Publications

Immunohistochemical Distribution of Laminin-5 γ 2 Chain and its Developmental Change in Human Embryonic and Foetal Tissues

Lu W., Miyazaki K., Mizushima H., Nemoto N.The Histochemical Journal, 2001

Here, immunohistochemical distribution of laminin γ2 chain, a subunit of the basement membrane protein laminin 332, was examined in 19 cases of human embryos and fetuses ranging from 4 to 25 weeks of gestation. Laminin γ2 was first detected in the basement membranes underlying ectodermal epithelial tissues, such as the skin and tooth, as early as 5–6 weeks of gestation. Between 6–7 and 12–13 weeks, laminin γ2 was detected in the basement membranes of various endodermal epithelial tissues, such as the bronchus, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, urinary bladder, gallbladder, and hepatopancreatic duct. The deposition of laminin γ2 in the basement membrane was associated with the process of morphogenesis. In the small intestine, laminin γ2 first appeared in the basement membrane of the primitive short villi, and its level gradually increased in the villus region but decreased in the cryptic region during the maturation of the organ. In addition, non-basement membrane immunoreactivity for laminin γ2 was detected in some mesoderm-derived tissues, such as the cartilage and skeletal and smooth muscle fibers. These results suggest a common role of laminin 332 and some specific roles of its γ2 chain in the morphogenesis of human tissues.

Regulated expression of fibronectin, laminin and related integrin receptors during the early chondrocyte differentiation

Tavella S, Bellese G, Castagnola P, Martin I, Piccini D, Doliana R, Colombatti A, Cancedda R, Tacchetti C.Journal of Cell Science, 1997

Here, the authors investigate the expression and localization of fibronectin, laminin, and their receptors, and we used an in vitro chick chondrocyte differentiation model to define a time hierarchy for their appearance in early chondrogenesis and to determine their role in the cell condensation process. They show that fibronectin contributes to the initial cell-cell interactions that occur during condensation. In later stages, downregulation of both fibronectin and of its a5b1 integrin receptor occurs, as demonstrated by mRNA and protein kinetics. Immunolocalisation studies suggest that the reduction of fibronectin in discrete areas is involved in local activation of the cell differentiation program. Furthermore, we show that laminin is expressed during the in vitro cell condensation process in areas that are negative for fibronectin staining. The types of laminin, as well as the timing of expression, have been determined by northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. The highest levels of expression are coincident with maximal cell aggregation. Our data show that the a1, b1, and g1 mRNAs are maximally expressed at the higher level of cell aggregation, and progressively decrease during the differentiation to stage I chondrocytes; stage II hypertrophic chondrocytes express only low levels of g1. We do not exclude the possibility that other forms of LN, for which chick specific probes are not yet available, may also be expressed. The increase in a1, b1, and g1, LN mRNAs is paralleled by a switch in the isotype of a6 integrin subunits synthesized, from B to A. Immunolocalisationstudies suggest that laminin is involved in the definition of differentiating areas as opposed to non-differentiating areas of the condensed region, i.e. the periphery, which eventually gives rise to the perichondrium.

Expression of laminin isoforms, receptors, and binding proteins unique to nucleus pulposus cells of immature intervertebral disc

Chen J., Jing L., Gilchrist C.L., Richardson W.J., Fitch R.D., Setton L.A.Connect Tissue Res.,  2009

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorders are believed to be related to aging-related cell loss and phenotypic changes, as well as biochemical and structural changes in the extracellular matrix of the nucleus pulposus (NP) region. In this study, The authors evaluate the zonal-specific expression of the laminin chains, receptors (i.e., integrins), and other binding proteins in immature tissue and isolated cells of rat, porcine and human intervertebral disc. Our goal was to reveal features of the cellular environment and cell-matrix interactions in the immature NP. Laminin gamma1 chain is more highly expressed in immature NP porcine tissues, in parallel with the expression pattern for a laminin receptor, integrin alpha6 subunit, as compared to adjacent anulus fibrosus region. This result suggests that cell-matrix interactions may be unique to the immature NP. Results from both immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry analysis found that NP cells expressed higher levels of the laminin alpha5 chain, laminin receptors (integrin alpha3, alpha6, beta4 subunit, and CD239), and related binding proteins (CD151), as compared to cells from adjacent anulus fibrosus. These differences suggest that laminin interactions with NP cells are distinct from that of the anulus fibrosus and that laminins may be important contributors to region-specific IVD biology.

Laminins and Nidogens in the Pericellular Matrix of Chondrocytes - Their Role in Osteoarthritis and Chondrogenic Differentiation

Schminke B., Frese J., Bode C., Goldring M.B., Miosge N. American Society for Investigative Pathology, 2015

This is an investigation of cartilage tissue and isolated chondrocytes in three-dimensional culture obtained from patients with late-stage knee OA and nidogen-2 knockout mice. Chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) produced high levels of laminin-a1, laminin-a5, and nidogen-2 in their pericellular matrix, and laminin-a1 enhanced collagen type II and reduced collagen type I expression by cultured CPCs. Nidogen-2 increased SOX9 gene expression. This study reveals that the influence of the pericellular matrix on CPCs is important for the expression of the major regulator transcription factors, SOX9 and RUNX2. Our novel findings that laminins and nidogen-2 drive CPCs toward chondrogenesis may help in the elucidation of new treatment strategies for cartilage tissue regeneration. In summary, the expression of nidogen-2 and laminin is increased in human OA cartilage, and they act as chondrogenic regulators, especially for CPCs. Laminin also promotes chondrogenesis, enhancing collagen type II, COMP, and aggrecan expression, and down-regulating collagen type I. Therefore, these findings on laminin and nidogen-2 may aid in the elucidation of new treatment options, especially for tissue regeneration.

Basement membrane components are key players in specialized extracellular matrices

Kruegel J. and Miosge N.Cell. Mol. Life Sci., 2010

Basement membranes (BMs) are specialized extracellular matrices (sECMs) with unique components that support important functions including differentiation, proliferation, migration, and chemotaxis of cells during development. The composition of this sECM is as unique as the tissues to which they are localized, and changes in BM composition play significant roles in facilitating the development of various diseases. Furthermore, tissues have to provide sECM for their stem cells during development and for their adult life. Here, the authors briefly review the latest research on this unique sECM and their components with a special emphasis on embryonic and adult stem cells and their niches.

Collagen Type IV and Laminin Expressions during Cartilage Repair and in Late Clinically Failed Repair Tissues from Human Subjects

Foldager C.B., Toh W.S., Christensen B.B., Lind M., Gomoll A.H., Spector M.Cartilage, 2016

Here, the authors evaluate the expressions of Col4 and laminin in the pericellular matrix (PCM) in damaged cartilage and during cartilage repair. Laminin isoform111 has been identified in adult articular cartilage and laminin 332 in embryonic cartilage. While the interterritorial ECM is composed mainly of collagen type II and proteoglycans, the PCM consists mainly of collagen type IV and laminin. Collagen type IV and laminin were not found in the interterritorial ECM of normal cartilage and traumatically damaged cartilage. Depleted laminin expression levels in osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

Immunohistochemical Distribution of Laminin-5 γ 2 Chain and its Developmental Change in Human Embryonic and Foetal Tissues

Lu W., Miyazaki K., Mizushima H., Nemoto N.

Here, immunohistochemical distribution of laminin γ2 chain, a subunit of the basement membrane protein laminin 332, was examined in 19 cases of human embryos and foetuses ranging from 4 to 25 weeks of gestation. Laminin γ2 was first detected in the basement membranes underlying ectodermal epithelial tissues, such as the skin and tooth, as early as 5–6 weeks of gestation. Between 6–7 and 12–13 weeks, laminin γ2 was detected in the basement membranes of various endodermal epithelial tissues, such as the bronchus, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, urinary bladder, gallbladder, and hepatopancreatic duct. The deposition of laminin γ2 in the basement membrane was associated with the process of morphogenesis. In the small intestine, laminin γ2 first appeared in the basement membrane of the primitive short villi, and its level gradually increased in the villus region but decreased in the cryptic region during the maturation of the organ. In addition, non-basement membrane immunoreactivity for laminin γ2 was detected in some mesoderm-derived tissues, such as the cartilage and skeletal and smooth muscle fibers. These results suggest a common role of laminin 332 and some specific roles of its γ2 chain in the morphogenesis of human tissues.

Laminin-5 suppresses chondrogenic differentiation of murine teratocarcinoma cell line ATDC5

Hashimoto J., Ogawaa T., Tsubota Y., Miyazaki K.Experimental Cell Research, 2005

Here, the authors examined the possible role of laminin 332 in chondrogenesis. The murine teratocarcinoma cell line ATDC5 transiently and weakly expressing laminin 332 were stimulated for differentiation. Exogenous laminin 332 in either insoluble or soluble form strongly inhibited the differentiation phenotypes, i.e. formation of cartilaginous cell aggregates and production of chondrogenic marker proteins through its integrin-binding domain LG3 in the a3 chain. Laminin 332 had no effect on cell growth. In addition, they found that the laminin 332 with the 105-kDa, processed g2 chain suppressed differentiation more strongly than one with the 150-kDa g2 chain. This indicated that the proteolytic processing of g2 chain regulated the activity of laminin 332. However, a g2 chain short arm fragment had no effect on the chondrogenesis, and it rather suppressed the differentiation at excessive concentrations. These results suggest that laminin 332 and its processing modulate chondrogenic differentiation during development.

Regulation of Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Laminin-5 (Laminin-332)

Regulation of Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Laminin-5 (Laminin-332)

Hashimoto J., Hashimoto U., Kariya Y., Miyazaki K.
STEM CELLS, 2006

In this study, the authors examined a possible role of laminin 332 in the proliferation and differentiation of human MSCs. When MSCs were incubated in the presence of a coated or soluble form of laminin 332 in a growth medium, they proliferated more rapidly than nontreated cells, keeping their differentiation potential. On the other hand, laminin 332 potently suppressed the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. These activities were mediated mainly by integrin a3B1. However, laminin-5 had no effect on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. These results suggest that laminin-5 may contribute to the development of bone tissues by promoting proliferation and by suppressing the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Tissue distribution of the laminin β1 and β2 chain during embryonic and fetal human development

Roediger M., Miosge N., Gersdorff N. J Mol Hist., 2010

Here, the authors investigated the tissue distribution of the laminin b1 and b2 chains on the protein level in various developing embryonic and fetal human organs between gestational weeks 8 and 12. The laminin b1 chain was ubiquitously expressed in the basement membrane zones of the brain, ganglia, blood vessels, liver, kidney, skin, pancreas, intestine, heart and skeletal system. Furthermore, the laminin b2 chain was present in the basement membrane zones of the brain, ganglia, skin, heart, and skeletal system. The findings of this study support and expand upon the theory that these two laminin chains are important during human development. In cartilage, the laminin b1 chain was expressed from gw 10 onwards but not during gw 8 and 9, whereas the detection of the laminin b2 chain was limited to gw 8 and 9. This indicates a developmental switch in the laminin b chain and suggests that the laminin b1 chain does not play a role in human cartilage development until the fetal stage. In human fetal cartilage (gw 17 and 24), a strong pericellular immunohistochemical reaction for laminin 111 was shown. In embryo chick sternum and mouse limb bud, laminin b1 and b2 chains are present in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes.