title: Collagen type V modulates fibroblast behavior dependent on substrate stiffness.
abstract: Collagen type V is highly expressed during tissue development and wound repair, but its exact function remains unclear. Cell binding to collagen V affects various basic cell functions and increased collagen V levels alter the structural organization and the stiffness of the ECM. We studied the combined effects of collagen V and substrate stiffness on the morphology, focal adhesion formation, and actin organization of fibroblasts. We found that a hybrid collagen I/V coating impairs fibroblast spreading on soft substrates (<10 kPa), but not on stiffer substrates (68 kPa or glass). In sharp contrast, a pure collagen I coating does not impair cell spreading on soft substrates. The impairment of cell spreading by collagen V is accompanied by diffuse actin staining patterns and small focal adhesions. These observations suggest that collagen V plays an essential role in modifying cell behavior during development and remodeling, when very soft tissues are present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Medical Technology, VU University Medical Center, Research Institute MOVE, Van der Boechorststraat 7, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Roel G M
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Breuls
authors.forename: Darinka D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Klumpers
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Everts
authors.forename: Theo H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D048430:Cell Shape; D024062:Collagen Type V / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D022001:Focal Adhesions; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D024062:Collagen Type V; D020100:Hydrogels