title: Binding and processing of multimeric vitronectin by vascular endothelial cells.
abstract: The multifunctional adhesive glycoprotein vitronectin (VN) undergoes a unique conformational transition from the plasma form into a multimeric form that represents the reactive heparin-binding form. In this study we investigated the interaction of multimeric vitronectin (VNmult) or VN-gold conjugates (which are equivalent in biochemical properties) with confluent and subconfluent monolayers of porcine endothelial cells. Time-dependent direct binding of radiolabeled VNmult to the luminal face of endothelial cells at 37 degrees C was observed which was competed by heparin, whereas plasma VN showed hardly any binding. At 4 degrees C binding of VNmult remained cell-associated, whereas after 6 hr at 37 degrees C a major portion of the ligand was translocated through cells and was associated with the subcellular matrix. Cytochemical studies with VN-gold conjugates were performed to demonstrate uptake of VNmult. At 4 degrees C only surface decoration of cells with gold label was seen, which was totally reversible in the presence of heparin. Subsequent incubation for various time intervals at 37 degrees C revealed disappearance of gold label from the surface and accumulation of conjugates in a perinuclear distribution inside the cells as judged both by electron microscopy and after silver enhancement by light microscopy. Cross-sections of endothelial cells demonstrated the inclusion of VN-gold conjugates in coated pits, endosomes, and in lysosomal compartments close to the nucleus. Within 2-6 hr a portion of VN-gold conjugates had accumulated with proteoglycans at the matrix face. These data provide strong evidence for specific routing of a portion of VNmult from the circulation into extravascular spaces, where the protein is believed to fulfill major adhesive and regulatory functions particularly as co-factor in plasminogen activation and immune defense.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, University of Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Völker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vischer
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Preissner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D006046:Gold; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D019096:Vitronectin
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D019096:Vitronectin; D006046:Gold