Thrombospondin (TS), a protein first described in platelets, was recently shown to be synthesized and secreted by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. The presence of TS in the extracellular matrix of cultured cells has prompted us to examine the associations of this protein with matrix macromolecules . Interactions of TS with both matrix and serum proteins were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . With this assay we assessed the binding of TS in solution to proteins adsorbed to polystyrene microtiter plates . Among collagens, platelet TS bound to type V but not to types I, III, or IV. This selective interaction was confirmed in experiments using proteins linked to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose . TS released from platelets in response to thrombin activation, as well as that secreted by endothelial cells in culture, bound to type V but not to type I collagen-Seph arose. No binding was observed to denatured type V collagen-Sepharose . The binding region for type V collagen was located in a chymotrypsin-produced fragment of TS with chains of M, = 70,000, after reduction . Interactions of TS with a number of other proteins, including fibronectin, fibrinogen, and laminin, could be demonstrated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique but the interpretation of these findings is difficult since comparable binding to protein-Sepharose was not always observed. Our findings suggest that both the extravascular distribution and function of TS in vivo may involve an interaction with type V Collagen.Thrombospondin (TS)' is a glycoprotein consisting of three, possibly identical, disulfide-bonded chains of -140,000 mol wt (25, 31). The protein was initially described in platelets and was shown to be released from storage in a-granules by the action of thrombin (2, 18). A fraction of the secreted TS binds to the platelet surface (15, 39) . Subsequently TS, or a protein very similar to it, was shown to be secreted by endothelial cells (9,34,36,42,45) and by various other cells in culture, including fibroblasts (21, 40), smooth muscle cells (40), and granular pneumocytes (43). The observation by immunofluorescence of TS in a fibrillar extracellular meshwork in cultured cells (21,40) suggested that TS may function as a normal component of the extracellular matrix in vivo.It has been proposed that TS acts as an endogenous lectin in platelet aggregation by binding to fibrinogen associated 'Abbreviations used in this paper: ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; TS, thrombospondin .
646with the activated platelet surface (20). Support for this proposal has come from the observation that fibrinogen in solution can form a complex with TS adsorbed to a plastic surface (26). In addition, Lahav et al. (22) have provided evidence for the interaction ofTS with fibronectin during platelet adhesion and aggregation. Using a radioactive cross-linking agent, an interaction was observed between TS released from activated platelets and fibronectin or collagen adsorbed to a glass surf...