ROCK-generated contractility regulates breast epithelial cell differentiation in response to the physical properties of a three-dimensional collagen matrix

Breast epithelial cells differentiate into tubules when cultured in floating three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels, but not when the cells are cultured in the same collagen matrix that is attached to the culture dish. These observations suggest that the biophysical properties of collagenous matrices regulate epithelial differentiation, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Tubulogenesis required the contraction of floating collagen gels through Rho and ROCK-mediated contractility. ROCK-mediated contractility diminished Rho activity in a floating 3D collagen gel, and corresponded to a loss of FAK phosphorylated at Y397 localized to 3D matrix adhesions. Increasing the density of floating 3D collagen gels also disrupted tubulogenesis, promoted FAK phosphorylation, and sustained high Rho activity. These data demonstrate the novel finding that breast epithelial cells sense the rigidity or density of their environment via ROCK-mediated contractility and a subsequent down-regulation of Rho and FAK function, which is necessary for breast epithelial tubulogenesis to occur.     

LIM-kinase is critical for the mesenchymal-to-amoeboid cell morphological transition in 3D matrices

Tumor cells can migrate in 3D matrices in either a mesenchymal-like or amoeboid mode. HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells cultured in 3D collagen gels change their morphology from mesenchymal-like (elongated) to amoeboid (round) following protease inhibitor (PI) treatment or active Rho or ROCK expression. In this study, we examined the role of LIM-kinase 1 (LIMK1) in the PI- or Rho/ROCK-induced cell morphological change. We showed that LIMK1 was activated after PI treatment of HT1080 cells in 3D collagen gels and this activation was blocked by a ROCK inhibitor. While overexpression of LIMK1 induced cell rounding, knockdown of LIMK1 or the expression of kinase-inactive LIMK1 suppressed PI- or Rho/ROCK-induced cell rounding. These results suggest that LIMK1 plays an essential role in the PI- or Rho/ROCK-induced mesenchymal-to-amoeboid cell morphological transition of HT1080 cells cultured in 3D collagen gels. Furthermore, LIMK1 knockdown suppressed the invasive activity of HT1080 cells in collagen gels with or without PIs, indicating that LIMK1 mediates both the mesenchymal and amoeboid modes of invasion of HT1080 cells.     

Anticancer activity of paroxetine in human colon cancer cells: Involvement of MET and ERBB3

The concept of drug repositioning has recently received considerable attention in the field of oncology. In the present study, we propose that paroxetine can be used as a potent anticancer drug. Paroxetine, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been widely prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Recently, SSRIs have been reported to have anticancer activity in various types of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms of their action are not yet known. In this study, we investigated the potential anticancer effect of paroxetine in human colorectal cancer cells, HCT116 and HT‐29. Treatment with paroxetine reduced cell viability, which was associated with marked increase in apoptosis, in both the cell lines. Also, paroxetine effectively inhibited colony formation and 3D spheroid formation. We speculated that the mode of action of paroxetine might be through the inhibition of two major receptor tyrosine kinases – MET and ERBB3 – leading to the suppression of AKT, ERK and p38 activation and induction of JNK and caspase‐3 pathways. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that treatment of athymic nude mice bearing HT‐29 cells with paroxetine remarkably suppressed tumour growth. In conclusion, paroxetine is a potential therapeutic option for patients with colorectal cancer.     

Production of albumin and α-fetoprotein in primary culture of fetal human liver cells on collagenous substrata in the presence of hydrocortisone

Summary When primary cultures of fetal human liver cells established on type I collagen gels were compared to sister cultures developed on tissue culture plastic, the cells in contact with type I collagen secreted albumin at a higher rate than those without contact. The albumin secretion was dependent on the presence of hydrocortisone (HC) in the medium. Also, α-fetoprotein (AFP), of which the level decreased gradually and became undetectable after 6 d regardless of the presence or absence of HC in the cells cultured on plastic, was maintained for longer periods of time by plating the cells on type I collagen gels in the presence of HC. Different secretion rates of albumin and AFP were observed after Day 13 and Day 16, respectively, between cells maintained on type I collagen gels and those on film plastic. The cells secreted larger amounts of both albumin and AFP in plates coated with type IV or I collagens than with fibronectin after Day 10. The cells cultured on type I collagen gels were cuboidal in shape, whereas those on plastic were flattened in cultures with HC. These data indicate that the secretion of human albumin and AFP is facilitated by synergies between HC and collagenous substrata.     

3-Dimensional Culture Systems for Anti-Cancer Compound Profiling and High-Throughput Screening Reveal Increases in EGFR Inhibitor-Mediated Cytotoxicity Compared to Monolayer Culture Systems

3-dimensional (3D) culture models have the potential to bridge the gap between monolayer cell culture and in vivo studies. To benefit anti-cancer drug discovery from 3D models, new techniques are needed that enable their use in high-throughput (HT) screening amenable formats. We have established miniaturized 3D culture methods robust enough for automated HT screens. We have applied these methods to evaluate the sensitivity of normal and tumorigenic breast epithelial cell lines against a panel of oncology drugs when cultured as monolayers (2D) and spheroids (3D). We have identified two classes of compounds that exhibit preferential cytotoxicity against cancer cells over normal cells when cultured as 3D spheroids: microtubule-targeting agents and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Further improving upon our 3D model, superior differentiation of EC50 values in the proof-of-concept screens was obtained by co-culturing the breast cancer cells with normal human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Further, the selective sensitivity of the cancer cells towards chemotherapeutics was observed in 3D co-culture conditions, rather than as 2D co-culture monolayers, highlighting the importance of 3D cultures. Finally, we examined the putative mechanisms that drive the differing potency displayed by EGFR inhibitors. In summary, our studies establish robust 3D culture models of human cells for HT assessment of tumor cell-selective agents. This methodology is anticipated to provide a useful tool for the study of biological differences within 2D and 3D culture conditions in HT format, and an important platform for novel anti-cancer drug discovery.     

EGFR signaling pathway occupies an important position in cancer‐related downstream signaling pathways of Pyk2

Proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a member of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) non‐receptor tyrosine kinase family and has been found to promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Pyk2 takes part in different carcinogenic signaling pathways to promote cancer progression, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. EGFR signaling pathway is a traditional carcinogenic signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. FAK inhibitors have been reported to fail to get the ideal anti‐cancer outcomes because of activation of EGFR signaling pathway. Better understanding of Pyk2 downstream targets and interconnectivity between Pyk2 and carcinogenic EGFR signaling pathway will help finding more effective targets for clinical anti‐cancer combination therapies. Thus, the interconnectivity between Pyk2 and EGFR signaling pathway, which regulates tumor development and metastasis, needs to be elucidated. In this review, we summarized the downstream targets of Pyk2 in cancers, focused on the connection between Pyk2 and EGFR signaling pathway in different cancer types, and provided a new overview of the roles of Pyk2 in EGFR signaling pathway and cancer development.     

Angiotensin II induces focal adhesion kinase/paxillin phosphorylation and cell migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

In the present study, we demonstrated that Ang II provokes a transitory enhancement of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC). Moreover, Ang II induces a time- and dose-dependent augmentation in cell migration, but does not affect HUVEC proliferation. The effect of Ang II on FAK and paxillin phosphorylation was markedly attenuated in cells pretreated with wortmannin and LY294002, indicating that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) plays an important role in regulating FAK activation. Similar results were observed when HUVEC were pretreated with genistein, a non-selective tyrosine kinases inhibitor, or with the specific inhibitor PP2 for Src family kinases, demonstrating the involvement of protein tyrosine kinases, and particularly Src family of tyrosine kinases, in the downstream signalling pathway of Ang II receptors. Furthermore, FAK and paxillin phosphorylation was markedly blocked after treatment of HUVEC with AG1478, a selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of PI3K, Src family tyrosine kinases, and EGFR also decreased HUVEC migration. In conclusion, these results suggest that Ang II mediates an increase in FAK and paxillin phosphorylation and induces HUVEC migration through signal transduction pathways dependent on PI3K and Src tyrosine kinase activation and EGFR transactivation.     

Focal adhesion kinase regulates tractional collagen remodeling,matrix metalloproteinase expression,and collagen structure,which in turn affects matrix-induced signaling

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is critical for collagen expression but its regulation of collagen remodeling is not defined. We examined the role of FAK in the degradation and reorganization of fibrillar collagen. Compared with wild-type (WT) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, FAK null (FAK^−/−) fibroblasts generated twofold (p < .0001) higher levels of ¾ collagen I fragment and expressed up to fivefold more membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). When plated on stiff collagen substrates, compared with WT, FAK^−/− cells were smaller (threefold reduced cell surface area; p < .0001) and produced fivefold fewer cell extensions (p < .0001) that were 40% shorter (p < .001). When cultured on soft collagen gels (stiffness of ~100 Pa) for 6–48 hr, cell spreading and cell extension formation were reduced by greater than twofold (p < .05 and p < .0001, respectively) while collagen compaction and alignment were reduced by approximately 30% (p < .0001) in FAK^−/− cells. Similar results were found after treatment with PF573228, a FAK inhibitor. Reconstitution of FAK^−/− cells with FAK mutants showed that compared with WT, cell extension formation was reduced twofold (p < .0001) in the absence of the kinase domain and sixfold (p < .0001) with a Y397F mutant. Enhanced collagen degradation was exhibited by the mutants (~threefold increase; p < .0001 of ¾ collagen fragments without kinase domain or Y397F mutant; p < .01). Compared with FAK^+/+ cells, matrices produced by FAK^−/− cells generated higher levels of β₁ integrin activation (p < 0.05), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, and production of ¾ collagen I fragment by human gingival fibroblasts. Collectively these data indicate that (a) the kinase activity of FAK enhances collagen remodeling by tractional forces but inhibits collagen degradation by MMPs; (b) FAK influences the biological activity of fibroblast-secreted extracellular matrices, which in turn impacts β1 integrin and ERK signaling, and collagen degradation.     

A comparison of the effects of different substrata on chondrocyte morphology and the synthesis of collagen types IX and X

Summary Embryonic chick sternal chondrocytes were cultured either within three dimensional gels of type I collagen, type II collagen or agar, or as monolayers on plastic dishes coated with air-dried films of these matrix macromolecules. It was observed that cell shape and cell growth varied markedly between the different culture conditions. Flattened monolayers of cells on plastic or films of type I or type II collagen, proliferated more rapidly and reached a higher final cell density per culture than the more rounded cells found in the cultures on agar films or within three-dimensional gels. Biosynthetic studies demonstrated that in addition to the synthesis of type II collagen, all the cultures were producing collagen types IX and X. Chondrocytes cultured on plastic or films of the different matrix macromolecules all showed a similar expression of types IX and X collagen, independent of whether they displayed a flattened or round cell morphology. In contrast, marked variations in the proportions of the minor collagens, particularly type X collagen, were observed when the cells were cultured within three-dimensional gels. The data suggest that direct interaction of the cell surface with matrix constituents displaying a particular spatial array could be an important aspect in the control of type IX and X collagen expression by chondrocytes. The financial support of the Arthritis & Rheumatism Council and the Medical Research Council is gratefully acknowledged.     

Protein kinase C-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and focal adhesion kinase requires cytoskeletal integrity and is uncoupled to mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in human hepatoma cells

Treatment of cultured human hepatoma HepG2 cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), results in an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin using anti-phosphotyrosine Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. However, when cells are in suspension or in the presence of cytochalasin D which disrupts the intracellular network of actin microfilaments, TPA loses its ability to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin but it still activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and induces PKC translocation from cytosol to the membrane in HepG2 cells. On the other hand, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, blocks TPA-induced MAPK activation but has no effect on TPA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Our findings suggest that TPA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin in human hepatoma cells is PKC dependent and requires the integrity of the cell cytoskeleton but is uncoupled to the signal transduction pathway of PKC leading to the translocation of PKC and MAPK activation.     

Collagenous substrata regulate the nature and distribution of glycosaminoglycans produced by differentiated cultures of mouse mammary epithelial cells

We have investigated the influence of culture substrata upon glycosaminoglycans produced in primary cultures of mouse mammary epithelial cells isolated from the glands of late pregnant mice. Three substrata have been used for experiments: tissue culture plastic, collagen (type I) gels attached to culture dishes, and collagen (type I) gels that have been floated in the culture medium after cell attachment. These latter gels contract significantly. Cells cultured on all three substrata produce hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfates and dermatan sulfate but the relative quantities accumulated and their distribution among cellular and extracellular compartments differ according to the nature of the culture substratum. Notably most of the glycosaminoglycans accumulated by cells on plastic are secreted into the culture medium, while cells on floating gels incorporate almost all their glycosaminoglycans into an extracellular matrix fraction. Cells on attached collagen gels secrete approx. 30% of their glycosaminoglycans and assemble most of the remainder into an extracellular matrix. Hyaluronic acid is produced in significant quantities by cells on plastic and attached gels but in relatively reduced quantity by cells on floating gels. In contrast, iduronyl-rich dermatan sulfate is accumulated by cells on floating gels, where it is primarily associated with the extracellular matrix fraction, but is proportionally reduced in cells on plastic and attached gels. The results are discussed in terms of polarized assembly of a morphologically distinct basal lamina, a process that occurs primarily when cells are on floating gels. In addition, as these cultures secrete certain milk proteins only when cultured on floating gels, we discuss the possibility that cell synthesized glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans may play a role in the maintenance of a differentiated phenotype.     

Differential effect of ECM molecules on re-expression of cartilaginous markers in near quiescent human chondrocytes

The limited source of healthy primary chondrocytes restricts the clinical application of tissue engineering for cartilage repair. Therefore, method to maintain or restore the chondrocyte phenotype during in vitro expansion is essential. The objective of this study is to establish the beneficial effect of ECM molecules on restoring the re‐expression of cartilaginous markers in primary human chondrocytes after extensive monolayer expansion. During the course of chondrocyte serial expansion, COL2A1, SOX9, and AGN mRNA expression levels, and GAG accumulation level were reduced significantly in serially passaged cells. Exogenous type II collagen dose‐dependently elevated GAG level and induced the re‐expression of cartilaginous marker mRNAs in P7 chondrocytes. Chondroitin sulfate did not show significant effect on P7 chondrocytes, while hyaluronic acid inhibited the expression of SOX9 and AGN mRNAs. Upon treatment with type II collagen, FAK, ERK1/2, and JNK were activated via phosphorylation in P7 chondrocytes within 15 min. Furthermore, GFOGER integrin blocking peptide, MEK inhibitor and JNK inhibitor, not p38 inhibitor, significantly reduced the type II collagen‐induced GAG deposition level. Finally, in the presence of TGF‐β1 and IGF‐I, P7 chondrocytes cultured in 3D type II collagen matrix exhibited better cartilaginous features than those cells cultured in the type I collagen matrix. In conclusion, type II collagen alone can effectively restore cartilaginous features of expanded P7 human chondrocytes. It is probably mediated via the activation of FAK‐ERK1/2 and FAK‐JNK signaling pathways. The potential application of type II collagen in expanding a scarcity of healthy chondrocytes in vitro for further tissue engineering is implicated. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1981–1988, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Alteration of Cellular Behavior and Response to PI3K Pathway Inhibition by Culture in 3D Collagen Gels

Most investigations into cancer cell drug response are performed with cells cultured on flat (2D) tissue culture plastic. Emerging research has shown that the presence of a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for normal cell behavior including migration, adhesion, signaling, proliferation and apoptosis. In this study we investigate differences between cancer cell signaling in 2D culture and a 3D ECM, employing real-time, live cell tracking to directly observe U2OS human osteosarcoma and MCF7 human breast cancer cells embedded in type 1 collagen gels. The activation of the important PI3K signaling pathway under these different growth conditions is studied, and the response to inhibition of both PI3K and mTOR with PI103 investigated. Cells grown in 3D gels show reduced proliferation and migration as well as reduced PI3K pathway activation when compared to cells grown in 2D. Our results quantitatively demonstrate that a collagen ECM can protect U2OS cells from PI103. Overall, our data suggests that 3D gels may provide a better medium for investigation of anti-cancer drugs than 2D monolayers, therefore allowing better understanding of cellular response and behavior in native like environments.     

Role of VEGFR‐1 in melanoma acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR‐1) is a tyrosine kinase receptor frequently expressed in melanoma. Its activation by VEGF‐A or placental growth factor (PlGF) promotes tumour cell survival, migration and invasiveness. Moreover, VEGFR‐1 stimulation contributes to pathological angiogenesis and induces recruitment of tumour‐associated macrophages. Since melanoma acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) has been associated with activation of pro‐angiogenic pathways, we have investigated VEGFR‐1 involvement in vemurafenib resistance. Results indicate that human melanoma cells rendered resistant to vemurafenib secrete greater amounts of VEGF‐A and express higher VEGFR‐1 levels compared with their BRAFi‐sensitive counterparts. Transient VEGFR‐1 silencing in susceptible melanoma cells delays resistance development, whereas in resistant cells it increases sensitivity to the BRAFi. Consistently, enforced VEGFR‐1 expression, by stable gene transfection in receptor‐negative melanoma cells, markedly reduces sensitivity to vemurafenib. Moreover, melanoma cells expressing VEGFR‐1 are more invasive than VEGFR‐1 deficient cells and receptor blockade by a specific monoclonal antibody (D16F7 mAb) reduces extracellular matrix invasion triggered by VEGF‐A and PlGF. These data suggest that VEGFR‐1 up‐regulation might contribute to melanoma progression and spreading after acquisition of a drug‐resistant phenotype. Thus, VEGFR‐1 inhibition with D16F7 mAb might be a suitable adjunct therapy for VEGFR‐1 positive tumours with acquired resistance to vemurafenib.     

Combination of culture on collagen gels and glucose starvation for cloning human colon cancer cells

Glucose starvation has been widely used to select differentiated subpopulations from the heterogenous human colon cancer cell line HT29. We observed that the important cell loss elicited by culturing these cells in glucose-free medium could be limited when type I collagen gel was used as substratum instead of conventional plastic support. We took advantage of this property to develop a new protocol, which combined glucose starvation and culture on collagen gels, for cloning HT29 cells. Using this procedure we have isolated four clones that were characterized on the basis of morphological (optical and transmission electron microscopy), electrophysiological (determination of transepithelial electrical parameters) and biochemical (detection of villin, sucrase-isomaltase and carcinoembryonic antigen) criteria. These four clones expressed different patterns of enterocytic differentiation regarding to these criteria. These results confirmed the heterogeneity of the HT29 cell line. One of these clones, HT29-A7, which displayed numerous intercellular cysts that disappeared at confluency, appears as a complementary model in the study of epithelial biogenesis.     

The synthesis of subendothelial matrix by bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture

Bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on collagenous or plastic substrata continuously synthesize and deposit a subendothelial matrix, independently of whether the cells are in the logarithmic or the stationary phase of growth. This subendothelial matrix contains fibrillar and amorphous elements comparable with those observed in the subendothelium in vivo. Deposition of subendothelial matrix on a collagen gel substratum both started earlier and progressed at approximately double the rate than that on denatured collagen. The relative composition of the subendothelial matrix was assessed by sequential incubation with trypsin, elastase and collagenase (Jones et al., 1979). The subendothelial matrix deposited on collagen gels by early confluent cultures and late post-confluent cultures differed in their enzyme sensitivity. These age-related changes in the enzyme sensitivity of the subendothelial matrix were characteristic for each cloned cell population examined. Comparable variations in the composition of the subendothelial matrix were not observed when the cells were cultured on plastic or gelatin-coated dishes; the subendothelial matrix deposited on these two substrata contained considerably more trypsin-sensitive material and less elastase and collagenase-sensitive material than the matrix deposited on native collagen gels. Age-related changes in the enzyme sensitivity of the subendothelial matrix deposited on collagen gels was found to be a function of the time elapsed since confluence and it was not related to the time elapsed since plating or to the number of cells present.     

The role of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-directed cellular binding to type I collagen and rat mesenchymal cells in colorectal tumour differentiation

The relationship between the adhesion of five human colorectal carcinoma cell lines to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, namely type I collagen, type IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin and basement membrane extract (Matrigel), and the ability of these cells to express morphological differentiation when grown in a basement membrane extract (Matrigel) or on normal rat mesenchymal cells has been examined. Two cell lines, SW1222 and HRA-19, organised into glandular structures, with well-defined polarity when cultured on both substrata as well as in three-dimensional (3D) collagen gel culture as previously shown. The remaining three cell lines (SW620, SW480 and HT29) grew as loose aggregates or as they would normally grow on tissue culture plastic. Addition to the culture medium of a hexapeptide, containing the cell-matrix recognition sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD), inhibited attachment and glandular formation of SW1222 and HRA-19 when these cells were grown on living mesenchymal cells, but not in Matrigel. The morphological differentiation of HRA-19 cells in 3D-collagen was also inhibited by the same RGD-containing peptide, as previously shown for SW1222 cells. Attachment of the remaining three cell lines was inhibited on mesenchyme but not in Matrigel, further supporting the specificity of the peptide effect on epithelial-mesenchymal binding. In conclusion we have shown that colorectal tumour cells are able to bind ECM proteins and that the cellular binding is an essential step in the induction of the morphological differentiation seen on living mesenchymal cells, in basement membrane extracts and in type I collagen gel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

佛波酯促进NIH3T3细胞的铺展和聚焦粘附激酶的酪氨酸磷酸化

100nmol/L佛波酯(12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate,TPA)能明显促进NIH3T3细胞在纤连蛋白(Fn)上的铺展,该作用能分别被酪氨酸激酶(tyrosinekinase,TK)抑制剂4′,5,7-三羟基异黄酮(genistein)和蛋白激酶C(proteinkinaseC,PKC)抑制剂calphostinC和神经鞘氨醇(sphingosine)所抑制.TPA作用于结合到Fn上的NIH3T3细胞,使其聚焦粘附激酶(focaladhe-sionkinase,FAK)的酪氨酸磷酸化程度较未处理细胞升高,于30min时达对照的204.0%,并存在浓度依赖性;该变化分别被上述抑制剂所拮抗;未经TPA处理的NIH3T3细胞和纤连蛋白结合诱导的FAK酪氨酸磷酸化亦分别被上述抑制剂所抑制.细胞松弛素D则无论TPA作用与否,都能完全阻断NIH3T3细胞的铺展和FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化.以上结果提示,TPA促进NIH3T3细胞在Fn上铺展的信号转导机制,与PKC的激活有关,进一步则可能通过影响FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化来实现,同时需要细胞骨架的参与;NIH3T3细胞和Fn结合并诱导FAK酪氨酸磷酸化的过程亦依赖于PKC和完整的细胞骨架.     

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha regulate extracellular matrix production by embryonic mouse palatal mesenchymal cells cultured on a variety of substrata

Mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal (MEPM) cells were cultured either on plastic tissue culture dishes or on the surface of three-dimensional collagen gels or within collagen gel matrices in DMEM/F12 medium containing 2.5% donor calf serum. MEPM cells proliferated exponentially when cultured on collagen or on plastic. Cells cultured within collagen gels did not proliferate but remained viable. Addition of 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor alpha (TGF) stimulated the proliferation of those cells cultured on plastic or on collagen but not those cultured within collagen gels. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that MEPM cells synthesise collagen types I, III, IV, V, VI and IX; fibronectin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan, laminin and tenascin in vitro. These molecules are all present in the developing palate in vivo. EGF and TGF produced a generalised stimulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis by MEPM cells in vitro. Biochemical analysis indicated that cells cultured within collagen gels had the highest intrinsic rate of protein synthesis. On all substrata neither EGF nor TGF markedly altered the types of ECM molecules synthesised but rather caused a general increase in the total amount produced. This stimulation was most marked where the cells were cultured within collagen gels. The lack of stimulation of proliferation of MEPM cells cultured within collagen gels (i.e. in a physiologically-relevant environment) by EGF or TGF together with the marked stimulation of ECM synthesis suggests that these factors may act as differentiation signals via their effects on ECM production. Correspondence to: M.J. Dixon