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Biomedical subjects

J R Couchman

Publications and source records attributed to J R Couchman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Distribution of individual components of basement membrane in human colon polyps and adenocarcinomas as revealed by monoclonal antibodies.

Double-label immunofluorescence was used to monitor basement-membrane composition and integrity in 22 human colon polyps, 36 adenocarcinomas and 2 metastases. Cryostat sections were stained with polyclonal anti-laminin anti-serum combined with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to all major basement-membrane components (laminin, entactin/nidogen, collagen type IV and large heparan sulfate proteoglycan), as well as to keratin 8. In all adenocarcinomas, including mucinous, basement membranes were altered more at the invasive front than in the parenchyma. The degree of this alteration was inversely correlated with the level of tumor differentiation. An uncoordinated loss of basement membrane components (dissociation of markers), previously described by us in rat colon adenocarcinomas, was also found in human tumors. In the great majority of adenocarcinomas a pronounced stromal reaction was seen. It was manifested by the presence of fibrillar deposits of basement-membrane components, mainly of collagen type IV and/or heparan sulfate proteoglycan. This reaction was never observed in polyps and may be derived from myofibroblasts reported to accumulate in colon cancer stroma. The combined use of antibodies to basement-membrane components and to a specific keratin may constitute an adequate immunohistochemical test for the presence of invasion, and may be useful in the histologic analysis of polyps, especially in dubious cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

A cell surface chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, immunologically related to CD44, is involved in type I collagen-mediated melanoma cell motility and invasion.

The metastatic spread of tumor cells occurs through a complex series of events, one of which involves the adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Multiple interactions between cell surface receptors of an adherent tumor cell and the surrounding ECM contribute to cell motility and invasion. The current studies evaluate the role of a cell surface chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) in the adhesion, motility, and invasive behavior of a highly metastatic mouse melanoma cell line (K1735 M4) on type I collagen matrices. By blocking mouse melanoma cell production of CSPG with p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside (beta-D-xyloside), a compound that uncouples chondroitin sulfate from CSPG core protein synthesis, we observed a corresponding decrease in melanoma cell motility on type I collagen and invasive behavior into type I collagen gels. Melanoma cell motility on type I collagen could also be inhibited by removing cell surface chondroitin sulfate with chondroitinase. In contrast, type I collagen-mediated melanoma cell adhesion and spreading were not affected by either beta-D-xyloside or chondroitinase treatments. These results suggest that mouse melanoma CSPG is not a primary cell adhesion receptor, but may play a role in melanoma cell motility and invasion at the level of cellular translocation. Furthermore, purified mouse melanoma cell surface CSPG was shown, by affinity chromatography and in solid phase binding assays, to bind to type I collagen and this interaction was shown to be mediated, at least in part, by chondroitin sulfate. Additionally we have determined that mouse melanoma CSPG is composed of a 110-kD core protein that is recognized by anti-CD44 antibodies on Western blots. Collectively, our data suggests that interactions between a cell surface CD44-related CSPG and type I collagen in the ECM may play an important role in mouse melanoma cell motility and invasion, and that the chondroitin sulfate portion of the proteoglycan seems to be a critical component in mediating this effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Protein kinase C involvement in focal adhesion formation.

Matrix molecules such as fibronectin can promote cell attachment, spreading and focal adhesion formation. Although some interactions of fibronectin with cell surface receptors have now been identified, the consequent activation of intracellular messenger systems by cell/matrix interactions have still to be elucidated. We show here that the kinase inhibitors H7 and HA1004 reduce focal adhesion and stress fiber formation in response to fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner, and that activators of protein kinase C can promote their formation under conditions where they do not normally form. Fibroblasts spread within 1h on substrata composed of fibronectin and formed focal adhesions by 3h, as monitored by interference reflection microscopy (IRM) and by labeling for talin, vinculin and integrin beta 1 subunits. In addition, stress fibers were visible. When cells were allowed to spread for 1h and then treated with kinase inhibitors H7 and HA1004 for 2h, IRM indicated a reduction in focal adhesion formation at concentrations where protein kinase C (PKC) should be inhibited. In contrast, focal adhesions formed normally at concentrations of these inhibitors where cyclic AMP- or cyclic GMP-dependent kinases should be inactivated. Inhibition of PKC, but not that of cyclic AMP- or cyclic GMP-dependent kinases, also prevented the formation of stress fibers and induced a dispersal of talin and vinculin, but not integrin beta 1 subunits, from small condensations present at 1h. Consistent with the reduction in focal adhesion formation when PKC was inhibited, activation of PKC by 30 minutes of treatment with phorbol esters induced focal adhesion formation in cells spread for 3h on substrata composed of the cell-binding (RGD-containing) fragment of fibronectin, while untreated cells or those treated with inactive phorbol esters did not form these structures.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1992

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in Bruch's membrane of the rat.

Two monoclonal antibodies (Mab 4D5 and 2D6) raised against the core protein of a basement membrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan from Reichert's membrane of the rat, were used for ultrastructural immunoperoxidase localization of this protein in Bruch's membrane of the rat. Immunoreactivity for both antibodies was found in the basal lamina (basement membrane) of the choriocapillary endothelium and retinal pigment epithelium, in collagen fibers in the collagenous zones, and surrounding the elastic layer.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Increased proteoglycan synthesis by the cardiovascular system of coarctation hypertensive rats.

Proteoglycan (PG) synthesis in the cardiovascular system of coarctation hypertensive rats was examined by in vivo and in vitro labeling of glycosaminoglycans with 35SO4 in rats made hypertensive for short (4 days) and longer (14 days) durations. With in vivo labeling, only tissues directly exposed to elevated pressure (left ventricle, LV and aorta above the clip, AOR increases) exhibited elevated PG synthesis after 4 days of hypertension. By 14 days, tissues both exposed to (LV and AOR increases) and protected from elevated pressure (right ventricle and kidney) exhibited elevated PG synthetic rates. Slight elevations in the proportion of galactosaminoglycans were observed with a concurrent proportional decrease in heparan sulfate PGs. Using the in vitro labeling procedure, no significant increases in PG synthesis were observed in any tissue at either 4 days or 14 days of hypertension. These data indicate that: 1) coarctation hypertension stimulates PG production that is dependent initially on increased pressure and later, on additional non-pressure related factors, 2) these other factors are responsible for enhanced PG production in tissues not directly exposed to pressure overload, 3) pressure and/or these other factors are essential for enhanced PG production in coarctation hypertension, and 4) synthesis of all GAG types appears to be affected.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Human skin basement membrane-associated heparan sulphate proteoglycan: distinctive differences in ultrastructural localization as a function of developmental age.

Recent studies have demonstrated that skin basement membrane components are expressed within the dermo-epidermal junction in an orderly sequence during human foetal development. We have investigated the ultrastructural localization of basement membrane-related antigens in human foetal skin at different developmental ages using two monoclonal antibodies to a well-characterized basement membrane-associated heparan sulphate proteoglycan. A series of foetal skin specimens (range, 54-142 gestational days) were examined using an immunoperoxidase immunoelectron microscopic technique. In specimens representing very early developmental ages, very diffuse immunoreaction products were detected. However, by approximately 76 gestational days, some accentuation of heparan sulphate proteoglycan was noted along the lamina densa, and by 142 gestational days, the distribution of heparan sulphate proteoglycan was identical to that observed in neonatal and adult human skin. These findings demonstrate that active remodelling of the dermo-epidermal junction occurs during at least the first two trimesters, and affects not only basement membrane-associated structures but also specific antigens.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Enhanced assembly of basement membrane matrix by endodermal cells in response to fibronectin substrata.

Basement membranes are complex extracellular matrices contributing to the regulation of growth, migration and differentiation of many cell types. However, little is known about the mechanisms regulating the deposition and assembly of basement membrane from its constituents. We have investigated the role of extracellular matrix molecules in the control of basement membrane matrix assembly by cultured endodermal (PFHR-9) cells. In the presence of fibronectin-depleted serum, substrata of fibronectin or laminin induced an increase in deposition of laminin, type IV collagen and proteoglycans by PFHR-9 cells, in comparison to cells adherent to type I collagen-coated, vitronectin-coated or uncoated substrata. Direct effects of fibronectin or laminin on the degree of cell spreading or rate of proliferation were not responsible for enhanced matrix deposition. The effect did not result from a redirection of basement membrane components to the matrix, since there was no decrease in matrix constituents released to the culture supernatants. Furthermore, the synthesis and release of other molecules that are not basement membrane constituents was unaltered in response to different extracellular matrix substrata. Experiments with fibronectin fragments showed that a 105 x 10(3) Mr 'cell'-binding domain (containing the cell attachment sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) was an important contributor to enhanced matrix deposition, while the N-terminal 29 x 10(3) Mr heparin-binding domain also contributed to the effect, particularly with respect to heparan sulfate proteoglycan deposition. It seems that fibronectin has a dual role of action in promoting basement membrane matrix assembly, through direct cell surface interactions, and through the binding of fibronectin to other matrix components that may nucleate or stabilize the matrix assembly.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Co-deposition of basement membrane components during the induction of murine splenic AA amyloid.

Past studies have demonstrated that during murine AA amyloid induction there is co-deposition of the AA amyloid peptide and the basement membrane form of heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The synthesis and accumulation of heparan sulfate proteoglycan does not usually occur in the absence of other basement membrane components, such as type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Using immunohistochemical techniques, the present experiments have demonstrated that in addition to the heparan sulfate proteoglycan, there are other basement membrane components present in splenic AA amyloid deposits and these are present as soon as AA amyloid deposits are detectable. The results indicate that within the time constraints imposed by the experiments, the basement membrane components, fibronectin, laminin, type IV collagen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan are co-deposited 36 to 48 hours after the AgNO3 and amyloid enhancing factor induction of amyloid, the period when amyloid is first detected. These observations raise the possibility that an abnormality in basement membrane metabolism is a very early event, and potentially plays an integral part in the process of AA amyloidogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Ultrastructural localization of the core protein of a basement membrane-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in adult rat skin.

Basement membranes are complex extracellular matrices present at epithelial/mesenchymal interfaces of tissues. The dermal-epidermal junction has been shown to contain numerous components, some of the most well known being laminin, types IV and VII collagens, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, fibronectin, and entactin/nidogen. IN this paper we show, using core protein-specific antibodies, the presence of a newly described basement membrane-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan at the epithelial/mesenchymal interface of adult rat skin. Ultrastructurally, this antigen was proven to reside primarily within the basal lamina, apparently concentrated in the lamina densa. In addition, some of the proteoglycan was also present beneath the lamina densa, associated with the reticular lamina collagen fibrils.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Distribution of two basement membrane proteoglycans through hair follicle development and the hair growth cycle in the rat.

The distribution of two distinct populations of basement membrane proteoglycans has been monitored through hair growth development in the rat embryo and subsequent hair growth cycle. An antiserum against a small heparan sulfate proteoglycan uniformly stained the dermal-epidermal junction of embryonic rats throughout the period of hair follicle formation. On the other hand, monoclonal antibodies recognizing a basement membrane-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan only weakly stained 16-d embryo dermal-epidermal junction, but strong staining was associated with hair follicle buds as they developed. Through the hair growth cycle, it was found that the heparan sulfate proteoglycan persisted around the follicles, while the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan decreased in amount through catagen until it was undetectable at the base and dermal papilla of the telogen follicle. As anagen commenced, expression of the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was again demonstrated. It therefore appears that a basement membrane-specific proteoglycan shows variation in its distribution in rat skin, expression correlating with morphogenetic activity in hair follicles. It is possible that this newly described basement membrane component is involved in the complex processes of dermal-epidermal interaction that lead to skin appendage formation and growth.

Aggrecans↗
PubMed1990

Fibronectin-cell interactions.

Fibronectins are widespread extracellular matrix and body fluid glycoproteins, capable of multiple interactions with cell surfaces and other matrix components. Their structure at a molecular level has been resolved, yet there are still many unanswered questions regarding their biologic activity in vivo. Much data suggests that fibronectins may promote extracellular matrix assembly, and cell adhesion to those matrices. However, one outstanding enigma is that fibronectins may, under different circumstances, promote both cell migration and anchorage. An analysis of the interaction of fibroblasts with proteolytically derived and purified domains of plasma fibronectin revealed that the type of adhesion and the correlated cytoskeletal organization depended on multiple interactions of fibronectin domains with the cell surface. Human dermal fibroblasts were capable of interacting with the integrin-binding domain and both heparin-binding domains of the plasma fibronectin molecule and their interactions determined the type of adhesion. The same principle was seen in a study of the ability of plasma fibronectin to promote basement membrane assembly in an endodermal cell line, PF-HR9. There also, interactions of both heparin- and integrin-binding domains combined to promote the deposition of a proteoglycan, laminin, and type IV collagen-containing basement membrane matrix. The underlying conclusion from our studies is, therefore, that fibronectins may, through their different isotypes, multiple receptors, and varying interaction of one or more domains with those receptors, result in a spectrum of responses in different cell types. The molecular details of this array of biologic activities is not resolved but is the target of much current research.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Basement membrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans: localization in adult rat tissues.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been described as the major proteoglycan component of basement membranes. However, previous investigators have also provided evidence for the presence of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan in these structures. Recently we described the production and characterization of core protein-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) present in Reichert's membrane, a transient extra-embryonic structure of rodents. This CSPG was also demonstrated to be present in adult rat kidney. We report here the tissue distribution of epitopes recognized by these MAb. The ubiquitous presence of these epitopes in the basement membranes of nearly all adult rat tissues demonstrates that at least one CSPG is a constituent of most basement membranes, and by virtue of its unique distribution is distinct from other chondroitin and dermatan sulfate proteoglycans previously described.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

19-DEJ-1, a hemidesmosome-anchoring filament complex-associated monoclonal antibody. Definition of a new skin basement membrane antigenic defect in junctional and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

A murine monoclonal antibody (19-DEJ-1) was recently produced that recognizes a unique antigenic epitope of human skin basement membrane localized to the midlamina lucida exclusively in those areas bordered by overlying hemidesmosomes. To determine whether the antigen defined by 19-DEJ-1 is normally expressed in one or more forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) known to have structural and antigenic defects in skin basement membrane, we examined by indirect immunofluorescence 46 specimens of clinically normal skin from 43 patients representing each of the four forms of inherited EB (simplex, 15 patients; junctional, nine patients; dominant dystrophic, seven patients; and recessive dystrophic, 15 patients). All nine junctional EB specimens revealed absent 19-DEJ-1 binding; similarly, seven of 15 and one of six recessive and dominant dystrophic EB skin specimens, respectively, showed lack of antibody recognition. In contrast, binding was normal in 15 of 15 EB simplex specimens and five of six dominant dystrophic EB specimens. Absent binding of 19-DEJ-1 to junctional EB skin correlates well with the localization of this antigen to the region of the midlamina lucida. Its absence in approximately 50% of patients with recessive dystrophic EB further suggests, for the first time, that an inherited defect in basement membrane is shared in patients with junctional and some recessive dystrophic EB. The difference in site of skin cleavage in the latter two disorders gives additional support to the hypothesis that 19-DEJ-1 recognizes a structure, such as the anchoring filament, which both bridges the entire basement membrane and contributes to epidermal-dermal adhesion.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Entactin: ultrastructural localization of an ubiquitous basement membrane glycoprotein in mouse skin.

Entactin is a recently described sulfated glycoprotein component of mouse endodermal cell-derived extracellular matrix and is present in a number of basement membranes. It has been ultrastructurally localized to both lamina densa and adjacent epithelial cell membranes in rodent kidney. In the present study, we have sought to determine the localization of entactin in mouse skin. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy (the latter via immunoperoxidase technique) were performed on both intact and NaCl-separated mouse skin, using a well-characterized IgG class entactin-specific rat x mouse monoclonal antibody. At the light microscopic level, entactin was present in all skin basement membranes. On NaCl-split skin, staining was noted solely on the dermal portion. At the electron microscopic level, in intact skin, entactin was primarily localized to the lamina densa and adjacent upper papillary dermis. However, smaller amounts of immunoreaction products were also detectable within the lamina lucida and in close apposition to overlying hemidesmosomes. In partially separated skin, immunoreactants were similarly noted above the level of the lamina densa. However, in completely separated areas, hemidesmosomal or cell membrane staining was no longer visible. We conclude that entactin is an ubiquitous component of mouse skin basement membranes. Similar to previous findings in rodent kidney, entactin is present in multiple regions of skin basement membrane, although its primary localization remains within and directly beneath the lamina densa.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

In vivo turnover of the basement membrane and other heparan sulfate proteoglycans of rat glomerulus.

The metabolic turnover of rat glomerular proteoglycans in vivo was investigated. Newly synthesized proteoglycans were labeled during a 7-h period after injecting sodium [35S]sulfate intraperitoneally. At the end of the labeling period a chase dose of sodium sulfate was given. Subsequently at defined times (0-163 h) the kidneys were perfused in situ with 0.01% cetylpyridinium chloride in phosphate-buffered saline to maximize the recovery of 35S-proteoglycans. Glomeruli were isolated from the renal cortex and analyzed for 35S-proteoglycans by autoradiographic, biochemical, and immunochemical methods. Grain counting of autoradiographs revealed a complex turnover pattern of 35S-labeled macromolecules, commencing with a rapid phase followed by a slower phase. Biochemical analysis confirmed the biphasic pattern and showed that the total population of [35S]heparan sulfate proteoglycans had a metabolic half-life (t1/2) of 20 and 60 h in the early and late phases, respectively. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans accounted for 80% of total 35S-proteoglycans, the remainder being chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans. Whole glomeruli were extracted with 4% 3-[(cholamidopropyl)dimethy-lammonio]-1-propanesulfonate-4 M guanidine hydrochloride, a procedure which solubilized greater than 95% of the 35S-labeled macromolecules. Of these 11-13% was immunoprecipitated by an antiserum against heparan sulfate proteoglycan which, in immunolocalization experiments, showed specificity for staining the basement membrane of rat glomeruli. Autoradiographic analysis showed that 18% of total radioactivity present at the end of the labeling period was associated with the glomerular basement membrane. The glomerular basement membrane [35S]heparan sulfate proteoglycans, identified by immunoprecipitation, have a very rapid turnover with an initial phase, t1/2 = 5 h, and a later phase t1/2 = 20 h.

Animals↗