Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:09
Vasodilation of Isolated Vessels and the Isolation of the Extracellular Matrix of Tight-skin Mice
Published on: March 24, 2017
Human recombinant vasostatin-1 may interfere with cell-extracellular matrix interactions
Valentina Di Felice1, Francesco Cappello, Antonella Montalbano
1Human Anatomy Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Palermo, Italy. valentina.difelice@unipa.it
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|March 27, 2007
Summary
Vasostatin-1 (VS-1) modulates cardiomyocyte function by interacting with cell-extracellular matrix components, influencing heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) signaling via integrins, not a classic receptor.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cellular Signaling
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vasostatin-1 (VS-1), derived from chromogranin A, affects various tissues.
- Previous studies suggest VS-1 impacts myocardial contractility across species.
- The intracellular mechanisms involving adhesion molecules, ECM, HSP90, and eNOS in VS-1's cardiac effects are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if human recombinant VS-1 (STA-CGA1-78) triggers intracellular cascades.
- To explore VS-1's interaction with adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) components.
- To determine the role of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in VS-1-mediated myocardial contractility signaling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes on various ECM substrates (fibronectin, fibroblasts, matrigel, collagen type I).
- Employed Aurion-conjugated VS-1 (Au-STA-CGA1-78) to visualize cellular interaction sites.
- Analyzed the expression and localization of HSP90 and eNOS in response to VS-1.
Main Results:
- Cell-ECM interactions critically influenced HSP90 localization and eNOS expression in 3D cardiomyocyte cultures.
- VS-1 modulated these cell-ECM interactions, altering HSP90 cellular localization.
- Au-STA-CGA1-78 localized extracellularly near the cardiomyocyte plasmalemma, suggesting integrin involvement rather than direct membrane receptor binding.
Conclusions:
- VS-1 does not appear to bind to a classic cell membrane receptor.
- Integrins may function as nonconventional receptors for VS-1.
- VS-1 signaling likely modulates the eNOS pathway through integrin-mediated interactions with the ECM.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:29The Extracellular Matrix
Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
01:42The Extracellular Matrix
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.Composition of the Extracellular MatrixThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse molecules.
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
01:21Paracrine Signaling
Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...