[Thrombospondin modulates cell attachment, spreading and proliferation in cultured rat mesangial cells]

The effect of thrombospondin (TSP) on attachment, spreading, cell toxicity and proliferation of cultured rat mesangial cells (M cell) were investigated. The results are as follows: 1. Attachment and spreading of M cell on the culture plates coated with TSP were inhibited in a dose dependent manner, 2. 50 micrograms/ml TSP in the medium brought about the significant detachment of the adhered M cell. 3. TSP had no demonstrable effects on 51Cr-release from M cell, 4. 3H-thymidine uptake into M cell was inhibited by TSP in a dose dependent manner. These results indicate that TSP modulates attachment, spreading and proliferation of M cell. Therefore, it is suggested that overproduction of TSP in M cell under some pathophysiologic conditions such as diabetic nephropathy may influence the M cell functions in a self-suppression.