title: Mapping of proteoglycans in human arterial tissue.
abstract: The major families of proteoglycans in human arterial tissue have been localized and characterized by electron microscopy. After staining with the polycationic dye cuprolinic blue in the presence of a critical electrolyte concentration, three differently sized populations of proteoglycan-cuprolinic blue precipitates are found. The precipitates are distinguished of the basis of their morphology, topographical distribution and susceptibility to specific glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes. Each type of proteoglycan is preferentially associated with one connective tissue component: (a) a dermatan sulfate proteoglycan interacts with collagenous fibers, (b) a heparan sulfate proteoglycan is associated with elastic fibers and with the exterior surface of the basement membrane-like layer surrounding smooth muscle cells, and (c) a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan forms aggregates with hyaluronate in the soluble matrix. Information about the pattern of proteoglycans in normal human arterial tissue should constitute a useful basis for evaluating perturbations in proteoglycan distribution in arteriosclerotic plaques.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000032:analysis; D001158:Arteries / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D008190:Lyases; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011509:Proteoglycans; C015445:copper phthalocyanine; D008190:Lyases