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K Turksen

Publications and source records attributed to K Turksen.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cytoskeleton, adhesion, and extracellular matrix of fetal human retinal pigmented epithelial cells in culture.

Small sheets of human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells isolated from 6- to 9-week-old fetal human eyes were used to establish RPE cells in culture. After 4-5 days in culture the RPE cells in various parts of a colony were examined by immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy to determine the distribution of the cytoskeletal proteins tubulin, myosin, F-actin, vimentin, and cytokeratin and the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and type IV collagen. The extracellular matrix components laminin and type IV collagen, which are abundant underneath the RPE cells in the centre of the colony, progressively decrease in amount towards the edge of the colony. Microtubules labeled by antisera to tubulin were present in the cytoplasm of RPE cells throughout the colony. F-actin and myosin were found in stress fibres in the RPE cells at the edge of the colony and in compact circumferential rings circumscribing the apical ends in RPE cells in the centre of the colony. Examination of cell-substratum adhesion patterns by interference reflection microscopy showed that focal contacts were present only in RPE cells at the edge of the colony where they were located at the ends of the stress fibres. The large focal adhesions previously observed in colonies of chick RPE cells, however, were not seen in human RPE cells. Human RPE cells throughout the colony had cytokeratin-containing intermediate filaments as well as vimentin-containing intermediate filaments, whereas only the latter were observed in chick RPE cells. These results indicate that in the general organization of the cytoskeleton and in the distribution of the extracellular matrix components, laminin and type IV collagen, colonies of human RPE cells are similar but not identical to colonies of chick RPE cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Adhesion patterns and cytoskeleton of rabbit osteoclasts on bone slices and glass.

The ability of osteoclasts (OC) to migrate and resorb bone is thought to be dependent on cytoskeletal function and adhesion. Therefore, we investigated the cytoskeleton and the adhesion patterns of rabbit OC on glass and on devitalized bone slices, using specific antibodies to cytoskeletal elements and fluorescence and interference reflection microscopy. Microtubules (MT) were similar in OC on both substrata, and appeared in a pattern typical of that described for many cells. Multiple centriolar complexes were observed in most OC, either as one large aggregate in the center of the cell or dispersed singly or in small aggregates close to individual nuclei. Staining of microfilaments (MF) was similar on both substrata and appeared primarily as an F-actin network. MF distribution was different in OC associated with resorption lacunae with intense staining over those regions. In the OC on glass, high F-actin staining was detectable at the periphery in dots and rosette-like structures, which also stained for vinculin. The adhesion patterns indicated that OC on glass do not make large focal contacts, but appear to make a few tiny focal contacts that are not associated with the rosette-like structures. Most of the undersurface of the OC appeared either to be involved in close contacts or to be separated by distances of greater than 100 nm from the substratum. These studies indicate that the MF distribution and the adhesion patterns of rabbit OC are typical of motile cells, that the distribution of the cytoskeleton of rabbit OC on glass and on bone slices is similar, and that MF may be involved in the morphological changes associated with resorption.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

The cytoskeleton of chick retinal pigment epithelial cells in situ.

Gelatin-coated slides were used to obtain en face preparations of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from 6- to 21-day-old chick embryos in order to study the distribution of F-actin in microfilaments (MF) and the MF-associated proteins, myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin and vinculin in situ at different stages of development by fluorescence microscopy. The epithelial sheets were fixed in formaldehyde and then extracted in a solution containing 0.1% Triton X-100. NBD-Phallacidin was used to visualize the F-actin in MF, and antisera against myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin and vinculin were used to determine the distribution of these four MF-associated proteins. F-actin, myosin, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin and vinculin were present in cortical rings around the apical ends of the RPE cells throughout this period of development. Of these proteins, only F-actin was identified in the apical processes of RPE cells. The increase in the amount of F-actin could be followed as the length and the number of apical processes increased with age and maturation of RPE cells. F-actin was first detected in numerous short apical processes on the surface of each RPE cell on day 12. From day 12 to day 17, they were at an intermediate stage of elongation and from day 17 onward all of the RPE cells had long F-actin-containing apical processes. These results indicate that the F-actin-containing MF assemble much later in the apical processes than in the cortical rings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Preliminary characterization of cell surface-extracellular matrix linkage complexes in cultured retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

In this report, we describe the relative distribution of vinculin, talin, and fibronectin in cultured retinal pigmented epithelial cells from chick embryo eyes. We show that in these cells vinculin is present in both focal cell-substratum and cell-cell contacts, whereas talin is present only in the cell-substratum contacts. When cells are double-labeled for talin and fibronectin and viewed at the substratum level, fibronectin is not detectable and talin is concentrated in plaques corresponding to focal contacts. However, when the same cells are viewed at the apical level, both talin and fibronectin are present in a fibrillar pattern. In addition to fibrils which are both talin- and fibronectin-positive, there are areas which are either talin-positive and fibronectin-negative or, vice versa, talin-negative and fibronectin-positive. These observations indicate an interesting variability in the composition of transmembrane linkages in retinal pigmented epithelial cells in vitro.

Animals↗

Effects of iodoacetic acid on cytoskeleton and adhesiveness of the chick RPE cells in vitro.

The retinotoxic, sulfhydryl-binding drug, iodoacetic acid (IAA), affects embryonic chick retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells grown in primary cultures in a reversible, dose-dependent manner. A dose of 5 X 10(-4) M which produces drastic cell shape changes in about 90 min was chosen to study the effects of IAA on the organization of cytoskeleton and adhesiveness in RPE cells. After treatment of cells with IAA microtubules depolymerize and F-actin becomes redistributed from numerous stress fibers to knob-like aggregates. Vinculin is released from focal contacts and adhesions into the cytosol and, at the same time, adhesiveness of the RPE cells to substratum decreases. Since RPE in vitro is susceptible to the action of IAA, it seems possible that also in vivo some of the retinotoxic effects of IAA might be attributed to its damaging influence on the RPE. Thus, the retinotoxic effects of IAA in vivo cannot be solely attributed to the selective degeneration of photoreceptors by this agent.

Animals↗

Adhesiveness and distribution of vinculin and spectrin in retinal pigmented epithelial cells during growth and differentiation in vitro.

Colonies of chick retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells offer an excellent model system for studying the organization of cytoskeleton in sheets of differentiating epithelial cells. The cells occupying the center of the colony resemble RPE cells in vivo and are cuboidal, pigmented, and relatively nonadherent while those toward the periphery gradually become flatter, nonpigmented, motile, and strongly adherent to the substratum. Immunofluorescence microscopy with antiserum against chicken erythrocyte alpha-spectrin reveals that this protein is present in the cortex of RPE cells in all parts of the colony. It is neither concentrated in, nor excluded from the regions occupied by the major microfilament bundles, and its distribution is not related to the adhesion patterns visualized by surface reflection interference microscopy. In contrast, the distribution of vinculin is closely correlated with the adhesiveness of RPE cells in different parts of the colony. Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that in the RPE cells vinculin may be diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm; present in a cortical band outlining the cell borders; and present in focal contacts and adhesions. The distribution of vinculin is affected by the length of time the colonies grow in culture, by the degree of cell packing and by the adhesiveness of cells to the substratum. In RPE cells grown in vitro for short periods (less than or equal to 3 days) vinculin is found in focal contacts and adhesions in both the undifferentiated, well spread peripheral cells as well as in the differentiated, polygonally packed central cells of the colony. In RPE cells cultured for longer periods (greater than or equal to 14 days) vinculin is present in focal contacts and adhesions only in strongly adherent, undifferentiated cells at the edge of the colony. In packed central cells of both short- and long-term cultures vinculin is found in the cortical band which circumscribes the apical ends of cells at the level of the adherens type intercellular junctions. Its appearance in the cortical bands does not depend on the length of time the colonies are grown in vitro but on the presence of cell-cell contacts resulting from an increased degree of cell packing within the central part of the colony. These results are discussed in relation to the development and the role of extracellular matrix in determining the adhesiveness of RPE cells in vitro.

Animals↗

Localization of laminin, type IV collagen, fibronectin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan in chick retinal pigment epithelium basement membrane during embryonic development.

Type IV collagen, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and fibronectin were localized in the basement membrane (BM) of chick retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during various stages of eye development. At different times over a 4-17 day period after fertilization, chick embryo eyes were dissected, fixed in periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde, and 6 micron frozen sections through the central regions of the eye were prepared. Sections were postfixed in -20 degrees C methanol and stained immediately by indirect immunofluorescence using sheep anti-mouse laminin, sheep antimouse type IV collagen, rabbit anti-mouse heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and mouse monoclonal anti-porcine plasma fibronectin. Fluorescein-labeled F(ab')2 fragments of the appropriate immunoglobulins (IgGs) were used as secondary antibodies. Laminin could be readily demonstrated in the BM of the RPE during all stages of development. The staining for type IV collagen, fibronectin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan HSPG) was less intense than that for laminin, but was also localized in the BM along the basal side of the RPE. In addition to staining the BM, antiserum to HSPG, gave a diffuse labeling from day 9 onward, above the RPE extending into the region of the photoreceptors. Whereas the intensity of staining generally increased between day 4 and day 17 of development, the distribution of the different BM components did not change. Hence the presence of type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and HSPG in the BM of RPE in vivo during all the stages of development investigated supports the concept that these macromolecules are important basic components of this, and other, BMs. Furthermore, these results indicate that the composition of the BM of RPE cells in vivo is similar to the BM material deposited by RPE cells in vitro (Turksen K, Aubin JE, Sodek JE, Kalnins VI: Collagen Rel Res, 4:413-426, 1984) and that the in vitro cultures can therefore serve as a useful model for studying BM formation.

Animals↗

Changes in the distribution of laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen and heparan sulfate proteoglycan during colony formation by chick retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

Retinal pigment epithelial cells isolated by non-enzymatic means from 8 day old chick embryos were grown as explants on glass coverslips in culture. Retinal pigment epithelial cells grown in this way form colonies in which three zones, each containing cells with distinctly different morphology, pigmentation, adhesion pattern and cytoskeletal organization, can be distinguished (Turksen et al., 1983). Using specific antisera against laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan, we have found differences in the distribution of these basement membrane components in the three zones of each colony. When cells were stained with laminin, type IV collagen and fibronectin antibodies, extensive filamentous arrays were observed on the substratum side of the cells. In contrast to type IV collagen which was deposited to a similar degree in all three zones of each colony, laminin and fibronectin were most prominent in the central zone in which the packed cuboidal differentiated cells are located. In contrast to the other components, the heparan sulfate proteoglycan appeared to be associated primarily with the cell surface. Our results support the general view that basement membrane components could influence cell shape through an effect on the cytoskeleton, and play a role in the maintenance and expression of the differentiated state. Thus retinal pigment epithelial cells might provide a very useful model system for studying the interactions between the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrices and the biosynthesis of the BM components in epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Microtubules, microfilaments and adhesion patterns in differentiating chick retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro.

The distribution of microtubules (MT), microfilaments (MF), and patterns of cell-to-substratum adhesion were studied by tubulin antibody labeling, NBD-phallacidin staining and by reflection interference contrast (RIC) microscopy respectively in colonies of differentiating RPE cells obtained from explants after 10 days in culture. In each colony three zones could be identified: a central zone of packed well-differentiated cuboidal cells (zone 1), an intermediate zone of more flattened, pleomorphic cells (zone 2) and a peripheral zone of very spread cells at the edge of the colony (zone 3). As visualized with antibodies to tubulin, the MT distribution in cells of each zone was distinctly different and correlated well with differences in cell shape. Changes in the distribution of MF were more striking. In the cuboidal well-differentiated cells of zone 1, prominent cortical bands but no stress fibers were observed after staining with NBD-phallacidin and RIC microscopy showed that the cells lacked strong adhesion to the substratum. Stress fibers, in addition to cortical bands of MF, were seen in the more spread, less differentiated cells of zone 2 and focal contacts were observed when these cells were examined by RIC microscopy. The flattened least differentiated cells in zone 3 lacked cortical bands but had prominent stress fibers. These cells displayed a variety of adhesion forms ranging from a mosaic of far and close contacts to numerous focal contacts and broad focal adhesions. Our results show that as the RPE cells display less differentiated morphologies, i.e. are more flattened and less densely packed towards the edge of the colony, there is a gradual decrease in the cortical bands of MF and an increase in the number and prominence of stress fibers. This increase in numbers of stress fibers is correlated with an increase in the cell adhesiveness to the substratum, as estimated by RIC microscopy. These results strongly support the general observation that normal epithelial cells in colonies tend to adhere to the substratum more strongly by marginal cells than by the more differentiated centrally located cuboidal cells which have well developed intercellular contacts.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical studies of intermediate filament aggregates and their relationship to microtubules in cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with giant axonal neuropathy.

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a severe autosomal recessive disease affecting both the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is characterized by segmental axonal ballooning due to large neurofilamentous masses and abnormal aggregation of filaments in other cell types including glial cells. Coomassie blue staining of the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton of cultured skin fibroblasts from three patients with GAN revealed the presence of large cytoplasmic filamentous aggregates in the great majority of cells. The aggregates were birefringent when viewed under polarization microscopy and electron microscopy showed that they were composed of aggregates of 8 to 10 nm intermediate filaments. The aggregates stained with antisera specific for vimentin but did not stain with antibodies to actin, tubulin, or the high molecular weight (HMW) microtubule associated protein. Examination of the fibroblasts containing the vimentin aggregates with antibodies to tubulin and the HMW protein showed that they had a normal distribution of microtubules and that the microtubules present were normally associated with the HMW protein. The results suggest that giant axonal neuropathy is a generalized inborn error of organization of intermediate filaments and that a defect in microtubules or their association with HMW protein is not responsible for the observed aggregation of intermediate filaments in this disease. Further study of GAN may be useful in understanding the function of intermediate filaments.

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