Effects of hyaluronidase, trypsin, and EDTA on surface composition and topography during detachment of cells in culture.

Cultured human embryo fibroblasts (HLM18) were labeled with [3H]glucosamine and Na35SO4, and then treated with testicular hyaluronidase, trypsin, or EDTA. Macromolecular material from the surface of these cells was characterized by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation while the associated morphology of cell detachment was studied by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. Release of surface glycosaminoglycans by testicular hyaluronidase did not cause cell rounding or detachment. EDTA did not release cell-surface components, but caused cell contraction and detachment morphologically similar to that caused by trypsin. Large amounts of cell-surface glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans were released by trypsin. From these observations it is concluded that hyaluronic acid is not a principal adhesive agent in the attachment of cells to a substrate. It is suggested that both EDTA and trypsin may have their primary effect upon the cytoskeleton.