Mechanisms of Cell-to-Cell and Cell-to-Substrate Adhesion of Human Epithelial, Chang Conjunctiva Cells

Abstract

The adhesive property was studied of Chang conjunctiva cells of human epithelial line. Cells dissociated with only EDTA aggregated in Ca²⁺-free and Mg²⁺-free conditions, whereas cells dissociated by trypsin did not aggregate under the same conditions. Cells dissociated with trypsin solution containing Ca²⁺ aggregated in the presence of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺. Cells dis-sociated by trypsin without Ca²⁺ showed less aggregation in the presence of divalent cations. In cases of cell adhesion to non-cellular substrates, the particular method of cell dissociation did not produce different results. Only a small fraction of inoculated cells attached onto plastic coated with bovine serum albumin or gelation. Many inoculated cells attached rapidly and spread onto plastic coated with collagen, when Mg²⁺ was present in the medium. These results were discussed with the hypothesis that Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ act differently in cell adhesion.