Effect of extracellular matrix on two cell lines established from mongolian gerbil's (meriones unguiculatus) malignant melanoma

Abstract

We investigated the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) on the adhesion, morphology and proliferation of two Mongolian gerbil's melanoma cell lines (MGM-S, MGM-A) which differed in malignancy. Fibronectin matrix was detected on the cell surface of MGM-S by immunofluorescence techniques. MGM-A cells, showing a multipolar shape, were widely spread over the dishes coated with fibronectin, laminin or type IV collagen. The adhesion rate of MGM-A cells to ECM components was higher compared to that in controls. Attachment to laminin was conspicuously promoted. The effect of laminin on MGM-A cell growth was also the highest among the substrates examined. On the other hand, these ECM components did not affect MGM-S cells. These results suggest that laminin and fibronectin may participate in the malignancy of MGM cell lines. © 1995, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE. All rights reserved.