Localization and solubilization of hyaluronan and of the hyaluronan-binding protein hyaluronectin in human normal and arteriosclerotic arterial walls.
Hyaluronectin (HN), a hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, HA)-binding glycoprotein isolated from human brain, was studied in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries. It can be detected and assayed in tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. In addition, its high and specific affinity for HA makes it possible to develop specific histological localization of HA using HN as a probe. We tested the presence of HN and HA in human carotid artery samples from adults and newborns. In atheroma-free arterial samples HN was found in the intima, between smooth muscle cells and in the adventitial extracellular matrix. In atherosclerotic lesions, HN was strongly expressed in the diffuse thickened intima and surrounding extracellular microcrystalline calcium deposits, and very little in the lipid core. HA was found in the same locations. The similar localizations of HN and HA shown by immunohistology and demonstration of HN-HA complexes by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggest that they are associated in vivo.
Lévesque
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Rouen-Boisguillaume, France.
Girard
N
N
Maingonnat
C
C
Delpech
A
A
Chauzy
C
C
Tayot
J
J
Courtois
H
H
Delpech
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003460:Crystallization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002118:Calcium