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Effect of aging on macrophage adherence to extracellular matrix proteins

M Iiyama1, Y Shimada, T Kita

  • 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.

Insights

Macrophage adherence to fibronectin significantly increases with age, unlike other collagens. This age-related increase in fibronectin attachment may contribute to age-related diseases like atherogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Macrophage adherence to extracellular matrix proteins is crucial for immune responses and tissue homeostasis.
  • Aging is associated with altered immune cell function and increased susceptibility to diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the adhesive properties of fibronectin and various collagen types (I, IV, V) for mouse peritoneal macrophages.
  • To investigate the impact of aging on macrophage adherence to these matrix proteins.
  • To explore the role of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine (RGDS) sequence in age-related changes in macrophage adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Mouse peritoneal resident macrophages were isolated.
  • Macrophage adherence to immobilized fibronectin, type I, type IV, and type V collagens was quantified.
  • The effect of aging on macrophage adherence was assessed.
  • Inhibition of macrophage adherence to fibronectin by RGDS peptide was measured.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages exhibited significantly higher adherence to fibronectin compared to collagens I, IV, and V (over 5-fold increase).
  • Macrophage adherence to fibronectin and type I collagen increased with age.
  • No significant age-related changes were observed in macrophage adherence to type IV and type V collagens.
  • The inhibition of macrophage adherence to fibronectin by RGDS peptide was significantly higher in aged mice.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophages preferentially adhere to fibronectin over certain collagen types.
  • Aging enhances macrophage adherence to fibronectin, potentially mediated by increased expression of RGDS-recognizing receptors.
  • Increased macrophage attachment to fibronectin during aging may contribute to their retention in the subendothelial space and play a role in atherogenesis.

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