Role of fibronectin in epithelialization and wound healing.
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Basement Membrane↗
Biomedical subjects
F Grinnell
Publications and source records attributed to F Grinnell.
Reconstitution of human epidermis in vitro is accompanied by transient activation of basal keratinocyte spreading.
Frozen human cadaver skin obtained from the skin bank was thawed and incubated in serum-free medium for 1-2 days, after which the original epidermis could be removed mechanically. Transmission electron microscopic observations showed that the dermal matrix remaining behind contained intact bundles of collagen fibrils but no live cells and that a continuous lamina densa persisted in the basement membrane region. Indirect immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated linear staining of the basement membrane region by antibodies against laminin and type IV collagen and discontinuous staining with antibodies against fibronectin. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed a normal topographical arrangement of dermal matrix papilla and interspersed crypts on the surface of the matrix. Epidermal cells placed on the dermal matrix attached in 1-2 h and spread by 24 h. After 1 week of culture the epidermis was reconstituted, at which time approximately 30% of the epidermal cells were basal keratinocytes and the remainder were more differentiated keratinocytes. A high degree of differentiation of the reconstituted epidermis was shown by the formation of hemidesmosomes along the basement membrane, the formation of desmosomes characterized by intercellular dense lines, and the presence of a cell layer containing keratohyalin granules. At various times during epidermal reconstitution, cells were harvested and tested in short-term assays for adhesion to fibronectin substrata. During the first several days there was a transient activation of basal keratinocyte spreading analogous to the modulation of keratinocyte spreading that we have observed during epidermal reconstitution in vivo.
Cadaver↗
Contraction of hydrated collagen gels by fibroblasts: evidence for two mechanisms by which collagen fibrils are stabilized.
Studies were conducted to learn more about the mechanism by which fibroblasts contract hydrated collagen gels, a process that may be important in the supramolecular organization of the extracellular matrix. Removal of cells from contracted gels by two different methods, treatment with detergent or treatment with trypsin/EDTA solution, had no visible effect on the bundles of collagen fibrils that had been organized in frameworks around and in between the cells. There was, however, a portion of the collagen gels that expanded after the cells were removed. We conclude that during concentration of collagen gels by fibroblasts, rearranged collagen fibrils were stabilized in place by two different mechanisms. At first, the fibrils were mechanically held in place by the cells. Subsequently, the fibrils were stabilized by non-covalent chemical interactions that are independent of cells. A model system for studying collagen gel reorganization in the absence of cells was developed based on centrifugation of the gels. The overall features of collagen gel reorganization by centrifugation were similar to the features of collagen gel contraction by cells. The collagen fibrils of gels reorganized by centrifugation were at first stabilized mechanically and the gels expanded after centrifugation was stopped. With additional time, the collagen fibrils were stabilized by non-covalent chemical interactions, and then the gels no longer expanded after centrifugation was stopped.
Cells, Cultured↗
Heparin modulates the organization of hydrated collagen gels and inhibits gel contraction by fibroblasts.
We studied the effects of extracellular matrix components on fibroblast contraction of hydrated collagen gels. After 4-h incubations, heparin-containing collagen gels contracted only 10% compared with 50% contraction of control gels. Contraction was not affected by hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, or fibronectin, implying that the activity of heparin was specific. The possibility that heparin inhibited attachment of the cells to the gels was ruled out. Also, addition of heparin to the incubation medium had no effect on contraction. Microscopic examination showed that control collagen gels were composed of a uniform network of interlocking fibrils of similar sizes. Heparin-containing gels, on the other hand, were highly variable with some collagen bundles containing 5-6 collagen fibrils and other regions containing amorphous material. Unlike the control gels, the fibrils of heparin-containing gels were not continuously interconnected. Based on the results, we propose that fibroblasts attach normally to the collagen fibrils of heparin-containing gels and attempt to contract the gels, but the mechanical forces exerted by fibroblasts on individual collagen fibrils cannot be propagated throughout the gels.
Cells, Cultured↗
Fibronectin receptors of human keratinocytes and their expression during cell culture.
Keratinocyte attachment to fibronectin (FN) substrata was inhibited by the peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys, but not by the variant peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro. The RGDS-containing peptide did not inhibit keratinocyte adhesion to collagen. Keratinocyte adhesion to FN substrata also was inhibited by polyclonal anti-FN receptor antibodies originally prepared against the 140-kD FN receptors of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Anti-CHO FN receptor antibodies did not, however, inhibit keratinocyte adhesion to collagen substrata. A monoclonal antibody designated VM-1 that was prepared against human basal keratinocytes inhibited keratinocyte adhesion to collagen but not to FN. Based on these results, we conclude that keratinocytes have distinct FN and collagen receptors. Experiments were performed to compare the expression of FN receptors on keratinocytes freshly isolated from skin and keratinocytes harvested from cell cultures. Cells harvested from keratinocyte cultures were able to neutralize the inhibitory activity of anti-CHO FN receptor antibodies and were able to attach and spread on anti-CHO FN receptor-coated substrata. Cells freshly harvested from skin, however, did not neutralize the antibodies, nor did they attach and spread on antibody-coated substrata. To learn more about the biochemical nature of the keratinocyte FN receptors, we performed immunoaffinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation experiments using the anti-CHO FN receptor antibodies. Extracts from metabolically radiolabeled, 10-d cultured keratinocytes contained FN receptors that had a 135-kD component under reducing conditions and 115- and 155-kD components under nonreducing conditions. Similar components were observed in extracts from surface-radiolabeled cells indicating that the FN receptors were expressed on keratinocyte cell surfaces. On the other hand, extracts from metabolically radiolabeled, 1-d cultured keratinocytes lacked intact FN receptors but contained a component that migrated at 48 kD under reducing conditions and 50 kD under nonreducing conditions. Because this fragment was not detected in surface-radiolabeled keratinocytes that were freshly isolated from skin, it seems likely that the fragment was located inside the cells rather than on the cell surface. A 50-kD FN receptor fragment also was observed in extracts from 10-d cultured keratinocytes if leupeptin and pepstatin were omitted from the extraction buffer. The results suggested that human keratinocytes cultured for 10 d express the 140-kD class of FN receptors, but that these receptors are not expressed on the surfaces of keratinocytes freshly isolated from skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Binding, Competitive↗
Activation of human keratinocyte fibronectin receptor function in relation to other ligand-receptor interactions.
Previous studies have shown that the fibronectin receptor function of keratinocytes is activated during wound healing in vivo and during cell culture in vitro. In order to study the specificity of activation in culture, two series of experiments were carried out. First, freshly isolated human keratinocytes were tested in short-term assays to determine their adhesion to several different ligand-coated substrata including fibronectin, collagen, basement membrane, concanavalin A, and wheat germ agglutinin. Second, human keratinocytes were cultured on the above substrata, and after various times, the cultured cells were harvested and retested for adhesion. We found that, compared with freshly isolated cells, cultured keratinocytes were activated more than 30-fold in their attachment to fibronectin-coated substrata but unchanged in their attachment to other ligand-coated substrata. In addition, cultured keratinocytes were activated in their capacity to spread on all ligand-coated substrata. The cells that expressed enhanced adhesiveness were found to be mostly basal keratinocytes, based on immunofluorescence staining studies. Also, basal keratinocytes attached selectively on substrata coated with fibronectin, collagen, or HR-9 basement membrane, but not on substrata coated with lectins. We propose that the activation of keratinocyte adhesiveness is a novel feature of basal keratinocytes required for reepithelialization during wound repair.
Cell Adhesion↗
Fibronectin adsorption on material surfaces.
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Animals↗
Activation of keratinocyte fibronectin receptor function during cutaneous wound healing.
Keratinocytes freshly isolated from unwounded skin could not attach and spread on fibronectin (FN)-coated culture dishes and could not bind and phagocytose FN-coated beads. These adhesive functions were activated, however, in keratinocytes that were isolated from healing wounds. Moreover, adhesiveness of basal keratinocytes to FN substrata was activated during epidermal cell or explant culture. Activation was specific for attachment to FN compared to other adhesion ligands, and occurred even when epidermal cells were cultured on collagen, basement membrane matrix, or lectin-coated substrata. Biochemical studies showed that keratinocytes have a 140 x 10(3) Mr FN receptor analogous to the fibroblast receptor for FN, and that this receptor is expressed in activated keratinocytes but not in keratinocytes freshly isolated from unwounded skin. The absence of FN receptors from keratinocytes in unwounded skin is not surprising since the basal keratinocytes of the epidermis are attached to a basement membrane containing laminin and type IV collagen. During wound repair, however, these cells migrate over or through a FN-coated matrix. Consequently, expression of FN receptors may be an essential feature of healing. Believing that FN is the required substratum for keratinocyte migration during wound healing, we have initiated clinical studies to determine if topical application of FN is useful as a therapy for non-healing cutaneous ulcers.
Cell Adhesion↗
Morphological appearance of epidermal cells cultured on fibroblast-reorganized collagen gels.
Human foreskin fibroblasts were used to reorganize hydrated collagen gels into a dermal-like matrix, after which freshly isolated keratinocytes isolated from rabbit ear skin were placed on the surfaces of the matrices and cultured for up to 12 days. Transmission electron microscopy revealed 8-12 cell layers of epidermal cells organized in three distinct strata. The basal stratum consisted of cuboidal to columnar cells with typical complement of organelles, oval nuclei, and prominent tonofilaments inserting into desmosomes. Mitotic cells often were found at this level. There was no well-defined basement membrane region; rather, many of the cells appeared to be in close contact with collagen fibrils. The intermediate stratum of suprabasal cells consisted of elongated cells that had reduced organelles, but still were connected to each other by desmosomes. Finally, the superficial stratum of suprabasal cells contained cells that were completely flattened and often appeared to be sloughing off the apical surfaces of the cultures. Indirect immunofluorescence studies carried out on frozen sections revealed bullous pemphigoid antigen associated with basal epidermal cells; pemphigus vulgaris antigen around the epidermal cells of all strata, and keratin present in the epidermal cells of all strata. Filaggrin was observed in punctate and fibrillar arrangements in suprabasal cells. Fibronectin was found in a linear deposit at the dermal-epidermal junction and around the fibroblasts in the reorganized collagen gels. Type-IV collagen and laminin, however, were not detected.
Antigens↗
Interaction of fibronectin-coated beads with attached and spread fibroblasts. Binding, phagocytosis, and cytoskeletal reorganization.
After 15 min incubations, binding of 0.8-, 6-, and 16-microns fibronectin-coated latex beads occurred primarily at the margins of chick embryo fibroblasts that previously were attached and spread on fibronectin-coated glass coverslips. Extensive phagocytosis of the smallest beads and some phagocytosis of the larger beads occurred within 2 h. Following binding of the 16-micron beads, there were no changes in overall cell shape or in the distribution of several cytoskeletal proteins. There was, however, a local accumulation of actin and alpha-actinin patches adjacent to the sites where the beads were bound. The formation of alpha-actinin patches could be detected with 6- or 16-microns beads shortly after initial bead binding to the cells, but a similar reorganization of alpha-actinin in response to the binding of 0.8-micron beads was not detected. The patches of alpha-actinin appeared to be associated with membrane ruffles, since such structures were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to be sites of cell interaction with 6- but not 0.8-micron beads. Also, two other cytoskeletal proteins normally absent from membrane ruffles, tropomyosin and vinculin, were not detected at the sites of cell-bead interaction. No reorganization of vinculin at the cell-bead interaction sites was observed even when the 16-microns beads remained bound at the cell surfaces for up to 6 h. Nevertheless, prominent vinculin plaques were observed at the marginal attachment sites on the ventral cell surfaces. Consequently, formation of mature focal adhesions may be restricted to linear regions of cell-substratum interaction.
Actinin↗
Focal adhesion sites and the removal of substratum-bound fibronectin.
Fibronectin was not removed from the substratum beneath focal adhesion sites when fibroblasts spread in serum-free medium on adsorbed fibronectin substrata, or when fibroblasts spread in serum-containing medium on covalently cross-linked fibronectin substrata. Under these conditions, there was colocalization between 140-kD fibronectin receptors and focal adhesion sites. It was concluded that removal of adsorbed fibronectin from beneath focal adhesion sites was a mechanical process that required serum. The effect of serum was nonspecific since serum could be replaced by equivalent concentrations of serum albumin, ovalbumin, or gamma globulins. Quantitative measurements indicated that the presence of proteins in the incubation medium weakens the interaction of fibronectin with the substratum, thereby allowing the adsorbed protein to be removed from the substratum at sites of high stress. After removing fibronectin from the substratum, cells reorganized this material into patches and fibrils beneath cells, and the reorganized fibronectin colocalized with fibronectin receptors. Some of the patches of fibronectin were phagocytosed. The fibronectin fibrils were observed to be in register with actin filament bundles and sometimes translocated to the upper cell surfaces. It is proposed that removal of fibronectin from beneath focal adhesion sites is an example of how cells can modify their extracellular matrices through contractile activity.
Actins↗
Activation of rabbit keratinocyte fibronectin receptor function in vivo during wound healing.
Freshly isolated rabbit keratinocytes expressed low fibronectin (pFN) receptor function as shown by their poor ability to attach and spread on pFN-coated substrata or to bind and ingest pFN-coated beads. Following in vitro culture of these cells, however, pFN receptor function was activated. The cultured cells appeared to be normal, based on their ability to reepithelialize rapidly full-thickness cutaneous wound beds. Freshly isolated keratinocytes that had low pFN receptor function were autotransplanted onto full-thickness wound beds. Two days after transplantation, keratinocytes recovered from these wounds were observed to express increased pFN receptor function. This activity was maximal in keratinocytes isolated 3 days after transplantation and declined in keratinocytes isolated at later times. By 10 days after transplantation, the transplanted cells had formed a multilayered hyperplastic epidermis and reconstituted their laminin and type IV collagen-containing basement membrane. It is proposed that initiation of pFN receptor function in keratinocytes is a crucial mechanism necessary for them to attach to and migrate through the pFN-rich wound bed comprised of granulation tissue. After reepithelialization is complete, and the basement membrane re-forms, pFN receptor function declines markedly because it is no longer essential to the cells.
Animals↗
Complementarity: an approach to understanding the relationship between science and religion.
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Animals↗
Platelet attachment and spreading on polystyrene surfaces: dependence on fibronectin and plasma concentration.
Fibronectin promoted platelet attachment and spreading on polystyrene surfaces but was not essential if the surfaces were coated with plasma. The dependence of platelet adhesion on plasma concentration was complex. The extent of attachment and spreading was increased on surfaces treated with up to 1.0% plasma and decreased at higher plasma concentrations. The results support the hypothesis that protein adsorption is not directly related to protein concentration when surfaces are exposed to complex protein mixtures.
Adsorption↗
Binding and phagocytosis of fibronectin-coated beads by BHK cells: receptor specificity and dynamics.
Studies on the receptor specificity and dynamics involved in fibroblast phagocytosis of latex beads revealed the following: 1) Ligands other than fibronectin such as concanavalin A (ConA) and serum spreading factor, when coated on latex beads, were found to promote phagocytosis of the beads. This indicates that fibroblast phagocytosis, like spreading, is a ligand-receptor mediated phenomenon not specifically requiring fibronectin (pFN); 2) Anti-pFN antibodies were found to inhibit the ability of cells to ingest pFN-coated beads that previously were bound on the cell surfaces. Consequently, binding of beads to the cell surfaces per se is not a sufficient signal to promote ingestion of the beads; 3) Finally, divalent cations protected receptor function necessary for phagocytosis of pFN-coated beads from proteolysis by trypsin, as previously was found for receptors involved in cell attachment and spreading on pFN-coated culture dishes. Recovery experiments carried out with cells whose surface receptors had been destroyed indicated that there was an internal (or cryptic cell surface) pool of receptors that amounted to at least 50% of the receptors normally found on the cell surface. After complete destruction of the cell surface and cryptic pools of receptors, reappearance of receptors required for bead binding and phagocytosis required several hours and did not occur in the absence of new protein synthesis.
Animals↗
Characteristics of a BHK cell variant defective in the cell-substratum contact process.
In this paper we document the phenotypic characteristics of a novel BHK cell adhesion variant designated FN-2. Unlike parental cells, FN-2 cells did not attach to fibronectin (pFN)-coated dishes, even after 4-hr incubations on dishes treated with 100 micrograms/ml of pFN. Mixing experiments with the variant and parental cells revealed that the parental cells attached normally in the presence of a ninefold excess of variant cells and the variant cells failed to attach in the presence of a ninefold excess of parental cells. Therefore, the defect in FN-2 cells could not be explained by secretion of a factor inhibiting attachment or lack of secretion of a factor required for attachment. Also, the inability of FN-2 cells to attach to pFN-coated dishes could not be explained by an absence of cell pFN receptors since the variant cells bound normal numbers of small (ca. 0.8 micron) pFN-coated latex beads, although they phagocytosed the beads poorly compared to parental cells. Also, the variant cells were not able to bind large (5.7 or 16.8 microns) pFN-coated beads. When tested on dishes coated with ligands that, unlike fibronectin, have a high affinity for cell surface receptors, e.g., lectins and anti-BHK antibodies, FN-2 cells were observed to attach at a rate similar to that of parental cells but spread much more slowly. The phenotypic characteristics of FN-2 cells suggest that they are deficient in what previously has been called the "cell contact" process in cell adhesion. It is proposed that the cell contact process is the initial formation by an individual cell of a sufficient number of cell-substratum bonds to resist the shear forces operationally used to define "attachment," and that more cell-substratum bonds are necessary for cell attachment to large substrata (dishes or large beads) than for attachment to small substrata (small beads). The molecular defect in FN-2 cells was studied by electroblotting analysis. A high molecular weight (ca. 370 kd) glycoprotein detected by blotting with anti-BHK antibodies and ConA that was present in parental cell membranes was reduced or absent in the variant cells.
Animals↗
Fibronectin-mediated keratinocyte migration and initiation of fibronectin receptor function in vitro.
Cell suspensions of human keratinocytes, freshly isolated from skin specimens, did not express plasma fibronectin (pFN) receptor function in short-term assays for cell attachment and spreading on pFN-coated culture dishes and binding and phagocytosis of pFN-coated latex beads. These activities were expressed, however, by the cells harvested from primary keratinocyte cultures after 2-4 days of culture. Analysis of the cell types arising during primary culture, based on staining with antikeratin antibodies and bullous pemphigoid (BP) serum, revealed that about 90% of the originally isolated cell population consisted of keratinocytes (keratin-positive) and 30% were basal cells (BP antigen-positive). After 2 days of culture, 95% of the cells were keratinocytes and 70% were basal cells. In vitro initiation of pFN receptor function also was observed in cells harvested from epidermal explants. After 9 days in culture, the cells that migrated out of the explants also were active in short-term cell adhesion assays, while cells remaining in the central region of the explant had much less activity. In related studies, the role of pFN in epidermal cell migration was analyzed, and it was found that anti-pFN antibodies inhibited migration of keratinocytes out of epidermal explants. Addition of preimmune IgG, however, had no effect. It appears, therefore, that pFN is important in all aspects of keratinocyte adhesion, and the expression of pFN receptor function may be a critical activation step necessary for basal cell phagocytosis and migration during wound healing.
Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
Studies on the mechanism of hydrated collagen gel reorganization by human skin fibroblasts.
During reorganization of collagen gels by human skin fibroblasts the total protein content of the gels remained approximately constant. Only 5% of the collagen was degraded, although the volume of the gels decreased by 85% or more. It could be concluded, therefore, that gel reorganization required physical rearrangement of pre-existing collagen fibrils rather than degradation of the original collagen and resynthesis of a new matrix. Collagen molecules in the gels were not covalently crosslinked or otherwise modified enzymically during gel reorganization, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and collagen repolymerization studies. Serum was required for gel reorganization and, in the absence of serum, cell spreading was predominantly filipodial, i.e. there was little cytoplasmic reorganization. At the electron-microscopic level it was found that many more collagen fibrils became associated with the cells in the presence of serum than in its absence. Serum was also found to promote the synthesis and secretion of proteins by the cells, and conditioned medium could take the place of serum in promoting gel reorganization. The involvement of cell-secreted factors was also demonstrated by the ability of cycloheximide to inhibit gel reorganization. Finally, when gel reorganization was stopped by adding cytochalasin D to the incubations or removing cells by detergent treatment, a small but significant re-expansion of the collagen fibrils was observed. Consequently, a portion of the collagen that had been physically reorganized by the gels was unstable and could not hold its position without continued force exerted by the cells.
Cell Count↗