Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-217). Also available in print.

Η ανάπτυξη του εμβρύου καθορίζεται από τις αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ κυττάρων και εξωκυττάριας ύλης. Στην εξωκυττάρια ύλη περιέχονται πρωτεογλυκάνες, εκ των οποίων οι perlecan και aggrecan είναι από τις πρώτες που εκφράζονται στο πρώιμο έμβρυο. Μελετήσαμε τη χωρο-χρονική κατανομή των perlecan και aggrecan με RT-PCR, ανοσοφθορισμό και ανοσοκατακρήμνιση από το στάδιο Χ (μορίδιο) έως το στάδιο ΗΗ17 (29-32 σωμίτες) στο πρώιμο έμβρυο όρνιθας. Επιπρόσθετα, μελετήσαμε το ρόλο των perlecan και aggrecan με τη χρήση μονοκλωνικών αντισωμάτων έναντι αυτών κατά την ανάπτυξη του πρώιμου εμβρύου.Η perlecan πρωτο-ανιχνεύτηκε στο στάδιο του μοριδίου (στάδιο Χ) μόλις πριν τη συναρμολόγηση της πρώτης βασικής μεμβράνης που σχηματίζεται στο πρώιμο έμβρυο. Το πρότυπο κατανομής των μορίων αυτών σε διαφορετικούς κυτταρικούς πληθυσμούς ρυθμίζεται αναπτυξιακά. Η perlecan πρωτο-ανιχνεύτηκε στο στάδιο του μοριδίου (στάδιο Χ) μόλις πριν τη συναρμολόγηση της πρώτης βασικής μεμβράνης που σχηματίζεται στο πρώιμο έμβρυο. Εξαιρετικά μεγάλη ένταση φθορισμού για την perlecan επέδειξαν οι βασικές μεμβράνες/ εξωκυττάρια ύλη του νευροεπιθηλίου και μεσεγχυματικών ιστών κατά την επιθηλιοποιησή τους και επίσης τα κύτταρα κατά τη γαστριδίωση και τα κύτταρα των νευρικών κρηπίδων. Όταν αναστείλαμε τη δράσης της με ειδικά αντισώματα έναντι αυτής παρατηρήσαμε φθορά των βασικών μεμβρανών.Ο ρόλος της perlecan φαίνεται να είναι σημαντικός στη δόμηση βασικών μεμβρανών, στην επιθηλιοποίηση ιστών και στη διαθεσιμότητα αυξητικών παραγόντων. Ανιχνεύσαμε την aggrecan για πρώτη φορά στο στάδιο του βλαστιδίου (στάδιο ΧΙΙΙ) και η παρουσία της φαίνεται να είναι καθοριστικής σημασίας στη δημιουργία του βλαστόκοιλου, της πρώτης εμβρυϊκής κοιλότητας στο στάδιο αυτό. Ένταση φθορισμού για την aggrecan στην αναπτυσσόμενης καρδιάς καθώς και στα κύτταρα των νευρικών κρηπίδων που μεταaναστεύουν. Η αναστολή της δράσης της aggrecan προκάλεσε ανωμαλίες στην αρχιτεκτονική των ιστών και τη φυσιολογική μορφογένεση του εγκεφάλου, της καρδιάς, της ραχιαίας αορτής και της νωτοχορδής. Ο ρόλος της aggrecan σε συνεργισμό με την συνδετική πρωτεΐνη και το υαλουρονικό οξύ φαίνεται να είναι σημαντικός στη δημιουργία και τη διατήρηση της αρχιτεκτονικής των εμβρυϊκών κοιλοτήτων και στη δημιουργία διόδων για την μετανάστευση κυττάρων και την οργανογένεση. / The development of the embryo is determined by specific interactions between cells and components of the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix of the embryo is exuberantly rich in proteoglycans, the primary and earliest expressed ones being perlecan and aggrecan. We studied the spatio-temporal distribution of perlecan and aggrecan by RT-PCR, immunofluore-scence and immunoprecipitation in the early chick embryo from the blastoderm at stage X (morula) to stage HH17 (29-32 somites). In addition, we studied the functional importance of perlecan and aggrecan in the early chick embryo by using blocking antibodies. The distribution pattern of these molecules in different cell populations was developmentally regurated. Perlecan was first detectable at the morula stage just before the assembly of the first basement membrane. Perlecan fluorescence was intense in the basement membranes/ extracellular matrix of the neuroepithelium and mesenchematic tissues during their epithelialization and also in migrating cells at gastrula stage and in the neural crest cells. Lack of functional perlecan caused damaged basement membranes. The role of perlecan seemw to be important in the formation of basement membrane, in the epithelialization of tissues and in availability of growth factors.Aggrecan was first detectable at the blastula stage (stage XIII) and its presence may be important for the formation of blastocoel, the first embryonic cavity at this stage. In the developing heart, aggrecan fluorescence was intense and also in the migrating neural crest cells.Lack of functional aggrecan interfered with tissue architecture during normal morphogenesis of the brain, notochord, heart tube and dorsal aorta. The role of aggrecan in concert with link protein and hyaluronic acid is fundamental for the formation and maintenance of embryonic cavities and for determination of passages during migration of cells and organogenesis.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-01-27 / A progressão do câncer e metástase invariavelmente envolve a interação com fibroblastos e com o ambiente circundante. Os fibroblastos estromais auxiliam a proliferação de células tumorais, invasão e matástase pela produção de fatores de crescimento e citocinas e pela modificação do ambiente circundante do tumor, pela modulação da matriz extracelular (MEC). Os proteoglicanos pequenos ricos em leucina (SRLPs) são componentes ativos da MEC, podendo estar alterados no estroma circundante a tumores. O efeito das células estromais em células de câncer é bem descrito; entretanto, pouco é sabido sobre o efeito das células de câncer na biologia e comportamento dos fibroblastos, incluindo a expressão de proteoglicanos, colágenos e MMPs. Nossos resultados revelam uma redução significativa na expressão dos componentes da MEC como colágenos I, II, III e IV, e os SLRPs decorim, biglicam, lumicam e fibromodulina em co-cultura de fibroblastos e duas linhagens de células de câncer de próstata; PC3 (derivada de metástase óssea) e DU145 (derivada de metástase cerebral). Interessantemente, foi observada uma diminuição da expressão global de TGFβ quando co-cultivados com as células de câncer de próstata, bem como despolimerização dos filamentos de actina e aumento da expressão de vimentina e integrina 51. A distribuição da vimentina se alterou de padrão alterado para fibrilar, característico de células invasivas. A expressão de MT1-MMP foi aumentada, sendo localizada em protusões de invadopodia estendidas pela MEC. Nossos dados demonstram como células de câncer de próstata alteram drasticamente o fenótipo dos fibroblastos, possuindo provavelmente papel importante na migração dessas células pelo estroma. / During cancer cell growth many tumors exhibit various grades of desmoplasia, unorganized production of fibrous or connective tissue, composed mainly of collagen fibers and myofibroblasts. The accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding tumors directly affects cancer cell proliferation, migration and spread, therefore the study of desmoplasia is of vital importance. Myofibroblasts synthesize an amalgam of products including collagens and other ECM proteins, such as proteoglycans and are activated during a desmoplastic reaction. Small leucine rich proteoglycans have been characterized surrounding breast and pancreatic tumors and have the ability to suppress cell proliferation. In this study we have analyzed desmoplasia co-cultivating colorectal cancer cells (Caco-2 and HCT116) and myofibroblasts using various co-culture systems. Our findings demonstrate that direct cell-cell contact between myofibroblasts and colorectal cancer cells evokes an upregulation of the expression of ECM components (collagen I, collagen III, collagen IV, collagen V, biglycan and fibromodulin) by myofibroblasts. The ECM accumulation produced when myofibroblasts are co-cultivated with colorectal cancer cells appears unorganized and in bundles. This ECM accumulation slowed the migration and invasion of the colorectal tumor cells in both monolayer and 3-D co-culture systems. The participation of the ECM components analyzed in this study in desmoplasia is also demonstrated in vivo in human colorectal carcinoma tissue, validating our in vitro system. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Orientador: Benedicto Campos Vidal / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T22:37:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilela_AntonellaSachsidaBraga_D.pdf: 2767480 bytes, checksum: 9a51cd19ed225ec83edcd8d932e07114 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Tecido pericardial tem sido utilizado na confecção de biopróteses empregadas na reparação de diferentes lesões. Entretanto, calcificações e falência mecânica têm sido as principais causas de durabilidade limitada de biopróteses cardíacas fabricadas com pericárdio bovino. Nesse trabalho foi realizado um estudo do pericárdio fibroso porcino em sua estrutura microscópica e sua natureza bioquímica. A morfologia geral e a arquitetura das fibras colágenas e elásticas foram estudadas em tecido seccionado e também em montagens totais, corados por diferentes métodos histoquímicos e analisados em microscopia de luz convencional, de polarização, de fluorescência e confocal. O estudo bioquímico da matriz pericardial foram realizados de acordo com procedimentos bioquímicos pertinentes. O pericárdio mostrou-se um tecido altamente celularizado com características de tecido jovem. Os feixes colagênicos apresentaram-se arranjados em camadas multidirecionalmente orientadas, formando uma rede de trama fechada, com um número maior de fibras orientando-se obliquamente, partindo da região central inferior em direção súpero-lateral esquerda em relação ao coração. Uma discreta predominância de fibras colágenas no sentido base-ápice foi verificada na região anterior direita do pericárdio. A matriz extracelular apresentou-se pouco metacromática. Observaram-se finas fibrilas elásticas intimamente associadas às fibras colágenas, entrelaçadas em direções diversas ou paralelas entre si. Extração comparativa de componentes da matriz não revelou diferenças entre proteínas extraídas das regiões direita e esquerda e também entre material fresco e congelado. A análise em SDS-PAGE revelou dezesseis proteínas com valores de massa molecular aparente entre 11 e 109 kDa. Análises realizadas sugerem que o GAG encontrado possivelmente é o dermatam sulfato. Os dados obtidos podem subsidiar novos procedimentos direcionados à obtenção de biomembranas melhor preparadas e funcionalmente mais adequadas à construção de biopróteses. / Abstract: Pericardial tissue has been used to construct bioprostheses employed in the repair different kinds of injuries. However, calcification and mechanical failure have been the main causes of limited durability of cardiac bioprostheses constructed with bovine pericardium. In the course of this work a study has been conducted on the porcine fibrous pericardium and its microscopic structure and its biochemical nature. The general morphology and the architecture of the collagen and elastic fibers have been studied in sectioned tissue and also total assemblies, stained by diverse histochemical methods and analyzed by conventional light, polarizing light, fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Biochemical study of the pericardial matrix was conducted according to pertinent procedures. The pericardium was shown as a highly cellularized tissue with a vascular tree very ramified and collagen fibers arranged in multidirectionally oriented layers. A predominant direction was verified, with a larger number of fibers obliquely oriented, starting at the lower central region towards high-lateral-left relatively to the heart. A discreet predominance of collagen fibers is the base-apex direction was verified in the right-front region of the pericardium. Extracellular matrix with little metachromasy was observed, indicating small quantities of acid glycosaminoglycans. Fine elastic fibrils were observed, intimately associated to collagen fibers, interlaced in various directions or parallel to themselves. No differences were found between proteins extracted from the right or left regions and between fresh or frozen material. The quantities of extracted GAGs were too small to be detected by the method used. The SDS-PAGE showed proteins with values of apparent molecular mass between 11 and 109 kDa included two polydisperse bands around 71 and 85kDa. The ectrophoretic analysis showed that the found GAG is possibly dermatan sulfate. / Doutorado / Histologia / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

PURPOSE. The mutation R345W in EFEMP1 (fibulin-3) causes macular degeneration. This study sought to determine whether proteoglycan content and diffusion across Bruch's membrane are altered in Efemp1(ki/ki) mice carrying this mutation or in Efemp1(-/-) mice. METHODS. Proteoglycans in mouse Bruch's membranes were stained with Cupromeronic Blue (CB). Heparan sulfated proteoglycan (HSPG) and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (C/DSPG) distributions were visualized following treatments with chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC) or nitrous acid. Total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) in Bruch's membrane/choroid (BrM/Ch) were measured with dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB). Matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 were examined by immunofluorescence and quantified using Image J. Molecules with different Stokes radius (R-s) were allowed simultaneously to diffuse through mouse BrM/Ch mounted in a modified Ussing chamber. Samples were quantified using gel exclusion chromatography. RESULTS. HSPGs and C/DSPGs were markedly increased in Efemp1(ki/ki) Bruch's membrane, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased, but TIMP-3 was increased. Diffusion across Efemp1(ki/ki) Bruch's membrane was impaired. In contrast, the proteoglycan amount in Efemp1(-/-) Bruch's membrane was not significantly different, but the size of proteoglycans was much larger. MMP-2, MMP-3, and TIMP-3 levels were similar to that of Efemp1(+/+) mice, but they were localized diffusely in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells instead of Bruch's membrane. Diffusion across Efemp1(-/-) Bruch's membrane was enhanced. CONCLUSIONS. Mutant fibulin-3 causes proteoglycan accumulation, reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9, but increase of TIMP-3, and impairs diffusion across Bruch's membrane. Fibulin-3 ablation results in altered sizes of proteoglycans, altered distributions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-3, and enhances diffusion across Bruch's membrane.

Hepatic lipase (HL) plays a pivotal role in the catabolism of apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins and high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles through its reported catalytic and non-catalytic extracellular functions. The current study tested the hypothesis that HL expression might impair formation and secretion of hepatic derived very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and apoA-I (nascent HDL). Stable or transient expression of human HL (hHL) in McA-RH7777 cells resulted in decreased incorporation of [3H]glycerol into cell-associated and secreted (VLDL-associated) 3H-triacylglcyerol (TAG) relative to control cells. Stable expression of catalytically-inactive hHL (hHLSG) also resulted in decreased secretion of VLDL-associated 3H-TAG whereas cell-associated 3H-TAG levels were unchanged. Expression of hHL or hHLSG increased cell-associated 35S-apoB100 with relatively no change in secreted 35S-apoB100. Importantly, hHL or hHLSG expression resulted in reduced 3H-TAG associated with the microsomal lumen lipid droplets (LLD), and increased relative expression of ApoB and genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acyl oxidation. Transient expression of hHL in HL-null primary hepatocytes, mediated by adenoviral gene transfer, resulted in decreased steady-state levels of cell-associated and secreted apoA-I and reduced rates of synthesis and secretion of 35S-apoA-I. HL-null hepatocytes exhibited increased levels of secreted 35S-apoA-I relative to wildtype hepatocytes while cell-associated 35S-apoA-I levels were normal. Transient expression of a hHL chimera (hHLmt), in which the C-terminus of hHL was replaced with mouse HL sequences, exerted an inhibitory effect on apoA-I production similar to that of hHL even though hHLmt was secreted less effectively than hHL with impaired exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as compared with hHL. In contrast, stable expression of hHL in McA-RH7777 cells resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cell-associated and secreted 35S-apoA-I levels. These studies demonstrate that hHL has an intracellular (but non-catalytic) role in reducing the content of the LLD and ultimately the buoyancy of secreted VLDL particles, and that the N-terminal sequences of ER-residing hHL directly or indirectly modulates the production and secretion of apoA-I (nascent HDL) from hepatocytes.

Durante a gestação, em varias espécies de mamíferos, os fibroblastos endometriais são alvos de profundas modificações morfofuncionais que levam a aquisição de um fenótipo epitelial e à expressão de novas moléculas, formando uma nova estrutura no útero denominada decídua. Em camundongos, a reação decidual pode ser estimulada artificialmente (na ausência de embrião), resultando na formação do deciduoma, um modelo de grande relevância para a identificação de fatores oriundos ou não do embrião necessários para a promoção da decidualização. A decidualização também promove uma profunda remodelação da matriz extracelular (MEC) do endométrio, e ambos os processo são fundamentais para o sucesso da gestação. Existem evidencias, muitas das quais são oriundas dos estudos do Laboratório de Biologia da Reprodução e Matriz extracelular (LBR-MEC), mostrando que a remodelação da MEC do útero não grávido é modulada pelos hormônios ovarianos estrógeno (E2) e progesterona (P4). Faltam, entretanto, na literatura, estudos consistentes sobre a regulação da MEC endometrial na ausência de sinais parácrinos provenientes do embrião. Além disso, não se conhece detalhes sobre a ação dos hormônios ovarianos sobre a produção de componentes da MEC por células deciduais. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve dois objetivos centrais: (i) caracterizar por imuno-histoquímica a composição e organização da MEC durante o desenvolvimento do deciduoma, (ii) estudar por qPCR, Western blot, e imunolocalização o efeito dos hormônios E2 e Medroxiprogesterona (MPA) na dinâmica da expressão de RNAm, síntese e secreção de moléculas da MEC em culturas primárias de células obtidas de deciduoma. Observamos que, a distribuição do colágeno tipo I, III, IV, V e dos proteoglicanos decorim, biglicam e versicam no deciduoma, foi semelhante ao já observado na decídua. As análises in vitro, mostram que o hormônio E2 aumenta a expressão gênica, a síntese e a deposição de decorim enquanto o MPA tem como alvo o biglicam. Ambos hormônios modulam a expressão de desmina, um marcador de decidualização. O presente estudo também mostra que o padrão de remodelação das moléculas alvo do presente estudo, é similar ao observado durante a decidualização da gestação normal, Conclui-se, portanto, que a remodelação da MEC é um evento intrínseco do processo de decidualização quer na gestação quer na pseudogestação. Ou seja, não foram identificadas diferenças que indicassem a existência de controle pelo embrião. Mostramos ainda que, in vitro, os hormônios E2 e MPA regulam de modo específico a expressão gênica e a secreção do proteoglicanos decorim e biglicam. / During pregnancy in several species of mammals, including humans and mice, endometrial fibroblasts undergo extensive morphofunctional changes acquiring an epithelial phenotype. Those new cells form a new structure in the uterus called decidua. In mice, the decidual reaction can be artificially induced in pseudopregnant females resulting in the formation of a structure morphologically similar to the decidua called deciduoma, a relevant model to study the putative role of the embryo upon decidualization. Endometrial decidualization is an essential event for the success of pregnancy. A notable remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and molecular composition occurs during this process. There are evidences, many of them coming from studies of the Laboratory of Reproductive and Extracellular Matrix Biology (LBR-MEC), that estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) modulate the remodeling of the uterine ECM. Nevertheless, there is no consistent information about the role, if it exists, of the embryo on the regulation of the endometrial ECM. Furthermore, it was not yet clarified how the ovarian hormones act on the production of ECM components by decidual cells. Thus, the objective of present study was to identify the composition and organization of the ECM during the development of the mouse deciduoma; and to study by qPCR, Western blot and immunolocalization methods, the effect of hormones E2 and medroxiprogesterone (MPA) on synthesis and secretion of ECM molecules by primary cultures of mouse decidual cells obtained from deciduoma. We found that the distribution of collagen types I, III, IV, V and proteoglycans decorin, biglycan and versican in deciduoma, was similar to that previously observed in the decidua. The in vitro assays showed E2 increases the gene expression for the core protein of Decorin, while MPA increases the expression of the core protein of Biglycan. In addition, was observed that both hormones increase the expression of desmin a marker of decidualization. These results showed that in the endometrium of both pregnant and pseudopregnant animals ECM molecules such as collagens and proteoglycans are similarly modulated by ovarian hormones. At from the present study we may conclude that ECM remodeling is an intrinsic event that happens during decidualization modulated by E2 and MPA and this modualation independ of the presence of the embryo in the uterus. In adition we showed that in decidual cells in vitro the gene expression and the secretion of proteoglycans decorin and biglycan are differentially regulated by hormones E2 and MPA.

O biglicam é um proteoglicano é altamente expresso em células trofoblásticas de patologias placentárias com invasividade exacerbada. No entanto, as funções do biglicam no trofoblasto ainda não foram elucidadas. Sendo assim, verificamos a expressão e as funções de biglicam e seus receptores Toll-like (TLR)-2 e TLR-4 nas células trofoblásticas durante a gestação. As células do citotrofoblasto extraviloso (CTEV) foram positivas para todas as moléculas, menos para o biglicam em placentas a termo. Adição exógena de biglicam promoveu migração e invasão das células trofoblásticas. O biglicam estimulou a fosforilação de AKT nos sítios Thr308 e Ser473 nas células trofoblásticas. A migração e a invasão biglicam-dependentes e as fosforilações de AKT foram inibidas após a adição de anticorpos bloqueadores anti-TLR-2 e anti-TLR-4. O silenciamento gênico de AKT1 em células SGHPL-5 aboliu os efeitos do biglicam na motilidade. Em conclusão, o biglicam aumenta a motilidade de células trofoblásticas após sinalização por AKT através da ativação de TLR-2 e TLR-4. / Biglycan is a highly expressed proteoglycan in trophoblast cells from invasiveness-changed placental pathologies. However, biglycan functions in the trophoblast were not yet identified. Therefore, it was verified the expression and functions of biglycan and its receptors Toll-like (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 in trophoblast cells throughout pregnancy. The extravillous cytotrophoblast cells (EVT) were positive to all the molecules, although biglycan was negative in term placentas. Exogenous biglycan promoted migration and invasion of trophoblast cells. Biglycan stimulated AKT phosphorilation at Thr308 and Ser473 sites in trophoblast cells. The biglycan-dependent migration, invasion and AKT phosphorilation were inhibited upon addiction of anti-TLR-2 and anti-TLR-4 blocking antibodies. AKT1 genic silencing in SGHPL-5 cells abolished the motility effects. In conclusion, biglycan increases the motility of trophoblast cells after AKT signaliing throughout TLR-2 and TLR-4 activation.

The corneal wound healing process is a complex process, which often leads to the development of scar tissue with loss of transparency. When the cornea is wounded, some of the viable keratocytes are activated by growth factors to proliferate, and repair the wound by the production of a new extracellular matrix (ECM) that is either normal or is disorganized (fibrotic). The first part of this dissertation aims to show that the growth factors IGF-I, TGF-ß, FGF-2, and PDGF stimulate keratocytes to synthesize different levels of collagens and proteoglycans and are therefore responsible for initiating the wound healing repair process. FGF-2 stimulated keratocytes to proliferate but did not stimulate collagen production; IGF-I and PDGF stimulated keratocytes to proliferate and produce a collagenous ECM that could restore transparency; while, TGF-ß stimulated keratocytes produce a fibrocollagenous ECM that is opaque. The second part of this dissertation aims to evaluate collagen fibril content, distribution, and orientation in the ECM deposited by keratocytes cultured in IGF-I, TGF-ß, FGF-2, and PDGF under a layer of agarose: a culture modification that enhances the formation of ECM in vitro. FGF-2 agarose cultures had little ECM and the keratocytes were in close cell contact while IGF-I, TGF-ß, and PDGF agarose cultures had the least cell contact with an extensive fibrillar ECM. This newly developed agarose overlay cell culture system increases ECM formation with the cell layer only when the synthesis of collagen is stimulated and that the ECM morphology is growth factor specific. Cell culture has proven to be a reliable technique to study the keratocytes response to trauma and disease; however, limitations exist. Primary keratocytes that possess quiescent phenotype are unable to be rapidly expanded or subcultured without the addition of a mitogen(s). Most commonly, keratocytes are cultured and passaged in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS), which activate the cells to proliferate and differentiate into fibroblasts or myofibroblasts as well as lose expression of their unique transparency enabling gene products. The third part of this dissertation aims to develop a defined culture media that can be used to expand and subculture keratocytes that express keratocyte specific markers. Culture medium supplemented with FGF-2 combined with ITS was used to: expand and subculture primary bovine keratocytes while maintaining their expression of keratocan and to restore keratocan expression to bovine keratocytes expanded and subcultured with media containing 2.5% FBS. This dissertation shows the significance of signaling molecules in vitro to produce keratocyte cultures useful for understanding normal stromal biology and its repair process.

Tau mutations promote the formation of tau oligomers and filaments, which are neuropathological signs of several tau-associated dementias. Types of neurons in the CNS are spared of tau pathology and are surrounded by a specialized form of extracellular matrix; called perineuronal nets (PNs). Aggrecan, the major PN proteoglycans, is suggested to mediate PNs neuroprotective function by forming an external shield preventing the internalization of misfolded tau. We recently demonstrated a correlation between aggrecan amount and the expression and phosphorylation of tau in a TauP310L-acan mouse model, generated by crossbreeding heterozygous aggrecan mice with a significant reduction of aggrecan and homozygous TauP301L mice. Neurodegenerative processes have been associated with changes of PN structure and protein signature. In this study, we hypothesized that the structure and protein expression of PNs in this TauP310L-acan mouse is regulated by tau. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses demonstrate that protein levels of PN components differ between TauP301LHET-acanWT and TauP301LHET-acanHET mice, accompanied by changes in the expression of protein phosphatase 2 A. In addition, tau can modulate PN components such as brevican. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed a physical connection between PN components and tau. These data demonstrate a complex, mutual interrelation of tau and the proteoglycans of the PN.