The role of the extracellular matrix in cell motility in fibroblast aggregates

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effect of specific components of the extracellular matrix on the motility of tissue cells was studied using organ‐cultured aggregates of embryonic fibroblasts. Spherical aggregates of chick embryo heart and skin fibroblasts were fused with [3H]‐thymidine‐labeled aggregates of the identical cell type. The movement of labeled cells into the unlabeled partner aggregate served as an estimate of cell motility in the cultured tissue‐like aggregates. Collagenase treatment decreased the collagen content of heart fibroblast aggregates and increased cell motility; ascorbic acid treatment increased the collagen content of skin fibroblast aggregates and decreased cell motility. Reduction of the glycosaminoglycan content with testicular hyaluronidase had no measurable effect on cell motility in heart fibroblast aggregates.