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Fibronectin fragment(s) are chemotactic for human peripheral blood monocytes
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|October 1, 1982
Summary
Proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin generates fragments that attract monocytes to inflammation sites. Intact fibronectin lacks this chemoattractant activity, highlighting the role of fibronectin fragments in immune cell recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fibronectin is deposited at sites of inflammation and wound healing.
- Fibronectin is associated with migrating immune cells like monocytes/macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemotactic activity of fibronectin fragments for human peripheral blood monocytes.
- To determine if intact fibronectin possesses chemoattractant properties.
Main Methods:
- Fibronectin purification using gelatin affinity chromatography, DEAE ion exchange, and Sepharose 4B chromatography.
- Assessing chemotactic and chemokinetic activity of fibronectin preparations on monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.
- Investigating fibronectin fragmentation and activity under various conditions (e.g., presence/absence of protease inhibitors, temperature).
Main Results:
- Fibronectin fragments, but not intact fibronectin, are potent chemoattractants for human monocytes.
- Protease inhibitors reduced fibronectin fragmentation and chemotactic activity.
- Further purification yielded intact fibronectin devoid of chemotactic activity.
- Incubation of fragment-poor fibronectin led to increased fragmentation and chemotactic activity.
Conclusions:
- Proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin generates fragments that selectively enhance monocyte recruitment to inflammatory sites.
- These findings suggest a mechanism for targeted immune cell migration during inflammation and wound healing.