Immune cells can modify surrounding extracellular matrices by producing matrix degradation enzymes. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a major component of basement membrane, play a key role in the self-assembly, insolubility, and barrier properties of the matrix. Some immune cell subsets express heparanase, the sole mammalian endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate chains and thereby potentia...

Heat-shock proteins from confluent primary cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gels. In addition to the increased synthesis of the classical heat-shock proteins, there is an increase of a 180,000-mol wt polypeptide in the growth media of heat-shocked cells. Immunoprecipitation with specific antiserum indicates that the 180,000-mol wt polypeptide is th...

The major objectives of this study were to monitor the effect of cross-linking of cationic chitosan in acidic media with sulfate anion during granules preparation by wet granulation method prior to tableting using theophylline (TPH) as a model drug. The prepared granules and the compressed tablets were subjected to in vitro evaluation. The properties of the prepared matrix granules and the comp...

Homozygous brachymorphic (bm/bm) mice are characterized by disproportionately short stature. Newborn bm/bm epiphyseal cartilages are shorter than normal although the cells in the different zones of growth are relatively well organized. The extracellular matrix reacts poorly with stains specific for sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The ultrastructural appearance of the cartilage matrix indicates nor...

We have measured the contents of Na+ and K+ in isolated chromaffin granules. Total contents varied between 227 and 283 nmol/mg of protein, equivalent to matrix concentrations of 53-66 mM. The value found depended on the isolation buffer used, and the ratio of the two ions reflected the composition of the buffer. We then measured the free concentration of each of these ions, and of Ca2+, in the ...

The intracellular localization of acid phosphatase in guinea pig testicular interstitial cells was investigated by incubating nonfrozen thick sections of glutaraldehyde-perfused testis in a modified Gomori medium and preparing the tissue for electron microscopy. Lipofuscin pigment granules in these cells contain dense pigment, granular matrix, and often a lipid droplet. Reaction product is seen...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the protein expression and function of a novel secreted protein in the vascular system, named SCUBE1 for signal peptide, CUB (Complement proteins C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1) and epidermal growth factor-like (EGF)-like domain containing protein 1. METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the SCUBE1 staining is mainly conf...