Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deposition in the extracellular matrix of cultured human mesangial cells.

Human mesangial cells secrete tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), the latter being secreted in large excess in vitro. We demonstrate that PAI-1 is a major component of the extracellular matrix of cultured human mesangial cells, where its deposition is dependent on cell density. By immunogold silver staining, epipolarization microscopy and dispersive X-ray spectrometry, we have shown that matrix-associated PAI-1 is synthesized by spreading human mesangial cells, as indicated by the time-dependent accumulation of PAI-1 and the inhibitory effect of cycloheximide. Furthermore, by in situ hybridization, PAI-1 mRNA was detected in cultured mesangial cells. t-PA is present inside the cells, or at the cell surface, but is never associated with the extracellular matrix. Exogenous t-PA can remove matrix-associated PAI-1 without affecting cell adhesion. A similar effect was obtained by addition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) but not with fibrinolysis unrelated enzymes. In conclusion, PAI-1 is synthesized by human cultured mesangial cells and is deposited in the extracellular matrix by nonconfluent cells, whereas less PAI-1 is seen between confluent cells. This can explain the absence of detectable PAI-1 in normal human kidney biopsies. t-PA released by mesangial cells can bind and detach matrix PAI-1.