[The role of the cytoskeletal components in cell culture in collagen gel as a model system of vitreous contraction].

We previously reported a cell culture system in artificial collagen gel as a model system of vitreous contraction. In this report, the epithelium cultured in the collagen gel elongated and induced gel contraction. The motile cytoskeletal components were thought to be important for morphological changes of the cells and the gel contraction. In order to examine the relationship between the cytoskeletal components and morphological changes of the cells and gel contraction, colchicine and cytochalasin B, known to be inhibitors for microtubules and microfilaments respectively, were added to the gels and the culture media. Bovine lens epithelia were cultured in the gels and the media containing 0-1000 nM colchicine or 0-10 microM cytochalasin B. Both inhibitors arrested the elongation of the cells and the contraction of the gels. These results suggested that the cell movement caused by the functions of microtubules and microfilaments were related to the vitreous contraction.