[The reorganization of the extracellular matrix in mixed monolayer cultures]

Heterotypic cells in combined monolayer sheets can push each other from the substratum due to a competition in attachment of pseudopodia of contacting heterotypic cells: different types of epithelium can push each other and fibroblasts from the substratum in mixed cultures. The formation of extracellular matrix in mixed cultures was studied with antisera to fibronectin and laminin by immunofluorescent microscopy. It was shown that one group of cells in the sheet pushed another group together with their extracellular matrices. It is supposed that the interaction of contacting heterotypic cells and associated extracellular matrices may play an important role in distribution of different cell types in embryogenesis and carcinogenesis.