Fibronectin mediates anchorage-dependent focus formation in cultured human synoviocytes.
To determine the effect of extracellular matrix proteins on synoviocyte phenotype, a serum-free, defined-medium culture system was established. Rheumatoid synoviocytes maintained on type I collagen appeared monolayered, whereas cells maintained on fibronectin showed focus formation. Focus formation was abrogated by maintaining cells in the presence of antifibronectin. Focus formation was associated with a fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix, whereas monolayer morphology was associated with matrices containing a greater proportion of collagen. The abundant amount of fibronectin present in the synovial microenvironment may be partially responsible for the transformationlike phenotype displayed by rheumatoid synoviocytes.
Wolf
J
J
Division of Rheumatology, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501.
Carsons
S
S
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology*; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*
D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D005353:Fibronectins