Directed cell migration on fibronectin gradients: effect of gradient slope.
The migration of human microvascular endothelial cells (hMEC) was measured on a range of fibronectin gradient slopes. hMEC drift speed increased with increasing gradient slope with no concurrent change in cellular persistence time or random cell speed. The frequency of discrete cellular motion in the gradient direction increased with gradient slope. Morphological polarization of cells on the gradients is also characterized and correlated with cellular drift speed. These experiments present the first demonstration of cellular response to changing haptotactic gradient slope using an in vitro system for the quantitative study of cell migration.
Smith
Jason T
JT
Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering, 136 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC 27708, USA. jason.smith@duke.edu
Elkin
James T
JT
Reichert
W Monty
WM
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D016764:Cell Polarity; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
D000199:Actins; D005353:Fibronectins