EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX PROTEINS INHIBIT PROLIFERATION, UP-REGULATE MIGRATION AND INDUCE MORPHOLOGICAL-CHANGES IN HUMAN GLIOMA CELL-LINES

The influence of an artificial basement membrane (BM), Matrigel, and f our individual extracellular matrix proteins, fibronectin, laminin, co llagen I and vitronectin, on cell proliferation, morphology and migrat ion was assessed in four glioma cell lines. Matrigel and individual BM proteins differentially inhibited cell proliferation of all cell line s studied. In addition, Matrigel was found to induce extensive morphol ogical changes in glioma cells. Polycarbonate filters, of 8-mu m poros ity in modified Boyden chambers, were used to assess the chemoattracti on activity of Matrigel and the individual proteins on glioma cells. A h these components were found to stimulate cell migration, albeit to d ifferent extents but laminin proved to be the most effective chemoattr actant for glioma cells in vitro. These data suggest that basement mem brane proteins may inhibit proliferation and stimulate migration in or der to facilitate invasion.