Fibronectin distribution pattern and the three-dimensional growth behavior of mammalian cells under...

Several types of normal diploid cells, established "normal" cells, and transformed cells of human and rodent origin have been studied with reference to cell surface fibronectin distribution and their anchorage-independent growth behavior. All cell types that showed intercellular and fibrillar surface fibronectin were anchorage-dependent for growth. Lack of surface fibrillar fibronectin in spontaneously or virus-transformed cells and cells of neoplastic origin was accompanied by anchorage-independent growth potential. The degree of three-dimensional organization of cells under anchorage-independent growth conditions was dependent on the amount of intercellular fibronectin. The significance of these observations to in vivo tumor growth is discussed.