Graded fibronectin receptor aggregation in migrating cells

Electric field as a potential directional cue in homing of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to cutaneous wounds

Bone marrow-derived cells are thought to participate and enhance the healing process contributing to skin cells or releasing regulatory cytokines. Directional cell migration in a weak direct current electric field (DC-EF), known as electrotaxis, may be a way of cell recruitment to the wound site. Here we examined the influence of electric field on bone marrow adherent cells (BMACs) and its potential role as a factor attracting mesenchymal stem cells to cutaneous wounds. We observed that in an external EF, BMAC movement was accelerated and highly directed with distinction of two cell populations migrating toward opposite poles: mesenchymal stem cells migrated toward the cathode, whereas macrophages toward the anode. Analysis of intracellular pathways revealed that macrophage electrotaxis mostly depended on Rho family small GTPases and calcium ions, but interruption of PI3K and Arp2/3 had the most pronounced effect on electrotaxis of MSCs. However, in all cases we observed only a partial decrease in directionality of cell movement after inhibition of certain proteins. Additionally, although we noticed the accumulation of EGFR at the cathodal side of MSCs, it was not involved in electrotaxis. Moreover, the cell reaction to EF was very dynamic with first symptoms occurring within <1min. In conclusion, the physiological DC-EF may act as a factor positioning bone marrow cells within a wound bed and the opposite direction of MSC and macrophage movement did not result either from utilizing different signalling or redistribution of investigated cell surface receptors.

Photocoupling of fibronectin to titanium surfaces influences keratinocyte adhesion, pellicle formation and thrombogenicity

OBJECTIVES

Coating of implant surfaces with biomolecules can influence basic host responses and enhance subsequent tissue integration. The biological factors have to be immobilized on the implant material. Human fibronectin (Fn) was used as a model protein and covalently coupled to titanium (Ti) surfaces via silanization and an anthraquinone linker. The impact on several aspects of initial host/biomaterial interactions (keratinocyte adhesion, platelet interactions and pellicle formation) was studied.

METHODS

Coupling efficiency was characterized by immunological techniques. The effects of coupled Fn on initial host/biomaterial interactions were assessed. Cell adhesion and spreading were investigated by fluorescent staining, pellicle formation by an acoustic sensor system (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, QCM-D), and platelet adhesion as one parameter mediating the inflammatory response by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunological assays.

RESULTS

Coupling efficiency was related to irradiation time used for photochemical coupling of the UV-activated anthraquinone to the silanized Ti surface. With an optimized protocol, the amount of Fn coupled to the surface could be almost doubled compared to standard dip-coating methods. On the anthraquinone-coupled Fn coatings, cell adhesion and spreading of human keratinocytes was significantly enhanced. Online detection of pellicle formation revealed strong reversibility of saliva protein adhesion on Fn coated surfaces compared to the pure Ti surface. Furthermore, the Fn coated Ti showed a low thrombogenicity.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study suggests that anthraquinone-coupled biological coatings may be useful for biofunctionalization of Ti dental implants by enhancement of soft tissue re-integration (restoration of the epithelial seal) combined with diminished pellicle formation.

Polarity, protrusion-retraction dynamics and their interplay during keratinocyte cell migration

Keratinocyte migration on a two-dimensional substrate can be split into four distinct phases: cell extension, attachment, contraction, and detachment. It is preceded by polarization of the cell which leads to a functional asymmetry observable by the formation of a leading lamella. In this work variation of fibronectin coating concentrations and competitive inhibition with RGD peptides are used to investigate the dependency of polarization, migration, lamella dynamics, and ruffling on substrate adhesiveness. Looking at migrating human epidermal keratinocytes with a well-defined polarity we find that a fibronectin-coating concentration of 10 microg/cm(2) stimulates migration and ruffling speed twofold, whereas protrusion speed increases only by 20% (compared to 2.5 microg/cm(2) fibronectin). Nonpolar cells show a constant migration and ruffling speed independent of the amount of fibronectin. In contrast protrusion speeds of polar and nonpolar cells are equal. Treatment of cells on 10 microg/cm(2) fibronectin with 1 mg/ml GRGDS reduces the characteristic migration, protrusion, and ruffling speed of polar cells which corresponds to lowering the effective coating concentration to under 5 microg/cm(2). The probability of being polarized (quantified by a polarity index) increases with increasing fibronectin concentration. However, addition of soluble RGD on 10 microg/cm(2) fibronectin does not simply reduce the polarity index like one would expect from the corresponding changes in the other motility parameters, but it remains unchanged.

Immediate and long-term galvanotactic responses of Amoeba proteus to dc electric fields

The long-term and immediate galvanotactic responses of Amoeba proteus to the direct current electric fields (dcEFs) were studied with the methods of computer-aided image analysis. It was found that in contrast to earlier reports, amoebae continued locomotion towards cathode (the negative pole) for hours and the increase in the field strength in the range 300-600 mV/mm caused the straightening of cell trajectories accompanied by the decreased frequency of the lateral pseudopods formation and lesser change in the speed of cell movement. In the cell regions pointing to the anode, the formation of new pseudopodia was prevented and the higher cEFs strength the more extended were the regions in which formation of new pseudopods was inhibited. Replacement of calcium with magnesium in the extracellular medium reduced the galvanotactic cell responses. Research on the localisation and kinetics of the primary cell responses to the dcEF or to change in its direction revealed that the primary cell responses occurred at the anode oriented cell regions. The cell response to the field reversal appeared to be localised and to take place in less than 1 sec. First the retraction and withdrawal of the anode-directed pseudopodium was observed whereas the uroid (cell tail) moved for 10-40 sec in the original direction before it begun to react to the field reversal. The exposure of amoebae to the dcEFs sensitised them to the reversion in the field direction and induced an acceleration of cell responses. The results presented are difficult to reconcile with the attempt to explain the cell galvanotaxis as a consequence of the membrane protein lateral electrophoresis or electroosmosis. It is suggested that the lateral electrophoresis of ions and the modification of ionic conditions at the vicinity of ion channels may be involved in the induction of fast responses of cells to external dcEFs.

Epidermal growth factor receptor relocalization and kinase activity are necessary for directional migration of keratinocytes in DC electric fields

Human keratinocytes migrate towards the negative pole in DC electric fields of physiological strength. This directional migration is promoted by epidermal growth factor (EGF). To investigate how EGF and its receptor (EGFR) regulate this directionality, we first examined the effect of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including PD158780, a specific inhibitor for EGFR, on this response. At low concentrations, PD158780 inhibited keratinocyte migration directionality, but not the rate of migration; at higher concentrations, it reduced the migration rate as well. The less specific inhibitors, genistein, lavendustin A and tyrphostin B46, reduced the migration rate, but did not affect migration directionality. These data suggest that inhibition of EGFR kinase activity alone reduces directed motility, and inhibition of multiple tyrosine kinases, including EGFR, reduces the cell migration rate. EGFR redistribution also correlates with directional migration. EGFR concentrated on the cathodal face of the cell as early as 5 minutes after exposure to electric fields. PD158780 abolished EGFR localization to the cathodal face. These data suggest that EGFR kinase activity and redistribution in the plasma membrane are required for the directional migration of keratinocytes in DC electric fields. This study provides the first insights into the mechanisms of directed cell migration in electric fields.

Electric field-directed cell motility involves up-regulated expression and asymmetric redistribution of the epidermal growth factor receptors and is enhanced by fibronectin and laminin

Wounding corneal epithelium establishes a laterally oriented, DC electric field (EF). Corneal epithelial cells (CECs) cultured in similar physiological EFs migrate cathodally, but this requires serum growth factors. Migration depends also on the substrate. On fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LAM) substrates in EF, cells migrated faster and more directly cathodally. This also was serum dependent. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) restored cathodal-directed migration in serum-free medium. Therefore, the hypothesis that EGF is a serum constituent underlying both field-directed migration and enhanced migration on ECM molecules was tested. We used immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy and report that 1) EF exposure up-regulated the EGF receptor (EGFR); so also did growing cells on substrates of FN or LAM; and 2) EGFRs and actin accumulated in the cathodal-directed half of CECs, within 10 min in EF. The cathodal asymmetry of EGFR and actin staining was correlated, being most marked at the cell-substrate interface and showing similar patterns of asymmetry at various levels through a cell. At the cell-substrate interface, EGFRs and actin frequently colocalized as interdigitated, punctate spots resembling tank tracks. Cathodal accumulation of EGFR and actin did not occur in the absence of serum but were restored by adding ligand to serum-free medium. Inhibition of MAPK, one second messenger engaged by EGF, significantly reduced EF-directed cell migration. Transforming growth factor beta and fibroblast growth factor also restored cathodal-directed cell migration in serum-free medium. However, longer EF exposure was needed to show clear asymmetric distribution of the receptors for transforming growth factor beta and fibroblast growth factor. We propose that up-regulated expression and redistribution of EGFRs underlie cathodal-directed migration of CECs and directed migration induced by EF on FN and LAM.

Regulation of integrin-mediated adhesion during cell migration

Migrating cells form dynamic and highly regulated adhesive interactions with their environment. In particular, integrin-mediated adhesions to the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a central role in cell migration. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the adhesive mechanisms that regulate cell detachment at the rear of migrating fibroblasts and neutrophils. The contribution of several key adhesive regulators is discussed, including myosin mediated cell contractility, tyrosine phosphorylation, rho, calcium fluxes, and calpain. A challenge for future investigation will be to determine how adhesive events are spatially and temporally coordinated to promote productive directional cell movements.

Physiological electrical fields modify cell behaviour

Steady direct current (dc) electric fields exist in many biological systems over many hours. At these times cells are dividing, differentiating, moving to final locations and extending motile processes. Each of these events may be influenced by physiological electric fields in tissue culture and when electric fields are disrupted in vivo, major developmental abnormalities arise. The likelihood of physiological electric fields playing a role in cell behaviours and some potential mechanisms are outlined.