Turnover of extracellular matrix by type II pulmonary epithelial cells

Rat type II pulmonary epithelial cells synthesize and assemble a multicomponent extracellular matrix (ECM) which can modulate cellular differentiation in primary culture. This study defines turnover of the type II cell matrix. Turnover kinetics were analyzed in two types of pulse-chase protocols based on loss of radioactive ECM components. To estimate turnover of previously synthesized ECM, type II cells were plated on extracted matrix that was radiolabeled 2, 3, or 6 days; alternatively, ECM was radiolabeled in pulse-chase experiments to measure turnover by the same cells that synthesized the matrix. Rapid initial rates of ECM turnover were evident in both cases. While overall matrix stability appeared to change with culture time, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed a similar spectrum of proteins in the ECM over the course of kinetic studies. The results reveal rapid turnover of ECM by type II cells and suggest that matrix stability may be regulated. These observations provide a basis for future investigations of the physiological significance of turnover of individual ECM components by the alveolar epithelium.