Latent transforming growth factor β-binding protein 1 (LTBP-1) targets latent complexes of
transforming growth factor β to the extracellular matrix, where the latent cytokine is
subsequently activated by several different mechanisms. Fibrillins are extracellular matrix
macromolecules whose primary function is architectural: fibrillins assemble into
ultrastructurally distinct microfibrils that are ubiquitous in the connective tissue space. LTBPs
and fibrillins are highly homologous molecules, and colocalization in the matrix of cultured …