Astrocytes specifically remove surface-adsorbed fibrinogen and locally express chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans

Surface-adsorbed fibrinogen (FBG) was recognized by adhering astrocytes, and was removed from the substrates in vitro by a two-phase removal process. The cells removed adsorbed FBG from binary proteins’ surface patterns (FBG + laminin, or FBG + albumin) while leaving the other protein behind. Astrocytes preferentially expressed chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) at the loci of fibrinogen stimuli; however, no differences in overall CSPG production as a function of FBG surface coverage were identified. Removal of FBG by astrocytes was also found to be independent of transforming growth factor type β (TGF-β) receptor based signaling as cells maintained CSPG production in the presence of TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor, SB 431542. The inhibitor decreased CSPG expression, but did not abolish it entirely. Because blood contact and subsequent FBG adsorption are unavoidable in neural implantations, the results indicate that implant-adsorbed FBG may contribute to reactive astrogliosis around the implant as astrocytes specifically recognize adsorbed FBG.