The effect of monensin on cell aggregation of normal and dystrophic human skin fibroblasts.

Measurements of aggregation kinetics using couette viscometry show that freshly trypsinized skin fibroblasts from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy have values of intercellular adhesiveness approx. 40% those of normal cells. If cells are allowed to recover from the effects of trypsinization (by incubation for 2 h at 37 degrees C in serum-containing medium) the intercellular adhesiveness of both cell types increases, and normal and Duchenne cells aggregate to the same extent. Exposure to the ionophore monensin during the recovery phase leads to suppression of recovery in both cell types, and this effect of the drug is greater in Duchenne fibroblasts. These results are discussed in relation to other data on the reported differential effects of trypsin and monensin on normal and Duchenne fibroblasts.