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PubMed1989

Identification and characterization of the T lymphocyte adhesion receptor for an alternative cell attachment domain (CS-1) in plasma fibronectin.

Using mAb technology (Wayner, E. A., W. G. Carter, R. Piotrowicz, and T. J. Kunicki. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 107:1881-1891), we have identified a new fibronectin receptor that is identical to the integrin receptor alpha 4 beta 1. mAbs P3E3, P4C2, and P4G9 recognized epitopes on the alpha 4 subunit and completely inhibited the adhesion of peripheral blood and cultured T lymphocytes to a 38-kD tryptic fragment of plasma fibronectin containing the carboxy-terminal Heparin II domain and part of the type III connecting segment (IIICS). The ligand in IIICS for alpha 4 beta 1 was the CS-1 region previously defined as an adhesion site for melanoma cells. The functionally defined mAbs to alpha 4 partially inhibited T lymphocyte adhesion to intact plasma fibronectin and had no effect on their attachment to an 80-kD tryptic fragment containing the RGD (arg-gly-asp) adhesion sequence. mAbs (P1D6 and P1F8) to the previously described fibronectin receptor, alpha 5 beta 1, completely inhibited T lymphocyte adhesion to the 80-kD fragment but had no effect on their attachment to the 38-kD fragment or to CS-1. Both alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 localized to focal adhesions when fibroblasts that express these receptors were grown on fibronectin-coated surfaces. These findings demonstrated a specific interaction of both receptors with fibronectin at focal contacts. In conclusion, these findings show clearly that cultured T lymphocytes use two independent receptors during attachment to fibronectin and that (a) alpha 5 beta 1 is the receptor for the RGD containing cell adhesion domain, and (b) alpha 4 beta 1 is the receptor for a carboxy-terminal cell adhesion region containing the Heparin II and IIICS domains. Furthermore, these data also show that T lymphocytes express a clear preference for a region of molecular heterogeneity in IIICS (CS-1) generated by alternative splicing of fibronectin pre-mRNA and that alpha 4 beta 1 is the receptor for this adhesion site.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

Treponema pallidum receptor binding proteins interact with fibronectin.

Analysis of plasma proteins avidly bound to T. pallidum surfaces revealed the ability of T. pallidum to acquire numerous host macromolecules. No acquisition was evident by the avirulent spirochete, T. phagedenis biotype Reiter. Western blotting technology using hyperimmune antifibronectin serum as a probe revealed the ability of virulent treponemes to avidly bind fibronectin from a complex medium such as plasma. The specificity of the tiplike adherence of motile T. pallidum to fibronectin-coated glass surfaces and to fibronectin on HEp-2 cells was reinforced by the observation that pretreatment of coverslips or cell monolayers with monospecific antiserum against fibronectin substantially reduced T. pallidum attachment. The stoichiometric binding of T. pallidum to fibronectin-coated coverslips and the inability of unlabeled or 35S-radiolabeled treponemes to interact with glass surfaces treated with other plasma proteins further established the specific nature of the interaction between virulent T. pallidum and fibronectin. The avid association between three outer envelope proteins of T. pallidum and fibronectin was also demonstrated. These treponemal surface proteins have been previously identified as putative receptor-binding proteins responsible for T. pallidum parasitism of host cells. The data suggest that surface fibronectin mediates tip-oriented attachment of T. pallidum to host cells via a receptor-ligand mechanism of recognition.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Differences in chemotaxis to fibronectin in weakly and highly metastatic tumor cells.

We have examined the chemotactic ability of tumor cell lines with different metastatic potential to plasma fibronectin in Transwell chamber assay. Human renal carcinoma cells with highly metastatic potential, SN12 C-2, chemotactically migrated to fibronectin (10 micrograms/ml) about three-fold more strongly than weakly metastatic SN12 C-4 cells. Similarly, murine melanoma B16-BL6 cells (highly metastatic) showed higher motility to soluble fibronectin in comparison with weakly metastatic B16-F1 cells. Anti-VLA-alpha 3 and beta 1 antibodies potently blocked the chemotaxis of both highly and weakly metastatic cells (SN12 C-2 and C-4) to fibronectin. This implies that the migration of both C-2 and C-4 cells to fibronectin is basically mediated by VLA-3 receptor. In contrast, the anti-VLA-alpha 5 antibody and RGDS peptide significantly inhibited the chemotaxis of SN12 C-2 cells to fibronectin, but did not affect weakly metastatic SN12 C-4 cells. These results suggest that the chemotactic ability to fibronectin positively correlates with the metastatic potential in SN12 and B16 cell lines, and that VLA-5 receptor is concerned in the motility of highly metastatic SN12 C-2 cells to soluble fibronectin.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

In vitro parasite-monocyte interactions in human leishmaniasis: possible role of fibronectin in parasite attachment.

Leishmania spp. must attach to mononuclear phagocyte surfaces before entering this host cell. We investigated the potential role of fibronectin in facilitating parasite attachment. Human plasma fibronectin bound to axenically cultured promastigotes, and promastigotes and amastigotes preferentially bound to fibronectin-coated cover slips. Promastigotes grown in the absence of fibronectin were strikingly deficient in their ability to attach to human monocytes compared with promastigotes grown in the presence of fibronectin. Rabbit anti-human plasma fibronectin antiserum decreased promastigote and amastigote attachment to monocytes. Immunoglobulin G F(ab')2 and Fab fragments also reduced the ability of amastigotes to bind to monocytes. Antiserum pretreatment of amastigotes followed by washing resulted in reduced parasite binding, whereas antibody pretreatment of monocytes did not. Addition of exogenous fibronectin did not enhance parasite attachment to monocytes. These findings suggest that Leishmania spp. can bind fibronectin and may utilize this glycoprotein to facilitate attachment to the mononuclear phagocytes that they infect.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Fibronectin-binding protein of Streptococcus pyogenes: sequence of the binding domain involved in adherence of streptococci to epithelial cells.

The sequence of the fibronectin-binding domain of the fibronectin-binding protein of Streptococcus pyogenes (Sfb protein) was determined, and its role in streptococcal adherence was investigated by use of an Sfb fusion protein in adherence studies. A 1-kb DNA fragment coding for the binding domain of Sfb protein was cloned into the expression vector pEX31 to produce an Sfb fusion protein consisting of the N-terminal part of MS2 polymerase and a C-terminal fragment of the streptococcal protein. Induction of the vector promoter resulted in hyperexpression of fibronectin-binding fusion protein in the cytoplasm of the recombinant Escherichia coli cells. Sequence determination of the cloned 1-kb fragment revealed an in-frame reading frame for a 268-amino-acid peptide composed of a 37-amino-acid sequence which is completely repeated three times and incompletely repeated a fourth time. Cloning of one repeat into pEX31 resulted in expression of small fusion peptides that show fibronectin-binding activity, indicating that one repeat contains at least one binding domain. Each repeat exhibits two charged domains and shows high homology with the 38-amino-acid D3 repeat of the fibronectin-binding protein of Staphylococcus aureus. Sequence comparison with other streptococcal ligand-binding surface proteins, including M protein, failed to reveal significant homology, which suggests that Sfb protein represents a novel type of functional protein in S. pyogenes. The Sfb fusion protein isolated from the cytoplasm of recombinant cells was purified by fast protein liquid chromatography. It showed a strong competitive inhibition of fibronectin binding to S. pyogenes and of the adherence of bacteria to cultured epithelial cells. In contrast, purified streptococcal lipoteichoic acid showed only a weak inhibition of fibronectin binding and streptococcal adherence. These results demonstrate that Sfb protein is directly involved in the fibronectin-mediated adherence of S. pyogenes to epithelial cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Generation of fibronectin receptors on macrophages by wheat germ lectin.

A chymotrypsin-derived and 125I-labelled 125-kDa fragment of human plasma fibronectin which contained the cell binding site, was only weakly bound by peritoneal macrophages of guinea pigs and binding was not saturable. In presence of wheat germ lectin binding increased proportionally to the logarithm of the lectin concentration. Association of 125I-fragment with cells was partially prevented by non-labelled fragment indicating a saturable receptor-ligand interaction. An apparent affinity constant of about 2--4 x 10(-5) M was evaluated. A considerable fraction of the cell-bound 125I-fragment resisted removal by proteases suggesting that it was internalized. In order to investigate an influence of wheat germ lectin on the binding of 125I-fibronectin by the cells the macrophages were preincubated with the lectin followed by washing and evaluation of 125I-fibronectin binding. A simultaneous incubation of the cells with 125I-fibronectin and lectin was impractical due to partial interaction of the two proteins giving rise to some unspecific precipitates. Preincubation with wheat germ lectin considerably improved the capacity of the macrophages for binding of 125I-fibronectin. Again the binding of 125I-labelled protein could be restricted by unlabelled one. N-acetyl-glucosamine inhibited the binding of 125I-fibronectin by wheat germ lectin-treated cells if applied in the preincubation phase and more effectively, if applied in the final 125I-fibronectin binding assay. N-Acetylneuraminic acid also inhibited this step. In addition to wheat germ lectin concanavalin A was capable of generating fibronectin receptors on the cell surface. Soy bean lectin, however, was ineffective.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Different integrins mediate cell spreading, haptotaxis and lateral migration of HaCaT keratinocytes on fibronectin.

Collaborative role of various fibronectin-binding integrins (alpha5beta1, alphavbeta1 and alphavbeta6) as mediators of cell adhesion and migration on fibronectin was studied using cultured HaCaT keratinocytes. This cell line spontaneously expressed all three fibronectin-binding integrins. In addition, the expression of alphavbeta6 integrin was strongly and specifically upregulated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) whereas the amount of other integrins remained practically unchanged on the cell surface. Adhesion, spreading and motility of HaCaT keratinocytes on fibronectin were promoted by TGFbeta1. Based on antibody blocking experiments, both untreated and TGFbeta1-treated HaCaT cells used alphavbeta6 integrin as their main fibronectin receptor for cell spreading. In contrast to TGFbeta1-treated cells, the untreated cells also needed alpha5beta1 integrin for maximal cell spreading on fibronectin. Combinations of antibodies blocking both of these receptors totally prevented spreading of both untreated and TGFbeta1-treated cells. Haptotactic motility of individual HaCaT cells through fibronectin-coated membranes was again mainly dependent on alphavbeta6 integrin, while alphavbeta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins played a lesser role both in untreated and TGFbeta1-treated HaCaT cells. However, unlike haptotaxis, lateral migration of HaCaT cell sheet was mainly mediated by beta1 integrins, and alphavbeta6 integrin showed a minor role. The migration process appeared to involve a number of beta1 integrins that could adaptively replace each other when blocking antibodies were present. Thus, keratinocytes appear to use different fibronectin receptors for different functions, such as cell spreading, haptotaxis and lateral migration. The cells can also adapt to a situation where one receptor is unfunctional by switching to another receptor of the same ligand.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1992

Differential adhesion of rat colon carcinoma cells to fibronectin in relation to their tumorigenicity.

We examined the fibronectin-adhesive properties of clones from a rat colonic cell line exhibiting distinct tumorigenicity in a syngeneic host. These cells were originally selected on the basis of differential adhesion to plastic surfaces. The TR cell line, when injected subcutaneously, forms a tumour which grows progressively and gives off metastases, whereas the TS cell line forms a small tumour which regresses within a few weeks. The regression is largely mediated by immunological factors and involves a fibroblastic reaction. REGb, a clone from the TS subline, adhered better to fibronectin or RGDS tetrapeptide than did PROb, a clone from the TR subline. However, there was little binding to the RGD tripeptide with either clone. The degree of adhesion was dependent on time and substrate concentration. After 6 h of incubation, 38% and 55% respectively of PROb and REGb cells bound to plates coated with 10 micrograms/ml fibronectin. Adhesion of both clones to fibronectin was inhibited to various degrees when cells were preincubated with RGDS, GRGDS or GRADSPK peptides, whereas other synthetic peptides such as RGD, GRGD or GRGFSPK were ineffective. Binding experiments using 125I-labelled fibronectin showed 39,000 fibronectin receptor sites on REGb cells but only 17,000 on PROb cells. Flow cytometry analysis using both anti-alpha 5 and anti-beta 1 integrins showed more fibronectin receptor sites on REGb than on PROb cells. Both approaches were in accordance with the higher adhesiveness of the REGb clone to fibronectin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Spreading of cultured corneal epithelial cells on fibronectin and other extracellular matrices.

Previous investigations demonstrated that fibronectin is an essential adhesive glycoprotein for the corneal epithelial cells. Fibronectin mediates attachment and spreading of the corneal epithelial cells. However, it seems to be important to know the changes in cellular receptor activity in order to understand the interactions of corneal epithelial cells and underlying extracellular matrix. In this investigation, we studied the effects of various culture times and conditions on the receptor activity of rabbit corneal epithelial cells for fibronectin. The cultured cells were placed on tissue culture plates that were coated with various concentrations of four extracellular matrices: fibronectin, laminin and collagen types I and IV. Freshly isolated corneal epithelial cells without culture did not spread on fibronectin and laminin; they spread only on collagen types I and IV. When the epithelial cells were cultured for 12 h or more, they spread on fibronectin. However, the spreading of the cells on collagen types I and IV was the same regardless of the culture period (up to 20 h). Only a small number of epithelial cells spread on laminin at the highest concentration examined after culture for 12 h or more. Thus, the corneal epithelial cells responded differently to fibronectin, collagen types I and IV, and laminin. Perhaps the receptor for fibronectin appears when epithelial cells are cultured, but the receptor(s) for collagen types I and IV are always present on the cell surface of corneal epithelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Extracellular matrix and embryonal morphogenesis: role of fibronectin in cell migration].

The neural crest provides a useful paradigm for cell migration and modulations in cell adhesion during morphogenesis. In the present review, we describe the major findings on the role of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein fibronectin and its corresponding integrin receptor in the locomotory behavior of neural crest cells. In vivo, fibronectin is associated with the migratory routes of neural crest cells and, in some cases, it disappears from the environment of the cells as they stop migrating. In vitro, neural crest cells show a great preference for fibronectin substrates as compared to other matrix molecules. Both in vivo and in vitro, neural crest cell migration can be specifically inhibited by antibodies or peptides that interfere with the binding of fibronectin to its integrin receptor. However, the migratory behavior of neural crest cells cannot result solely from the interaction with fibronectin. Thus, neural crest cells exhibit a particular organization of integrin receptors on their surface and develop a cytoskeletal network which differs from that of non-motile cells. These properties are supposed to permit rapid changes in the shape of cells and to favor a transient adhesion to the substratum. Recent findings have established that different forms of fibronectin may occur, which differ by short sequences along the molecule. The functions of most of these sequences are not known, except for 1 of them which carries a binding site for integrin receptors. We have demonstrated that this site is recognized by neural crest cells and plays a crucial role in their displacement. It is therefore possible that the forms of fibronectin carrying this sequence are not evenly distributed in the embryo, thus allowing migrating neural crest cells to orientate in the embryo. Fibronectin would then not only play a permissive role in embryonic cell motility, but have an instructive function in cell behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Binding of plasma fibronectin to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in normal subjects and patients with aplastic anemia and thyroid dysfunction.

The binding of iodine 125-labeled fibronectin to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from human peripheral blood was examined. The optimum temperature and time for the binding were 37 degrees C and 30 minutes, respectively. On increase in the amount of 125I-labeled fibronectin, its binding to PMNs became saturated. Scatchard analysis of data on binding indicated the presence of a single class of binding sites. PMNs from 15 normal subjects had approximately 6.3 +/- 1.6 x 10(3) sites per cell and a dissociation constant of 10.2 +/- 2.4 x 10(-9) mol/L, indicating that they had high affinity for soluble fibronectin. Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser inhibited the binding of fibronectin to PMNs, strongly suggesting that the fibronectin receptor is one of the Arg-Gly-Asp receptor family. The plasma level of fibronectin was higher in patients with hyperthyroidism and lower in patients with hypothyroidism than in normal subjects, without any significant change in the number of fibronectin binding sites of the PMNs. However, the number of binding sites of fibronectin on PMNs of patients with aplastic anemia was increased, probably because of sensitization of the PMNs with immune complex and other factors.

Anemia, Aplastic↗
PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of a fibronectin receptor from Staphylococcus aureus.

Attachment of bacteria to the host tissue is considered a first step in the development of many infections. Previous studies have shown that fibronectin, a protein shown to mediate substrate adhesion of eukaryotic cells, also binds to some pathogenic bacteria and mediates the tissue adherence of these prokaryotes. In the present communication, we report on the isolation and characterization of a fibronectin receptor from Staphylococcus aureus strain Newman. A 210-kDa fibronectin binding protein was isolated from a bacterial lysate by affinity chromatography followed by gel chromatography. Additional smaller peptides with fibronectin binding properties were also obtained. These peptides seem to represent degradation products of the large receptor protein since the former dominated when the purification was carried out in the absence of protease inhibitors. Furthermore, degradation of the purified receptor protein by staphylococcal V8 protease generated a large number of peptides that retained fibronectin binding activity. This observation also suggests that the large receptor protein contains several binding sites for fibronectin, and analysis of the binding of the 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment to the 210-kDa receptor adsorbed in microtiter wells suggests that one receptor molecule can bind six to nine fibronectin molecules.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1984

The role of fibronectin in monocyte/macrophage function.

"Fibronectin" is a term describing a class of immuno-chemically related glycoproteins that are found in blood, in connective tissues, and in most basement membranes. All types of fibronectins have distinct binding domains that serve to mediate an adhesive function between collagen, cells (e.g., fibroblasts, macrophages), fibrin(ogen), and/or certain glycosaminoglycans (e.g., heparin). Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytic cells which collectively comprise the "mononuclear phagocytic" system. Plasma fibronectin (CIg) mediates: a) the attachment of monocytes to gelatin-coated surfaces; and b) the attachment of gelatin-coated RBCs or latex particles to surface-bound monocytes. This process was mediated only by surface-bound forms of fibronectin. Particle attachment to cells, per se, was not associated with augmented particle ingestion, although particle binding did result in increased expression of the monocyte C3 and Fc receptors. These data indicate that monocytes have surface receptors for fibronectin. It appears that the relatively strong affinity between fibrin and fibronectin may provide a mechanism for recognition and subsequent clearance of fibrin-fibrinogen complexes from the blood by attachment to fibronectin receptors on mononuclear phagocytes. One can also speculate that fibronectin binds to exposed or denatured collagen at sites of injury, leading to macrophage attachment and differentiation. Such events probably play an important role in wound organization and healing.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1994

Substrate-specific binding of the amino terminus of fibronectin to an integrin complex in focal adhesions.

The assembly of fibronectin fibrils involves the amino-terminal and cell adhesion domains of fibronectin as well as alpha 5 beta 1 integrins. Efficient binding of biotinylated or radioiodinated 70-kDa amino-terminal fragments occurred only if fibroblasts were plated on fibronectin or on 180- or 85-kDa cell adhesion fragments of fibronectin. On an 11.5-kDa fragment of fibronectin that included the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, but not the synergy site, binding was reduced 50-fold. Conformation of the 180-kDa fragment was important for direct binding interactions with the amino terminus of fibronectin. No binding was seen if cells were plated on type I collagen, vitronectin, RGD peptides or antibodies to alpha 5 beta 1 integrins. High affinity interactions between invasin and alpha 5 beta 1 integrin promoted low levels of binding. Monoclonal antibodies that blocked the function of either the RGD or the synergy site inhibited binding of 125I-labeled 70-kDa fragments to cells by approximately 60%. By fluorescence and interference reflection microscopy, biotinylated 70-kDa fragments were shown to co-localize with alpha 5 beta 1 integrins in focal adhesions. We propose that cell-mediated binding of the amino terminus of fibronectin involves interactions with both fibronectin and its alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptor in an activated complex.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Platelet adhesion to fibronectin in flow: the importance of von Willebrand factor and glycoprotein Ib.

We describe glycoprotein (GP) Ib as a mediator of adhesion to fibronectin, specifically in flow. A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) directed to the von Willebrand factor (vWF)-binding site on this receptor or the absence of this receptor on the platelet membrane, in the case of a patient with the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, reduced platelet coverage to fibronectin to approximately 30% of the control value. A MoAb directed to the GP Ib-binding site on vWF showed a similar effect. With washed platelets in the absence of plasma vWF, the inhibitory effect of the anti-GP Ib antibody was the same as with whole blood. No inhibition with the anti-GP Ib antibody was observed when we used blood from patients with severe von Willebrand disease (vWD) or from a patient with vWD type I (platelet low). Addition of vWF to vWD blood resulted in restoration of adhesion. Immunoelectron microscopy on platelets adhering to fibronectin showed that GP Ib was homogeneously distributed over the entire surface of the platelet. vWF was present at the central zone and the edges of the platelet and at the basal interface between the platelet and the fibronectin surface. No direct binding of vWF to fibronectin could be demonstrated. These data indicate that GP Ib-mediated adhesion to fibronectin fully depends on vWF and that normal levels of plasma or platelet vWF are sufficient for optimal adhesion to fibronectin. The data suggest that the presence of platelets during perfusion is a prerequisite for vWF to support platelet adhesion to fibronectin.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Fibronectin does not enhance epidermal growth factor-mediated acceleration of corneal epithelial wound closure.

Concomitant use of epidermal growth factor and fibronectin for the treatment of corneal epithelial wounds has a putative advantage of promoting complementary aspects of wound healing: epidermal growth factor enhances mitosis, while fibronectin increases cell-to-substrate adhesiveness and possibly cell motility. To determine if the combination of epidermal growth factor and fibronectin is synergistic in accelerating the speed of corneal epithelial wound coverage, epithelial wound closure rates were compared in serum-free rat corneal organ cultures among epidermal growth factor alone, fibronectin alone, their combination, and drug-free controls. Epidermal growth factor (50 to 1000 ng/mL) significantly increased the rate of wound closure over that of the drug-free controls, while fibronectin (50 to 100 micrograms/mL) had not significant effect. Wound closure rates with combined epidermal growth factor and fibronectin were no faster than with epidermal growth factor alone. The results indicate that fibronectin does not accelerate the rate of corneal epithelial migration when used alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor. This may reflect that the major role of fibronectin may be in the enhancement of cell-to-substrate adhesion and not of migration per se.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Changes in the extracellular matrix components fibronectin and laminin during immune rejection of skeletal muscle.

Extracellular matrix is known to play an important role during development and maintenance of various tissues. In the present study, changes in two extracellular matrix glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin, were investigated in skeletal muscle undergoing immune rejection. Purified antibodies against fibronectin and laminin were used to analyze the matrix by indirect immunofluorescence at various intervals after transplantation of extensor digitorum longus muscle in rats. Fibronectin and laminin were localized in the pericellular basement membrane zone of the normal myofibers; however, the cytoplasm was devoid of both glycoproteins. Transplanted muscle grafts underwent a process of degeneration and then an initial regeneration during the first 7 days. This regeneration effort ceased with the onset of muscle rejection in 14-day transplants. At this time, fibronectin was seen in the cytoplasmic region as well as the extracellular matrix of myofibers and myotubes. At later time intervals, an increased intensity of staining for fibronectin was seen throughout the rejected muscle. In muscle grafts undergoing regeneration but not rejection (i.e., nonantigenic grafts), such an increase in the presence of fibronectin was not seen ( Gulati et al., 1982). The distribution of laminin did not change during the rejection process and was localized in the basement membrane zone of myofibers and myotubes, although the overall configuration of the basement membranes was deformed and collapsed. It appears that the basement membranes are resistant to degradation, and staining for laminin persists in rejected muscle. These results show marked changes in the extracellular matrix of muscle undergoing rejection. The appearance of fibronectin during the initial stages of muscle rejection may have a causal relationship to the process of immune defence mechanism; however, the exact role of fibronectin remains elusive.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Endotoxin-induced endothelial injury and subendothelial accumulation of fibronectin in rat aorta.

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) induces endothelial injury in arterial vessels. Fibronectin is known to be involved in cell attachment and wound repair. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of LPS on the production and distribution of fibronectin in relation to injury and repair in rat aortic endothelium. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed for ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evaluations at 1, 3, 6, 24, and 48 hr after a single intravenous injection of 1.5 or 3 mg/kg body weight E. coli LPS. Apparent morphological signs of endothelial injury, including cell detachment, denudation, cell death, and edema were observed 1-48 hr after injection. Parietal thrombosis and leukocyte diapedesis were also observed in the aorta. A profound increase in subendothelial fibronectin was found following LPS treatment. However, no distinct change in intracellular fibronectin was observed in the same endothelium until 24 hr after injection. Using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and anti-fibronectin-HRP antibody as tracers, LPS was also found to increase permeability and extravasation of plasma proteins (fibronectin) of the aortic endothelium. The increase of subendothelial fibronectin possibly resulted from increased influx and sequestration of plasma fibronectin. This increase may provide a firm substratum for reendothelialization after vascular injury.

Animals↗