INTERACTIONS OF ELASTIN FIBERS WITH FIBROBLASTS - A TIME-LAPSE CINEMICROGRAPHIC STUDY

Adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix is mediated by structura l glycoproteins such as fibronectin and laminin, and also elastonectin , whose role is to ensure binding of elastin fibers to cells. Interact ions between elastin fibers and human skin fibroblasts cultured in a R ose chamber were investigated by using cinemicrography to observe elas tin fiber attachment, detachment, and displacement over a five-day per iod. Elastin fiber displacement over the cell layer resulted in aggreg ation, which was measured using morphometry. The total number of isola ted elastin fibers or aggregates decreased between 1h and 8h and remai ned stable thereafter. During the same time interval, significant decr eases occurred in the numbers of isolated fibers and small aggregates (perimeter<0.268 mm; surface area<894 mu m(2)), whereas larger aggrega tes were formed. After 15 hours of interaction, none of the aggregates had a perimeter greater than 0.536 mm, consistent with an increase in aggregate compacting. These data demonstrate that elastin-cell intera ctions do not occur at random. These interactions may play a pivotal r ole in morphogenesis and in maintaining the integrity of elastic tissu es such as the arterial wall, lungs, and skin.