Selected publications: Clicking on PDF icon will download a PDF file of the manuscript.
Reviews:
Mecham, R.P. (2008) Methods in elastic tissue biology: Elastin isolation and purification. Methods 45(1):32-41.
McLean, S.E., Mecham, B.H., Kelleher, C.M., Mariani, T.J., and Mecham, R.P. (2005) Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression in Developing Mouse Aorta. In: Extracellular Matrices and Development. J. H. Miner, editor. Advances in Developmental Biology 15:82-128, Wassarman, P.M., Series Editor. Elsevier.
Kelleher, C.M., McLean, S.E., and Mecham, R.P. (2004) Vascular Extracellular Matrix and Aortic Development. Cur. Topic Develop. Biol. 62:153-188
Robert Mecham (1998) Overview of Extracellular Matrix. Current Protocols in Cell Biology . pp. 10.1.1-10.1.14
Stenmark, K. R. and Mecham, R.P. (1997) Cellular and molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 59:89-144.
Mecham, R.P. and Hinek, A. (1996) Non-integrin laminin receptors. In: The Laminins P. Ekblom and R. Timpl, editors. NY: Harwood Academic Publishers. pp 159-183
Mecham, R.P.. (1987) The Biology of Connective Tissue: Regulation of Mesenchymal Cell Differentiation by Extracellular Matrix. Bone & Mineral Research 5:185-208 (note: 6 MB file size)
Peer Reviewed:
Weinbaum, J.S., Broekelmann, T.J., Pierce, R.A., Werneck, C.C., Segade, F., Craft, C.S., Knutsen, R.H., and Mecham, R.P. (2008) Deficiency in microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP-1) leads to complex phenotypes in multiple organ systems. J. Biol. Chem. In Press (UNCORRECTED PAGE PROOFS).
Broekelmann, T.J., Ciliberto, C.H., Shifren, A., and Mecham, R.P. (2008) Modification and functional inactivation of the tropoelastin carboxy-terminal domain in cross-linked elastin. Matrix Biol. In Press (PAGE PROOFS).
Werneck, C.C., Vicente, C.P., Weinberg, J., Shifren, A., Pierce, R.A., Broekelmann, T.J., Tollefsen, D.M., and Mecham, R.P. (2008) Mice lacking MAGP-1 display delayed thrombotic occlusion following vessel injury. Blood 111:4137-4144.
Wagenseil, J.E., and Mecham, R.P. (2007) New insights into elastic fiber assembly. Birth Defects. Res. C Embryo Today. 81:229-240.
Segade, F., Suganuma, N., Mychaleckyj, J.C., and Mecham, R.P. (2007) The intracellular form of human MAGP1 elicits a complex and specific transcriptional response. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 39:2303-2313.
Hirano, E, Knutsen, R.H., Sugitani, H., Ciliberto, C.H., and Mecham, R.P. (2007) Functional rescue of elastin insufficiency in mice by the human elastin gene: Implications for mouse models of human disease. Circ. Res. 101(5):523-531. File also contains Circ. Research commentary: Bouncing back from elastin deficiency. Circ Res. 101(5):439-440.
Segade, F., Suganuma, N., Mychaleckyj, J.C., and Mecham, R.P. (2007) MAGP1B, an intracellular splice variant of the microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1, induces specific changes in gene expression. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 39:2302-2313. .
Wagenseil, J.E., Knutsen, R.H., Li, D. and Mecham, R.P. (2007) Elastin insufficient mice show normal cardiovascular remodeling in 2K1C hypertension, despite higher baseline pressure and unique cardiovascular architecture. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 293(1):H574-582.
Shifren, A., Durmowicz, A.G., Knutsen, R.H., Hirano, E., Mecham, R.P. (2007) Elastin protein levels are a vital modifier affecting normal lung development and susceptibility to emphysema. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. 292:L778-789.
Shifren, A., and Mecham, R.P. (2006) The stumbling block in lung repair of emphysema: Elastic fiber assembly. Proc. Am. Thorac Soc. 3:428-433.
Kozel, B.A., Rongish, B.J., Czirok, A., Zach, J., Little, C.D., Davis, E.C., Knutsen, R.H., Wagenseil, J.E., Levy, M.A. and Mecham, R.P. (2006) Elastic fiber formation: A dyamic view of extracellular matirx assembly using timer reporters. J. Cell. Physiol.207:87-96.
Czirok, A., Zach, J., Kozel, B.A., Mecham, R.P., Davis, E.C., Rongish, B.J., (2006) Elastic fiber macro-assembly is a hierarchical, cell motion-mediated process. J. Cell. Physiol. 207:97-106.
Segade, F. and Mecham, R.P. (2005) Regulatory elements of microfibril-associated gycoprotein-1 gene expression in muscle cells. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1731:215-224.
Broekelmann, T.J., Kozel, B.A., Ishibashi, H., Werneck, C.C., Keeley, F.W., Zhang, L., and Mecham, R.P. (2005) Tropoelastin interacts with cell-surface glycosaminoglycans via its C-terminal domain. J. Biol. Chem. 280:40939-40947.
Kelleher, C.M., Silverman, E.K., Broekelmann, T., Litonjua, A.A., Hernandez, M., Sylvia, J.S., Stoler, J., Reilly, J.J., Chapman, H.A., Speizer, F.E., Weiss, S.T., Mecham, R.P., and Raby, B.A. (2005) A functional mutation in the terminal exon of elastin in severe, early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 33:355-362.
Wagenseil, J.E., Nerurkar, N.L., Knutsen, R.H., Okamoto, R.J., Li, D.Y., and Mecham, R.P. (2005) Effects of elastin haploinsufficiency on the mechanical behavior of mouse arteries . Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 289:H1209-H1217.
Werneck, C.C. and Trask, B.C. (Co-fiirst authors), Broekelmann, T.J., Trask, T.M., Ritty, T.M., Segade, F., and Mecham, R.P. (2004) Identification of a major MAGP-1 binding domain in fibrillin-2. J. Biol. Chem. 279:23045-23051
Kozel, B.A., Ciliberto, C.H., and Mecham, R.P. (2004) Deposition of tropoelastin into the extracellular matrix requires a competent elastic fiber scaffold but not live cells. Matrix Biol. 23:23-34.
Faury, G., Pezet, M., Knutsen, R.H., Boyle, W.A., Heximer, S.P., McLean, S.E., Minkes, R.K., Blumer, K.J., Kovacs, A., Kelly, D.P., Li, D.Y., Starcher, B., Mecham, R.P. (2003) Developmental adaptation of the mouse cardiovascular system to elastin haploinsufficiency. J. Clin. Invest. 112:1419-1428. See Commentary in J. Clin. Invest. 112: 1308-1310.
Ritty, T.M., Broekelmann, T.J., Werneck, C.C., Mecham, R.P. (2003) Fibrillins 1 and 2 contain heparin binding sites important for matrix deposition and that support cell attachment. Biochem. J. 375:425-432.
Kozel, B. A., Wachi, H., Davis, E.C., Mecham, R.P. (2003) Domains on tropoelastin that mediate elastin deposition in vitro and in in vivo. J. Biol Chem. 278:18491-18498.
Hornstra, I.K., Birge, S., Starcher, B., Bailey, A.J., Mecham, R.P., and Shapiro, S.D. (2003) Lysyl oxidase is required for vascular and diaphragmatic development in mice. J. Biol. Chem. 14387-14393.
Heximer, S.P., Knutsen, R.H., Kaltenbronn, K.M., Rhee, M-H., Peng, N., Oliveira-dos-Santos, A., Penninger, J.M., Muslin, A.J., Wyss, J.M., Mecham, R.P., and Blumer, K.J. (2003) Hypertension and prolonged vasoconstrictor signaling in RGS2-deficient mice. J. Clin. Invest. 111:445-452.
Davis, E.C., Roth, R.A., Heuser, J.E., and Mecham, R.P. (2002) Ultrastructural properties of ciliary zonule microfibrils (2002). J. Struct. Biol. 139:65-75.
Hill, C.H., Mecham, R.P., Starcher, B. (2002) Homocysteinemia chick model: Fibrillin-2 defects impair elastic fiber assembly. J. Nutrition 132(8):2143-50.
Segade, F., Crippes, B.T., Broekelmann, T.J., Pierce, R.A., and Mecham, R.P. (2002) Identification of a matrix binding domain in the microfibril-associated glycoproteins 1 and 2 (MAGP1 and 2) and cellular localization of alternative splice forms. J. Biol. Chem. 277:11050-11057
Trask, B.C, Broekelmann, T., Ritty, T.M., Trask, T.M., Tisdale, C. and Mecham, R.P. (2001) Post-translational modifications of microfibril associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP-1). Biochemistry. 40:4372-4380.
Segade, F., Broekelmann, T.J., Pierce, R.A., and Mecham, R.P. (2000) Revised genomic structure of the human MAGP1 gene and identification of alternate transcripts in human and mouse tissues. Matrix Biology 19:671-682.
Dietz, H.C. and Mecham, R.P. (2000) Mouse models of genetic diseases resulting from mutations in elastic fiber proteins. Matrix Biol. 19:481-488.
Trask, B.C, Trask, T.M., Broekelmann, T. and Mecham, R.P. (2000) The microfibrillar proteins MAGP-1 and fibrillin-1 from a ternary complex with the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan decorin. Molec. Biol. Cell. 11:1499-1507.
Shipley, J.M., Mecham, R.P., Maus, E., Bonadio, J., Rosenbloom, J., McCarthy, R.T., Baumann, M.L., Frankfater, C., Segade, F., and Shapiro, S. (2000) Developmental expression of latent TGF-b-binding protein-2 and its requirement early in mouse development. Molec. Cell. Biol. 20:4879-4887.
Trask, T.M., Crippes Trask, B., Ritty, T.M., Abrams, W.R., Rosenbloom, J., and Mecham, R.P. (2000) Interaction of tropoelastin with the amino-terminal domains of fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 suggests a role for the fibrillins in elastic fiber assembly. J. Biol. Chem. 275:24400-24406.
Park, P.W., Broekelmann, T.J., Mecham, B.R., and Mecham, R.P. (1999) Characterization of the elastin binding domain in the cell surface 25 kDa elastin binding protein of Staphylococcus aureus (EbpS). J. Biol. Chem. 274:2845-2850
Ritty, T.M., Broekelmann, T., Tisdale, C. Milewicz, D.M., Mecham, R.P. (1999) Processing of the fibrillin-1 carboxy-terminal domain. J. Biol. Chem. 274:8933-8940.
Davis, E.C., Blattel, S.A., and Mecham, R.P. (1999) Remodeling of elastic fiber components in scleroderma skin. Connect. Tissue Res. 40:113-121.
Trask, T.M., Ritty, T. M., Broekelmann, T., Tisdale, C., and Mecham, R.P. (1999) Amino-terminal domains of fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 direct the formation of homodimers: A possible first step in microfibril assembly. Biochem. J. 340:693-701.
Zhang, M., Pierce, R.A., Wachi, H., Mecham, R.P., and Parks, W.C. (1999) An open-reading frame element mediates post-transcriptional regulation of tropoelastin during development and responsiveness to TGF-b1. Mol. Cell. Biol.19(11): p. 7314-7326
Robb, B.W., Wachi, H., Schaub, T., Mecham, R.P., and Davis, E.C. (1999) Characterization of an in vitro model of elastic fiber assembly. Molec. Biol. Cell 10: 3595-3605.
Faury, G., Maher, G.M., Li, D.Y., Keating, M.T., Mecham, R.P., and Boyle, W.A. (1999) Relation between outer and luminal diameter in cannulated arteries. Am. J. Physiol. 277:H1745-H1753.
Davis, E.C., Broekelmann, T.J., Ozawa, Y., and Mecham, R.P. (1998) Identification of tropoelastin as a ligand for the 65-kD FK506-binding protein, FKBP65, in the secretory pathway. J. Cell Bio. 140:295-303.
Faury, G., Garnier, S., Weiss, A.S., Wallach, J., Fulop Jr., T., Jacob, M-P., Mecham, R.P., Robert, L., and Verdetti, J. (1998) Action of tropoelastin and synthetic elastin sequences on vascular tone and on free calcium levels in human vascular endothelial cells. Circulation Res. 82:328-336.
Li, D.Y., Brooke, B., Davis, E.C., Mecham, R.P., Sorensen, L.K., Boak, B.B., Eichwald, E., , and Keating, M.T. (1998) Elastin is an essential determinant of arterial morphogenesis. Nature 393:276-280.
Li, D.Y., Faury, G., Taylor, D.G., Davis, E.C., Boyle, W.A., Mecham, R.P., Stenzel, P., Boak, B., and Keating, M.T. (1998) Novel arterial pathology in mice and humans hemizygous for elastin. J. Clin. Invest. 102:1783-1787.
Davis, E.C. and Mecham, R.P. (1998) Intracellular trafficking of tropoelastin. Matrix Biol 17: 245-254.
Mecham, R.P., Broekelmann, T., Fliszar, C.J., Shapiro, S.D., Welgus, H.G., and Senior, R.M. (1997) Elastin degradation by matrix metalloproteinases: Cleavage site specificity and mechanisms of elastolysis. J. Biol. Chem. 272: 18071-18076.
Davis, E.C. and Mecham, R.P. (1996) Selective degradation of accumulated secretory proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum: A possible clearance pathway for abnormal tropoelastin. J. Biol. Chem. 271:3787-3794.
Sakamoto, H., Broekelmann, T., Cheresh, D.A., Ramirez, F., Rosenbloom, J., and Mecham, R.P. (1996) Cell-type specific recognition of RGD- and nonRGD-containing cell binding domains in fibrillin-1. J. Biol. Chem. 271:4916-4922.
Park, P.W., Rosenbloom, J., Abrams, W.R., Rosenbloom, J., and Mecham, R.P. (1996) Molecular cloning and expression of the gene for elastin binding protein (ebpS) in Staphylococcus aureus. J. Biol. Chem. 271: 15803-15809.
Brown-Augsburger, P.B., Broekelmann, T., Rosenbloom, J. and Mecham, R.P. (1996) Functional domains on elastin and MAGP involved in elastic fiber assembly. Biochem. J. 318:149-155.
Brown-Augsburger, P., Broekelmann, T., Sloan, C., and Mecham, R.P. (1995) Identification of an elastin cross-linking domain that joins three peptide chains: Possible role in nucleated assembly. J. Biol. Chem. 270:17778-17783.
Gibson, M.A., Hatzinikolas, G., Davis, E.C., Baker, E., Sutherland, G.R., and Mecham, R.P. (1995) Bovine latent transforming growth factor b1-binding protein 2: Molecular cloning, identification of tissue isoforms, and immunolocalization to elastin-associated microfibrils. Molec. Cell. Biol. 15:6932-6942.
Gray, A.J., Park, P.W., Broekelmann, T.J., Laurent, G.J., Reeves, J.T., Stenmark, K.R., and Mecham, R.P. (1995) The mitogenic effects of the Bb chain of fibrinogen are mediated through cell surface calreticulin. J. Biol. Chem. 270:26602-26606.
Grosso, L.E., Parks, W.C., Wu, L., and Mecham, R.P. (1991) Fibroblast adhesion to recombinant tropoelastin expressed as a Protein A-fusion protein. Biochem. J. 272:517-522.
Grosso, L.E., Park, P.W., and Mecham, R.P. (1991) Characterization of a putative clone for the 67-kilodalton elasitn/laminin receptor suggests that it encodes a cytoplasmic protein rather than a cell surface receptor. Biochemistry 30:3346-3350.
Park, P.W., Roberts, D.D., Grosso, L.E., Parks, W.C., Rosenbloom, J., Abrams, W.R., and Mecham, R.P. (1991) Binding of elastin to Staphylococcus aureus. J. Biol. Chem. 266:23399-23406.
Mecham, R.P., Whitehouse, L., Hay, M., Hinek, A., and Sheetz, M.P. (1991) Ligand affinity of the 67 kDa elastin/laminin binding protein is modulated by the protein's lectin domain: Visualization of elastin/laminin receptor complexes with gold-tagged ligands. J. Cell Biol. 113:187-194.
Parks, W.C., Secrist, H., Wu, L.C., and Mecham, R.P. (1988) Developmental regulation of tropoelastin isoforms. J. Biol. Chem. 263:4416-4423.
Wrenn, D.S., Hinek, A., and Mecham, R.P. (1988) Kinetics of receptor-mediated binding of tropoelastin to ligament fibroblasts. J. Biol. Chem. 263:2280-2284.
Wrenn, D.S., Parks, W.C., Whitehouse, L.A., Crouch, E.C., Kucich, U., Rosenbloom, J., and Mecham, R.P. (1987) Identification of multiple tropoelastins secreted by bovine cells. J. Biol. Chem. 262:2244-2249.
Mecham, R.P., Whitehouse, L.A., Wrenn, D.S., Parks, W.C., Griffin, G.L., Senior, R.M., Crouch, E.C., Stenmark, K.R., and Voelkel, N.F. (1987) Smooth muscle-mediated connective tissue remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. Science 237:423-426.
Mecham, R.P., Levy, B.D., Morris, S.L., and Wrenn, D.S. (1985) Increased cyclic GMP levels lead to a stimulation of elastin production in ligament fibroblasts that is reversed by cyclic AMP. J. Biol. Chem. 260:3255-3258.
Mecham, R.P., Morris, S.L., Levy, B.D., and Wrenn, D.S. (1984) Glucocorticoids stimulate elastin production in differentiated bovine ligament fibroblasts but do not induce elastin synthesis in undifferentiated cells. J. Biol. Chem. 259:12414-12418.
Senior, R.M., Griffin, G.L., Mecham, R.P., Wrenn, D.S., Prasad, K.U., and Urry, D.W. (1984) Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly, a repeating peptide in elastin, is chemotactic for fibroblasts and monocytes. J. Cell Biol. 99:870-874.
Mecham, R.P., Madaras, J.G., and Senior, R.M. (1984) Extracellular matrix-specific induction of elastogenic differentiation and maintenance of phenotypic stability in bovine ligament fibroblasts. J. Cell Biol. 98:1804-1812.
Mecham, R.P., Griffin, G.L., Madars, J.G., and Senior, R.M. (1984) Appearance of chemotactic responsiveness to elastin peptides by developing fetal bovine ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts parallels the onset of elastin production. J. Cell Biol. 98:1813-1816.
Senior, R.M., Griffin, G.L., Mecham, R.P. (1982) Chemotactic responses of fibroblasts to tropoelastin and elastin-derived peptides J. Clin. Invest. 70:614-618.
Mecham, R.P., Lange, G., Madaras, J., and Starcher, B. (1981) Elastin synthesis by ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts: Effects of culture conditions and extracellular matrix on elasitn produciton. J. Cell Biol. 90:331-338.
Senior, R.M., Griffin, G.L., Mecham, R.P. (1980) Chemotactic activity of elastin-derived peptides. J. Clin. Invest. 66:859-862.
Mecham, R.P. and Foster, J.A. (1978) A structural model for desmosine cross-linked peptides. Biochem. J. 173:617-625.
Foster, J.A., Mecham, R.P., Rich, C.B., Cronin, M.F., Levine, A., Imberman, M., and Salcedo, L.L. (1978) Proelastin: Synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells. J. Biol. Chem.. 253:2797-2803.
Foster, J.A., Bruenger, E., Rubin, L., Imberman, M., Kagan, H., Mecham, R. and Franzblau, C. (1976) Circular dichroism studies of an elastin crosslinked peptide. Biopolymers. 15:833-841.