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Recombinant fibronectin matrix mimetics specify integrin adhesion and extracellular matrix assembly
Daniel C Roy1, Denise C Hocking
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|October 2, 2012
Summary
Researchers engineered fibronectin matrix mimetics to improve tissue regeneration. These novel biomaterials guide cell interactions and extracellular matrix assembly for enhanced bioactive scaffold development.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tissue engineering aims to regenerate functional tissues using scaffolds, cells, and bioactive factors.
- A key challenge is creating scaffolds that support extracellular matrix (ECM) regeneration.
- Fibronectin is crucial for ECM formation, converting from soluble to active fibrils during tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze fibronectin matrix mimetic variants for their ability to support new ECM assembly.
- To investigate how modifications in the integrin-binding domain affect ECM deposition.
- To assess the potential of these mimetics as bioactive surfaces for tissue regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Development of fibronectin matrix mimetics by coupling heparin-binding (FNIII1H) and integrin-binding (FNIII8-10) fragments.
- Analysis of mimetic variants with modified integrin-binding domains.
- Assessment of ECM deposition (fibronectin and collagen) regulated by cell-substrate interactions.
Main Results:
- Fibronectin matrix mimetics promote cell growth, migration, and contractility via a FNIII1H-dependent mechanism.
- Specific modifications of the integrin-binding domain selectively engage different integrin receptors.
- These modified mimetics regulate the deposition of fibronectin and collagen into the ECM.
Conclusions:
- Fibronectin matrix mimetics can be engineered to control integrin engagement and ECM assembly.
- These biomaterials offer precise control over cell-substrate interactions and ECM deposition.
- They show promise as bioactive surfaces for applications requiring specific ECM regulation in tissue engineering.
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01:25Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM
Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
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...
01:10Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
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01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
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Some...
Some...
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
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