Extra-cellular matrix, fibroblasts and fibrosis Flashcards
3 classes of molecules in ECM
- Structural proteins (collagens and elastins)
- Adhesive glycoproteins to attach cells to matrix
(fibronectins and laminins) - Proteoglycans (protein-polysaccharide complexes)
to embed the structural proteins
Main structural protein in the heart
Collagen
How does collagen act?
Scaffold for cells during the force of contraction
Prevents myocyte slippage
Provides elasticity
Main types of collagen in the heart
Collagen type I and III
Composition of collagen type I
two alpha1- chains and one alpha
What is collagen produced in
Fibroblasts
Single collagen pro-peptide has>
N terminus and C terminus and in centre has a glycine followed by 2 different repeats (different collagens may have different - in collagen type I - two alpa1 and 1 alpha2)
What happens once pro peptides synthesised and where
Coil into a tight right handed triple helix of 3 alpha chains. In RER
What happens after triple helix of collagen forms
Excreted into extracellular space
What happens after excretion of collagen?
Converted into collagen from procollagen by the enzymatic cleavage of the N- and C-propeptides
What do adhesive glycoproteins consist of
Adhesive glycoprotein consisting of 3 chains: alpha beta and gamma
What do adhesive glycoproteins proteins do?
Bridges between structural ECM molecules to reinforce this network, as well as to connect the ECM to cells within the extracellular space
Main glycoprotein in the heart and what is it produced by?
Laminin
produced by cardiac myocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells.
What do proteoglycans do?
Bind everything together more strongly - higher order structur
Primary function of proteoglycans. Properties for this
Bind water to provide hydration and compressive resistance.
biochemical and hydrodynamic characteristics due to presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Structure of proteoglycan
Core protein (long part), covalently linked to GAGs
What are GAGs
long, negatively charged, linear chains of disaccharide repeats
Cell type associated with regulating ECM
Fibroblasts
Highest cell number in heart vs volume
Fibroblasts
Development of fibroblasts
Epicardial and endocardial layers can undergo mesenchymal transformation - produce resident fibroblats