• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to prepare an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) for cell culture by using polymer hydrogels. The polymer used is a cytocompatible water-soluble phospholipid polymer: poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-n-butyl methacrylate-p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl poly(ethylene oxide) methacrylate (MEONP)] (PMBN). The hydrogels are prepared using a cross-linking reaction between PMBN and diamine compounds, which can easily react to the MEONP moiety under mild conditions. The most favorable diamine is the bis(3-aminopropyl) poly(ethylene oxide) (APEO). The effects of cross-linking density and the chemical structure of cross-linking molecules on the mechanical properties of the hydrogel are evaluated. The storage modulus of the hydrogel is tailored by tuning the PMBN concentration and the MEONP/amino group ratio. The porous structure of the hydrogel networks depends not only on these parameters but also on the reaction temperature. We prepare a hydrogel with $40-50{\mu}m$ diameter pores and more than 90 wt% swelling. The permeation of proteins through the hydrogel increases dramatically with an increase in pore size. To induce cell adhesion, the cell-attaching oligopeptide, RGDS, is immobilized onto the hydrogel using MEONP residue. Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) are cultured on the hydrogel matrix and are able to migrate into the artificial matrix. Hence, the RGDS-modified PMBN hydrogel matrix with cross-linked APEO functions as an artificial ECM for growing cells for applications in tissue engineering.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

When mammalian oocytes undergo maturation, cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte exhibit remodeling of their structure known as cumulus expansion. Many molecules including hyaluronic acid participate in this remodeling. The present study aimed to investigate a possible existence of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the extracellular matrix(ECM) of human oocyte-cumulus complex. ECM was extracted from the human oocyte-cumulus complex. Gelatin gel zymogram of ECM exhibited 7 gelatinases having molecular weight of 300kDa, 240kDa, 200kDa, 180kDa, 116kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa. This gelatinase profile was very different from that of ovarian mural granulosa cell extract or white blood cell extract, indicating that the oocyte-cumulus complex donating ECM was free from other than cumulus cells. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or 1', 10'-phenanthroline was added to the reaction buffer during zymographic development, almost gelatinase activities were abolished, suggesting that they were MMPs. Following incubation of ECM in the presence of aminophenylmercuric acetate, an activator of proMMPs, 4 gelatinases of 240kDa, 180kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa disappeared with the concomitant appearance of 80kDa, 65kDa, and 60kDa gelatinases. Based upon these observation, it is suggested that ECM of the human oocyte-cumulus complex consists of gelatinases, presumed to be MMP-2 and MMP-9 isoforms.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.544-551
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• 2015

Background Changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occur between the proliferating and involuted phases of infantile hemangiomas (IH), and are associated with angiogenic growth. We examined the composition of the ECM in proliferating and involuted IHs and assessed correlations between the composition of the ECM and whether the IH was in the proliferating or the involuted phase. Methods We evaluated IH samples from a cohort of patients who had five proliferating IHs and five involuted IHs. The following ECM molecules were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry: laminin, fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type II, and collagen type III. Results The involuted IHs had higher levels of deposition of collagen type III than the proliferating IHs. The median values (interquartile ranges) were 1.135 (0.946-1.486) and 1.008 (0.780- 1.166) (P=0.019), respectively. The level of laminin was higher in involuted IHs than in proliferating IHs, with median values (interquartile ranges) of 3.191 (2.945-3.191) and 2.479 (1.699- 3.284) (P=0.047), respectively. Abundant collagen type III staining was found in involuted IHs. Laminin ${\alpha}4$ chain staining was clearly present within the basement membrane adjacent to the blood vessels, and was significantly more intense in involuted IHs than in proliferative IHs. Conclusions Involuted hemangiomas showed extensive deposition of collagen III and laminin, suggesting that differences in the composition of the ECM reflect stages of the development of IHs. This pattern may be due to the rapid senescence of IHs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.345-359
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• 2024

Deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork (TM) increases aqueous humour outflow resistance leading to elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open-angle glaucoma, which remains the only modifiable risk factor. Resveratrol has been shown to counteract the steroid-induced increase in IOP and increase the TM expression of ECM proteolytic enzymes; however, its effects on the deposition of ECM components by TM and its associated pathways, such as TGF-β-SMAD signalling remain uncertain. This study, therefore, explored the effects of trans-resveratrol on the expression of ECM components, SMAD signalling molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator in dexamethasone-treated human TM cells (HTMCs). We also studied the nature of molecular interaction of trans-resveratrol with SMAD4 domains using ensemble docking. Treatment of HTMCs with 12.5 µM trans-resveratrol downregulated the dexamethasone-induced increase in collagen, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin at gene and protein levels through downregulation of TGF-β1, SMAD4, and upregulation of SMAD7. Downregulation of TGF-β1 signalling by trans-resveratrol could be attributed to its effect on the transcriptional activity due to high affinity for the MH2 domain of SMAD4. These effects may contribute to resveratrol's IOP-lowering properties by reducing ECM deposition and enhancing aqueous humour outflow in the TM.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.276-281
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• 2013

In this study, we aimed to compare the morphogenetic and neuronal characteristics between monolayer cells and spheroids. For this purpose, we established spheroid formation by growing SH-SY5Y cells on the hydrophobic surfaces of thermally-collapsed elastin-like polypeptide. After 4 days of culture, the relative proliferation of the cells within spheroids was approximately 92% of the values for monolayer cultures. As measured by quantitative assays for mRNA and protein expressions, the production of synaptophysin and neuronspecific enolase (NSE) as well as the contents of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are much higher in spheroids than in monolayer cells. Under the all-trans-retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation condition, spheroids extended neurites and further up-regulated the expression of synaptophysin, NSE, CAMs, and ECM proteins. Our data indicate that RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y neurospheroids are functionally matured neuronal architectures.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2006

During endometrial differentiation the extracellular matrix (ECM) changes dramatically to prepare for implantation of the embryo. However, the genes regulating the ECM build-up in the uterine endometrium during early pregnancy are not well known. Using the PCR-select cDNA subtraction method, dermatopontin was identified in the uterus of a pregnant mouse on day 4 of gestation. Dermatopontin mRNA increased dramatically on day 3, and was at its highest level at the time of implantation. Administration of RU 486 significantly inhibited mRNA expression by day 4 of gestation, but ICI 182,780 did not. Progesterone markedly induced dermatopontin expression in ovariectomized uteri within 4 h of administration, whereas estrogen had little effect. In silico analysis revealed progesterone receptor binding sites in the dermatopontin promoter region. Decidualization did not induce expression of dermatopontin; instead dermatopontin mRNA became strongly localized at the interimplantation site. In situ hybridization revealed that expression gradually decreased in the luminal epithelial cells as pregnancy progressed, whereas it increased in the stromal cells. The pattern of localization and the changes of intensity of dermatopontin mRNA coincided with those of collagen. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that dermatopontin expression is steroid-dependent. They also suggest that, at the time of implantation, dermatopontin expression is primarily regulated spatio-temporally by progesterone via progesterone receptors, and is modulated by the decidual response during implantation. Dermatopontin may be one of the regulators used to remodel the uterine ECM for pregnancy.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.2.2-2.2
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• 2011

The central strategy in tissue engineering involves a biomaterial scaffold as a delivery carrier of cells and a depot to deliver bioactive molecules. The ability of scaffolds to control cellular response to direct particular repair and regeneration processes is essential to obtain functional tissue engineering constructs. Therefore, many efforts have been made to understand local interactions of cells with their extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment and exploit these interactions for designing an ideal scaffold mimicking the chemical, physiological, and structural features of native ECM. ECM is composed of a number of biomacromolecules including proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans, which are assembled together to form complex 3-dimensional network. Electrospinning is a process to generate highly porous 3-dimensional fibrous structure with nano to micro scaled-diameter, which can closely mimic the structure of ECM. In this presentation, our approaches to develop biomimetic electrospun fibers for modulation of cell function will be discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2437-2444
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• 2012

Tumor metastasis remains the principal cause of treatment failure and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. It is a multistage process which includes proteolysis, motility and migration of cells, proliferation in a new site, and neoangiogenesis. A crucial step in the process of intra- and extra-vasation is the activation of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this stage, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are necessary. Micrometastases need the presence of growth factor and vascular growth factor so that they can form macrometastasis. In addition, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in the progression of colorectal cancer and metastatic migration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of how these molecules contribute will aid in the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets for patients with colorectal metastasis.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2007

Mechanical stimulation is known to activate several cellular signal transduction pathways, leading to the induction of signaling molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, thereby modulating cellular activities, such as proliferation and survival. In this study, primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were seeded onto chitosan-based scaffolds, and then cultured for 3 weeks in a bioreactor under a cyclic strain of 1 Hz frequency. Compared to control samples cultured under static conditions, the application of a cyclic strain stimulated the proliferation of HDFs in I week, and by week 3 the thickness of the cell/scaffold composites increased 1.56 fold. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of the culture media obtained from the cell/scaffold samples subjected to the cyclic strain, revealed increases in the expression and secretion of ECM proteins, such as fibronectin and collagen. These results suggest that the preconditioning of cell/scaffold composites with a cyclic strain may enhance the proliferation of HDFs, and even facilitate integration of the engineered artificial dermal tissue into the host graft site.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2021

Decorin (DCN) is a proteoglycan belonging to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family. It is composed of a protein core containing leucine repeats with a glycosaminoglycan chain consisting of either chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate. DCN is a structural component of connective tissues that can bind to type I collagen. It plays a role in the assembly of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and it is related to fibrillogenesis. It can interact with fibronectin, thrombospondin, complement component C1, transforming growth factor (TGF), and epidermal growth factor receptor. Normal DCN expression regulates a wide range of cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy, through interactions with various molecules. However, its aberrant expression is associated with oocyte maturation, oocyte quality, and poor extravillous trophoblast invasion of the uterus, which underlies the occurrence of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Spatiotemporal hormonal control of successful pregnancy should regulate the concentration and activity of specific proteins such as proteoglycan participating in the ECM remodeling of trophoblastic and uterine cells in fetal membranes and uterus. At the human feto-maternal interface, TGF-β and DCN play crucial roles in the regulation of trophoblast invasion of the uterus. This review summarizes the role of the proteoglycan DCN as an important and multifunctional molecule in the physiological regulation of oocyte maturation and trophoblast migration. This review also shows that recombinant DCN proteins might be useful for substantiating diverse functions in both animal and in vitro models of oogenesis and implantation.