title: Changes in cell spreading and cytoskeletal organization are induced by adhesion to a fibronectin-fibrin matrix.
abstract: Plasma fibronectin (pFN) cross-linked to fibrin during the injury response provides a provisional matrix required for cells to begin tissue repair. Using a synthetic matrix of pFN and fibrin as a substrate for cell adhesion and spreading, we have determined that pFN covalently cross-linked to fibrin into a complex multimer is functionally distinct from pFN immobilized onto a plastic surface. NIH-3T3 cells on a FN-fibrin matrix reach 50% of the maximal cell area of cells spread on FN-coated plastic. They neither attach nor spread on cross-linked fibrin alone. Cells on pFN-fibrin matrices form few prominent stress fibers and exhibit clear differences in membrane ruffling and filopodial extension when stained with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin. Interestingly, these differences are enhanced by upregulation of protein kinase C. These data suggest that cell-FN interactions can be modified by the molecular context of the protein within the extracellular matrix resulting in distinct cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University NJ; 08544-1014, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Schwarzbauer
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005337:Fibrin / Q000187:drug effects; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D005337:Fibrin; D011493:Protein Kinase C