title: Heparan sulfate affects elastin deposition in fibroblasts cultured from donors of different ages.
abstract: Heparan sulfate (HS), due to its presence on the cell surface and in the extracellular milieu and its ability to modulate cell signaling, has a fundamental role in both physiological and pathological conditions. For decades we have demonstrated the occurrence of interactions between glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and elastic fibers. In particular, we have recently shown that HS is present inside elastic fibers and plays a role in the assembly and stability of elastin coacervates. Elastin represents, within the extracellular matrix, the component most severely affected during aging, and changes in the synthesis and posttranslational modifications of HS have been described, possibly influencing cellular behavior and protein interactions. Thus, the present study has investigated, in two different in vitro experimental models, the role of HS on elastin deposition and assembly. Results demonstrate that: (1) Biological effects of HS are partly dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the GAGs; (2) HS does not affect attachment, viability, and growth of human dermal fibroblasts; (3) HS does not modify elastin gene expression nor elastin synthesis, but favors α-elastin aggregation and, independently from the age of donors, elastin assembly; (4) HS significantly increases the expression of fibulin 5, and these effects are especially evident in fibroblasts isolated from aging donors. These data provide a better understanding of the biological role of HS and offer new perspectives regarding the possibility of restoring and/or preserving the elastic component with aging.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Annovi
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Boraldi
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Moscarelli
authors: Deanna
authors: D
authors: Guerra
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Tiozzo
authors: Bruna
authors: B
authors: Parma
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Sommer
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Quaglino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004548:Elasticity; D004549:Elastin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000737:chemistry; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D004549:Elastin; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate