title: Type VI collagen increases cell survival and prevents anti-beta 1 integrin-mediated apoptosis.
abstract: Cell-matrix interactions are important in the development of the avian cornea. Type VI collagen is present within the periocular mesenchyme prior to the migration of cells into the corneal stroma and is abundant in the mature stroma. Whether the interaction of cells with type VI collagen is essential for cellular survival in the cornea is not known. In the present study, we examined the interaction of corneal cells with type VI collagen in vitro to determine if it can increase cell proliferation and decrease apoptosis. In vivo analysis demonstrated that apoptosis occurs in the periocular region during early stages of avian corneal development, but in fully mature corneas apoptosis only occurs in the corneal epithelium and not in the stroma. In vitro analysis examined the importance of beta 1 integrin interactions with type VI collagen in mature corneal fibroblasts and the precursor cells. Using an anti-beta 1 integrin blocking antibody, CSAT, integrin/matrix interactions were disrupted. Results indicated that viability of both corneal fibroblasts and periocular mesenchyme cells was greater on type VI collagen than on type I collagen or BSA-blocked glass. In addition, less apoptosis was observed for both cell types on type VI collagen when beta 1 integrin--matrix interactions were disrupted. These data indicated that these cells require intact beta 1 interactions with type I collagen and with BSA-coated glass controls to remain viable. Thus, type VI collagen may play a role in the rescue of corneal cells from anti-beta 1 integrin-induced apoptosis by increasing cell survival, probably via a non-beta 1 integrin-dependent mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272-0095, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Doane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D016023:Integrins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003470:Culture Media; D016023:Integrins; D003094:Collagen