Effect of in vitro aging on the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans by human skin fibroblasts. Modulation by the elastin-laminin receptor.

The incorporation of a radioactive precursor 3H-glucosamine in glycoconjugates, essentially glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was evaluated in the culture medium and cell fraction of human skin fibroblasts. Using increasing passage numbers, we could estimate the effect of in vitro aging on these biosynthetic activities. The incorporation in different free (hyaluronan) and protein bound (proteoglycans) GAGs was evaluated after specific enzymatic digestion.

Effect of in vitro aging on the modulation of protein and fibronectin biosynthesis by the elastin-laminin receptor in human skin fibroblasts.

The 67-kD elastin-laminin receptor (ELR) subunit which carries the recognition site for elastin peptides (EP) is a lectin. Its binding with galactosides can modulate the kinetics of its interaction with its ligand, EP. In this study the biosynthesis of proteins, collagen and fibronectin were evaluated in the presence of agonists and antagonists of the receptor on human skin fibroblasts.

Quantification and localization of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer implanted in the corneal stroma.

The amount and distribution of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer used to support an artificial cornea implanted in the rabbit cornea were determined. The findings were used to describe the polymer-corneal stroma interface and the reason for the translucence and wettability of this originally opaque and hydrophobic biomaterial. PTFE disks (6 mm in diameter, 0.

Preliminary data on the age-dependent decrease in basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor in the human vein wall and in their influence on cell proliferation.

The roles of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in vein disease and aging were investigated. Smooth muscle cells from human saphenous veins were cultured. The age dependence of bFGF and PDGF activation of the smooth muscle cell proliferation was determined, and the bFGF and PDGF contents in vein wall homogenates were measured by an enzyme-linked sorbent assay.

Influence of ePTFE polymer implant permeability on the rate and density of corneal extracellular matrix synthesis.

Microporous polymers have great potential for the production of corneal keratoprosthetic devices. Keratocytes invade the pores of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implants (ePTFE) and collagen synthesis occurs. This ePTFE becomes translucent after its implantation in the stroma of rabbit cornea.

Synthesis of glycoconjugates by human diseased veins: modulation by procyanidolic oligomers.

Venous diseases become steadily more common and severe with age, and are often accompanied by venous lymphatic oedema. We have investigated the role of glycoconjugates in this disorder and the action of procyanidols used to treat these diseases. Explants of vein wall from patients with or without venous lymphatic edema were cultured for 24 hours and the incorporation of radioactive glucosamine into total glycoconjugates and into hyaluronan was measured.

Corneal hyaluronan content during post-ablation healing: evidence for a transient depth-dependent contralateral effect.

The hyaluronan content during wound healing following excimer laser photoablation was investigated. Rabbit corneas were photoablated (Summit Omnimed, 193 nm, 5 mm diameter, 50 microns and 100 microns depth). Central optical zones of photoablated and contralateral corneas were removed 7, 30 and 90 days after surgery.

[2nd generation bio-integrated keratoprosthesis. Implantation in animals].

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate a second generation biointegrable keratoprosthetic device (BioKpro II).

Methods: The device consists of a porous transparent PTFE (12 mm diameter) and a soft copolymer structure for the optical system (7 mm diameter). Intraocular pression was evaluated with a Goldmann tonometer on an artificial chamber.

[Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) levels in pathological human saphenous veins. Effects of procyanidol oligomers].

We investigated the hyaluronan content in the pathologic human venous wall using an ELSA assay with hyaluronectin according to the method of Delpech et al. The mean hyaluronan content in the 74 fragments from 12 venous walls studied was 596 +/- 528 ng/mg dry weight. These 12 venous walls could be separated in 3 distinct groups according to their hyaluronan content, low (277 +/- 141 ng/mg dry weight), moderate (552 +/- 361 ng/m dry weight) or high (1299 +/- 568 ng/mg dry weight).

Collagen synthesized in fluorocarbon polymer implant in the rabbit cornea.

The integration of microporous polymer into tissues is of great interest for the production of keratoprosthetic devices. Our previous studies showed functional differentiated cells and collagen synthesis in the pore of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implant. This study identifies and quantifies collagen types synthesized in the implant.

[Role of glycosoaminoglycans in venous disease. Mode of action of some flavonoid drugs].

Varicose vein walls differ from normal venous walls by an important loss of their collagen content and an increase of their glycosaminoglycan content, essentially of hyaluronan. The decrease in fibrous protein content can be attributed to increased proteolytic (collagenolytic) activity as well as to free radicals. Glycosaminoglycan increase reflects a disregulation of the normal program of matrix biosynthesis by the cells of varicose vein wall, essentially smooth muscle cells.

Na+, K(+)-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+ exchange isoforms: physiological and physiopathological relevance.

Different isoforms of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase are expressed in different cell types in which they contribute to specialized properties. Their biochemistry and physiology are complex. These isozymes vary in their sensitivity to cardiac glycosides and to intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations.

Rat cardiac hypertrophy. Altered sodium-calcium exchange activity in sarcolemmal vesicles.

The sodium-calcium exchange activity has been studied in sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from rat ventricles hypertrophied by pressure overload. 4 weeks after aortic stenosis the degree of hypertrophy varied from 30 to 70%. The Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ influx and efflux were up to 50% decreased and the sensitivity to Ca2+ was 13-fold lower in vesicles from hypertrophied heart as compared to those from normal heart.