This Article Order Full text via Infotrieve Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ausprunk, D. H. Articles by Nelson, D. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ausprunk, D. H. Articles by Nelson, D. A.

American Journal of Pathology, Vol 103, 353-366, Copyright © 1981 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

REGULAR ARTICLES

Proteoglycans in the microvasculature. I. Histochemical localization in microvessels of the rabbit eye

DH Ausprunk, CL Boudreau and DA Nelson

The ultrastructural organization of ruthenium red (RR) stainable material within small blood vessels located in the limbus of the rabbit eye was studied. Proteoglycans were identified in this material by digesting tissues with Streptomyces hyaluronidase, testicular hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, or heparinase before ruthenium red staining. Neuraminidase digestion enabled separate identification of sialoglycoprotein. The luminal surface of endothelial cells demonstrates an RR-stained glycocalyx containing both sialoglycoprotein and proteoglycans, which are removed by testicular hyaluronidase and crude heparinase. The basal coat of endothelial cells and small granules (10-20 nm in diameter) located within the basal lamina stain with RR and are removed only by crude heparinase. The surface coat of smooth muscle cells and small granules (10-20 nm) within their basal laminas are also digested by crude heparinase. Large proteoglycan granules (20-50 nm), which are completely removed by testicular hyaluronidase and partially digested by Streptomyces hyaluronidase, are deposited between the connective tissue fibers of the media and adventitia. Other large granules that are attached to collagen fibers contain enzyme-resistant anionic materials. The surface coat of adventitial fibroblasts is removed only by crude heparinase. Thin filaments (3-5 nm in diameter) interconnect the cell coat material, basal lamina granules, and large connective tissue granules, to form a network of proteoglycans that traverses the intima, media, and adventitia. The highly ordered arrangement of proteoglycans in the microvascular wall suggests that these macromolecules play several roles in microvascular function.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. A. Wuillemin, E. Eldering, F. Citarella, C. P. d. Ruig, H. t. Cate, and C. E. Hack Modulation of Contact System Proteases by Glycosaminoglycans. SELECTIVE ENHANCEMENT OF THE INHIBITION OF FACTOR XIa J. Biol. Chem., May 31, 1996; 271(22): 12913 - 12918. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]