Comparison of gene expression of extracellular matrix molecules in brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1992 Dec 15;189(2):877-84. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(92)92285-6.

Abstract

By use of random-primed cDNA probes the expression of extracellular matrix molecules in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (cEC) and in astrocytes from mouse brain was examined. Two phenotypically different batches of cloned cEC were used. Expression of major adhesive ECM molecules, constituting the endothelial basement membrane (i.e., fibronectin, laminin A, B and collagen IV) and of other attachment factors, such as SPARC (osteonectin), tenascin and thrombospondin 1, was examined. We have demonstrated that cEC of different morphology display variations in the expression of fibronectin (FN), thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) and collagen IV (C IV). Astrocytes were shown to contain FN, TSP1, TN and SPARC mRNA. Unexpectedly, SPARC mRNA could not be detected in any of the capillary endothelial cells examined. Therefore, we suggest that astrocytes are likely to be involved in endothelial differentiation and function in the central nervous system via ECM molecule secretion.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / biosynthesis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cerebral Cortex / blood supply*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Collagen / biosynthesis
  • Collagen / genetics
  • DNA Probes
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / biosynthesis
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Laminin / biosynthesis
  • Laminin / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microcirculation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Osteonectin / biosynthesis
  • Osteonectin / genetics
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tenascin
  • Thrombospondins

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • DNA Probes
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Fibronectins
  • Laminin
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Osteonectin
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tenascin
  • Thrombospondins
  • Collagen