Observations on the contraction and movement of fat-storing cells in culture.

The Wistar fat-storing cells were isolated by perfusion with collagenase and centrifugation with metrizamide density cushion technique and cultured in vitro. The fat-storing cells were confirmed by the presentation of the lipid drop in the cytoplasm and the visualization of dismin with anti-dismin antibody by using indirect immunofluorescence method. By the videotape recorder (VIR) and the imagine analysis system, we observed the wandering immigration, the abrupt contraction of fat-storing cells with spike, then becoming a ball-like shape in its division phase. After that the cell began to extend and the contraction of these cells can be induced by the presence of 10(-2) mmol/L endothelin-1, 1 mmol/L of substance P and 2 x 10(-5) mmol/L noradrenalin. After removal of these agents the contracted cells would become extended. All these findings indicate that the fat-storing cells have ability of contraction and movement.