Role of extracellular matrix in attachment, migration, and repair of wounded rabbit cultured gastric cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether extracellular matrix components affect attachment, proliferation, migration, and repair of wounded rabbit gastric cells in primary culture. Gastric cells were inoculated on culture plates coated without or with collagen type I, type IV, laminin, or fibronectin. The number of attached cells was counted at 3, 5, 24, 48, and 72 h after inoculation. Cell proliferation was assessed with [3H]thymidine incorporation. To assess cell migration and repair after wounding, a confluent monolayer was cut in a standardized manner and the size of the wound area was measured with a computerized analysis system. The number of attached cells increased significantly in plates coated with the extracellular matrix components within 3 h after inoculation. Collagen type I was the most potent stimulator of attachment. Extracellular matrix components did not affect thymidine incorporation. Wound healing was significantly accelerated in the plates coated with collagen type I, type IV, and laminin (70.2 +/- 1.0%, 68.0 +/- 1.0%, and 69.2 +/- 0.9% of initial wound area, respectively, vs. 74.0 +/- 0.6% of initial wound area in controls). Extracellular matrix components play an important role in attachment, migration, and repair of wounded cultured gastric epithelial cells.