title: Modes of regulation of laminin-5 production by rat astrocytes.
abstract: Astrocytes have a prominent role in central nervous system-specific microvascular growth and function. Extracellular matrix molecules (ECMs) bind to specific adhesion molecules - integrins. These adhesion complexes are responsible for tissue integrity and cellular signalling. We have examined astrocyte-endothelial cell interactions in relation to expression of the ECM laminin-5. Astrocytes produce laminin-5 in cell culture. The production is enhanced by endothelial cells. Direct cellular contact possibly involving a beta1 integrin or an insoluble matrix compound detected by the astrocytes is responsible for the induction of astrocytic laminin production by endothelial cells. Hypoxia also influences ECM production. The described regulation goes in concert with the known effects of astrocyte-endothelial cell interaction and stresses its importance for microvascular integrity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, INF 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. simone_wagner@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000502:physiology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D000097794:Kalinin
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000097794:Kalinin