When smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the blood vessel wall contract, the vessel lumen decreases in diameter and the resistance to blood flow increases. Since the cells do not physically contact one another, they must be mechanically linked through the extracellular matrix in order to efficiently transmit force. The connections between the fibrous, force transmitting components of the matrix and the cell surface have not been extensive or comparatively studied in vascular smooth muscle. The goal of this proposal is to produce immunocytochemical, morphometric, and three-dimensional data on the relationship between the cell surface and the extracellular matrix in arterial smooth muscle. Information will be obtained for three classes of arteries which have been induced to contract or relax with pharmacological agents. The results of these investigations will provide an essential framework for understanding the structural linkages underlying force transmission in normal and diseased vascular smooth muscle.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of New Mexico
Department
Type
DUNS #
829868723
City
Albuquerque
State
NM
Country
United States
Zip Code
87131
Bharadwaj, D; Mold, C; Markham, E et al. (2001) Serum amyloid P component binds to Fc gamma receptors and opsonizes particles for phagocytosis. J Immunol 166:6735-41
Romero, I R; Morris, C; Rodriguez, M et al. (1998) Inflammatory potential of C-reactive protein complexes compared to immune complexes. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 87:155-62
Tetzloff, S U; Bizzozero, O A (1998) Palmitoylation of proteolipid protein from rat brain myelin using endogenously generated 18O-fatty acids. J Biol Chem 273:279-85
Sanchez, P; Tetzloff, S U; Bizzozero, O A (1998) Veratridine-induced depolarization reduces the palmitoylation of brain and myelin glycerolipids. J Neurochem 70:1448-57
Bryant, J E; Hutchings, K G; Moyzis, R K et al. (1997) Measurement of telomeric DNA content in human tissues. Biotechniques 23:476-8, 480, 482, passim
Melendez, R F; Bizzozero, O A (1996) Palmitoylation of myelin P0 protein is independent of its synthesis and parallels that of phospholipids. J Peripher Nerv Syst 1:34-41
Mold, C; Gurule, C; Otero, D et al. (1996) Complement-dependent binding of C-reactive protein complexes to human erythrocyte CR1. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 81:153-60
Chapin, J E; Davis, L E; Kornfeld, M et al. (1995) Neurologic manifestations of intravascular lymphomatosis. Acta Neurol Scand 91:494-9
Smith, J P; Hicks, P S; Ortiz, L R et al. (1995) Quantitative measurement of muscle strength in the mouse. J Neurosci Methods 62:15-9
Varela, M F; Sansom, C E; Griffith, J K (1995) Mutational analysis and molecular modelling of an amino acid sequence motif conserved in antiporters but not symporters in a transporter superfamily. Mol Membr Biol 12:313-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 18 publications