Laminin alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 4 and beta 1 chain mRNA expression in mouse embryonic, neonatal, and adult hearts

Versican is induced in infiltrating monocytes in myocardial infarction

Versican, a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, plays a role in conditions such as wound healing and tissue remodelling. To test the hypothesis that versican expression is transiently upregulated and plays a role in the infarcted heart, we examined its expression in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Northern blot analysis demonstrated increased expression of versican mRNA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that versican mRNA began to increase as early as 6 h and reached its maximal level 2 days after coronary artery ligation. Versican mRNA then gradually decreased, while the mRNA of decorin, another small proteoglycan, increased thereafter. Versican mRNA was localized in monocytes, as indicated by CD68-positive staining, around the infarct tissue. The induction of versican mRNA was accelerated by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), which was characterized by massive cell infiltration and enhanced inflammatory response. To examine the alteration of versican expression in monocytes/macrophages, we isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and stimulated them with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Stimulation of mononuclear cells with GM-CSF increased the expression of versican mRNA as well as cytokine induction. The production of versican by monocytes in the infarct area represents a novel finding of the expression of an extracellular matrix gene by monocytes in the infarcted heart. We suggest that upregulation of versican in the infarcted myocardium may have a role in the inflammatory reaction, which mediates subsequent chemotaxis in the infarcted heart.

cis-acting DNA regulatory elements, including the retinoic acid response element, are required for tissue specific laminin B1 promoter/lacZ expression in transgenic mice

The LAMB1 gene encodes the laminin beta1 subunit of laminin, an extracellular matrix protein. Using several transgenic mouse lines containing various lengths of the LAMB1 promoter driving lacZ reporter gene expression, regions of LAMB1 promoter that contain cis-acting DNA regulatory element(s) have been identified. The 3.9LAMB1betagal transgene is expressed in various tissues during development. LAMB1 transgene expression is observed in a selective set of nephrons of the neonatal and adult kidneys. The cis-acting DNA regulatory elements responsible for LAMB1 transgene expression in ovaries and in juvenile kidneys are present between -'1.4 and -0.7 kb relative to the transcription start site, while those of adult kidneys are located between -2.5 and -1.4 kb. The LAMB1 transgene is also expressed in the epididymis of 1 week old transgenic mice. Mutation of the retinoic acid response element (RARE) in the context of the 3.9LAMB1betagal transgene results in loss of LAMB1 transgene expression in all tissues. Thus, sequences between -2.5 and -0.7 kb plus the RARE are required for appropriate expression of the LAMB1 transgene in mice.

Restricted distribution of laminin alpha1 chain in normal adult mouse tissues

The distribution of laminin alpha1 chain in adult mouse tissue was determined by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody 200, reacting with the globular carboxyterminus E3 fragment of alpha1 chain. Strong reactivity was noted only in a few tissues. Reactivity was restricted to epithelial basement membranes. Expression was noted in several epithelial basement membranes of the urinary tract, and male and female reproductive organs. In addition, expression was seen in some parts of the nervous system. Expression was seen in pia mater which surrounds the brain, and in the extracellular matrices covering the vitreous chamber and the lens of the eye. Staining was seen in the adrenal gland cortex, with strongest staining in the zona glomerulosa. Staining was negative in all other studied epithelial basement membranes, such as the lung (trachea or lung epithelium), epidermis, and all parts of the gastrointestinal tract (liver, gut) except for weak staining in the ventricle and Brunner's glands. No expression was seen in basement membranes of fat, Schwann, or endothelial cells in any studied parts of the body. Both small- and large-size vessel walls were negative both in endothelial basement membranes and blood vessel walls, with the exception of some larger brain blood vessels in locations where epithelial cells have invaginated. Neither smooth muscle, myocardium or striated muscle expressed alpha1 chain. We conclude that alpha1-containing heterotrimers including laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1) have a very restricted tissue distribution.