PMID: 7539439Feb 1, 1995Paper

Evidence that tenascin and thrombospondin-1 modulate sprouting of endothelial cells

Journal of Cell Science
A E Canfield, A M Schor

Abstract

Cultured endothelial cells undergo a reversible transition from a resting (cobblestone) phenotype to an angiogenic (sprouting) phenotype. This transition mimics the early events of angiogenesis. We have previously reported that the addition of exogenous xylosides inhibits endothelial cel sprouting and modifies the extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesised by the cells. We have now investigated whether endothelial sprouting is mediated by the nature of the extracellular matrix in contact with the cells. Accordingly, cell-free matrices deposited by bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were isolated. These matrices were produced under conditions in which the formation of the sprouting phenotype was permitted (controls) or inhibited (by the addition of exogenous xylosides). BAEC were then plated on these matrices and grown under conditions which promote sprouting. Sprouting proceeded normally on control matrices, whereas it was inhibited when the cells were grown on matrices deposited in the presence of xylosides. The composition of the permissive and inhibitory matrices was then analysed. Inhibitory matrices contained reduced levels of tenascin and increased levels of thrombospondin-1 by comparison to the permissive matrices. In co...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cell Adhesion Molecules in the Brain

Cell adhesion molecules found on cell surface help cells bind with other cells or the extracellular matrix to maintain structure and function. Here is the latest research on their role in the brain.