Mapping of proteoglycans in human arterial tissue.

The major families of proteoglycans in human arterial tissue have been localized and characterized by electron microscopy. After staining with the polycationic dye cuprolinic blue in the presence of a critical electrolyte concentration, three differently sized populations of proteoglycan-cuprolinic blue precipitates are found. The precipitates are distinguished of the basis of their morphology, topographical distribution and susceptibility to specific glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes. Each type of proteoglycan is preferentially associated with one connective tissue component: (a) a dermatan sulfate proteoglycan interacts with collagenous fibers, (b) a heparan sulfate proteoglycan is associated with elastic fibers and with the exterior surface of the basement membrane-like layer surrounding smooth muscle cells, and (c) a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan forms aggregates with hyaluronate in the soluble matrix. Information about the pattern of proteoglycans in normal human arterial tissue should constitute a useful basis for evaluating perturbations in proteoglycan distribution in arteriosclerotic plaques.