A new approach to study fibroblast migration

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach to study cell migration. Human tendon fibroblasts were plated on silicone membranes coated with 10 lg/ml ProNectin-F. The silicone surfaces were micro-fabricated with parallel microgrooves, with 10 lm ridge and groove width, and 3 lm groove depth. Fibroblasts grown in the microgrooves had an elongated shape and oriented along the microgroove direction. They also moved along the same direction instead of \random walk" when cells migrate on smooth culture surfaces. In response to TGF-b1 (5 ng/ml) treatment, these fibroblasts on the microgrooved surfaces were differentiated into myofibroblasts, as judged by an elevated expression of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), a specific marker for myofibroblasts. Moreover, these myofibroblasts were found to be 30% less motile compared to that of untreated fibroblasts. Thus, use of microgrooved surface may be an effective approach to detect difference in cell motility because cell migration on the microgrooved surface is one dimensional and hence easier to be quantified than two-dimensional random movement on conventional smooth culture surfaces. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 64:1-5, 2007.

The regulation of phenotype of cultured tenocytes by microgrooved surface structure

“…As reported [15], the membrane surfaces were micro-fabricated to create parallel microgrooves with 10 mm ridge and groove width and 3 mm groove depth. Meanwhile, smooth silicone membranes were used as a control and both types of membranes were coated with 10 ng/ml fibronectin (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) to promote cell attachment.…”

“…To enforce an elongated morphology of cultured tenocytes, previously reported microgroove silicone membrane, a gift kindly provided by Dr. James Wang from University of Pittsburgh [15], was employed for the study. As reported [15], the membrane surfaces were micro-fabricated to create parallel microgrooves with 10 mm ridge and groove width and 3 mm groove depth.…”

The potential roles of cell migration and extra-cellular matrix interactions in Dupuytren’s disease progression and recurrence

“…fibroblast cells with smooth muscle properties [4]. Some studies have suggested that myofibroblasts have reduced motility relative to less differentiated fibroblasts [6,7]. Using a microgrooved surface migration assay that monitors cell migration in one dimension, Thampatty and Wang [6] found that once human fibroblasts differentiated into myofibroblasts they were less motile than the undifferentiated controls.…”

“…Some studies have suggested that myofibroblasts have reduced motility relative to less differentiated fibroblasts [6,7]. Using a microgrooved surface migration assay that monitors cell migration in one dimension, Thampatty and Wang [6] found that once human fibroblasts differentiated into myofibroblasts they were less motile than the undifferentiated controls. This reduction in migration may be associated with the incorporation of α-smooth muscle actin in stress fibres, a widely accepted marker of myofibroblast formation, and the development of supermature focal adhesions which exerts greater stress compared to other focal adhesions [8,9].…”

Skin extracellular matrix components accelerate the regenerative potential of Lin− cells

“…Cell migration is another essential process that ensures not only tissue development and maintenance of homeostasis but also provides a successful wound healing process [31]. The in vitro scratch assay is a suitable model for the preliminary studies, providing the possibility to investigate the influence of separate extracellular matrix components on the cell migration properties [9].…”