The free surface of mouse trophoblast in culture is non-adhesive for other cells.
Dispersed cells from cultured mouse cell lines, mouse macrophages, and inert microspheres were layered onto outgrowing mouse trophoblast in culture. The cells that settled onto the trophoblast remained round, in contrast to the elongated spreading shape they assumed on the glass substratum. The cells were readily dislodged from the trophoblast surface, whereas the microspheres were strongly adherent to trophoblast within 30 min. Scanning electron microscopy showed that trophoblast engulfed the spheres, but not the cells. Despite the lack of adhesion between cells and trophoblast, cell processes connected the two. The inability of cells to adhere to the free surface of the trophoblast could explain the trophoblast's ability to induce contact inhibition in co-cultured cells.
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D003260:Contact Inhibition; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology*