Do cells show an inverse locomotory response to fibronectin and laminin substrates?

Sixteen cell types from a variety of tissues and from primary and secondary cell cultures and established cell lines were tested for their ability to distinguish between fibronectin and laminin substrates during locomotion in vitro. Laminin and fibronectin were presented to the cells as directly adjacent tracks. Most cells, regardless of origin, showed no preference for one substrate over the other. Only two of the cell types tested showed a strong preference for one or other other substrate molecule. Cells were responding to the local substrate, since antibodies directed against one substrate molecule only interfered with locomotion on tracks coated with that molecule. We conclude that many cells simultaneously express functionally active receptors for fibronectin and laminin, and that differential locomotory response to these two molecules cannot be assumed without experimental confirmation.