Deficiency of tenascin-C delays articular cartilage repair in mice.

OBJECTIVE: In human articular cartilage, tenascin-C (TN-C) expression decreases during maturation of chondrocytes, and almost disappears in adults; however, it reappears in damaged cartilage. To examine the effects of TN-C on cartilage degeneration and repair, we compared articular cartilage degeneration between wild-type (WT) and tenascin-C knockout mouse (TNKO) mice using a spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) in aged joints and surgical OA model. In addition, we made full-thickness cartilage defects and compared the cartilage repair process between the two groups. METHODS: The surgical procedure to create degenerative OA model was performed by transecting the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. Full-thickness defects were created in the center of the femoral trochlea to evaluate cartilage repair. Sections of cartilage were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or safranin-O, and immunostaining for TN-C. The degrees of degeneration and repair were graded. RESULTS: In the WT surgical OA model, the articular cartilage was almost normal at 2 weeks, but safranin-O decreased staining at 4 weeks. In TNKO mice, safranin-O decreased staining at 2 weeks, and cartilage was injured intensely at 4 weeks. In the cartilage repair model, TN-C was expressed after 1 week, was strongly expressed in the upper layer of regenerated tissue after 3 weeks, and disappeared after 6 weeks. The defects were restored until 6 weeks in WT mice; however, defects in TNKO mice were filled with fibrous tissue with no cartilage-like tissue. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that cartilage repair in TNKO mice was significantly slower than that in WT mice and that the deficiency of TN-C progressed during cartilage degeneration.

Costameres are sites of force transmission to the substratum in adult rat cardiomyocytes.

Costameres, the vinculin-rich, sub-membranous transverse ribs found in many skeletal and cardiac muscle cells (Pardo, J. V., J. D. Siciliano, and S. W. Craig. 1983. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 80:363-367.) are thought to anchor the Z-lines of the myofibrils to the sarcolemma. In addition, it has been postulated that costameres provide mechanical linkage between the cells' internal contractile machinery and the extracellular matrix, but direct evidence for this supposition has been lacking. By combining the flexible silicone rubber substratum technique (Harris, A. K., P. Wild, and D. Stopak. 1980. Science (Wash. DC). 208:177-179.) with the microinjection of fluorescently labeled vinculin and alpha-actinin, we have been able to correlate the distribution of costameres in adult rat cardiac myocytes with the pattern of forces these cells exert on the flexible substratum. In addition, we used interference reflection microscopy to identify areas of the cells which are in close contact to the underlying substratum. Our results indicate that, in older cell cultures, costameres can transmit forces to the extracellular environment. We base this conclusion on the following observations: (a) adult rat heart cells, cultured on the silicone rubber substratum for 8 or more days, produce pleat-like wrinkles during contraction, which diminish or disappear during relaxation; (b) the pleat-like wrinkles form between adjacent alpha-actinin-positive Z-lines; (c) the presence of pleat-like wrinkles is always associated with a periodic, "costameric" distribution of vinculin in the areas where the pleats form; and (d) a banded or periodic pattern of dark gray or close contacts (as determined by interference reflection microscopy) has been observed in many cells which have been in culture for eight or more days, and these close contacts contain vinculin. A surprising finding is that vinculin can be found in a costameric pattern in cells which are contracting, but not producing pleat-like wrinkles in the substratum. This suggests that additional proteins or posttranslational modifications of known costamere proteins are necessary to form a continuous linkage between the myofibrils and the extracellular matrix. These results confirm the hypothesis that costameres mechanically link the myofibrils to the extracellular matrix. We put forth the hypothesis that costameres are composite structures, made up of many protein components; some of these components function primarily to anchor myofibrils to the sarcolemma, while others form transmembrane linkages to the extracellular matrix.

Cooperation of oncogenic K-ras and p53 deficiency in pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma development in adult mice.

Human rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) frequently demonstrate genetic alterations in ras and p53. To investigate their possible involvement in the tumorigenesis, we generated a knock-in mouse line with oncogenic K-ras, conditionally expressed by Cre/LoxP system on a background of p53 alteration. Electroporation of Cre expression vector in skeletal muscle tissues resulted in the generation of tumor in adults with tumor incidences of 100% at 10 weeks and 40% at 15 weeks, in p53(-/-) and p53(-/+) backgrounds, respectively. The tumor histology was pleomorphic RMS with characteristic bizarre giant cells, positive for desmin and alpha-sarcomeric actin and exhibiting remarkable increase in total and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1 and ERK2. Loss of the wild-type p53 was detected in K-rasG12V-expressed tumors of p53(-/+) mice. Early lesions 3 weeks after electroporation consisted of proliferating populations of myogenic progenitors, including stem cells positive for ScaI antigen, immature cells positive for desmin and neural cell adhesion molecule-positive myotubes. Thus, cooperation of oncogenic K-ras and p53 deficiency resulted in the development of pleomorphic RMS in adult mice, providing a useful mouse model for further detailed studies.

Distribution of a Ca2+ storing site in PtK2 cells during interphase and mitosis. An immunocytochemical study using an antibody against calreticulin.

To study the distribution of a major Ca(2+)-sequestering site in PtK2 cells, a rat kangaroo kidney epithelial cell line, during interphase and mitosis, we prepared an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against bovine liver calreticulin (CRT), a major Ca(2+)-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoperoxidase electron microscopy showed that the anti-CRT antibody labeled a continuous reticular network of the ER and the nuclear envelope in interphase PtK2 cells. The same PtK2 cells double-stained with DiOC6 (3) and the anti-CRT antibody revealed labeling of identical reticular membranes. In contrast to the localization in the ER localization, the mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus were not labeled. These results confirm the exclusive localization of CRT in the ER and that this organelle is a major site for Ca2+ storage in non-muscle cells. In mitotic cells, marked changes of the labeled structure began at prophase-prometaphase and persisted throughout all phases of mitosis. The cytoplasm of the mitotic cells showed diffuse fluorescence, this being more intense around, but not inside, the mitotic spindle. Confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that the CRT-containing membranes changed to segmented tubuloreticular structures, which were concentrated around the mitotic spindle. The ER containing CRT could be responsible for the sequestration of Ca2+ and for the regulation of the concentration of this cation during mitosis, as well as during interphase.

The enhancement of myocardial protection through an acalcemic storage solution containing nicardipine, a potent calcium channel blocker. A basic study using rat ventricular myocytes.

Adult rat ventricular myocytes were used as a model system for investigating the direct effects of nicardipine, a potent calcium-channel blocker, on preservation of the heart during periods of simple cold storage. Cells were stored at 4 degrees C for 24 hr with an acalcemic storage solution. The superfusate then was exchanged with hypoxic Tyrode solution (1.8 mmol/L CaCl2). After 2 hr of hypoxia at 20 degrees C, cells were reoxygenated and simultaneously warmed to 37 degrees C. The addition of nicardipine to both the storage solution and Tyrode solution resulted in the highest percentage of viable cells (70.5%). Using either the storage solution or Tyrode solution containing the compound, the percentages of viable myocytes were 51.9% and 52.2%, respectively. In the absence of the drug in either solution, the percentage was 38.0%. The effect of diltiazem, another potent calcium-channel blocker, was examined using the same experimental procedure. The addition of diltiazem to Tyrode solution elevated the viability of ventricular myocytes, but addition to the storage solution showed no cardioprotective effect. Moreover, the addition of 8-bromo cyclic GMP to the storage solution resulted in a cardioprotective effect. These results suggested that nicardipine exerts a direct effect on myocardial protection in hypothermic and acalcemic storage solution and that the pharmacological effect of nicardipine depends on a mechanism other than its calcium-channel blocking action.

Interaction between cell and extracellular matrix in heart disease: multiple roles of tenascin-C in tissue remodeling.

The heart remodels myocardial tissue in physiological and pathological response. The cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction provides not only structural and mechanical support but also important biological signaling during tissue remodeling. Among various ECM molecules, tenascin-C (TNC) is well known as a regulator of multiple cellular functions during embryogenesis, wound healing or cancer progression. In the heart, TNC appears in several important steps of embryonic development such as the initial differentiation of cardiomyocytes or coronary vasculo/angiogenesis, but it is not detected in a normal adult myocardium. However, TNC is found to re-express after myocardial injury and may regulate cellular behavior during tissue remodeling by modulating the attachment of cardiomyocytes to connective tissue, by enhancing migration and differentiation of myofibroblasts, and by inducing matrix metallo-proteinases. TNC also interacts with other ECM molecules and may modulate progression of fibrosis. Furthermore, transient and site specific expression of TNC closely associated with myocardial injury and inflammation suggests not only its key roles during tissue remodeling but also that TNC can be a marker for myocardial disease activity.

Serial extracellular matrix changes in neointimal lesions of human coronary artery after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: clinical significance of early tenascin-C expression.

It has become clear that deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM) proteins is a major cause of human restenosis after percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). To define the composition and organization of the involved ECM in human restenotic tissue, we morphologically and semiquantitatively analyzed specimens obtained by means of directional coronary atherectomy at various stages after PTCA with anti-fibronectin, tenascin-C, collagens I and III, and PG-M/versican antibodies. Tenascin-C deposition transiently increased within 1 month after PTCA, when smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation was active. Following the disappearance of tenascin-C, PG-M/versican accumulation increased and peaked between 1 month and 3 months when clinical restenosis was most actively progressing. At later stages, the PG-M/versican was replaced by a more mature ECM consisting of collagens I and III. The volume ratio of elastin remained at a low level throughout. Our results demonstrate that the matrix proteins of human restenotic lesions sequentially change after angioplasty and that tenascin-C could be a key molecule in the early stages.

Terminal warm blood cardioplegia improves cardiac function through microtubule repolymerization.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of terminal warm blood cardioplegia, we studied dynamic change in microtubules induced by cold cardioplegia followed by rewarming. Further, we investigated the relationship between cardiac function and morphologic changes in microtubules caused by hyperkalemic, hypocalcemic warm cardioplegia during initial reperfusion. METHODS: In protocol 1 isolated rat hearts were perfused at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB). After 3 hours of hypothermic cardiac arrest at 10 degrees C, hearts were reperfused at 37 degrees C with one of two buffers: group C, 60-minute reperfusion with KHB (K+, 5.9 mmol/L; Ca2+, 2.5 mmol/L); and group TC, 10-minute initial reperfusion with modified KHB (K+, 15 mmol/L; Ca2+, 0.25 mmol/L), followed by 50 minutes of reperfusion with KHB. Cardiac function after reperfusion was determined as a percentage of the prearrest value. In protocol 2 hearts were perfused at 37 degrees C with KHB containing colchicine (10(-5) mol/L) for 60 minutes. RESULTS: There was spontaneous contractile recovery after 10 minutes of initial reperfusion in hearts from group TC as well as improved cardiac function after 15, 30, and 60 minutes of reperfusion compared with that in group C. Immunohistochemical staining and immunoblot analysis demonstrated microtubule depolymerization during hypothermic cardiac arrest and complete repolymerization after 10 minutes of reperfusion with warm buffers in both groups. Colchicine-induced microtubule depolymerization is associated with deterioration of cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS: One mechanism responsible for improved cardiac function mediated by terminal warm blood cardioplegia is the restart of contraction after complete microtubule repolymerization.

Binding of αvß1 and αvß6 integrins to tenascin-C induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like change of breast cancer cells.

Tenascin-C (TNC), a large hexameric extracellular glycoprotein, is a pleiotropic molecule with multiple domains binding to a variety of receptors mediating a wide range of cellular functions. We earlier reported that TNC induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like change in breast cancer cells. In the present study, we clarified TNC receptor involvement in this process. Among integrins previously reported as TNC receptors, substantial expression of αv, α2, ß1 and ß6 subunits was detected by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting in MCF-7 cells. Integrin ß6 mRNA was remarkably upregulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 treatment, and protein expression was prominently increased by additional exposure to TNC. Immunofluorescent labeling demonstrated integrin αvß6 accumulation in focal adhesions after TNC treatment, especially in combination with TGF-ß1. The α2 and ß1 subunits were mainly localized at cell-cell contacts, αv being found near cell cluster surfaces. Immunoprecipitation showed increase in αvß1 heterodimers, but not α2ß1, after TNC treatment. Activated ß1 subunits detected by an antibody against the Ca(2+)-dependent epitope colocalized with αv in focal adhesion complexes, associated with FAK phosphorylation at tyrosine 925. Neutralizing antibodies against αv and ß1 blocked EMT-like change caused by TNC alone. In addition, anti-αv and combined treatment with anti-ß1 and anti-αvß6 inhibited TGF-ß1/TNC-induced EMT, whereas either of these alone did not. Integrin subunits αv, ß1 and ß6, but not α2, bound to TNC immobilized on agarose beads in a divalent cation-dependent manner. Treatments with neutralizing antibodies against ß1 and αvß6 reduced αv subunit bound to the beads. Immunohistochemistry of these receptors in human breast cancer tissues demonstrated frequent expression of ß6 subunits in cancer cells forming scattered nests localized in TNC-rich stroma. These findings provide direct evidence that binding of αvß6 and αvß1 integrins to TNC as their essential ligand induces EMT-like change in breast cancer cells.

Deficiency of tenascin-C attenuates liver fibrosis in immune-mediated chronic hepatitis in mice.

Tenascin-C (TNC), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, is upregulated in chronic liver disease. Here, we investigated the contribution of TNC to liver fibrogenesis by comparing immune-mediated hepatitis in wild-type (WT) and TNC-null (TNKO) mice. Eight-week-old BALB/c mice received weekly intravenous injections of concanavalin A to induce hepatitis, and were sacrificed one week after the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th injections. In WT livers, immunohistochemical staining revealed a gradual increase in TNC deposition. TNC mRNA levels also increased sequentially and peaked after the 9th injection. Collagen deposition, stained with picrosirius red, was significantly less intense in TNKO mice than in WT mice, and procollagen I and III transcripts were significantly upregulated in WT mice compared with TNKO mice. Inflammatory infiltrates were most prominent after the 3rd-6th injections in both groups and were less intense in TNKO mice than in WT mice. Interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-4 mRNA levels were significantly higher in WT mice than in TNKO mice, while activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myofibroblasts, a cellular source of TNC and procollagens, were more common in WT livers. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in WT mice, but not in TNKO mice. In conclusion, TNC can promote liver fibrogenesis through enhancement of inflammatory response with cytokine upregulation, HSC recruitment, and TGF-beta expression during progression of hepatitis to fibrosis.

Involvement of tenascin-C and PG-M/versican in flexor tenosynovial pathology of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Increased intra-carpal-tunnel pressure due to swelling of the flexor tenosynovium is the most probable pathological mechanism of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). To clarify the role of tenascin-C and PG-M/versican, which have often been found to be involved in tissue remodeling and vascular stenosis in the pathogenesis of CTS, we histologically and biochemically examined the production of extracellular matrix in the flexor tenosynovium from 40 idiopathic CTS patients. Tenascin-C was temporarily expressed in the vessel wall, synovial lining and fibrous tissue, with expression regulated differently in each tissue. Tenascin-C expression by vessels correlated with disease duration and appeared to be involved in vascular lesion pathology. Morphometric analysis showed that tenascin-C expression by small arteries is correlated with PG-M/versican expression in surrounding connective tissue. PG-M/versican was also present at the neointima of severely narrowed vessels. Although tenascin-C expression by synovial lining and connective tissue shows marked regional variation and seems inconsistent, in vitro examination suggested that tenascin-C production by these tissues is regulated in response to mechanical strain on the flexor tenosynovium.

Myofibrillogenesis in precardiac mesoderm explant culture.

To investigate the cardiac differentiation and the initial stages of myofibrillogenesis, chick precardiac mesoderm explants were cultured and spatiotemporal expressions of various sarcomeric cytoskeletal proteins were examined by immunofluorescence microscope. The precardiac cells differentiated and formed well organized myofibrils in culture. The myofibrillogenesis was similar to the reorganizing process of myofibrils in cultured cardiomyocytes from older embryos.

Contractile protein dynamics of myofibrils in paired adult rat cardiomyocytes.

The purpose of this study was to determine how quickly contractile proteins are incorporated into the myofibrils of freshly isolated cardiomyocytes and to determine whether there are regions of the cells that are more dynamic than others in their ability to incorporate the proteins. Paired cardiomyocytes joined at intercalated discs and single cells were isolated from adult rats, and microinjected 3 hours later with fluorescently labeled actin, alpha-actinin, myosin light chains and vinculin. The cells were fixed and permeabilized at various period, 5 seconds and longer, after microinjection. Actin became incorporated throughout the I-Bands in as short a time as 5 seconds. The free edges of the cells, which were formerly intercalated discs, exhibited concentrations of actin greater than that incorporated in the I-Bands. This extra concentration of actin was not detected, however, at intact intercalated discs connecting paired cells. Alpha-actinin was incorporated immediately into Z-Bands and intercalated discs. Vinculin, also, was localized at the Z-Bands and at intercalated discs, but in contrast to alpha-actinin, there was a higher concentration of vinculin in the region of the intact intercalated discs. Both alpha-actinin and vinculin were concentrated at the free ends of the cells that were formerly parts of intercalated discs. Myosin light chains were observed to incorporate into the A-Bands in periods as short as 5 seconds. These results suggest that the myofibrils of adult cardiomyocytes may be capable of rapid isoform transitions along the length of the myofibrils. The rapid accumulation of fluorescent actin, alpha-actinin, and vinculin in membrane sites that were previously parts of intercalated discs, may reflect the response to locomotory activity that is initiated in these areas as cells spread in culture. A similar response after an injury in the intact heart could allow repair to occur.

Organization of calsequestrin-positive sarcoplasmic reticulum in rat cardiomyocytes in culture.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) regulates the levels of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ions in muscle cells. Calsequestrin is a major Ca(2+)-storing protein and is localized at special sites in the SR. To investigate the development of calsequestrin-positive SR and its interaction with the cytoskeleton, we examined the distribution of calsequestrin in cultured cardiomyocytes from newborn rats by immunofluorescence with anticalsequestrin and antitubulin antibodies and rhodamine-phalloidin. In frozen sections of neonatal rat heart, anticalsequestrin immunostaining was apparent as cross-striations at Z-lines. When newborn cardiomyocytes were isolated, calsequestrin-positive SR was disorganized and was apparent as small vesicles beneath the sarcolemma, whereas myofibrils accumulated in the center of the cells. As the cells spread in culture, calsequestrin-positive vesicles spread to the periphery of the cytoplasm, becoming associated with the developing myofibrils. In mature cells, calsequestrin was closely associated with myofibrils, showing cross-striations at the Z-lines. Double-labeling using anticalsequestrin and antitubulin antibodies demonstrated that the distribution of calsequestrin-positive structures was similar to that of the microtubular arrays. When the microtubules were depolymerized by nocodazole at an early stage, the extension of the SR to the cell periphery was inhibited. In mature cardiomyocytes, nocodazole appeared not to affect the distribution of the SR. These results indicate that the calsequestrin-positive SR in cardiomyocytes is organized at the proper sites of myofibrils during myofibrillogenesis and that the microtubules might serve as tracts for the transport of components of the SR.

N-cadherin is required for the differentiation and initial myofibrillogenesis of chick cardiomyocytes.

To investigate initial stages of cardiac myofibrillogenesis, heart-forming mesoderm was excised from stage 6 chick embryos and explanted on fibronectin-coated coverglasses. The explants were fixed at various times and immunofluorescently stained with antibodies to N-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, sarcomeric myosin, pan and sarcomeric alpha-actinins, or rhodamine phalloidin. After 7 hours in culture the cells appeared epithelial. N-cadherin, alpha- and beta-catenin, pan alpha-actinin, and F-actin showed circumferential localization at cell borders. No cells in the explant were positive for sarcomeric alpha-actinin or sarcomeric myosin at this stage. Sarcomeric alpha-actinin and sarcomeric myosin were detected around 10 hours after plating. Sarcomeric alpha-actinin initially appeared as small beads along thin actin filaments. Mature Z-lines began to be organized at 20 hours, at the same time the cells started to contract. When the rat monoclonal antibody NCD-2, which inhibits N-cadherin function, was added to the culture at early time-points, cells lost cell-cell contacts, became spherical in shape, and contained tangled actin fibers. The expression of sarcomeric alpha-actinin and sarcomeric myosin was suppressed. These results indicate that 1) the precardiac mesoderm explant cells differentiate and form well-organized myofibrils in culture, 2) N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions are necessary for early differentiation of cardiomyocytes and organization of myofibrils.

Low cytoplasmic pH causes fragmentation and dispersal of the Golgi apparatus in human hepatoma cells.

The centrosomal localization of the Golgi apparatus in interphase cells is thought to be maintained by retrograde microtubule-based motility. It is well established that, when intracellular pH is lowered, lysosomes and endosomes, also showing pericentrosomal localization, translocate towards the plus ends of microtubules within 15 min. In this study, we found that prolonged incubation in low pH medium (pH 6.6) with 20 mM Na acetate induced the fragmentation and dispersal of the Golgi apparatus in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. The fraction of Golgi-dispersed cells increased in a time-dependent manner, and reached over 60% after the 16-h incubation. The cytoplasmic pH was dropped to approximately 7.10. Replacement with normal pH medium restored the structure and localization of the apparatus within 30 min. In the low pH condition, the microtubular network and endoplasmic reticulum appeared normal, and cytoplasmic dynein was still bound to the fragmented Golgi membranes. These findings suggest that low cytoplasmic pH suppresses the retrograde movement of the Golgi apparatus as well as that of lysosomes and endosomes.

Switching of the dominant calcium sequestering protein during skeletal muscle differentiation.

A major Ca(2+)-storing protein in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of non-muscle cells is calreticulin (CR), which is considered to be functionally homologous to calsequestrin. Calsequestrin is a Ca(2+)-binding protein in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of striated muscle, which stores Ca2+ during muscle relaxation. In order to investigate the expression and distribution of calsequestrin and calreticulin during skeletal muscle differentiation, cultured chick embryonic skeletal muscles were observed by immunofluorescence using anti-calsequestrin, anti-calreticulin, anti-desmin, and anti-sarcomeric myosin antibodies and rhodamine-phalloidin. Within 6 hours in culture, myoblasts started to express desmin. Desmin-positive cells demonstrated the reticular staining of calreticulin, as did desmin-negative cells. Around fusion, calsequestrin and sarcomeric myosin started to appear in desmin-positive cells. The expression of calsequestrin slightly preceded that of sarcomeric myosin. As the myotubes matured, the fluorescent dots of calsequestrin increased and spread to the cell periphery along the myofibrils, while the reticular pattern of calreticulin gradually disappeared. Double labeling showed that calsequestrin colocalized with calreticulin. In mature myotubes, anti-calsequestrin staining demonstrated many dots along myofibrils, whereas calreticulin was barely seen except at the perinuclear region. These results suggest that the expression of calsequestrin and calreticulin are switched during skeletal muscle differentiation.

Association of cytoplasmic dynein with manchette microtubules and spermatid nuclear envelope during spermiogenesis in rats.

During spermiogenesis, the shape of the spermatid nucleus, which is spherical, changes and it becomes the sperm head. A microtubular structure called a manchette is thought to be involved in this morphogenetic process. In this report, we demonstrate the localization of cytoplasmic dynein and manchette development by a double immunofluorescence technique using anti-bovine brain MAP 1C and anti-tubulin. Before step 6 of the Leblond and Clermont staging, the microtubules showed a fine reticular network, and the dynein staining was homogeneous. In step 6, the microtubular network was concentrated around the nucleus. The manchette developed in step 7 spermatids, and was fully formed, with a skirt-like appearance, covering the nuclear surface in step 8. Dynein fluorescence was associated with the microtubular manchette in steps 7-10. During these steps, the nucleus was protruded from the cytoplasm. In steps 11-13, the most active stages in nuclear shaping, the dynein was densely localized at the nuclear surface covered by the manchette. As the nucleus acquired a shape similar to the mature spermatozoon at step 14, the dynein fluorescence was localized only at the concave side of the nuclear caudal edge. The manchette became narrower and elongated. In step 15, the manchette extended into the elongated cytoplasm, diminishing during steps 16-18. The localization of the dynein was limited to the ventral aspect of the caudal head in these steps. There was little dynein fluorescence in mature spermatozoa. Immunoelectron microscopy showed positive reactions in the nuclear envelope and the inner region of the microtubular manchette. These observations suggest that cytoplasmic dynein, possibly bound to the nuclear envelope, and manchette microtubules are involved in the protrusion of the spermatid nucleus from the cytoplasm.

Vinculin, Talin, Integrin alpha6beta1 and laminin can serve as components of attachment complex mediating contraction force transmission from cardiomyocytes to extracellular matrix.

Recently, we reported that cardiomyocytes adhere to extracellular matrix at costameres, the striated distribution of vinculin between Z-lines and the sarcolemma, where transmission of contraction forces from myofibrils to the extracellular matrix occurs. To identify other molecules involved in force transmission at costameres, we examined adult rat and embryonic chick cardiomyocytes cultured on coverslips or flexible thin silicone rubber substrata. Immunolocalization of talin showed a costameric, striated distribution, which corresponded to dark contacts with interference reflection microscopy. The molecules involved in substrate adhesion were cross-linked with the non-penetrating cross-linking agent Bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)-suberate and detected by immunohistochemical staining with anti-alpha6, alpha3, alphav, or beta1 integrin antibodies. Both alpha6 and beta1 showed costameric distributions, but alpha3 and alpha(v) did not. The distribution of laminin after cross-linking and extraction also showed a costameric distribution. When anti-integrin beta1 antibody was added to live cardiomyocytes grown on the silicone rubber substratum, the transmission of contraction forces was inhibited. These findings suggest that vinculin, talin, integrin alpha6beta1 and laminin system can be involved in transmission of contraction force to the extracellular matrix.