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Vimentin contributes to human mammary epithelial cell migration
C Gilles1, M Polette, J M Zahm
1Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, University of Li¿ege, CHU Sart-Tilman, B23, Belgium.
Journal of Cell Science
|November 27, 1999
Summary
Vimentin expression is induced in migrating human epithelial cells at wound edges and disappears upon closure. This suggests vimentin plays a functional role in cell migration.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein.
- Its role in epithelial cell migration is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vimentin in epithelial cell migration.
- To determine if vimentin expression is regulated by migratory status.
Main Methods:
- In vitro wound-healing model using human mammary epithelial MCF10A cells.
- Time-lapse video microscopy to analyze cell migration.
- Vimentin mRNA and protein expression analysis.
- Actin filament labeling.
- Vimentin promoter-green fluorescent protein reporter assay.
- Antisense vimentin cDNA transfection.
Main Results:
- Vimentin mRNA and protein were exclusively induced in migrating cells at the wound edge.
- Actin filaments reorganized in migrating cells.
- Vimentin expression ceased when cells became stationary.
- The vimentin promoter was specifically activated in migratory cells.
- Antisense vimentin reduced vimentin expression and migratory speed.
Conclusions:
- Vimentin expression is transiently induced during epithelial cell migration.
- Vimentin may play a functional role in the migratory process of human epithelial cells.