The extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as soluble mediators like cytokines can influence the behavior of cells in very distinct as well as cooperative ways. One group of ECM molecules which shows an especially broad cooperativity with cytokines and growth factors are the proteoglycans. Proteoglycans can interact with their core proteins as well as their glycosaminoglycan chains with cytokines. ...

AIM To carry out a detailed morphological study of the cornea of a 16 year old female with a Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MLS). METHODS Following a penetrating keratoplasty in July 1999, ultrastructural changes in the cornea were examined using electron microscopy. Proteoglycans were visualised using cuprolinic blue dye; and betaig-h3 and keratan sulphate were detected by immunoelectron microscop...

Cultured human fetal lung fibroblasts produce some chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that are extracted as an aggregate in chaotropic buffers containing 4 M guanidinium chloride. The aggregated proteoglycans are excluded from Sepharose CL4B and 2B, but become included, eluting with a Kav value of 0.53 from Sepharose CL4B, when Triton X-100 is included in the buffer. Conversely, some of the dete...

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long and unbranched anionic heteropolysaccharides that have been associated with virtually all amyloid deposits. Soluble sulfated GAGs known for their propensity to promote the self-assembly of numerous amyloidogenic proteins modulate cytotoxicity. Nonetheless, although prevalent on outer leaflet eukaryotic cell plasma membrane as part proteoglycans, contributions ...

Background. The extracellular matrix of the PNS/CNS is unusual in that it dominated by glycosaminoglycans, especially hyaluronan, whose space filling and hydrating properties make essential contributions to functional this tissue. Hyaluronan has a relatively simple structure but its space-filling ensure micro-compartments are maintained brain ultrastructure, ensuring ionic niches gradients for ...