Effect of tenascin and fibronectin on the migration of human corneal fibroblasts

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2003 Feb;29(2):354-60. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(02)01609-7.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of fibronectin and tenascin on the migration of corneal fibroblasts.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria.

Methods: Using human corneal fibroblasts, a monolayer migration assay was performed to measure corneal fibroblast movement. The migration on collagen I, fibronectin, and tenascin with and without transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha/fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 stimulation and the effect of soluble tenascin and fibronectin on corneal fibroblast migration on collagen-I-coated wells were investigated.

Results: The cytokines TGF-alpha and FGF-2 stimulated migrational activity of corneal stromal cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching the maximum effect at 100 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively. The migration of corneal fibroblasts on fibronectin was significantly higher (P <.05) than the migration on collagen I. Transforming growth factor-alpha and FGF-2 increased radial cell displacement independent of the provided matrix composition. Tenascin had a negative effect on corneal fibroblast adhesion/migration in this in vitro model.

Conclusion: Fibronectin and tenascin influenced corneal fibroblast migration and adhesion, respectively, and may play a role in stromal cell movement during wound healing. The cytokines TGF-alpha and FGF-2 had an additive effect on corneal fibroblast migration on a fibronectin matrix.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / physiology
  • Cornea / cytology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibronectins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Tenascin / physiology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / pharmacology
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Fibronectins
  • Tenascin
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • Vimentin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2