The differential regulation of cell motile activity through matrix stiffness and porosity in three dimensional collagen matrices.
In three dimensional collagen matrices, cell motile activity results in collagen translocation, cell spreading and cell migration. Cells can penetrate into the matrix as well as spread and migrate along its surface. In the current studies, we quantitatively characterize collagen translocation, cell spreading and cell migration in relationship to collagen matrix stiffness and porosity. Collagen matrices prepared with 1-4 mg/ml collagen exhibited matrix stiffness (storage modulus measured by oscillating rheometry) increasing from 4 to 60 Pa and matrix porosity (measured by scanning electron microscopy) decreasing from 4 to 1 microm(2). Over this collagen concentration range, the consequences of cell motile activity changed markedly. As collagen concentration increased, cells no longer were able to cause translocation of collagen fibrils. Cell migration increased and cell spreading changed from dendritic to more flattened and polarized morphology depending on location of cells within or on the surface of the matrix. Collagen translocation appeared to depend primarily on matrix stiffness, whereas cell spreading and migration were less dependent on matrix stiffness and more dependent on collagen matrix porosity.
Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dallas, TX 75390-9039, USA.
Miguel
M
Miron-Mendoza
Joachim
J
Seemann
Frederick
F
Grinnell
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005976:Glutaral / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D016062:Porosity
D000199:Actins; D003094:Collagen; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D005976:Glutaral