Characterization of the subtypes of cell motility in ageing human skin fibroblasts.

Previous studies have noted alterations in cell migration during wound healing with age. Both intracellular and extracellular factors alter cell migration. In an effort to clarify the relationship between ageing and cell motility we have utilized time-lapse videomicroscopy to quantitatively and qualitatively study the various subtypes of cell motility including membrane ruffling, lamellapodal extension and cell translocation of ageing human fibroblasts in culture. We demonstrate a global decline in all types of cell motility of human fibroblasts with increasing donor age. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this decrease in cell motility with ageing is independent of chemotactic gradients.