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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
10:11
Glycopeptide Capture for Cell Surface Proteomics
Published on: May 9, 2014
11.8K
Cell Surface Access Is Modulated by Tethered Bottlebrush Proteoglycans.
Patrick S Chang1, Louis T McLane2, Ruth Fogg1
1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
Biophysical Journal
|June 23, 2016
Summary
The pericellular matrix (PCM) influences cell behavior and disease. This study shows how aggrecan, a proteoglycan, controls PCM structure and cell surface access, impacting molecular transport and binding.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The hyaluronan-rich pericellular matrix (PCM) is crucial for biological processes like cell migration and cancer.
- Aggrecan, a large proteoglycan, influences PCM structure and function.
- Understanding PCM's role in molecular transport and cell surface interactions is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aggrecan's spatial distribution affects PCM morphology and cell surface accessibility.
- To determine the impact of aggrecan on nanoparticle transport and molecule sequestration within the PCM.
- To explore how cells can modulate PCM properties by altering aggrecan content.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pericellular matrix (PCM) morphology in rat chondrocytes and human mesenchymal stem cells.
- Investigation of aggrecan's binding capacity and its effect on PCM thickness.
- Assessment of nanoparticle transport and molecule sequestration within the PCM.
Main Results:
- The PCM limits nanoparticle transport in a size-dependent manner.
- Aggrecan sequesters positively charged molecules via its sulfated side chains.
- Exogenous aggrecan significantly increases PCM thickness in both cell types.
- Full PCM extension occurs below aggrecan saturation, indicating cellular control.
Conclusions:
- Cells can regulate PCM porosity and electrostatic binding sites by tuning aggrecan content.
- This modulation allows control over surface accessibility and molecular sequestration.
- Findings provide insights into cell-matrix interactions and potential therapeutic strategies.
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