The lack of attachment of transformed embryonic lung epithelial cells to collagen I is corrected by fibronectin and FXIII.

PER cells, a transformed pulmonary epithelial cell line that adhered to a large extent to a fibronectin substratum, were found to be attachment-deficient to collagen I. Although fibronectin can bind to collagen I monomers and polymers, the addition of exogenous fibronectin in the attachment medium induced the adhesion of these cells to collagen I polymers but not to monomers. By adding the transglutaminase of blood coagulation, FXIII, in the presence of fibronectin, the attachment of PER cells to collagen I monomers could be recovered while the minimal concentration of fibronectin needed to promote their adhesion to polymers was lowered. These studies indicate that FXIII enhances the fibronectin-mediated attachment of PER cells to collagen I.