Neural cell adhesion molecule is expressed by smooth muscle cells during the development of the rat vascular system.
The presence and distribution of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) was examined by light and electron microscopical immunocytochemistry in the descending thoracic aorta, the superior mesenteric artery and mesenteric arteries from fetal and adult rats (embryonic day 15 to post-natal day 90). In embryonic and early post-natal rats, N-CAM immunoreactivity was localized in perivascular nerves, in the smooth muscle cell plasma membrane and basal lamina. In nerves, N-CAM-immunoreactive sites were found associated with both the axon and Schwann cell membranes. N-CAM immunoreactivity was also found associated with the surface of adventitial fibroblast-like cells and with collagen fibrils, in regions where these fibrils were in contact with smooth muscle cells. In mature vessels N-CAM immunoreactivity was found to be restricted to the perivascular innervation and the surface of fibroblast-like cells. These observations indicate that N-CAM is expressed transiently in rat vascular tissues during development and is localized not only on the surface of smooth muscle cells but also in association with extracellular matrix components.
Gulbenkian
S
S
Department of Cell Biology, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oerias, Portugal.
Santos
J
J
Gordon
L
L
Wharton
J
J
Polak
J M
JM
David-Ferreira
J F
JF
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D024510:Muscle Development; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules