Fibronectins, their fibrillogenesis, and in vivo functions.

Haemodynamics Regulate Fibronectin Assembly via PECAM

Fibronectin (FN) assembly and fibrillogenesis are critically important in both development and the adult organism, but their importance in vascular functions is not fully understood. Here we identify a novel pathway by which haemodynamic forces regulate FN assembly and fibrillogenesis during vascular remodelling. Induction of disturbed shear stress in vivo and in vitro resulted in complex FN fi...

Force-induced fibronectin fibrillogenesis in vitro†

In vivo analyses of integrin beta 1 subunit function in fibronectin matrix assembly

Early development of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl is accompanied by a process of progressive fibronectin (FN) fibrillogenesis. FN begins to assemble into fibrils on the inner surface of the blastocoele roof at the early blastula stage and progressively forms a complex extracellular matrix. We have analyzed the mechanisms of FN-fibril formation under normal and experimental conditions...

TGF-β triggers rapid fibrillogenesis via a novel TβRII-dependent fibronectin-trafficking mechanism

Fibronectin (FN) is a critical regulator of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling through its availability and stepwise polymerization for fibrillogenesis. Availability of FN is regulated by its synthesis and turnover, and fibrillogenesis is a multistep, integrin-dependent process essential for cell migration, proliferation, and tissue function. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is an establ...

Studying early stages of fibronectin fibrillogenesis in living cells by atomic force microscopy

Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix protein that can be assembled by cells into large fibrillar networks, but the dynamics of FN remodeling and the transition through intermediate fibrillar stages are still incompletely understood. Here we have used a combination of fluorescence microscopy and time-lapse atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize initial stages of FN fibrillogenesis in ...