title: Preparation of extracellular matrices produced by cultured and primary fibroblasts.
abstract: Fibroblasts secrete and organize extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides structural support for their adhesion, migration, and tissue organization, besides regulating cellular functions such as growth and survival. Cell-to-matrix interactions are vital for vertebrate development. Disorders in these processes have been associated with fibrosis, developmental malformations, cancer, and other diseases. This unit describes a method for preparing a three-dimensional matrix derived from NIH-3T3 cells; the matrix is three-dimensions, cell and debris free, and attached to a two-dimensional culture surface. Cell adhesion and spreading are normal on these matrices. This matrix can also be compressed into a two-dimensional matrix and solubilized to study the matrix biochemically.
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Dorothy A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Beacham
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Amatangelo
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cukierman
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice