Glomerular membrane, laminin

Basal laminas are specialized areas of the ECM that surround epithelial and some other cells (eg, muscle cells) here we discuss only the laminas found in the renal glomerulus. In that strucmre, the basal lamina is contributed by two separate sheets of cells (one endothelial and one epithelial), each disposed on opposite sides of the lamina these three layers make up the glomerular membrane. The primary components of the basal lamina are three proteins—laminin, entactin, and type IV collagen—and the GAG heparin or heparan sulfate. These components are synthesized by the underlying cells. 

Laminin [consisting of three polypeptide chains, A, Bl (possibly replaced in GBM by S) and B2] is the most important noncollagenous protein of the glomerular basement membrane. Laminin forms a second network, which is connected to the collagen IV network probably via another protein called entactin or nidogen. Laminin is probably very important for cellular differentiation and adhesion, but its mesh clearly also contributes to the structure of the glomerular basement membrane. The postnatally common embryonic laminin-10 isoform is... 

The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) forms the backbone of the glomerular tuft. It is composed of three layers lamina rara interna, lamina densa, and lamina rara externa. The glomerular basement membrane is composed of a network of collagen type IV molecules (H5) intertwined with nidogen to another network composed of molecules of laminin. Type IV collagen and laminin are responsible for the firmness of the glomerular basement membrane and enable adhesion of endothelial cells and podocytes as well. 

Cell attachment to the glomerular basement membrane is mediated by laminin, entactin, and fibronectin, at least partly through integrin receptors on the cell surface of both endothelial and visceral epithelial cells. 

The ensuing sheep serum is heat-inactivated by incubation in a waterbath at 56°C for 30 min, absorbed with rat red blood cells and serum proteins, and filter-sterilized. For storage, the serum is lyophilized and frozen at -70°C. As reported elsewhere (6), NTS has moderate reactivity to type IV collagen and laminin, and substantial reactivity to glomerular cell membrane proteins, particularly pi integrin and its accompanying a chain. 

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