A novel subcellular collagen organization process visualized by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

The α1β1 and α1β1 integrins belong to a family of cell-surface molecules involved in structural contacts and signal-transduction events across the cell membrane. Employing two-dimensional substrates coated with fluorescently labeled type I collagen, we have discovered a novel subcellular matrix remodeling event that is particular to cells that express the fibrillar collagen receptor α1β1. Cells expressing α1β1 also perform this collagen organization process, but less proficiently. This work will provide a basis for subsequent studies of cell-mediated collagen fibril assembly.