Cell Matrix Remodeling Ability Shown by Image Spatial Correlation
Figure 2
Representative SHG images of collagen matrix with and without cells. (a) Type I collagen matrix without cells after 1, 2, and 4 days of incubation. There is no recognizable collagen fiber distribution heterogeneity or collagen compaction. (b) Collagen matrix with MCF-7 cells after 1, 2, and 4 days of incubation. There is no distinguishable feature until day 4, in which collagen matrix with MCF-7 cells shows mild remodeling, although the majority of the collagen matrix was not compacted by cells. (c) Collagen matrix with NIH/3T3 cells after 1, 2, and 4 days of incubation. A higher degree of collagen compaction compared to the collagen matrix with MCF-7 cells can be seen since day 2. Higher collagen density was also observed, possibly due to collagen synthesis by the fibroblasts. (d) Collagen matrix with MDA-MB-231 cells after 1, 2, and 4 days of incubation. Collagen matrix shows significantly higher degree of remodeling compared to both MCF-7 and NIH/3T3 cell-embedded collagen matrices. (e) Actin-GFP labeled MDA-MB-231 cells cultured in type I collagen matrix for 4 days, showing that collagen matrix (magenta) has higher density close to cells (green). The higher density area around the cell is referred to as collagen compaction, and its size is quantitatively evaluated by image spatial correlation in this report.
