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Plasma membrane motility of cultured human glia cells in phase II and III
Abstract:
A human diploid glia line (U-787 CG) was cultured on haptotactic islands using a miniclone method recently described. The surface morphology and motility pattern of the cells were studied using timelapse cinemicrophotography and scanning electron microscopy. Proliferating cells showed locomotion and ruffling activity with intermittent associated macropinocytosis. Non-dividers, viz, cells which had not divided 10 days after seeding on the haptotactic islands, were immobile, larger than the dividers, rather flat with few microvilli, and showed only very occasional ruffles almost completely without associated macropinocytosis. Our present findings show that phase III cells growing singly on haptotactic islands in serum-containing medium behave like phase II cells starved of growth factors or density growth inhibited. The results corroborate the theory that stationary cells have depressed ruffling activity and associated macropinocytosis as compared with proliferating cells.
Insights
Proliferating glial cells exhibit active movement and macropinocytosis, while non-dividing cells are immobile with reduced ruffling. This suggests stationary cells have decreased cellular activity compared to dividing cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Human diploid glia line (U-787 CG) cells were utilized to investigate cellular behavior.
- Previous research established a miniclone method for culturing cells on haptotactic islands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the surface morphology and motility patterns of proliferating and non-dividing glial cells.
- To compare the cellular activities of stationary versus actively dividing cells in a controlled environment.
Main Methods:
- Timelapse cinemicrophotography was employed to observe cell motility.
- Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze surface morphology.
- Cells were cultured on haptotactic islands using the miniclone method.
Main Results:
- Proliferating cells demonstrated locomotion, ruffling, and intermittent macropinocytosis.
- Non-dividing cells were immobile, larger, flatter, with fewer microvilli, and exhibited minimal ruffling and macropinocytosis.
- Phase III cells in serum-containing medium mimicked the behavior of growth-factor-starved or density-inhibited phase II cells.
Conclusions:
- Stationary glial cells exhibit significantly reduced ruffling activity and associated macropinocytosis compared to proliferating cells.
- Cellular behavior, including motility and macropinocytosis, is strongly correlated with the proliferative state of glial cells.
- The findings support the theory linking depressed cellular activity in stationary cells to their non-proliferative state.