A. Calcabrini et al., Cytoskeletal rearrangement in K562 erythroleukaemic cells forced to grow on a positively charged polymer surface, J MAT S-M M, 10(10-11), 1999, pp. 613-620
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN MEDICINE
We have recently demonstrated that if human K562 erythroleukaemic cells, wh
ich normally grow in suspension, are grown on a positively-charged surface
composed of polylysine, a transient reorganization of CD54 (ICAM-1), CD58 (
LFA-3) and alpha nu beta(3) (vitronecin receptor), three important CAMs loc
ated on the cell membrane, takes place. In addition, changes of longer dura
tion in membrane conductivity (ionic transport across the cell membrane) an
d membrane permittivity (static distribution of charges across the cell mem
brane), indicating more permanent structural as well as functional alterati
ons in the cell membrane, were also observed [2]. Because of the close inte
rrelationship which exists between the cell membrane, CAMs and the cytoskel
eton, changes in this intracellular network as well as in the surface morph
ology of K562 cells grown on the positively-charged polymer, polylysine, we
re examined. In particular, actin and tubulin were investigated qualitative
ly and quantitatively by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry,
respectively, while the cell surface was studied by scanning electron micro
scopy (SEM). The data indicate that when K562 cells are grown onto polylysi
ne no quantitative changes occurred to the cytoskeletal elements even if th
ese were rearranged and that the cell membrane surface is also greatly alte
red. These results are discussed in light of the pivotal role played by CAM
s and the cell cytoskeleton in transducing environmental stimuli, in this c
ase those provided by a positive charge, from the cell membrane to the insi
de of the cell. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.