The influence of corneal stromal matrix proteins on the migration of human corneal fibroblasts.

Motivated by the alterations seen in the corneal matrix composition after photorefractive keratectomy and the migration of corneal keratocytes seen following this procedure, the locomotor response of corneal stromal fibroblasts to various extracellular matrix proteins was determined. In addition, the involvement of integrin mediated attachment to the matrix proteins was investigated. Quantitative invasion assays were performed using collagen gels, supplemented with either fibronectin, tenascin, collagen type V, collagen type VI, chondroitin sulfate or keratan sulfate. The ultrastructure of the gels was visualized by scanning electron microscopy and related to the migration results. The extent of alpha(1)beta(1), alpha(2)beta(1), alpha(3)beta(1)and alpha(5)beta(1)integrin mediated attachment to the matrix proteins was evaluated using blocking antibodies. Fibronectin increased corneal fibroblast migration significantly, and served as an excellent substrate for cellular attachment, mediated by the alpha(5)beta(1)integrin. Addition of tenascin to the fibronectin-containing gels disrupted these effects, while attachment to this matrix also involved the integrins alpha(2)beta(1)and alpha(3)beta(1). Chondroitin sulfate and collagen types V and VI primarily altered the structure of the collagen matrix, resulting in an inhibition of migration by the collagens and an increase by chondroitin sulfate. They all served as poor substrates for attachment. Thus, the migratory activity of corneal fibroblasts in vitro is influenced by the composition of the surrounding extracellular matrix, either by integrin mediated cell-matrix interactions or through matrix-matrix interactions. This study provides evidence that the provisional matrix deposited in a corneal stromal wound may facilitate the entry of migrating corneal fibroblasts. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.