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Thrombospondin secretion by cultured human glomerular mesangial cells
1Medical Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98108.
The American Journal of Pathology
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Human glomerular mesangial cells synthesize and secrete thrombospondin, a key extracellular matrix protein. This finding indicates that mesangial thrombospondin originates from intrinsic glomerular cells, impacting kidney function and disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Extracellular Matrix Research
Background:
- Thrombospondin is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein found in extracellular matrices.
- Immunoreactive thrombospondin is present in the normal human renal mesangium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if thrombospondin in the human renal mesangium is synthesized by intrinsic glomerular mesangial cells.
- To determine the origin of mesangial thrombospondin.
Main Methods:
- Cultured human glomerular mesangial cells were used.
- Immunostaining at light- and electron-microscopic levels confirmed thrombospondin synthesis and secretion.
- Metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation from conditioned medium identified secreted thrombospondin.
Main Results:
- Cultured human mesangial cells demonstrated the ability to synthesize and secrete thrombospondin.
- Immunostaining confirmed thrombospondin presence within the cultured mesangial cells and their matrix.
- Metabolically labeled thrombospondin was successfully immunoprecipitated from the cell culture medium.
Conclusions:
- The thrombospondin found in the normal human renal mesangium is synthesized by intrinsic glomerular mesangial cells.
- Mesangial thrombospondin may play a significant role in regulating cellular functions.
- This protein could be particularly important in kidney diseases involving glomerular cell proliferation.