Biography
Biography: Samira Bagheri
Abstract
Carbohydrates are the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) where they associate with proteins to form glycoproteins or proteoglycans, or exist as long-chain dis-accharides. All ECM proteins except elastin have associated sugar, and, in some cases, ECM proteins require proper glycosylation to achieve the full biological activity. It is also now clear that many ECM proteins have carbohydrate-binding domains that specifically recognize and interact with glycoconjugates with other matrix components and on the cell surface. Carbohydrates have been implicated in a wide variety of processes, ranging from cell adhesion and migration to matrix assembly, growth factor sequestration and regulation, involvement in many aspects of immune function, binding of plasma proteins, and control of thrombogenesis. This contribution is a method of immobilizing and processing functional multi-component structures of the ECM, comprising the following successive process steps, including covalent binding of an adhesion promoter layer to cell culture carriers; culturing cells of a desired type on the adhesion promoter layer and thus immobilizing the ECM secreted by the cells by secretion and binding to the adhesion promoter layer; and application of a de-cellurization protocol so as to detach matrix-secreting cells from the surface while simultaneously retaining the structure and functionality of the immobilized ECM, which is connected to the adhesion promoter.