Cytokeratin expression in rat mesothelial cells in vitro is controlled by the extracellular matrix

1990 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
A.M. Mackay ◽  
R.P. Tracy ◽  
J.E. Craighead
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Mesothelial Cells ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Cellular Contact ◽  
Filament Protein

Rat mesothelial cells co-express vimentin and the simple epithelial cytokeratins. While cytokeratins predominate in situ, under most culture conditions vimentin is the major intermediate filament protein of the cells. This loss of cytokeratin production upon culture can be partly prevented by growing mesothelial cells on a basement membrane matrix. However, the basement membrane-promoted persistence of cytokeratin synthesis is not accompanied by expression of cytokeratin G (no. 19), the major acidic cytokeratin of mesothelium in vivo. While cells grown on plastic establish a prominent juxtanuclear assemblage of tonofilaments, those cultured on basement membrane exhibit cytokeratin filaments which are distributed throughout the cytoplasm and attach to neighboring cells at the plasma membrane. This latter pattern resembles that seen in the intact mesothelium. Intermediate filaments are markers of cellular differentiation, but their roles are obscure. The response of cultured mesothelial cells to different growth substrata supports the hypothesis that intermediate filament synthesis is influenced by cellular contact with the extracellular matrix.

scholarly journals Artemisinins target the intermediate filament protein vimentin for human cytomegalovirus inhibition

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (44) ◽  
pp. 15013-15028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujayita Roy ◽  
Arun Kapoor ◽  
Fei Zhu ◽  
Rupkatha Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Ayan Kumar Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Hcmv Infection ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Biological Assays ◽  
Human Foreskin Fibroblasts ◽  
Hcmv Replication ◽  
Human Cmv ◽  
Filament Protein

The antimalarial agents artemisinins inhibit cytomegalovirus (CMV) in vitro and in vivo, but their target(s) has been elusive. Using a biotin-labeled artemisinin, we identified the intermediate filament protein vimentin as an artemisinin target, validated by detailed biochemical and biological assays. We provide insights into the dynamic and unique modulation of vimentin, depending on the stage of human CMV (HCMV) replication. In vitro, HCMV entry and viral progeny are reduced in vimentin-deficient fibroblasts, compared with control cells. Similarly, mouse CMV (MCMV) replication in vimentin knockout mice is significantly reduced compared with controls in vivo, confirming the requirement of vimentin for establishment of infection. Early after HCMV infection of human foreskin fibroblasts vimentin level is stable, but as infection proceeds, vimentin is destabilized, concurrent with its phosphorylation and virus-induced calpain activity. Intriguingly, in vimentin-overexpressing cells, HCMV infection is reduced compared with control cells. Binding of artesunate, an artemisinin monomer, to vimentin prevents virus-induced vimentin degradation, decreasing vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-55 and Ser-83 and resisting calpain digestion. In vimentin-deficient fibroblasts, the anti-HCMV activity of artesunate is reduced compared with controls. In summary, an intact and stable vimentin network is important for the initiation of HCMV replication but hinders its completion. Artesunate binding to vimentin early during infection stabilizes it and antagonizes subsequent HCMV-mediated vimentin destabilization, thus suppressing HCMV replication. Our target discovery should enable the identification of vimentin-binding sites and compound moieties for binding.

Interactions between mesoderm cells and the extracellular matrix following gastrulation in the chick embryo

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-441
Author(s):  
A.J. Brown ◽  
E.J. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Chick Embryo ◽  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Fab Fragment ◽  
Fibronectin Receptor ◽  
In Vitro Methods

In the gastrulating chick embryo, the mesoderm cells arise from the epiblast layer by ingression through the linear accumulation of cells called the primitive streak. The mesoderm cells emerge from the streak with a fibroblastic morphology and proceed to move away from the mid-line of the embryo using, as a substratum, the basement membrane of the overlying epiblast and the extracellular matrix. We have investigated the roles of fibronectin and laminin as putative substrata for mesoderm cells using complementary in vivo and in vitro methods. We have microinjected agents into the tissue space adjacent to the primitive streak of living embryos and, after further incubation, we have examined the embryos for perturbation of the mesoderm tissue. These agents were: cell-binding regions from fibronectin (RGDS) and laminin (YIGSR), antibodies to these glycoproteins, and a Fab' fragment of the antibody to fibronectin. We find that RGDS, antibody to fibronectin, and the Fab' fragment cause a decrease in the number of mesoderm cells spread on the basement membrane, and a perturbation of cell shape suggesting locomotory impairment. No such influence was seen with YIGSR or antibodies to laminin. These results were extended using in vitro methods in which mesoderm cells were cultured in fibronectin-free medium on fibronectin or laminin in the presence of various agents. These agents were: RGDS; YIGSR; antibodies to fibronectin, fibronectin receptor, laminin and vitronectin; and a Fab' fragment of the fibronectin antiserum. We find that cell attachment and spreading on fibronectin is impaired by RGDS, antiserum to fibronectin, the Fab' fragment of fibronectin antiserum, and antiserum to fibronectin receptor. The results suggest that although the RGDS site in fibronectin is important, it is probably not the only fibronectin cell-binding site involved in mediating the behaviour of the mesoderm cells. Cells growing on laminin were perturbed by YIGSR, RGDS and antibodies to laminin, suggesting that mesoderm cells are able to recognise at least two sites in the laminin molecule. We conclude that the in vivo dependence of mesoderm cells on fibronectin is confirmed, but that although these cells have the ability to recognise sites in laminin as mediators of attachment and spreading, the in vivo role of this molecule in mesoderm morphogenesis is not yet certain.

scholarly journals Purification of desmin from adult mammalian skeletal muscle

1981 ◽  
Vol 195 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M O'Shea ◽  
R M Robson ◽  
M K Hartzer ◽  
T W Huiatt ◽  
W E Rathbun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Mammalian Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Cytoskeletal Function ◽  
10 Nm Filaments ◽  
And Function ◽  
Filament Protein

A method has been developed for preparation of purified desmin from mature mammalian (porcine) skeletal muscle. A crude desmin-containing fraction was prepared by modification of procedures used for isolation of smooth-muscle intermediate-filament protein [Small & Sobieszek (1977) J. Cell Sci. 23, 243-268]. The desmin was extracted in 1 M-acetic acid/20 mM-NaCl at 4 degrees C for 15h from the residue remaining after actomyosin extraction from washed myofibrils. Successive chromatography on hydroxyapatite and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B in 6M-urea yielded desmin that was routinely more than 97% 55 000-dalton protein and that had no detectable actin contamination. Removal of urea by dialysis against 10mM-Tris/acetate (pH 8.5)/1 mM dithioerythritol and subsequent clarification at 134 000 g (rav. 5.9 cm) for 1 h results in a clear desmin solution. Dialysis of purified desmin against 100 mM-NaCl/1 mM-MgCl2/10 mM-imidazole/HCl, pH 7.0, at 2 degrees C resulted in the formation of synthetic desmin filaments have an average diameter of 9-11.5 nm. The present studies demonstrate that the relatively small amount of desmin in mature skeletal muscle can be isolated in sufficient quantity and purity to permit detailed studies of its properties and function. Although 10nm filaments have not been unequivocally demonstrated in mature muscle in vivo, that the purified skeletal-muscle desmin will form 10 nm filaments in vitro lends support to their possible existence and cytoskeletal function in mature skeletal-muscle cells.

scholarly journals Suppression by antisense mRNA demonstrates a requirement for the glial fibrillary acidic protein in the formation of stable astrocytic processes in response to neurons.

1991 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1205-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E Weinstein ◽  
M L Shelanski ◽  
R K Liem
Keyword(s):  
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Acidic Protein ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Astrocytoma Cell ◽  
Filament Protein ◽  
U251 Cells

The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a glial-specific intermediate filament protein, which is expressed in astrocytes in the central nervous system, as well as in astrocytoma cell lines. To investigate the function of GFAP, we have studied the human astrocytoma cell line, U251, which constitutively expresses GFAP and vimentin in the same 10-nm filaments. These cells respond to neurons in vitro in the same way as primary astrocytes: they withdraw from the cell cycle, support neuronal cell survival and neurite outgrowth, and they extend complex, GFAP-positive processes. To determine the role of GFAP in these responses, we have specifically suppressed its expression by stably transfecting the U251 cells with an antisense GFAP construct. Two stable antisense cell lines from separate transfections were isolated and were shown to be GFAP negative by Northern and Western blot analyses, and by immunofluorescence studies. The antisense cell lines were inhibited in their ability to extend significant glial processes in response to neurons. In culture with primary neurons, the average increase in process length of the U251 cells was nearly 400%, as compared to only 14% for the antisense transfectants. The other neuron induced responses of astrocytes, i.e., proliferative arrest and neuronal support, were not affected in these cell lines. These data support the conclusion that the glial-specific intermediate filament protein, GFAP, is required for the formation of stable astrocytic processes in response to neurons.

The regenerative capacity of the notochordal cell: tissue constructs generated in vitro under hypoxic conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 513-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Mark Erwin ◽  
Facundo Las Heras ◽  
Diana Islam ◽  
Michael G. Fehlings ◽  
Robert D. Inman
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Sodium Alginate ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Notochordal Cells ◽  
Collagen Ii

Object The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a highly avascular structure that is occupied by highly specialized cells (nucleus pulposus [NP] cells) that have adapted to survive within an O2 concentration of 2–5%. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term hypoxic and normoxic tissue cultures of nonchondrodystrophic canine notochordal cells—cells that appear to protect the disc NP from degenerative change. Methods The authors obtained notochordal cells from nonchondrodystrophic canines according to their established methods and placed them into monolayer and 3D culture using sodium alginate globules under either hypoxic (3.5% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Histological, immunohistochemical, scanning electron microscopy, and histomorphometric methods were used to evaluate the cells within the globules after 5 months in culture. Results Notochordal cells under in vitro hypoxic tissue culture conditions produced a highly complex, organized, 3D cellular construct that was strikingly similar to that observed in vivo. In contrast, traditional normoxic tissue culture conditions resulted in notochordal cells that failed to produce an organized matrix. Hypoxia resulted in a matrix rich in aggrecan and collagen II, whereas normoxic cultured cells did not produce any observable aggrecan or collagen II after 5 months of culture. Conclusions Hypoxia induces notochordal cells to organize a complex 3D cellular/extracellular matrix without an external scaffold other than suspension within sodium alginate. These cells produce an extracellular matrix and large construct that shares exactly the same characteristics as the in vivo condition—robust aggrecan, and type II collagen production. Normoxic tissue culture conditions, however, lead to a failure of these cells to thrive and a lack of extracellular matrix production and significantly smaller cells. The authors suggest that future studies of NP cells and, in particular, notochordal cells should utilize hypoxic tissue culture conditions to derive meaningful, biologically relevant conclusions concerning possible biological/molecular interventions.

scholarly journals Elastin synthesis by ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts: effects of culture conditions and extracellular matrix on elastin production.

1981 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Mecham ◽  
G Lange ◽  
J Madaras ◽  
B Starcher
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Elastic Fiber ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Fetal Tissue ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Population Doubling

Fetal bovine ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts maintained in culture synthesized soluble elastin but were unable to form the insoluble elastic fiber. Secreted elastin precursors accumulated in culture medium and were measured using a radioimmunoassay for elastin. When elastin production was examined in ligament tissue from fetal calves of various gestational ages, cells from tissue taken during the last trimester of development produced significantly more elastin than did cells from younger fetal tissue, with maximal elastin synthesis occurring shortly before birth. Soluble elastin was detected in ligament cells plated at low density until proliferation began to be density inhibited and the cells became quiescent. Also, soluble elastin production per cell declined with increasing population doubling or with age in culture. Cells grown in the presence of 5% fetal calf serum produced approximately four times as much soluble elastin as cells grown in serum-free medium. The addition of dexamethasone (0.1 microM) and bleomycin (1 microgram/ml) increased soluble elastin production by cultured cells 180% and 50%, respectively, whereas theophylline (5 micrograms/ml) depressed production 50% and antagonized stimulation by dexamethasone. Ascorbate (50 micrograms/ml), soybean trypsin inhibitor (1 mg/ml), insulin (100 microunits/ml), and aminoacetonitrile (50 micrograms/ml) had no effect, but cycloheximide at 10(-4) M completely inhibited soluble elastin production. In contrast to cells in culture, ligament tissue minces (ligament cells surrounded by in vivo extracellular matrix) efficiently incorporated soluble elastin precursors into insoluble, cross-linked elastin. In addition, soluble elastin production per cell (per microgram of DNA) was higher in tissue minces than elastin production by cells maintained on plastic. These results suggest a role for extracellular matrix in formation of the elastic fiber and in stabilizing elastin phenotypic expression by ligament fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from the bovine ligamentum nuchae present an excellent model for in vitro studies of elastin biosynthesis.

Myogel, a Novel, Basement Membrane-Rich, Extracellular Matrix Derived from Skeletal Muscle, Is Highly Adipogenic in vivo and in vitro

2008 ◽  
Vol 188 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Abberton ◽  
S.K. Bortolotto ◽  
A.A. Woods ◽  
M. Findlay ◽  
W.A. Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Basement Membrane

scholarly journals Phosphorylation by Cdk1 induces Plk1-mediated vimentin phosphorylation during mitosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoya Yamaguchi ◽  
Hidemasa Goto ◽  
Tomoya Yokoyama ◽  
Herman Silljé ◽  
Anja Hanisch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Enzyme Reaction ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Cleavage Furrow ◽  
Filament Protein ◽  
Vimentin Filaments

Several kinases phosphorylate vimentin, the most common intermediate filament protein, in mitosis. Aurora-B and Rho-kinase regulate vimentin filament separation through the cleavage furrow-specific vimentin phosphorylation. Cdk1 also phosphorylates vimentin from prometaphase to metaphase, but its significance has remained unknown. Here we demonstrated a direct interaction between Plk1 and vimentin-Ser55 phosphorylated by Cdk1, an event that led to Plk1 activation and further vimentin phosphorylation. Plk1 phosphorylated vimentin at ∼1 mol phosphate/mol substrate, which partly inhibited its filament forming ability, in vitro. Plk1 induced the phosphorylation of vimentin-Ser82, which was elevated from metaphase and maintained until the end of mitosis. This elevation followed the Cdk1-induced vimentin-Ser55 phosphorylation, and was impaired by Plk1 depletion. Mutational analyses revealed that Plk1-induced vimentin-Ser82 phosphorylation plays an important role in vimentin filaments segregation, coordinately with Rho-kinase and Aurora-B. Taken together, these results indicated a novel mechanism that Cdk1 regulated mitotic vimentin phosphorylation via not only a direct enzyme reaction but also Plk1 recruitment to vimentin.

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