Thrombospondin modulates focal adhesions in endothelial cells

A tumor suppressor-dependent inhibitor of angiogenesis is immunologically and functionally indistinguishable from a fragment of thrombospondin

A secreted inhibitor of angiogenesis that is controlled by a tumor suppressor gene in hamster cells has been found to be similar to a fragment of the platelet and matrix protein thrombospondin. The two proteins were biochemically similar and immunologically crossreactive and could substitute for one another in two functional assays. Human thrombospondin inhibited neovascularization in vivo and endothelial cell migration in vitro, as does the hamster protein, gp140. gp140 sensitized smooth muscle cells to stimulation by epidermal growth factor, as does human thrombospondin. The thrombospondin gene has been localized on human chromosome 15. These results demonstrate a function for the ubiquitous adhesive glycoprotein thrombospondin that is likely to be important in the normal physiological down-regulation of neovascularization. In addition, they raise the possibility that thrombospondin may be one of a number of target molecules through which a tumor suppressor gene could act to restrain tumor growth.

Platelet thrombospondin modulates endothelial cell adhesion, motility, and growth: a potential angiogenesis regulatory factor

Components of the extracellular matrix have been shown to modulate the interaction of endothelial cells with their microenvironment. Here we report that thrombospondin (TSP), an extracellular matrix component, induces adhesion and spreading of murine lung capillary (LE-II) and bovine aortic (BAEC) endothelial cells. This TSP-induced spreading was inhibited by heparin and fucoidan, known to bind the amino-terminal globular domain of the molecule. In addition, endothelial cells were induced to migrate by a gradient of soluble TSP (chemotaxis). The chemotactic response was inhibited by heparin and fucoidan, as well as by the mAb A2.5, which also binds to the amino-terminal domain. These data are in agreement with our previous observation that the TSP aminoterminal heparin binding region is responsible for the induction of tumor cell spreading and chemotactic motility. The inhibition of chemotaxis and spreading by antibodies against the beta 3 but not the beta 1 chain of the integrin receptor points to a role for the integrins in the interaction of endothelial cells with TSP. We also found that TSP modulates endothelial cell growth. When added to quiescent LE-II cells, it inhibited the mitogenic effects of serum and the angiogenic factor bFGF, in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of DNA synthesis detected in the mitogenic assay resulted in a true inhibition of BAEC and LE-II cell growth, as assessed by proliferation assay. This work indicates that TSP affects endothelial cell adhesion, spreading, motility and growth. TSP, therefore, has the potential to modulate the angiogenic process.

Mapping of the thrombospondin gene to human chromosome 15 and mouse chromosome 2 by in situ hybridization

We have mapped the thrombospondin gene (THBS1) to a single locus on human chromosome 15 (band q15) and on mouse chromosome 2 (region F). Thrombospondin has been implicated in a variety of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. The finding of a single locus suggests that the different functions of thrombospondin are not due to a closely related family of genes. These results also confirm a region of homology between the proximal part of human chromosome 15 and region F of mouse chromosome 2.

Deposition and role of thrombospondin in the histogenesis of the cerebellar cortex

The patterns of deposition of thrombospondin (TSP), a trimeric extracellular matrix glycoprotein, were determined during the initial establishment of the external granule cell layer and the subsequent inward migration of granule cells forming the molecular and (internal) granule cell layers. The early homogeneous deposition of TSP became restricted to the rhombic lip in the region of granule cell exit from the neuroepithelium, and was present between migrating granule cells. During the later inward migration of granule cells, little TSP was associated with dividing granule cells; it was enriched in premigratory granule cells. With the cessation of migration, TSP was lost except in association with fasciculating axons in the molecular layer where staining persisted briefly. At the EM level, TSP was associated with the leading process of granule cells as they associated with Bergmann glial cells and migrated through the molecular layer. TSP was present within granule cell axons; Purkinje cells and their dendrites, as well as Bergmann glial fibers and endfeet were negative for TSP. When anti-TSP antibodies were added to explant cultures of cerebellar cortex during active granule cell migration, a dose-dependent inhibition of migration was observed. In control cultures, granule cells migrated into the (internal) granule cell layer, while granule cells exposed to anti-TSP antibodies were arrested within the external granule cell layer. These results suggest that TSP plays an important role in the histogenesis of the cerebellar cortex by influencing granule cell migration.

Microvascular endothelial cell heterogeneity: interactions with leukocytes and tumor cells

Endothelium constitutes a highly specialized organ that lines the vascular system and lymphatic channels. This organ is a complex network of arteries, veins, and microvessels that differ in size, structure, and function. The unique and strategic location imposes functional demands on the endothelium that are far greater than just being a passive barrier. Endothelial cells have the ability to differentiate both in structure and function in response to the needs of diverse tissue environments, making this organ extremely heterogeneous. Although vascular endothelial cells share certain common properties, they differ in regard to structure, antigenic and cell surface determinants, adhesion molecules, and metabolic function. The unique cell surface profiles expressed by endothelial cells in different tissue locations can be recognized by specific populations of circulating leukocytes or tumor cells, which contribute to their arrest and invasion patterns. This article attempts to review our current understanding of endothelial cell heterogeneity and its significance to patterns of leukocyte and tumor cell trafficking.