In renal tissue and vascular walls, COX-2 and collagen type I content were upregulated. In summary, our results provide evidence that collagen type I increases COX-2 expression via the FAK/PI3K/AKT/cAMP response element binding protein signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Braca Kundalic ◽  
Sladjana Ugrenovic ◽  
Ivan Jovanovic ◽  
Vladimir Petrovic ◽  
Aleksandar Petrovic ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in human endoneurium during aging. We harvested 15 cadaveric sural nerves, distributed in 3 age groups (I: 25-44, II: 45-64, III: 65-86 years old). Histological sections were stained immunohistochemically for the presence of collagen type I, type IV and laminin, and the ImageJ processing program was used in morphometrical analysis to determine the percentages of these endoneurial proteins. In two younger groups, the endoneurial matrix of the sural nerve was composed from about equal proportions of these proteins, which may be considered a favorable microenvironment for the regeneration of nerve fibers. Linear regression analysis showed a significant increase in endoneurial collagen type IV with age, while collagen type I and laminin significantly decreased during the aging process. In cases older than 65 years, remodeling of the endoneurial matrix was observed to be significantly higher for the presence of collagen type IV, and lower for the expression of collagen type I and laminin. This age-related imbalance of ECM proteins could represent a disadvantageous microenvironment for nerve fiber regeneration in older adults. Our findings contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches for peripheral nerve regeneration.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 5218-5224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreedhar R. Nallapareddy ◽  
Xiang Qin ◽  
George M. Weinstock ◽  
Magnus Höök ◽  
Barbara E. Murray

ABSTRACT Adhesin-mediated binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is thought to be a crucial step in the pathogenic process of many bacterial infections. We have previously reported conditional adherence of most Enterococcus faecalis isolates, after growth at 46°C, to ECM proteins collagen types I and IV and laminin; identified an E. faecalis-specific gene, ace, whose encoded protein has characteristics of a bacterial adhesin; and implicated Ace in binding to collagen type I. In this study, we constructed an ace disruption mutant from E. faecalis strain OG1RF that showed marked reduction in adherence to collagen types I and IV and laminin when compared to the parental OG1RF strain after growth at 46°C. Polyclonal immune serum raised against the OG1RF-derived recombinant Ace A domain reacted with a single ∼105-kDa band of mutanolysin extracts from OG1RF grown at 46°C, while no band was detected in extracts from OG1RF grown at 37°C, nor from the OG1RF ace mutant grown at 37 or 46°C. IgGs purified from the anti-Ace A immune serum inhibited adherence of 46°C-grown E. faecalis OG1RF to immobilized collagen type IV and laminin as well as collagen type I, at a concentration as low as 1 μg/ml, and also inhibited the 46°C-evoked adherence of two clinical isolates tested. We also showed in vitro interaction of collagen type IV with Ace from OG1RF mutanolysin extracts on a far-Western blot. Binding of recombinant Ace A to immobilized collagen types I and IV and laminin was demonstrated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and was shown to be concentration dependent. These results indicate that Ace A mediates the conditional binding of E. faecalis OG1RF to collagen type IV and laminin in addition to collagen type I.


2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priti S Shenoy ◽  
Shashi Uniyal ◽  
Kohei Miura ◽  
Christopher McColl ◽  
Tamas Oravecz ◽  
...  

It is well established that chemokines have a major role in the stimulation of cell movement on extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates. However, it is also clear that ECM substrates may influence the ability of cells to undergo migration. Using the migration chamber method, we assessed the migratory response of human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK) transfectant cells expressing the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) (HEK-CCR5) to stimulation by chemokines (macrophage inflamatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and regulated on activation normal-T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)) on ECM substrates (collagen type I and fibronectin). Using filters coated with collagen (20 µg/mL), results showed that the chemokines differed in their ability to elicit cell movement according to the order MIP-1β > RANTES [Formula: see text] MIP-1α. In contrast, using filters coated with fibronectin (20 µg/mL), all three chemokines were similar in their ability to stimulate migration of HEK-CCR5 cells. In addition, the migratory response with respect to the concentrations of ECM substrates appeared biphasic; thus, chemokine-stimulated cell movement was inhibited at high ECM concentrations (100 µg/mL). To determine the involvement of β1 integrins, results showed that the migratory response to chemokine stimulation on collagen was largely inhibited by monoclonal antibody (mAb) to α2β1; however, complete inhibition required a combination of mAbs to α1β1 and α2β1. In comparison, migration on fibronectin was inhibited by mAb to α3β1 and α5β1. Our results suggest that the migratory response to CCR5 stimulation may vary quantitatively with both the CCR5 ligand (MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES), as well as the nature and concentration of the ECM substrate involved.Key words: chemokines, integrins, cell movement, extracellular matrix proteins, CCR5.


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