Basal Lamina Formation by Cultured Microvascular Endothelial Cells

• Published in: The Journal of cell biology 1984-08, Vol.99 (2), p.692-698
• Main Authors: Kramer, R. H., Bensch, K. G., Davison, P. M., Karasek, M. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta - physiology; Basement membrane; Biological and medical sciences; Cell coat. Cell surface; Cell culture techniques; Cell lines; Cell structures and functions; Cells; Cells, Cultured; Collagens; Cultured cells; Endothelial cells; Endothelium - physiology; Endothelium - ultrastructure; Epidermal cells; Extracellular matrix; Fibroblasts - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Microcirculation - physiology; Microcirculation - ultrastructure; Microscopy, Electron; Molecular and cellular biology; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - physiology; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - ultrastructure; Rats; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Ungulates
• ISSN: 0021-9525; 1540-8140
• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.99.2.692

The production of a basal lamina by microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) cultured on various substrata was examined. MEC were isolated from human dermis and plated on plastic dishes coated with fibronectin, or cell-free extracellular matrices elaborated by fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, corneal endothelial cells, or PF HR9 endodermal cells. Examination of cultures by electron microscopy at selected intervals after plating revealed that on most substrates the MEC produced an extracellular matrix at the basal surface that was discontinuous, multilayered, and polymorphous. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that the MEC synthesize and deposit both type IV collagen and laminin into the subendothelial matrix. When cultured on matrices produced by the PF HR9 endodermal cells MEC deposit a subendothelial matrix that was present as a uniform sheet which usually exhibited lamina raraand lamina densa-like regions. The results indicate that under the appropriate conditions, human MEC elaborate a basal lamina-like matrix that is ultrastructurally similar to basal lamina formed in vivo, which suggests that this experimental system may be a useful model for studies of basal lamina formation and metabolism.