Collagen-induced rapid morphogenesis of human mammary epithelial cells: the role of the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin

• Published in: Journal of cell science Vol. 102 ( Pt 3); no. 3; pp. 437 - 446
• Main Authors: Berdichevsky, F, Gilbert, C, Shearer, M, Taylor-Papadimitriou, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.07.1992
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Breast - cytology; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell Line; Cell Movement - physiology; Collagen - physiology; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Integrins - immunology; Integrins - physiology; Morphogenesis - physiology
• ISSN: 0021-9533; 1477-9137
• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.102.3.437

The cell line MTSV1-7, originally derived by immortalizing mammary epithelial cells cultured from human milk was able to form three-dimensional structures in collagen gel. We have now found that these cells, cultured as a monolayer, are able to undergo rapid morphogenesis forming ridges and balls around collagen fibres, when soluble collagen type I is added to the medium. Monoclonal antibodies to the alpha 2 (P1E6) and beta 1- (mAB13) subunits of VLA-2, but not to the alpha 3-subunit (P1B5) of VLA-3, could block this collagen-induced rapid morphogenesis (CIRM). The effect of the antibodies on cell attachment, spreading, and migration on collagen gels was analyzed to identify alpha 2 beta 1 dependent steps which might be involved in CIRM. The results suggest that while other proteins, besides alpha 2 beta 1, are also involved in cell attachment and migration, cell spreading was specifically blocked by antibodies to the VLA-2, but not to the VLA-3 integrin. The results demonstrate that the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin plays a crucial role in the collagen-induced morphogenesis of human mammary epithelial cells and implicate the process of VLA-2-dependent cell spreading as an important step in this morphogenesis.