Age-related changes in collagen gel contraction by cultured human lung fibroblasts resulting in cross-over of contraction curves between young and aged cells.

We examined the effects of population doubling levels on collagen gel contraction by human lung fibroblasts (TIG-1). The sizes of gels at day 4 of culture, when the number of cells was the same as the initial number, were smaller with young cells than with aged cells. Therefore, retractive force had decreased with in vitro cellular aging. On the other hand, the lag time until gel contraction began became shorter with aging, resulting in the cross-over of contraction curves of young and aged cells. Morphological changes, such as pseudopodia protrusion, were suppressed in collagen gel. The surrounding collagen fibrils prevented young cells from moving more than aged cells. The weakened omnidirectional interaction with collagen fibrils on the entire surface of aged cells might result in an earlier occurrence of morphological change and, thereby, gel contraction.