[The effect of procyanidolic oligomers on mesenchymal cells in culture. II--Attachment of elastic fibers to the cells].

Tissues are composed of cells and extracellular matrix (EM). Adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix is mediated by membrane-bound glycoproteins such as fibronectin, laminin and others. Elastonectin was shown recently to be involved in the mediation of interactions between elastic fibers and cells such as human skin fibroblasts (FB) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) from the media of the aorta. A strong interaction between fibers and cells is important for the maintenance of the quality of the vascular wall. We studied the action of procyanidolic oligomers (PCO) on the attachment of fibroblasts from human skin and smooth muscle cells from porcin aorta to elastic fibers. A dose-dependent increase of cell-fiber interaction could be demonstrated with both cell-types. Elastonectin is located on the cell membrane as well as an elastolytic serine-protease exhibiting an age- and pathology-dependent increase in activity. This will result in a degradation of elastic lamellae, the detachment of cells from elastic fibers and a weakening of the vascular wall. The activity of procyanidolic oligomers increasing the resistance of elastic fibers to degradation by elastases and enhancing the interaction between fibers and cells can be considered as favouring the maintenance of the normal functional state of the vascular wall.