Altered osteoclast development and function in osteopontin deficient mice

The role of osteopontin in bone resorption was elucidated by studies of mice with knock out of the osteopontin gene generated by a different approach compared to previous models. Thus, a targeting vector with the promoter region as well as exons 1, 2, and 3 of the osteopontin gene was replaced by a loxP-flanked Neo-TK cassette, and this cassette was eliminated through transient expression of Cre recombinase. The recombined ES cells were used to create mice lacking expression of the osteopontin gene. Tissues from these mice were subjected structural and molecular analyses including morphometry and proteomics. The bone of the null mice contained no osteopontin but showed no significant alterations with regard to other bone proteins. The bone volume was normal in young null animals but in the lower metaphysis, the volume and number of osteoclasts were increased. Notably, the volume and length of the osteoclast ruffled border was several folds lower, indicating a lower resorptive capacity. The null mice did not develop the bone loss characteristic for osteoporosis demonstrated in old wild-type female animals. This quantitative study demonstrates a bone phenotype in the osteopontin null mice of all ages. The data provides further evidence for a role of osteopontin in osteoclast activity.

Common structures of the core proteins of interstitial proteoglycans

Connective tissues, with few exceptions, contain easily distinguishable large and small proteoglycans with chondroitin sulphate or dermatan sulphate side-chains. One group consists of the large aggregating proteoglycans that have the capacity to interact specifically with hyaluronate, thereby forming very large aggregates. These proteoglycans can be divided into two families which can be separated by electrophoresis. Preliminary results indicate that one of these may be derived from the other by processing in the extracellular matrix. Although most prominent in cartilage, similar proteoglycans are present in many types of tissue, such as aorta, sclera and tendon. Another population are the large non-aggregating proteoglycans, identified in cartilage. These proteoglycans show structural features partially different from any of the others. They may represent a distinct population of molecules present in many connective tissues. Many tissues contain major populations of small, non-aggregating proteoglycans. These can be divided into two major groups, differing in the composition of their core proteins, while having similar types of side-chain constituents. One group is represented by proteoglycans from nasal cartilage and aorta, while the other is represented by proteoglycans from tendon, bone, sclera and cornea.

Laminin alpha1 globular domains 4-5 induce fetal development but are not vital for embryonic basement membrane assembly

During early mouse embryogenesis, each laminin (Lm) chain of the first described Lm, a heterotrimer of alpha1, beta1, and gamma1 chains (Lm-1), is essential for basement membrane (BM) assembly, which is required for pregastrulation development. Individual domains may have other functions, not necessarily structural. The cell binding C terminus of Lm alpha1 chain contains five Lm globular (LG) domains. In vitro, alpha1LG1-3 domains bind integrins, and alpha1LG4 binds dystroglycan, heparin, and sulfatides. A prevailing hypothesis is that alpha1LG4 is crucial as a structural domain for BM assembly, whereas integrin-binding sites conduct signaling. The in vivo role of alpha1LG4-5 (also called E3) has not been studied. Mice lacking alpha1LG4-5 were therefore made. Null embryos implanted, but presumptive epiblast cells failed to polarize and did not survive past day 6.5. BM components including truncated Lm alpha1 were detected in Reichert's membrane. Surprisingly, embryonic BM assembly between visceral endoderm and stem cells was normal in null embryos and in embryoid bodies of alpha1LG4-5-null embryonic stem cells. Yet, stem cells could not develop into polarized epiblast cells. Thus, alpha1LG4-5 provides vital signals for the conversion of stem cells to polarized epithelium.

Extracellular matrix components in atherosclerotic arteries of Apo E/LDL receptor deficient mice: an immunohistochemical study

During accelerated vascular remodeling such as in atherosclerosis, the composition of the extracellular matrix becomes altered. The matrix components of the diseased artery influence cellular processes such as adhesion, migration and proliferation. Furthermore, in atherosclerosis, the inability of the cells within the lesion to produce a mechanically stable matrix may lead to plaque rupture. In this immunohistochemical study of atherosclerotic mice aorta, we have reviewed the presence of ECM components with roles in maintaining tissue structure and function. These components include osteopontin and COMP as well as the leucine rich repeats proteins decorin, PRELP, and fibromodulin. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated presence of osteopontin, COMP, decorin, PRELP and fibromodulin in lesion areas of ApoE/LDLr deficient mice. Some advanced lesions exhibited areas of cartilage-like morphology and were shown to represent cartilage by their content of the cartilage specific proteins collagen II and aggrecan. The results suggest that cartilage-associated cell/collagen binding ECM proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Altered Vascular Remodeling in Osteopontin-Deficient Atherosclerotic Mice

BACKGROUND

Osteopontin (OPN) is a cell-binding phosphoprotein with proposed functions in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to examine how OPN deficiency affects the atherosclerotic process.

METHODS

ApoE/LDL receptor/OPN triple knockout (ALO) mice were generated by crossing OPN null mice with ApoE/LDL receptor-deficient (AL) mice. Analysis were made on tissue sections from the aortic arch of 8-, 20- and 34-week female AL and ALO mice and included morphometric measurements, collagen staining, TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry with antibodies to OPN, macrophages and proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA).

RESULTS

Lesion and media areas were significantly smaller and collagen accumulation in lesions was significantly reduced in 34-week-old ALO mice compared with AL mice. The numbers of proliferating and apoptotic cells were increased in lesions of 34 weeks old ALO mice. Furthermore, the plasma levels of SAA and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in 34 weeks old ALO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that OPN deficiency reduces atherogenesis in atherosclerotic mice. The results corroborate and extend recently published findings and also include novel data on the role of OPN in the process of remodeling, inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Ultrastructural distribution of osteoadherin in rat bone shows a pattern similar to that of bone sialoprotein

Osteoadherin (OSAD) is a keratan sulfate proteoglycan recently isolated from bovine and rat bone. Based on results obtained from in vitro experiments, the protein was shown to bind osteoblasts via the integrin receptor alpha v beta 3. Due to OSAD's capacity to bind hydroxyapatite crystals, a role for the protein in the mineralization process has also been suggested. To test these hypotheses in an in vivo model, the ultrastructural localization of OSAD in bone, tibial (metaphyses and diaphyses), and calvarial samples from normal 10 to 12-day-old rats were examined by immunohistochemical techniques at the ultrastructural level. In addition to the qualitative studies, quantitative measurements of OSAD marker density were performed in relevant compartments. Immunolabeling for OSAD was located to the mineralized bone matrix, with highest concentration of marker at the border between bone and cartilage remnants in the metaphyseal trabeculi. Intracellular labeling was low and no systemic accumulation of OSAD markers was observed at the cell-matrix interface. The observed distribution pattern of OSAD is strikingly similar to that of bone sialoprotein (BSP), confirmed by double labeling. The results of the current study support a role for OSAD in the mineralization process. In this process BSP is assumed to be a nucleator of hydroxyapatite crystals, and OSAD could work in concert with BSP to regulate nucleation. However, the mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated.

Alkylaminopropenones and alkylamino-propenoates as efficient and versatile synthons in microwave-assisted combinatorial synthesis

A simple and fast one-pot method using microwave irradiation for the synthesis of a number of small libraries of diverse heterocycles is described in this paper. The two-step one-pot method includes the formation of alkylaminopropenones or alkylaminopropenoates in 5 min at 180 degrees C and a subsequent treatment with dinucleophiles for 3 to 5 min at 150 degrees C to 180 degrees C to form a variety of biologically interesting heterocycles in a cascade-type reaction. The combination of combinatorial chemistry and microwave-assisted synthesis was found to be very efficient.

Drug targeting to the brain: transfer of picolinic acid along the olfactory pathways

Picolinic acid (PA) protects against quinolinic acid- and kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity in the brain. To study the uptake of PA to the brain, we administered [3H]PA via a unilateral nasal instillation or iv injection to mice. Autoradiography demonstrated a rapid uptake of radioactivity in the olfactory nerve layer and in the ipsilateral olfactory bulb (OB) following nasal instillation of [3H]PA. After 4 h, there was a high level of radioactivity in the central parts of the ipsilateral OB and olfactory peduncle. Moreover, iv injection of [3H]PA demonstrated a selective uptake and retention of radioactivity in the OB. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) demonstrated the presence of PA and PA-glycine conjugate in the OB. In mice with reduced peripheral olfactory innervations there was a decreased uptake of [3H]PA in the OB as compared to controls suggesting that an intact olfactory neuroepithelium is a prerequisite for an uptake of PA to the OB. There is an increased interest in brain targeting of drugs with limited ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. The present results demonstrate that PA fulfils structural requirements for a transfer along the olfactory pathways to the brain.

Injury-induced osteopontin gene expression in rat arterial smooth muscle cells is dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/ERK2

Previous work shows that osteopontin has a role during matrix reorganization after tissue injury including vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis and restenosis following angioplasty. In vitro, osteopontin promotes activities such as adhesion and migration but the mechanisms that regulate the expression of this matrix protein remain essentially unknown. This study examined if the ERK signaling pathway is involved in injury-induced osteopontin expression in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Northern and Western blotting demonstrated a marked activation of osteopontin expression in response to injury. Treating the cells with PD98059, a specific MEK1 inhibitor, prior to injury, blocked this upregulation. MEK1 phosphorylates ERK1/ERK2, which belong to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases. We conclude that ERK1/ERK2 are involved in the regulation of osteopontin expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Transfer of some carboxylic acids in the olfactory system following intranasal administration

The uptake of [14C]benzoic acid, 4-chloro[14C]benzoic acid, [3H]phthalic acid and [14C]salicylic acid in the nasal passages and brain was determined following a unilateral intranasal instillation in mice. An uptake of radioactivity from the nasal mucosa to the ipsilateral olfactory bulb was observed up to 4 h after administration following intranasal instillation of these carboxylic acids whereas the level was low in the contralateral olfactory bulb. Autoradiography of mice given [14C]benzoic acid and [14C]salicylic acid by intranasal instillation showed a preferential localization of radioactivity in the axonal and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb 1 h after the administration. Four hours after administration the radioactivity was present as a gradient from the axonal layer towards the center of the olfactory bulb. Pretreatment of mice with a compound known to damage the olfactory neuroepithelium resulted in a decreased uptake of [14C]benzoic acid in the olfactory bulb. Thin layer chromatography of supernatants from the ipsilateral olfactory bulbs of mice given [14C]benzoic acid by nasal instillation indicated that the radioactivity in the bulbs represented unchanged compound. These results suggest that there is a transfer of some aromatic carboxylic acids in the olfactory pathways.

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1, activin A, and their receptors in thyroid follicle cells: negative regulation of thyrocyte growth and function

Thyroid growth and function are intricately regulated by both positive and negative factors. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) super-family members and their receptors in normal porcine thyroid follicle cells. In tissue sections of porcine thyroids, we observed an expression of TGF-beta1, activin A, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 proteins. The staining was localized to the follicular epithelium. In affinity cross-linking experiments, TGF-beta1 was found to bind to heteromeric complexes of TGF-beta type I and type II receptors, and activin A bound most efficiently to heteromeric complexes of activin type IB and type II receptors. We were unable to detect any BMP receptors (BMPRs) in attempts to perform affinity cross-linking with BMP-7. However, expression of BMPR-IA and BMPR-II messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected by Northern blot analysis. Both TGF-beta1 and activin A, but not BMP-7, increased the phosphorylation of Smad2, induced nuclear translocation of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4, and inhibited thyrocyte cell growth as well as TSH-stimulated cAMP response. TGF-beta1 was more potent, compared with activin A, to induce these cellular responses. Taken together, our findings indicate a role for several members of the TGF-beta family in regulation of thyroid growth and function.

A major non-collagenous 62 kDa protein from rat bone mineralized matrix is identical to pp63 a phosphorylated glycoprotein from liver

A protein present as a M(r) 62 k monomer and as several differently sized disulfide-bonded oligomers has been isolated from rat bone mineralized matrix. Its overall tissue distribution determined by ELISA immunoassays showed the protein present only in bone, tooth and in serum while aorta, cartilage, intestine, kidney, liver, muscle, skin, spleen and tendon were all negative. Despite that the 62 kDa protein was abundant and selectively found in bone, no positive cDNA clone could be identified in several rat bone libraries. Positive clones were, however, identified in a rat liver expression library. A cDNA clone of 1.3 kb hybridized in a Northern blotting assay to a 1.8 kb mRNA in rat liver. No hybridization signal was detected with RNA from bone, brain, lung, muscle, spleen and kidney. Sequence analysis of the isolated cDNA clone revealed a 50-bp untranslated region followed by an open reading frame of 357 amino acids. The open reading frame can be divided into a 17-amino acid signal peptide followed by the mature protein of 340 amino acids with alanine as its N-terminal amino acid. A short N-terminal amino acid sequence from the isolated 62-kDa bone protein verified the molecular identity of the cDNA clone. The primary structure of the 62-kDa liver protein was identical to a that of a 63-kDa phosphorylated glycoprotein (pp63) from liver.

Specific binding of bone sialoprotein to Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with osteomyelitis

Bone sialoprotein is selectively bound by Staphylococcus aureus cells isolated from patients suffering from infections of bone tissue [Rydén, C., Maxe, I., Franzén, A., Ljungh, A., Heinegård, D. & Rubin, K. (1987) Lancet II, 514]. In the present communication the binding of bone sialoprotein to staphylococcal cells is characterized in more detail. 125I-Labelled bone sialoprotein bound to suspended staphylococcal cells in a time-dependent, saturable and reversible manner. Binding was inhibited by unlabelled bone sialoprotein and by an amino-terminal CNBr fragment of bone sialoprotein that did not contain the eukaryotic cell-binding site. Binding was furthermore inhibited by lysates obtained from Escherichia coli lysogens carrying a lambda gt11 phage-encoding bone sialoprotein. In contrast, binding was not inhibited by a bacterial lysate from an osteopontin lambda gt11 lysogen, nor by N-linked oligosaccharide isolated from bone sialoprotein or by proteoglycan from rat chondrosarcoma containing clustered O-linked oligosaccharides of the same structure as those of bone sialoprotein. These results indicate that the major staphylococcal-binding site resides in the bone sialoprotein core protein and not in the carbohydrate side chains. No inhibition of bone sialoprotein binding could be detected for whole human serum or purified plasma proteins such as fibronectin, fibrinogen and IgG. Likewise, staphylococcal protein A or rat collagen type I did not inhibit the binding of bone sialoprotein. The latter results indicate that the binding site for bone sialoprotein on staphylococcal cells was not any of the hitherto described staphylococcal cell-surface proteins. Binding data indicated an average of 1000 bone-sialoprotein-binding sites/bacterial cell.

The primary structure of a cell-binding bone sialoprotein

We have determined the amino acid sequence of rat bone sialoprotein (BSP). The sequence deduced from a 1974-base pair cDNA encodes a protein of 320 residues, including a 16-residues long signal peptide. The mature BSP has a molecular mass of 33,600 and contains predominantly glutamic acid and glycine residues, which constitute 32% of all residues. The glutamic acid residues are typically distributed in clusters of up to 10 consecutive residues. The tissue distribution of BSP mRNA suggests that the protein may be a unique product of cells in bone tissue. BSP contains an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, which presumably is responsible for its cell binding properties (Oldberg, A., Franzén, A., Heinegård, D., Pierschbacher, M., and Ruoslahti, E. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 19433-19436).

Identification of a bone sialoprotein receptor in osteosarcoma cells

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein associated with the mineral bone matrix. The amino acid sequence of BSP contains an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence which confers to the protein cell binding properties (Oldberg, A., Franzén, A., and Heinegård, D. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 19430-19432). When BSP was used as an affinity matrix to isolate a cell surface receptor from rat osteosarcoma cells, a protein composed of polypeptides similar in size to those of a previously characterized vitronectin receptor was obtained. This putative BSP receptor, like the vitronectin receptor, bound also to an affinity matrix made of an RGD-containing heptapeptide. Moreover, similar patterns of inhibition of cell attachment to BSP and vitronectin was obtained with variant RGD-containing peptides, with BSP and with vitronectin. Finally, an anti-vitronectin receptor antiserum immunoprecipitated a receptor identical in size to the receptor bound to a BSP affinity matrix. These results show that BSP is recognized by an RGD-directed receptor and that both vitronectin and BSP can bind to this receptor.

Cloning and sequence analysis of rat bone sialoprotein (osteopontin) cDNA reveals an Arg-Gly-Asp cell-binding sequence

The primary structure of a bone-specific sialoprotein was deduced from cloned cDNA. One of the cDNA clones isolated from a rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) phage lambda gt11 library had a 1473-base-pair-long insert that encoded a protein with 317 amino acid residues. This cDNA clone appears to represent the complete coding region of sialoprotein mRNA, including a putative AUG initiation codon and a signal peptide sequence. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA contains several Ser-Xaa-Glu sequences, possibly representing attachment points for O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides and one Asn-Xaa-Ser sequence representing a likely site for the N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide. An interesting observation is the Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser sequence, which is identical to the cell-binding sequence identified in fibronectin. The presence of this sequence prompted us to investigate the cell-binding properties of sialoprotein. The ROS 17/2.8 cells attached and attained a spread morphology on surfaces coated with sialoprotein. We could demonstrate that synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides efficiently inhibited the attachment of cells to sialoprotein-coated substrates. The results show that the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence also confers cell-binding properties on bone-specific sialoprotein. To better reflect the potential function of bone sialoprotein--we propose the name "osteopontin" for this protein.

Two novel matrix proteins isolated from articular cartilage show wide distributions among connective tissues

Two proteins of Mr = 58,000 and 59,000, respectively, were purified from 4 M guanidinium chloride extracts of articular cartilage by dissociative CsCl-density gradient centrifugation followed by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The two proteins differ in ionic properties and only the one with Mr = 59,000 bound to the ion exchanger. Although the two proteins showed dissimilar peptide patterns after proteolysis, their amino acid composition was similar, with very high contents of leucine and aspartic acid/asparagine. The two proteins showed no cross-reactivity in radioimmunoassays. By use of these assays, the proteins were demonstrated in extracts of most connective tissues, with high contents of about 0.1% of tissue wet weight determined in several types of cartilage. Among the non-cartilage connective tissues, tendon and sclera had the highest contents of the proteins, i.e. about 0.1% of the tissue wet weight. Bone extracts, on the other hand, contained insignificant amounts of the proteins. Only the Mr = 59,000 protein was detected in serum, its concentration being about 33 micrograms/l. Both proteins were shown to be localized in the extracellular matrix of cartilage, predominantly in the territorial matrix, by using indirect immunofluorescence.

Isolation and characterization of two sialoproteins present only in bone calcified matrix

Two different sialoproteins were isolated from the mineralized matrix of bovine bone by using extraction with guanidinium chloride first without and then with EDTA. The sialoproteins were purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose eluted with a sodium acetate gradient in 7 M-urea, pH 6. Two sialoproteins (I and II) were then separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose eluted with a sodium chloride gradient in 7 M-urea, pH 4. The ratio between recovered sialoprotein I and II was 1:5. The chemical analysis of the two sialoproteins showed that they differed. Both, however, had very high contents of aspartic acid/asparagine and glutamic acid/glutamine though they differed markedly in contents of leucine and glycine. Both sialoproteins contained phosphate, sialoprotein I more than sialoprotein II. Content of sialic acid was substantially higher in the more prominent sialoprotein II (13.4% of dry weight) than in sialoprotein I (4.8% of dry weight). The peptide patterns produced by trypsin digests of [125I]iodinated sialoproteins I and II showed both structural similarities and structural differences. Sialoprotein II, being the major component, was characterized further. Its molecular mass was 57300 Da determined by sedimentation-equilibrium centrifugation in 6 M-guanidinium chloride, and its sedimentation coefficient (S0(20),w) was 2.53 S. Upon rotary shadowing, sialoprotein II appeared as an extended rod, having a core with an average length of 40 nm. Two types of oligosaccharides, N-glycosidically and O-glycosidically linked to the core protein, were isolated from sialoprotein II. Contents of mannose and sialic acid in the O-linked oligosaccharide were surprisingly high. Antibodies against sialoprotein II were raised in rabbits and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed. Antigenicity of sialoprotein II was not affected by reduction and alkylation, was only partially lost upon trypsin digestion and was completely lost upon fragmentation of the core protein by alkaline-borohydride treatment, indicating that all antigenic sites were located in the protein portion. Sialoprotein I expectedly showed only partial immunological cross-reactivity with sialoprotein II. The quantity of sialoprotein II in bone extracts was found to be about 1.5 mg/g wet wt. of bone, but the protein was not detected in extracts of a number of other bovine tissues i.e. aorta, cartilage, dentine, kidney, liver, muscle, sclera, skin and tendon.

The core proteins of large and small interstitial proteoglycans from various connective tissues form distinct subgroups

Large and small proteoglycans were separately isolated from a number of connective tissues and compared to determine the extent of structural similarity. This was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and by the peptide patterns obtained when 125I-labelled proteoglycans were digested with trypsin. All the large proteoglycans, i.e. from tendon, sclera, cartilage and aorta, appear to contain the structure typical for the hyaluronic acid-binding region, both shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by content of peptides unique for this region. These proteoglycans also share other structural features of the protein core, as indicated by immunological cross-reactivity and similar peptide patterns. The large proteoglycans from aorta in addition show the presence of unique structures both upon immunoassay and with regard to peptide pattern. Among the small proteoglycans two groups can be identified, although amino acid composition and protein core sizes are grossly similar. One group consists of the small proteoglycans from aorta and cartilage having similar peptide maps and showing immunological cross-reactivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The other distinctly different group consists of the small proteoglycans from bone, cornea, sclera and tendon, which among them show identity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and similar peptide patterns. Proteoglycans from the two groups, however, show partial immunological cross-reactivity.

Characterization of proteoglycans from the calcified matrix of bovine bone

The proteoglycans characterized were those isolated from the calcified matrix of mature bovine bone [Franzén & Heinegård (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 47-58]. The average molecular mass of the bone proteoglycan is 74 600 Da, determined by sedimentation-equilibrium centrifugation in 4M-guanidinium chloride. Its sedimentation coefficient (s0(20),w) is 3.04 S. The apparent Mr of its core protein is 46 000, estimated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the chondroitinase ABC-digested proteoglycan. A more likely molecular mass of the core protein is 30 000 Da, as calculated from the molecular mass and the protein content (40%) of the proteoglycan. The bone proteoglycan contains one or probably two chondroitin sulphate chains each with a molecular mass (weight-average) of 33 700 Da and several oligosaccharides both of the N-glycosidically and the O-glycosidically linked type. Antibodies against the homogeneous bone proteoglycans were raised in rabbits. An e.l.i.s.a. (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method was developed that allowed specific quantification of bone proteoglycans at nanogram levels. The specificity of the antibodies was tested by using the e.l.i.s.a. method. The bone proteoglycan showed partial cross-reactivity with the small proteoglycan of cartilage. The antibodies were used to localize immunoreactivity of bone proteoglycans by indirect immunofluorescence in frozen sections of foetal bovine epiphysial growth plate. The fluorescence was entirely found in the primary spongiosa, and no fluorescence was found among the hypertrophied chondrocytes or in the region of provisional calcification.

Extraction and purification of proteoglycans from mature bovine bone

Proteoglycans were extracted in good yields from the mineralized matrix of ground bovine bone, by using a two-step extraction procedure. Proteoglycans (8% of total), not associated with the bone mineral, were extracted at - 20 degrees C with 4M-guanidinium chloride containing proteinase inhibitors. Proteoglycans associated with the mineral, which accounted for 60% of the total, were then solubilized when EDTA was added to the extraction solvent. They were fractionated and purified in the presence of 4M-guanidinium chloride by CsCl-density-gradient centrifugations followed by chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B. Further purification was obtained by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite in the presence of 7 M-urea. Three populations of proteoglycans and additional glycosaminoglycan peptides were obtained. The molecular dimensions of both intact molecules and of their side chains as well as their amino acid composition were different, indicating that they represent separate molecular entities. The main proteoglycan self-aggregated in the absence of 4M-guanidinium chloride or 7 M-urea, a property that was abolished when the proteoglycan core protein was fragmented.

Proteoglycans and calcification of cartilage in the femoral head epiphysis of the immature rat

The femoral heads of young rats have been used to monitor changes in proteoglycan structure during growth and endochondral ossification. Proteoglycans were extracted in good yield. The tissue content of proteoglycans increased until the time of calcification and then decreased. In contrast, the collagen content increased over the period studied. On Day 20, just preceding the onset of calcification, the proteoglycans had a lower glycosaminoglycan content, were somewhat smaller, and contained a larger proportion of molecules that were not capable of interacting with hyaluronic acid. On Day 25, during ongoing calcification, the proportion of proteoglycans that were not capable of interacting with hyaluronic acid was low, while it again was high on Day 40, just preceding ossification. The relative glycosaminoglycan content of the proteoglycans was somewhat lower on Day 20 and Day 40. The results indicate that both at the time of calcification and at the time of ossification the proteoglycan structure changes, perhaps indicating a functional role for the proteoglycans in the calcification process.

Cartilage proteoglycan aggregate formation. Role of link protein

Cartilage proteoglycan aggregate formation was studied by zonal rate centrifugation in sucrose gradients. Proteoglycan aggregates, monomers and proteins could be resolved. It was shown that the optimal proportion of hyaluronic acid for proteoglycan aggregate formation was about 1% of proteoglycan dry weight. The reaggregation of dissociated proteoglycan aggregate A1 fraction was markedly concentration-dependent and even at 9 mg/ml only about 90% of the aggregates were reformed. The lowest proportion of link protein required for maximal formation of link-stabilized proteoglycan aggregates was 1.5% of proteoglycan dry weight. It was separately shown that link protein co-sedimented with the proteoglycan monomer. By competition with isolated hyaluronic acid-binding-region fragments, a proportion of the link proteins was removed from the proteoglycan monomers, indicating that the link protein binds to the hyaluronic acid-binding region of the proteoglycan monomer.

Variations in the composition of bovine hip articular cartilage with distance from the articular surface

Punch biopsies of bovine hip articular cartilage was sectioned according to depth and the proteoglycans were isolated. The mid-sections of the cartilage contained more proteoglycans than did either the superficial or the deepest portions of the cartilage proteoglycans than did either the superficial or the deepest portions of the cartilage. The most superficial 40 micrometer of the cartilage contained relatively more glucosaminoglycans compared with the remainder of the cartilage. The proteoglycans recovered from the surface 200 micrometer layer contained less chondroitin sulphate, were smaller and almost all of these molecules were able to interact with hyaluronic acid to form aggregates. From about 200 micrometer and down to 1040 micrometer from the surface, the proteoglycans became gradually somewhat smaller, probably owing to decreasing size of the chondroitin sulphate-rich region. The proportion of molecules that were able to interact with the hyaluronic acid was about 90% and remained constant with depth. The proteoglycans from the deepest layer near the cartilage-bone junction contained a large proportion of non-aggregating molecules, and the average size of the proteoglycans was somewhat larger. The alterations of proteoglycan structure observed with increasing depth of the articular cartilage beneath the surface layer (to 200 micrometer) are of the same nature as those observed with increasing age in full-thickness articular cartilage. The articular-cartilage proteoglycans were smaller and had much higher keratan sulphate and protein contents that did molecules isolated from bovine nasal or tracheal cartilage.

Histochemical characterization of alkaline phosphatase in developing rat teeth and bone

Alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1.) in developing teeth and in bone has been studied. Prior to hard tissue function a rather high enzyme activity was noted in differentiating odontoblasts, stratum intermedium, and outer enamel epithelium. A lower activity was observed in the cells of the dental papilla and stellate reticulum. After the onset of hard tissue formation the alkaline phosphatase activity was generally increased. Enzyme activity was also found in the proximal part of tall, secretory ameloblasts. In the short postsecretory ameloblasts a high enzyme activity was noted. At the onset of dentin mineralization there was an increase in enzyme activity in the cells of the subodontoblastic layer. In bone the highest alkaline phosphatase activity was found in osteoblasts. A difference was noted between the alkaline phosphatase of hard and soft tissues by means of the addition of inhibitors to the incubation media. Within the hard tissues it was possible to distinguish between two alkaline phosphatases after pretreatment with heat (56 degrees C) or the addition of specific inhibitors (sodium metavandate, ortho-and pyrophosphate). An isoenzyme which was sensitive to these procedures was demonstrated in odontoblasts and in the pulpal connective tissue. Another alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme, which was resistant to pretreatment with heat or the addition of vanadate or phosphate, was demonstrated in the subodontoblastic cell layer, stratum intermedium and the outer cells of the reduced enamel epithelium.

Electrophoretic separation of alkaline and acid phosphatase isoenzymes from the pulp of monkey teeth

Monkey pulps were homogenized in a Triton tris solution. After three centrifugation steps (800, 20000, and 105000 g) the supernatant was applied on acryl amide columns at pH 7.5 in a tris-diethyl barbituric acid buffer. Electrophoresis was performed at a constant current of 2.5 mA per gel column at 18--20 degrees C. Incubations for alkaline phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.1) were carried out at pH 8.3 using naphthol-AS-MX-phosphate as substrate and Fast Red Violet LB salt as coupler. Incubations for acid phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.2) were undertaken at pH 5.0 using alpha-naphtyl phosphate as substrate and hexazotized pararosanilin as coupling agent. After the incubations for alkaline phosphatase as well as acid phosphatase two bands showing enzyme activity were demonstrated. By means of treatment with heat (56 degrees C) prior to incubation or addition of vanadate or pyrophosphate to the incubation medium it was shown that the main part of the fast moving alkaline phosphatase band was sensitive to these procedures. The alkaline phosphatase of the slow moving band appeared to be resistant to heat or the addition of inhibitors.