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Biomedical subjects

S Hic

Publications and source records attributed to S Hic.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

A biochemical approach to periodontal regeneration. AFSCM: assays for specific cell migration.

Recent investigations on regeneration of the periodontium have attempted to define factors involved in the formation of a new connective tissue attachment. One essential biological event involved in tissue regeneration is directed cell migration (chemotaxis). Extracellular matrix proteins have been shown to influence chemotaxis, cell proliferation and differentiation. Recently, the extracellular matrix proteins, fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM), and the polypeptide, endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF), have been shown to stimulate a variety of biological processes. Current assay systems which attempt to define cell migration are the Boyden chamber assay and a random cell migration assay. Neither assay system adequately defines in vivo cell migration. Here we present a new in vitro assay system that tests the capacity of several biological response modifiers applied on dentin to stimulate a chemotactic and proliferative response from various cell types. The assay system consists of two types of assays. Assay I measures the chemotactic activity of test substances bound to dentin. In this assay cells must actively move through a filter (Nuclepore) towards a factor bound to dentin. Assay II examines the ability of dentin-bound biological response modifiers to stimulate directed movement and proliferation of cells on dentin surfaces. We report that periodontal ligament (PDL) cells migrate towards FN and ECGF; that PDL cell migration is enhanced when dentin is preconditioned with tetracycline HCl; that PDL cells have an increased proliferative response when dentin is conditioned with both FN and ECGF; that gingival epithelial cells have increased migratory and proliferative responses when LM is used to condition dentin; and that there is a reciprocal utilization of biological response modifiers by gingival epithelial cells and PDL cells.

Cell Division↗

Tumor cell metastasis.

Local tissue invasion and the formation of metastatic lesions are characteristic properties of many malignant tumors. The formation of metastases is a complex process involving the passage of tumor cells from the site of the primary bulk tumor through successive connective tissue barriers, ultimately resulting in the growth of secondary tumor cell colonies in distinct target organ locations. At many stages in the metastatic process, tumor cells interact with multiple components of the extracellular matrix. Recently, the importance of basement membrane as a barrier to invasive cells has been recognized. In the course of the transition from in situ to invasive carcinoma, normal or dysplastic epithelial cells residing on a basement membrane are replaced by neoplastic cells which subsequently invade the basement membrane and enter the underlying stroma. Once in the stroma, tumor cells can then penetrate the walls of blood vessels or the lymphatic system and enter into the circulation. Circulating tumor cells next arrest in the lumina of small vessels, invade the vessel wall, and leave the circulation. These cells are now directly exposed to the extracellular matrix of a target organ where they may grow to form secondary tumors. Throughout the metastatic process tumor cells are thus in contact with, and are potentially responsive to, various components of the extracellular matrix. This review provides a survey of the recent advances in our understanding of the interactions of metastatic tumor cells with the extracellular matrix. Specifically, the role of basement membrane as a barrier to metastatic tumor cells is examined.

Animals↗

Human endothelial cells are chemotactic to endothelial cell growth factor and heparin.

The response of human endothelial cell migration to various extracellular matrix components and growth factors has been assessed. Human endothelial cells demonstrate increased chemotaxis and chemokinesis when placed in a modified Boyden chamber with endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) used at a concentration of 10(-9) M. Anti-ECGF antibody inhibits the chemotactic response. Heparin (10(-8) to 10(-10) M) was also chemotactic and was shown to potentiate the chemotactic activity of ECGF. Although laminin, fibronectin, the polypeptide (epidermal, fibroblast, and nerve) growth factors, and collagen types I, II, III, IV, and V demonstrate a chemotactic response, these activities were one third to one half less than observed with ECGF. These data suggest that ECGF and heparin may play a significant role as response modifiers of human endothelial cell migration which may be relevant to tumor metastasis, wound healing, and atherogenesis.

Cells, Cultured↗