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Biomedical subjects

E D Hay

Publications and source records attributed to E D Hay.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytodifferentiation and tissue phenotype change during transformation of embryonic lens epithelium to mesenchyme-like cells in vitro.

A number of adult and embryonic epithelia, when suspended within native type I collagen gels, give rise to elongate bipolar cells that migrate freely within the three-dimensional matrix. The morphology of these newly formed mesenchyme-like cells is indistinguishable from "true" mesenchymal cells at the light and ultrastructural level. In this report, we extend previous observations on the transformation of embryonic avian lens epithelium to mesenchyme-like cells. Lens epithelia, dissected from 12-day chick embryos, were cultured either within a collagen matrix or on a two-dimensional surface. Cells derived from explants on the surface of type I collagen express the epithelial phenotype. The cells form new basal lamina, continue to express delta-crystallin protein and secrete both type IV collagen and laminin. In contrast, epithelia suspended within collagen gels lose epithelial morphology, phenotype, and cytodifferentiation. The newly formed mesenchyme-like cells lack the ability to synthesize lens-specific delta-crystallin protein, type IV collagen, and laminin. They do, however, express type I collagen de novo, a characteristic of mesenchymal cells. The changes in cytodifferentiation and tissue phenotype which occur during the transformation are stable under the conditions studied here. When mesenchyme-like cells are removed from the gel and replated onto two-dimensional surfaces, they remain bipolar, will invade collagen matrices, and are unable to synthesize delta-crystallin protein.

Animals↗

The identification of extracellular matrix (ECM) binding sites on the basal surface of embryonic corneal epithelium and the effect of ECM binding on epithelial collagen production.

Previously, we have shown that embryonic corneal epithelia can interact with, and respond to, soluble extracellular matrices (ECM) (laminin, collagen, and fibronectin). The basal surface of epithelia isolated free of the underlying ECM can be seen to be disrupted by numerous blebs that sprout from this formerly smooth surface. Laminin, collagen, or fibronectin added to the culture medium cause the epithelium to reorganize its cytoskeleton and flatten its basal surface. We show here that ECM molecules at concentrations that reorganize epithelial cytoskeletal morphology also increase the amount of collagen produced by the epithelial cells. However, molecules that do not reorganize basal epithelial morphology (concanavalin A, heparin, bovine serum albumin) have no effect on collagen production. We also report that fluorescently labeled laminin, collagen, and fibronectin, when added to the medium surrounding isolated corneal epithelia, bind to and flatten the basal epithelial cell surface. The binding site on the basal surface is protease sensitive and is specific for each ECM molecule. These results are compatible with the idea that the basal epithelial plasmalemma possesses a diverse population of binding sites for ECM that link cell surface matrix to the cytoskeleton, causing a dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization which in turn results in enhanced production of collagen by the cells.

Animals↗

Matrix-cytoskeletal interactions in the developing eye.

The embryonic avian corneal epithelium in vitro responds to extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules in either soluble or polymerized form by flattening its basal surface, organizing the basal cortical actin cytoskeleton, and stepping up its production of corneal stroma twofold. Embryonic corneal epithelia, like hepatocytes and mammary gland cells, seem to contain heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in their plasmalemma, which may interact with actin on the one hand or underlying collagen on the other. Work on the corneal epithelium suggests that, in addition to HSPG, specific glycoprotein receptors for laminin and collagen exist in the basal plasmalemma and play the critical role in actually organizing the basal epithelial cytoskeleton. As yet, uncharacterized proteins may link such receptors to actin. We suggest that ECM-dependent organization of the cytoskeleton is responsible for ECM enhancement of corneal epithelial differentiation. Cell shape and exogenous ECM also affect mesenchymal cell differentiation. In the case of the corneal fibroblast migrating in collagen gels, an actin cortex present around the elongate cell seems to interact with myosin in the cytosol to bring about pseudopodial extension. Both microtubules and actin microfilaments are involved in fibroblast elongation in collagen gels. It follows from the rules presented in this review that the mesenchymal cell surface is quite different from the epithelial cell surface in its organization. Nevertheless, epithelial cell surface-ECM interaction can be modified in the embryo at particular times to permit predesignated epithelial-mesenchymal transformations, as for example at the primitive streak. Though basal surfaces of definitive, nonmalignant epithelia adhere rather strictly to the rules of epithelium-ECM interaction and do not invade underlying ECM, the environment can be manipulated in vitro to cause these epithelia to send out pseudopodia and give rise aberrantly to mesenchymal cells in collagen gels. Further study of this phenomenon should cast light on the manner in which epithelial and mesenchymal cells organize receptors for matrix molecules on their cell surfaces and develop appropriate cytoskeletal responses to the extracellular matrix.

Animals↗

Analysis of the role of microfilaments and microtubules in acquisition of bipolarity and elongation of fibroblasts in hydrated collagen gels.

Fibroblasts in situ reside within a collagenous stroma and are elongate and bipolar in shape. If isolated and grown on glass, they change from elongate to flat shape, lose filopodia, and acquire ruffles. This shape change can be reversed to resemble that in situ by suspending the cells in hydrated collagen gels. In this study of embryonic avian corneal fibroblasts grown in collagen gels, we describe for the first time the steps in the acquisition of the elongate shape and analyze the effect of cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs on filopodial activity, assumption of bipolarity, and cell elongation within extracellular matrix. We have previously shown by immunofluorescence that filopodia contain actin but not myosin and are free of organelles. The cell cortex is rich in actin and the cytosol, in myosin. By using antitubulin, we show in the present study that microtubules are aligned along the long axis of the bipolar cell body. The first step in assumption of the elongate shape is extension of filopodia by the round cells suspended in collagen, and this is not significantly affected by the drugs we used: taxol to stabilize microtubules; nocodazole to disassemble microtubules; and cytochalasin D to disrupt microfilaments. The second step, movement of filopodia to opposite ends of the cell, is disrupted by cytochalasin, but not by taxol or nocodazole. The third step, extension of pseudopodia and acquisition of bipolarity similarly requires intact actin, but not microtubules. If fibroblasts are allowed to become bipolar before drug treatment, moreover, they remain so in the presence of the drugs. To complete the fourth step, extensive elongation of the cell, both intact actin and microtubules are required. Retraction of the already elongated cell occurs on microtubule disruption, but retraction requires an intact actin cytoskeleton. We suggest that the cell interacts with surrounding collagen fibrils via its actin cytoskeleton to become bipolar in shape, and that microtubules interact with the actin cortex to bring about the final elongation of the fibroblast.

Alkaloids↗

Interaction of embryonic surface and cytoskeleton with extracellular matrix.

Evidence for cell-matrix in vitro and in the embryo is briefly reviewed, and more detailed observations are presented on the reactions of corneal epithelium and mesenchyme to extracellular matrix (ECM). The basal surface of embryonic corneal epithelium blebs when the underlying ECM is removed. If the epithelium is cultured on top of the lens capsule or collagen gel, the basal surface flattens and the cortical cytoskeleton reorganizes to resemble that present in vivo. The basal surface also responds to soluble matrix molecules (types I-IV collagens, laminin, fibronectin), and the cells step up synthesis of corneal stroma as measured by incorporation of proline into collagen. When embryonic corneal fibroblasts are placed on top of hydrated gels they tend to burrow into the gel rather than sitting on top as does epithelium. When grown inside collagen gels, these mesenchymal cells elongate and the entire cell surface and cytoskeleton organize in response to matrix. Stress fibers and ruffling membranes characterize the cells grown on glass. When embryonic lens or corneal epithelial are place within, instead of on top of, collagen gels, they give rise to mesenchyme-like cells from their apical surfaces. In vivo, these epithelia do not give rise to mesenchyme. The rules for epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in vivo are discussed in relation to these observations on cell-matrix interaction.

Animals↗

Epithelia suspended in collagen gels can lose polarity and express characteristics of migrating mesenchymal cells.

This study of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and epithelial cell polarity in vitro reveals that environmental conditions can have a profound effect on the epithelial phenotype, cell shape, and polarity as expressed by the presence of apical and basal surfaces. A number of different adult and embryonic epithelia were suspended within native collagen gels. Under these conditions, cells elongate, detach from the explants, and migrate as individual cells within the three-dimensional lattice, a previously unknown property of well-differentiated epithelia. Epithelial cells from adult and embryonic anterior lens were studied in detail. Elongated cells derived from the apical surface develop pseudopodia and filopodia characteristic of migratory cells and acquire a morphology and ultrastructure virtually indistinguishable from that of mesenchymal cells in vivo. It is concluded from these experiments that the three-dimensional collagen gel can promote dissociation, migration, and acquisition of secretory organelles by differentiated epithelial cells, and can abolish the apical-basal cell polarity characteristic of the original epithelium.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of collagen types I and II in the developing chick cornea and tibia by electron microscopy.

Monoclonal and conventional antibodies against collagen types I and II were used for immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopic studies of developing chick corneas (5-day-old embryos to adult) and embryonic limb cartilages. Secondary antibodies were labeled with rhodamine or ferritin. We found that the 5-day primary corneal stroma stains uniformly at the light microscope level with both monoclonal and rabbit antibodies to collagen types I and II. At the electron microscope level, the striated fibrils are stained by these antibodies. After invasion by fibroblasts (7-day-old embryos), type I collagen becomes the predominant collagen within most of the stroma, whereas type II becomes progressively localized in subepithelial (Bowman's membrane) and subendothelial (Descemet's membrane) regions. In the adult the only remaining type II reactivity is in Descemet's membrane. In this structure, both the nodes and strands stain positively for type II. In embryonic cartilage, on other hand, type II collagen is organized as nonstriated fibrils. Thus, during avian corneal development, radical changes occur both in the the types of collagens present and in their distribution. In addition, it seems that the same genetic type of collagen can take several morphologic forms, depending on the environment fibrils as well as in the nodes and strands of Descemet's membrane.

Animals↗

Response of basal epithelial cell surface and Cytoskeleton to solubilized extracellular matrix molecules.

Corneal epithelium removed from underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) extends numerous cytoplasmic processes (blebs) from the formerly smooth basal surface. If blebbing epithelia are grown on collagen gels or lens capsules in vitro, the basal surface flattens and takes on the smooth contour typical of epithelium in contact with basal lamina in situ. This study examines the effect of soluble extracellular matrix components on the basal surface. Corneal epithelia from 9- to 11-d-old chick embryos were isolated with trypsin-collagenase or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, then placed on Millipore filters (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.), and cultured at the medium-air interface. Media were prepared with no serum, with 10% of calf serum, or with serum from which plasma fibronectin was removed. Epithelia grown on filters in this medium continue to bleb for the duration of the experiments (12-14 h). If soluble collagen, laminin, or fibronectin is added to the medium, however, blebs are withdrawn and by 2-6 h the basal surface is flat. Epithelia grown on filters in the presence of albumin, IgG, or glycosaminoglycans continue to bleb. Epithelia cultured on solid substrata, such as glass, also continue to bleb if ECM is absent from the medium. The basal cell cortex in situ contains a compact cortical mat of filaments that decorate with S-1 myosin subfragments; some, if not all, of these filaments point away from the plasmalemma. The actin filaments disperse into the cytoplasmic processes during blebbing and now many appear to point toward the plasmalemma. In isolated epithelia that flatten in response to soluble collagens, laminin, and fibronectin, the actin filaments reform the basal cortical mat typical or epithelial in situ. Thus, extracellular macromolecules influence and organize not only the basal cell surface but also the actin-rich basal cell cortex of epithelial cells.

Actins↗