In collaboration with the former research staff: Florea Lupu, Horia Rus, Florin Niculescu
Endothelial cells express spectrin-like cytoskeletal protein and an immunological analogue of erythroid protein 4.1
Antibodies raised against purified spectrin and fodrin revealed that endothelial cells of heart microvasculature, aorta, or cultured aortic endothelial cells express α- and β-subunits of spectrin and fodrin (gel electrophoresis, immunoautoradiography, immunofluorescence) (C. Heltianu et al., 1986)
Endothelial cells of arterial and venous origin exhibit the erythroid band 4.1-like protein by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis (E. Constantinescu et al., 1986).
Blood platelets express antigenically related spectrin- and band 4.1-like proteins
Gel electrophoresis, the immunoautoradiograms and indirect immunofluorescence indicate that platelets express a high molecular weight polypeptide, which cross-reacted strongly with the antibody against fodrin rather than spectrin.
Platelets contain two polypeptides immunologically related to erythrocyte protein 4.1.
The cytoskeletal proteins may play an important role in the rapid and efficient response of platelet membrane to various extracellular stimuli. (F. Lupu, E. Constantinescu 1989)
Erythrocyte skeleton platinum replicas obtained with a new freeze drying device.
Employing a novel freeze-drying device that protects the specimen against moisture and other contaminants, we studied by electron microscopy of replicas the skeletal network of the inner surface of the erythrocyte membrane.
Immunocytochemical labeling revealed that spectrin represents a fibrilar component of the network. Our data confirmed the tentative model of the molecular organization of the erythrocyte skeleton, based on studies on in vitro association of protein constituents (F.Lupu et al.,1989).
Modifications of the endothelial cytoskeletal proteins by exposure to hypercholesterolemic conditions
Hamster aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) in culture incubated with hypercholesterolemic homologous serum convert the cells into foam cells, heavily loaded with lipid droplets.
The EC exposed to hypercholesterolemic serum exhibit a modified pattern of localization for actin and vinculin, compared to normal cells: actin appears around the nuclear zone whereas vinculin was distributed as small granules throughout the cell cytoplasm (E. Constantinescu et al., 1997).
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