Spreading of cells on various substrates evaluated by Fourier analysis of shape

In order to evaluate in mathematical terms the morphological changes occurring in the course of cell spreading, Fourier analysis of shape was applied. Human urothelial Hu 961 b cells plated on type IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin, glass and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied. Fourier parameters describing cell shape as well as surface areas covered by the cells on the substrate were subjected to statistical analysis. Using analysis of variance and discriminant analysis it was found that parameters describing cell shape (both gross shape of cells and their fine scale contour foldings) possessed a higher power of discrimination between the cells spread on various substrates than the differences in cell surface areas. In the course of observation (75 and 150 min) the highest number of attached cells and highest degree of spreading were found when cells were plated on type IV collagen. Moderate alterations in cell shape and moderate increase of surface area were seen in the group of cells seeded on fibronectin, whereas the cells plated on laminin, glass and BSA revealed a moderate increase of surface area, but no changes in their shape were observed. The differences in attachment of cells and in the degree of their spreading might be due to the variation in expression of plasma membrane receptors for various substrates. The Fourier analysis of cell shape coupled with measurement of surface area is a good tool for quantitative evaluation of cell spreading and can be used for discrimination between cells spread on different substrates.