Morphogenesis of cell-to-substratum adhesion and spreading on Ni-Cr-alloys. A scanning electron microscopic study.

A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis has been performed on the adhesion, spreading and growth pattern of fibroblastoid and epitheloid cells on Ni-Cr-alloys as compared to glass substrates. The attachment is initiated by filipodial contact of monolayer cells with the glass as well as alloys, and subsequent radial spreading occurs by the gradual peripheral extension of the broad lamellipodium followed by a general cell flattening. When cultured under identical conditions monolayer cells reach confluence at the same time on glass and alloy surfaces, respectively. The results show that the fibroblastoid and epitheloid cells form stable contacts between the cell surface and the alloy in the same manner in which the cells adhere to the surface of glass. The cells migrated and proliferated on the surface of alloys and covered the surface of the substratum.