Fibroblast traction as a mechanism for collagen morphogenesis (original) (raw)

• Letter
• Published: 19 March 1981

Nature volume 290, pages 249–251 (1981)Cite this article

• 2623 Accesses
• 720 Citations
• 6 Altmetric
• Metrics details

Abstract

To make visible the traction forces exerted by individual cells, we have previously developed a method of culturing them on thin distortable sheets of silicone rubber1. We have now used this method to compare the forces exerted by various differentiated cell types and have examined the effects of cellular traction on re-precipitated collagen matrices. We find that the strength of cellular traction differs greatly between cell types and this traction is paradoxically weakest in the most mobile and invasive cells (leukocytes and nerve growth cones). Untransformed fibroblasts exert forces very much larger than those actually needed for locomotion. This strong traction distorts collagen gels dramatically, creating patterns similar to tendons and organ capsules. We propose that this morphogenetic rearrangement of extracellular matrices is the primary function of fibroblast traction and explains its excessive strength.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

• Purchase on SpringerLink
• Instant access to full article PDF

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

• Log in
• Learn about institutional subscriptions
• Read our FAQs
• Contact customer support

Similar content being viewed by others

References

1. Harris, A. K., Wild, P. & Stopak, D. Science 208, 177–179 (1980).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
2. Elsdale, T. & Bard, J. J. Cell Biol. 54, 626–637 (1972).
   Article CAS Google Scholar
3. Bell, E., Ivarsson, B. & Merril, C. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 1274–1278 (1979).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
4. Stuart, E. S. & Moscona, A. A. Science 157, 947–948 (1967).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
5. Wessels, N. K. & Evans, J. Devl Biol. 18, 42–61 (1968).
   Article Google Scholar
6. Weiss, P. A. in Biological Organisation (ed. Waddington, C. H.) 12–13 (Pergamon, New York, 1959).
   Google Scholar
7. Trelstad, R. L. & Hayashi, K. Devl Biol. 71, 228–242 (1979).
   Article CAS Google Scholar
8. Weiss, P. A. in Analysis of Development (eds Willier, B. H., Weiss, P. A. & Hamburger, V.) 346–401 (Saunders, Philadelphia, 1955).
   Google Scholar
9. Peacock, E. E. & Van Winkle, W. Wound Repair Ch. 3 (Saunders, Philadelphia, 1976).
10. Abercrombie, M., Flint, M. H. & James, D. W. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 4, 167–174 (1954).
    Google Scholar
11. Gayou, R. & Rudolph, R. Ann. Plastic Surg. 2, 62–71 (1979).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Zoology, University of North Carolina, Wilson Hall 046-A, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA
   Albert K. Harris, David Stopak & Patricia Wild

Authors

1. Albert K. Harris
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
2. David Stopak
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
3. Patricia Wild
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harris, A., Stopak, D. & Wild, P. Fibroblast traction as a mechanism for collagen morphogenesis.Nature 290, 249–251 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/290249a0

Download citation

• Received: 16 October 1980
• Accepted: 21 January 1981
• Issue Date: 19 March 1981
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/290249a0

This article is cited by