Effects of morphological patterning on endothelial cell migration

The migration of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) plays an important role i n vascular remodeling. Here we studied the effects of cell morphology on th e migration of bovine aortic ECs by culturing cells on micropatterned strip s of collagen matrix (60-, 30-, and 15-mum wide). The spreading areas of th e cells on 15- and 30-mum wide strips were 30% lower than those on 60-mum w ide strips and unpatterned collagen. The cells on 15-mum wide strips comple tely aligned in the direction of the strip, and had significantly lower sha pe index than those in all other groups. On strips of all widths, ECs tende d to migrate in the direction of strips. ECs on 15-mum wide strips had high est speed, particularly in the direction of the strip. Vinculin staining sh owed that the leading edge of ECs on 15-mum wide strips had focal adhesions that were oriented with their lamellipodial protrusion and the direction o f cell migration; this arrangement of the focal adhesions may promote EC mi gration. The present study provides direct evidence on the role of cell mor phology in EC migration, and will help us to understand the mechanisms of E C migration during angiogenesis and wound healing.