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Basement membrane collagen: degradation by migrating endothelial cells.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 15, 1983
Summary
Endothelial cells degrade basement membrane collagens (types IV and V) when stimulated by angiogenic factors. This degradation, mediated by metalloproteinases, facilitates capillary sprout growth during neovascularization.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Neovascularization involves basement membrane dissolution.
- Endothelial cell migration is crucial for new blood vessel formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if endothelial cells degrade basement membrane collagens (types IV and V).
- To determine if this degradation is linked to migration towards a chemotactic stimulus.
Main Methods:
- Developed an assay using fetal bovine endothelial cells on a collagen substrate filter.
- Applied a retinal extract chemoattractant to stimulate cell migration.
- Analyzed collagen degradation and extracted associated metalloproteinases.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cells degraded both type IV and type V collagens when exposed to the retinal chemoattractant.
- Metalloproteinases capable of cleaving these collagens were extracted from the endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial cell-associated proteinases likely degrade the basement membrane.
- This localized degradation facilitates capillary sprout outgrowth towards angiogenic stimuli.