Synergistic Modulation of Cellular Contractility by Mixed Extracellular Matrices
Figure 2
ECM density-dependent cell spreading of MDA-MB-231 cells on collagen- and fibronectin-coated surfaces. (a) Representative phase contrast images of MDA-MB-231 cells cultured on collagen and fibronectin-coated coverslips at different densities for 24 hours. Scale bar = 100 m. (b) Box whisker plots of projected cell area on coverslips coated with collagen or fibronectin at varying densities. Pluronic-blocked coverslips (Plu.) without any matrix coating served as negative controls. Independent of choice of ECM protein, spreading was relatively insensitive to ligand density up to a coating density of 1 μg/cm2 and increased thereafter. Bars indicate statistical significance (). (c) Box whisker plots of circularity measures on coverslips coated with collagen or fibronectin at varying densities. Increase in ECM density was associated with a reduction in circularity on collagen-coated surfaces. Circularity exhibited a biphasic behavior on fibronectin-coated surfaces. Bars indicate statistical significance ().
