Intracellular ice formation is affected by cell interactions.
Cell-to-cell and cell-to-surface interactions are important to the structure and function of tissues. These interactions are also important determinants of low-temperature responses in tissues. Four in vitro models using hamster fibroblast cells in tissue culture were used to investigate the influence of cell-cell and cell-surface interactions on intracellular ice formation in these systems. The four models were: (a) single cells in suspension; (b) cells individually attached to glass with only cell-to-surface adhesion; (c) colonies of cells attached to glass with both cell-cell and cell-surface interactions; and (d) multicellular spheroids with extensive cell-cell contacts. Cryomicroscopy was used to monitor the prevalence and kinetics of intracellular ice formation after ice nucleation in the extracellular solution. The temperature for intracellular freezing in 50% of the cells was significantly affected by both cell-cell and cell-surface interactions. There was also evidence of intercellular nucleation through cell-cell interactions. The results indicate that cell-cell and cell-surface interactions play a significant role in the low-temperature response of tissue systems.
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R8, Canada.
J P
JP
Acker
A
A
Larese
H
H
Yang
A
A
Petrenko
L E
LE
McGann
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005615:Freezing