Dendritic fibroblasts in three-dimensional collagen matrices.
Cell motility determines form and function of multicellular organisms. Most studies on fibroblast motility have been carried out using cells on the surfaces of culture dishes. In situ, however, the environment for fibroblasts is the three-dimensional extracellular matrix. In the current research, we studied the morphology and motility of human fibroblasts embedded in floating collagen matrices at a cell density below that required for global matrix remodeling (i.e., contraction). Under these conditions, cells were observed to project and retract a dendritic network of extensions. These extensions contained microtubule cores with actin concentrated at the tips resembling growth cones. Platelet-derived growth factor promoted formation of the network; lysophosphatidic acid stimulated its retraction in a Rho and Rho kinase-dependent manner. The dendritic network also supported metabolic coupling between cells. We suggest that the dendritic network provides a mechanism by which fibroblasts explore and become interconnected to each other in three-dimensional space.
Grinnell
Frederick
F
Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas 75390-9039, USA. frederick.grinnell@utsouthwestern.edu
Ho
Chin-Han
CH
Tamariz
Elisa
E
Lee
David J
DJ
Skuta
Gabriella
G
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
D000199:Actins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008246:Lysophospholipids; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases